After a blissful two weeks, Jane encounters Rochester in the gardens. He invites her to walk with him, and Jane, caught off guard, accepts. Rochester confides that he has finally decided to marry Blanche Ingram and tells Jane that he knows of an available governess position in Ireland that she could take. Jane expresses her distress at the great distance that separates Ireland from Thornfield. The two seat themselves on a bench at the foot of the chestnut tree, and Rochester says: “we will sit there in peace to-night, though we should never more be destined to sit there together.” He tells Jane that he feels as though they are connected by a “cord of communion.” Jane sobs—“for I could repress what I endured no longer,” she tells us, “I was obliged to yield.” Jane confesses her love for Rochester, and to her surprise, he asks her to be his wife. She suspects that he is teasing her, but he convinces her otherwise by admitting that he only brought up marrying Blanche in order to arouse Jane’s jealousy. Convinced and elated, Jane accepts his proposal. A storm breaks, and the newly engaged couple hurries indoors through the rain. Rochester helps Jane out of her wet coat, and he seizes the opportunity to kiss her. Jane looks up to see Mrs. Fairfax watching, astonished. That night, a bolt of lightning splits the same chestnut tree under which Rochester and Jane had been sitting that evening.
The officers initiate another offensive on the enemy position, resulting in the capture of the enemy flag and the taking of four prisoners.
Will requests that Carol no longer talk with Erik, hoping to avoid the spread of rumors throughout town. Erik's sudden departure greatly affects Carol. Carol and Will decide to take a vacation from Gopher Prairie.
The Yankee is comfortable in his new position, but has no title. He gains a title from the people, but is angered at the slavery and rule of the king. He likes the king, but does not respect him.
Frank has to act quickly to save himself. They decide to wait for the bear. After recording their exploits on film they resume their travels. The following night finds them setting up camp on shore.
With Mr. St. Clare gone, Mrs. St. Clare makes a decision about the slaves. Tom's hopes for finding a new, kind master are gone after meeting Simon Legree.
Clotel takes an interesting stage coach ride to Richmond, Virginia.
Bragi tells Siegfried the story of Aegir.
The narrator describes the other worldly nature of Landor's Cottage.
Now in Washington D.C., Elizabeth is introduced to Mrs. Lincoln.
Meg's stay with the Moffats introduces her to the life of a young lady.
Riding in a coach, Jane quickly exhausts her meager money supply and is forced to sleep outdoors. She spends much of the night in prayer, and the following day she begs for food or a job in the nearby town. No one helps her, except for one farmer who is willing to give her a slice of bread. After another day, Jane sees a light shining from across the moors. Following it, she comes to a house. Through the window, Jane sees two young women studying German while their servant knits. From their conversation Jane learns that the servant is named Hannah and that the graceful young women are Diana and Mary. The three women are waiting for someone named St. John. Jane knocks on the door, but Hannah refuses to let her in. Collapsing on the doorstep in anguish and weakness, Jane cries, “I can but die, and I believe in God. Let me try to wait His will in silence.” A voice answers, “All men must die, but all are not condemned to meet a lingering and premature doom, such as yours would be if you perished here of want.” The voice belongs to “St. John,” who brings Jane into the house. He is the brother of Diana and Mary, and the three siblings give Jane food and shelter. They ask her some questions, and she gives them a false name: “Jane Elliott.”
Dolor would hide the traveling cloak in the cupboard. His godmother introduces herself as Stuff and Nonsense. She showed the young prince the mysteries of the cloak—which he didn’t understand at all.
The monkey and the crab were playing along the river. The monkey finds a persimmon seed and the crab a rice dumpling; the monkey convinces the crab to exchange the items. The crab grows a tree from the seed, and asks the monkey to help him pick the fruit. The monkey is greedy, and eats all the fruit and then throws hard seeds at the crab, killing him. The crab’s son plans revenge on the monkey, eventually killing him.
Zenobia breaks down and asks Coverdale to relay a message to Hollingsworth before disappearing into the woods.
The Time Traveller encounters a group of strange creatures and explores the world of the future.
The Tuskegee Institute creates a new program to allow the less privileged to attend. The author's skills as a public speaker put him in a position of high demand.
The Count of Monte Cristo visits Haidee in his home and tells her that she is free from being his slave now that they are in Paris.
Jurgis reports to the plant as Jonas and Marija both continue to look for employment. Jurgis purchases a house.
Sydney Carton imagines a future far brighter than the one he is now witnessing.
Chapter VIII takes place almost entirely at the ball and deals with Catherine’s social misfortunes.
Lucy’s manipulative nature is again shown by her resolution to take advantage of the Colonel’s wealth and generosity as much as she can, as a result of having him confirmed in her opinion as an extremely kind and giving person.
Following the failed mutiny, Hump remains in the sleeping quarters quietly listening to the disgruntled sailors before being called to Captain Larsen's cabin.
Marianne is thrilled by the prospect of an anticipated visitor’s arrival, but Elinor is doubtful and critical of the return.
A childless couple love their dog very dearly, and the dog finds gold coins buried under their tree. The old man is grateful and loves his dog even more. The man has a very jealous and hateful neighbor, who tries to copy his neighbor’s luck by borrowing the dog and making him dig. The hateful man finds only garbage, and kills the dog in rage. The good man asks for the tree in remembrance of his dog, and the tree’s wood is made into a mortar that produces unending food. The jealous neighbor asks to borrow it and destroys it when it won’t also give him food. More events continue until the good man is eventually given riches by a lord for his kindness to him, and when the hateful man tries to copy the kindness, he is arrested as an imposter and jailed forever, thus finally being punished for his crimes.