Section I, Next Section

Chapter 1

Posted on Thursday, 29 August 2002

"Lizzy, I will be fine, I will recover, I promise."

"Oh, Jane, I am so worried about you, and so is Mr. Bingley. He has sent for a physician from London. He is beside himself from worry over you. You must know that I think he is truly in love with you. I am so happy for you."

"Lizzy, I am sure that he is just concerned about me. And I think that it is too much trouble having someone from London come to see me."

"Nevertheless, Jane, Doctor Foster will be here tomorrow. I know that you will be kind to him and explain all that you are feeling. We are all so worried about you, Jane. I am so angry with Mama for making you take Nellie over here that night. You should never have come."

"Oh, Lizzy, it does no good to dwell on that. Mama was only doing what she thought was best for me."

"Well, it was a good scheme, to be sure, and look at you now, in bed for a week and hardly able to move. I am so sorry Jane. It is my fault for teasing Papa into saying he needed the horses in the farm."

"Lizzy, it is not your fault, or Mama's fault, or anybody's fault. I have a little cold, that is all, and everybody is making a fuss over it. Lizzy, I am really tired now. I think I shall sleep for awhile."

Elizabeth was not so confident as Jane that it was just a "little cold." She was quite worried. Jane had never been this ill before and she was not getting any better.

Elizabeth and Jane's acquaintance with the Netherfield party began at the Meryton assembly. Mr. Bingley had arrived comfortably late with his two sisters, Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Louisa Hurst, Louisa's husband Mr. Allen Hurst, and Mr. Bingley's dear friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. This fact was a great relief to some of the ladies in the room, who had believed the general report that Mr. Bingley was bringing twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly.

Mr. Bingley was soon introduced to Miss Jane Bennet.

"Miss Bennet, if you are not otherwise engaged, may I claim the next two dances?" he asked of her.

"I am not engaged," she had replied, looking at him through lowered lashed as a gentle blush suffused her face.

Jane had seen handsome men before, but none that sparked her interest like Mr. Bingley. At two and twenty, she had never fancied herself in love before, at least not that she was aware of. She longed for the day when a passionate love would enter her life. She wanted a husband that would treat her the way her uncle treated his wife, Mrs. Gardiner; with compassion, tenderness and respect, completely unlike the example of marriage she witnessed daily. If not, she would rather end an old maid. Of course, she was so poor, she would probably not marry anyway. But she would always hope. Always.

When she recollected herself, she realized that Mr. Bingley was still standing in front of her, looking very intently into her eyes. She arched her eyebrows in the form of a question. Mr. Bingley gave a start.

"Oh! I am sorry, Miss Bennet. Please excuse me." And he turned and walked away.

"Well, Jane," laughed Elizabeth, "you have made your first conquest of the evening."

"Lizzy, please, do not say such things!"

"I must Jane. I must have someone to tease. I think he is in love with you. He was out of his mind when he was staring at you. And Jane, I think you were, too. Of what were you thinking, Jane?"

"Of love, Lizzy. Of a passionate love."

As for Mr. Bingley's sisters, it was evident from their dress and manner that they were ladies of decided fashion and elegance who thought themselves quite above the folks of Meryton. They spoke well, walked well and danced well, but they thought well of no one but Mr. Darcy. They nibbled on sandwiches with perfect ease, and appeared born and bred with wineglasses in their hands. Nothing was beneath their notice and ridicule; they commented on the fact that there were only three musicians, that the so-called gentry were louder than dignified or genteel, that the fashions were out of style and that the assembly room was in need of dusting. How their brother came to even find Netherfield was a miracle in and of itself, that he should chose to lease it was astounding, and that his sisters should live there with him was appalling. If it were not for the fact that their brother had begged them to live with him, they would have stayed in Mr. Hurst's townhouse in London.

Mr. Darcy was single, to be sure, and every female eye was upon him. What an honor it would be to be singled out by him! It was soon rumored upon his arrival at Netherfield that Mr. Darcy's estate in Derbyshire was worth ten thousand a year. He was handsome, more so than Mr. Bingley, but soon lost favor with the people in the assembly because he appeared to be above their company. He shunned introductions, danced only four dances with Mr. Bingley's sisters, and walked around the room as if stalking prey, speaking only to members of his own party. He was decidedly proud, and his character was fixed as a result of the following exchange with Bingley.

"Come Darcy," said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."

"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are presently engaged, and there is not another woman whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."

"I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom!" cried Bingley. "Upon my honor, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."

"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

"Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."

"Which do you mean?" and turning round he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

Mr. Bingley followed his friend's advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.

Mr. Bingley observed Miss Elizabeth's reaction to Darcy's statement. He was ashamed for his friend, that he had spoken so loud that she had overheard his remark. Bingley thought her to be quite pretty, almost as much as her sister, and Miss Elizabeth must be very hurt. Later, he spoke with Miss Bennet.

"Miss Bennet, please apologize to your sister, Miss Elizabeth for me, for I fear I have caused her a great deal of mortification and embarrassment by way of my friend."

"Mr. Bingley, I do not understand. Whatever do you mean? What could have happened to distress her so?"

"I tried unsuccessfully to persuade my friend Darcy to dance, and offered to obtain an introduction for him, through you, to your sister Miss Elizabeth. He outright refused, making a comment about not dancing with strangers and a couple other things not worth repeating. Frankly, he was quite uncivil. I am embarrassed for him, for I believe it possible that Miss Elizabeth overheard him speaking of her."

"Sir, I am shocked! How could he treat Elizabeth in such a manner as that? She is as pretty and as kind as any young woman he could hope to meet. I am sorry for her, and for him. He is missing out on a very special young lady who would have cared nothing for his ten thousand a year. I think he very much misjudged her, but it is more to his loss than hers. I see her dancing again, this time with Captain Carter, and he is still standing by the wall."

"You are right, Miss Bennet," Bingley chuckled, "he is his own worst enemy. So Miss Bennet, have you always lived at Longbourn?"

"Yes, I have. My family has never lived anywhere else. Where are you from, Mr. Bingley?"

"A small town in the far North. My father was very successful in trade and left me a large fortune. He intended to buy an estate and live the life of a gentleman, but he died when I just became of age, so he never fulfilled his dream. I am trying to find my place in the world. I received accidental word that Netherfield was a worthy house, near town, in a pleasant neighborhood, so I came down and looked into it. I agreed with the general report and took it for a year. And here I am." He seemed to be proud of his accomplishment of finding a home so quickly.

"I am sorry about your father. That must have come as quite a shock for you. But I am glad that you came into the neighborhood," she said with a blush. She was very glad he had come.

"Thank you. And what about your family, Miss Bennet? Please tell me about them."

"You have met most of them, I believe. I have four younger sisters, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. I am very close to Elizabeth. I would say that she is my best friend. We talk about everything without reserve. I have an uncle who is a solicitor in Meryton and another in trade in town.

"Would you care to dance while we talk, Miss Bennet? A new set is just forming up."

"It would give me great pleasure, sir."

By the end of the assembly, Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley were in a fair way to be very much in love. They had similar tempers, and an excellent understanding. Of course, Jane made everyone she was with appear to an advantage because of her excellent disposition. Jane and Mr. Bingley had common interests, a united way of feeling optimistic about the world and a general desire of thinking well of other people and looking for the good in them by overlooking the bad and explaining it away to some form of misunderstanding.

The Bennet family returned home with a happy report for Mr. Bennet on the proceedings of the assembly. He had been hoping that their expectations for Mr. Bingley would be disappointed, but he had another story to hear. In fact, he was pleased that his daughters had an enjoyable time. He only wanted their happiness, particularly that of his two eldest for whom he felt nothing but the highest esteem, and especially for his second daughter, Elizabeth, his acknowledged favorite.

When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her sister how very much she admired him.

"He is just what a young man ought to be," said she, "sensible, good-humored, lively; and I never saw such happy manners! - so much ease, with such perfect good-breeding."

"He is also handsome," replied Elizabeth; "which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete."

"I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment."

"Did you not? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise and me never. What could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him."

"I like him very much, Lizzy. Very much indeed, and I believe he likes me as well. I am looking forward to our next meeting."

"Then you will be happy to know that the Lucases are having a party for all of the neighborhood tomorrow night and the Netherfield party has accepted the invitation."

"Oh, Lizzy, I did not know that. That is wonderful news. But maybe he will not come. Maybe he will think the Lucases are below his level of society."

"Jane, Mr. Darcy may think so, but be assured that Mr. Bingley does not. In fact, it does not matter who the company is, if you are there, rest assured, Mr. Bingley will be there also."

The Bennet family arrived in good time for the Lucas' party. All of the officers and the other families were there except for the Netherfield party. Jane waited patiently for them to arrive. Elizabeth was no less interested in them, wanting to see how Mr. Bingley behaved towards Jane and how Mr. Darcy behaved towards everybody else. To own the truth, despite her animosity towards him for his treatment of her at the Meryton assembly, she could not deny that he was handsome and pleasing to look at, and in this way she was attracted to him.

