Good morning! I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

The morning after the assembly Jane, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner met, as was their custom, in the breakfast room.

Of all the rooms in her uncle's home Elizabeth liked this one the best. It had enough space to accommodate the family but was not so large as to be overwhelming. One end of the room was decorated with several bright paintings; the other displayed an assortment of fine plates. Two large bay windows overlooking the street below let an abundance of light into the room, and in one of them the family pet, a sleek cat named Cozette, could usually be found enjoying the warmth. She was there now, her eyes relaxed and sleepy, with the sun's rays reflecting on her black fur.

"How did you enjoy last night, girls?" Mrs. Gardiner started, nodding to one of the maids, who began serving the porridge, fruits and cheese that made up the usual morning meal. Their aunt showed no sign of having been up late the night before. She was as alert and attentive to her nieces as though she had enjoyed a full night's sleep, though none of them had retired until after midnight. "There were more people than I expected, and most of them very pleasant."

"One of them was especially pleasant, was he not?" Elizabeth said to Jane, meaningfully. "Mr. Bingley asked you to dance twice! And I daresay he enjoyed the second dance even more than the first."

Jane gave her sister a look of gentle reproach, but Elizabeth caught the slight upward turn of her lips. She was pleased that Bingley and Jane seemed to have such an instant attraction between them.

"He asked you to dance too, did he not?" The question came from Mrs. Gardiner.

"Yes, but only once. And I am convinced he only did so in order to find out more about my sister! He also danced once with Charlotte Lucas, and once with Miss Coltier, and once with one or two other ladies, thus proving himself to be a truly well bred gentleman. But Jane was the only woman he asked twice!"

Mrs. Gardiner turned to Jane. "What did you think of Mr. Bingley? Did you enjoy his company as much as he seemed to enjoy yours?"

"He is a pleasant young man," Jane answered with perfect composure "I hope that we will meet again soon." Only a slight blush on her cheeks hinted at any deeper feelings.

Her aunt regarded her carefully. "Very likely we shall. Your uncle wants me to invite them for dinner sometime soon."

"Both of them?" This came from Elizabeth. At her aunt's affirmative nod, Elizabeth sighed heavily, and her aunt gave her an amused smile.

"Do not worry, Lizzy, we will not leave you alone with Mr. Darcy again! You will not have to speak to him at all, not if you do not wish it."

"I think you can easily guess my thoughts on that subject."

"I hope Mr. Darcy's breach of manners did not spoil your evening."

"Not at all! Though my dance card was not full all night, it was as full as I wanted it to be. I was quite happy to let other young ladies stand up with one of the gentlemen from time to time, since there were not enough partners to go 'round. Mr. Darcy, as far as I know, did not stand up with anyone."

"What happened to Mr. Wickham?" Jane wondered aloud. "I did not see him again all evening after he danced with you."

"Nor did I," Elizabeth admitted, trying to put aside her feeling of disappointment. She had not seen any sign of him again after that one conversation. "He must have left the event early. No doubt something unexpected drew him away."

"It must have something important. Perhaps he will tell you about it when you see him again," Jane suggested, and Elizabeth nodded her agreement.

The three continued speaking as Mr. Gardiner entered the room and sat down at the end of the table. He took up his copy of Gazette Nationale, as usual, and ate absently as he read, ignoring the chatter around him. But when the maids had withdrawn and closed the door behind them he put the paper down on the table. He looked at his wife inquiringly, with one eyebrow raised, and she nodded solemnly in return.

At once the room went silent. Jane and Elizabeth watched as their uncle went to the door that led into the breakfast room and carefully locked it. At the same time their aunt went to the windows of the room, which looked over the busy street just a few feet below, and peered carefully down for several long moments. Appearing satisfied, Mrs. Gardiner straightened and nodded at her husband again. She resumed her seat.

By now the Gardiners had their nieces' complete attention. They both sat up straighter, but nobody said a word until their uncle had sat down at the head of the table. He looked at them solemnly before speaking.

"Jane, Lizzy, your aunt and I have made an important decision concerning the two of you. You are going home."

It took a second for his words to sink in. Then, "What?" Elizabeth exclaimed. Jane, too, looked startled. Mrs. Gardiner sighed heavily and looked at them with regret, her mouth turning down. Mr. Gardiner continued.

"I have been remiss in my duty. Affairs have become more and more dangerous in Paris lately, and it is time for you to go back to Longbourn. Many English have already left France because of the present troubles, and in the days ahead I believe that more will go. You should be with them."

