This is a wonderful chapter! It was nice to find that Mr. Bennet has a previous connection with someone in higher society (Although it is sickening to think money and prestige is more important than honesty and character. But such is true even today, even though we give lip service to the narrative that such is not true)

I like the way you are developing Kitty (or should we now call her Catherine?) and her character. There may be hope for her yet. Lady Matlock seems to be of the mind that Darcy marrying, even someone of lower social status, is not too bad after all, if the couple respect each other, and I believe she has some respect for Lizzy. Darcy is his usual self in that he is a responsible caring man. Will he realize the error of his thinking that it would be a degradation on his part to marry someone such as Lizzy and that he would be doing HER a favor? Or, will he realize that his and her own happiness and love for each other is paramount in a marriage? That's always the question, isn't it?

I look forward to the next chapter. Please do not make us wait too long. (I'm one of those readers who are impatient for story updates, and then feel cheated when the saga is complete -- I always want epilogues). LOL!