"They're coming up the drive," Kitty called downstairs. She had a good view from the nursery windows. Kitty would not be able to greet Lydia, as she had been confined to the nursery; her father had told her she would be seeing Lydia soon enough, as Lydia would be heading straight from the coach to the nursery.

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The coach pulled up to the front door, the footman opened the coach door, and Lydia exited. The greeting committee consisted of Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Jane, and Mary. The Gardiner children, Susan, Edward, and Sam (Samuel only to his mother), who were staying at Longbourn while their parents toured Derbyshire with Elizabeth, were playing in the back garden under the supervision of Sally, the maid of all work. Kitty, of course, was in the nursery. Lydia flashed a tentative smile but before she could say anything, before anyone else could say anything, her father said "I will speak to you later. Go up now to the nursery, Mary will escort you." Lydia's smile faded away. As she passed her mother, Mrs. Bennet reached out and squeezed her arm, but did not say anything.

Mary, much to Lydia's surprise, did not say anything as they climbed the two flights of stairs leading to the nursery. Lydia had expected that as soon as Mary got her alone, she would lecture her on the importance of a young woman's virtue, with copious references to Fordyce's Sermons to Young Women, and as part of her penance Lydia had vowed to listen to such lectures, as there were bound to be several, without interrupting with snide comments. But Mary, in her role as warder, said nothing. Lydia felt hard done by, her anticipated atonement unrealized.

Mary opened the door to the nursery, motioned at Lydia to enter, and when she did, closed the door behind her. Lydia half expected to hear the snick of a lock, but did not.

"Hello Lydia," said Kitty.

Lydia smiled at her favourite sister, her faithful follower, at last a kind word, but her mouth dropped open when she realized Kitty was wearing a pinafore, and her hair was plaited in two plaits, one hanging on each side of her head.

Kitty held out a pinafore to Lydia and said "Put this on and then I'll do your hair."

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An awkward silence fell over those left outside the main door of Longbourn after Lydia had departed. Mr. Bingley's coachman and groom were doing their best to render themselves invisible at the head of the team of horses. The Bennets' footman had made himself scarce. The senior Bennets and their eldest daughters stood at the top of the steps while Mrs. Longden stood below by the door of the coach.

Just before the pressure of the silence increased to the point of foreboding, Jane went down the steps, walked up to Mrs. Longden and curtsied. She said "Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Miss Bennet and …" gesturing behind herself "these are my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet."

Mrs. Longden returned the curtsey and said "I am pleased to meet you. I am Mrs. Longden, and I have been acting as companion to Miss Lydia Bennet."

There still being no words of greeting or invitation from her parents Jane said "Would you like to come in and refresh yourself? We have tea ready."

Mrs. Longden allowed that she would and she followed Jane into the house after Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. In the house, when it became apparent that Mr. Bennet would not be joining them for tea, Mrs. Longden said "Excuse me, Mr. Bennet, I have a letter for you from Mr. Bingley."

Mr. Bennet turned back from the door of his bookroom and said "Please bring it to me once you have had your tea. Pray do not hurry; I am sure you have had a most trying trip. Please take the time to enjoy your tea."

Mrs. Bennet having bustled ahead to make sure the tea was ready, Jane showed Mrs. Longden where she could refresh herself.

While she waited in the hall for Mrs. Longden, Jane thought of the main question she had for that lady. She knew her mother would fire a barrage of questions at Mrs. Longden over their tea and cake, which would include 'Where was Mr. Bingley?,' which Jane would certainly like to know, but she was unlikely to ask the question that burned in Jane's mind: 'Why was Mr. Bingley not there?" Was it because of her? Would she ever see him again?

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When Mrs. Longden had taken a seat on the other side of his desk, and he had himself sat down, Mr. Bennet, without any preamble, or small talk – he cared nothing about the weather or the state of the roads or whether she had enjoyed her tea – said "Now what can you tell me about my daughter's elopement?"

