Beginning, Next Section

Part 1

Posted on Friday, 20 July 2001

Rosings Park, Kent
6 October, 1812

To Lady Maria Bertram, Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire.

My dear Lady Bertram,

I offer my congratulations on the recent marriage of your eldest daughter, Maria, to Mr. Rushworth. Such a match of equality in situation, fortune, and merit should be a source of pride for all families concerned. The propriety and desirableness of the connection will only be matched by my daughter Anne's marriage to her cousin Darcy, which as you know will undoubtedly occur before long. Anne herself is looking remarkably well, and has greatly improved in health since she last stayed with your daughters two years ago, although she is still not as strong as she should be. Her accomplishments are also increasing, but due to the state of her health, they have not reached the level which she otherwise would have effortlessly attained.

I send my compliments to your husband, Sir Thomas. I am glad to hear that he has returned safely from Antigua, but I am quite put out that he did not sell that troublesome and worthless estate as I advised him to do last year. He would be much better off investing in the new enterprises in the Far East. My compliments also to your children. I hope your eldest son is becoming less of a wastrel, and is settling down to his duties as he should, as my dear nephew and future son Fitzwilliam Darcy does. I do not, however, send my compliments to your sister, Mrs. Norris, who presumed to question my housekeeping arrangements on the last visit of your family to Rosings Park. I hope Sir Thomas told her that that sort of behavior is not acceptable, as I asked him to. She would not listen to me.

Again, my best wishes for the happiness of the new Mrs. Rushworth.

Yours et cetera,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
6 October, 1812

To Mrs. Louisa Rushworth, Milsom Street, Bath; formerly of Sotherton Court, Northamptonshire

My dear Louisa,

I extend to you my most sincere congratulations on the marriage of your son. His marriage to the former Miss Bertram is a respectable and desirable connection in every way. As I know your son is somewhat deficient in understanding and common sense, I know that the sophisticated manners and considerable accomplishments of the elegant Miss Bertram will certainly benefit him. He certainly would have been better off had you sent him to Cambridge, where the men of the noble Fitzwilliam family have always went, instead of Oxford, as I advised you, but there is no altering the past. His marriage will certainly do him good.

As one marriage usually brings on another, I expect to send you an invitation to the wedding of my dear nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, to my daughter Anne sometime next year. He will without question propose to dear Anne during his yearly visit to Rosings early in the spring. He is so excessively attached to her!

I am glad you are enjoying Bath, but I do warn you against a closer acquaintance with General Tilney, who I hear has taken lodgings near yours. His wife was a dear friend of mine, and she married him against my advice. Look where it has gotten her! (She is dead.)

I look forward to seeing you soon, dear Louisa. Until then, I remain
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
7 October, 1812

To Mrs. Felicity Churchill, Enscombe, Yorkshire

My dear Felicity,

It is with pleasure that I take up my pen to write. I have just received a letter from my niece, Georgiana Darcy, in which she says that she and her brother will certainly be coming to Rosings for their annual visit in the spring. I feel no doubt that this coming year will be the one in which dear Fitzwilliam will propose to my Anne and marry her, taking her off to Pemberley. It is a shame that Georgiana will be coming with Fitzwilliam, as she will certainly get in the way of Fitzwilliam's proposal, but I am certain that I will be able to keep her out of the way if necessary. If all else fails, I shall send her back to Pemberley, or to her other cousins at Matlock.

Perhaps, after I pay my wedding visit to dear Fitzwilliam and Anne at Pemberley next summer, I can bring Georgiana to visit you at Enscombe. She is such a dear girl, and so very accomplished. Your nephew Frank will be enchanted by her. It is a shame that his mother married that silly Weston man, but it all turned out well in the end. Frank Churchill is worthy of the name and of Enscombe, largely, I am sure, due to your own efforts. I know that your husband could not have raised such a charming young man without you. However, I am certain that our visit in the summer will be lovely. Perhaps you could throw a ball in Georgiana's honor. I will of course provide assistance in arranging everything.

Perhaps you have not heard that Mr. Rushworth of Sotherton Court has recently married the former Miss Maria Bertram, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Bertram of Mansfield Park. It is an unexceptionable match; he is stupid and she is superficial. They will do very well together. Their noble upbringings will serve them well, and she does have a certain elegance of manner and of person which will bring fresh beauty to the shades of Sotherton.

I look forward to seeing you next summer. Until then, I remain
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
9 October, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dear Lady Catherine,

You have undoubtedly heard of the engagement of my friend Charles Bingley to the eldest Miss Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire. I am very pleased to announce my engagement to her younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

I am well aware of your very strong opposition to Miss Bennet; indeed, you said more than enough on the topic when you visited me in London last week. However, I am convinced that she is necessary for my future happiness, and I have never met a woman who would more thoroughly grace the halls of Pemberley as its mistress. She has more real elegance and intelligence than any woman I have ever known, and she will, I am certain, fulfill all her duties admirably. She will be a valuable sister to Georgiana, and a worthy successor to my dear mother.

You will undoubtedly remind me of your wish that I marry your daughter, Anne. Anne is my cousin and my friend, but will not be my wife. I never planned to marry Anne, and I do not believe that she wanted to be my wife any more than I wanted to be her husband. I continue to hold Anne in the highest esteem, and hope that my wife and I will be able to continue a close relationship with her.

I do not expect your congratulations, and I do not expect you to join in my delight. I do ask for you to respect my decision. Miss Bennet will be my wife, and will be the next Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley. I shall continue to give you all the respect and deference due to my late mother's sister and my aunt, but I shall not tolerate any abuse of my future wife, and I also shall not accept any censure of my own character.

We will be married on the fifth of December at Longbourn Church, along with Mr. Bingley and the eldest Miss Bennet, and we would be honored if you and Anne would join us on that day.

I send my best wishes for your continued health, and greetings to my cousin Anne.

I beg to remain,
FITZWILLIAM DARCY

Part 2

Posted on Friday, 20 July 2001

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

EXPRESS to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

You are determined, then, to act in this manner, and permanently bring ridicule on yourself, your connections, your home, and your descendants. I am ashamed of you. You have the temerity to disgrace the good name bequeathed to you by generations of Darcys and Fitzwilliams. I always believed that your mother let you have your own way too much in your youth, and now the proof comes in this reprehensible manner. You are not worthy of your name, your estate, or your noble ancestry.

When your Miss Bennet brings shame upon you, as I am certain she will, you shall not have your family to support you. Do not expect any further notice or help from any of us. Also, when you come to your senses and realize what a mistake you have made in your marriage, do not expect to come back to Rosings and marry Anne as you should have. I will no longer consent to a marriage between my Anne and yourself, as you have demonstrated an utter lack of integrity, morals, and ethics, not to mention a complete absence of familial loyalty and pride. My Anne shall never be given to such a worthless fool.

You have forfeited my good opinion, Fitzwilliam, and once my good opinion is lost, it is lost forever. You are free to come back and beseech my forgiveness when you realize what an error you are making, and if I am convinced of your sincerity, I shall consider absolving you and readmitting you into the family. Until then, as far as I am concerned, you do not exist.

So go. Disgrace yourself. Connect yourself with impropriety, shame, and dishonor. I shall take no more notice.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

EXPRESS to Miss Georgiana Darcy, Pemberley, Derbyshire

Georgiana,

I am most ashamed of your brother, and I am ashamed of you as well. I always knew that you were weak and willful, but I had no idea that you are so pathetic as to not take a stand against this reprehensible alliance which your brother is proposing. You cannot be so stupid as to not see how much of a debasement this would be for him, for you, and for our whole family. Pemberley will be ruined, and the good name of your family will be lost forever. This shall not be endured.

You are to talk your brother out of marrying that grasping, deceitful woman. If you are unsuccessful, I shall take no more notice of you either. You are too practical not to understand the implications of these events. The Darcy name will be treated with utter contempt by all the world, your future will be ruined, and you shall stand no chance of making an equal alliance with Frank Churchill or anyone else. You shall be relegated to walking the streets of London, living from hand to mouth, as that horrible Miss Bennet's sister almost did before her marriage to that worthless Wickham was patched together. Unlike Mrs. Wickham, however, you shall have no relatives left to save you.

