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Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy with suspicion, curtsied, and thanked him. Then she walked away as swiftly as she could, regretting that she had not found an excuse to decline the dance.

'That man is even more pretentious and arrogant than I imagined,' Elizabeth thought, thoroughly disgusted.

For his part, Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth for a few moments as she walked away, disappointed with himself.

When he had asked her to dance, he believed it would be a pleasant venture, yet she had quarreled with him and endeavoured to defend the wretched Wickham.

But none of that mattered now; the following day, he would depart for London and forget that place and all those he had encountered there.

He must direct his energies toward his beloved sister and the affairs concerning Pemberley and his family's business.

"Why are you upset, Eliza?" Charlotte inquired of her dear friend.

"Do not worry, Charlotte. Please, accompany me to fetch some refreshments. I wish to be as far as possible from my mother and Mr. Collins," Elizabeth replied.

"Certainly—but only if you promise to tell me what you and Mr. Darcy discussed," Charlotte said, smiling.

"If you insist… But let us leave this place. The only thing that gives me any comfort is seeing Jane so happy," Elizabeth answered, taking her friend's arm.

Jane was across the ballroom, engaged in lively conversation with Mr. Bingley.

They had danced the previous set, and he had not left her side since.

Perhaps her mother was correct, and very soon, Mr. Bingley would propose to dear Jane—and her beloved sister would become the happiest woman in the world.

Mr. Darcy had no desire to remain in the crowded, noisy ballroom.

If he could, he would have retired to his room to rest and forget the evening altogether.

But knowing that was not possible, he resolved instead to retreat to the library and remain there in solitude until he could at last withdraw to bed.

"Louisa, after all that has transpired tonight, I believe it is abundantly clear that we must leave this place at once," Caroline said, glancing around with disdain. She was furious. Vulgar people invaded her home, and Mr. Darcy had yet to ask her to dance, though he had asked Eliza Bennet.

"Do not fret, Caroline. The day after tomorrow, we shall depart for London and prevent Charles from ever returning to this dreadful place.

We must remove ourselves not only for our own sake but for our brother's as well.

Caroline, I overheard that horrid woman declaring that her daughter will soon marry our brother," Louisa said, horrified.

"Louisa, come with me to speak to Mr. Darcy. I am certain he has hidden himself in the library. He is the only one who might help us persuade our stubborn brother that he must not ruin his life."

Caroline and Louisa left the ballroom and made their way toward the library, just as the strains of a new piece of music began.

Mrs. Bennet was elated, and not even her husband's sarcastic remarks could spoil her delightful evening.

Her youngest daughters appeared thoroughly pleased, dancing and conversing with the officers, and she was confident that Elizabeth would soon receive a proposal from Mr. Collins—one she would not dare refuse.

But what brought her the greatest joy was seeing Jane so content.

Though her daughter was a prudent young lady, Mrs. Bennet knew her well and could read the delight in her smile and the sparkle in her eyes whenever she looked at Mr. Bingley.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennet had consumed more punch than was wise and began to feel dizzy and overheated.

She sought a place with fewer people so she could rest for a few minutes.

At last, she found a comfortable chair in a corridor.

She sat and reflected upon all the blessings the future seemed to hold for her family.

She closed her eyes—only to be interrupted by voices she believed she recognized.

Someone was speaking of her family, and curiosity overcame her.

Unnoticed, she moved the chair closer to the half-open door and strained to hear the conversation.

"We are very sorry to disturb you, Mr. Darcy. I imagine you, like us, came here seeking a moment of peace," Louisa began.

"You are quite right, Mrs. Hurst. But please, do not concern yourselves. I shall sit near the window to read, and you may settle in the armchairs by the fire," he replied. The last thing Mr. Darcy desired was conversation with his friend's sisters.

"Mr. Darcy, the truth is that we came hoping to speak to you on a rather delicate matter.

We are in need not only of your help but of your advice.

" Seeing that she had gained the gentleman's attention, Caroline did not hesitate to unfold her scheme.