Elizabeth could scarcely believe her ears. The news was so unexpected that she had trouble collecting her thoughts. She looked between her aunt and uncle, bewildered. "Why?" she finally managed.

"While you and Jane were busy enjoying yourselves last night your aunt and I were employing our time more profitably, speaking with friends and acquaintances. There was disquieting information on every side. I no longer doubt that we are entering into a very dangerous time."

A cloud must have passed by at just that moment, for the sun streaming in through the front windows faltered and then dimmed. Elizabeth felt a chill go over her. She pulled her shawl more closely over her shoulders.

Jane's eyes were wide and troubled. "With whom did you speak, uncle? And what sort of danger did they mean?"

"Sir Lucas was one, and there were others as well. They predicted that the violence we are seeing on the streets is just the beginning. More and more people are being denounced every day, and the situation is becoming intolerable."

"Your uncle and I talked it over after we came back last night," Mrs. Gardiner added. "We could never forgive ourselves if some harm would befall the two of you while under our care. You should return to England at once."

There was stunned silence. "If you think that is best, uncle," Jane finally said, but Elizabeth was not as eager to concede.

"Surely things cannot be as dangerous as that! Affairs in Paris have been, well, tumultuous, lately," she admitted, "but it has all taken place in other parts of the city. What is different now? Has there been some violence act against an English citizen?"

Mr. Gardiner knitted his eyebrows together. "No. I know of no attacks on any English."

"You said a few weeks ago that the revolutionaries are only interested in French aristocrats," Elizabeth reminded him. "Is there any reason to think that has changed?"

"Revolutions are unpredictable things." Gardiner's eyes flashed. "The will of the people rules, and it shifts like smoke in a breeze. You cannot take your safety for granted."

"But if it is dangerous for us, it is just as dangerous for you."

"I have a reason to stay here, Lizzy," Gardiner said heavily. "With my business based in Paris I cannot simply pack my best valise and take a coach to the coast. The workers here depend on my presence. I must remain, at least for now."

"And I will not leave my husband's side," Mrs. Gardiner added. "Where he goes, so will I. But we would feel better knowing that you are somewhere safe."

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, weighing her options. She looked at Jane, who gave her a quick, almost imperceptible nod. Then she lifted her chin and spoke firmly. "I believe our place is here with you, uncle. "

Gardiner shook his head. "I knew you would object, Lizzy, but you do not know what you are talking about. It would be best for you to leave. There is simply too much happening here."

"But how can you send us away from you? We are your family, are we not?"

Mrs. Gardiner reached out to take her hand. "You and Jane are precious to us- as precious as if you were our own daughters. Indeed, you are the children we never had. That is why you must go. We could not bear it if anything were to happen to you."

"And you are as dear to us as our own parents could be!" Elizabeth answered. She nearly choked on the strong emotion that flooded over her as she said the words. "Indeed, more so at times. What if we were to leave you behind and something happened to you?"

The Gardiners exchanged startled looks. "What would I tell your mother and father if some harm should come to you, and I had the power to prevent it?" her uncle asked.

"You could tell them that you advised us to go, but that we chose to follow our own counsel. We are of age, after all."

Gardiner turned to Jane. "Jane, do you agree with your sister? Or do you want to go back to England?"

Jane did not hesitate. "I would like to stay here."

"Why? I could send you with a servant if you do not wish to travel alone."

"As much as I love Longbourn, I believe, I agree with Lizzy." Jane's voice was gentle but firm. "You are our family. Just as you would not abandon us so we will not abandon you. If you stay here then our place is here as well."

"Well then." For a moment Gardiner could not speak. He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief, removing the moisture that had suddenly built up. Slightly embarrassed, he turned to his wife. "What do you think, my dear?"

Mrs. Gardiner's eyes were also unusually bright. "Jane and Lizzy are old enough to make up their own minds," she answered at length, her voice trembling slightly. "They understand the situation, and if they are determined to remain with us I think we should let them. But we are not the decision makers. Their father may feel differently, and I have too much respect for him to go against his wishes. We should ask what he wants."

Gardiner sighed heavily. Finally he said, "Since you both prefer to remain here, I will say no more for the present. But I will write to your father today. If he objects or if the situation here worsens you will allow me to send you back to England at once, without arguing. Do you agree?"

The sisters exchanged a look, then nodded. Mrs. Gardiner reached across the table to take Jane's hand, her eyes still unusually bright, and then reached for Elizabeth's as well. Elizabeth reached for her uncle with her other hand, and the little group was united around the table.

