Posted on Thursday, 22-Oct-98

illiam Collins woke up in his bedroom at Longbourn with a leer. He had just had a rather enjoyable dream involving his cousin Elizabeth Bennet, a dream that considering his calling as a priest, he probably should have felt ashamed of.

However, a curious combination of hypocrisy and total lack of understanding had rendered him immune to feelings of shame in such matters. He rather fancied that he was doing Miss Bennet a favour.

He clambered clumsily out of bed and wandered to the sideboard, where the shaving utensils and water and soap were to be found. He ignored the water and soap, after all, it was not yet Thursday, and proceeded to shave himself. This was followed by a certain amount of preening, involving arrangement of thinning hair and frequent smirking. He looked at a nearby bottle of cologne as if trying to make up his mind whether to use it or not, finally splashing a little on, humming tunelessly.

The reason for his smirk was to be found in his decision to ask his cousin Elizabeth to marry him. Of course, in this case the use of the word "ask" is a little loose. For all of Mr. Collins lack of intelligence, he had been compensated by a certain degree of low cunning, and he had conjectured that his informing Mrs. Bennet that her security, and that of her other daughters depended on one of them marrying him would induce in her sufficient terror as to make her very compliant to his wishes in the matter. In this he was essentially correct. Mrs. Bennet had a morbid imagination, and Mr. Collins oily declaration that he did not wish to see her turned out to starve in the hedgerows, only increased her fear that that was exactly what would happen if he were thwarted in any way. It was then a simple matter of informing her that the object of his "honourable intentions" was his cousin Elizabeth.

He was late for breakfast, and so had missed all the rest of the family but Mrs. Bennet, who had been hovering around waiting for his appearance.

He ate with gusto, and after his second coffee, addressed his hostess smiling. "My dear Mrs. Bennet, I know that we have spoken indirectly of this before, but as you know, my intention in coming to Longbourn, was to marry one of your daughters. They are all a credit to you Mrs. Bennet, but I cannot marry them all." Mrs. Bennet simpered and smirked back at him. "Would you have any objection to me addressing Miss Elizabeth?"

"Why no sir!" she replied, "we shall go to her straight away." With that she hastened away with Mr. Collins just behind. They found Elizabeth with her sister Catherine, but Mrs. Bennet whisked Catherine away, leaving Elizabeth in the presence of Mr. Collins, and with the door fully closed.

About ten minutes later, Mr. Collins came out looking flustered, and after speaking shortly with Mrs. Bennet, grew a little angry, as it became apparent that he had been rejected. Mrs. Bennet made to speak with Mr. Bennet, but Mr. Collins would have none of it. "Mrs. Bennet, I do not wish Mr. Bennet to be consulted on this. After all, he may not support our endevour, and why should he, it would not be him that would be thrown out of this house, would it Mrs. Bennet?"

Mrs. Bennet blanched and whispered "What should I do?"

"You just go in there and tell your daughter exactly what will happen to you all, if she does not do as she is told. I shall not be thwarted in this!"

Mrs. Bennet steeled herself and went in to speak to Elizabeth. She was in there for a full twenty minutes, but when she emerged, there was a relieved smile on her face. "Elizabeth will receive you now, sir."

He entered the room, and Mrs. Bennet closed the door behind him. To Elizabeth's ears, it was how she imagined the doors to the Tower of London would sound.

"Well Elizabeth," he gloated, allowing himself the familiarity of the use of her first name. "Will you marry me?"

Elizabeth had her eyes downcast, but with her teeth clenched she forced out a desperate "Yes Mr. Collins, I will."

"In that case", he said licking his lips, and allowing his eyes some familiarity with her face, "since we are engaged, I think a kiss would be in order, do you not?" He moved toward her......

Proposal 2

Posted on Friday, 23-Oct-98

But unfortunately for him, Elizabeth was a little too swift, and he just managed to get a hand to her waist before she moved aside and back, putting the table between them.

"Mr. Collins, you should be ashamed. As a priest, you of all people should set an example in the avoidance of unseemly behaviour." She said.

