It was an uneasy evening at Longbourn as the news was sorted through, upstairs and down. Soqedziel wondered if there was anything that they knew upstairs that the servants didn't know. One of the housemaids (who appeared to be sweet on the manservant John) was quite willing to discuss the subject of Lydia's indiscretion. Sally passed on details that the colonel (the militia colonel, Colonel Forster had come to visit the Bennets after searching all the way from Brighton to London for the runaway couple) had suspected that Lydia had recently developed a partiality for Wickham. But the colonel had no idea of the young man's vile reputation until after they fled which had made the colonel hurry to Hertfordshire.

Forster had come to Longbourn bearing the news that Lydia was not married—not fleeing to Gretna Green to do the deed—and that the Colonel suspected that the couple had merely run away together without benefit of marriage. Mr. Wickham had turned out to also be an imprudent and extravagant man who left debts behind. Depending on who you asked, Lydia's note to the colonel's wife saying she was running off to be married (such was Lydia's understanding) was either a small ray of hope or a piece of folly.

The angel wondered how his partner felt about all of this and whether guilt was at the top. Had Peliel considered that Lydia Bennet would descend to such a level? It was not the way that Soqedziel's partner thought or hoped about human beings. Peliel could only believe she was acting for good. But Peliel would be overcome with grief, just like most of the Bennets were. It would be comforting to Soqedziel to have his partner back at his side; they had been apart too long. Peliel had nothing to keep her in Brighton, and Soqedziel had only to switch places with the real manservant John to be able to return as Harriet. He looked forward to going to London the next day to quickly return to his angel partner's side.

Mr. Gardiner lingered at Longbourn the next day only as late as the morning post-delivery. The family expected a letter from Mr. Bennet with news, but apparently, there was no news to send. (Though everyone would have been glad to have had a letter to reassure them that there was nothing to share.) Mr. Gardiner left for London with John-Soqedziel at his side. Mrs. Gardiner was to stay and provide whatever comfort she could to Mrs. Bennet and her nieces.

Soqedziel's master did not speak much on their journey to London, but Mr. Gardiner did relate that they would do two things: first find Mr. Bennet and take him back with them to Gracechurch Street and then retrace the steps that the fugitive pair had made.

Their arrival had been anticipated for either Mr. or Mrs. Gardiner had warned their servants that the master was to return. Mr. Gardiner washed the dust off of himself and then went in search of Mr. Bennet, taking Soqedziel with him. They found Longbourn's master at the address provided: a small hotel. The angel missed the initial discussion between them, but Mr. Bennet was persuaded to move to Gracechurch Street. As he had brought no servant with him, Soqedziel was called up to the man's rooms to pack Mr. Bennet's bags. Both Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner were in the chamber as Soqedziel worked; there were many books to pack.

"You had no luck speaking to the postilions at Epsom and Clapham when they changed into a hackney-coach?" asked Mr. Gardiner.

"No. No one remembers them. I thought it might be noted—them removing from a chaise to a hackney but no one recalls the couple," grumbled Mr. Bennet. Soqedziel continued his packing as he listened.

"You've already anticipated my plans for tomorrow, so I shall need to consider further steps," remarked Mr. Gardiner.

"I am determined to inquire at all the principal hotels to see if they might have gone to one of them on their first coming to London, before they procured lodgings," declared Mr. Bennet. Soqedziel thought he had never heard the man use a more determined voice. It sparked something within the angel. Perhaps he should remain in London and oversee what was happening here? And he must write to Peliel at the first opportunity and share all his discoveries, first and foremost that Mr. Sloth had proven that when needed, he could be Diligence itself. Soqedziel would concede this sin as a virtue to his fellow angel.

"…must have," insisted Mr. Gardiner. Soqedziel had missed their current topic, but finished his task of packing and turned to regard the two men.

"Lizzy might know. She seemed quite friendly with Mr. Wickham at one time—back around Christmas," asserted Mr. Bennet.