I ask also that you refrain from writing to Anne, as I know you have been accustomed to do. I shall not allow her to become corrupted by your disgrace.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

EXPRESS to Mr. Thomas Bennet, Longbourn, Hertfordshire

Mr. Bennet,

You cannot be at a loss to understand my reason for addressing you. I hereby demand that you revoke your consent to Miss Elizabeth Bennet's upcoming marriage. I understand that you and all your family are rejoicing in the success of your daughter's conquest, and are congratulating her for her skill in drawing him in. I also understand your dismal financial circumstances, and I believe that all of you are most likely counting on using my nephew's fortune to allow you to live far beyond your means and social condition. It would be much better for all of you to stay in your proper place in society. I attempted to dissuade Miss Elizabeth Bennet from this disgraceful course of action, and the ungrateful, selfish girl refused to honor my requests. Such a wretched girl will undoubtedly bring dishonor to all of Mr. Darcy's connections, and shall bring nothing but contempt upon his reputation.

Your daughter will never be welcomed by any member of the Darcy or Fitzwilliam families. Her alliance will shame us all, and even Mr. Darcy will someday understand that. Arts and allurements are not enough to keep a husband of such wealth, nobility of ancestry, and good reputation. Your daughter will soon be cast off and left in disgrace.

I shall not sit by and allow such a scandal to occur. I insist on being satisfied.

I send no greetings or respect to your family.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

EXPRESS to Mr. Charles Bingley, Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

Mr. Bingley,

I have previously refrained from commenting on my nephew's disgraceful friendship with you and your sisters, as I did not see any immediate harm coming from the association. Considering recent events, however, I insist on your removing yourselves immediately from Mr. Darcy's presence.

I refer, of course, to the upcoming marriages of both yourself and my nephew. It is fitting for you, with such low connections and origins in trade, to marry a Miss Bennet, a girl without breeding, refinement, elegance, or information. It is not, however, appropriate for Mr. Darcy of Pemberley to do the same.

I have long been aware of your upstart youngest sister's disgraceful attempt to attach my nephew, and have always been very proud of his resistance to such blatant attempts to attach his person and fortune to such an ignominious connection. Although Miss Bennet is a gentleman's daughter, and not descended from trade as are you and your sisters, her alliance is no more acceptable than Miss Bingley's would have been. Mr. Darcy would never have acted in such a reprehensible manner had he not been influenced by you and your low connections.

Again, I demand that you cease all contact with my nephew.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

To Mrs. Charlotte Collins, Hunsford Parsonage, Hunsford, Kent

Mrs. Collins,

I have always thought you to be good for Mr. Collins. You know better than to aspire to ways of life beyond your reach, and you know better than to live in a grander manner than you can afford.

However, your Hertfordshire acquaintances are a serious blight upon your respectability. You have no doubt already received word that your impertinent friend Miss Elizabeth Bennet has drawn in my nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and has imposed herself upon him in such a way as to cause him to issue her a proposal of marriage.

This engagement cannot be allowed to continue. You are to write a letter to Miss Bennet, impressing upon her the certain evil and disgrace which will surely accompany any alliance between herself and my nephew. Then, you are to cease all contact with any member of the Bennet or Bingley families. If you do not act on this matter immediately, I shall have to rethink my patronage of your husband.

You know your husband, Mrs. Collins. Very few people would be willing to provide employment or society to such a tiresome, sycophantic toad. His only advantage is that he does exactly as he is bid, an advantage in which you would be well advised to share at this time. If you do not act as I advise you to, the prosperity and respectability of yourself, your husband, and the child you are carrying shall all be called into question. You and Mr. Collins are to come to Rosings for dinner this evening. We shall discuss this matter more thoroughly.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

EXPRESS to Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, H. M. Army Encampment, Brighton

Richard,

I am most seriously displeased with both you and your foolish cousin, Fitzwilliam Darcy. I know that both of you spent an inordinate amount of time with that presumptuous, opportunistic creature, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, while you were at Rosings this past spring. You have probably already heard from Fitzwilliam that she has finally succeeded in her object, and has extracted from him an offer of his hand, his home, and his fortune. I did not believe Fitzwilliam to be so imprudent and blind, or to be so vulnerable to such an obvious ploy.

You, Richard, are also at fault. You did nothing to dissuade Fitzwilliam from such a disgraceful course of action, when it must have been obvious last spring that Miss Bennet had the audacity to aspire to such an alliance.

I command you to talk some sense into the foolish man. After successfully talking Darcy out of this appalling farce of an engagement, you are to come to Rosings immediately to attend Anne. She is excessively distressed at today's events, and needs her family to be present during this difficult time.

I remain
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
9 October, 1812

EXPRESS to Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

My dear brother,

A problem of an extremely shocking nature has recently arisen within our own family. I do not imagine that Fitzwilliam Darcy would have had the temerity to address you himself with this news, so I feel obliged to break it to you. He has been taken in by a fortune hunter, and has disregarded the combined calls of family, duty, and honor. Callously disregarding his tacit engagement with my Anne, which has existed since they were in their cradles, he has been duped by a Miss Elizabeth Bennet into offering her his hand in marriage. This Miss Bennet is an impertinent girl from Hertfordshire, barely a gentleman's daughter, with very low connections and practically no personal fortune. Worse still, her sister recently eloped with Darcy's former steward's son, of all people, and their marriage was only brought about by her relations some time after the elopement. Despite these serious considerations, despite these appalling flaws of person and of family, she was still successful in drawing our nephew in!

I have told him that if he does not reconsider this deplorable engagement, his entire family shall throw him off. He shall exist to none of us, and his sister and his Miss Bennet will be included in his disgrace.

I would appreciate it if you would write to him, dear brother, and demand that he refrain from taking this disgusting course of action. He cannot be permitted to bring shame and disgrace onto us all. I also suggest that you reconsider allowing your own children to be in Darcy's company. He must have some serious deficiencies of intelligence and character; else he would certainly not have been taken in this easily.

With fondest regards to you and all your family,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
10 October, 1814

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

My dear Lady Catherine,

Thank you for your very kind letter noticing the marriage of my dear Maria and Mr. Rushworth. It was so lovely of you to offer them such pleasant wishes for their future happiness. Sir Thomas and I are simply thrilled at the arrangements. It was such a lovely wedding. Maria wore a stunning dress of ivory silk and Venetian lace, rush-ordered from London expressly for the occasion. Dear Julia and dear Fanny were the bridesmaids, and Sir Thomas was so kind as to buy them both new gowns for the occasion, and I was able to purchase an elegant dress in a very light pink. My maid, Chapman, was able to dress my hair, as well as that of Julia, in the morning, and I daresay she did a very good job indeed. Dear Fanny undertook to arrange the flowers in the church; it looked very elegant indeed, although my dear sister Mrs. Norris did not agree. Thomas and Edmund were also both there, of course, and they were so happy to see their sister so eligibly settled. Of course, we all are so happy to see them settled so well. Unfortunately, due to the shortness of the engagement, Mr. Rushworth was unable to order a new carriage in time, but I am certain that they will have one by the spring.

I have heard through one of the wives of Sir Thomas's parliamentary friends that your own nephew is to marry soon, to a Miss Bennet of Hertfordshire. I thought he was to marry your daughter, but I must have been mistaken. I shall have to ask Sir Thomas later if I was incorrect. I do not know Miss Bennet personally, but the family has quite a reputation for their beautiful and elegant daughters, and I daresay that Miss Bennet is very agreeable indeed. You must be very pleased.

Greetings to your dear Anne. I hope to see both of you in the course of the winter in London, or possibly next summer here in Northamptonshire.

Yours et cetera,
LADY MARIA BERTRAM

Part 3

Posted on Friday, 20 July 2001

9 October, 1812
Hunsford Parsonage

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park

Dear Lady Catherine,

We shall be happy to accept your kind invitation to dinner this evening, and we look forward to yet another wonderful evening spent at Rosings.

I also respectfully ask you to refrain from directing any criticisms of my husband to me. He may not be a brilliant man, but he is sincere, and he is devoted to making a good vicar of the parish you entrusted to his care. If you have any other problems with my husband, I politely request that you bring them directly to him.

I shall gladly bring your ladyship's disapproval of Miss Bennet's engagement to her attention, but I do not believe my influence will have any effect on her actions.

Again, we look forward to seeing you tonight.

