The Ride to Netherfield

Everything that happened that year in Hertfordshire was a direct result of one fateful decision. Mrs. Bennet, silly, nervous, and determined to marry her daughters well, denied her eldest daughter the use of the carriage so that she might still be at Netherfield when Mr. Bingley returned from dining with the officers. How difficult the fortunes of the Bennet family might have been if Jane had taken the carriage! What follows is a faithful telling of the circumstances that befell the Bennet family when Jane fell off her horse:

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“Of course, mamma would force me to ride!” Jane nearly screamed at the sky as the dark clouds unleashed their bounty. Jane was glad she had chosen a thick pelisse and dark habit, but she was going to be soaked through. It was not much further now; she could see the house. The reliable mare was nervous. Jane heard thunder in the distance. The gate was near; she only had a few more minutes in the rain. She rode with whatever speed she could coax from the horse.

A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky and the horse reared suddenly. Her grip weakened by her wet gloves; Jane was thrown from the horse. She had almost been passing through the gate and her leg hit the side of the stone wall. She heard a crack, felt the jolt of acute pain, and once she had tumbled to the ground; she lay as still as she could on the grass. She knew her leg was broken; it was at an impossible angle and the pain was exquisite. She looked towards the house; the horse was cantering towards it still, unaware or unconcerned that it had left behind its rider. She hoped someone would see her, as it would be dangerous to move.

Luckily for Jane, Louisa and Caroline heard the horse, saw the lack of rider, and looked towards the gate. A footman was sent, and finding Jane in the state that she was, he ran back to the house for help. One man splinted the limb, two others carried a stretcher, and they brought her into the house. Jane was almost in too much pain to be embarrassed by her appearance. Louisa and Caroline were at the door, clearly anxious for their friend and obviously surprised that she had taken it upon herself to ride to their home on such a day as this.

“It was fair when I departed,” Jane offered through gritted teeth.

Caroline now spoke to one of the men, for Jane had indeed broken at least one bone and the best room for such an invalid was discussed in earnest. There was a small apartment on the ground floor and Caroline quickly agreed to place Jane within. It was by no means a room she would ever use for a guest given its strange location within the house, but in the present situation it seemed prudent. Jane saw nothing to despise; it was very small, only bed, washstand, chair, and a small dresser fit within, but it had a window with a lovely prospect of the park which could easily be gazed through from the bed. This, Jane knew, might prove important if she was to be long confined with this injury.

The two Bingley women were busy arranging Jane’s care: new clothes were sent; three maids took every care to remove her wet garments and dress her. They cut away her left stocking so as not to harm the leg and left it uncovered; her dress was hiked to the knee for the ease of examination. Two men were dispatched to the local bone setter and the apothecary. Tea and soup were prepared and brought to Jane. Jane requested paper and wrote immediately to her mother.

“Are you sure, Miss Bennet, that your local surgeon is quite good enough? We could send to London; I am certain our friends would know the best in town,” said Miss Bingley.

“No, please it is better for bones to be set at once, I am certain it will not be prudent to wait,” said Jane, in less pain now that her leg was settled carefully on the bed, “Lydia broke her arm as a child and my mother was quite pleased with Mr. Gilbert.”

“If you are resolved,” Caroline said. Clearly, she had no faith in country surgeons.

“I do not wish to impose,” Jane said softly, “But if you could bring my note to Longbourn and to request my sister Elizabeth to come and attend me. If the break is not bad, I am hopeful that she can help take me back home.”

Caroline was gracious and as the sudden storm had now passed, she sent her brother’s carriage. Elizabeth was at Netherfield before the end of an hour and by then Mr. Gilbert was with Jane. He made his examination with a stern look and, turning to the assembled party of women, spoke the words that Jane had feared the most to hear.

“The break is complex; I am afraid Miss Bennet will not be able to return home.”

