Mr.Charles Bingley sat in his parlor by the fire, his wife Jane had been out shopping for a new dress for a ball to be held on the foreweek; he was all alone, expect his 10-year-old daughter Catherine Bingley, God rest her...she was 'a fire of energy' as her Aunt Elizabeth Bennett stated the day she was born, her other Aunt Katherine 'Kitty' Bennet had declared that she was nothing but a 'sweet little flower still on the rise' of course, that might be the Bennet pride shuffling in...after all; Catherine was named after her. The other Bennett family members; the Mr. and Mrs. just adored her, and her other Aunt Lydia Bennett hadn't seen her yet. Oh, but listen to me...telling her story and not that of the one you are about to hear; a story of worthy poportions...a story of friendship. Now, Catherine came dashing down the stairs and ran over to her...curtseying as she kneeled next to him.

'Papa, would you forgive me if I did something actrocious?' Catherine asked, her vocablurarly was advanced for her age

'Naturally dear, naturally. What's the matter?' Bingley asked he stroked Catherine's dark blonde curls

'I broke your ink bottle...it was sitting on the desk, Papa, honest! And I wanted to draw...it slipped' Catherine had her eyes filled with tears

'None of that now, I have a spare in my storage jore. You go take your nap, look presentable when your mother returns' Bingley said as helped Catherine off the floor

'Thank you, Papa' Catherine cried with a giggle as she ran out of the parlor and up the stairs

Mr.Bingley laughed as he stuck his nose back into his book, he suddenly heard a slight creaking; not like a door opening, more like a metallic being sealing. It was the mail slot. But only private letters were to be sent through the slots, invitations and whatnot were delievered personally. Charles knew this was urgent, he galloped up over to the front door and picked up the letter; it had two pages...it was from Elizabeth! Bingley read to himself, but Elizabeth's voice seemed to read it for him;

Dear Mr.Bingley,

I trust since Jane is out looking for a gown to wear to the Highland Ball that you are the one who will recieve the letter.

I sincerely hope that Catherine and Jane are in good health and send them my love. You can probably foretell that I will

not be attending the ball. Bingley, how I hope with my heart that you are sitting as you read this notice. It seems that Fitz-

william has taken ill with Typhus after his business trip which forced him to dock on a boat. I only discovered the wound

myself three days ago. The doctor has offered us little, if no hope; I did not wish to alarm you, seeing that you are indeed

his companion and most loyal-friend indeed. Do not rush yourself to Birmingham, as I have stated; we did not wish to cause

panic within your household.

Charles looked on the next piece of paper and continued to read as Elizabeth's voice once again echoed in his head as he read on;

We do however wish that you notify my family as well as Fitz's aunt, and if it would suit you to ride to our cottage and call upon him.

For if this is my dear husband's last days, how I wish he be surrounded by the comfort of his friends & family. He does misse Cathr

-rine so and while he refuses to confess, he has been ailing for you for the past several weeks. When I hear him across the hall in

my chamber; he calls out for you. If you do wish to come, then come quickly, he is ill and slipping away from life as we know it. Until

we meet again, dear brother.

Your Sincere Relative,

Elizabeth Darcy-Bennett

Bingley couldn't believe this, he had just called upon the Darcys not two months shy of this morning. Fitzwilliam was healthy and strong, and now thanks to a bite; a wound that he could of very well avoided by staying away from the damned hull was now going to take his life away. Bingley knew what he had to do, while Lizzie did give him an alternate option; he was not a selfish man and wished to see his friend. He went to the bottom of the staircase.

'Catherine dear, wake up! We must take our carriage to Birmingham! Something horrible has happened' Bingley called from the bottom of the steps

They took the coach into the town, to notify Jane who hadn't finished her shopping; but nearly dropped all her packages when she heard of this horrid news. The three were off to Birmingham faster than the dawn itself; Catherine fell asleep as they saw the manor appear over the horizon. It was early dawn, and the Bingleys were exhausted at least; but could care less about their needs, only that of their family. As the coach approached the doorstep, Jane took her sleeping daughter within her embrace as they hopped out. Charles could feel his hand shaking as he pounded on the door, Elizabeth answered the call; she was notably pregnant with her first. Only shy of three months. Elizabeth cursteyed for Charles as he bowed, Elizabeth offered her arm as Jane handed the tired Catherine over to her; Jane touched her shoulder.

'Don't worry...Miracles can happen, Lizzie' Jane said assuringly

'How I hope that prophecy is true' Elizabeth said as she sniffled a bit

'How long does he have?' Bingley asked edigly

'Not past the week' Elizabeth began sobbing