I do not know that I will update so very often as I have been from here on, for I have school and student teaching that is taking up more time. I will try to post at least weekly, but know that I have not abandoned the story if it takes longer to update.

ALSO: I totally forgot to put the letter, so I updated.

At five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then poured in, and amongst which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of most of the party, she could not make a very favourable answer. Mary was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their indifference towards Mary when not immediately before them restored Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all her former dislike.

The others all showed Elizabeth many kind attentions and prevented her from feeling herself so much an intruder as she believed she was considered by Mr. Bingley's sisters. She had very little notice from either of the sisters or Mr. Hurst. Miss Bingley was engrossed by Mr. Darcy, her sister scarcely less so; and as for Mr. Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards; who, when he found her to prefer a plain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her.

When dinner was over, she returned directly to Mary, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thought the same, and added:

"She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent horsewoman. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild."

"She did, indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be riding about the country in the mud, because her sister had a cold? Her hair, so untidy, so blowsy!"

"Yes, and her habit. I saw her entrance. I am certain that it was a full six inches deep in mud."

"Your picture may be very exact, Louisa," said Bingley; "but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. She had, of course, been refreshed by that time, but I scarcely know what else the Bennets ought to have done when their sister was so ill besides to come to attend them."

"Well, Mr. Darcy, what say you? I am certain that you would not wish your sister to do so, particularly with no groom to attend them. Such a poor influence the family must be," said Miss Bingley.

"I have no issue with my sister riding about, even if it be muddy, particularly in the company of myself, her brother. I scarcely think she was in any danger from anything but a dirty riding habit, for what better protector could there be than her own brother."

"Indeed, and it shows an affection for Miss Mary that is quite pleasing," whispered Georgiana. Darcy was surprised by his sister's addition to the conversation, for she was so often silent when Miss Bingley was about.

"I would like to think, if I should have had a sister, that my brother and I would not hesitate to do the same. What is three miles on horseback when one is concerned for the health of someone you care for?"

"Indeed! You are so kind and good, Miss Darcy," said Miss Bingley, "Anyone would be fortunate indeed to call you sister."

A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again: "I have an excessive regard for Miss Mary Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a family, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it."

"I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney on Meryton."

"Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside."

"That is capital," added her sister, and they both laughed heartily.

"If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside," cried Bingley, "it would not make them one jot less agreeable."

"Indeed not, but unfortunately it may affect their marriage prospects," said Darcy.

"Will it really?" asked Miss Darcy.

"Of course," said Mrs. Hurst, "Connections and money are everything when considering who one must marry. One must not marry beneath them lest it negatively affect their whole family."

"I would think if someone were to love them, they would not be so very concerned with it. They are gentlemen's daughters," said Miss Darcy.

"Perhaps," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "but one must also consider the potential objections of the family. Should the man not be wholly dependent on himself, he could find himself quite impoverished if his relations reject the woman based on the connections to trade. Bingley need not worry about that, nor does your brother. They have their own fortunes. But I am at the whim of my father and brother. Should they object to my choice, I would be living on whatever dowry a lady might bring and the money I have saved."

"That is so wrong!" said Miss Darcy, "Miss Bennet and Miss Mary are loveliness itself. I think them fit for even a lord to marry!"

"Unfortunately, you and I do not write the rules of our society, my dear," said Mr. Darcy.

With a renewal of all tenderness, Miss Darcy made her way up to her ailing friend. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were not far behind. This peeved Miss Darcy slightly, although she would never say so, as she was quite vexed to be followed about so by the sisters. They sat with her till summoned to coffee. Mary was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till late in the evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her sleep, and when it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go downstairs herself. On entering the drawing-room she found most of the party at loo, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be playing high she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.

"Do you prefer reading to cards?" said he; "that is rather singular."

"Miss Eliza Bennet," said Miss Bingley, "despises cards. She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else."

"I deserve neither such praise nor such censure," cried Elizabeth; "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."

"In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure," said Bingley; "and I hope it will be soon increased by seeing her quite well."

"Indeed," said Miss Darcy, "I hope she should be well soon as well, even if it does mean you both should remove to Longbourn." Mrs. Annesley touched her charge's hand in consolation, knowing that the young lady had enjoyed having the Misses Bennet about the house. Elizabeth thanked them from her heart, and then walked towards the table where a few books were lying. Mr. Bingley immediately offered to fetch her others—all that his library afforded.