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“Mr. Bennet! I was certain that sending Jane to ride was for the best. Elizabeth has written: ‘Jane has broken two bones in her leg and one in her foot, Mr. Gilbert will not hear of us moving her and demands that she remain in bed for at least four weeks to determine if his work is successful. Please send clothes for myself and Jane as I have been graciously invited to remain.’”

“If Jane is to be permanently disfigured, it is a comfort to know it was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley and on your orders,” said he.

“People recover from broken limbs! This is better than I could have wished for. If she is not ill, Mr. Bingley will be allowed to visit her. Once the bone is set, of course. And a month! I have seen a man fall in love in a fortnight, a month will see them married. I am sure of it.”

“Please tell Lizzy that she can request the carriage as she pleases. It will be a long time away from home.”

“How can you think of Lizzy at a time like this? Jane is the object, and she will catch Bingley, I know she will.”

“I doubt she can catch anything in her current position, except a cold, which would leave her in an even more sorry state.”

“You care nothing for your daughters; Jane is well enough and she will have such attentive care. It is far better for her to have broken her limb at Netherfield.”

Mr. Bennet could only think to himself that it might have been better if she had never broken it at all, but he only said, “How lucky Jane is to have such a caring mother.”

Mrs. Bennet was content, Mr. Bennet was worried, and Kitty and Lydia could only hope that Jane would recover quickly, for they had been planning to ask Mr. Bingley to hold a ball at Netherfield. Mary was concerned for Jane, but not enough to try walking such a distance. She consoled herself by taking entire command of the pianoforte now that Elizabeth was away.

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Darcy, Hurst, and Bingley had been surprised to arrive home to two Miss Bennets; one of whom was bedridden and very miserable. Elizabeth joined them for a small part of the evening, enough to let them know that with her break attended to, Jane was feeling otherwise well. If Elizabeth had cared at the moment for such things, she would have been pleased by the distress of Bingley, but she was too angry at her mother and disgusted by the pretended concern of Caroline and Louisa to pay much mind. She returned to her sister and read her the latest novel from the circulating library, which her father had been kind enough to send along with their clothing.

The next day, Elizabeth helped Jane dress, then left to select breakfast foods for each of them. Elizabeth had no interest in speaking to most of the residents of Netherfield and imagined that she might pass most of the time in Jane’s small room, reading and talking with her. As Jane had not fallen ill from the cold, she had no need of additional rest. Elizabeth had hopes of the pianoforte’s music carrying to the small room as it was curiously situated, down a passage from the drawing room. It did not appear to be a servant’s chamber, for there was no proper access to the offices, but it seemed out of place for a bedroom. All the other chambers were properly upstairs.

Jane eventually banished Elizabeth to a walk out of doors. Caroline and Louisa paid a visit, bringing in a second chair that hardly fit in the room. After learning that Jane was dressed and some discussion as to the propriety of the situation, Mr. Bingley entered as well. With Caroline lingering in the hall, they spoke for a pleasant half hour, until his sister sufficiently contrived a reason for him to be gone. Elizabeth returned to find Jane very happy with her position and less angry at her mother than she had been before. Perhaps it might not be such a bad thing to break her leg at Netherfield!

A few days later, Elizabeth was taking a turn around the park when she was joined by Mr. Darcy. He asked to walk with her but said little else. She found this very strange, but convinced as she was that he did not like her, she imagined that he was only walking with her for the sake of politeness since they had happened upon each other. To remedy this evil, she gave a hint, “I usually walk this path at this hour, Jane will not let me stay with her for the entire day.”

“How is your sister?” he replied.

“As well as may be hoped; it is more a challenge to her spirits than anything else to be confined to a single room,” Elizabeth did not wish to appear ungrateful and added, “though our hosts have been very obliging.”

“Is it your intention to remain here until Miss Bennet is able to be removed?”

Elizabeth, thinking that he must wish her gone, replied, “If I thought it conducive to her recovery to languish in boredom, I would remove myself home presently. But as she seems to want me; I shall continue to trespass on your friend’s kindness.”

