The story begins in the bleak, drab orphanage where Jane Eyre has spent the past ten barren years, eight as a lonely inmate, and two as a teacher. Bitterly unhappy with her life there, she decides to write a letter to a London newspaper, advertising herself as a governess. Scarcely daring to hope for a reply, she is amazed to receive a reply little more than a week later. It reads "My dear Miss Eyre. If you are in a position to give satisfactory references and if you are willing to adapt yourself to a secluded life without outside interests or contacts, you are requested to present yourself on Thursday next, here at Thornfield Hall. Sincerely, Edward Rochester..." Jane comes to fall in love with Mr Rochester but Mr Rochester has a dark secret in his life.