"My dear cousin Elizabeth, since we are engaged, what is the harm of an innocent kiss or two," was his reply as he advanced toward her again. Elizabeth was quite revolted at this, and retorted, "Mr. Collins, we cannot consider ourselves engaged until my father has given his consent."

Mr. Collins halted his advance, nettled for a moment. "So that's your game is it?" He thought. An ingratiating smile that made Elizabeth wish to vomit crossed his face. "Well then dearest cousin Elizabeth, I suggest that you wait here. I shall see your father directly, and be back here to claim my prize within the next few minutes. I expect that you will be waiting here to oblige me on my return." He left with a bow of mock obsequiousness. Elizabeth shuddered.

Five minutes later, he returned. His face, however, did not contain the triumph that she had expected. Her heart skipped a beat, thinking that perhaps her father had refused his consent. He said, "Your father wishes to speak to you before he agrees to our union. I am sure that you realise the consequences for your sisters and your mother if there are any difficulties."

Elizabeth grimaced, her mother had made quite clear the predicament that they would be placed in if she refused Mr. Collins. She slowly made her way to Mr. Bennet's library.

Mr. Bennet looked up in alarm at her entry. "Lizzy, what on earth are you thinking of accepting this man. You cannot be serious!"

Lizzy explained to her father the situation, explaining that once he was no longer there to protect and support them, they were completely in the power of Mr. Collins. There would be nothing that he could do to prevent them being turned out to starve if he so wished, and Elizabeth opined that there was no reliance on Mr. Collins' Christian charity.

Mr. Bennet looked quite doleful. "Lizzy, I am ashamed of myself, I should have looked after you all a lot better than I have, and saved enough money to prevent this from happening, but I had expected to father a son, who would have broken the entail, and looked after you all after I go. But Lizzy, all is not lost. If Jane marries Mr. Bingley and his five thousand a year, then you will not need Mr. Collins. I have told Mr. Collins that I shall consider this over night and give him my decision by ten o'clock tomorrow. Please, I beg of you, think the better of it yourself." His distress was palpable, and Elizabeth left him immediately.

Lizzy took leave of her father, and wishing to avoid both her mother and Mr. Collins, left the house and went for a long walk to Oakham Mount. Here her spirits picked up considerably. Her father was right. Jane was certain to marry Charles Bingley, and HER sacrifice was not needed. She resolved to tell Mr. Collins so on the morrow. She breathed a sigh of relief and started to enjoy the ramble.

On the next morning at nine, Jane and Elizabeth were walking in the garden when a solitary rider approached. Elizabeth grimaced, it was that proud Mr. Darcy. She had just about had enough of unpleasant men in the last day or so, however in this case, she was tolerably polite to him, in deference to his friendship with Charles Bingley.

Mr. Darcy dismounted and bowed. After the minimum of pleasantries, he handed Jane a letter which he said was from Caroline Bingley, and announced his intention to call on Mr. and Mrs. Bennet to pay his compliments and apologise on behalf of the Netherfield party who were leaving for London as he spoke. He bowed, turned away, and made for the house.

Jane opened the letter, while Elizabeth looked anxiously on. Caroline wrote quite to the point. They were to join Charles in London, being unlikely to return, and expressing the hope that Charles would marry Darcy's sister Georgiana.

A cold hand gripped Elizabeth's heart. Without Charles Bingley, she was at the mercy, such as it was, of William Collins.

Both sisters were in a state of misery, and could do little but regard the future with apprehension.

It was thus they were found when Darcy returned. Jane recollected herself tolerably well, but when Darcy said that Mr. Bennet had seemed upset at the departure of the Netherfield party, it all became too much for Elizabeth, and she burst into tears and ran off.

Darcy's normally impassive countenance dropped at this and he enquired of Jane the reason for her sister's distress. Jane would not at first impart the required intelligence, but her own state of distress, and Darcy's persistence soon had the full story of Mr. Collins' proposal, and subsequent lechery out in the open. Darcy was shocked. However, whatever his faults, indecisiveness was not one of them, and he took his leave again of Miss Bennet, and strode to the house.

He knocked on the door of Mr. Bennet's library, waited and entered. Mr. Bennet looked up with a tired resignation, hardly registering his surprise at Mr. Darcy's second appearance in less than half an hour.