He made no response to this and yet when they neared the house, he did not take the opportunity to return inside. Instead, he remained by her until she tired of the shrubbery. This was very odd and when Elizabeth returned inside, she told Jane of it. They both agreed it was strange and the topic rested there.

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A week passed, with Elizabeth spending most of her time with Jane. They took meals together in the small room and spent many hours reading and playing cards. Elizabeth left daily to walk, almost always joined by Darcy, much to her consternation. Caroline and Louisa visited the patient daily, but never for more than an hour. Charles was present more often and Elizabeth, feeling she was not wanted, would sit sewing or reading and pretend not to hear. Charles seemed like a very kind man and was extremely attentive to Jane. Elizabeth knew that Jane was fond of him and her smile when he came into the room must be evidence enough for him of that fact.

One morning, Charles burst into Jane’s chamber (the door left open when Jane was ready to receive visitors) and announced a grand scheme:

“I have written to the owners and they have approved my plan! We will open the entry to this room and install another door. Jane cannot leave the bed, so the bed shall come to us! The passage is wide enough that she may at least join us in the drawing room.”

Elizabeth was very amused but she said nothing.

“I am ashamed that so much will be done for my comfort,” Jane said, blushing.

“Think of it more for my sisters’ comfort, they hate to be confined in this small room as much as you must. I sent the request without much hope, but it was a happy circumstance. This room, which you must admit is oddly situated, was added for an infirm grandmother who could no longer ascend the stairs. The owners thought it very proper to change the doorway for another invalid.”

Whatever Bingley’s sisters thought of the plan, Charles was entirely decided, and the carpenters set to work at once. It was something of a difficult day for Jane, since she was forced to sit alone and read, but she appreciated a small sacrifice for greater gain. By the end of the day, the entrance was widened and the new door put in. Jane, in her bed, was carried out so that the painting might be completed without her inside. For the first time in a week, she was able to meet the entire party at once.

One would not have imagined Miss Bingley to be the host of the evening, for her brother would rather accommodate Jane’s pleasure then defer. He had gathered prior intelligence that she wished to play cards and a table was duly ordered. There was only room for four and Elizabeth and Charles were already seated. Observing Darcy moving to take the final place, Miss Bingley exclaimed,

“This is badly done, Charles! We have not room enough for everyone.”

“Then arrange another table,” Charles said happily as he dealt cards out for whist, having chosen his seat so that Miss Bennet was his partner.

Miss Bingley found this quite disagreeable and said as she returned to Louisa, “There is not a game upon the cards for three worth playing. I could have arranged everything much better; we ought to have played a round game.”

Louisa agreed readily and thought it a grievous slight to Caroline’s rights and privileges. The sisters were forced to relieve their anguish with some duets while Mr. Hurst sat himself nearby the table to watch the progress of the game. To a seasoned player like himself there was not much to delight, Bingley and Jane were poorly matched against Darcy and Elizabeth and scored less points than even their cards might have merited.

Miss Bingley carefully observed when the rubber was over and coming back towards the table said to Elizabeth, “Will you indulge us, Miss Elizabeth?”

“If pressed, I will, but I have no great musical talent.”

Jane protested, “That is not true, I love to hear you play.”

Elizabeth laughed, “I must not allow your recommendation, you are too prejudiced in my favour to be believed. I play passably, but not with any true mastery.”

“A pity,” said Miss Bingley, with a sardonic tone.

““It is amazing to me,” said Bingley to Elizabeth, “how young ladies such as yourself can have patience to be so very accomplished as you all are.”

Jane blushed, for she would not consider herself a very accomplished lady. She could not play or sing like Elizabeth.

“All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?” said Miss Bingley.

“Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.”

Jane was now able to smile, for while she could not play or draw, if this was what Charles valued in accomplishments, she was safe. In true good nature, she said to Bingley, “Miss Bingley is so very accomplished that you ought to be a well-informed judge.”

“If he did judge by such a method,” said Darcy, “he would have composed a different list.”

