mr darcy leaves for london. elizabeth is to marry in 4 days.

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Mr. Darcy was stunned at this display and Miss. Elizabeth looked mortified. She said, "Now you see Mr. Darcy, why I don't want you to tie yourself to me."

Mr. Darcy irritation was lessened by this act. He said, "I think we should sit down to breakfast. I have a long way to go and I shall not have time to stop for eating. I shall return with the license and settlement papers as promised. Please would you kindly see to it that my valet, footmen and driver have been supplied with victuals."

Elizabeth felt her heart sinking and was dejected. She played around with her food. She had no appetite. Mr. Wickham had never been an option. But to tie herself to Mr. Darcy, especially after her mother's show, was too much. After breakfast, Mr. Darcy started to prepare for London. He asked to have a word with his sister and Georgiana and him sat in the garden.

Mr.D :"I don't know what to say Georgie dear. But I assure you I will return no matter what. You realize that this wedding is taking place not just to protect the Bennet sisters but also your reputation. I had never wanted to marry like this. But now its no more an option. "

Georgi: "Brother, I don't think I l suffer any ill treatment here. Not with all those girls in there. I am sure Miss. Elizabeth will make a splendid mistress for our home. And I seriously would have her for a sister than someone like Caroline Bingley."

Before he left, he kissed Georgiana on her forehead and took his leave from the Bennets and Pastor Collins and he bent over Miss. Elizabeth's knuckles and kissed them and promised to return as soon as he got all papers in order.

Georgiana had already been spirited away by Kitty and Lydia and they went to her room to see all the pretty things she had.

Elizabeth was surprised as to the show of delicacy by Mr. Darcy. She went inside the house and dropped all pretense of civility. She got her bonnet and pelisse and a parasol and wore her stoutest walking boots and started towards the door when her mother pulled her back. "Where on earth do you think you are going Miss. We have to get your trousseau for the wedding. We don't have any time at all. Ask your father how much will he give you. Mr. Darcy has left without giving anything at all. How are we to manage dresses and other articles for all you girls".

Elizabeth shook off her mother and went outside. The house was stifling. She had to walk to clear her mind. But she decided not to leave the confines of Longbourne. She wasn't sure of the townspeoples reactions and also she was worried about meeting Mr. Wickham. She went to her father's garden where there was a small lily pond and she sat staring at the water and flowers.

In the house, Pastor Collins asked Mr. Bennet to speak to Miss. Mary Bennet in private.

Mary and her suitor were shown into the study where Pastor Collins turned to her and said, "Please hear me out. I am sure you have guessed why we're here now. I was instructed by my patroness that now that I have obtained a living, I should make haste to marry.

I am sure she doesn't want an unmarried clergyman for her parish. I have to let you know that my father was a miserable miser who never let me have enough money to survive decently. Now after he passed, I really never felt like living in my father's house. I sold all that property and invested it and now have enough money for us to live comfortably. I am sure that you would not be flighty and extravagant and would manage our house within my means.

I have absolutely no intentions of making your family homeless after your father passes. I never knew my mother and never had a proper loving family. Now having obtained them, I am reluctant to part with them.

Your stoic and soothing manners, in view of this very unfortunate incident of your sister has shown me that you are the type of woman who would selflessly work for your parish as the wife of a pastor. So if you permit me, I wish to ask your hand in marriage."

Mary had tears in her eyes and said, "I never thought anyone would give me the consequence I always craved. I had assumed, I would be a spinster all my life. But I accept your proposal. Not because you have a good living and all that, but because you have shown me the respect and faith I always craved".

Pastor Collins said, "I'll go post haste to your father for his consent. If you would permit me" and kissed Mary on her forehead and went to find Mr. Bennet. He applied to him and obtained his permission.

Mrs. Bennet was delirious. Three daughters were betrothed. One was to be married in 2 days.

She started asking Mary to come to Meryton so that they could start preparing for all 3 weddings at once. Mary was not so sure, but Jane persuaded her that she couldn't wear her old dresses to her own wedding. Plus she' l need some new dresses when she goes to see Lady Catherine de Bourgh. It would be nice to see her with some pretty dresses.

Lydia and Kitty started crying about how they were left behind. Mrs. Bennet also started desiring new clothes. Mr. Bennet gave them all some money and went to look for Elizabeth. He found her at the lily pond looking forlorn. He went over to her and she saw him and gave a watery smile. He sat beside her and said, "M y daughter, you are the only one in this house that ever understood me. Even Jane, though she's a mild and good girl can never understand me as well as you do. It pains me greatly to marry you to a person whom you know hardly anything and don't even like him. But you do understand how it is in society. Please, our reputations and your sisters' lives depend on you now."

Elizabeth hugged her father and let her tears flow. Mr. Bennet couldn't stop his tears. He was giving away his most precious daughter to a man who they knew nothing about except that he had a great estate and money. He felt guilty that he hadn't made arrangements for his daughters to save them from such a situation.

They sat together in silence for some time before the hustle and bustle of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters back from shopping caused Mr. Bennet and his daughter to come inside the house. Jane and her sister Mary noticed their father and sister had been crying and all their joys were turned to ashes. They both were marrying for love. And Elizabeth was to marry within 2 days for convenience.. Mrs. Bennet was oblivious to any sorrow on her husband and daughter's part. She harped on Lizzy about how she didn't come shopping but they had ordered a dress for her at the dressmaker's and how Jane had the forethought of getting along a favourite dress of Lizzy's and they had used that for measurements.

Elizabeth went to her room and cried as if her heart would break. Then she dried her tears and squared her shoulders. She wouldn't let Darcy and his proud arrogance to break her spirit. She would stand up to him so that he would never have a moments peace.

Georgiana had noted all these happenings with astonishment as this was the first time she had seen a lady, no less a mistress of an small estate, behave thus. She wanted to go speak with Elizabeth but was afraid about her reaction to her friendly approach and decided it was best left for later. They would have plenty of time for making friends after she was married to her brother.