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Elizabeth was a little chilled, so she agreed with her friend and drew her into the house where her mother and sisters gathered in the sitting-room.

Mr. Bennet was in his study as usual; Elizabeth did not think a visit from her dear friend warranted calling her father from his amusements.

Charlotte greeted the family and exchanged a few words, then before long they were ensconced together on a sofa while her sisters returned to their activities.

Though Elizabeth expected to be diverted by Charlotte’s account, the reality of events at Lucas Lodge astonished her.

“Now, Charlotte, I insist on your telling me what happened with Mr. Collins yesterday.”

Charlotte nodded, but she turned to address Mrs. Bennet. “I come with news about Mr. Collins that I believe will amuse you.”

Mrs. Bennet set a magazine she had been perusing to the side and attended their visitor—Elizabeth noted that her sisters likewise stopped what they were doing, the youngest Bennets no doubt impatient to hear a little gossip.

“Why we would wish to hear of that odious man, I cannot say. Do you know he insulted us yesterday and claimed that Hertfordshire was nothing at all! I know not how to account for such incivility!”

“Did he?” asked Charlotte with a knowing look. “Did he say anything about his reason for the sudden change of heart?”

The question took Mrs. Bennet aback. “No, he did not. Do you know something of it?”

“I cannot but suppose I do,” replied Charlotte. “To own the truth, I am surprised by his circumspection, for I did not expect he would hesitate to publish it to you all.”

“Charlotte, do not tease!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “If you know something about Mr. Collins’s poor behavior, please tell us!”

“Very well,” laughed Charlotte. “Mr. Collins’s poor mood results from the failure of his second proposal this week, which he made to me.”

For a moment, no one responded, so befuddled were they all. That Charlotte was enjoying her success in silencing them all was unmistakable in her self-satisfied grin; it was this sight that provoked Elizabeth to respond.

“Mr. Collins proposed to you? Why, that is even more precipitous than his attentions to me !”

“Yes, Lizzy, I cannot but suppose it is!”

“You rejected Mr. Collins’s proposal?” gasped Mrs. Bennet. Then she showed them all an ugly expression of disdain. “That is no less than shocking that a woman in your position would refuse the proposal of an eligible man.”

To Charlotte’s credit, she did not become angry at Mrs. Bennet’s tactless statement; then again, she knew enough of Elizabeth’s mother to understand how she would behave.

“Lizzy refused Mr. Collins as well, Mama.” Jane’s mild rebuke drove the contempt from Mrs. Bennet’s face. “Since two such clever ladies could not countenance marriage to him, I cannot but suppose there is something amiss with Mr. Collins.”

Though Mrs. Bennet understood Jane’s point very well, she scowled. It was no less than a blessing that she did not insert her foot more firmly in her mouth. Seeing this, Charlotte did not hesitate to speak again.

“For my part, I agree with you, Jane. I will not scruple to suggest his offer did not tempt me, for I well understand my situation. The thought of enduring a man as silly as Mr. Collins for a lifetime prevented me from accepting, and my father, who also grew weary of Mr. Collins’s pronouncements, assured me of his support. ”

Mrs. Bennet did not understand her point—this much was clear. However, she again exercised the sense of discretion that was rudimentary at best and did not respond.

“How anyone could consider that nasty man an eligible match, I cannot say,” said Lydia, inserting her opinion into the discussion. “I would much prefer to marry an officer.”

“As Lydia said yesterday,” giggled Kitty, “Mr. Collins is not at all attractive, and is rather fetid in the bargain!”

The girls collapsed laughing, and for once, Mary looked on with agreement instead of the asperity she reserved for the youngest Bennets.

For some moments, wit flew freely between the ladies, and if Mrs. Bennet did not take part, she seemed to understand for the first time how united against Mr. Collins were her daughters.

Anyone of sense must understand the drawbacks to his situation, all of which centered on his character.

In time, Mrs. Bennet excused herself to return to her room, and Elizabeth’s sisters returned their attention to their activities, leaving Elizabeth in Charlotte’s company.