"Mr. Bennet, I have had some information from Miss Bennet that has alarmed me, and though you may be tempted to ask me to desist from interference in your family's affairs, I would ask you to hear me out." This was delivered with the authority that only a fortune of two hundred thousand could impose, and Mr. Bennet motioned him to continue without demur.

"I am aware that Mr. Collins has asked your second daughter, Elizabeth to marry him, is that not correct?" Mr. Bennet nodded his assent. "I also believe that the man has some hold over you all, to extract agreement from your daughter.

"Mr. Bennet, my purpose in speaking to you is this: I love your daughter and will marry her. I shall let no one stand in my way, no one, do you understand. If Elizabeth agrees to marry me, I shall protect you and your family from anything that Mr. Collins may attempt." His manner was intense, and his voice had a steel edge, "If anyone comes between me and Elizabeth, I shall crush him like an insect!"

"Mr. Darcy, there is just one problem," said Mr. Bennet. "Elizabeth has as low an opinion of you as she does of Mr. Collins. Why should she prefer you to him?"

Darcy considered for a minute, his face softened and he replied. "Mr. Bennet, I know that I have behaved appallingly here. My only explanation is that in large company, I am afflicted with a degree of shyness that translates itself into the appearance of arrogance. I know that this is no excuse, but I am not like that in my circle of friends, and that is where your daughter will be with me. The basis of my love is an appreciation of her intelligence and lively spirit, her love and mine of books and art, and her character. I promise you that she will be cherished and loved."

"Mr. Darcy, if this is so, why have you not said anything till now? Why were you leaving the County with your friends? You can understand my misgivings."

"Mr. Bennet, I had intended to come back later in the season to pay court to your daughter. However, considering the present circumstances, there can be no delay."

Mr. Bennet considered this for a minute or two, and then delivered his opinion. "It appears that my daughter now has two suitors that she does not like, but she must have one or the other. I shall call her here, and if she accepts you, so be it. If she does not, then she will become Mrs. Collins."

A look of revulsion crossed Mr. Darcy's features at the thought of this, but he bowed his assent.

Mr. Bennet rang for Hill to fetch Elizabeth.

Elizabeth entered the room looking pale and drawn. Mr. Bennet sighed, pointed to Mr. Darcy, and said, "Mr. Darcy has something to say to you Lizzie, I wish you to hear him out, but please make your own mind up about what he has to say." Mr. Bennet left the room, but with the door remaining wide open.

After a silence of several minutes, Darcy came toward her in an agitated manner, and thus began, "In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted and was silent. This, he considered sufficient encouragement, and the avowal of all that he felt and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well, but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority-of its being a degradation-of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit. Elizabeth was also very much aware of the damage done to Jane by Bingley's leaving, and was certain of Darcy's part in it. She also thought of the cruelty to poor George Wickham. I cannot, I will not marry this man, no matter how rich or handsome, she thought. Whatever Mr. Collins' faults, cruelty was not one of them. Elizabeth waited till Darcy had done before replying, "In such case as these, it is, I believe the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and....

Proposal 3

Posted on Friday, 23-Oct-98

Elizabeth was suddenly interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Collins. He had not been able to see Mr. Darcy because the angle of the doorway had obscured that gentleman. However, he had a very good view of Elizabeth, and encouraged by his own perception of power over her family, and affected by the way her gown emphasised her figure, he propelled himself into the room toward her. This time, he thought, and started to address her, "Dearest cousin Eliza...." His voice trailed off as he suddenly became aware of Mr. Darcy, and as the remembrance of his introduction at the Netherfield ball was still fresh in his mind, he knew that he was in the presence of the nephew of his patroness, Lady Catherine De Bourgh. His motion toward Elizabeth turned into a kind of graceless pirouette with a low bow at the end.

Elizabeth saw enough to realise that poor as her choice was, there was only one that she could ever live with.

She simply smiled at Mr. Collins and said, "Cousin William, Mr. Darcy has just done me the honour of asking for my hand in marriage, which I was in the process of accepting."