"And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever looked into."

Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room.

"I am astonished," said Miss Bingley, "that my father should have left so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!"

"It ought to be good," he replied, "it has been the work of many generations."

"And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books."

"I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these."

"Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley."

"I wish it may."

"But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighborhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire."

"With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it."

"I am talking of possibilities, Charles."

"Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation."

Elizabeth was so much caught with what passed, as to leave her very little attention for her book; and soon laying it wholly aside, she drew near the card-table, and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister, to observe the game.

"Miss Darcy, I must say that you have grown a great deal since the spring," said Miss Bingley, "You will soon be as tall as I am."

"I hope not," said Miss Darcy, "For I have only just had new gowns made and I would hate to get so little use of them."

"Perhaps you will be tall, but you might wish for a short pause in your growth, so you might wear your gowns," offered Elizabeth.

"Indeed," said Miss Darcy with a laugh, "A twelvemonth or so where I might remain in these gowns would be just the thing."

"I am glad you are not opposed to having some height, dearest," said Mr. Darcy, "for our mother was as nearly tall as Father, you know."

"I know. Aunt Elinor and Aunt Catherine have told me. You do not think we should listen to Aunt Catherine and that I should not eat dairy any longer? She says it will keep me more petite."

"I have no wish for you to be small if you are meant to be taller," said Darcy, "Aunt Catherine only says that as she believes that shorter men may not wish to marry you if you are taller than they. I think it foolishness for a man to refuse a match based on the lady's height. I would not want to have you married to such a fool by any means."

Miss Bingley, taking the conversation as a compliment to herself instead of a brother reassuring his sister, preened and stood to her full height as she went to ring for more refreshments. It was not needed, for none ad said they wished for anything else to be brought and the men still had a great deal of port remaining. Elizabeth just prevented herself from laughing at that lady's flaunting of her figure, a look of mirth that she noted was mirrored in the eyes of Mr. Darcy.

It was not long before Elizabeth left the room to tend to her sister, but the conversation continued in her absence. When she returned, in order to tell the party that Mary was no better, she overheard part of the conversation.

"I think her lovely," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "and if I did not have to marry with consideration to my father, I would go forth to Longbourn on the morrow to ask for a courtship."

"You cannot be serious," said Mr. Darcy, "You barely know her."

"I know her well enough to know she is lovely and lively and kind."

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst wanted to respond, but could not without disagreeing with the son of an earl. This vexed them, but they held their tounges.

"Is that not what courtship is for?" asked Mrs. Annesley, "To come to know the other person? I had barely known Mr. Annesley for a sen'night before he asked me for a courtship."

"I must bow to your greater wisdom, Madam, " said Mr. Darcy, "For you have been married and I have not."

The conversation turned then to a mutual acquaintance of the Colonel and Bingley's who had been married only weeks before. When enough time had passed that Elizabeth might enter without it being obvious she had been eavesdropping, she did so, only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so unwilling to comply with their brother's proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Mary were not decidedly better. This comforted all in the party, most especially the Darcys who were quite concerned that Miss Darcy may have made a friend only to lose her within a short time. They soothed their wretchedness, Darcy by making sure every attention was paid to the ailing lady and her sister and Miss Darcy by attending Miss Mary beside Miss Elizabeth for the remainder of the evening.

The Misses Teann's Seminary for Young Gentlewomen, Brighton,

12th of November

Dear James,

I am happy for your engagement. Can I go with you on your wedding trip? Kitty said that when Miss Dor's cousin married, her sister went with their cousin. I think that would be grand! With Charlotte there, surely we can have supervision enough and can come out after you wed. I detest this school and all of the other ladies. No one wants to be my friend. Kitty likes it, but that is because she is just as dull as they are. I do not see why Miss Dor gets to come home with Kitty. She is so very dull. Will it not be more difficult when you must chaperone more ladies if Miss Dor comes?

I am learning to play the pianoforte, but it makes my hands hurt. I despise it.

Miss Teann said we must have these awful childish dresses for your wedding. She would not even let me look at some of the fashion plates, for she said the designs were meant for ladies who were out. They were much lovelier than what she made us pick.

By the bye, Kitty says to tell you that Miss Dor is still in half-mourning and of a size with her, so she might wear one of her gowns, but it would need to perhaps be the lavender one and it needs grey added to it. I think it a fine joke that she will not even be able to dance when she comes, even with you and Father.

Yours,

Lydia.