In the Lucas' drawing room, Elizabeth's sister Mary was at the pianoforte playing some obscure concerto to which no one was listening. Lydia and Kitty were carrying on with the officers. It seemed they would flirt with them forever. Elizabeth wondered if a sensible thought ever crossed their minds. Her father thought not, and Elizabeth was starting to be of his opinion. She gradually became inured to the noise of the music and talking, for which she was thankful, as it saved her from getting a headache.

And then, there they were, the Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley looked very well. He glanced around the room until he saw Jane, then made his way directly towards her. He was interrupted by Sir William, but quickly dispatching that inconvenience, finished his progress to Jane. He greeted her with a gentle kiss on her hand, lingering his hold on her hand longer than required. Elizabeth saw it all with pleasure. She saw a slight blush on Jane's cheeks, which only made her more attractive. If she were not in love yet, she soon would be. How she could possibly resist Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth did not know. They seemed formed for one another. It was pretty obvious that Bingley loved Jane already.

Elizabeth, however, would never have imagined that she was becoming the subject of somebody else's romantic inclinations. But the truth be told, Mr. Darcy, who had found her to be only just tolerable in appearance and had watched her throughout the Meryton assembly to verify his assumption, was now finding that perhaps there was some beauty in her form and figure and was particularly drawn to the sparkle and vigor shown in her beautiful, dark eyes. But that there should be much beauty in a country nobody was opposite to all he believed, therefore he watched her this evening at the Lucases to verify that she had none. Unfortunately, his struggles seemed to be in vain, and he felt himself ever increasingly drawn towards her each minute. He moved near her to hear the sound of her voice, and while her playful manners were so unlike those of women of fashion, they were attractive nonetheless.

Darcy had just terminated a worthless conversation with Sir William when Elizabeth walked by.

"My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? - Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you." And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William,

"Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."

Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honor of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.

"You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one-half hour."

"Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Elizabeth, smiling.

"He is indeed; but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance - for who would object to such a partner?"

Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley -

"I can guess the subject of your reverie."

"I should imagine not."

"You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner - in such society, and, indeed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise - the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."

Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity -

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley. "I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favorite? - and pray, when am I to wish you joy?"

The Bennet family was interrupted at breakfast a couple days after the Lucas' party by the entrance of the footman with a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield, and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while her daughter read -

"Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well, Jane, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love."

"It is from Miss Bingley," said Jane, and then read it aloud.

My Dear Friend, -

If you are not so compassionate as to dine today with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tête-à-tête between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can upon the receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers. - Yours ever,
Caroline Bingley

"With the officers!" cried Lydia "I wonder my aunt did not tell us of that."

"Dining out," said Mrs. Bennet, "That is very unlucky."

"Can I have the carriage?" said Jane.

"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night."

"That would be a good scheme," said Elizabeth, "if you were sure they would not offer to send her home."

"Oh! But the gentleman will have Mr. Bingley's chaise to go to Meryton; and the Hursts have no horses to theirs."

"I had much rather go in the coach."

"But my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are they not?

"They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them."

"But if you have got them today," said Elizabeth, "my mother's purpose will be answered."

She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged; Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Jane certainly could not come back.

Chapter 2

Posted on Monday, 2 September 2002

"This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!" Said Mrs. Bennet more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield brought the following note for Elizabeth: -

Netherfield, Thursday, Nov 14

My Dearest Lizzy, -

I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones - therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me - and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me. - Yours &c.

"Well, my dear," said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, "if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness - if she should die - it would be a comfort to know it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders."

"Oh! I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see her if I could have the carriage."

Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative.

Elizabeth arrived at Netherfield to a room filled with people who had mixed feelings on seeing her. Her skirts were dirty at the hem, her hair disarranged, and her face glowing from the exertion of walking three miles with a purpose. They were all incredulous that she had come so far and all alone. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were all politeness, of course, but Elizabeth feared they must despise her. Mr. Darcy gave the appearance of displeasure by his stern countenance, when in fact he was pleased to see her, though worried that her efforts were unwarranted. Mr. Hurst said nothing and thought nothing. Only Mr. Bingley greeted her with the warmth of friendliness, expressing concern that he could not have been of service to her with his carriage, gratified that she would be willing to visit her sister and asked that she call on him for anything that might make her visit more comfortable. He did not notice her gown, or mind that she walked, or that her hair was unkempt. She could do no wrong. She was, after all, Jane's sister, and there could be no greater recommendation in her favor.

"Mr. Bingley, I have come to visit my sister." Said Elizabeth upon her arrival. "She wrote that she is unwell and that Mr. Jones has come to see her. She is rarely ill, so I determined at once to come to her. How is she?"

"I wish I could say that she is well, Miss Elizabeth, but I am afraid she reports that her head aches severely and that her throat is very sore. She is unable to eat more than a few bites of soft food and drinks only warm tea. One of the housemaids is in constant attendance on her, but I know she shall be very glad to see you. I am happy you have come. It will give me great pleasure knowing that you will provide some comfort to Ja ... Miss Bennet. For your comfort and for hers, I hope that you will agree to remain with us at Netherfield until she is quite recovered enough to be moved to Longbourn. I shall immediately send a servant to inform your family and bring back clothes and anything else you may desire, all that will make your stay comfortable."

Elizabeth was pleased at Mr. Bingley's hesitation over Jane's name, and although she was not sure in the knowledge of the nature of their relationship, she was certain of how he called Jane in the privacy of his own mind.

"I do not want to intrude on you, Mr. Bingley. You already have my sister on your hands."

"Nonsense!" replied Bingley. "You will do us a great favor by remaining with us and I am certain nothing can contribute more towards your sister's recovery."

"Thank you, Mr. Bingley. I should like very much to stay with poor Jane."

Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister's room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to Mr. Bingley's inquiries, which she very early received by a housemaid. Mr. Bingley was genuinely afflicted. He was never happy when anyone was ill, but for it to be Jane; this was horrible. When he arrived home last evening with Darcy and Hurst from the officer's quarters, he had at first been pleasantly surprised to hear that his sisters had invited Jane over for the evening, but then the weather - how could she have come at all comfortably in all of that rain? And then to have found out that she had taken ill because she had actually ridden over on horseback and was soaked clear through by the rain. On horseback! What mother on earth would have allowed her daughter to travel on horseback on an afternoon like yesterday? It had been obvious that it was going to rain. Was Mrs. Bennet so completely devoid of feeling for her children to even consider such a thing? Yet it was so. Here was Jane ill in his own home, under his protection, and here was her sister, Miss Elizabeth, come to assist in her care, all because of her mother. It was inconceivable.

In spite of the amendment, Elizabeth requested to have a note sent to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane and form her own judgment of the situation. The note was immediately dispatched, and its contents as quickly complied with.

Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her that her illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield. She would not listen, therefore, to her daughter's proposal of being carried home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all advisable.

Bingley met her with the hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected. They were sitting in the drawing room when Mrs. Bennet replied,

"Indeed I have, sir. She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness."

"Removed!" cried Bingley. "It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."

"You may depend upon it, Madam," said Miss Bingley with cold civility, "that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us at Netherfield."

Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.

"I am sure," she added, "if it was not for such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper ever met with. And thank you for putting up with the burden of Lizzy. I cannot think what possessed her to walk here in all that dirt, not that I can ever think what it is that girl will do next, she runs off in such a wild manner at all times and places. I hardly recognize her for one of my children on many occasions."

Elizabeth colored and bowed her head in shame but said not a word. She did not raise her head again until her mother went away. When she did, Elizabeth ran back up to Jane's room, from where she could not be prevailed on to leave throughout the course of the evening.

Mr. Darcy, who was a witness to this conversation, was shocked. It was offensive and ill bred that one person could speak in such a manner as this of another in company. But for a mother to speak like this of a daughter was incomprehensible. Miss Elizabeth was hurt and embarrassed, to be sure, but at the same time, she did not appear to act as if this was the first time she had suffered such treatment. It pained him to see it. Elizabeth Bennet seemed to him to be a kind, generous young woman, full of life and vigor, filled with love and compassion for her sister and kindness for everyone else. She had sense, wit, charm and vivacity that was rarely met with, and certainly not among Bingley's sisters. Either he was not knowing Miss Elizabeth very well at all, or her mother was very prejudiced against her for a peculiar reason. Either way, it was amazing to him that they could both come from the same family.

Jane was not privy to the conversation that was had between her mother, her sister and the rest of the Netherfield party, but she knew something awful had happened, for not long after her mother had left her room, Elizabeth came running back into it with tears streaming down her face. She collapsed on her bed and said not a word. Jane knew she was crying as her body quivered from her silent sobbing. This went on for about a quarter of an hour, Jane's heart breaking all the while, when suddenly, Elizabeth sat up on the bed with dry but red and swollen eyes, announced to Jane that she was just fine, apologized for disturbing her, said she was going to take a walk and immediately left the room.

Elizabeth spent an hour in the garden, becoming invigorated by the fresh air. She pondered on the cruel joke that Heaven played on her that placed her in such a family with a kind but silent father, and a mother that seemed to hate her. Her only comfort was Jane. She was glad to be away from Longbourn and here with Jane, and only hoped she could do enough for her so that she would quickly recover. The whole situation was her mother's fault. She sent Jane over on horseback, knowing it was going to rain so that she would have to stay the night at Netherfield. Well, her mother got what she wanted. She always got what she wanted.