Caroline, taking this as a compliment, continued readily, “Certainly! A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.”

Having discerned some of Jane’s feelings during this speech, Bingley was quick to reply, “Even if the phrase is applied too liberally, it does not make the woman in question a jot less agreeable.”

“Besides,” said Elizabeth, “it is an unfair trial for at least one woman present. How is Jane to demonstrate her elegant manner of walking?”

Bingley smiled, “It is far more difficult to look graceful in repose.”

Jane blushed, Elizabeth smiled to herself, and Darcy was robbed of an opportunity to display his excellent discernment in the education of young ladies (this was most likely to his benefit). As neither Jane nor Bingley wished to appear rude, the card table was broken up and Elizabeth settled in a corner to read a book, completely unaware of the significance of this choice.

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The next day, Elizabeth again met with Darcy on her usual walk. It was becoming such a regular occurrence that she decided to take advantage of the moment to revive the topic of the day before, “You must tell me, Mr. Darcy, what your description of an accomplished lady is; I feel that the discussion yesterday was rather cut short.”

“My definition would be fairly close to Miss Bingley’s, though I would add something more substantial, the improvement of the mind by extensive reading.”

Elizabeth almost laughed before saying, “I may grant you that the term is used too generously, but I have never met with such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance united.”

“Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of this?”

“Perhaps my experience is not as extensive as yours, but when I calculate the hours required to have a ‘thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages’ I wonder at the achievement. Must the woman also be one-and-twenty or has she given the best years of her existence to this education?”

“You do move in a confined and unvarying society. I know at least six women who fit this description and they are not middle aged.”

“My neighbourhood is not large, to be sure, but I have had ample opportunity to observe the education of young women. I do have four sisters.”

“And you think this is representative of the general education of girls in England?”

“No, I will not allow you to think that my opinion, I only believe it has given me a general idea of girl’s natural inclinations. I have no experience with seminaries and governesses.”

“Then you do not understand the methods of most of the fashionable world.”

 “How shall we ever go forward in a debate if our knowledge is entirely distinct?” said Elizabeth playfully, “Perhaps it would be better to discuss another topic.”

“What think you of books?” he said smiling.

“Books? I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings.”

“That is no difficulty if you wish for disputes.”

“What is your opinion then, of Camilla?” said Elizabeth, selecting something she was sure he had not read.

“There is an interesting example of female education, what do you think of Eugenia?”

Elizabeth was startled, but then smiled. If he would insist on meeting her for every walk, she would prefer some rational discourse.

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The residents of Netherfield formed a routine over the next few weeks. Jane spent some of the day in her room, attended by Elizabeth, and then was carried out around noon. Dinner was for a few days eaten by Elizabeth and Jane alone in the drawing room, until Charles could no longer stand it. He declared that they were a small party anyway and then cleared enough space for a small table in the drawing room. Dinners were then taken together, with Jane eating from a small tray on the bed, and the rest at the table near her. Boredom was impossible and Jane happily passed the hours with more company than she had ever expected. She talked with Charles, read with Elizabeth, heard the sisters play, and even occasionally talked with Mr. Darcy, though he more often talked to Elizabeth. There was nothing to say of Mr. Hurst and he had little to say for himself.

This is a sample of what Jane and Charles talked about:

“Was the dinner last night to your taste?” said Charles, “I noticed you did not eat the tarts.”

Jane blushed, “You did not know, I am not very fond of apples.”

“What fruit do you enjoy?”

“Strawberries most of all, but they are sadly out of season.”

“I love strawberries! But cherries might be a superior fruit.”

“Cherries are very good; only I wish we had them for longer and in greater quantities. Our trees at Longbourn never produce enough for my taste.”

“You are fortunate to have your own supply, there are so hard to purchase in London, even for ready money.”

“Are there cherry trees here at Netherfield?”

“I hardly know. When you are recovered, we ought to take a trip to the orchards and see if we can discover any.”

Jane smiled, “When it is the proper season you must try some of ours.”

