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The dinner was more than Mrs. Bennet had hoped for. Surveying the company from her end of the table, she saw a representation of future happiness in the cheerful faces and the animation with which conversation was being carried on.

All four future sons-in-law had been invited, as well as Sir William and Lady Lucas, Charlotte and Mr. Madison, Mr. Charlton and Susan Partridge, and also Edward, which meant that their numbers balanced perfectly.

He also made an agreeable companion for Lydia since she did not have a gentleman of her own, which might have been lowering for her spirits.

But instead Edward kept her laughing over his jokes.

It came as no surprise to Mrs. Bennet when the pair became engaged several years later, after Edward had established himself in his career, and Lydia had grown into a lady of quality.

She was still spirited, but that was tempered with a thorough understanding of propriety.

The uncle took a great liking to her, and invited the couple to make their home with him, an arrangement which often goes awry, but in this case it worked out very well for all concerned.

Among colleagues, Edward was known as a bit of a jokester, but he was also well respected for having an able mind and an aptitude for the law.

John Lucas became very wealthy, and surprised the neighbourhood by purchasing Netherfield after Mr. Bingley decided to purchase an estate near Pemberley.

He and Kitty were very happy there, along with a large family, which delighted the two doting grandmothers.

Eventually the couple became Sir John and Lady Lucas, but unlike his father, who had been awarded a knighthood after giving a speech to the king, John Lucas was awarded a baronetcy after giving a different king some valuable advice.

Mr. Madison did not remain at Purvis Lodge.

After successfully contesting a seat in Parliament, he rose to high rank in the government.

A larger home became necessary for all his political entertaining, so he purchased the great house at Stoke, which was convenient for frequent visitors from London and for visiting his wife’s family.

He was often heard to give Charlotte credit for her part in his achievements, and Mrs. Bennet was of the opinion that he had come to love his second wife as much as the first. She saw them quite often as they maintained a strong connection with Longbourn, but if he held committee meetings in his ballroom, she never came to hear of it.

Susan and Mr. Charlton were very popular in his new parish, and not just because of their generosity.

The pair served happily there for several years, but eventually he was persuaded to become an Archdeacon.

By then Susan had overcome all her shyness and was easily able to grace her husband’s side in higher church circles.

Mrs. Partridge was much happier to be able to talk of her son-in-law the Archdeacon, but she still hoped that this was only a stepping stone to greater things.

Mary and Mr. Fordyce were also much loved in their parish at Kympton.

Their efforts at providing parishioners with comfort, assistance, and advice were greatly appreciated, and his sermons were generally considered to be well-crafted and inspirational.

They were very content together, and took great pleasure in the frequent company of the Darcys and the Bingleys, as well as other family members who often came to visit.

They also enjoyed free rein of the Pemberley library, which was as impressive as Mary had imagined.

She spent many happy hours there, and so did her father, who had a chair of his own in one corner.

The Peacock sisters and their husbands soon learned how easy it was to fritter money away.

Eventually they were compelled to economize, which left no room for their parents to enjoy luxury.

Mary King and Captain Carter were extremely disappointed to learn that fifty thousand had become ten thousand, but as he was accustomed to economizing, and she was delighted with her handsome husband, they took this in stride.

Having decided that he would like to be a captain, Mr. Wickham achieved this by going into the regulars.

His first commission was purchased by Mr. Darcy, who accepted that the man had turned over something of a new leaf, and decided, as this included a willingness to risk his life for country, that the assistance was deserved.

Mr. Wickham earned the captaincy for himself by capturing a French eagle although he freely admitted it had been more of a stroke of luck than a heroic deed.

Mr. Hastings had the good fortune to find a curate who stayed for two years before being blessed with a living of his own and a wife in the form of Miss Verity Lucas.

As the two Miss Longs married at about the same time, Mrs. Bennet was able to congratulate both her friends on having satisfactorily settled all her daughters in one case and nieces in the other.

Emily and Maria were very happy with their husbands.

Emily found all the fun and excitement she desired in the regimental life, while Maria thought her quiet, simple life perfection.

Since Mrs. Hurst had not been involved in her sister’s attempt to convince Mr. Bingley that Jane was engaged, he felt able to forgive her, especially after she presented Jane with a box of lace handkerchiefs as an engagement gift.

As Mr. Darcy had hoped, she did eventually come to appreciate and love her new sister.

But Mr. Bingley found it harder to forgive Miss Bingley, especially as she was unforgiving of his choice.

It was to everyone’s satisfaction that she married a Scottish lord, and afterwards rarely set foot in England.

When Mr. Bingley took his new wife to London, she was accepted everywhere, and her excellent manners and sweet disposition won much approval at every level of society.

But they were happiest in the country, where the greatest part of their time was spent.

The couple were well content at Netherfield, but as he had always meant to purchase an estate, they made the move northward when a desirable estate near Pemberley came up for sale.

Although Mrs. Bennet was sorry to see the Bingleys leave Netherfield, she so frequently saw them in Derbyshire or on visits to their former neighbourhood as to feel that little had been lost.

It was the same with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

As the years passed, Mrs. Bennet became even closer to the daughter she had once thought difficult, and the son-in-law who shared her love of birds.

At Pemberley the two of them often went out on birdwatching excursions, or sat at one of the windows observing the garden with their opera glasses.

Upon first taking his wife to Pemberley, Mr. Darcy was eager to show her all his favourite walks.

They spent many happy hours roaming the countryside together, and later with their children, who all grew up to be great walkers.

As the years went by, Elizabeth’s notion they could spend a lifetime together without ever struggling for conversation was proven right.

And their life together was everything which Mr. Darcy had visualized.

Liveliness, happiness, and every day bringing fresh delight.

THE END