"I shall add that inquiry to Elizabeth in my note to Mrs. Gardiner. I shall also write to Colonel Forster to see if any of Wickham's intimates (or former friends) in the regiment know if the young man has any relatives or connections who might know more of him. Someone who might know in what part of the town he has now concealed himself with Lydia. It is of great consequence that we ascertain any clues," asserted Mr. Gardiner. He looked around the room and saw that his servant had finished packing. "Done John?"

"Yes, sir," nodded John-Soqedziel.

"Let us return to Gracechurch Street," proclaimed Mr. Gardiner.


Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet spent the following day, a Monday, in fruitless searches around Town and then in letter writing. Soqedziel got the sense that while Mr. Gardiner was committed to finding his niece, Mr. Bennet's spirits were flagging. Answers to letters came back quickly, but without good news.

Soqedziel wavered in his convictions. It seemed that nothing was happening in London, but word had come from Peliel at last (under the guise of a letter to John from a sister) that his fellow angel had left Brighton, having thanked Mrs. Forster for her invitation. (Left unsaid was all the frightful business with Lydia Bennet.)

But on Wednesday, Soqedziel had a letter to say that the Bennet family was the focus of neighborhood gossip. Nothing new or good was heard from Longbourn, but all of Meryton seemed set on blackening Wickham's name when but three months before he had been seen almost as an angel of light. Peliel mentioned that Wickham was in debt to every tradesman in town. And his intrigues, all honored with the title of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman's family.

Peliel wrote. He is being declared the wickedest young man in the world. Everyone is so fickle. They now declare that they never trusted his appearance of goodness! Human beings are so blind to their own follies are they not, dear Soqedziel? They are hypocritical, insincere, and deceitful in their judgments. I have heard tell that Longbourn's heir, that pastor, Mr. Collins, wrote to the Bennets to tell them to throw off Lydia Bennet from their notice and affection forever. A vicar! He has no notion of Christian forgiveness, it seems, but only condemnation. How ready these human creatures are to change their opinions, though not in a blessed and positive manner.

Soqedziel was a little worried about his fellow angel as that was a more bitter ending to a note from Peliel than he had ever received. But Mr. Bennet was growing ever more spiritless by the ill success of the two concerned men's endeavors. It was decided that Mr. Bennet was to return home while Mr. Gardiner would continue the search. On Friday morning, a note was sent off to Longbourn with details about Mr. Bennet's planned journey on the morrow.

The dispirited Mr. Bennet did not leave the house but stayed inside with his books. Mr. Gardiner continued searching, though he also had to make a visit to his place of business to keep on top of functions there. But all was in readiness for Mr. Bennet to return home first thing on Saturday morning. Mr. Gardiner sent word that he would be late to supper, and Mr. Bennet was dining without him when the bell rang. John-Soqedziel answered the door. Mr. Darcy stood on the stoop outside.

"Is Mr. Gardiner at home?" asked the gentleman. He did not recognize Soqedziel. A servant is an invisible creature, after all. Mr. Darcy had not spared him a glance at Pemberley and especially not when Elizabeth had been in distress over her letter, and Soqedziel had been sent to fetch the Gardiners.

"No, sir," answered the angel.

"Is he expected shortly?" pressed Mr. Darcy.

"He is not expected soon," answered Soqedziel honestly. "Should you like to leave a note?" The angel opened the door further, and Mr. Darcy stepped inside off of the street.

"My business is…" and then Darcy faltered as though he wished not to reveal what his task was about. Maybe he didn't even wish to leave a note. "I understand that Mr. Bennet may be visiting?" he asked instead.

"Yes, sir. Mr. Bennet is brother-in-law to Mr. Gardiner. But he is to travel home to Hertfordshire tomorrow morning." John-Soqedziel was giving more information than a servant normally should to a random caller, but he suspected that Darcy had urgent and fruitful business with Mr. Gardiner and it was essential to answer all the gentleman's questions.