Respectfully yours,
MRS. CHARLOTTE COLLINS

11 October, 1812
Rosings Park, Kent

To Lady Maria Bertram, Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire

My dear Lady Bertram,

Pleased? You think me pleased by these recent events? Lady Bertram, I do not know how you have managed to be a baronet's wife these many years if you truly possess as little wit as you displayed in your last letter to me. If you truly think me pleased to have learned that my nephew, who I have treated with the consideration due to a son, has shown me unimaginable disrespect, spurned my daughter, rejected his family, and is instead to marry an impertinent, opportunistic conniver, then you must in truth be no wiser than your new son-in-law.

This wedding, an event on which you are irrational enough to congratulate me, shall not take place. I shall see to it that Darcy regains his senses.

Please convey my regards to your family, especially your eldest son. When he inherits Mansfield Park, I imagine he will be in want of a wife and an heir. I do not know if he has seen Anne in the past several years; as I believe he was in Weymouth during our last visit to Northamptonshire. Perhaps he could come and pay the poor distressed girl a visit, once she has regained her health and her looks.

I remain, etc.,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

11 October, 1812
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dear Lady Catherine,

I must say that I was quite surprised when I received your express yesterday. I am not accustomed to having to defend myself and my family against attacks on our character and situation, especially when they come from a woman to whom I have never even been introduced.

Regarding my sister, who also has never had the honor of your acquaintance, she is a grown woman. I cannot control the objects of her fancy any more than I can control her wardrobe. While I believe that it is unfortunate that, against the advice of her family, she tried repeatedly to gain the affections of a man who has always made his indifference plain, I cannot see any negative consequence from the affair other than her own damaged pride. She may be ambitious, but she is not immoral, and is simply trying to secure her own happiness in the manner of any other reasonable woman.

I also feel obliged to defend the honor of my fiancée and her sister. While it is true that the rest of their family occasionally behave in a somewhat improper manner, both Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet are of unimpeachable character, elegant manners, good information, and decided beauty. I see nothing objectionable in either of them which could cause any respectable gentleman of any situation to question their propriety as prospective brides.

As for Mr. Darcy, he is absolutely his own man. I could not control his actions even if I so desired. He is one of the most honorable and well-informed men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and, most of the time, I would not even think of questioning his decisions. Since in this case, I completely agree with him in Miss Elizabeth's suitability to be his wife and the mistress of Pemberley, I have no desire to attempt to convince him otherwise.

With all due respect, Lady Catherine, I shall also not "remove myself from his company," as you so desired, since Mr. Darcy is in fact staying at my estate. If he wishes to leave, I shall not prevent him, but I personally hope that he will stay as long as possible, as he is my valued friend and shall soon become my brother.

I remain (smudge),
CHARLES BINGLEY

12 October, 1812
Brighton

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dear Aunt Catherine,

While I am quite sorry for any distress that you and Anne might be suffering at the moment, I must disagree with your assessment of Darcy's situation. I know you will probably not believe me when I write this, but I am convinced that Miss Bennet is everything that is charming and elegant. I did spend quite a lot of time with her while she was at Hunsford, and I flatter myself in my belief that she and I became very good friends. I never detected anything improper in her address, in her opinions, or in her bearing.

I do not wish to displease you, Aunt Catherine, but I have no intentions of trying to talk Darcy out of anything. I have not seen him this happy since we were children together, playing in the grounds of Pemberley. Miss Bennet is good for him - she makes him smile, she makes him laugh, and she can dispel the gloominess which has tended to overtake him since dear Aunt Anne and Uncle George passed away.

I am sorry for your disapproval, but I accept none of the blame you placed on me. If I were to try to talk him out of the greatest happiness he has ever known, then I would truly be at fault.

I would be happy to come to Rosings to offer Anne friendship and advice, but right now I am unable to leave my regiment. Perhaps it would do her good if she went away and stayed with some other relations or friends for a while. A change of scenery, in my opinion, is always a good thing.

Yours, etc. etc.,

COL. RICHARD FITZWILLIAM

Matlock Hall, Derbyshire
13 October, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dearest Sister,

I do not wish to disappoint you, but I have no intentions of dissuading our nephew from the engagement he has recently formed. Dear Isabella and I took the liberty of stopping in Hertfordshire on our way home from London last week, in order to congratulate Fitzwilliam and make the acquaintance of his fiancée. As far as I could determine from such a short time, Miss Bennet will make Fitzwilliam a perfect wife. She seemed elegant and well informed. If there are any tendencies towards impertinence in her character, I am sure Fitzwilliam will guide her, with the refined sense of propriety he has always demonstrated in all his actions. Her family was, I confess, a bit unusual, but I believe them harmless. At any rate, their considerable distance from Derbyshire and London makes their little improprieties a very slight evil indeed.

I have the highest respect for our nephew's intelligence and character, and do not believe that he would make such a serious mistake as to attach himself to a fortune hunter

Dear sister, I suggest that you take the time to really consider the consequences of your actions. You run the risk of alienating all your family with your unwarranted anger. Also, your fits of rage can hardly be good for your daughter's constitution, or for that matter, your own. We are all worried about you, and wish to help you in any way we can.

In other news, the extension of the stables here at Matlock is going quite well, and should be completed by Christmastime. Are you and Anne still planning to join us for the season's festivities? Dear Isabella chose some lovely new furnishings, draperies, and wallpaper for the drawing room, and they should also be there by that time. We look forward to seeing you then.

I send greetings from Isabella along with my own best wishes to you and Anne.

With fondest regards,
LORD HENRY FITZWILLIAM

15 October, 1812
Enscombe, Yorkshire

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dearest Catherine,

I have heard the most shocking news! I understand your nephew, Mr. Darcy, is to marry some country girl from Hertfordshire! If this is true, dear Catherine, you must be devastated! And dear Anne as well.. how is she taking it?

He deserves to be disgraced for abandoning Anne in such a callous way! If there is anything I can do to help you through this difficult time, please do not hesitate to ask. We are fine here; although I confess I am feeling a little unwell, but I never complain. Mr. Churchill and Frank are here with me, though, so I am comforted somewhat by their presence. Frank returned from Weymouth last week. He says that he had a pleasant trip there, although I somehow doubt that it was as enjoyable as he says it was. He seems somewhat out of sorts; somewhat distracted. I am sure he will be fine, though... he is such an obliging boy, and can never be unhappy for long.

Your plan for next summer sounds lovely. Bring Georgiana up here to Enscombe, and we shall remove any negative qualities imposed by her disgraceful brother. I am sure Frank will be charmed by her.

Again, please let me know if I can do anything to alleviate this dreadful situation.

I remain, etc.,
MRS. FELICITY CHURCHILL

27 October, 1812
Longbourn, Hertfordshire

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Lady Catherine,

Might I begin by stating how much I appreciated receiving that letter from your ladyship along with all your advice and opinions? Mr. Collins has often spoken to me of you, and I am very pleased to know that my impressions of you have been proved correct.

I must also beg you to refrain from interfering in the affairs of my family. To my knowledge, we owe nothing to your patronage, nor are we are linked by ties of blood or business. Neither our financial circumstances nor our condition in society are your concern. I thank you, but I am perfectly capable of supervising my family without any help from you. I have managed quite well for over twenty years without you.

I must confess that I did not always think that a marriage between your nephew and my daughter was desirable. However, my reasoning was quite the opposite of yours: I did not believe that your nephew was good enough for my Lizzy. I thought him reserved, impolite, and proud. Since their engagement, though, I have taken pains to get to know him better, and am now perfectly convinced of their mutual compatibility. I am as certain as anyone could be that they shall be very happy together.

Lady Catherine, my Lizzy is no ambitious young woman out to catch a rich husband. I truly believe that she would never marry without true respect and affection, and I am convinced that she would never marry for money. She has refused at least one match which would have benefited all of us in a monetary sense, simply because the gentleman himself was, to put it politely, ridiculous. Your accusations are unfounded, and I am convinced that my daughter will excel in any life she chooses for herself.

I suggest that you reconcile yourself to this marriage, and I believe any more attempts to block it are quite hopeless, and a waste of energy which I am sure you could put to better use elsewhere. Mr. Collins, I know, quite appreciates your attentions.

Yours, etc.,
THOMAS BENNET

Part 4

Posted on Friday, 20 July 2001

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
30 October, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Lady Catherine,

I have waited quite a while to answer your last letter due to my extreme anger at your treatment of my fiancée, my sister, and other members of our acquaintance. I felt it would be wise to wait until I could express myself in a rational manner.

