It's short but a set-up for what's coming next.

The sunbeam that awakened Elizabeth was bright and cheerful, illuminating dust motes dancing and sparkling in the warm light; a vital balm for her melancholy ruminations of the previous evening. Had not Mrs. Bennet given her an herbal infusion, she might have remained awake and miserable till morning, thinking unhappy thoughts. What was it her mother had said, in hopes of soothing her? 'To keep your reason sound, it is imperative you understand that not in your hands alone is it to solve every problem and that you are fallible, same as the remainder of humanity.'

Such a precept was simpler to speak than to follow.

There was an unusual clamor of footsteps and voices coming from the floor below; she hurried down and had barely set one foot into the dining room when Charlotte Lucas, who had not yet the dignity of her mother, came hurrying over, plainly distraught.

'Eliza!' she cried, 'It is in every way horrid! We must -' Eyes wide, recognizing her mistake, she began again, 'There must be something done!'

Bewildered at this singular behavior of Charlotte's, Elizabeth began to inquire as to the matter when both mothers arrived, deep in noisy discussion about the happenings at Lucas Lodge. It was not difficult to discern the extent and gravity of their horror - Maria Lucas could not be found. Anywhere. From the report of the chambermaid, at dawn a window in the young lady's bedroom had been sitting agape and her bed unoccupied. A ladder was discovered, on further investigation, lying in the grass beneath the opening, as if it had fallen away from the aperture or been kicked to the side.

Mrs. Bennet proclaimed, 'I am certain, unreservedly certain, that those Watchmen would take an interest in aiding your just cause. For what could be deemed of greater importance than to return in safety a daughter to the bosom of her family?'

Lady Lucas attempted a hopeful smile but her tearful eyes and considerable agitation prevented her from achieving her aim. 'I wish only for her speedy restoration to us, unharmed. Are you entirely confident that they will be able to find Maria?'

"With such an inducement as the rescue of an innocent, I can all but promise their response,' Elizabeth replied with emotion, squeezing Charlotte's hand.

Charlotte was given permission to remain at Longbourn for a while longer, while its Mistress escorted Mrs. Lucas outside, before restating her prayers for the lost girl and farewelling the distraught mother.

On re-entering the house, Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, 'Oh! It surely is a day for going missing, is it not? Mr. Collins bid us good sleep last evening, same as every other evening, but was not to be seen by daybreak. He had been speaking just yesterday at dinner of his willingness to begin learning his future duties to the estate, so I cannot imagine why he would up and leave, taking all of his possessions as well!'

The suddenness of this additional information was overwhelming and the awfulness of what Mrs. Bennet left unexpressed was felt by Elizabeth and Charlotte at the precise same time. They both stared at the elder woman, who gave them a firm, fixed look.

A search would be soon mounted, the Watchmen essential to this venture. They would be off directly for Kent with all haste.

The return to his former manner of living was desultory, for he was dispirited with the momentous two-fold loss of both a beloved sibling and a greater purpose. His father decided that it was high time to increase the probability of continuing their line and, therefore, arranged an advantageous marriage to a lovely and quiet woman from a respectable family. Their life together was calm, polite and entirely uninspiring; he pitied his new wife her insipid existence and grieved that he could not share his deepest, most intimate self with her, for his father had expressly warned him against speaking of the entire episode.

Thus was his existence for several years until his receipt of a rather intriguing letter.

'A good morning to you, Mr. Darcy,' Mr. Bennet greeted the seated gentleman. 'How does your leg today?'

Surprised, Darcy looked up from his absorption in yesterday's paper and wondered at his visitor. 'I am as well as can be expected, sir. They tell me that full mobility will return by the end of the week.'

'But it cannot come soon enough for you,' sympathised the older man, 'I have had my share of being confined to quarters and wishing for a reprieve. Would a bit of conversation aid in driving off the dullness?'

'My pardon, for I fully appreciate your kindness in coming here, but was there some specific subject that you wished to discuss? At least two of your daughters are to be found in this house daily and I therefore assumed that news of my condition would be faithfully relayed with regularity to Longbourn.' The Derbyshire gentleman's emphatic response was neither precisely as he meant to speak nor was it precisely civil. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. 'My apologies, sir. This has been difficult, to accept the constraints of infirmity. Pray, have a seat. May I help you with something?'

With a smile, the Bennet patriarch replied, 'Perhaps I could be of use to you. Aside from providing a needed variety in your day, it may be that you have questions you desire answered and I am prepared to provide what explanations I may. As to my presence here, it is always good to look in on one's family members from time to time, you know, in order to have a better idea of what is truly occurring in your absence.' He settled into his chair and watched the other man with an expectant look upon his countenance.

After attempting several subjects, Mr. Bennet found one that was dear enough to the younger man that his wish not to converse was not as strong as his love of the topic; they, therefore, spoke at some length on Derbyshire, Pemberley and, ultimately, the wished-for protection of said estate.

Darcy was discouraged at his lack of success and deplored the restrictions preventing him from testing his newly acquired skills in true combat. 'There are times,' explained the Master of Longbourn with a small grin, 'that one must step back and permit others the celebrity. A man does not best serve his estate and family by making a habit of putting himself in mortal danger - until, of course, one has a trusted and worthy heir.'

Prepared to argue his position, the injured gentleman had opened his mouth to reply when their conversation was interrupted by Eldon Lucas bursting in, looking positively wild. The kindly, forthcoming Mr. Bennet disappeared in an instant and, in his place, was an impassive military officer receiving a report from his subordinate.

'Maria, sir,' choked out Eldon, 'She's gone. Missing. Window open, no clues.' He leaned over, winded.

'Your mother and sister are at Longbourn as we speak?' inquired Mr. Bennet. At Eldon's 'Yes, sir.', he turned to Mr. Darcy, 'I suspect that we will have need of your cousin and his connections. To prevent further injury, you should not ride, despite the paucity of speed; your sole objective is to reach London and communicate with the Colonel. I will return within a quarter hour and provide you with letters to be placed only in his hands and instructions for yourself. Please be ready to leave at that time. Unfortunately, the situation is far more serious than it appears - Mr. Collins is also missing.' The gasp coming from Eldon indicated his feelings on the topic.

'You surmise Kent is the destination, sir?' asked Darcy.

Pleased by his rapid comprehension, Mr. Bennet answered, 'I do.'