“That is most extraordinary, Charlotte,” said Elizabeth when she had her friend’s attention. “If you will pardon me, I recall you suggesting that it is best to know little of your husband before you marry. Did Mr. Collins betray so much of himself to make acceptance impossible?”

Charlotte offered a wry smile. “I shall not say you are incorrect, Lizzy. Though my situation is concerning, even the promise of a home of my own could not tempt me to connect myself to Mr. Collins for a lifetime.”

“Then I am glad to hear it,” said Elizabeth.

“I thought you far too sensible to even consider such a man—it gratifies me to know that I am not incorrect. I cannot think you would be happy with Mr. Collins as a husband, for the mortification a woman must endure every day in the company of such a man cannot be worth the security.”

“No, it cannot.” Charlotte grinned. “Therefore, you must take thought for your poor friend when you attract a man possessing a fabulous fortune. If you find me a husband, I shall be much obliged to you!”

“Then the moment I capture such a man, I shall begin the search at once!”

The two friends laughed and spent an agreeable time in each other’s company.

THOUGH JANE HAD RECEIVED a letter from Caroline Bingley the day the Bingley party departed from Netherfield, there was no other word from her for some time after.

Jane responded to the missive, of course, but Elizabeth did not suppose that Miss Bingley was eager to encourage contact via the post. When another letter arrived after a significant delay, it crushed all Jane’s hopes of happiness with Mr. Bingley.

It could not be supposed that Mrs. Bennet would not learn of it, and no one of any sense doubted what form her response would take.

The news provoked a return of her infamous nerves; that she would again accuse Elizabeth of ruining the family with her ill-judged refusal of Mr. Collins’s proposal was not a surprise to any of the family.

As Mr. Bennet was eager to avoid that subject again, he instructed his wife to desist; thereafter, Elizabeth endured her mother’s injured silence with cheer when the alternative was her shrieks of doom echoing throughout the house.

Of more concern for Elizabeth was Jane’s reaction, for all the light seemed to go out of her sister.

Elizabeth watched her throughout that day, noting Jane’s quietude, wondering what she could do to put her sister’s broken heart back together.

It had always been Elizabeth’s opinion that Mr. Bingley cared for Jane, so she had no difficulty in attributing the man’s abandonment to his sisters and his friend.

Should Jane return to his company, Elizabeth was certain Mr. Bingley would forget about whatever subterfuge his sister had used to keep him from Jane.

“As you know, Aunt and Uncle are to come to Longbourn for Christmas,” said Elizabeth. “What if you returned to town in their company?”

“Why would you have me go to London, Lizzy?” asked Jane, though her slight smile carried a knowing quality.

“Can you not guess?” asked Elizabeth. “Should the opportunity present itself, I cannot but suppose you would take it and act to see Mr. Bingley again.”

Jane became serious at once. “I apologize, Lizzy, but I cannot agree. I have no intention of going to London.”

Surprised though she was, Elizabeth saw her sister’s determination. “Why, Jane? Do you not wish to see Mr. Bingley?”

With a sigh, Jane lay back against the headboard of her bed. “Do you not suppose it would be most forward of me?”

“If I did not suspect Miss Bingley of falsehood to keep her brother from you, I might agree.”

To Elizabeth’s greater surprise, Jane did not dispute her characterization of Miss Bingley.

“That is the issue, Lizzy. You were correct in your assessment of Miss Bingley, for she was never a friend to her brother’s interest in me.

If that is so, should I wish for the connection to a woman who so obviously disdains me? ”

Elizabeth did not agree. “Jane, the most important opinion on the matter is Mr. Bingley’s. If a man loved me enough to propose to me, I should not care one jot if his sister did not approve.”

“Perhaps you are correct, Lizzy, but you must also remember that Mr. Bingley has not proposed to me.”

“No, that is beyond dispute. His interest was unmistakable.”