Your rudeness astonishes me. You have inappropriately taken it upon yourself to abuse both myself and my future wife. You have addressed people (some to whom you have never been introduced) in an imperious and unforgivable manner. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Bennet have certainly never done anything to merit your ill treatment of them, and neither have their families. Their affairs are none of your concern.

Once again, Miss Bennet will be my wife. She is the woman to whom I have chosen to entrust my name, my fortune, and my life. Nothing you can write, say, or command will ever change that. Contrary to your beliefs, she is not my inferior in any way. In fact, I am the one who does not deserve her. I will therefore ask you never to insult her again, in my presence or in hers.

I am also disgusted at your treatment of Georgiana. The disgraceful manner in which you addressed her is a poor reflection on your character. Comparing that sweet, gentle girl to women of ill repute? I am utterly ashamed of you.

Let me be frank. You will no longer be welcome at Pemberley until you remember your dignity, your manners, and your civility. I expect a full apology not only to myself, but also to Miss Bennet, Miss Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and everyone else whom you have so wrongly abused. Until then, I can have nothing further to say to you.

MR. FITZWILLIAM DARCY

Rosings Park
1 November, 1812

To Mrs. Felicity Churchill, Enscombe, Yorkshire

My very dear Felicity,

Finally, someone is able to understand my point of view. You have no idea of the abominable way in which I have been treated by all my family. Even my brother, who is usually the very image of propriety, dignity, and family pride, a man who usually listens to my advice, has taken that disgraceful Darcy's side against me. I fear I am alone in my attempts to keep the honor of the Fitzwilliam family intact, in my value for Anne's happiness, and in my desire to protect all of us from disgrace.

Your friendship has been my only comfort these past few weeks. Thank you so much for your kind words and your unwavering support. I am sorry that you are unwell, indeed, I have lately known that feeling myself, but I am certain that if you take care of yourself, you will be fine. Do not forget to drink the chamomile-fennel tea that my apothecary recommended to Anne, for I believe it has done worlds of good for her digestive complaints.

As far as Frank is concerned, I would place no importance on his air of distraction. At this point, I am certain that one cannot depend on any young man to act reasonably.
I am looking forward to seeing you in Yorkshire next spring!

I remain most gratefully, your friend,

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
2 November, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dear Lady Catherine,

I would like to extend an invitation to your dear daughter Anne to come visit us for the holiday season. We are such a merry party up here; the girls are unfortunately still in Brighton, but dear Fanny is here, along with Edmund, and sometimes Tom as well, and there are some very agreeable young people staying with the Grants at the parsonage. Oh, and I believe Fanny's dear brother William will be coming to visit during the time he has shore leave. We would love to have her here with us for all the winter festivities which I am sure will be so lovely this year, and I am sure a little amusement will do her good, since the poor dear has just had her heart broken by her cousin.

Sir Thomas is in London to see to his parliamentary duties for a little while. He should be coming home within the next week, and would be happy to convey Anne to Mansfield Park on the sixth, if you agree to this plan. We would simply be delighted to see her again, and she will of course be able to stay here as long as she likes.

Mrs. Rushworth has also gone to London to enjoy the winter. She has such a lovely house there; I believe it is number 27, Wimpole Street. Dear Mr. Rushworth, Maria, and possibly Julia will join her there after the Christmas festivities.

With fondest regards,
LADY MARIA BERTRAM

Rosings Park, Kent
2 November, 1812

To Mrs. Charlotte Collins, Hunsford Parsonage

Dear Mrs. Collins,

I have no objections to you and your husband going to visit your family for several weeks. Anne will be leaving to visit friends in Northamptonshire at the end of the week, where she will be blessedly free from any mention of her disgraceful relations and their activities. Perhaps she can recover her health a bit.

Before you and your husband go to Hertfordshire, Mrs. Collins, I do remind you of your duty to me. While there, remember what you owe me, and keep that in mind during your dealings with any member of the Bennet, Bingley, or Darcy families.

Have a safe and healthful journey. Be certain to take special care of yourself regarding your delicate condition.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
2 November, 1812

To Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

My dear brother,

Thank you for your kind invitation. I have chosen to accept on my own behalf, although Anne will not be able to attend, as she will be visiting friends in Northamptonshire. I thank you for your advice to me about Darcy, but I refuse to forgive him until he has apologized to me, to Anne, and to the rest of the family for the disgrace he has brought upon us.

However, dear brother, I do not wish to quarrel with you about our young relations. We will have plenty of time to discuss the matters currently facing our family. I look forward to spending a pleasant holiday season with you, and look forward to being back at Matlock Hall once again. I hope that Isabella did not ignore my suggestion and choose that horrid blue color for the drawing room draperies. It would completely ruin the proportions of the room.

I send my regards to your family, and look forward to Christmas. I will probably arrive on the thirtieth of November, depending on the weather and the state of the roads.

I remain, your loving sister,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Rosings Park, Kent
3 November, 1812

To Col. Richard Fitzwilliam, H. M. Army Encampment, Brighton

Dear Richard,

I choose to forgive you for your support of Darcy during this disgraceful affair, since you are young and do not yet understand the importance of family dignity.

I write to inform you that Anne will be away visiting her friends at Mansfield Park in Northamptonshire during the holiday season, so there is no need for you to come here and support her. I will see you at your father's house for the holiday season, as I have just decided to accept his invitation.

I also expect to see you here on your annual visit next spring. You may take that opportunity to show Anne your friendship and esteem.

I remain,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Hunsford Parsonage, Hunsford near Rosings, Kent
4 November, 1812

To the Right Honorable Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Noble Proprietress of Rosings Park, Kent

Most Noble Lady Catherine,

My dear Charlotte and I would like to humbly express our deepest gratitude for your condescension in allowing us to travel to Hertfordshire for the next several weeks. She has allowed me to respond to your last letter, as she has been so obliging to say that I could answer your concerns in a manner far more pleasing to you than she ever could. I have taken it upon myself to ensure that your Ladyship's spiritual health is given the best possible care during my absence, and have engaged the Reverend Thomas Brookfield to take my place behind the pulpit while I am from Hunsford.

Your Ladyship should have no fear of our giving support to anyone who might be contravening your will. We shall always remember your kind condescension and patronage, and will not fail to speak and act with your noble opinions and beliefs foremost in our minds.

We would also like to venture our humble wishes for your splendid and noble daughter to have a very pleasant and healthful journey into Northamptonshire. She shall certainly be the brightest Christmas ornament in Northamptonshire this winter.

If I may be of any service while I am away, please have the kindness to direct any correspondence to me at Lucas Lodge, near Meryton, Hertfordshire.

From one who shall forever remain your obedient and humble servant,
REV. WILLIAM COLLINS

Rosings Park, Kent
4 November, 1812

To Mrs. Louisa Rushworth, Wimpole Street, London

My dear Louisa,

I have only just heard that you were in London for the season. I then thought of visiting you there, as I am sorely in need of some new gowns for this winter. I shall be traveling to my brother's home, Matlock Hall, in Derbyshire, and shall undoubtedly have a number of other engagements. And, dear Louisa, to tell you the truth, I simply feel the need to do a bit of shopping and spend some time with an old friend.

If you have no objections, I plan to arrive on the fourteenth of November, and remain there until I leave for my brother's home on the twenty-seventh.

You have no idea how I need the companionship of a dear friend right now.

With fondest regards,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Part 5

Posted on Friday, 20 July 2001

Matlock Hall, Derbyshire
6 November, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dearest Sister,

We all do look forward to your visiting us for the season's festivities, but I am sorry to say that we ourselves will be attending Darcy's wedding in Hertfordshire, and will not be returning to Matlock Hall until the ninth of December, weather permitting. You are of course welcome to go to Matlock Hall whenever you like, and please feel free to consider it as you would your own home. Please let me know your intentions, and I will apprise my housekeeper if you choose to come before the rest of the family returns.

I agree with you, sister. I do not wish to mar this festive season with quarrels and disagreements amongst my closest relations. This should be a time for forgiveness, and I intend to honor it as such. My dearest sister, might I suggest that you do the same?

I hope that Anne has a wonderful holiday season as well with her friends in Northamptonshire. Please convey all our warmest regards to the dear girl.