"That dreadful Mrs. Bennet has told everyone that Charles intends to marry her daughter. "

"Can you imagine, Mr. Darcy, what my brother's life would become if he were compelled to marry Jane Bennet? A woman without talent, without fortune, and with relatives in trade," Louisa added, exasperated.

"And to all that must be added the vulgarity of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters—particularly the youngest. There they are in the ballroom, drinking punch and shamelessly flirting with all the officers, while the mother watches with pride and the father appears entirely indifferent.

It would be a tremendous degradation for us to be connected to such a vulgar and ridiculous family," Caroline concluded.

"I understand, and I believe your concerns are not unfounded.

I have observed Miss Bennet, and I doubt she feels anything more than friendship for Bingley.

Though she conducts herself like a well-educated lady, I do not trust her mother.

I believe she would stop at nothing to see her daughter married to a man of fortune.

Moreover, I share your opinion—the impropriety of the younger daughters is indeed stunning, though hardly surprising, given the example they have at home. "

Mrs. Bennet was astonished to hear such remarks about her family.

So great was her surprise that she did not know whether to feel indignation or sorrow.

The only thing she could do was step away from the door and go in search of her husband.

In that moment, she felt truly vulnerable and did not wish to be alone.

Upon returning to the ballroom, Mrs. Bennet seated herself beside Mr. Bennet and began observing those around her.

Then, perhaps for the first time, she perceived the disapproving glances of their neighbours as they looked with disdain at Lydia and Kitty.

She saw how her two youngest daughters were the only ones running about the room, shouting from place to place, and drinking excessively.

That evening, she said nothing more and devoted herself to watching and quietly discerning many things she had long chosen not to see.

◆◆◆

"Mama, I shall go for a walk, but I will return in time to have breakfast with the family," Elizabeth explained.

She was somewhat concerned, for Mrs. Bennet had been behaving rather differently of late.

Indeed, she now rose early, whereas before she had always preferred to remain abed until much later.

"Very well; I suppose exercise is good for a girl as restless as you, Lizzy…"

"Do you require anything, Mother?"

"No… Go for your walk and return on time."

Mrs. Bennet went into the kitchen to speak with Hill, and Elizabeth seized the opportunity to leave the house.

She felt uneasy and saddened by Jane's situation.

Though her dear sister endeavoured to conceal her sorrow, Elizabeth could see the despair in her eyes.

She was convinced that Mr. Bingley's sisters, aided by his detestable friend, had conspired to keep him away from Jane.

Yet she had a plan: in a few days, the Gardiners would arrive, and she intended to speak with her aunt and persuade her to invite Jane to spend some time in London.

Perhaps there, she might see Mr. Bingley once more.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, Elizabeth drew a deep breath and looked down upon the valley with quiet pride.

That was her land, her home, the place she loved—and one day, she would be forced to leave it.

Nearly three weeks had passed since Mr. Collins had proposed to her, and she had resolutely rejected him.

In only a few more days, Charlotte would become the new Mrs. Collins and, in time, the future mistress of Longbourn.

Though Elizabeth felt a pang of sorrow and apprehension at the thought of one day leaving the only place she had ever called home, she knew in her heart that she could never have been happy with a man like Mr. Collins.

She had expected her mother to scold her and launch into one of her infamous tantrums to compel her acceptance.

However, Mrs. Bennet had merely spoken with her, attempting to make her understand the consequences of her decision, and had then appeared to accept it.

'Why are you so changed, Mama? I believe I even miss the Mrs. Bennet who complained about everything,' thought Elizabeth, smiling to herself. Then she cast one last glance at the valley below and made her way home.

When Elizabeth entered the dining room, the family was already seated, though they had not yet begun the meal. She kissed her father on the forehead and took her place beside Jane. As always, Lydia and Kitty could not cease their chatter, and Mary tried to read from her sermon book while she ate.

"Denny told me that he and his friends have the afternoon free.

I am so pleased it is not raining, for now I shall be able to spend the day with them.

They invited me for a walk, and I am certain the dreadful Long sisters will die of envy when they see that all the officers are in love with me," Lydia exclaimed.