Mrs. Bennet
My dear Mrs. Philips,
I have the most exciting news to tell you! My husband is so secretive, he always likes to keep me from knowing things, especially when in comes to the young men courting our daughters. He has been acting very strangely lately and he has been receiving many more letters than he usually does. He spends most of his time lucked away in his study, but recently he has not been venturing out of it at all. He has been asking the cook to deliver his meals there! I must confess that I felt a great deal of confusion over his odd behavior.
Then, yesterday, when my daughters and I were coming home from my weekly visit with Mrs. Long I spied a young man I did not recognize leaving Longbourn. He was not twenty steps out of the garden gate when I saw him, heading in the opposite direction as we approached. He was a gentleman by appearance, but I did not get a good look at his face.
I am curious by nature, as you know dear sister, and I asked my husband who had come to visit. He said it was a wealthy farmer from Oakham Mount and would not say a bit more about him. I asked him if the gentleman had come to meet our girls, hearing about their beauty. He was very short with me and answered that it was a matter of business. What could a young, gentleman farmer have to say to my husband? I also asked him what all the letters he received had been about. Mrs. Hill told me that one of them had been from Lizzy, but he said that they were all letters of business. My poor nerves were becoming quite frayed!
I was so distracted that I could not sleep, so I got out of bed early this morning to find out what my husband was hiding! I slipped into his study and looked around for the letters. The only one I could find was Lizzy's letter, under some other papers at the bottom of his desk. I am so glad I did find it! I have learned that she has received a proposal of marriage from Mr. Darcy, and that she plans to marry him! I could never be more proud! She will have her own carriages and more pin money than she could ever ask for!
Of course I was ever so surprised; I have always thought that Jane would be the first to marry. I was so sure that Mr. Bingley was going to offer for her, but then he left so suddenly. Never mind, he will be back soon for our dear Jane. Dear sister, I must end this letter. I have so many people to share our happy news with! I plan to run over to Lucus Lodge just as soon as the ink dries and this letter is posted.
Love Always,
Mrs. Bennet