Page 31 of May I Have the Pleasure

Consolation

4 August 1812 Lambton, Derbyshire

Dearest Sisters,

Please prepare yourselves for either a raging conflagration or no reaction whatsoever to the missive I have just delivered to Mr Bennet. I cannot bear to write it again, so I have tasked Uncle Philips with showing you a copy I made of some of the choice phrases or giving you the broad outlines. I will stay at the inn when we pass through Meryton, and I would beg you to both visit me there and return to town with me for a time. Uncle and Aunt have agreed to the scheme. Should Mr Bennet survive his approaching thrashing that Uncle Gardiner has planned, you should be able to do so with his permission; although Jane is of age and does not require it.

I received the most horrid letter from my former mother right after I wrote you about Uncle’s setdown for Mr Darcy, and I finally, at long last, have had all I can take. I have no idea how the rest of you survive in that madhouse. It is far worse than either of you indicated in previous correspondence .

You will see the letter from Uncle Philips. I must see you when we go through Hertfordshire, although I will not step foot in Longbourn. Pray, say you will come visit me.

Your anxious sister,

Elizabeth Gardiner

P.S. Pray, forgive the tears. I have had two of the three most trying days of my life in rapid succession.