Mr. Collins suddenly felt, as was Elizabeth's intent, the embarrassment of his presence. He made a flustered bow to Mr. Darcy and offered his congratulations, finally leaving the room with the observation that no doubt they would like to be alone together. The import of this was lost neither Elizabeth nor Mr. Darcy, as Mr. Collins ostentatiously closed the door with a final leer at the couple.

Elizabeth steeled herself for what she felt was to be the certain demand of a kiss from Mr. Darcy. She admitted to herself that he was far less physically disgusting than Mr. Collins, in fact, he was quite handsome, so it would not be so sore a trial to her. Yet her analysis of his character, her absolute conviction of his arrogance, cruelty, and selfish disdain for the feelings of others, drove out any concept that she might wish his attentions in this area.

She was thus a little surprised when he made a slight grimace of disgust to her about the behaviour of Mr. Collins, and went to open the door. This surprise might even have been termed disappointment, in anyone a little less strong minded than Elizabeth.

Mr. Bennet re-entered his library, with a look a little less anxious than when he had left. He had the advantage of seeing Mr. Collins exit from Longbourne in high dudgeon, and was able to guess the reason - Lizzy's acceptance of Darcy. Given Darcy's speech seeking permission to address Lizzy, Mr. Bennet was inclined to favour him. But of his favourite daughter sharing his opinion, he could not be so sure.

"Mr. Bennet, I am glad of your presence. We need to discuss the details of the wedding and marriage settlement in private later. However, while your daughter is here, I should settle on the date" said Darcy.

Elizabeth reddened with anger. Was it not her right to name the date? She was fuming.

Mr. Darcy continued, "Four weeks from tomorrow will do. I shall have concluded my business in London, be able to arrange all the legal niceties with my attorney, and you will have had time to publish the banns and organise the wedding."

With that he bowed and said, "Good day to you Mr. Bennet, Miss Bennet. Please give my compliments to Mrs. Bennet." He then turned on his heel and left.

Elizabeth was almost apoplectic with anger. It was only her father's presence that kept her from running after Darcy to cancel the engagement. As it was, she allowed herself a few minutes to cool down and resolved to go for a ramble to settle her thoughts. She could not yet face her mother, although that woman was now in hysterics over her refusal of Mr. Collins.

As she left the front door, she spied Mr. Darcy in the distance with someone. It was George Wickham. Mr. Darcy's manner left her in no doubt as to the fact that Mr. Wickham was being warned away from Longbourne. She resigned herself to the fact that she would see him no more. This was easier to bear than the sudden realisation that there were more than Mr. Wickham who would be lost to her. Her family, her friends, especially her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Tears began to flow. She turned back, unable to face either Mr. Darcy or George Wickham, and came face to face with her mother.

"Well you might cry Miss Lizzy!" she declared. "What is to happen to us now that you have rejected Mr. Collins? How are we to survive when your poor father dies? You are an ungrateful little minx, and I shall never speak to you again," she then burst into tears herself.

At this, Mr. Bennet appeared stating, "I suppose from all this outpouring of emotion, Lizzy has told you of her engagement."

The effect on Mrs. Bennet was nothing short of miraculous, "You mean you went after Mr. Collins and changed your mind. Oh Lizzy, I am so happy." Mr. Bennet beamed in amusement. This was life at Longbourne as he had grown accustomed.

"No, Mama, I have not accepted Mr. Collins. I have accepted Mr. Darcy instead."

Her mother gaped, and was silent. Finally she roused herself and began a gush of enthusiasm for Mr. Darcy, that made Elizabeth glad that he wasn't there to observe it. Mr. Collins was completely forgotten.

Her mother's nerves received another blow when Elizabeth told her the date of the wedding dictated by Mr. Darcy. "How can I make all the arrangements in time? How can I let everybody know I have a daughter married to someone with ten thousand a year? The shopping, the gowns, the church! I shall go distracted." She finally left screeching "Hill! Hill! Where is Hill!"

Elizabeth and her father shook their heads sadly, and Mr. Bennet retired to his library.

Lizzy dawdled by the door, hoping that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham would soon be gone far enough that she could have the walk that she needed to clear her mind.

