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A Pride and Prejudice Song-Fic
Chapter One
Elizabeth Bennet had been the youngest child in her father's house for scarcely less than a year. She did not mind in the least her circumstance, except that sometimes she wished it different for her sister Jane's sake, believing Jane would rather be married. But, as Jane did not show this sentiment outwardly, and the two sisters were wholly devoted to each other, Elizabeth could not justify her impression.
As for her other sisters, they were all married, in various degrees of respectability. When Lydia had gone to Brighton with Mrs. Forster, she had become better acquainted with, and therefore better attached to, a newly promoted colonel by the name of Truly, who her family had been hardly more than introduced to during the time that the regiment had been stationed at Meryton. He, being nearly as foolish as Lydia herself, was quite as fond of Lydia as she could hope, and so when Lydia was to return to Longbourn, he communicated his affection and an engagement was formed. He wrote to her parents, assuring them of the amount of his fortune and is regard for their daughter, and secured their consent. All was correct in his actions; he transferred to the regulars and married her as soon as his leave was secured. Mrs. Bennet only found disappointment from the requirement that the Colonel should be reassigned to a place at such a distance that would only allow for a yearly visit. It was, however, the crown of Mr. Bennet's satisfaction.
The Bennets hoped that after Kitty's greatest shortcoming, Lydia's influence, was removed, she would grow more sensible. This proved to be the case, for she recovered from the loss of the officers by encouraging a young man who Lydia would have abused. Mr. Carter, though not plain or at all unintelligent and having a decent fortune and connections, was excessively quiet natured. Kitty understood the value of fortune and connections through Elizabeth and Jane's guidance, the value a handsome person from Lydia, but the source her appreciation for reserve was unaccountable. Nevertheless, she gained her father's and two elder sisters' respect for her preference. They were married approximately eighteen months after Lydia and were very happy together.
Kitty was pressed to often have Mary at her home in Meryton, but Kitty was so little inclined towards it, and Mary wished so little to part from her studies, that it took nearly two years for one of Mr. Carter's particular friends and Mary to formulate an inclination to marry. Mr. Roring was extremely well read, principled, and had a spirit of activity, and, as Mary sadly found later in their marriage, prone to having a sharp tongue when out of humor, thus insuring that his wife would never assert herself to act or speak against him. She spent her days divided between endeavoring to please her husband, and reading to comfort troubled feelings derived from the latest ineffective attempt.
The Bennets were still closely acquainted with the Lucases, but they were so well acquainted with them that it could not but be welcome when Mr. Bingley returned to Netherfield, and brought a friend with him. Mr. Richard Follows was wealthy, agreeable, pragmatic, and handsome for a man of two and forty.
It soon became perceptible to Elizabeth that Mr. Follows was equally influential to Mr. Bingley as Mr. Darcy had ever been, and used more to Elizabeth's satisfaction, and Mr. Bingley's felicity. Jane was soon addressed, Bingley was accepted, and they were both made the happiest of creatures, being soon married. After these delightful events, can it be any wonder that another was to follow?
Mr. Follows soon afterwards found himself charmed by Elizabeth's fine person, wit, and good humor. He expressed his affection, and, although Elizabeth could not return the sentiments, an engagement was formed.
The same evening of Mr. Follows' proposal, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to the library, she saw Mr. Follows rise also and follow him. When Mr. Follows returned, he approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty, and, while pretending to admire her work, said in a whisper, "Go to your father, he wants you in the library." She was gone directly.
Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious. "Lizzy," said he, "what are you doing? Are you out of your senses, to be accepting this man, whom you feel nothing for? He is rich, to be sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane. But will that make you happy?"
"Have you any other objection than my indifference?"
"None at all. We know him to be sensible and amiable, but this is nothing if you do not care for him."
Elizabeth took her father's hand and pressed it. "My dear father, what else is there to be done? It is not at all likely that I shall receive another offer of marriage. Mr. Follows esteems me; he is intelligent, he is charming, his reputation and principles are faultless. Indeed, if I am unhappy with him, do I indeed deserve to be happy?"
"I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband---unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unhappy with your partner in life. You know not what you are about."
This interview did not long continue after this point. She would not repent of her choice. Her father was unhappy, and that it should be through her means that she, his favorite child, should be distressing him by her choice, should be filling him with fears and regrets in disposing of her, was a wretched reflection. She told Jane next.
"Mr. Follows! How lovely! I never should have suspected that you loved him, but since you do I am sure you shall be very happy."
"As far as his character, connection, and situation in life, Mr. Follows is as fair a match as I shall receive. If there is no love between us at least I may say that I respect him, and I do believe that my chance of happiness with Mr. Follows is as much as most could boast upon entering the marriage state."
"No love between you, Lizzy? What can you mean?"
"In truth, he has professed affection for me, but if it not returned, what does it matter? My situation will be secured, and I derive happiness from that."
Jane gazed at her sister, and after the duration of a few moments in silence, recollected herself and said tenderly, "I wish you joy, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth looked archly at Jane. "If I do not have it, you shall certainly have enough to make up for mine."
Jane soon left her, and Elizabeth sat by the window in her room for private reflection. She thought of their conversation and laughed at herself. She had sounded exactly like Charlotte! Lizzy forced a smile, "At least my husband is sensible."
She laughed again, feebly, and, in the course of the next few moments, dissolved into tears.
***
Elizabeth might be pitied now, might pity herself now, but such was not the case thereafter, for Mr. and Mrs. Follows provided ease, understanding, and affection for each other, though the esteem Elizabeth possessed for her husband was of a sort based from habit, appreciation for intelligence, and the successful management of their household.
Mr. Follows had eleven thousand a year; the duties and pleasures of his wife were therefore proportionate to it. However, all the comforts that could be provided could not support her in her grief. Not a year after Elizabeth's marriage, both of her parents succumbed to disease. Her mother was taken suddenly; her father's illness lingered, and they had dared to hope for an eventual recovery. Such hopes were in vain. Mr. Bennet spent many of his last hours with his beloved child faithfully at his side.
"My dear little Elizabeth..." he smiled, holding her hand. "I must be selfish and tell you, that although it pains me dreadfully to see you so afflicted, I cannot but feel fortunate to see that I have excited the love of a person so superior as you." He had then slept, to wake no more. Elizabeth's grief was deep, and long lasting.
Life continues after loss, and more loss follows. After nine rewarding years of marriage, through the natural course of existence, Mr. Follows departed this life and, having no children and no relations on hand, left his fortune to his wife. Elizabeth, suddenly finding how much her disposition was in need of companions, rented out the estate and relocated to a fine house in the county of Derbyshire, for the sake of companionship from Mr. Bingley and Jane, who had established their home in that place. The company of Elizabeth's nephews and nieces, especially Beth, the eldest girl, were also beneficial to her.
The time of mourning passed, and Elizabeth was free to appear to enjoy life again.
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