Jane quickly runs out of money, so her coach drops her off at a remote crossroad called Whitcross. She spends an anguished night sheltering under a cliff on the moors, praying for spiritual guidance.

The next day, however, Jane feels cheered by her sunny surroundings. She hikes 10 miles to the nearest village, and arrives in high spirits, but very hungry. However, when she asks around the village about employment, she is turned away everywhere she goes.

By evening, Jane resorts to begging for food. She tries to trade her few belongings with the housekeeper at a local parsonage, but she is met only with suspicion. A local farmer spares her a slice of bread, but does not look at Jane as he gives it to her. Jane even asks a child for a bit of leftover porridge she is about to throw to the pigs. The child gives the porridge to Jane, but only because even the pigs don’t want it.

Jane wanders until she sees a star of light shining on the moors. She follows the light to a small house. Jane peeks through the window and sees two young women, Diana and Mary, reading German alongside a servant, Hannah.