At that moment Charlotte arrived with the news of her engagement to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth would normally have met this information with incredulity, having too much respect for her friend's intelligence. However, noting the hand shaped smear of what appeared to be ham and eggs on her friend's gown at the rear below the waist, and remembering that Mr. Collins had consumed an inordinate amount of that meal that morning, she found that she could well imagine what had happened.

Elizabeth now looked unhappily forward to her own wedding.

Proposal 4 (The End)

Posted on Saturday, 24-Oct-98

The wedding day was dark, cloudy and for Elizabeth Bennet, full of foreboding. She was to marry someone she knew to be arrogant, cruel and heartless. These were qualities that would not allow her to entertain the possibility of future marital felicity. Her only reason for acquiescence had been the knowledge of the financial protection from want that this would bring her mother and sisters.

The ceremony in the dark church proceeded inexorably according to the order of ceremony of the Church. Elizabeth felt detached from it all, hearing as if it were in some nightmare that she would soon wake from. But there was to be no awakening that day. Elizabeth was now aware of the focus on her, the priest, her family, her husband soon to be. It was her turn to make her vow of marriage. She steeled herself.

"I Elizabeth take thee Fitzwilliam to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey," she almost choked on this, "till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."

Darcy gave a small sigh of relief. It was done. It was now his turn to only take in parts of the rest of the ceremony. In fact, the only parts that further impinged on his consciousness were the declaration of their marriage and the lines from the "Beati Omnes"

.....: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.
Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine: upon the walls of thine house;
Thy children like the olive-branches: round thy table.
Lo, thus shall the man be blessed: that feareth the Lord.....

After the ceremony, they did not tarry. They stayed only long enough to farewell Elizabeth's family and friends. Bingley, who had been Darcy's best man was also anxious to leave, casting only a few wistful glances the whole time at Jane, who had been Elizabeth's bridesmaid.

They got into the coach for the two-day trip to Pemberley. The first day was taken mostly in silence. On Darcy's side because this was in his nature, and on Elizabeth's because of a dark depression and apprehension of the future. This was heightened when they arrived at the inn where they were to stay there first night.

"Elizabeth," he said gently. "I can guess from your silence that you are not looking forward to tonight."

She did not answer, so he continued. "You will not understand this, nor credit it for the moment, but I shall say it just the same.

"Today before the world, I promised to love, honour and cherish you. Elizabeth, dearest Elizabeth, I meant every word. I have loved you since your visit to Jane at Netherfield when she was sick. I was bewitched by everything about you. However I know that you do not love me, that your love will have to be earned. I admit that I have not yet done so. It will be my object, for however long it takes, to have you return my feelings. For that reason, I shall not impose myself on you tonight, or any night for that matter, unless you wish it. My happiness in that regard is entirely in your hands. I shall escort you to your room, and then go to mine."

Elizabeth had this irrational urge to ask him to let the second room go and share hers, but she recollected herself, remembering Jane and her unhappiness. What could she be thinking of, to willingly share a bed with a man who had done that to a beloved sister. So she was silent, and they parted at the door to her room.

The next day they set out very early. The trip to Pemberley would take them till late in the afternoon, and Darcy wanted to show it to her in the light.

Darcy spoke first. "Elizabeth, I am not so insensitive that I am unaware of your disapproval of me. We are now married, so you can speak frankly."

Elizabeth was surprised at this invitation, not supposing he really cared for her opinion, for she certainly did not care for his. It was this lack of concern on her part though, that gave her courage enough to address him on the matter.

"Well, Mr. Darcy. Shall we start at the Meryton Assembly hall, and your observation on my not being handsome enough to tempt you, and your unwillingness to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men?" He reddened in embarrassment, but was silent. "Or perhaps, I might ask about your cruelty to poor Wickham?" She was gratified to see his jaw clench, and a look of anger pass over his face. "Finally, do you really think that I can overlook the damage you have done to a beloved sister. Do you deny you have done it?"

He was finally provoked to an answer.

"My behaviour toward Wickham, if true, would be indeed cruel and callous. However, are you aware of all the facts Elizabeth?"

"Enlighten me," she said sarcastically, "I am all ears."