“When I do purchase, there must be an orchard,” said Charles, and then with a smile he added, “And a large strawberry bed.”

Mr. Gilbert came twice a week to check the sorry limb, and while it seemed to be healing very well, he was confident that she would need to remain as much as possible within the bed. He had no objections to the bed being moved and seemed to hear of it with a hint of amusement. His chief concern was a small bone in the foot, which often proved difficult to heal.

“Rest assured Miss Bennet, it is far less difficult with one as young and healthy as you, I proceed with care to ensure a full recovery.”

Elizabeth and Jane, both present for the examination, thanked him. Elizabeth might not have been entirely happy to remain in the presence of Mr. Darcy, but she could not leave Jane and was watching her growing intimacy with Charles with complacency. Elizabeth was certain that Caroline and Louisa wished Jane to return home, but they could not argue with Mr. Gilbert’s opinion and their brother certainly would not hear of it.

Elizabeth had contrived one other comfort: she had kept her mother and sisters from visiting. This was accomplished by sending frequent letters appraising them of Jane progress, in healing and in love, and by impressing upon them that they were already much obliged for the care that Jane received from her hosts. Mrs. Bennet could endure anything for the possibility of her daughter being settled at Netherfield and contented herself by imagining that she could visit often once the engagement was announced.

News travelled both ways, and Elizabeth soon learned of two significant arrivals. Her distant cousin, Mr. Collins, was visiting the family and there was a new member of the militia arrived from London. She read the letter to Jane aloud, while Mr. Darcy was sitting nearby reading. He seemed so absorbed in his own book that she hardly thought it an imposition. When she reached the name of the man, she heard Mr. Darcy start. Elizabeth turned to look at him and perceived with surprise that his face was rather red.

 “What name did you say?” he asked.

“Mr. George Wickham. He came with his friend Mr. Denny from London,” Elizabeth repeated.

“Does she write anything else?”

“Only that he is handsome and charming, but this is written by my youngest sister: she attends to little else and always sends very short letters.”

Mr. Darcy set down his book, but said nothing more. Soon he left the room. Jane and Elizabeth were both left to wonder at what he could be thinking, but they both felt that they could not ask.

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Mr. Collins was a little surprised to be greeted by three daughters instead of five at Longbourn. He was quickly informed that the eldest Miss Bennet was indisposed and staying at another house in the area, the second sister with her. This left the fastidious Mr. Collins in quite a quandary! He thought it most proper to pay his attentions to the eldest sister, but she could not be approached. He brought his concerns to the mother, and she, caring only that daughters were to be married and hardly for order or precedence, aimed him directly towards the eldest at home. Mr. Collins accordingly fixed his affections on Mary. Mrs. Bennet, wanting nothing to disrupt the possible union, wrote directly to Elizabeth and urged that she and Jane might contrive to stay a bit longer at Netherfield. There was no call to confuse a lover! Elizabeth could only reply that Mr. Gilbert saw no reason for them to remove and everyone was content.

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Jane had a good deal of time to think on Mr. Darcy’s sudden change of countenance when Mr. Wickham was mentioned and she thought it would be safe to ask Charles about it. Charles promised to talk to Darcy, who gave him an account of Wickham’s debts, behaviour in university, and the particulars of his disputed inheritance.

“I do not know when I have been more shocked!” said Jane to Elizabeth, “I could never have believed that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind, much less one individual!”

“And think Jane, this is only what Mr. Bingley has seen fit to relate to you, the list of sins might be much longer.”

“Poor Mr. Darcy! He has suffered much from this unfortunate connection.”

“Do you not feel that we ought to inform our family of Mr. Wickham’s conduct? From the way Lydia talked she seems quite taken with him.”

Jane pondered for a moment, “To have his errors made public might ruin him forever. He may be sorry for what he has done and trying to re-establish his character in a new place.”

“Perhaps, but it may also be that he has come to a new location unfamiliar with his ways. Do you not think the good tradespeople of Meryton should be on their guard?”

