Elizabeth meandered along the lane, reflecting on the many exchanges between herself and a certain Mr. Darcy of her acquaintance. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the sound of hooves until the horse and its rider were within twenty feet. Turning, she saw some one she would never have expected to appear under the circumstances.

Mr. Wickham rode with confidence towards a very bewildered Elizabeth. His address was one of a man very sure of the effect he had on others. Therefore, slowing to a halt, he said-

"Good day, Miss Elizabeth. What a pleasure it is to have the honor of your company at such a moment; I am very desolate. Will you accompany me for a little walk?"

The result his forward address had on Elizabeth was immediate. Her countenance flushed; partly from embarrassment at the possibility of being seen with such a man, which, only mere days ago would not have occurred to her; and partly from anger at the officiousness of the person in question. Thus, her reply was one which she felt would put an end to his pretensions.

It was with restrained civility that she addressed him- "Mr. Wickham, I cannot pretend that we could possibly be on cordial terms after the account I have recently had the pleasure to bear witness to. I cannot pretend to still esteem you as I once had done, when I was ignorant to your shortcomings. I feel I cannot trust you, not after what has been told, in truth, of you. Let there be no mistakes about what I refer to, I am sure you can be at no loss to understand what circumstances I speak of. If you do misunderstand me, I would take you a fool. Henceforth, Mr. Wickham, I wish to sever all acquaintance with you; you are not to approach me, my relations, or any one whom I hold dear. Am I to be understood, sir?" Elizabeth looked at him with a mixture of expectancy and severity, both of which threw off the gentleman on the receiving end of her accusations.

Staring at her, his solemn face paled and he opened his mouth to speak, but, unable to do so, looked around in befuddlement. "Miss Bennet, if you would please explain to me what the bloody hell you are talking about. If you have spoken to that gentleman, please let me be heard. Mr. Darcy-"

Here he was interrupted by an irate Elizabeth, who, unfolding her arms, presently became even more distressed.

"I have already heard every remark that could possibly be adhered to that gentleman," she said, pronouncing Wickham's preferred title with annoyed sarcasm, "and, fairly, I would believe him over you. Good sir, I have reflected on our whole acquaintance, and concluded that there is nothing to recommend you to me. Also, if you would, please do not swear at me, it does not show off your disposition well. If you have anything further to say, do it quickly, before I am departed." Staring him defiantly in the face, Elizabeth, expecting him to turn away, was surprised to find him move towards her, smiling in an unnerving way.

"Contrary to your wishes, Miss. Bennet, I still wish to remain in a steady friendship with you, and perhaps even more. I know it may seem forward, especially after my unexpected arrival and your vicious statement; Miss Bennet, may I sincerely express my deep and honest love for you? And, despite your heartwarming speech, I wish for you to become my wife. May I have the honor of your acceptance of my hand?"

Elizabeth's face was engulfed in a show of incredulity. Her mouth hanging open in a most improper fashion, Elizabeth took off down the lane, harried to put as much distance between herself and Wickham as possible. He rode up alongside her, a look of feigned disappointment on his face; he had not much expected her to accept, which was why he had prepared himself for such a rejection. The abhorrence and contempt with which she treated him, how ardently she expressed her dissatisfaction, only proved to amuse him.

"Now, Miss Bennet, let us be open with one another. It would be a very advantageous match. I understand you have had several proposals thrust upon you, myself included, and you must consider the possibility of another; the odds are very slight. I would not be as disappointing a husband as you undoubtedly have supposed me to be. Really, Miss Elizabeth, mull it over for a moment, and perchance you change your mind and become welcome to the idea, simply inform me and consider us engaged."

Stopping, Elizabeth nearly exploded with rage.

"Mr. Wickham! Do you believe me so fickle that I might declare us enemies one moment, and then accept your proposal of marriage the next? Farewell, sir." Elizabeth broke out into a run, though she did not anticipate his staying put for any length of time. Indeed, she was correct in her assumption. After only moments, Mr. Wickham had set off after her. Overtaking her, he cut her off, circling in front of her. Unable to move in the direction she desired, Elizabeth was ready to hurl herself headlong into the surrounding trees, where he could not possibly follow. Awaiting such a response, Wickham grabbed her arm, securing her position alongside his horse.

His face set, Mr. Wickham declared, "Miss Bennet, I assure you, I have no intention of allowing you to slip away without having first given me the promise of becoming my wife." More desperately, "I will not let him win this one! I, George Wickham, will not consent to allow myself to lose to him again, to disgrace myself further, by being rejected by the same woman who has rejected him. I will be the one victorious this time! From now on forth, he will be the one to feel humiliated. Starting today, upon this hour, that man will be…I cannot eloquently describe all that man will soon become. Come, Elizabeth, we are on our way to a long, blissful marriage."

"Sir, I must protest! There is no way in all of heaven and earth-" Here, Elizabeth was cut off. Wickham had put his foot down, and, in doing so, had brought his arm down on the crown of Elizabeth's head; she became unfeeling.