"Well, did he tell you that he declined the living promised by my father, and instead accepted the sum of three thousand pounds." Elizabeth was incredulous. "I have the bankers draft at Pemberley as proof. If I am a liar, then I should be exposed before the day's end. There is also another thing. Did he tell you that he had attempted to seduce my sister Georgiana and elope with her? Did he also tell you that she was but fifteen at the time. This you will be able to confirm soon enough. But I hope you will acquit me of the charge of cruelty to Wickham.

"As far as your sister is concerned, you surely must admit that while she gave Bingley friendly attention, there was little evidence of love. So why should I not advise against a loveless marriage. It would seem that I have been kinder to him than to myself."

Elizabeth broke in, "Do you not think that your direction of your friend smacked of arrogant presumption, sir? What right had you to interfere?"

Darcy looked at her for a minute, and with the slightest suggestion of a smile replied, "And I suppose that you did not give any advice to your friend Charlotte on the matter of her marriage to Mr. Collins?"

Elizabeth reflected on the reasonableness of his reply, and had to admit to herself that she could not find fault in him on this matter.

"In any case Mrs. Darcy, do you wish to forbid me the company of my friend Bingley at Pemberley." Elizabeth looked at Darcy in something akin to shock. The thought that he might even entertain her opinion on who he might invite to their home had not even crossed her mind. He continued, "And do you not think that your sister, being welcome, might also not visit frequently?" Elizabeth on grasping his meaning, was now close to tears. He could not be saying this. It was impossible. She had given her family up for lost, given up hope of being with Jane, and now he was talking as though Jane could come any time Elizabeth chose. It was too much, her feelings were all of a confusion.

Darcy paused for a minute or so, and then continued. "So Mrs. Darcy, if you cannot see the advantage for your sister and Mr. Bingley in that, and cannot make the necessary arrangements, I am unable to further advise you, but please do not blame me."

"But I thought that you wished your sister to marry Charles!" Elizabeth burst out, now clutching at straws to confirm her first poor impressions of her husband.

"Elizabeth! Georgiana is only fifteen years old! Whatever can you be thinking?" He paused. "It was Caroline Bingley, who put this in your mind, wasn't it? Look, I like Charles very much, and if in four or five years Georgiana and Charles are not married, why then I should be happy for them to fall in love, but now I should be ashamed of myself, and I most certainly would not consent to it.

"While we are talking about my faults Elizabeth, I perhaps should also confess that I did make an arrangement for later this year that I ought to have consulted you about. I invited Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to stay at Pemberley in July. If that was wrong of me, I shall write to them and cancel the invitation. They could probably go to the lakes instead. However, Mr. Gardiner shares an interest in fishing, and I think Mrs. Gardiner would like a turn around Pemberley - a phaeton would do nicely, I think."

Elizabeth was now disarmed, and completely at a loss for a reason to hate the man sitting in the coach across from her.

He reached into a pocket in the coach, asking, "Are you hungry?"

"A little" she replied.

He produced an apple, and held it out to her. "It's from the Gardens of Pemberley, try it."

She took it slowly, and bit into it. It had a sweet taste that made her tingle. A little of the juice escaped from the side of her mouth, and taking his handkerchief, he leaned over to her, close, so close that she could feel his breath on her cheek, and he wiped the juice from her face. "Do you like it?" he said with a smile, his face softer than she had ever seen it. Her pulse quickened

"Yes, but what of yourself, are you not hungry?"

"That is the last one" He replied, gazing at her.

"Then we must share it. It is your turn." She offered it back and he took a bite and returned it, not letting his eyes leave her face.

"Mr. Darcy," she said huskily, "you too have some apple on your chin." She made to remove it for him, half leaving the seat to do so. At that moment, the coach lurched a little, and somehow she ended up in her husband's lap with his arms around her. Their eyes met, then their lips.

It was some hours later that they arrived at Pemberley. They met everyone there, Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley her companion, Mrs. Reynolds the Housekeeper. They declared themselves to be greatly tired though, after a long trip and retired VERY early. Georgiana was happy for her brother, noting with pleasure that they had seemed so much in love with each other, but then weren't all newly weds?

The End.

Note:

Jane and Charles did finally marry after a very brief courtship at Pemberley later that year.