At first, her life at Thornfield is quiet. Jane's only companions are her pupil, Adèle, the young French ward of the absent Mr. Rochester, and Mrs. Fairfax, a genteel elderly widow who is Mr. Rochester's housekeeper. But everything changes when Edward Rochester, the owner of the manor, arrives. The manner of their meeting is unusual: on a dark winter's afternoon, Jane takes a walk to the nearest village to post a letter. On the way, she is startled by a large hound appearing eerily out of the mist; at first Jane takes the dog for the spirit Gytrash, but soon realises no supernatural forces are at work when a horse and rider follow after. Spooked by Jane's sudden appearance, the horse slips on some ice, and the rider is thrown to the ground. Jane comes to his aid, and assists him to mount his horse again, since he has twisted his ankle. His manner is abrupt and curt; he inquires of her where she lives, and what her position at Thornfield is, then rides away. Returning from her walk, she sees the same hound, and is informed by the servants that Mr. Rochester has returned - the mysterious traveller.