On Saturday Jane decided that she really was not feeling any better than yesterday, but that she needed to somehow get up and around, to give the appearance of some improvement so that she could prevail on her mother to let her return home. She felt uncomfortable imposing on Mr. Bingley for so long, though he had never said an unkind word to her. In fact, he was always very nice, and with Elizabeth's attendance, he had been able to spend an hour with her yesterday, and again this morning. She longed for these visits.

Today Bingley told Jane about a ball to be given by the officers in five days time. He had received the invitation the day she had ridden over to spend the evening with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. The officers were a fine group of men. They seemed to be a respectable lot, nothing like a person might encounter in the regulars, but for a militia regiment, one could not meet with a better set of gentlemen. They came either from respectable families or were men looking for a way to make a name for themselves and had worked hard to earn their commissions. On the whole, he was very pleased with them. The ball they were to host would be given at the Meryton assembly room. The officers were delivering their remaining invitations today and it was expected to be a wonderful affair.

"Miss Bennet, if you are not otherwise engaged, may I claim the first two dances?" They both laughed, remembering that this was in the same manner that he had asked her for their first dance at the Meryton assembly.

"I am not engaged, sir," replied Jane. This time they both blushed at her response, since thoughts of marriage to each other had begun to creep into their brains. Pleasant and welcome thoughts, indeed.

"However, Miss Bennet, if you are not wholly recovered, I must insist that you defer our dancing engagement until a later date. I cannot have you up late and out of doors. I intend to have a ball at Netherfield, but it will not be arranged until you are quite well."

"You are very kind, and I appreciate your concern, but I am sure that I will be well again and able to dance and fulfill my engagement for the officer's ball."

After another half-hour of quiet conversation, he left her, concerned that she needed to rest. She thanked him for his kind attention and told him that she looked forward to seeing him again. They parted from each other with warm hearts.

"Lizzy, did you hear? He has asked me for the first two dances at the officer's ball!"

"I was trying very hard not to hear anything, Jane. Did you accept?"

"Oh, Lizzy, how can you say such a thing! Of course I accepted him. How could I do otherwise. Is he not a wonderful man, so solicitous and kind to everything I might require?"

"Jane, I think you are falling in love with that 'wonderful man,' and I am happy for you. You deserve each other. You are both so complying that nothing will ever be decided upon, you will never argue because you both believe the same things, and it is difficult for either of you to think ill of another human being. You are so optimistic that you both look for the sun in the middle of a rainstorm. You are perfect for each other. And I can tell you this: he is madly in love with you!"

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes, and you would too, if you were not so much in love yourself. But love makes a person insecure, it makes a person feel vulnerable and fragile, so they are no longer able to see clearly on matters of the heart like they used to. Just wait. If I ever fall in love, you will know long before I do."

After the ladies moved to the drawing room after dinner, Elizabeth ran up to Jane's room to assist her down stairs. She was received very pleasantly by Mr. Bingley's sisters, who entertained them with stories about their friends and acquaintances, the latest fashions in town, and their hopes for Jane's speedy recovery. But their solicitude came to an end when the gentlemen entered the room; Elizabeth could hardly have expected more from Mr. Bingley's sisters. She had no opinion of them whatsoever, and counted leaving them behind at Netherfield as one of the advantages of Jane's return to health.

Mr. Hurst approached Jane and said he was glad she seemed well. In fact, he had no idea how she was. He was barely aware that she was even at Netherfield. Upon seeing Jane, Mr. Darcy said,

"Miss Bennet, may I ask if you are feeling any better?"

"Yes, sir, I am feeling a little better, I thank you," Jane lied. Actually, she did not feel any better at all. Her head had started to ache again since coming downstairs, but she was determined not to complain or leave the room.

"Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure to see you again. I do hope you are feeling better. In fact, I am concerned that perhaps you are over-exerting yourself and should have remained upstairs." Mr. Bingley, becoming the concerned lover, was ever perceptive of how she appeared, and could see no amendment in her health at all, and doubted the wisdom of her joining the party downstairs. He ordered a servant to build up the fire, requested that Jane remove nearer the fire and away from the door and sat near her for the rest of the evening in quiet conversation. Mr. Bingley appeared pleased to be with Jane, but Elizabeth could see he was worried about her.

It was Sunday morning, and Jane was frustrated. She rarely missed services, but today she must. She was not feeling any better. She was tired all the time, her head still ached if she moved around too much, and her throat still hurt, though not as bad as before, and her neck was growing stiff. 'Perhaps I am sleeping in an odd position,' she thought.

"Jane, I am going to send for Mr. Jones again to visit you. You are not well, and you are not improving, I can see it in your eyes."

"Oh Lizzy, I am so sorry. I do not want to be a burden on anybody, but I do not feel any better at all."

"I will go speak to your Mr. Bingley directly about sending for Mr. Jones."

Jane laughed, "He is not 'my' Mr. Bingley."

"Oh yes he is," Elizabeth said firmly, "just you wait and see! Is he not coming in an hour to see you again?"

"Yes, Lizzy. I am so looking forward to seeing him again."

Elizabeth left Jane in search of Mr. Bingley. She found him in his library. She was able to look in for a minute through the open door, and saw him sitting at his desk reading a book. At least, he appeared to be reading a book. He would look down at a page, then up at the clock, then he would turn the page and look at it, and then he would look up at the clock. Elizabeth doubted he would be able to tell anyone anything about what he had read, let alone the title of the book. She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

She entered the library and approached his desk. He looked up from his book with a start. Apparently he was not expecting to see her. He jumped to his feet and gave her a bow.

Elizabeth curtsied and said, "Mr. Bingley, I hope you were enjoying your book," she teased.

"Ah, yes, very much. I suppose I am finding ways to pass the time until I can see Miss Bennet; in about a half-hour from now," he chuckled.

"Mr. Bingley, it is not my intention to alarm you, but I am concerned that my sister is not getting any better, at least as I would expect her to be. Would it be an inconvenience if Mr. Jones were called for to see her again?"

Responding with an alarmed look that only a lover can give, Bingley exclaimed, "Not recovering! Miss Elizabeth, I shall have him summoned at once. What think you of a physician from town? Is it not time that we summon a physician for her?"

"I do not think that is yet necessary. Perhaps in a day or two if she is not any better. Frankly, Mr. Bingley, I am not prepared to face the idea that she would need to see a physician and that Mr. Jones would not be a sufficient help to her.

"Yes, of course. Perhaps I should not see her today."

"No, Mr. Bingley. She is counting on your visit and would be greatly disappointed if you did not come to her. Mr. Bingley, she cares for you a great deal. I hope you are sincere in your attentions to her. I could not bear to see her heart broken.

"Miss Elizabeth, I care for your sister very much, and causing her any pain is the farthest thing from my mind, I assure you. I have never met with any one as kind, gentle and lovely as your sister. I dare not say more now. But when she is well, I intend to court her in such a manner that she will come to love me. Rest assure, madam, her heart is safe with me."

"Thank you, sir, for your assurances. Please forgive me if I caused you to say anything that may have made you uncomfortable, but I am very jealous of my sister's happiness."

"She is blessed to have such a sister as you who cares to much for her."

Chapter 3

Posted on Thursday, 5 September 2002

Netherfield, Sunday, November 17th

My dear Mother -

I am exceedingly concerned for Jane's health. I have sent for Mr. Jones to see her again. She does not seem to improve at all. She did leave her room last night after the rest of us had dined, but I feel it was more because it was expected of her than that she felt well enough. Your advice would be appreciated. Yours, Elizabeth

Longbourn, Sunday, November 17th

Lizzy -

I have no intention of going out to Netherfield again. You know that at my time of life, a person takes no pleasure in visiting. I am counting on you to make sure that she returns to health and does not lose any of her bloom and beauty. She is five times as pretty as the rest of you girls and must stay that way so that Mr. Bingley will fall in love with her. I must have her well settled at Netherfield. It is your responsibility to make this happen or I shall never speak to you again. Yours, etc.

How could her mother say such a thing? How could she be responsible for Jane getting well again? Why was it up to her to make sure that Jane married Bingley? Elizabeth had no doubt that it would happen, yet she was not going to interfere any more than she had, to make sure that Bingley's intentions were sincere. Elizabeth felt cold and alone - abandoned with nowhere to turn.

On the day after Elizabeth sent her letter, Mrs. Bennet unexpectedly appeared at Netherfield after all.

"Lizzy," she said, "I have come to make sure you are doing your utmost in caring for Jane, and indeed, it appears you should be doing more, because Jane is not any better than she was."

Mrs. Bennet advised that a physician from town be summoned; it was obvious that Mr. Jones did not know his business and that someone with real medical knowledge was needed.

"On the whole," cried Mrs. Bennet, "I have been ill-used by everyone. Why should my daughter be ill? Why should Elizabeth not be doing more? Why does Mr. Jones not know his business? Why was not a physician called for immediately? And why is everybody always against me?"