The touching moment did not last long. Gardiner was the first to pull away, clearing his throat suspiciously. Elizabeth could not resist trying to lighten the atmosphere. "I, for one, am eager to see what becomes of this revolution," she said, speaking brightly. "It is not every day that a new nation is born before one's eyes! Someday I can tell my children that I was fortunate enough to watch history being made."

Her aunt and uncle smiled at her fondly, and the mood in the room relaxed. Mrs. Gardiner poured another cup of tea. Elizabeth picked up Cozette, who had been pressing against her skirts, and petted her as the animal leaned contentedly against her chest.

"There is one other thing we need to discuss, but this applies mostly to you, Lizzy," her uncle said. "I must advise you to be very cautious in your dealings with Wickham."

"With Wickham!"

At her surprised exclamation Cozette made a yowling sound. She jumped off Elizabeth's lap and disappeared under the table. "I know you do not care for Mr. Wickham, uncle, but will you not tell us why? You have never seemed to enjoy his company."

"There is something about him that makes me suspicious."

Elizabeth raised an amused eyebrow. "If you are afraid that he is a fortune hunter I can put your mind at ease. Jane and I have no fortune worth mentioning!"

Her uncle frowned. "That is hardly my concern, though it did cross my mind. Yet I wonder about him. How does he support himself? Where is his home? How is it that none of our acquaintance knew him before he arrived here two months ago, and yet he is so thoroughly involved in the social events of the city?"

"I asked him some of those same questions myself. He said he is from Derbyshire, and that he makes his living by dealing in rare and unusual items."

"But he gave no further information about his family?"

"He said he has none."

Gardiner frowned even more severely. "You will do me a great favor, Lizzy, if you guard yourself against him."

"Guard in what way? Are you asking me to give up his acquaintance entirely?"

"No, not that." Gardiner shook his head. "In fact if you cut him directly it could make certain matters more difficult for me." Elizabeth could only stare, amazed. "But volunteer nothing, and if he asks a question, answer in generalities only. For example, has he ever questioned you about my travel habits? My trips to London?"

"No," Elizabeth answered, slowly. "Why would he want to? Anyway you have not gone to London for several months, not since before Wickham came to Paris."

"Does he ask about your acquaintances, who goes where and when? Does he keep up with the gossip?"

A flash of alarm swept through her. "Last night we talked about Mrs. Duvall's dinner, who had been there and who had not."

"Did he raise the subject, or did you?"

"I hardly know. It seemed such a natural topic at the time." She frowned, trying to remember. "Now that you mention it, it was he."

"What did you tell him?" Gardiner leaned forward slightly in his chair.

"Nothing he would not have found out if he had been there himself."

"Then let him find out on his own next time!" Gardiner brought a hand emphatically down on the table, making plates rattle. "He has no right to put you in such a position."

"My dear," Mrs. Gardiner suddenly interrupted, placing her hand on her husband's arm, "I think you have made your point. There is no reason to frighten the girls unnecessarily. Elizabeth will be careful with Wickham in the future."

"Of course," Elizabeth agreed, now thoroughly mystified. "But it would be so much easier if you were to tell me what this is about."

"Not yet." Gardiner shook his head. "Unlike so many around us, I do not wish to implicate an innocent man. When I am certain, then I will tell you. In the meantime continue with Wickham in your usual way. But answer his questions with only the most general of information, and only if he asks. That is all I can tell you for now."

Her uncle was so earnest, and her respect for him was so great, that Elizabeth could only answer, "Of course, uncle." But her curiosity had been sorely aroused, and she would have given a great deal to know what her uncle knew, or what he suspected.

"Jane, Elizabeth," Mrs. Gardiner said, breaking the awkward pause that followed, "what do you think we should use for a centerpiece for our dinner on Friday? Chrysanthemums are my favorite, but I'm afraid they might be out of season."

Jane and her aunt began discussing flowers while Mr. Gardiner buttered a piece of toast and took his up newspaper once again. As if sensing the change in their air Cozette jumped up in Elizabeth's lap once more, and Elizabeth petted her absentmindedly. In this house it was easy to set aside ominous warnings aside and pretend that all was well. But Elizabeth noticed that her uncle remained sober and her aunt's smile was strained. And even when the sun came out from behind the clouds and shone strongly through the window once again, the air in the room remained chilly.

So there you have it. Elizabeth has been warned about Wickham, but will she follow her uncle's direction? And will the Gardiners regret allowing their nieces to stay in Paris? You will have to wait and see. In the meantime have a wonderful Christmas, and may God bless us every one! -Elaine