Again, we look forward to seeing you shortly. Please inform me of your travel plans, and I will make arrangements for your accommodation.

With fondest regards,
LORD HENRY FITZWILLIAM

Wimpole Street, London
7 November, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dear Catherine,

I would simply be delighted if you would come and stay with me. I will be available all through the festive season, as I am not planning to travel anywhere during that time. Please feel free to stay as long as you like... I will be very pleased to have your company for as long as you can spare it. I shall hold off my own excursions to the dressmakers and millinery shops until you arrive, so that we can go together, as we used to do when we were girls. Ah, I miss those simpler times.

How is your dear Anne holding up under her recent disappointments? Will she be joining us in London? My dear son reports nothing but happiness and pleasure in Brighton with his wife and her sister. It does my heart good to see him settled so well, as she is very elegant with manners which do her much credit. She seems a bit high and mighty to be sure, but that could be attributed to having caught such a husband as my son. At any rate, I have tolerable hopes of her improving in time. They will arrive here in London sometime during early December. You have not seen any of the three for quite a while; I look forward to being all together again. Perhaps you would have the kindness to have a word with my new daughter-in-law on proper respect for one's elders.

I look forward to seeing you again, dear friend. I will do whatever I can to help you through this difficult time.

I remain yours in friendship,
MRS. LOUISA RUSHWORTH

Rosings Park, Kent
8 November, 1812

To Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

Dearest brother,

I thank you for your invitation to remain at Matlock before you return, but I decline. I have no wish to stay alone in that rambling old house with only the servants to keep me company, while all my family is betraying me by supporting this sham of a marriage. I shall arrive in Derbyshire when the family returns. Until then, you may direct all correspondence to me in London, where I will be staying with an old friend at 27 Wimpole Street. I shall leave to go there next week.

I must say that I am still quite disappointed in you for attending this wedding, but I choose to believe that you are doing it for the sake of formality and propriety. I am sure I do not need to remind you not to give any greetings or good wishes to the offending bride and groom from either Anne or myself.

At any rate, I wish you a safe journey, and I shall see you in a month.

I remain your loving sister,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
9 November, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

Dear Mother,

I am writing to inform you that I have safely arrived in Northamptonshire just a few hours ago, and I am very comfortably situated here. I have a very elegant apartment here for my use, very near the rooms which the Miss Bertrams used when they were here. Sir Thomas was unceasingly kind to me on the carriage ride north, and my maid was always present to ensure my safety and my health, just as you requested.

Lady Bertram asks me to send you her warmest greetings. She is a very kind woman, and right now is sitting on the sofa with her dog, at work at something made of orange and green cloth. I think it is a carpet, but I am not certain. Mrs. Norris was here earlier, but left an hour ago to see to something at her own home. Her voice is shrill and it gives me a headache to listen to her. She is not very agreeable, mother, and your advice about staying away from her will be most useful. I have also had the pleasure of talking with Miss Fanny Price. I believe you remember her; she is the niece of Lady Bertram who has been brought up with the family. I find her very kind and well informed, and I believe she will be a good companion while I am here. I have not seen Mr. Bertram, as he is from home on a party of pleasure at Weymouth, but his younger brother Mr. Edmund Bertram is here, and he has also been kind to me. Miss Price also has hopes of her brother being on shore leave and able to join us at some point in the near future. She speaks very well of him, and I look forward to making his acquaintance.

I must close now, as we will be having tea presently. I wish you a good journey to London, and hope that you enjoy your time there.

With love from your daughter,
ANNE DE BOURGH

Enscombe, Yorkshire
12 November, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Rosings Park, Kent

As I write this, dear Catherine, I find myself increasingly unwell. No one understands how I suffer; Mr. Churchill does not appear to take my health seriously and Frank is still so distracted he barely notices. At least he seems to be taking his responsibilities to this estate more seriously, as he has been writing a surprising amount of letters recently. I imagine that Mr. Churchill is giving him some estate business to manage, since he will someday need to supervise it in its entirety.

Louisa Rushworth tells me that you are to stay with her in London for several weeks. I am glad of it; I think it will do you good after your recent disappointments. I would go to London myself this winter, but I do not believe that my health allows for it. I am still, however, looking forward to you and your niece coming to stay with us in the summer. I believe we should do whatever we can to forward a connection between Frank and Georgiana. What a lovely couple they would make, and the connections and fortune on both sides make the match highly eligible. I can see the wedding already; such elegance and such a collection of noble personages surely has not been assembled at either Enscombe or Pemberley before!

At any rate, dear friend, I must close, since I feel the headache coming upon me again. Spare a thought amidst the joys and pleasures of London for your sickly friend
FELICITY CHURCHILL

Wimpole Street, London
16 November, 1812

To Miss Anne De Bourgh, Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire

Dear Anne,

I write to inform you that I am safely arrived at Mrs. Rushworth's London townhouse. I am in pleasant accommodations here, and Mrs. Rushworth's servants, who are obviously not accustomed to having a guest of my rank and influence in the world, are quite rightly going out of their way to please me. It is always refreshing when that happens, though it unfortunately does not occur as often as it should. I certainly hope the servants at Mansfield Park are being sufficiently attentive to you, as you are the granddaughter and niece of the Earls of Matlock, and the family at the Park is merely of the baronetage. Always remember your position, Anne, and you will be treated with the respect and deference to which you are entitled.

I spent yesterday at the dressmakers and the haberdashers, and ordered several new dresses for myself, of rich silks and brocades. I ordered one for you too, dear, in a very pleasant silk, with an embroidered pattern of dark green, gray, and brown. Those colors, as you know, are best for hiding a sickly complexion. You may order dresses for yourself in Northamptonshire if you have the opportunity, but bear in mind that light colored and pastel fabrics are only suited to unsophisticated country nobodies such as that shameful hussy who will soon marry your foolish waste of a cousin. Dignified ladies in our position wear darker and more restrained shades in heavier fabrics more suited to our wealth and position.

I warn you against a closer acquaintance with Miss Price. Her connections to the family of Sir Thomas Bertram are undoubtedly good, but one must not forget the disgraceful condition of her more immediate relations, as well as her appallingly crude father. Naval officers are all well and good, but one must be an Admiral, or at the very least, an extremely wealthy captain, to have any right to an acquaintance with Miss De Bourgh of Rosings Park. Miss Price is undoubtedly coarse, loud, free-willed, and uneducated. She will not do for a close friend.

Continue to watch your health, and be careful of what you eat. I hope you are ordering your gruel each night as you do at Rosings, and I hope you are staying away from things that are too rich for your delicate constitution. I look forward to seeing you after Christmas.

I remain your loving mother,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Whitchurch House, Park-Street, London
17 November, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Wimpole Street, London

My Dear Lady Catherine,

It has been far too long since we have had the pleasure of each other's company. With that in mind, I enclose to you and Mrs. Rushworth the following invitation to my annual St. Nicholas Day Ball on the sixth of December.

I would be greatly pleased to see you both again.

With regards,
PENELOPE FERRARS

The Pleasure of your Company is Requested by
Mrs. Penelope Ferrars
at the St. Nicholas Day Ball
to be held on the Sixth of December
at Whitchurch House, Park-Street, London

An Answer Will Oblige.

Part 6

Posted on Sunday, 21 October 2001

Notices in the London Times and the London Courier, 6 December, 1812

Mr. Thomas Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire, is pleased to announce the marriage of his eldest daughter, Jane, to Mr. Charles Bingley, of Netherfield Park, near Meryton, in the same county. At the same time, Mr. Bennet is also pleased to announce the marriage of his second daughter, Elizabeth, to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley House, near Lambton, Derbyshire. The marriages were solemnized yesterday, December 5, in the church at Meryton in Hertfordshire.

"Mrs. Penelope Ferrars, Whitechurch House, Park-Street, is hosting a St. Nicholas Day Ball this evening at her home. Many of the leading figures currently gracing London society are expected to attend.

Lucas Lodge, near Meryton, Hertfordshire
6 December, 1812

To the Right Honorable Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Noble Proprietress of Rosings Park, Kent, currently in residence at 27 Wimpole Street, London

Your most noble, gracious, and condescending Ladyship,

I humbly venture to address You, Your Ladyship, as I take it upon myself to inform you of the details of the arrangements that took place regarding that most disgraceful event which took place last Saturday involving your young relation, Mr. Darcy. I am certain, though you rightly refused to attend that shameful occasion, that you would wish to be apprised of all the particulars of an event which has had such a shocking and horrific impact on both yourself and your most esteemed and elegant daughter.