This speech was said in the drawing room, where she was sitting for a moment with Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley, who said-

"Mrs. Bennet, I shall summon a physician from town immediately, if you think it necessary. I would not for the life of me endanger your daughter's health. I shall send an express immediately. I know of a very capable physician, Mr. Foster, who attends my family when we are in town."

"Thank you, Mr. Bingley. I hope it will be enough to save her beauty. Illness, at her time of life, often robs a girl of her bloom and beauty, you know, and then what will become of her? Elizabeth, you must take better care of her, you must!"

And with that injunction, she called for her carriage and left.

Mr. Foster replied by return express that he would be unable to attend the patient until the next day, but he would be happy to make the trip to Netherfield and was grateful for the offer of a room at the house, agreeing to stay with Miss Bennet until her health was recovered. He was looking forward to renewing his acquaintance Mr. Bingley, and only wished it could be under more pleasant circumstances.

Bingley informed Mr. Jones that a physician was called for from town.

"Sir, at the insistence of Miss Bennet's mother, an express was sent to town for a physician to attend her. His name is Mr. Foster. I recommend him myself as he provides all the medical care for my family when we are in town, and I trust him implicitly. I do not want you to feel that we doubt your ability to care for her. I suppose we are all very worried. She is generally of a very healthy constitution, and this is unusual for her to remain so ill for so long."

"Mr. Bingley, I am not offended, and was feeling that perhaps my office as apothecary was becoming insufficient for the needs of Miss Bennet. I offer any and all of my services to Mr. Foster."

"Thank you, Mr. Jones. He will arrive tomorrow and will be staying with us at Netherfield until Miss Bennet begins to show signs of improvement in her health.

Meanwhile, Jane and Elizabeth were upstairs, sharing in the following conversation:

"Dear Lizzy, I am so sorry for all the trouble I am causing everybody. I cannot understand why I am not feeling any better. I know that Mama is being very cruel towards you, which hurts me very much. I am trying not to complain. I am trying to bear this with patience, but it is becoming so frustrating. My head aches nearly all the time, and my neck has grown so stiff sometimes I can hardly turn my head, or look up or down."

"Jane, you have the patience of an angel. If everyone in the world were like you, there would be an end to most trouble. Do not worry for my sake, I will deal with Mama; do not let her trouble you, I am sure she only means the best for you. Mama has insisted that a physician from London be sent for, and so Mr. Bingley sent a message by express for their family physician from town. He will be here tomorrow to attend you. He will remain at Netherfield until you are quite well. He and Mr. Jones will attend to you everyday. You will be well again, Jane, and I will stay with you and nurse you and love you."

Elizabeth continued, "Do you remember when I was ten years old and was sick for several days with a bad fever? You used to sneak into my room every night after Mama and Papa had gone to bed and read to me and talk to me. You would lie beside me on the bed and gently stroke my hair and make circles on my cheek with your fingertips. Jane, I will never forget the care and love you showed for me then, ever."

"Lizzy, how could anyone do anything other than love you."

Mr. Foster arrived early Wednesday afternoon, with time to examine Miss Bennet before dinner. He spent nearly an hour with her, with Elizabeth attending quietly in a corner embroidering a handkerchief. He examined the skin on her arms and legs, looked into her eyes and mouth and ears, separated her hair to view her scalp for discoloration. He timed the rate of her heartbeats and breathing. He had her grasp his hands and pull against his arm as a test of her strength. He took careful notes between each exercise. Elizabeth asked what all these examinations were for, and he replied,

"I am trying to develop the basis for comparison. Honestly, I do not know what afflicts your sister, but each day I will repeat this examination, and compare my findings to this first test to search for changes, be they for better or worse. This will be a clue as to whether the treatment I am pursuing is successful or not.

Mr. Foster was a man in his middle fifties, not quite as tall as Mr. Darcy, with gray hair and gentle hands. He held his mouth clenched in a peculiar fashion, mumbling to himself every now and again. He reported that he had no family of his own, but lived with a niece and her husband in his townhouse in London. Having no immediate connections of his own, it was not uncommon for him to be gone for extended periods, staying at the residences of his more wealthy patients, rather than traveling back and forth daily between his home and theirs. He had been trained as a surgeon in the army, though had not seen action. He had left the regulars prior to the start of the war on the continent. But his friends in the army did not forget him, and by their recommendations had eased his way into good company who were willing to pay well for his services, and by this he had achieved a respectable fortune for a man in his situation, one that would allow him comfort in his later years when he would wish to stop working and enjoy his home and niece. It was by the recommendation of one these friends that he was introduced to Charles Bingley.

"Miss Bennet, tell me about this stiffness in your neck."

"Well, sir, it has been coming on these two days now. At first I thought I had just slept in an awkward position, this being a different bed, but the discomfort has increased, to where it is painful to move my head to the side much farther than this..." And she demonstrated for him her range of motion. "...or to move my head up or down like this."

"For this ailment I would recommend frequent massaging of the muscles. They seem very tight." He paused, lost in thought for a moment. "I am going to go with Mr. Jones to his place and have his boy send over some draughts that should help with the pain in your head and neck. Miss Elizabeth, I know this is asking much of you, but I would be grateful if you would spend the whole night with your sister, to see if she is sleeping well, or is disturbed. By this I shall know if I should offer something to help her sleep better. Rest is important for her."

Jane had not slept too badly, but then she had not slept too peacefully either, was Elizabeth's report to Mr. Foster when he came in for his morning examination of Jane. He made note after her remark in his book under the date of Thursday, 21 November 1811. He made the additional comment, "The Officer's Ball."

"Miss Elizabeth," said Mr. Foster, "thank you for staying with Jane last night. I will have a sleeping draught sent over this afternoon with directions on how to give it to her. She should be more comfortable than she is."

"Thank you, Mr. Foster," replied Elizabeth, "I appreciate your care for my sister."

"Miss Elizabeth, I am growing concerned for you. You are a saint. The care you are providing for your sister is compassionate, kind and essential, but also draining on you. Tonight is the officer's ball. Mr. Jones and I have already decided that we will be close at hand, and that with the new sleeping draught, and the assistance of a housemaid, that there should be no reason why you should not attend the ball. In fact, I insist upon it, as being useful to your own health, and thereby beneficial to Miss Jane's. What do you say?"

"I had not really considered it. I was going to stay with Jane."

"I know you were, and I can hardly blame you. I can feel the love between the two of you. I cannot imagine how you are feeling, seeing her suffer so. I have already inquired with Mr. Bingley. He and his sisters are going. He was not of a mind to go, either, but feels obligated because of his position in Hertfordshire society, and he will take you in his carriage, with his sister and Mr. Darcy.

"Thank you, Mr. Foster, you are kind. I am sure I do need to get out of the house a little, if only for the exercise."

"That is right, Miss Elizabeth, please have an enjoyable evening."

The Netherfield party was one of the last to arrive. While Mr. Darcy, Miss Bingley and Elizabeth were ready in good time, it was pretty clear that Mr. Bingley did not want to go, and therefore he was slow getting ready, making them late. Elizabeth was grateful, for this would allow her to slip in without much notice. She was eager to see her friend Charlotte Lucas and watch the dancing. She also wanted to see how Mr. Bingley behaved. She was so sorry for him. She knew he would rather have been at home with Jane, or at least near her, but he had to be here tonight. Sometimes he was like such a little boy, Elizabeth observed. He was pacing around with a pout on his face. No wonder Jane was falling in love with him. It did not take long to find Charlotte.

"Charlotte, how are you!" Elizabeth said, kissing her on the cheek.

"I am fine, Eliza, how are you? How is Jane?"

"She is still quite ill, Charlotte. A physician has been summoned from town and he attends to her daily. It is very frustrating. She does not seem to be getting any better, no matter what anybody does. I am very worried. But I am sure all will be well. I was not going to come tonight but Mr. Foster said I must," she laughed.

"Well, I am glad you did. You probably did not remember that your cousin Mr. Collins came to Longbourn on Monday. He is quite desolate without the company of the two eldest Miss Bennets. I am sure you would not like him, though. He is a clergyman, about five and twenty, rather tall, but large, has plenty to say, though little of it worth hearing. He does enjoy speaking of his patroness, a Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I think your sister Mary likes him."

"Mary?"

"Yes, she did say that he read three pages from Fordyce's Sermons for them one evening, and that she has been quite a lost woman since."

"He is to inherit Longbourn after Papa dies. He is next in the entail. If Mary can get him, I am sure that Mama would be very pleased. I know that I should not like to marry anybody just because of an entail or a Lady Catherine."

Unbeknownst to each other, Elizabeth and Darcy's circuits of the dance floor had placed them within earshot of each other. Darcy noticed Elizabeth and Charlotte, and stopped his progress in order to hear this fascinating conversation.

"Very well, Eliza, I will encourage her all that I can. I shall visit her everyday. But what about you? Why would you like to marry?"

"I will marry only for reasons of the deepest love and affection, without consideration for money, position or family. I will not consent to marry a man just for the sake of a provision. Nor will I marry a man to satisfy the desires of my mother. If I cannot love him, I shall never marry him and will spend my days in poverty before I do."

