At Netherfield, Bingley was waiting for him. He told him that the following day he was going back to London, but he could stay at the estate as long as he wanted. After what he heard that day, Bingley no longer had any doubts about what he must do; his social acceptance in the first circles was tenuous, and therefore he could not be associated with a family of so a bad reputation as the Bennet family. Besides, the Bennets didn't even have the money to make up for all their shortcomings. Unfortunately, he had to leave Jane Bennet behind once and for all. Surely, he was going to meet another beautiful and sweet young lady more suitable to be his wife in the future…
Darcy couldn't sleep all night thinking about Elizabeth, and in particular, the terrible argument they had hours ago.
He was very sorry for the things he said to her, and above all for not having taken her feelings and opinions into account. He tried to imagine what he would do if Georgiana were pregnant without the benefit of marriage, and came to the conclusion that he would try hard to find a solution and he would never abandon his sister. He realized that he should never have demanded that Elizabeth cut ties with Miss Mary, as she loved her like a sister. On the other hand, he remembered that years ago he had inadvertently hurt Georgiana badly when he sent her to live with Lady Matlock and then to the seminary. He knew that one of his main flaws - apart from being proud - was making decisions without taking into account the feelings and opinions of others... He had to change or he was going to lose Elizabeth forever and regret it for life...
Shortly before sunrise, to clear his mind, he rode to Oakham Mount to watch the sunrise. When he reached the top, he was pleasantly surprised to see Elizabeth sitting on her favorite rock.
They looked at each other intensely for a few seconds, and Darcy was the first to speak, "I didn't expect to find you here so early."
"I didn't expect to find you either."
Darcy walked over to her and tried to take her hand, but Elizabeth took a step back, "Elizabeth, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said what I said or the way I said it. I should have taken into account your feelings and your opinion. I promise I will never force you to do something you don't want to do."
Elizabeth sighed, "Mr. Darcy, I know you are proud of your name and I understand that you don't want to…"
Darcy waved her hand to cut her off, "My love, it was all my fault. I let my pride speak and you behaved with the dignity that characterizes you." He looked into her eyes, "Please forgive me. I have been giving orders at Pemberley for so many years that I sometimes forget I must take into account the feelings and opinions of the people I love most." He smiled, "You are the person I love the most in this world; you and Georgiana." – "Please, give me another chance; I love you."
Elizabeth realized that he was very sorry and she took his hand, "I forgive you. Yesterday was a very difficult and unexpected day for both of us." she sighed, "But from now on you must take my opinion and feelings into account."
"You have my word."
They hugged each other tightly and stayed in the same position for several minutes while the birds sang happily around them. They both knew the storm hadn't passed yet, but together they were going to find a solution…