Chapter 25

My dear sister,

I am so excited! I am the happiest woman in the world. If only everyone could be so happy as I. If only you could be so happy! I am to become Mrs. Charles Bingley. I had quite despaired of his ever coming to me, when he came I did not believe he could fall in love with me again. Now, though, he tells me that he was in love with me all along. His sister had not told him of my letters or my call. She convinced him that I was indifferent. I thought Caroline was my friend, but she has used me so ill. How shall I forgive her? I was confused about how Charles came to discover the truth from Caroline, but it seems to have something to do with his friend, Mr. Darcy.

I met Mr. Darcy yesterday. Charles brought him and his sister to call on me. He seems to be a very good man. He also spoke well of you and said that he is looking forward to seeing you again. Isn't it strange that you should have met one of Mr. Bingley's closest friends while you were traveling? His sister is a very dear girl. She is so shy and sweet. I look forward to having her as my friend.

We will be having dinner tonight at the Darcy's home. I am so excited to get to know more of Mr. Bingley's friends. I do fear a little that they will not approve of me, but I hope they can see how much I love Charles and forget my deficiencies.

How are you? Are you still enjoying your time in Kent? Your last letter seemed to indicate that you had some very pleasant company, though I think some of that company may be with me now in London. I expect your time in London will be filled with pleasant engagements. By the way, please do not mention the engagement to anyone, we are not publicly announcing it until Mr. Bingley has traveled back to Hertfordshire and spoken to Papa.

Yours lovingly,

Jane

Elizabeth read the letter and her heart was full of joy for her most beloved sister. Jane certainly deserved all of the joy she was experiencing. She also felt a great deal of surprise. Mr. Darcy must have known of Mr. Bingley's interest in her sister, but if he was aware of their mutual acquaintance why had he not mentioned it? It seemed to her that Mr. Darcy often failed to communicate important information. Still, despite her frustration, Miss Elizabeth really could not feel anything but happiness in knowing that Mr. Darcy had become acquainted with her dearest sister as well as the aunt and uncle she admired most.

So as the time approached for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas to depart for London, Miss Elizabeth's mood became more and more cheerful. No amount of Lady Catherine's lectures and chastisements could stop her happiness. By the time they boarded the carriage, Elizabeth was practically floating.

As they rode toward London, Maria Lucas filled Elizabeth's ears with lively chatter.

"So many things have happened these few weeks while we have been staying at Hunsford. I cannot even recall how many times we have dined at Rosings. Lady Catherine has certainly been very generous toward us, has she not? Oh, but I must confess to you that I find her absolutely terrifying. It is no wonder that her daughter almost never speaks. I probably would not speak if I had such a stern mother."

"She is certainly unlike my mother and unlike yours."

"These last two weeks since Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam left, Lady Catherine has been so unbearable toward you. How do you even manage to speak to her when she asks all of those embarrassing questions? Why do you think she was so especially upset about the thought of you with Mr. Darcy? Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam both admired you very much, but she seemed more intent on chastising you about Mr. Darcy."

"You don't know? It is because she wants Mr. Darcy to be her own son-in-law. She has this idea that Mr. Darcy should marry Anne."

"He had no interest in Miss De Bourgh. I think he was avoiding her."

"I daresay you are right, Maria, I do not think my presence changed that either. I am sure he was indifferent to his cousin before now. It is vexing to be called mercenary by a woman who wants her daughter to marry a man simply because of his fortune and estate."

"I heard her say you wanted his 10,000 per year salary. Do you think he truly has such a fortune?"

"I cannot see why Lady Catherine would lie about such a matter. I honestly was astonished to hear it though. His estate must be much larger and more prosperous than my father's."

"Oh, Lizzy, how lovely it must be to be admired by two such men, one quite wealthy, the other the son of an earl?"

"You at least are convinced I am admired by them both. But this is enough about me. What about you, Maria? Have you any admirers? Are there any young gentlemen you are especially eager to return home to meet?"

Maria then happily chattered the rest of the way to London. She spoke about the young men of her acquaintance, sharing which she thought were handsomest and most amiable. Elizabeth could not help mentally compare each of the aforementioned gentlemen to Mr. Darcy; happily, she found that he surpassed them all in almost every way. Then Maria spoke of the new dresses she wanted and how she would like to trim her bonnets. Elizabeth spoke of her own dresses and bonnets, wondering which Mr. Darcy would be most pleased by. Thus, the idle chatter was not unpleasant, and Elizabeth and enjoyed their journey.

On arriving in London, there were many effusions of happiness. There were many announcements to be made, among which was that they would be having company for dinner that evening.