"Oh Eliza, you are so romantic. But you would never act that way, you know you would not. It is not sound. If a man came to you and said he loved you, and had five or six hundred a year, why should you say no to him. There is plenty of time to learn to love him later."

"No Charlotte. If I cannot love him, I will never, ever marry him."

Frankly, Darcy was a little surprised by this declaration. Knowing as he did the enthusiasm that Mrs. Bennet had for getting her daughters married, he was filled with wonder at finding one of those daughters that was not willing to play the game. In fact, he believed he had found a second one of those daughters, and she was currently ill at Netherfield. He wondered what it would be like to marry a woman that loved him just for who he was, without consideration for all of his wealth and grandeur. A woman whose passion for him would not change if she woke up one day and found him stripped of everything he ever owned. Passion - a woman who married for money did not know passion. He began to consider Elizabeth Bennet in a new light - as a passionate woman - and he wondered what it would be like to be the subject of that passion. And with that thought playing havoc with his mind, he continued his circuit of the room with Bingley.

The music started playing and the knot of redcoats spread about the room seeking their partners for the first dance. Elizabeth did not have a partner until,

"Miss Bennet, you look wonderful this evening."

"Thank you, Captain Carter. How are you this evening?"

"I am very well. It is a pleasure for us to be able to have this ball for all of Meryton. Would you do me the kind honor of dancing the first two with me?"

"Thank you, sir, it would be my pleasure." He took her hand and they moved off together to form up in the set.

Elizabeth enjoyed her dance with Captain Carter. He filled her in on all the latest Meryton news. It was amazing to her that she could be gone for only one week yet be feeling like a complete stranger.

Mr. Bingley walked alone towards Elizabeth. She did not know where he had left Mr. Darcy. "Miss Bennet, dancing with you may be the only pleasure I will enjoy this evening. May I have the honor?"

"Certainly, Mr. Bingley. I would deny you nothing."

Those standing next to them during the two dances could, if they tried, overhear the following conversation taking place between them -

"Miss Bennet, I am very sorry for you, I know you are deeply concerned about your sister. The care you give her is a testament to your love and affection for her. If only I could feel the same from my sisters. You two have a wonderful relationship. It must be a real pleasure being in the same household with her, and to have such a friend and confidante near you at all times."

"Mr. Bingley, you sound as if you are jealous of me," she laughed. "Seriously, I thank you for your compliments. She is the kindest person I know and is a great comfort to me."

"I am jealous of you, Miss Elizabeth. I wish that same relationship for myself with her. I know I am speaking rather out of turn, but I feel that I can speak to you. I have great hopes for her. I know she returns my affections. We have already spoken of plans for the future together: How we shall live, trips we shall make to London to the townhouse so that we shall be there for the Season, perhaps purchasing an estate of our own someday. We have spoken of children, little boys and girls running under foot and climbing up the shelves in the library. I feel absolutely alive when I am with her, completely unbounded by any restraint. I feel that I can love anyone, be endlessly patient, overcome any difficulty, solve the most difficult problem, and do almost anything. Loving her has given me new life. I sit in my library at night thinking about her lying upstairs in a strange bed. I am so grateful that you are here for her, that she is not completely alone. I hope that she is not afraid. I want so much to go to her and hold her and make everything well again, but I know I cannot. I look forward to the day when that will be my right."

"Mr. Bingley, you are a wonderful man. I am so happy that my sister will have you to love and cherish her. You have such a delicate heart."

Elizabeth had managed to stay towards the back of the assembly room, away from the table with refreshments on it, where her mother would undoubtedly be holding court. She did not want to be noticed by her mother. So far this plan was working. While she was in these thoughts, Charlotte approached her,

"Eliza, I want you to know that Mary and Mr. Collins have danced the last two together. It appears that he is not too practiced in dancing, but Mary does not seem to mind at all. She is all smiles. He is quite pleased with himself, and she is not walking with a limp, though I do not know how she could not, as he trampled her feet a half dozen times at least. Your mother is quite fond of him. She has reported to me that he is a very sensible young man, which I am understanding to mean that he is planning on marrying one of her daughters. Tell me, Eliza, other than having a sick Jane to care for at Netherfield, how do you like it there, and all its inhabitants?"

Chapter 4

Posted on Sunday, 8 September 2002

"Well, I do not have much to say. Mr. Bingley is very much in love with Jane. He is either with her or on estate business, I presume, and he is very kind to me. Mr. Darcy is a pleasant man and is probably also a kind one if a person can get beyond that stern facade he presents to the world. Mr. Bingley's sisters are just what they appear to be - proud and conceited. I do not like them at all, and I am sure they consider me an intruder. They spend very little time with their dear friend Jane. Jane tries to be pleasant, tries to read, tries to engage in conversation, tries to sleep, and does all with varying degrees of success. Her head aches all the time, her neck is grown stiff, and her stomach ill, and she is still gentle and cheerful. It is clear she returns Mr. Bingley's affections."

"I am very happy for her, then. She will recover from her illness and be settled very happily. And it will be a match of affection, advantageous for her as to fortune, and it will also give your mother something to talk of for years to come. Maybe it will throw you in the way of other men that might come to love you?"

"Perhaps you are referring to Mr. Darcy?"

"Perhaps."

"As I told you, he is a pleasant man, but I am sure he would never care for me. He..."

"Lizzy!"

"Good evening, Miss Lucas, Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet, would you please dance the next two with me?"

"Why yes, thank you, Mr. Darcy, I would be happy to."

When the music recommenced, they were not the only ones walking about the room. Mrs. Bennet had left her place at the front of the room and was walking the length of it in search of her youngest three daughters, to see what men they may have attracted. Of course she was not expecting to see her second daughter dancing. This girl was supposedly ensconced at Netherfield attending to the every whim and desire of her eldest daughter, preserving her beauty and bloom, and seeing to it that Mr. Bingley fell in love with Jane, a duty Mrs. Bennet would rather take upon herself, but since she could not stay at Netherfield, it unhappily fell to Elizabeth. It was not, therefore, without great consternation that she beheld this same and acknowledged least favorite daughter on the arm of Mr. Darcy, proceeding towards the dance floor. Perhaps Mrs. Bennet liked her less just because she was the favorite of her husband, who she did not like either. For a moment she was confused by two alternate emotions, fierce anger and amazement. Anger that Elizabeth would defy her mother and leave Netherfield for such a trifling reason as a ball, that she would abandon her poor sister, her favorite sister, no less, to all her ill health and misery for a night of pleasure herself was almost beyond Mrs. Bennet's belief. Who would make Jane marry Mr. Bingley? Mrs. Bennet also felt amazement at the possibility that Elizabeth might have caught the eye and heart of the proud Mr. Darcy. They had been thrown together at Netherfield, to be sure, and he was rich with a grand estate, but surely, if she were doing her duty to Jane, she would have no time for any courting of her own. This was not to be endured. Mr. Darcy or no Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth's first and only priority was Jane, and if she was not going to be attentive to these things Mrs. Bennet would make her attentive.

Mrs. Bennet, whose active mind and imagination by this point was beyond the reach of reason, rushed rather rudely through the crowd of onlookers, up to Darcy and Elizabeth. As she reached the couple, she pulled Elizabeth's arm off of Darcy's and yelled,

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, what are you doing here? Don't you belong at Netherfield with your poor sister?"

"Mother, release me. Please, recollect yourself, do not speak thus. What is the matter?"

Darcy was speechless. Mrs. Bennet never ceased to amaze him. Accosting Elizabeth and him in such a way in front of all these people. If she were a man, he would have to call her out immediately, let her chose whatever weapons she may, wherever and whenever. Publicly humiliating her own daughter! Darcy wondered how much cruelty can a person could inflict in one lifetime and not fall victim to the justice of divine intervention?

Elizabeth was nearly overcome with embarrassment, for herself, of course, but more so for Mr. Darcy. That he should witness such a display was intolerable. That her mother should have the audacity to even touch him as she ripped her daughter's hand off of his arm was unthinkable.

"Mr. Darcy, would you please excuse us," was all Elizabeth could get out before her mother started again.

Darcy moved two steps away. He was not going to leave Elizabeth in the grips of this insane creature. He meant to be of use to her, and he would hear what happened, he would see what happened. He would make sure that she knew he was there.

"Elizabeth, I am your mother and am entitled to speak to you however I will, and obviously I need to speak to you in a way that you will clearly understand your duty, which you are obviously neglecting!" Her mother was still yelling, screaming really. The room had grown quiet. It seems that all of Meryton would now know Elizabeth's shame. "Your duty is to your sister. She is quite ill, if you have not noticed, and now she is alone at Netherfield. It is your duty to nurse her and make her well again, to return her to beauty and good humor. It would be better if I was there, but then who would look after the younger girls? Certainly not you! You always think you are too good for the rest of us, being lazy in your father's study or taking your long walks away from the house. You owe me this, Elizabeth Bennet, and you will do it. If Jane cannot be dancing with Mr. Bingley, you have no right to be dancing yourself."

"Mother, Jane is with Mr. Jones and Mr. Foster. They particularly recommended that I come tonight because of the amount of time I have been spending with Jane. I was up all of last night with her at Mr. Foster's request to measure her sleeping. You are not aware of all I do for her, and there is not one thing I would not do for her," Elizabeth replied silently, tears forming on her cheeks, her body quivering.