"I see," commented Mr. Darcy, who appeared to be processing that information and formulating some additional steps. "I shall call at another time when Mr. Gardiner is available and not tangled up with his family."

"Very well then, sir," remarked Soqedziel. "I am happy to fetch paper and ink should you wish to leave a note."

"No, I thank you. Good evening," said Mr. Darcy. Soqedziel held the door for him, and Darcy walked off into the still sun-lit evening.

When Mr. Gardiner returned later from his place of business, Soqedziel did not wish to reveal that he knew the identity of the man who had called. He only reported that a gentleman had called on business. Mr. Gardiner did not think much about the incident as his niece's concerns were uppermost in his mind.

On Saturday, the Gardiner carriage left with Mr. Bennet inside. Mr. Gardiner promised to keep his brother-in-law informed about even the smallest updates. The carriage was to bring Mrs. Gardiner and the children back in the afternoon.

Mr. Darcy also called a second time at Gracechurch Street on Saturday. He came to see Mr. Gardiner even before Mrs. Gardiner returned home. Soqedziel's curiosity was piqued as the meeting between the two men went on for several hours. Occasionally, he heard a raised voice, but not as though in great disagreement, but more in surprise and consternation. At one point, Mr. Gardiner sent for a small tray with a luncheon and tea which John-Soqedziel brought into the study. There were papers, parchment, and an ink pot on a table, but it didn't appear that anything had been written down. The angel was none the wiser for the reasons behind Mr. Darcy's visit.

Soqedziel guessed it had something to do with Lydia. It was one of those premonitions he had become good at over the centuries. While human beings are often so set in their habits, love does odd things to them and can spur them to actions they normally would not take. Mr. Darcy was in love with Elizabeth Bennet. How far would he go to please Elizabeth and win her love? Would he seek to redeem Lydia if it was at all possible?

Yet Mr. Darcy was their representation of Pride. Could he shed that coat of Pride and wear Humility? Such a notion or feeling had to be foreign to such a man. To be modest and respectful and consider others' feelings and situations' first. To also seek a man who was, in a way, Darcy's adversary: Wickham. Soqedziel was still not sure whatever issue or events had occurred between the two men that they should actively dislike each other so intensely, maybe even been said to hate each other. 'Twas said they had grown up together as boys, but it seemed more than some youthful folly, whatever the offense.

Mrs. Gardiner returned home after Darcy left Mr. Gardiner's study. There were no whispers among the Gardiner's servants about that morning's tete-a-tete besides Mr. Gardiner handling a business call at home. But as the afternoon progressed, Soqedziel could not but notice a charged atmosphere between the couple whenever he encountered one or both of them.

They were discreet, his master and mistress, but he caught a question from Mrs. Gardiner as he was bringing them coffee after supper.

"And he's seen her?" she was asking her husband.

"Once. He's talked to the blackguard repeatedly." Then Mr. Gardiner stopped speaking and took up his paper when he noticed that John-Soqedziel was in the room.

The next day, Sunday, Mr. Darcy came again. There was more maneuvering that afternoon as Mrs. Gardiner was brought into the study. Maybe as part of the discussion, possibly just to greet Mr. Darcy; the angel did not know. But the air in the evening parlor was less anxious, but also less hopeful in a way—as though negotiations were going on between Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy, and that there had been no resolution between the two men.

Based merely on the comments given the day before, Soqedziel speculated that Darcy had discovered the runaway pair and was attempting to bring Lydia back to her family. But in what form, Soqedziel did not know. He was the angel of temptation and could consider many outcomes, most of them bleak. Many of them would reflect poorly on the other sisters—for the downfall of one daughter shined a rather distressing light on the others and their prospects for marriage.

One more day was required for talk between the two men. An agreement was finally reached (but what had been achieved? wondered Soqedziel) and an express was subsequently sent to Longbourn. Mr. Darcy left Gracechurch Street with only a short leave-taking in the vestibule with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. But there were looks shared among the three, and a whispered comment as John-Soqedziel waited at the door to open and close it behind their guest.