Firstly let me assure you, Your Ladyship, that my dear Charlotte and I would not have attended the wedding but to be able to relate these details to you. Please do not imagine that our attendance at the ceremony and the breakfast afterwards was in any way an encouragement or a condoning of the actions of those involved. Indeed, I took it upon myself to state those very facts to Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingley, and even Mr. Darcy himself, although I do certainly endeavor never to be rude to that gentleman, as even with his recent sins, he remains closely related to Your Ladyship.

The wedding was a remarkably simple affair considering the stature and wealth of Mr. Darcy, although as it was planned and funded by the Bennets, that should not be surprising. The ceremony itself took place at the church in Meryton and was carried out by the Reverend Edward Lindsford, clergyman of that village. I was not asked to officiate at the ceremony, and certainly would not have if my services had in fact been solicited, as I knew that Your Ladyship would certainly have most severely disapproved. I did in fact attempt to persuade him to refuse to officiate, due to your strenuous objections to the marriage. He did not listen to me, and elected (most unwisely) to proceed. I also instructed my dear Charlotte to remember and write down the details of the clothing worn by the brides and the grooms, as well as that worn by their family members, and the flowers and decorations that adorned the church and the rooms in which the breakfast was held, so that she could give a full account to Your Ladyship. I find that, in my humble opinion, that women are much better at remembering these things; otherwise, I certainly would have exerted myself to remember them personally for your better information.

The wedding ceremony was solemnized by Rev. Lindsford without material errors. I attempted to raise Your Ladyship's objections to the marriage of Mr. Darcy and my cousin Elizabeth during the relevant part of the ceremony, but my dear Charlotte at that moment elbowed me in the side most painfully, leaving me unable to speak at that time. She assures me that it was simply a muscle spasm related to her current delicate condition, and that she could not possibly have prevented it.

After the wedding was over, we all returned to Longbourn, where the wedding breakfast was held. There was an abundance of food there, and I beg Your Ladyship to forgive me for partaking of the wedding feast. I had been informed by Lady Lucas that she was not intending to order a full dinner that day, due to the feast at Longbourn, so I thought I should partake of food while I could. I required my dear Charlotte to do the same, due to her condition. They had several joints of roast venison, beef, and mutton, along with roasted fowls of several varieties, two different ragouts, boiled vegetables, roast potatoes, potted fish, a lovely creamed leek and turnip dish which I greatly enjoyed (not without remembering the dishonorable nature of the occasion for which it was prepared), an assortment of sauces and accompaniments, and for dessert, a selection of French-style pastries, winter fruit compotes, and a large wedding-cake.

After the breakfast, the brides and grooms departed for London, where they plan to stay for several weeks. I could not let them leave without a strict condemnation of their actions and a reminder of Your Ladyship's disapproval, so I addressed them for several minutes on the topic. They of course proceeded anyway, much to their disadvantage, I fear.

I shall not importune Your Ladyship's kind attention any longer. Please accept my humble wishes for Your Ladyship to have a safe and blessed trip to Derbyshire. If there is any service I might be able to render to Your Gracious Ladyship, please condescend to address me here at Lucas Lodge, where we shall remain through Christmas.

With much humility and gratitude from one who shall ever remain your servant,
REV. WILLIAM COLLINS

Wimpole Street, London
6 December, 1812

To Miss Anne De Bourgh, Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire

Dear Anne,

I am certain that you know that yesterday was your cousin Darcy's wedding. I sincerely hope that you are not too distressed about the event, and that your health is not suffering because of it. Forget him; I shall find someone who is far more worthy of you, and does not turn down your hand for the sake of a penniless upstart.

I am glad you are having a pleasant visit in Northamptonshire. I hope you are following my instructions and not eating too much rich food. You know it is not good for your health. I also hope you are eating your bowl of gruel each day. Are the Bertrams giving you the honor and respect that is your due? I do not have the highest opinion of Lady Bertram's intelligence, so if you find yourself wanting in any way, tell me at once so that I will be able to remedy the situation. I shall recall Mrs. Jenkinson from her holidays with her family if it is necessary to ensure your well being.

Please direct any further correspondence to me at Matlock Hall, as by the time you receive this, I shall undoubtedly be well on my way there.

Your loving mother,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Wimpole Street, London
7 December, 1812

To Mrs. Penelope Ferrars, Whitechurch House, Park-street, London

Mrs. Ferrars,

I am seriously offended at the carelessness with which you issued invitations to your ball. I was under the impression that you were a woman of good character, well bred and with a good idea of what is and is not acceptable in polite society. I find that I was unfortunately wrong. Not only was I obliged to spend an inordinate amount of time speaking with your offensive daughter who was obviously angling for an invitation to Rosings for herself, her useless husband and her annoying children, I was shocked beyond belief to discover that you had invited my disgraceful nephew, his friend, the dreadful Bennet girls, and their low relatives from Cheapside. As far as I am concerned, they should not be acknowledged by society until they come to their senses and act in a proper manner. As if that were not enough to offend me, I was treated in a most shameful manner by all of them. I expect a full apology from you regarding last night's events, and will not enter your house again or admit you to my society until I have received it.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Wimpole Street, London
7 December, 1812

To Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Upper Grosvenor Street, London

I believe we had an understanding. You were not to enter my presence without issuing me a full apology for your treatment of myself and Anne. Your presence at Mrs. Ferrars' ball last night was an affront to every member of society who was there last night. I am heartily ashamed of you.

I imagine this was all the idea of your Miss Bennet; she must be working on insinuating herself into high society as soon as possible after your wedding. I should have expected this from such a low-born, grasping female like her, but was most surprised that you should have allowed it to happen. Bringing her relatives from Cheapside, though it might do you good as a work of charity to the less fortunate, was an unimaginable act by someone who was raised by my own dear sister.

I send you no recognition as a member of my family and expect you at my door tomorrow for a full apology and an explanation of your actions. I expect you to show yourself without Miss Bennet at your side. You are to come before I depart for Matlock Hall on the ninth.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Enscombe, Yorkshire
7 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, 27 Wimpole Street, London

Dearest Catherine,

I saw the papers yesterday; I know how you must be feeling. Please, dear Catherine, accept what comfort you can from the condolences of an old friend. You must be bitterly disappointed at your nephew's foolishness, his rebelliousness, and the loss which this must comprehend in the eyes of yourself and all family. He was always such a fine boy and seemingly grew into a good man, but apparently his gentlemanlike façade hid a shameful and dissipated character. Be assured of all the sympathy in my heart.

I cannot write much more this evening, as I find myself very unwell. My nerves have gotten decidedly worse lately; I find I cannot even bear to write for more than half an hour together before I start to feel the faintness returning. Mr. Churchill is useless during my illness. I do not even think he believes that I am unwell. But no matter; he shall figure it out sooner or later.

With love and the most sincere condolences from your own
FELICITY CHURCHILL

Wimpole Street, London
7 December, 1812

To Rev. William Collins, Lucas Lodge, near Meryton, Hertfordshire

Mr. Collins,

Thank you for your letter and the information it contained. Please, however, refrain from sending me such long-winded letters in the future. Your letter required me to pay a great deal more to the post-office than it was worth. In the future, restrict any letters you feel compelled to address to me to a single sheet of paper.

I wish you and Charlotte a pleasant holiday season. I expect you to be in Kent for my return in January.

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Whitchurch House, Park-Street, London
8 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Wimpole Street, London

My Dear Lady Catherine,

I wish to cause you no offense, but the ball that took place the other night was hosted by me, in my home, and was paid for with my money. You can have nothing to say about whom I choose to invite to my home. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and their relations certainly fit into the high level of society with which I choose to associate, and it is appropriate that they be recognized upon the occasion of their marriage. It would have been improper to exclude them from my ball, as it was widely known that they were in London at the time, and I simply provided them with an elegant occasion where they could make their first appearances in society after their marriage. I refuse to allow my name to be bandied about by the gossips of London because of a silly family spat to which I have no connection.