"Elizabeth, who knows better: a couple of strange men, or her mother. Now mind what you are told. You are a selfish girl and have been your whole life, undeserving ..."

At this point in Mrs. Bennet's speech, Elizabeth could endure it no longer, and fled through the crowd to the door and out of the assembly room. She tripped her way down the stairs, beyond the knot of postilions, past the carriages and ran towards Netherfield until she could barely walk. She stopped her progress, turned towards the moon and looking upwards screamed as loud as she could, "MOTHER!" She slowly moved again towards Jane, not knowing she was being followed.

Mr. Darcy felt certain that no good could come from Mrs. Bennet's attack on Elizabeth. Elizabeth was proud, not in conceited way, but accusations of this type would not sit well with her, and she would not endure them or the shame of having them repeated in front of such a crowd for long. Anticipating what might happen, he moved towards the door of the room. Suddenly he heard the sounds of skirts moving briskly behind him, and he had just time to look to his side and see Elizabeth fly by him. His heart caught in his throat. He quickened his pace and was able to see her as she went down the stairs. Thank Heaven she did not fall. He took the stairs two at a time and went to the carriages.

"Rossiter!"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Darcy, I am over here."

"Prepare the carriage at once."

"Yes, sir."

Darcy strode off into the darkness towards Netherfield. He was searching in the moonlight for her. He walked quickly until he heard a scream: "Mother!" His blood went cold. What did that mean? He started to run up the road.

Elizabeth was all confusion. What did her mother mean by accusing her of such things? Mr. Foster was taking care of Jane tonight. He told her to go to the ball. She was thinking about Jane the whole time. It was not fair. Elizabeth felt trapped between reality and her mother. She was becoming cold, and a little frightened and disoriented. Was she going to get lost? Maybe she should not have run out of the assembly room. But how could she stay there another moment with her mother? Wait! What was that noise?

Darcy found her nearly frozen to the ground, shaking from cold and fear. She looked at him with such relief. She nearly collapsed into his arms. He held her quietly for a few minutes. He felt all the impropriety of their situation, but decided if he had to choose, he would choose taking care of Elizabeth's needs and comforts over the cares of the world. She was more important. He felt her begin to support her own weight. He took off his jacket and put it around he shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled a 'thank you.' He put his arm around her waist and led her back towards the assembly room. When they were near, but not close enough to be seen, he asked her to wait and walked to where the carriages were. He saw Bingley's equipage.

"Rossiter, please follow me up the road towards Netherfield."

"Yes, sir."

They proceeded back to where Darcy had left Elizabeth. He pulled down the step of the carriage and handed her in. Before climbing in himself, he had a word with Rossiter,

"I am counting on your discretion tonight to preserve Miss Elizabeth's honor. She had a terrible argument with her mother in company and fled the assembly room. I went after her."

"I have heard the story, Mr. Darcy. I feel nothing but the greatest respect for the young lady, and would do or say nothing to hurt her, or yourself, sir."

"Thank you, Rossiter. Please take us to Netherfield, then return for Mr. and Miss Bingley.

"Yes, sir."

Darcy stepped into the carriage and sat opposite Elizabeth. He took one of her hands and traced circles on her palm. She was so distracted by the events of the evening that she entirely missed the feeling of his hands or the intense look of love and passion in his eyes. For Mr. Darcy, the danger from Elizabeth was over. He knew he would ask her to marry him for her stated reasons: that of the deepest love and affection. Now, what did she feel?

At Netherfield, he escorted her to her bedchamber. She quietly thanked him for his help and company. She was very touched by his help. Indeed, she did not know what she would have done without him. She slipped into bed that night still not sure at all what her mother meant or why she attacked her. She was too tired even cry.

On Friday morning, Mr. Foster again examined his patient and could see no improvement in her. If anything, she was growing worse, and she was now experiencing periods of drowsiness and sleep in the afternoons that were wholly unlike her.

Elizabeth knew she could not expect any help from her mother, so she wrote to her father, asking that he come to Netherfield to visit Jane and give his opinion regarding her health and what should be done concerning her. What Elizabeth did not say, was that she was looking for some encouragement from him as to her efforts at nursing Jane. Elizabeth could not believe that she was failing her sister as her mother thought, and she hoped her father would realize this.

Mr. Bennet came in good time after receiving Elizabeth's note. Elizabeth was often wondering why her family never came to visit Jane unless she had written, but that thought only made her unhappy, so she chose not to dwell on it for now.

"Elizabeth, I am come to visit Jane, and yourself, of course."

"Thank you, Papa. I will take you to her now." And she led him up to Jane's room, announcing his presence before they went in.

"Oh, Papa, thank you for coming," said Jane. "You need not have troubled yourself."

"Jane, I should have been here long ago. Please tell me, honestly, how you are feeling?" inquired Mr. Bennet.

"I have a headache all the time, my neck is stiff and I find myself growing more and more tired. Lizzy stayed all night with me once to see if I was sleeping properly. I was not, so Mr. Foster has been giving me some sleeping draughts."

"Jane, it is a beautiful day outside, why do you not have the curtains drawn? I shall open them for you."

"Please do not, sir. The sun seems to brighten the room more than usual and the extra light is very uncomfortable."

"I see," He paused, "Are you able to eat or drink much?"

"A little. If I eat too much I feel ill. I try to drink a lot of water, but even that makes my stomach hurt."

"I am very sorry for you, Jane. You are a good girl and certainly do not deserve to be ill like this. You are receiving the very best attention from Mr. Foster and Mr. Jones and I am sure Lizzy is a great comfort to you."

"She is, Papa, I do not know what I would do without her."

"Well, good-bye Jane. Come along, Lizzy, let us visit our host."

When she and Mr. Bennet were safely away from Jane's room she noticed tears falling from Mr. Bennet's eyes.

"Papa, whatever is wrong? You told Jane she would be well!"

"What can I say to the girl? I know many people who have had her symptoms who have died - the weariness, the stiff neck, the sunlight. And Elizabeth, I believe that Jane will be one of them." He began to sob. She took him in her arms and let him cry into her shoulder, unable to comprehend the words that he just told her. Jane to die! Unbelievable! Jane, her only friend and comfort, to leave her alone in this world? 'Tis too much, too, too much. A tear rolled down Elizabeth's flushed cheek, but until she heard from Mr. Foster, she would hold herself together, she had to. And even then, for Jane's sake, keep her composure. Somebody had to be strong for Jane, and that somebody was herself. Nobody else would. Elizabeth knew her mother would blame her, but she no longer cared what her mother thought. She would request that more of her things be brought to Netherfield. If Jane were to die, Elizabeth decided she would stay here until she could find a place as a governess. She would never be go home again.

Her grief could no longer remain inside her. She fled that house like it were on fire and ran to the edge of the park, out of breath, and sat at the base of a tree. Her tears were salty and bitter. How was she to face Jane or Mr. Bingley knowing what her father said? In her heart she knew it to be true. Jane was not getting better. She was getting much worse. Nothing Mr. Foster was doing was working. The life was slowly fading away from Jane, right before Elizabeth's eyes.

Mr. Bennet watched her leave in silence, and quietly left Netherfield. It was a sad ride back to Longbourn. Mr. Darcy also watched Elizabeth leave the house. His heart was full of her. Since the night of the officer's ball, he had come to realize that he loved her. Her pain had become his pain, and he could hardly endure her suffering. Darcy decided to follow Elizabeth from a discrete distance.

Elizabeth did not know how long she sat under that tree. She did notice that it had grown chilly, but she did not care. Somehow it seemed like a natural punishment to herself, though she did not know what she had done to deserve such treatment. Suddenly, a pair of strong, warm hands seized her shoulders and she felt herself being lifted to her feet and cradled in those arms. It felt so good to be protected and held, to not have to be the strong one, even if for just a moment. She cried into his shoulder. He stroked her hair lovingly and told her that she was not alone and that she should trust him.

"But Jane is going to die."

"But you are not."

"How can I face her again, how can I face Mr. Bingley? They are in love, you must know."

"Yes, they are very much in love and what a tragedy it is for them. I cannot say enough of the pain I feel for them and for you. Poor Bingley, to have finally found the love of his life and then have to watch her slip away from his grasp. It is not fair to either of them."

She had never left his grasp, so it was easy for her to turn into his chest and sob some more. This time she cried for herself. Why must she find comfort in a man who was nearly a stranger?

"Thank you for finding me, Mr. Darcy. I am ready to go back to the house now."

"Let us take the shorter way, though, through here." And he led her back to the house, both of them quiet and deep in thought. Their thoughts were quite similar. Both were thinking about Jane and Bingley, but mostly about each other, the conversation they just shared, and how they hoped they could have more conversations in such an intimate manner, but under more pleasant circumstances in the future. Elizabeth was unsure of her heart, for she had much to think about with Jane. Mr. Darcy, however, was very sure of his, for he had nothing to do but to think of Elizabeth.

Mr. Bennet arrived early at Netherfield so that he could consult with Mr. Foster under less emotional circumstances. Elizabeth joined their conference.