"With luck, I'll return in the afternoon, with…" said Darcy cryptically.

"I'll have everything prepared," declared Mrs. Gardiner.

"I'm sure Bennet will approve of everything we have done," stated Mr. Gardiner in his turn.

"Good day," declared Darcy, taking his hat and gloves from Soqedziel and walking out the now open door.

"I shall talk to the housekeeper," remarked Mrs. Gardiner before walking up the stairs. Soqedziel thought that whatever had occurred would become clear soon, and he was correct.

Before tea time, a room had been prepared, and a visitor appeared: Lydia Bennet. It was not as if she was smuggled onto the premises in disguise and in disgrace. Her voice was heard throughout the house as she proclaimed how happy she was to see her relations once again. The angel saw some of her behavior and heard more as Lydia exclaimed that she looked forward to the accommodations at the Gardiners, "as the lodgings which I shared with Wickham were awful! So small, and we had no servants but the maid-of-all-work who was at the place!"

Soqedziel thought he blushed at such an admission. Lydia was Lydia still: untamed, unabashed, noisy, and fearless. The fugitives had been found, and one of them corralled. Tea was brought into Mrs. Gardiner's sitting room that first afternoon where aunt and niece spoke together, just the two of them. The angel speculated that it was an attempt to instruct Lydia to hold her tongue. But if it was, it failed. By the following morning, news of Lydia Bennet's infamy was known in the servants' hall. News she willingly shared herself. Lydia spoke to every maidservant about her 'dear Wickham' and her flight with him whenever she was given a chance.

As the Gardiners did no entertaining or visiting while their niece was with them, there was plenty of opportunities for Lydia to talk to the servants. She had no other audience and was bored. Even though there was a theater close by, she was not taken out to see a play. To Lydia's dismay, no shopping or outings happened during her tenure at Gracechurch Street.

The easiness with which Lydia shared her story with the servants was countered by attempts from Mrs. Gardiner to talk to her about the wickedness of her behavior, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family. Soqedziel heard the tail-end of one such lecture as he brought tea to the two women one afternoon. Mrs. Gardiner's face was grave. Lydia's was blank as though she had not listened to a single word.

"Do you suppose he will visit today?" That pretty face blossomed when she had a thought.

John-Soqedziel set down the tray before Mrs. Gardiner. "Anything else, Ma'am?"

"I think you ought to bring us another cup," directed his mistress.

"Yes, Ma'am," answered the angel in disguise.

George Wickham had been allowed regular admission to the Gardiner's house to see his betrothed. While he came most days, he did not come every day. The angel thought that Wickham's affection for his bride-to-be was not as strong as Lydia's was for him. In the moments that Soqedziel saw them together, Lydia was exceedingly fond of Wickham and displayed and vocalized her affection. He was her 'dear Wickham.' No other man could compare to him; no one was to be put in competition with him. He did everything best in the world.

Had Lust been turned into Love? Soqedziel was not convinced; he longed to be with his fellow angel to discuss all of this. Had the prospect of marriage and the respectability which came with it settled Lydia Bennet and curbed her Lustful ways? However, she would not be adopting Chastity as her principle motivation in life as Soqedziel considered Lydia's situation. Not as her wedding day approached (she not having lived with Wickham before the nuptials took place!)

George Wickham did come for a visit that particular afternoon. He no longer wore his regimental coat, but a plain, blue one when he appeared. Wickham had the swaggering assurance which Soqedziel had seen in Meryton when the angel was playing the part of Harriet Harrington and encountered him in drawing rooms. The man was all smiles and charm which his lady appreciated; her aunt did not. Outwardly, they appeared to be the happiest couple in the world. The angel wondered how long the affection between them would last. Such an attachment, built on Lust and Greed, could not sustain them for a lifetime and was not a foundation for marriage.