"Nothing" replied Mrs. Longden.

"Pardon me?"

"Nothing" repeated Mrs. Longden. When Mr. Bennet glared at her she added "I do not discuss the affairs of my client, or my charge, with other people."

"But I am her father." Mr. Bennet redoubled his glare but without further effect. He had always been lazy, preferring to avoid trouble, instead of confronting it, so he had never developed a glare that anyone, other than those related to him, or were employed by him, would quail before.

"And so you are, but that does not change my position." Mrs. Longden held out a letter to Mr. Bennet. "Mr. Bingley asked me to give this to you."

Mr. Bennet ripped the letter open and started to read it. As he read, he sniffed, snorted a few times, was heard to mutter "how dare he …young pup … who does he think he is …," and he finished with a definite "harumph!"

The letter read as follows:

'Dear Sir:

You are under no obligation to me with respect to the service I have just provided to your family.

I do not seek reimbursement or gratitude.

However, I do have a recommendation which I would ask that you consider.

Mrs. Longden, who delivered this letter to you, is, by occupation, a companion, whose speciality is overseeing the come out of spoiled young ladies up to the point where they enter into good marriages. Her services come highly recommended.

Your younger daughters are badly in need of instruction, and supervision, by someone like Mrs. Longden.

Miss Lydia has just barely escaped ruination but I am not convinced that she realizes the significance, or consequences, of her acts. Over the past three days, under Mrs. Longden, Miss Lydia has taken steps towards such realization, but it will take more time and much resolution to get her there. To be blunt, neither you, nor Mrs. Bennet, are capable of such resolution. Mrs. Longden is. I urge you to give her the time, and opportunity, to turn Miss Lydia into a proper young lady. If you do not, the odds are that Miss Lydia will take another run at ruination, and without fortuitous intervention, which saved her this time, she will succeed.

Miss Kitty is a dedicated follower of Miss Lydia. She will follow Miss Lydia into ruination unless she is taken in hand.

Miss Mary does not share the same propensity towards recklessness shared by her younger sisters, but unless she is also taken in hand, the potential that she has to become an accomplished and proper young lady will be lost.

Sir, many fathers before you have provided over families ruined by a wayward child. You were almost one of them. You have been given a second chance. Take it. Retain the services of Mrs. Longden.

Yours truly,

C. Bingley'

Once his choler had cooled, which took a moment, Mr. Bennet asked "Have you read this?" When Mrs. Longden said she had not he handed it to her "Go ahead."

Mrs. Longden read the letter without extraneous reaction. She handed it back to Mr. Bennet.

"Can you really work such magic with my daughters?" Mr. Bennet asked.

"I can. Would you like to see my written characters?" Mrs. Longden took three letters out of her reticule and handed them to Mr. Bennet. He read them and handed them back.

Mr. Bennet sighed, he was trapped and he knew it. He asked "And what would your services cost me?"

"For three daughters, seventy-five pounds in total, per annum, payable quarterly, plus my room and board. In addition, up to one hundred pounds per annum for materials and the services of various masters." Before Mr. Bennet could object, Mrs. Longden added "Which in total would be less than the pin money you would pay out for them."

"That would be acceptable."

Mrs. Longden held up a finger. "I want one thing to be clear. I will have absolute control over your three youngest daughters. Neither Mrs. Bennet, nor anyone other than you, will be able to override what I do or direct. Your wife, other family members, and servants must be made to understand this."

Mr. Bennet thought about this. There would be much wailing and whining from Mrs. Bennet. He could put up it with it, after all he had done so for all these past years, it might be louder for a while, but his wife would run down at some point. All in all, the solution to this mess he found himself in, in the person of Mrs. Longden, courtesy of Mr. Bingley, played to his indolent nature – all he had to do was pay out some money and put up with his wife.

"I will do that. When can you start?"

"Today, my trunks are in the coach."