“I think you are quite right. However, consider that if you give our mother a hint of it and you know between her and Aunt Phillips, they shall tell the whole town.”

“If he has reformed, his conduct shall contradict any ill report. I will not feel easy until what you have learned is generally known.”

Jane consented and then said, “I am surprised you did not ask Mr. Darcy yourself. You say he always finds you during your walks.”

“Yes, it is very odd. I cannot account for it at all.”

“He might admire you.”

“Admire me? No that is impossible. If you did not already know what he thought of me, I will tell you that he hardly speaks when we meet in the park, unless I begin.”

“His opinion might have changed during the last few weeks. How else can you explain it? He knows you walk as a habit and continues to join you. He certainly looks at you a great deal.”

“If he does, it must be only to find something of fault in my manner of walking,” said Elizabeth, trying to laugh it off.

“No! I cannot think that, who could find fault with you? I find nothing surprising in someone appreciating your many aimable characteristics. Will you not agree that he could be admiring you?”

Elizabeth only smiled and shook her head, but as Jane had suggested it, she agreed to at least take the idea into consideration.

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Mr. Darcy left Elizabeth at the house and continued his walk. He had been admiring her more than he thought prudent, and if their situations had not been so different, he might feel himself in danger. Charles however, was in great danger, and there was nothing that he or his sisters could do to save him. He would never hear of sending Jane home or departing himself until Mr. Gilbert thought it prudent. As long as Jane remained in the drawing room, Charles would always find an excuse to visit her. He hardly left the house aside from shooting and riding. Everything declared that he was in love and there was nothing to be done.

While Darcy had hoped someday Charles might be united with his sister, it was readily apparent Charles would not wait that long to form an attachment. As brazen as Miss Bennet’s behaviour might have seemed in coming to Netherfield in the rain, it was clear to Darcy that she was in love with Charles. Her bright smile when Charles entered the room told all. She was in love with him and Mr. Darcy was sure that the only thing keeping his friend from entering an engagement immediately was the awkwardness of remaining under the same roof. He was almost certain that the day Mr. Gilbert released Jane from her repose, Charles would make her the happiest of all women.

Darcy had considered that it might be judicious for himself to leave Netherfield while Elizabeth remained. Miss Bingley was jealous of Elizabeth but with the guest in the house it was easy to avoid her. A more pressing concern was him falling further in love with Elizabeth. Darcy valued his self-control perhaps too highly and decided to stay.

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A letter arrived from Longbourn, written by Mrs. Bennet, happily declaring that Miss Mary Bennet would soon be Mrs. Collins. A short line from Mr. Bennet was directed for Elizabeth, “A very silly girl has gotten a very senseless husband, but I have every hope that she will be happy.” Having never met Mr. Collins, Elizabeth could only trust her father’s assessment. It had been a very short acquaintance indeed! She believed Mary would be pleased with herself, to be the first sister of the five married after always being regarded as the most plain. Elizabeth reflected that Mary would suit the life of a parson’s wife and thought no more of it. They must be home in time for the wedding after all, unless Mrs. Bennet was somehow bribing Mr. Gilbert.

Jane also received a very angry letter from Lydia. Mrs. Bennet had sunk Mr. Wickham’s character so totally that the whole neighbourhood was set against him. A few debts of honour, that he had no ability or inclination to settle, had run him out of the militia. He was gone and Lydia was sure that Jane had never done anything so horrid in her life. After all, he had been the most handsome of the lot! Jane consoled herself by believing that perhaps Wickham could reform himself henceforth and then thought no more about it.

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Mr. Gilbert finally ended his twice weekly examination with sanguine news: Jane was enough recovered to remove home. Of course, she should walk only with aid, keep as much in bed as she could, and make every effort not to injure the leg again. Jane celebrated by coming to breakfast on Charles’s arm and eating properly at the table, with her injured leg carefully placed on a small stool. Elizabeth, very pleased to be heading back home, took a turn around the park for the last time. She was met as usual by Mr. Darcy.