He considered that Greed had snared Wickham. Soqedziel did not know the exact details of how much money Mr. Darcy had paid Mr. Wickham to agree to marry Lydia, but it seemed as though Wickham's Greed would insist on a considerable amount. Soqedziel could only suppose that the wily Mr. Wickham was ten thousand pounds richer for marrying Lydia Bennet. All because Mr. Darcy loved her sister Elizabeth.

More than anything, Soqedziel wished Peliel was close at hand to talk to. When should he leave and return to Meryton? He had had a thought to go back with Mr. Bennet, but Mr. Darcy's appearance had changed that. The angel wanted to see this drama through—to see Lydia Bennet to the altar and married before he returned to Meryton. (And before he went back to being Harriet Harrington.)

Just how many sins did they have to reckon with once he did return? One or two at the most: Envy and Pride, if Soqedziel was not much mistaken.


Lydia Bennet spent a fortnight with the Gardiners; Wickham enjoyed constant access to the house on Gracechurch Street. The couple's experience had not changed either of them. Soqedziel was inclined to believe that Lust and Greed were in his hand, in terms of the bet. Gluttony was arguably his as well, though he and Peliel had only tacitly agreed on it. But it seemed impossible that Mr. Collins would ever act with Temperance, so the angel felt reasonably assured in that quarter.

But Peliel had Patience and Diligence. It was still an even race. The Virtues had prevailed the last time four to three in that village near Gravesend before they had come to Meryton, Peliel having won their little bet. Would sin or grace succeed here?

Lydia Bennet wed George Wickham, and the couple immediately set out for Longbourn. It was a chaotic morning with the bride taking center stage (as brides are supposed to). But Lydia was wild and hysterical and distracted. Efforts by Mrs. Gardiner to calm her niece had no effect. Perhaps it did not help as Mrs. Gardiner chose to lecture Lydia one last time about morals. Lydia paid no attention to her, though the angel thought a few housemaids were the better for the rebuke.

The procession to the altar was interrupted as a man came to speak to Mr. Gardiner just as they were to climb into the carriage. Lydia was horrified that her uncle was called away.

"Who will give me away?" she insisted over and over. "We have not much time."

"The ceremony is at eleven," said Mrs. Gardiner, "we have time."

"I shall not see Wickham in his new blue coat!" wailed Lydia as the pair waited in the vestibule.

"Mr. Gardiner will be quick, my dear," Mrs. Gardiner attempted to soothe. It did no good.

"I shall not be a married lady!" continued Lydia, "and then what shall become of me?"

"Lydia!" scolded Mrs. Gardiner then.

"I know! Mr. Darcy can give me away. There! If Uncle Gardiner does not return from speaking to odious Mr. Stone, Mr. Darcy can give me away!" But Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Stone returned just then. The Gardiners and Lydia climbed into the carriage, and the couple wed.

The quiet which descended on the Gardiner's household after Lydia departed was to everyone's liking. From the master down to the boot-boy, everyone was pleased that the business of Lydia Bennet running away had been managed at last. Life was calm and straightforward at the Gardiner house. Mr. Darcy came to dine with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner the day after the wedding. Mr. Gardiner focused on his business again, and Mrs. Gardiner concentrated on her children more.

But Soqedziel had to get back to Meryton now. He wrote a letter to get the real John back and waited, a little impatiently, for the manservant to appear. John arrived from his extended visit, unaware of all that had gone on in his absence, and Soqedziel slipped away. It was a Thursday. He made his way to a coaching inn and purchased a ticket north. As he had no maid, Soqedziel had to maintain the guise of man; he could not become Harriet Harrington quite yet.


But Harriet arrived back in Meryton to the delight of her sister, Penelope. It was a loud, tearful, yet joyful meeting between the two when Harriet showed up at the Harrington's lodgings from her recent travels.

"So much has happened!" exclaimed Harriet-Soqedziel, who tugged at the bodice of her dress. It had been a hasty transformation, and besides, Soqedziel was considering that men's clothing allowed more freedom of movement.

