15th April 1812 – June 1812

In the wee hours, the fire was finally extinguished. Unfortunately, the only surviving members of the Bennet family were Elizabeth and Jane. Mr. Phillips immediately sent an express to Mr. Gardiner with the terrible news, and Mrs. Phillips had a nervous breakdown, and for over a month she didn't want to leave her bedchamber.

Sir William and Lady Lucas invited Jane and Elizabeth to stay in their house indefinitely. The apothecary – Mr. Jones – was immediately called because Jane had a high fever, difficulty breathing, and several burns on her hands, legs, and a fractured ankle. For three days she was delirious, the Lucases and Elizabeth seriously feared that Jane would not survive. Fortunately, and mainly due to the constant care of Elizabeth, who did not move from Jane's side, applying cold water to her entire body, giving her water to drink so she was hydrated, Jane managed to partially recover.

Mr. Collins and Charlotte arrived four days after the fire, just in time to attend the sad burial in Longbourn Cemetery.

The day after the funeral, Mr. Phillips read the will. Mr. Collins was the owner of Longbourn; Jane and Elizabeth inherited their mother's £5,000 and an additional £1,500 Mr. Bennet had saved for his daughters' dowries.

As Longbourn was destroyed, and the Collinses and Lucases did not have the money for the repairs required to live there, Mr. Collins and Charlotte had to return to Hunsford for a few more years. Furthermore, they did not have enough money to do all the required repairs.

Longbourn was uninhabited for five years; Mr. Collins, unfortunately, died without having the opportunity to live on the estate... But that is another story that I will tell one day.

Lizzy accompanied by Mr. Gardiner went to Longbourn to look for the few belongings that had survived the fire. The thatched roof had been completely burned, and the previously yellow stone walls were now stained black. Among the few things that survived the fire, they found some of her mother's jewelry, and gowns that despite smelling of smoke, could still be dyed black and worn during mourning. Mr. Bennet's book collection was completely destroyed.

Before leaving, she asked her uncle to leave her alone for a few minutes in the main hall. After the fire, she was so worried about Jane's life that she didn't have time to think about the rest of her family. She stood there for several minutes with so many memories of better times coming to her mind... She began to cry uncontrollably for her parents, for Mary, Kitty and Lydia, and even for Jane and herself...

A few days later, very carefully, as Jane was still very weak and had a fractured ankle, Mr. Gardiner returned to London with his nieces.

Jane's recovery was very slow; in addition to her injuries, she was very sad and depressed. Perhaps if it weren't for Lizzy, in the first few days after the fire she would have let herself die, and at times she felt like she had no strength... but Elizabeth was always by her side and she knew she had to make an effort to recover for her sister.

Almost two months later, Jane was able to stand without assistance, and the doctor was optimistic that she would walk again without difficulty, she could also move the fingers of her right hand. Despite Jane's improved health, Elizabeth was constantly worried, as her sister had a cough and was often short of breath...

June 1812

"Are you sure Lizzy? You know, you and Jane can stay as long as you want with us."

"I know uncle, and I appreciate it," she smiled weakly, "But Jane is not well, and the doctor told us that several patients recovered from their breathing problems when they moved to the coast. I am so afraid she will never fully recover and I am terrified she will die… I already lost my other three sisters; I can't lose Jane… she has to live!"

"Lizzy, I know how you feel, and what you are thinking; but you have to be more patient. Just two months ago, we all thought Jane was going to die, and yet she is slowly recovering. Perhaps in a year or two, she will make a full recovery."

"Uncle, you know very well that the air in London is not healthy, and there is a high chance that if we stay here, she will never recover. Please, tell me the truth, what would you do if you were in my situation? Would you ignore what the doctor suggested, or would you follow his advice?

Mr. Gardiner sighed, he understood his niece's anxiety very well, but for his and his wife's peace of mind, they wanted their nieces to live with them. Resigned, he replied, "I'm not going to lie to you, Lizzy; in your situation, I would follow the doctor's advice… But for my peace of mind, I would like you to stay with us in London. I know in a few months you will turn 21 and Jane is of legal age, and I also know you are sensible girls, but I am afraid that you live alone and will not be able to protect you adequately. You are young and beautiful…"

Lizzy interrupted him, "Uncle I know you're nervous about our future, but Uncle Phillips knows the owner of the estate very well, they have been friends for many years." she smiled weakly, "Mr. Maxwell is willing to lease us a cottage with a small garden and a maid for just £120 a year. You know in the last three weeks, Aunt Gardiner and Mrs. Ponds have been teaching me how to make bread, cakes, and other simple dishes. In addition, Mr. Maxwell's Cook will come at least once a week to help us."

"Yes, I know." He replied with a half-smile, "I am also acquainted with Mr. Maxwell and his wife; I know they are good people", he sighed, "Lizzy, I just want you to know the doors of my house are always open for you, and Jane…"

"Thank you, Uncle…"