"Did you compromise her?"
"Ermmm... Something happened."
"What did you do?"
"It was an accident, sir."
"You need to elaborate!"
Mrs Gardiner heard her husband shouting. She knocked.
"Dear?"
"Enter."
An awkward silence ensued.
"Mr Darcy was about to explain something."
Darcy recounted the events. He had never been so mortified in his life.
Anything for Elizabeth.
"Well, I think Mr Darcy is a responsible, bold and upstanding man."
"RESPONSIBLE indeed!"
"Dear, you were once a young man. Do you not recall your adventures?"
Mr Gardiner evaded the question and blushingly conceded,
"Very well, Mr Darcy, you have my consent."