The Tale Revealed — Jane Eyre

During a blinding snowstorm Jane reads Marmion by candlelight when St. John Rivers arrives, snow-covered and strange. After stiff talk of school and scholars, he asks her to leave her book and announces he will tell a story. He narrates the life of an orphan raised by Mrs. Reed, sent to Lowood, and employed by Mr. Rochester, who attempted bigamy at the altar; the governess then vanished from Thornfield. Jane interrupts to ask about Rochester; St. John says Briggs's reply came from Alice Fairfax, not Rochester himself.

St. John produces the torn margin from Jane's portrait paper: "JANE EYRE" in her hand. He reveals that her uncle John Eyre of Madeira is dead and has left her twenty thousand pounds. Stunned, Jane learns the fortune is real. When he tries to leave, she blocks the door until he explains why Briggs wrote to him.

St. John confesses he is her cousin: christened St. John Eyre Rivers, nephew of the same uncle. The Rivers siblings are Jane's kin. She is far gladder of three relations than of wealth, plans to divide the legacy so each cousin receives five thousand pounds, and presses St. John to accept her as a sister. After arbitration with Mr. Oliver, the transfer is settled and each becomes possessed of a competency; Jane keeps her school until a substitute is found.