He seemed agitated, and stopping suddenly, he thus began: “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth was surprized, but not beyond expression, she exclaimed, “Repressed? What can you mean?”

Startled, he replied, “I do not think my family will approve of the alliance.” This was indeed his only objection; he had seen so very little of the rest of the Bennets that he hardly remembered what they looked like or how they behaved. Charles had been very remiss in visiting since Jane had been confined to Netherfield and Darcy had not made any efforts to remedy this neglect.

“If there are such strong objections from that quarter, I wonder that you would address me at all.”

This was not going as planned, “I have felt for some time that you are the most extraordinary woman that I have ever encountered or ever shall meet with.”

“Can this be possible? I am not one of those exalted six who are so truly accomplished. Your acquaintance is so extensive and filled with people of all descriptions.”

Darcy had no ready reply.

“I almost think you admire me because you were sick of civility, deference, and attention. I have never sought your admiration.”

“Do you mean to allow me to continue?” he said finally.

“By all means, you must excuse my interruption.”

Darcy continued with what he had planned to say, but the comments from Elizabeth had caused such a blow to his confidence that while he always would have spoken well, it destroyed a good deal of his security. Elizabeth had not thought very seriously about him prior to this morning, but since there was very little to prejudice her against him (besides an assembly ball almost forgotten), she found herself rather compelled to accept. She did not give her answer for several minutes, during which she began to realize that at least in understanding and talents, he was exactly the man to most suit her.

Finally, she said, “I feel that I must inform you, Mr. Darcy, my father will be loath to part with me, but I shall do my best to plead your case.”

After everything had been said between them, Elizabeth returned inside to tell Jane, only to find her looking very pleased with some happy news of her own. They all departed for Longbourn together. Mr. Bennet was quite at his leisure to receive them.

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Mr. Darcy could not have formed a better impression of the Bennet family. Mrs. Bennet was far too pleased to say anything embarrassing, Mr. Bennet gave his consent readily, and the younger girls were too busy with preparations for Mary’s approaching nuptials to be very silly at all. Mary did not deign to play pianoforte, Lydia did not demand a ball, and Kitty only giggled four or five times. Mrs. Bennet did have one slip, and said enough about the ball at the assembly to make Mr. Darcy properly ashamed of himself. Perhaps it was not enough to entirely do away with his pride, but one must be assured that a playful and good-tempered wife would eventually tease him out of his haughty manners.

Elizabeth and Darcy were not both in love when they married, as you might imagine the affection was mostly on one side, but when Elizabeth removed to Pemberley and knew more of her husband’s character, she quickly grew to love him. By leaving the four-and-twenty families of Hertfordshire, Elizabeth saw more of the world and came to understand that her assessments of character often erred (thought not very often in the last month) and she became a more humble, less prejudiced sort of woman.

Despair not, dear readers, for the fate of Charlotte Lucas. She visited Elizabeth at Pemberley and was proposed to by a handsome young widower, who held the very living that Wickham might have gotten, and she was very pleased to be loved by a sensible man and his two daughters.

For those of you worried about Mary, do not think it was an imprudent match. Mary played and sang hymns at the church every Sunday. Since almost all hymns are within the power of a girl without taste or a strong voice, everyone found her playing delightful. She practiced enough to make Lady Catherine very pleased, especially since she could not be heard in that part of the house. Mary was hardly prudent enough to find her husband silly and together they lived in nearly perfect ignorance of what the rest of the world thought of them.

Jane and Bingley, of course, were as happy as they would always have been, but without the disappointment of any separation. Jane’s leg healed well enough that she was able to walk, dance, and ride with ease, but Bingley, worried about his dear wife’s health, always argued against riding when it was the least bit overcast.

Mrs. Bennet remained as silly, nervous, and determined to marry off her two remaining daughters as she had ever been. One must acknowledge that it was much to Lydia and Kitty’s benefit that they refused to learn to ride or she might have attempted such a fruitful scheme again!