“My bride is here . . . because my equal is here.” (295)

This quote shows a great change in Mr. Rochester. Now that he and Jane are truly equals, they can get married. Previously, he had felt as though he was above Jane and women in general to the point that only having a mistress was perfectly acceptable. Now, however, he is not objectifying her as merely someone he can control, but as someone he truly loves. The reader can infer that this is the beginning of a loving relationship in which both partners play an equal role - a novel idea for Jane and Rochester’s time, but the ideal for many couples being married in the 21st century.

EDIT: Bronte uses this as yet another instance in which Jane's life defies convention. Jane holds herself as a strong, independent woman who will not settle for less than what she feels she deserves, including settling to only be the mistress to the love of her life. Once he has finally accepted her as his equal - a novel idea in a time when woman were by far considered to be the "weaker sex" - Jane will enter into the marriage, obviously on her own terms.