December 1st
My dearest Jane,
I have said once before, that I have little patience for long letters that dance around the point. This is still true, so I shall try to be brief.
Firstly, please never doubt that I have always loved you. The strength and excellence of your character are unprecedented qualities, that I could never hope to find in another, let alone a woman I would be honoured to call my wife. My sisters both continually try to inform me that I am disillusioned in my opinion of you. I hear their words, but merely pray it to not be so. To me you are perfect, and I would hate to have this vision altered in any way! I know my sisters mean well, and I just hope that they are perhaps mistaken in their assumptions, and it is only because they do not know you as I do.
Secondly, the reason for my recent absence from Netherfield is a cowardly one, although it is one that not only my family, but also by my closest friend Mr. Darcy reassure me is for the best. Please let me declare right now that this choice was by no means a matter of you or your family's connections! Although upon this subject other people might find problems with your situation, this is not the case with me. I could not give any less attention to your associations, wealth, or family ties! These things for me are of little consequence, and I only hope that you do not think the opposite, as I know so many might.
In our time together, I had never gotten the slightest inclination that we both felt anything other than equal, strengthening affection for each other. However, it was brought to my attention by my close acquaintances that this is not so, and that this affection was one-sided. This is not to say that my acquaintances slanted any part of your character, they merely suggested in the interest of helping a friend that any feelings of affection were mainly on my part, and that your easy and complying nature had led me to see more. I have to say that I hope desperately that this is not the case, but at this moment in time my good friend's opinion has me convinced! Nonetheless, in this revelation lies the cowardliness of my departure. Instead of asking you directly about the nature of your feelings, and confirming my worst fears, I am writing a letter. A letter I am sure I have no intention of actually sending to you.
This is all I have to say. You are constantly in my mind and soul, having captured it upon our first meeting at Meryton. I yearn to be back at Netherfield, and to hear you voice and see you beautiful smile! I long for you to be my wife! I do know now that this will not come to pass, and I sincerely doubt I will have the opportunity or privilege of seeing you once more.
My sisters have often commented upon the carelessness of my letter writing, to which I full heartedly agree. However I hope you will understand that this letter to you goes against that expectation. I wish you well for the future. God Bless.
CHARLES BINGLEY