Mr. Darcy's Diary, Amanda Grange [elon musk reading list TXT] 📗

a note from Georgiana. As I

approached the house, I saw Jane Bennet leaving it.

‘What has happened here?’ I asked when I was admitted.

Caroline looked out of spirits.

‘The most unfortunate thing. Jane Bennet has been

here. I thought she would have gone back to the country

by now, but it seems she means to make an extended visit.’

‘This is most unlucky.What did you say to her?’

‘I scarcely know what I said. She took me by surprise.

She told me she had written to me and I said I had never

received her letter. She enquired after Charles. I told her

that he was well, but that he was so often with you I

scarcely saw him. I told her how much Georgiana was

grown, and how we were seeing her for dinner this

evening.Then I intimated that Louisa and I were on the

point of going out. After that she could not stay.’

‘You will have to return the call,’ I said.

‘It cannot be avoided. But I shall not stay long, and I

hope by my manner she will see that any further intimacy is not to be expected. Charles has almost forgotten

her. In another few weeks he will be out of danger.’

Of that I am not so sure. He speaks of her sometimes

still. He checks himself when he sees my expression, but

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it is not safe for him to think of either Miss Bennet or

Hertfordshire yet.

Tuesday 21st January

Caroline paid her call on Miss Bennet this morning. It

was of a short duration, and she used her time to tell Miss

Bennet that Bingley is not certain of returning to Hertfordshire, and may give up Netherfield.When she left she

made no mention of seeing Jane again, and she tells me

she is now perfectly satisfied that Miss Bennet will not

call again.

One day Bingley will be glad of our care. It is only this

thought that reconciles me to the duplicity we have been

forced to employ.

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February

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Saturday 1st February

‘Caroline has suggested we go to Bath for the spring,’

said Bingley this morning. ‘Perhaps I might take a house

there,’ he added nonchalantly.

I thought it was an encouraging sign that he has forgotten Hertfordshire.

‘That is an excellent idea,’ I said.

‘Would you like to come with us?’ he asked.

‘I have to go to Pemberley and make sure Johnson has

everything well in hand.There are a number of changes I

wish to make to the running of the home farm, and some

further improvements I should like to make on the estate.’

‘Then I will see you again in the summer.’

Friday 7th February

Colonel Fitzwilliam has returned to town and he dined

with me this evening, bringing me all the news from

Rosings. He told me that Mr Collins has taken a wife. I

held my breath, hoping that Hurst had been right when

he had said that Elizabeth had refused Mr Collins.

‘She seems a very good sort of girl, although I should

say woman. She appears to be approaching thirty,’ said my

cousin.

I let go of my breath.

‘But this is a good thing,’ he went on. ‘A younger

woman might have been intimidated by my aunt’s – ’

‘Interference?’

‘Helpfulness,’ he said with a wry smile. ‘But Mrs

Collins accepts Lady Catherine’s advice without a fuss.’

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‘I believe I might have known her in Hertfordshire.

What was her maiden name?’

‘Lucas. Miss Charlotte Lucas.’

‘Yes, I met her and her family. I am glad she is well settled. Mr Collins might not be the most sensible husband,

but he can provide her with a comfortable life.’

And I could provide Elizabeth with so much more.

But I will not think of it. I am resolved never to think of

her again.

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March

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Friday 28th March

I received a letter from Lady Catherine, this morning,

telling me that she was looking forward to seeing me. I

was surprised to read the following passage in her letter.

Mrs Collins has her sister, Maria, to stay with

her, and a friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

It was a shock to learn that Elizabeth is at the parsonage.

I believe they are both of them known to you.

Sir William Lucas was also here, but he has

since returned home. Miss Elizabeth Bennet

has a great deal to say for herself but as she

has never had the benefit of a governess it is

not to be wondered at. A governess is neces-

sary in a family of girls, and so I told her. Mr

Collins was in full agreement with me. I have

had the pleasure of introducing many gov-

ernesses to their employers. Four nieces of Mrs

Jenkinson are delightfully situated through my

means.

Miss Bennet’s sisters are all out. I do not

know what her mother can be thinking of. Five

sisters, all out! It is very odd. And the younger

sisters are out before the older are married. A

very ill-regulated household. If Mrs Bennet

lived nearer, I would tell her so. I would find

her a governess, and she would no doubt be

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grateful to me for the recommendation. She

manages her household ill.

Miss Bennet gives her opinions very decid-

edly for one so young. Her view of her family is

extraordinary. She declared it would be very

hard upon the younger sisters to wait until their

sisters were married before they had their share

of society.

I found myself smiling at this. I have never heard anyone, man or woman, trifle with Lady Catherine before,

and to trifle with her in such a way! For it is undoubtedly hard on younger girls to have to wait their turn to

come out, though I have never thought of it in this way

before.

Perhaps I am wrong to be shocked that Elizabeth is at

the parsonage.