“Yet he did not have the conviction of his interest sufficient to take the next step. Of even greater importance, he departed from Netherfield after hosting the neighborhood like a thief in the night, took his leave of no one, and then did not return. While I cannot know the reason for his lapse, it seems your assertion of Miss Bingley’s interference is the most likely explanation.

If that is so, shall I pursue a man against all decency when he cannot even act according to his convictions? ”

There was nothing amiss with Jane’s arguments, and Elizabeth could say nothing to the contrary.

Though she considered Mr. Bingley an amiable man, it was nothing less than the truth that he was a man who appeared to lack a certain firmness of purpose.

Elizabeth herself had considered the problems attendant on a marriage to such a man, even as she had wanted Jane to realize her dreams of love.

Love, it seemed, could only do so much, for she would not want to see Jane trapped in a marriage with a man ruled by his despicable sister.

“No, Lizzy,” said Jane while Elizabeth was considering her sister’s arguments, “I shall not do it. Should Mr. Bingley wish to deepen his acquaintance with me, I am reliably informed that he knows Longbourn’s location.

If he does not reappear, I shall take that as a sign he has no wish to know me better and forget about him. ”

“Good for you, Jane,” said Elizabeth, scooting up next to her sister and throwing an arm around your shoulders. “I approve. If Mr. Bingley cannot prove himself to you, then he does not deserve you.

“If you will pardon me, however, I do not think you are so dispassionate as you suggest. Were you not half in love with Mr. Bingley?”

“Perhaps I was,” confessed Jane. “My feelings aside, I can do nothing other than this, for I will not make a fool of myself and chase after a man who will not pursue me.”

“Then I hope you will allow me to assist in your recovery. With any luck, some other man will present himself and help you forget Mr. Bingley.”

“At present, I need no such attention.” Jane offered a wry smile. “I still wish to marry for love, but I would prefer to allow a little time to elapse before greeting another eager suitor.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Then I shall wait for the right moment. Please allow me to compliment you on seeing Miss Bingley for who she is. I did not suppose you would allow my opinion to influence you.”

“How could I not?” Affection brimmed in Jane’s voice. “Your convictions are accurate far more often than they are mistaken. If I follow your advice, I am certain I cannot go awry.”

“See that you remember that, Jane,” said Elizabeth, her mock-stern glare setting her sister to giggling. “When the opportunity presents itself, I mean to know why Mr. Bingley did not return. Only then can I claim true perspicacity—otherwise, it is all speculation.”

“Oh, Lizzy,” said Jane, shaking her head. “How you shall come by such an opportunity, I cannot say, unless you mean to go to London in my stead. Shall you brave Miss Bingley in her den and demand to know what she did to keep her brother in London?”

“No, I do not suppose that I shall,” agreed Elizabeth. “Perhaps I shall never see them again. Should the chance arise, I shall know the truth.”

Jane shook her head but opted against responding.

As they had often done, the sisters stayed together talking late into the night, and Elizabeth thought Jane’s recovery was assured.

The event had affected Jane, but how this change in her sister would manifest itself, she could not say.

Jane may learn a little of Elizabeth’s suspicion rather than accepting what others say without question.

If she did, Elizabeth could not but applaud her, for a little disillusionment with the world was healthy, in her opinion—many would use Jane’s trusting disposition against her.

In the back of her mind, Elizabeth kept the memory of what she had said to her sister.

While the chances that she would ever encounter Mr. Bingley or any of his family again were remote, should she ever find herself in a position to learn something more, she would take it.

For that matter, even Mr. Darcy might be an avenue to receive answers, as unlikely as that sounded.

While she had said nothing to Jane about Mr. Darcy since the first letter Jane received from Miss Bingley, Elizabeth suspected he had something to do with Mr. Bingley’s failure to return to Hertfordshire.

The truth of this supposition did not matter to Elizabeth so much as the desire to understand.

When the sisters ceased speaking and fell into slumber, Elizabeth realized she was content with her sister’s decision.

While she thought Jane would regret Mr. Bingley, her sensible attitude ensured her quick recovery.

Considering what she had thought of her dear sister’s peace of mind, that was not an unwelcome outcome.