I see, you laugh rarely; but you can laugh very merrily; believe me, you are not naturally austere, any more than I am naturally vicious. The Lowood constraint still clings to you somewhat; controlling your features, muffling your voice, and restricting your limbs; and you fear in the presence of a man and a brother – or father, or master, or what you will – to smile too gayly, speak too freely, or move too quickly; but in time, I think you will learn to be natural with me, as I find it impossible to be conventional with you; and then your looks and movements will have more vivacity and variety than they dare offer now. I see at intervals the glance of a curious sort of bird through the close-set bars of a cage: a vivid, restless, resolute captive is there; were it but free, it would soar cloud-high.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 14. As Rochester gets to know Jane he believes there is more to her behind her outward reserve. Her time in Lowood has held her back and stifled her as a person, he feel. As a result she is afraid to laugh, speak freely or move too fast. He is confident that she will loosen up and be more natural around him. Using an extended metaphor he compares her to a caged bird that will soar when set free.