Mr. Foster began, "Mr. Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, good morning to you."

"Good morning, Mr. Foster"

"Well, you are probably not interested in too much pleasantry, so let us get to the point. Miss Bennet has some how contracted a peculiar form of influenza, though that is not really a good word for it. It is not a common ailment, and we really have no specific treatment for it. We had hoped that by making her more comfortable, her body would become stronger, but in your daughter's case, Mr. Jones and I have been unable to develop any draughts that loosen up the muscles in her neck, allowing her more freedom of motion, and she is almost always suffering from a headache."

"Mr. Foster," said Mr. Bennet, "Jane told me she did not want the curtains opened because the light was too strong for her eyes, and that eating or drinking much made her stomach ill. Tell me the truth, what is going on with her?"

"Mr. Bennet, as I said, this is a rare case of a type of influenza, fortunately it is not very contagious. All of the symptoms you described occur in the later stages of this illness."

"Later stages?"

"Yes, Mr. Bennet. Later stages. I do not believe your daughter will be alive one week from now."

"Jane dead? In less than a week? How can that be? I agree she is ill, but she does not look that bad."

"Nevertheless, she already reports periods of drowsiness and difficulty in awakening. These periods will increase over the next three or four days until she lapses into a coma from which she will not awaken. She will soon, in the next day or so, be unable to keep any food down at all. This will only contribute to her weakness. I am sorry Mr. Bennet. I wish there was anything I could say or do, but she is in the hands of Providence now."

"This is her mother's fault. I blame her mother for this!"

"Oh Papa! Please do not! Cannot we all overcome our immediate differences and console each other now? We need each other. Please help! Why do not you go back to Longbourn and arrange for the family to come today and see Jane while she can still enjoy them. Send word by way of a servant when you are to come so I can have Jane ready to receive you. That is the best thing for now. Do not tell my sisters of Jane's condition. My mother should know, but tell her privately and insist she hold her tongue before my sisters, the servants and the neighborhood. The last thing we need is all of Meryton involved in our lives right now."

Chapter 5

Posted on Wednesday, 11 September 2002

Elizabeth had to stop, a sob choked in her throat. "Papa, should we tell Jane?"

"Yes, Lizzy, I think we must. This is her life we are talking about. She deserves to know what Mr. Foster thinks. She may have things she wants to say or do that cannot be put off and must be done while she has the strength."

"I will tell her, Papa. I will go to her now, as soon as you leave for Longbourn. Please let me hear from you as soon as possible.

Elizabeth turned from her father and walked slowly towards the staircase. The unanswerable question lingering on her mind, 'How do I face Jane?'

Elizabeth halted her progress towards Jane's room in front a picture of a former inhabitant of Netherfield Park: a long-dead, beautiful women in her late thirties, perhaps. 'What would she think,' asked Elizabeth of herself, 'knowing her descendants did not believe Netherfield worthy of living in any longer and had let it to the lowly children of a tradesman? What would she think, knowing that they had not taken her picture with them, that no one spared a thought for her, that only the housekeeper knew her name or kept the dust off the bottom of the frame?' Elizabeth had to laugh. Was it not the ultimate form of arrogance to have a likeness taken, to assume that anyone who did not know you would really care who you were, that two generations from now your place on the wall would not be better taken up by a pier table and pier glass? From ashes to ashes, dust to dust; memories take up much less room and are gone after only one generation. Who would paint Jane's likeness? And where would it hang now that it was all too late?

Elizabeth trusted Jane's memories with no one but herself. Indeed, know one but herself knew Jane. Certainly not her mother. All she did was shop Jane about looking for the highest bidder, or any bidder, really. Mrs. Bennet did not hear. All cries to her were in vain, be they happy or sad. Mr. Bennet appeared to care when it was convenient. But when it came time to be serious, when there was a real hurt to mend, a heart to heal, a hope to dream on, or a future to wish for, he had not the strength of emotion. His heart was not available for more than a few moments at a time, before he felt he had to conceal himself. It seemed as if his love had been strangled by his wife. Only bits and pieces were left struggling for air and what was left to share with Jane or Elizabeth could only last for a few minutes before dying. Mary probably had a heart to care with if she had only been taught to use it. By the time she was born, her parents were expecting a son. When a daughter was born to them, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had little time or attention for an inconvenience. Mary was neither loved nor hated, she was ignored. And Jane had a heart. No one without a heart could know Jane. Mary could never know Jane, her parents had seen to that. And Kitty and Lydia? Where Mary had been ignored for having been born a daughter, Kitty and Lydia were emotionally abandoned. To survive in such a large family they knew only themselves, and perhaps each other. They had no concept of anybody else. If Jane was to survive in someone's memory, it was to be in Elizabeth's. And it was now Elizabeth who had to tell Jane that she would die within the week.

With a sigh Elizabeth entered Jane's room.

Jane was propped up on her bed with pillows, trying to read a book. A glance at the cover to Elizabeth it was "Camilla," by Fanny Burney. It was apparent to Elizabeth that Jane was having troubles focusing on the words, yet she was persistent in trying, moving the book closer and farther from her eyes as she moved down the page, moving her head from left to right as she followed each sentence. She had not yet noticed Elizabeth. The longer Elizabeth watched her, the harder it was for her to retain her composure. Her eyes were welling with tears eager to be spent. How could she face Jane?

"Jane, I..."

Jane looked up. "Lizzy, what is wrong? Please come here."

Elizabeth broke down sobbing and collapsed on the floor next to Jane's side of the bed and laid her head down in Jane's lap. Elizabeth's heart broke and she cried and cried as she had never cried before. Jane grasped her hand and stroked her hair in silence, and knew not what to say to her, but felt a sense of dread in Elizabeth's manner. They remained thus for ten minutes, until Elizabeth's body gradually stilled.

"Papa and I just spoke with Mr. Foster about your health. Oh Jane!" Elizabeth started to cry again.

"Lizzy, what did he say? Please tell me. Let me share this awful burden with you, it concerns me, you know, and you are so distressed, you should not have to carry the weight of this knowledge all alone."

"Jane, you are too good, and I have never loved you enough. Jane, Mr. Foster.....Mr. Foster says, believes, that your illness is going to progress, and that you might... you possibly might die. Oh Jane!"

And Elizabeth started to cry again.

Jane was shocked into silence for a moment while she searched her feelings. No, she was not getting any better, the symptoms were getting worse, was she actually to die? 'But I am so young, I have not had a life. Mr. Bingley and I are to marry when I am recovered. Poor Mama. She will move on to try and marry Lydia off, Papa will continue in his study, Mary will philosophize, Kitty and Lydia will ask for my things, only Lizzy and Mr. Bingley will really care. They are the ones who really love me. I cannot believe this is happening to me.' And Jane started to cry like she had never cried in her life.

When Elizabeth saw Jane cry she knew it was time for her to be strong, and save her tears for private moments. She dried her eyes and slid up on the bed and took Jane in her arms and held and rocked her like an infant. She would never again cry in front of Jane. She would be the strong one for Jane. As Jane settled down, she had the pleasure of seeing Jane fall asleep, so she left her on the bed and went in search of Mr. Darcy, the man who she could trust.

Mr. Darcy was in the library at Netherfield conducting estate business when a footman brought in a letter on a tray. He accepted the letter. He recognized the handwriting with a smile, having no expectation of what it may contain. He waited just a moment before opening it while he reflected on his encounter with Elizabeth that afternoon. In his mind, she was no longer Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth, she was just Elizabeth, and he intended to win her love and make her 'his' Elizabeth. He opened the letter and it read as follows:

Dear Mr. Darcy -

Thank you for your kind attention to myself this afternoon while in my state of distress. I cannot thank you enough for the comfort of your attention to me.

I am taking this bold step in writing you in response to something that you told me today. You said that I should trust you. I need to trust you now and I need your help. Mr. Foster has said that Jane will die within the week. I believe him, as does my father. I just spoke with Jane, who did not take the news well, as can be understood. I have left her asleep in her room.

My present concern is for Mr. Bingley. It is my belief that he and Jane are very closely attached and that this news will strike him forcibly. I am prepared to break the news to him but would appreciate your presence and also that you would arrange the meeting for the three of us, if you are willing to engage in the task of assisting me, of which I can have little doubt. I await word from you in the drawing room.

EB

Darcy certainly held mixed feelings over this note. That Elizabeth thought with kindness on his actions this afternoon and stated that they gave her comfort put him in the highest of spirits. But the horror of the rest of her note, that poor Miss Bennet would actually die, and Elizabeth was concerned about Bingley. He had treated her words today as words of course. There was nothing to be done but to ease Elizabeth's mind further by not putting anything off.

He asked the servant, "Pray, have you seen Mr. Bingley?"

"Yes, sir, he was walking towards the stables just a moment ago."

"Thank you."

Darcy ran off towards the stables, hoping to catch Bingley before he left on a ride. He had to get this settled now for Elizabeth's sake. But what would he say to Bingley?

"Bingley, where are you going?"

"Ah, Darcy, I was just going to take a tour of the park. Why don't you join me?"