"So much!" agreed Peliel whose Joy drained from her face. As Mrs. Harrington was there, they spoke of their travels to Brighton and to Sussex—where Harriet's friend had resided. They both lamented the lack of any gentlemanly attention and other notions until their fictitious mother fell asleep.

"Well!" cried Soqedziel. "This has been an interesting turn of events. Lydia running away in sin. Mr. Bennet actually doing something about it and then Mr. Wickham marrying her in the end!"

Peliel began crying, not too loudly so that the tears woke their mother. "I had to believe that she would turn away from temptation! I really did!" She dabbed at her eyes. "Lydia had never shown Mr. Wickham any particular attention in the past. All the young ladies hereabouts were mad for him when he first moved here, but as other officers paid her more attention, her favoritism of him was fickle and faded."

"Yes," agreed Soqedziel. "He was fickle as he chased the young women in Meryton with the largest dowries."

"Fickle!" shrieked Peliel. "That is too kind for a monstrous, Greedy, womanizer like Mr. Wickham!"

Mrs. Harrington snored as she slumped on the couch, undisturbed, it appeared, by Penelope-Peliel's outburst. Soqedziel was less passionate in her feelings about their prospective sinners, either way. Human beings fell short of the ideal—any perfections of behavior—that was what made them so deliciously interesting. The difference between the ideal and the expression.

It kept the angels engaged and amused and happy to travel to the next assignment despite having done this for centuries. Though, and here Soqedziel paused, looking at the sweet, tear-stained face of her sister-angel. It had to do with her feelings for her partner, Peliel. Her love and devotion to her sister-angel. They each had a profound dedication to the other (Peliel more so—it was an ingrained part of her nature). A warmth spread through Soqedziel as she gazed at Peliel, one which spread to her limbs and shot out from her fingertips, toes, and the top of her hair.

"You're glowing," warned Peliel in a whisper, glancing at Mrs. Harrington on the sofa.

"Have I mentioned how much I adore you and appreciate your friendship and our alliance as angels of Virtue?" asked Soqedziel.

Peliel blushed—a very human reaction. They were confined by these human forms, after all, but they could be subject to human emotions and were allowed an assortment of feelings that angels normally did not display. "Oh Soqedziel, I missed you terribly. It was all…wrong…when I was in Brighton. I knew we split up the better to pursue our candidates, but let us promise never to be apart in the future." Her fellow angel glowed even more. "Somehow, I believe we temper each other. It was a hare-brained scheme to think that I could reform Lydia Bennet. I am sure you would have talked me out of it had you been there."

"And had you come to Hunsford, I am sure that your righteousness would have had some effect on Mr. Collins. He might have learned to temper his ways had we both been there, but I did not try, because you were not there to suggest he was worthy of the effort," remarked Soqedziel.

The two fell to weeping in each other's arms with promises of never, ever, parting in the future. Together, they made an excellent team but splitting up diluted their effectiveness. When their tears were done and their handkerchiefs put away, they sat in silence for a while.

"We have been in Meryton for a long time," declared Peliel.

"Yes," Soqedziel acknowledged. "Almost eleven months. One of our longer deployments."

"We should finish and be on our way. Two left. I have earned Diligence and Patience and lost Lust, Gluttony, and Greed to you. Our bet is still able to go either way."

"I have the feeling," declared Soqedziel, "that you are to be the winner here too."

"I always hope so," replied Peliel. "Though after my disastrous meddling in Brighton, I feel that you ought to count that loss against me double!"

"We've both made mistakes in our dealings with humans," soothed Soqedziel. "Recall not being on top of things with Romeo and Juliet. Everything went wrong there. That was such a tragedy! We were severely reprimanded and punished that time."

"Oh! But then Mr. Shakespeare wrote his tale about them, and now they've become this story of Love. So perhaps it wasn't such a screw-up after all?" Peliel brightened.

"And how do we know if isn't all part of God's divine plan?" Soqedziel threw out.

"Indeed," agreed Peliel.