Mr Darcy was very nervous. He knew very well that Mr Bennet knew of Elizabeth's first impressions of him, and was also aware that it was very likely that she had not made her current feelings known to her father. She had hardly made them known to Jane until after she had accepted him, so there was really no hope of Mr Bennet's not being taken aback by the information.

On this, the second night of Elizabeth and Darcy's engagement, the family and their guests were sitting in the parlour. Mr Bennet rose some time later to retire to his study, and Darcy, not wanting to appear to be following him, waited a few minutes. When he did rise, he looked to Elizabeth, who gave a small yet anxious smile of encouragement. He then took a deep breath, walked to the study, and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Came Mr Bennet's voice from inside.

"Mr Darcy, sir."

"Come in, come in!"

Darcy opened the door and said, "Mr Bennet, forgive my intrusion, but there is a matter of great importance about which I must speak with you."

Mr Bennet was astonished, but tried his best not to look it. He raised his eyebrow in a way very like Elizabeth's, and with a gesture invited Darcy inside. Mr Bennet was sitting behind his desk, and Darcy, in an awkward way that was not lost on Mr Bennet, sat down in a chair across from him. Mr Bennet stretched out his legs, and folded his hands across his belly.

"So, Mr Darcy," he said with a wry smile. "What can I do for you?"

Darcy took a deep breath, trying his best not to look as agitated as he felt, and said, "I am come to ask for your blessing in marrying Miss Elizabeth."

Mr Bennet was stunned.

"I am sorry, sir, but am I to understand that Elizabeth, my daughter Elizabeth, has accepted your proposal of marriage?"

"Yes, sir," replied Darcy.

"With all due respect, sir, I am all astonishment. I understood that Elizabeth rather disliked you, and that you shared the sentiment."

"She did dislike me, more than you know, I think; but I can honestly say that I have never reciprocated those feelings."

"And she does not anymore?" Mr Bennet said, upset. He could not believe Elizabeth to be so blinded by wealth and consequence. She had not been compromised, had she?

"She does not."

"Mr Darcy, surely you can see how this is appearing to me. I have never heard Elizabeth say anything that marks a regard for you, and have heard her, in the past, say things that in fact indicate quite the opposite. My daughter is not like other women, and I am certain that she is too intelligent to be happy with wealth and status alone." Mr Bennet said this last part in a whisper.

Mr Darcy was silent for a moment, offended and trying to formulate a response that would not show how much.

"I can assure you, sir," he said finally, "that our marriage will not be one in which wealth and status are the only things by which Elizabeth may be made happy. I intend to make her happy. Mr Bennet, my relationship with Elizabeth has certainly had its obstacles, but for our present happiness, and confidence, we are indebted to them. My love for your daughter, sir, is not the work of a moment, and I can assure you that is has been tested on many occasions. It has not faltered once."

Mr Bennet looked anguished. "You speak to me of your love, sir, but not of my daughter's."

Darcy closed his eyes. Opening them again, he said, "I cannot speak for her, sir, but she has assured me that she shares my feelings."

Mr Bennet nodded, but his face continued to betray his anxiety.

"Mr Darcy, you must consider her situation. Elizabeth can bring next to nothing to a marriage to you. She has almost no dowry, and will only inherit one thousand pounds after the decease of both her parents! Surely a man in your situation will come to resent her for that!"

"I would ask you not to think so little of me," Darcy said softly, and Mr Bennet sat back in shock, blinking. Darcy continued. "To our marriage Elizabeth brings herself, and that is all I care about. I know I ask much of you, but I ask nothing from you. I have more than enough money for the both of us."

Mr Bennet was further amazed. This man who had been so rude, so prejudiced, was willing to marry Elizabeth with no dowry whatsoever? He said, "And children?"

Darcy's eyes suddenly held so much feeling that Mr Bennet was completely taken aback.

"Sir, I can assure you that when it comes to my family none of them will ever want for anything, bought or otherwise."

Mr Bennet nodded. He was certainly affected by Darcy's intensity, but he doubted very much that Elizabeth would be happy with such a man. She had never mentioned him with anything so positive as indifference, let alone love! Mr Bennet sighed; there was nothing else to be done. In any case, Elizabeth had always been stubborn. Nothing to do about it now… he would talk to her though. He must.

"Alright, Mr Darcy. You have my consent."

Darcy smiled, and Mr Bennet was shocked. He had never seen Darcy smile before; it quite transformed his face. "Thank you, sir," he said.

There was a pause, then Mr Bennet rose and said, "I would like to speak to Elizabeth, please; immediately. If you would be so kind to fetch her now?"

Darcy nodded and exited the room. Mr Bennet started to pace again. 'Lizzy,' he thought to himself. 'What are you doing? Are you out of your senses to be accepting this man? Have you not always hated him?'