The day after her arrival at Ramsgate, Elizabeth asked the tenants of the cottage where she had lived with Jane for permission to tour the house, the garden and orchard.
The same furniture was still there; the chair where Jane used to sit, the little desk against the window, and the same curtains they had bought... As she walked back to Mrs. Maxwell's house, one of the last conversations she had with her sister two days before Rose was born came to her mind. with her. Jane had not been feeling well for several days and was lying with several pillows...
"… How do you feel today?"
"You shouldn't worry so much Lizzy, I feel fine. I only have swollen feet and my back hurts a little." She smiled sweetly as she caressed her swollen belly, "fortunately this little one is going to be born in a few days… I never thought I could be so happy, And I owe it all to you."
Lizzy shook her head vehemently "You don't owe me anything Jane..."
Jane interrupted her, "Lizzy, saved my life, and then you gave me the strength to continue living... If it wasn't for you, I would have died years ago." She took her hand, "you spent so many sleepless nights taking care of me, doing most of the hard chores around the house and working in the garden... I will never be able to thank you for everything you did and still do for me. This child is going to be very lucky to have you as his or her godmother." she squeezed her hand gently, "I hope it's a girl who looks like you."
"Don't you want your first child to be a boy?" Lizzy asked curiously
Jane shook her head, "No, I would like to have a daughter. I like the name, Elizabeth Rose." She sighed, "I wish I could see her grow!"
Alarmed, Lizzy said, "Why do you say that? I am sure you'll see her grow..."
Jane interrupted again, "Lizzy, I am aware that many women do not survive childbirth." She sighed, "but it's a risk that I'm gladly taking… besides, you're going to be with me that day, and I know that you're going to give me strength so that everything turns out well. Furthermore, I am certain that if something bad happens to me, my child will have Frederick and you..."
Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears; it was true that she had saved Jane, but it was also true that her sister had given her the strength to go on living, and then little Rose.
She thought of Patrick, and all the happy moments they had had in their short time together, and then she thought of Mr. Darcy and her complex relationship with him... She missed him, and at times she longed to see him... but she felt very confused and scared...
That same night, Mrs. Maxwell stayed up late talking to Lizzy about the past, little Rose, and Mrs. Barton. At that moment, she realized that it no longer hurt so much to talk about the past, about Jane and the rest of her family... in fact, she wanted to remember them and treasure all the happy moments she had with them...
The next day the Maxwells lent her their carriage to go to 'Redstone'. After speaking with Frederick's brother and his wife, they allowed her to visit the house, and in particular the small cemetery where her sister was buried.
The house was much changed, Mrs. Harrington had decorated it to her liking, and Elizabeth felt no connection to the place. It wasn't the house she remembered and it was hard for her to remember Jane in that place.
Later she went to the small cemetery; she had brought Jane the wildflowers that she was so fond of. In front of Jane's grave, she closed her eyes to hold back her tears, and began to speak to Jane as if she were in front of her...
"I am very sorry that I did not come to visit you sooner; Believe me I think of you constantly and I miss you so much, Jane. I wish you were with me now!" She paused, "I would like to have your optimism and kindness, and above all not to be so distrustful. I would like you to be by my side to ask you: What would you do in my place, if the man you are falling in love with was not honest with you? What would you do in my place if he had or has a lover whom you know and she lives near his house? What would you do in my place if his family treats you with contempt? How can I forgive myself if I marry him, and Rose suffers because of me? I'm so afraid of making a mistake and hurting Rose…"
After half an hour, Elizabeth said goodbye to the Harringtons and returned to the Maxwells' house. She felt sad but much calmer, it had done her a lot of good to 'talk' to Jane and told her all her fears.
Arriving at the house, a very agitated Mrs. Maxwell told her, "Oh, Elizabeth, what a handsome and kind man your fiancé is! You had not told me he was coming, otherwise, I would have prepared a special dinner for him… He is waiting for you in the drawing room…"