Chapter 6: Goodbye

Elizabeth sat in her room, unable to fathom everything that had happened in the past hour. Her mind was in turmoil. She knew her parents were still hiding something from her.

No, they are not my parents! They never were.

She looked at Jane, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed.

Maybe Jane knows the truth. That must be the reason for her ill will towards me. All these years they hid the truth from me. It was never done for my welfare. They want me to marry that man to help their financial needs.

She did not know what to do. She did not know where to go. All that she ever knew was in Hertfordshire. Her father had never allowed her to visit her aunt and uncle.

They had made trips to Longbourn during Christmas, but she was never allowed to accompany her mother and sisters to see them in London.

What if I write to aunt Madeliene? She thought.

She knew they were away on business. She understood that Mr Bennet's words were true. She had no place to go.

Just then, she heard the door open. She half feared that it was her father. But it was Mary.

"Oh! God! Mary!" She cried and threw herself into Mary's arms.

"Lizzy, please do not cry. Lizzy, listen to me."

"Mary …you do not… you do not know what happened.. I am not…" Elizabeth said in between sobs.

"I do know. I know what Mamma and Papa told you."

Elizabeth stared at her sister in shock. Mary quickly pulled Elizabeth and left the room. She pulled her towards a small store room on the same floor and shut the door.

"No matter what they tell me. You will always be my sister. I don't know what to say, Lizzy. But they are not revealing the entire truth." Mary cried.

"My mother is dead, they say. I do not know who my father is. I cannot believe this. I cannot bear the truth about my birth. All these years I have lived in this house with people who detested me with all their might."

"I understand how you feel. I cannot believe Mamma and Papa chose to hide the truth for so long. All the while, I could not understand why Mamma treated you so. We do not have time, Lizzy. There is another pressing matter of concern."

She quickly revealed about the compromise her mother, and father had planned.

Elizabeth stared at her sister in dismay. If she had doubts about the story, her parents related, she now had none.

"They are horrible. I am sorry to call them as parents. I heard every gruesome detail. They are not ashamed to plan any of this."

"I am certain that Mr Collins will not have any guilt in carrying out this plan. He won't succeed. I will confront them right away. " She said and stood. Mary stopped her.

"It won't be of any use. You cannot be careful all the time. They can easily orchestrate this act. If the servants become aware of any such detail, your reputation will be ruined. You will have to marry that hateful man."

"I will not. I would rather die. I must not allow this to happen. How am I to escape this? I know they hate me. They hate me so much that they want to trade my life for their well-being."

Mary looked at her with dismay.

"Leave this place." She said without emotion.

"Do you want me to run away?"

"There is no other choice. Listen to me, Lizzy. They do not care about your welfare. You cannot marry that man and repent for life. After what overheard I am certain they would go to any level to ruin you and get what they want. I hate to say this, but your welfare is at risk in our home."

"Where do I go? Uncle Gardiner is not in town. I cannot take this decision in haste. There must be another way."

"Go to Charlotte. Your friendship is strong. She will help you. We do not have time. In the break of dawn, leave the house."

Tears streamed down Elizabeth's face. As much as she hated the idea, she knew it was the only sensible one. She did not want to be caught in a compromise and marry Mr Collins.

With no support in Hertfordshire, she knew she had to leave the place. She realised that spending another day in Longbourn would risk her future.

I must leave. I do not belong here. They have raised me only as a burden.

She trusted her friendship with Charlotte. Even after her marriage Charlotte wrote to her frequently. She was certain that her friend would help her.

"But Mary, they will surely come in search of me. I would bring shame to our family if I ran away. Our family will have to bear the shame of our actions."

"You still consider this our family. But understand that they don't. Do not care about the repercussions of your actions. They are not worth your guilt. I know that I am asking you to leave everything and find your way in this world. But I want you to be safe, Lizzy. I cannot see you marry that horrible man and repent all your life."

Elizabeth tried to think of any other option. She knew she could never live in Longbourn with the weight of the truth. Life would be hell! But what am I to do with Charlotte's help?

"I could be a governess. I can work somewhere, Mary."

"Whatever it is, I am sure Charlotte will assist you. Maybe once Uncle Gardiner returns, you can meet him."

They quickly discussed her departure the next day. Elizabeth realised how mature Mary appeared suddenly. She had the address of Charlotte's residence and hoped her friend would be able to help her.

By midnight, Elizabeth left for her room. Mary looked at her sister with guilt and agony. She knew that her sister was not safe in her home.

Jane was asleep. Elizabeth sat on the floor and looked at Jane. She knew that except Mary, none of her sisters would care for her once the truth was out.

She closed her eyes, and tiredness engulfed her.

What is to become of me? Is this the last night I am going to spend in Longbourn? How am I to survive such a disgrace of running away?

She woke up around six in the morning.

Elizabeth had a small bag with her. She had packed a couple of gowns and nothing else. Before she left her room, she removed the only piece of jewellery she had. It was a chain her father gifted her for her birthday some years ago. She placed the chain on the dresser.

I do not want to be named a thief as well. She thought.

Mary was waiting outside in the corridor. She pressed some money into her hands.

"I cannot take this, Mary."

"It is mine, Lizzy. I have saved it over the years without spending on bonnets and ribbons. You must." She insisted.

Elizabeth hugged her sister tightly.

"Leave now. Catch the first coach to town. I am sure no own will suspect your absence for a few hours." Mary was certain that her family would think she had gone to Oakham mount. She always had the habit of spending the morning outdoors.

"I don't know if we can ever meet again, Mary. I am agonised thinking about the repercussions of my actions. Please take care of everyone. I still cannot believe I am doing this. But I know this is the only option."

There was no sight of anyone else in the house. Elizabeth quickly left through the entrance to the kitchen.

She almost ran out, fearing that she would change her mind. Once she reached the fields, she could see the peak of Oakham mount.

It struck her that she could never go there and enjoy the morning as she did before. Her life had altered forever.

She sat in the coach, hoping no one would recognise her. There was another woman seated opposite to her. She was oblivious to her identity.

She sat in agony, unable to control her tears. As the coach started, she said a silent "goodbye" to everything she had known and loved in her life.