The Cold War of Hearts — Jane Eyre

St. John defers Cambridge a week and punishes Jane's refusal with polished coldness: no open quarrel, only marble manner and withheld warmth that tortures her more than anger would. The night before he leaves, Jane meets him in the garden and asks friendship; he insists she must marry him to go to India. She says he is killing her without drawing blood. He reframes her offer to go as sister into broken promise and suggests she assist another missionary couple instead. When he names Rochester, Jane admits she must learn his fate.

Diana, watching from the window, learns of the proposal and urges Jane not to go. At supper St. John reads Revelation, dwelling on the fate of the fearful and unbelieving while praying as if to snatch Jane from the burning. His hand on her head and solemn kindness almost overpowers her; she nearly vows to marry him if convinced it is God's will.

Then a voice cries "Jane! Jane! Jane!" through the moonlit room: Rochester, in pain, nowhere visible yet unmistakable. Jane breaks from St. John, sends him away, and locks herself in to pray her own way, resolved and eager for daylight.