I believe, Lady Catherine, that it is you who owe me an apology for your behavior that night. You acted in a most shameful manner. I could hardly believe your actions. Catherine, consider what you did. You ordered the musicians to cease playing, marched up to the Darcys and the Bingleys (in the middle of a set, no less!), and harangued them for several minutes, while all the fashionable figures in London watched you, open-mouthed with shock. Then you simply turned your back on them and walked out the door, completely ignoring all the conventions of propriety.

I do not suppose you noticed the effect your hasty departure left on my ballroom. The inordinately long train on your dress caught on a potted palm tree placed near the door, and toppled it into a table of refreshments. The punch and white soup that were placed on that table were themselves knocked over, and splashed onto the fine silk dresses of several fashionable and wealthy ladies, and one countess, who happened to be standing nearby watching the spectacle. I imagine you will be hearing from them soon about their bills for laundresses and dressmakers.

If anything was disgraceful that night, my dear, it was you. My dear Lady Catherine, if you are going to act in that manner, I would greatly prefer it if you would never enter my home again.

By the way, my daughter and her family are no concern of yours. I am very proud of her. I wonder, Lady Catherine, that you do not bring your daughter into society. Perhaps you do not feel that she can stand up against the superior creatures that she would be certain to meet at gatherings like the one I hosted the other night. I always believe, though, that daughters most strongly reflect the qualities, accomplishments, and intelligence of the mothers who raised them. Ah, that is probably why dear Anne is not seen often.

With a decided lack of regards,
PENELOPE FERRARS

Darcy House, Upper Grosvenor Street, London
8 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine, 27 Wimpole Street

Lady Catherine,

Please find your last letter to myself enclosed. I shall not be summoned to your presence, and I do not acknowledge any of the baseless and ridiculous accusations you hurled at myself, my wife, the Bingleys, or the Gardiners.

My wife, Elizabeth, and I shall attend any functions in London or elsewhere that we deem fit. I shall not take pains to endeavor to avoid you or anyone else; such actions are beneath me.

Your actions at the St. Nicholas Day Ball embarrassed no one but yourself. Once again, I ask you to refrain from contacting me until you can behave in a civilized manner.

In addition, when you address my wife in the future, you are to refer to her as Mrs. Darcy, not Miss Bennet.

FITZWILLIAM DARCY

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
11 December, 1812

Dear Mamma,

Thank you for your kind letter, but I assure you I am suffering no ill effects from Cousin Darcy's marriage. I feel no injury to myself, and do not consider his actions in any way to be a personal affront to me. However, Lady Bertram had pen in hand to write you a letter of congratulations on the occasion of my cousin's marriage. I advised her against it, but I am certain that she had the best of intentions.

Things have become considerably more lively at Mansfield Park today, as the Crawfords have been coming to the Park a lot more often recently, and today, Miss Price's brother arrived from his ship. He has been granted a few weeks of shore leave, and will be staying with us for most of that time. His stories are very interesting to hear, and I enjoy listening to his tales of far-off places. Miss Price seems very pleased to have him here; she is fortunate to have such agreeable family members as her brother and the Bertrams.

Thank you for the dress you sent me; it is very warm and substantial, and I am sure it will be useful this winter. The shade of green is very interesting. I hope you have arrived at Matlock Hall in safety. Please convey my warmest regards to my uncle, aunt, and cousins at Matlock.

With love from your daughter,
ANNE DE BOURGH

Part 7

Posted on Tuesday, 1 January 2002

27 Wimpole Street, London
15 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

My dear Catherine,

I hope that you have arrived safely in Derbyshire, and are settling down to enjoy the Christmas holidays with your family. It was so lovely to have had you staying at my home here in London for the past month; it was such a pleasure to be able to spend the time with you. We have not been able to talk and laugh like that together since we were schoolgirls!

It is quite a shame about the ball, though. I have, however, been able to dispel most of the impertinent gossip regarding those events in the societal circles in which I travel, and have asked all my friends to do the same within their own circles of acquaintance. I hope and believe that by the time you return to the South, it will all be quite forgotten.

My dear son, his wife, and her sister have arrived here at Wimpole Street, and have settled in quite nicely. Miss Julia Bertram is a nice, if unremarkable girl, and I believe she is enjoying London immensely. I must confess, dear Catherine, that I am not entirely convinced of my son's domestic happiness. Mrs. Maria Rushworth is rather cold and impolite to him at times, and seems to be more attracted to his purse than his person. I am removing myself to Bath in two days for the winter, in order to give my son and the new Mrs. Rushworth time together. Perhaps that will help them overcome some of their problems. I do not believe that my son should continue to allow her to attend balls and parties unescorted, but I do not believe he has any influence over her. I worry for him, but as there is no undoing what has been done, I can only hope that they will in time develop a better understanding.

I wish you joy for the Christmas season. Please direct your correspondence to my Bath address for the winter, and remember your dear friend
LOUISA RUSHWORTH

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
15 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

My dear Lady Catherine,

I send you the warmest possible Christmas greetings from all of us here at Mansfield Park. I hope that you and your family are enjoying the warmth and companionship which are such an important part of the season and that all of you enjoy health, happiness, and good fortune during the upcoming year.

We are so enjoying having dear Anne here with us during this festive season. She has been spending vast amounts of time with dear Fanny, dear Edmund, and dear William, as well as with the Crawfords from the parsonage. Such amiable neighbors they are; although Miss Crawford speaks a bit quickly for my taste. I believe the new year will bring us much joy, as I believe that Edmund and Miss Crawford have formed an attachment, and will soon be married. Edmund shall be leaving shortly before Christmas to be ordained, and early in the new year will take up his position as vicar of Thornton Lacey, the parish adjoining our own. I imagine that once he is established there, there will be nothing to wait for, and he and Miss Crawford shall wed. Twenty thousand pounds is her fortune, and combined with Edmund's income, it shall provide them a pretty income on which to marry. In addition, her brother seems to be paying quite a bit of attention to my own dear niece, Fanny. I think that they may marry in the upcoming year as well. It would be quite an advantageous match for her, as he is a gentleman of good property in Norfolk. We certainly do seem to be a fortunate family! I have heard recently from dear Julia; she is very happy to be remaining in London for the Season, and sends a good report of Mr. and Mrs. Rushworth's happiness. They certainly do make a perfect couple; I am sure they will be very happy together, and I hope that there will soon be a darling grandchild in my future!

Sir Thomas has just announced that there is to be a ball held here at Mansfield Park on the twenty-second of the month. I am delighted for the young people; it is an amusement which is rarely afforded to them. Mrs. Norris does not seem to be pleased at the news. Perhaps she is afraid that she will be troubled by the preparations. I do not believe that will be the case, though. Sir Thomas assures me that there will be no trouble at all.

I shall close here, dear Catherine, and I shall wish you the joy of the season once again.
With fondest regards,
LADY MARIA BERTRAM

Matlock Hall, Derbyshire
16 December, 1812

To Miss Anne De Bourgh, Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire

Dear Anne,

I have just received another characteristically insipid letter from Lady Bertram. In it, she indicated that there will be a ball at Mansfield Park next week. I assume you know your duties and I know you will act in a way befitting your station. If you do not have a suitable gown, let me know by express and I shall have one rushed from London or from your wardrobe at Rosings. Remember who you are. Do not dance with any young men from beneath your social standing. Do not dance more than four or six dances, as your delicate constitution will not be able to bear the exercise. Do not consume too much white soup, as it is quite rich. Go to bed directly after supper so that you do not overexert yourself. Do not purchase shoe roses which are too large, as your delicate feet might trip over them during the dance. Do not curl your hair or pile it too tightly on top of your head, as that is well-known to cause both headaches and wrinkles. And by all means, do not smile, laugh or chat about trivialities when you dance like certain undignified and shameful girls. True ladies do not act in such a manner.

Lady Bertram also indicated that you are spending quite a bit of time with the young people of the area. I am somewhat displeased that you have chosen to ignore my advice about associating too much with Mr. and Miss Price. Once Miss Price has married Mr. Crawford, it will be appropriate for you to condescend to speak with her, as she will be a woman of fortune and property. As it is now, though, she is too far beneath you to be a suitable companion. Mr. Price has no such avenues of social advancement open to him, so I suggest that you break off the acquaintance entirely.

I hope that your ball goes well. I expect a full account of the events after they have happened. Merry Christmas, dear Anne, and I shall meet you at Mansfield Park sometime in January, and we shall return to Rosings together.