"There is a pressing matter of business in the study that needs my attention, and I was hoping to have your advice on it. It should not take too long, then you could take your ride. Would you please come?"

"Darcy, you never ask for help with estate business. Just what is this pressing matter?"

"Please, Bingley!"

"Of course, Darcy."

As they were heading into the study, Darcy stopped a footman and asked him to go into the drawing room and summon Miss Elizabeth to the study.

"Bingley, can I get you something to drink?"

"I thank you, no."

"Are you sure?

"Yes, Darcy, I am sure. Will not you tell me what is going on?"

Elizabeth chose that moment to enter the room. "Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said, "Thank you for coming. Please have a seat by the fire. Come, Bingley, let us sit with Miss Elizabeth."

Bingley noticed that Miss Elizabeth did not look well at all, and for the first time began to worry that perhaps this little meeting had something to do with Jane.

"Miss Elizabeth, you do not look well, may I get you something? Perhaps a glass of wine? Should you retire to your room? Shall I call for Mr. Jones and Mr. Foster?" cried Bingley as he grew quite agitated.

"No, I thank you for your concern, Mr. Bingley, but I am quite well. It is just that I have had some very dreadful news from Mr. Foster and..." Elizabeth broke down in tears and could say no more. The men looked on helplessly. Mr. Darcy wanted to take her up in his arms, and Mr. Bingley wanted to leave the room and go to Jane. Something was wrong with her, very wrong, indeed.

"I am sorry. Please forgive me. I am not myself today. As I was saying, I have had bad news from Mr. Foster. He expects that Jane's symptoms are a type of influenza and will increase rapidly and," she paused, not knowing how to tell Jane's lover the truth, " that she may die within the week." Another long pause while Bingley's face turned white. " I am very sorry, sir. I know the depth of your attachment to her."

"NO!" Bingley yelled, "You have to be mistaken, Miss Elizabeth, this cannot be true. We have made plans together, we have dreams and hopes. Mr. Foster cannot take them away from us." Bingley started to pace the room, tears welling in his eyes. If not for Darcy's presence, he would have been crying by now.

"Mr. Bingley, please, it is not Mr. Foster who is doing this. It is Jane's illness. Mr. Foster is our friend and helper who is doing all he can to save her life. Mr. Bingley, I left Jane asleep a few minutes ago after telling her this same news. Go to her, sir, and be strong for her. I know you love each other. Continue to love her. Go to her, Mr. Bingley, go to her."

Mr. Bingley was dumbfounded. What could he say to her? What could he say to Jane? Oh, the hurt. Was the day his mother died to be repeated, but worse? Maybe he need not say anything to Jane. At this point they both knew. Maybe all that he needed to do was to hold her. He could do that. How could it be that his Jane was going to die? Of all the people in the world, she, the kindest, gentlest, sweetest, most loving, and most beautiful creature of all. What kind of joke was nature playing? Joke, nothing, it was that mother of hers. I would have married her anyway, she need not have forced her into riding through the rain. I already knew who she was, where she lived, who her father was. We would have had opportunities to be together without her having had to kill Jane to make it happen. What a mother! What a family!

Bingley made his way up to Jane's room in a sad, solemn sort of way, pausing for a moment below the picture of a long lost relation of someone who used to inhabit Netherfield. 'I wonder who she was?' thought Bingley. 'I suppose it does not really matter now.'

Elizabeth received a note from her father that her family would be coming to Netherfield the next morning after Sunday services.

"Good morning, Mr. Bennet, Miss Mary, Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia," said Mr. Darcy. "I presume you are all come to see your sister. She is upstairs with Mr. Bingley and Miss Elizabeth. If you will follow me."

Darcy led them to Jane's room. She had just barely woken up, even though it was the late morning. It became more difficult to wake her each day. She still seemed very drowsy. On seeing Jane's family, Bingley slipped out of the room.

"Hello Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, it is very nice of you to come and visit me. As you can see, my kind friends will not hear of my leaving until I am well again," Jane lied, fighting back tears.

"Well," said Lydia, "we know you are going to be well enough, but Papa insisted that we come anyway, even though we did not want to. We were supposed to go into town to see if Denny and Chamberlayne were there. We are hoping that Papa will stop by and let us out on the way back to Longbourn."

What could Jane do other than smile? She was not going to tell them the truth about her condition. Her sisters would never understand. They would learn soon enough as it was.

Elizabeth looked at her father with a determined look. He met her glance and suggested that the two of them meet in the hall for a moment while the girls continued talking.

"Papa, where is my mother?"

"She is unwell, this morning, Lizzy, and was unable to join us."

"Papa..."

"Lizzy, she said she had no intention of coming over here. She did not believe a word I told her about Mr. Foster's statements. She said that Jane would be just fine in a couple of days and back at Longbourn in no time, and that she will see Jane then. She also added that you have been a very ungrateful and undeserving daughter in your treatment of her because of the poor care you have given Jane, which has caused her to be ill so long, and the disrespect this shows her because she specifically told you to take care of Jane and to see that she got well again."

"Father, what am I supposed to do about her? I have no control over Jane's illness. I would make her well in a heartbeat if I could. I would trade places with her if I could. She has a bright future ahead of her. Bingley loves her and they are to be married when she is well, I have nothing. The wrong Bennet daughter is to die, Papa."

"Elizabeth Bennet, do not say such a thing. You are loved and respected wherever you go. This is an accident of nature and you are not responsible for it. In time your mother will see that I am correct. I know you have done all that you can. And you do look not quite well, so I would imagine you spend more time with her that you ought, though I know there would be no persuading you otherwise."

"What would it be like with Mama if I were to return home now? How would I endure it?"

"It would not be a pleasant experience for you, Elizabeth. It would not be pleasant at all."

"Well then, sir, I will not be going home. I will not go where I am not wanted. When Jane dies, I am dead."

Mr. Bennet returned home shortly after his exchange with Elizabeth. Somehow he knew that in the carriage with him were his last three remaining daughters, and when or if he saw the other two ever again was entirely beyond his control.

Later that afternoon, two servants from Netherfield arrived to obtain the remaining items from Elizabeth's bedchamber at Longbourn. Mr. Bennet helped them load the trunks. Miss Elizabeth Bennet had moved out. He cried softly as the wagon drove off around the paddock.

Except for a couple hours in the afternoon, Jane did not wake up that day. Bingley stayed with her, alternately crying over her when she was asleep and talking with her when she was awake. Darcy did his best to look after things at Netherfield. Bingley had completely abandoned any efforts at running his estate. All he cared for was Jane. Elizabeth spent the chief of the day in Jane's room, sitting in the corner watching Bingley and Jane. She was a little jealous of the time Bingley spent with Jane, but it made Jane happy, and she knew if she was talking to Jane, they would ultimately approach subjects that would make them both unhappy. So Elizabeth sat quietly, attending her embroidery as best as she could. Fortunately, this handkerchief would not be a gift. Perhaps it would be a keepsake memory of Jane.

Elizabeth sent word to her father and mother, separately, updating them on Jane's condition, begging her mother to come. She received no response from either. She sent a note by express to the Gardiners, explaining Jane's current condition, and praying that somebody at Longbourn had let them know earlier of her illness. She felt responsibility for the whole world on her shoulders, and she wished for Mr. Darcy to hold her and comfort her again. But it is not sensible to like a man in such a vulnerable time as that of mourning and grief. Elizabeth would be on her guard; however, she was going to trust him once again. She wanted to stay here with Mr. Bingley and his sisters at Netherfield, and she wanted Mr. Darcy to ask him for her.

She went to a writing table in the drawing room and penned the following -

Dear Sir -

I once again throw myself at your feet begging your assistance. You may have overheard conversations that have indicated tension in my family between my mother and myself regarding what she considers deficient care on my part, and that should Jane not recover, it would be my fault. As Jane's condition deteriorates, I have found myself completely estranged from my family, and my father cannot or will not intervene. I am pleading for your assistance in asking Mr. Bingley if I might remain part of his household throughout the year of mourning, at which time I will find employment and be no longer a burden to him.

Elizabeth Bennet

Mr. Darcy was shocked to receive Elizabeth's note. That her family should actually cast off Elizabeth was unthinkable. What kind of mother would do such a thing? Well, Mrs. Bennet was just such a mother. Darcy knew that he wanted Elizabeth, whether the Bennets did or not. He would speak to Bingley immediately and get Elizabeth installed at Netherfield for the duration of Bingley's stay. He would also gain an invitation for Georgiana to come to Netherfield as well. When Bingley left Netherfield, Elizabeth would join Georgiana and be under his protection as a part of the Darcy household. They would return to Pemberley where Mrs. Annesley was waiting and things would be proper in appearance and in fact, and Elizabeth could finish her mourning taking walks around the beautiful Pemberley grounds. When her mourning was nearly complete, he would ask her to marry him, and hopefully, if he was fortunate, she would say yes. He would even intervene with her family to strive for a reconciliation. Maybe during their own year of mourning Mrs. Bennet's heart would soften, as she would realize she had lost two daughters, not one. Maybe he could help her understand that she could have one of those daughters back again. But, only if Elizabeth agreed. Elizabeth came first. There was only Elizabeth.

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