Spare a thought amidst the gaieties of Northamptonshire for your mother
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
18 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

Dear Mother,

Please do not trouble yourself to send me a gown for the ball. I have had the opportunity to purchase several gowns here in Northamptonshire that I am certain will suit me perfectly. Do not worry about me. My shoe roses are remarkably small, I do not even like white soup, and I will go to bed whenever I get tired.

I must close here, dear Mother, as I have been quite busy of late, and can only write a short note at the moment. Please convey my best wishes to our Derbyshire relations, and I remain your daughter,
ANNE DE BOURGH

Matlock Hall, Derbyshire
20 December, 1812

To Mrs. Felicity Churchill, Enscombe, Yorkshire

My very dear Felicity,

I write to wish you and your family my greetings for a wonderful Christmas and a happy and fulfilling New Year. I also worry about your health. Are you feeling any better at all? Your last letter to me was quite unsettling on that account; I certainly hope you are following my advice regarding a putrid throat. You should be eating and drinking as much as possible to give yourself strength to fight it off. Also, dear Felicity, try to avoid becoming too upset with anything, as it would take the energy you need to fight off your illness.

I also am worried about dear Anne. Her last letter to me was quite short, and she seems to be overexerting herself. I certainly hope that she is not doing anything improper or unsuitable for her position or her delicate health. I do not think that she would, though. I believe her to be intelligent enough to understand her situation, and even if she is not, she would not defy my wishes.

I am still planning to see you next summer, dear Felicity, so you must regain your health by that time. I wish you joy in the New Year, and hope for the same myself. Although I cannot imagine how this coming year can be worse than the last. What else could possibly go wrong?

With best wishes for your return to health, I remain your devoted friend,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Part 8

Posted on Friday, 4 January 2002

Matlock Hall, Derbyshire
29 December, 1812

To Miss Anne De Bourgh, Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire

Dear Anne,

I am quite put out that I have not heard from you in over a week. I was expecting you to tell me what happened at your ball last week, and I would like to think that I would receive Christmas wishes from my own daughter.

Your behavior lately has been questionable. I certainly hope that you are not being corrupted by the recent events concerning your cousin and that woman he married, and I hope you are not being influenced by spending so much time amongst your inferiors.

I expect an explanation of your behavior immediately.

Your loving mother,
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
31 December, 1812

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

Dear Lady Catherine,

I just wanted to write you and tell you what a wonderful success the ball last week was. I would have written sooner, but we have all been so busy here over Christmas that this is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and catch up on my correspondence. Dear Anne was the gem of the evening, along with my dear Fanny. Anne had ordered a lovely pale lavender colored silk gown from Northampton especially for the occasion, and looked quite like an angel. Dear Fanny wore the gown that Sir Thomas bought her for Maria's marriage. I sent my maid Chapman up to help with the girls' hair, but Chapman was only able to help Anne, as Fanny had already completed her toilette before Chapman arrived at her room. Chapman created such a lovely hair arrangement for Anne; her hair was tied on top of her head and curled so delightfully, and was ornamented with silk ribbons that matched her gown perfectly. How lovely she looked! Once the ball began, dear Anne danced every dance; some with Edmund, some with Mr. George Alnmouth, younger son of Sir Neville Alnmouth of Woodvale Manor (the estate directly to the west of Mansfield Park), a set with Mr. Crawford, and several with young William Price, who looked as dashing and as charming as any man in the room. I cannot recall just now whom else she danced with, but all the young gentlemen in the room were simply delighted with her. Anne and Fanny finally retired to bed at around three o'clock, laughing and smiling until they were out of sight. They have become very good friends, and it does my heart good to see the both of them so happy.

My dear Edmund is gone now. He is staying with his friends, the Owens, and is to receive ordination this week with the eldest Owen brother. I wish him well in his occupation; I believe he is well suited to the life of a clergyman. Dear Tom is somewhere in the South enjoying his life of endless amusements, at Ramsgate or Brighton or Weymouth or some such place. I do wish he would marry and settle down, but I do not think that will happen any time soon. I have not heard from Maria or Julia, but imagine them too busy among the pleasures of London to have time to write to their poor mother.

I look forward to seeing you sometime in January, dear Catherine. Until then, I remain
LADY MARIA BERTRAM

Enscombe, Yorkshire
1 January, 1813

To Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Matlock Hall, Derbyshire

My dear Catherine,

I send this letter to wish you the happiest of New Year's greetings. I hope that you are enjoying your stay with your brother and his family - indeed, it must be wonderful to be able to return to one's childhood home and revisit the pleasures of youth. Our Christmas here at Enscombe was quiet and reserved, without much company or a great deal of the sort of loud revelry which often accompanies the season. You know my nerves cannot handle that sort of stress.

How is dear Anne doing? I know you have been concerned about her. Perhaps she is not yet recovered from the disappointment inflicted on her by her cousin, poor dear. I daresay she is simply going through a phase and shall come out of it in due time. Have I mentioned that we have recently become acquainted with Sir Maximilian and Lady Balfour-Boswell, who possess a lovely estate near the Scottish Borders? Their eldest son is single, and I thought he would make a lovely match for dear Anne, to get her over her cousin's perfidy. He is nearly thirty-three, and I am afraid his face is rather pitted by the smallpox. He is not a man of much information, and in addition he does have a rather high and squeaky voice. He is also unfortunately losing most of his hair, and eats far more mutton than can possibly be good for him. But, he is heir to a clear thirteen or fourteen thousand a year, as well as a lovely house with the most exquisite chimney-pieces (or so they say), so I imagine those slight imperfections could easily be overlooked.

Now that I mention the topic of sons and heirs, I must confess that Frank has lately been trying my patience to a most unacceptable degree. He is determined to go south to Surrey, of all places, and visit with his father and his father's new wife (a former governess of all things!) He was planning to leave today, but I am still far too unwell to do without him. I have persuaded him to leave the scheme for now, but I am afraid that at some point, he is simply going to ignore my wishes and make the journey. Of all the ungrateful children! We saved him from a life of poverty, ignominy, and connections in trade, and this is how he thanks us. Well, dear Catherine, I can only comfort myself that when he does go down there and make his visit, I am sure he will find his father and his stepmother living in a small shack or hovel, deprived of the most basic comforts of life, and moving in the most vulgar and shocking society. He will be horrified, leave immediately, and never think of returning.

Dear Catherine, writing of all these unpleasant topics causes my nerves to fray, so I shall close this missive here. Let me know what you think of a match between Anne and Mr. Balfour-Boswell. If you think it is an idea worth pursuing, let me know and I shall do everything in my power to forward the acquaintance. My own health remains indifferent at best, but I never complain. Drink a New Year's toast to your own dear friend
FELICITY CHURCHILL

Mansfield Park, Northamptonshire
4 January 1813

To the Right Honorable Lady Catherine De Bourgh of Rosings Park, Kent

Your Ladyship,

Although I have never had the honor of making your acquaintance, I address you now on a matter of the utmost seriousness and importance. What I have to say concerns your daughter, Miss Anne De Bourgh.

I would like to apply to Your Ladyship for your daughter's hand in marriage.

Miss De Bourgh and I have not known each other long, admittedly, but I have seen enough of her understanding, her beauty, her sweetness, and her upright character to know that I shall never love another woman. By some divine miracle that can only be sent from Him who guides us all, Miss De Bourgh returns that love and has consented to be my wife. She and my dearest sister, Fanny, are intimate friends already, and I am secure in the knowledge that she will be similarly beloved by all the rest of my family.

Besides my connection to the Bertram family of Mansfield Park, I am the eldest son and heir of the Price family, currently of Portsmouth. I am a midshipman in His Majesty's Royal Navy, and am told that I have great potential for advancement in my chosen profession. In fact, I am hoping for my first promotion to occur within a relatively short period of time.

Your Ladyship, I am not currently a very wealthy man. However, I have every expectation of both professional advancement and pecuniary success in my career, and can guarantee you that Miss De Bourgh shall never want for anything. Between the prize money which I have already gained, the prize money which I shall assuredly acquire in the future, and the interest on Miss De Bourgh's dowry, we shall be able to live quite comfortably and with no privations of any kind.

I humbly await Your Ladyship's reply. Until then, I remain your servant

MR. WILLIAM PRICE

Continued In Next Section