Longbourn, 1798–1808
Elizabeth's first trip to Greystone was the best experience of her short life. Her Aunt Victoria was the kindest and most elegant lady she had ever met, and played the piano very well. Victoria had longed for years to have a daughter, and when she realized that Elizabeth was enthusiastic about music, she started teaching her how to play the piano. Victoria also told Elizabeth several stories about her mother and showed her the beautiful paintings her mother had painted before she got married.
When they returned to Longbourn, Mr. Bennet hired a piano master for Elizabeth to continue her lessons. At first, Jane joined Elizabeth's lessons, but since she had no natural musical talent and her mother claimed that she did not need to learn to play the piano because she was beautiful, she lost interest quickly.
Over the years, Elizabeth visited Greystone several times, and her relationship with her Aunt Victoria grew stronger. At the suggestion of her aunt, Elizabeth's father began to teach her French and Italian when she turned ten.
Despite her fear of horses, she overcame it and learned to ride her cousin's pony. At the same time, Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth's relationship was growing more strained. When Elizabeth was twelve, Jane fell while playing with her and slightly injured her knee. From then on, Mrs. Bennet forbade Jane to play with that wild girl.
Perhaps Mr. Bennet should have controlled his wife better to make Longbourn a better place to live, but since he wanted to avoid listening to her endless complaints and nervous breakdowns at all costs, he spent little time with her. He barely had a relationship with his two younger daughters. The few times he corrected Lydia's bad behavior because she tore up some of Elizabeth's music sheets, Mrs. Bennet accused him of being cruel to their poor daughter.
The Gardiners used to visit Longbourn once or twice a year. Mrs. Gardiner, due to her friendship with Victoria, forged a strong bond with Elizabeth. Undoubtedly, Elizabeth was her favorite niece, followed closely by Jane.
Once Jane turned sixteen, Mrs. Bennet decided the time was right for Jane to enter society. She was sure her most beautiful daughter would be her salvation. In her mind, Jane's destiny was to marry a wealthy gentleman, maybe even a Lord. The only issue was that there were no rich men in Meryton.
For that reason, that same year, she encouraged Jane to go to London for several months.
Jane was not naturally observant and lacked Elizabeth's and Mary's intellectual curiosity. However, she noticed Mr. Bennet's relationship with her mother was quite different from her Uncle Gardiner's relationship with her Aunt Gardiner. She also noticed the marked differences between her mother's behavior and her aunt's.
With Mrs. Gardiner's help, she learned to behave like a refined lady and dress elegantly without spending too much money. Her aunt also encouraged her to read Shakespeare, learn foreign languages, take singing lessons, and even learn how to play the piano. Unfortunately, when she returned to Longbourn, she didn't continue her studies.
In 1807, Mr. Bennet's health began to decline. Sadly, the doctor diagnosed him with cancer and said he would only live another year or two. After learning of the terrible diagnosis, and since he was still feeling relatively well, he went to Greystone for the last time with Elizabeth.
As Elizabeth saw her father every day, she did not realize—or unconsciously did not want to realize — that her father was pale and sick, but the Harrisons became worried when they saw him.
During their month-long stay at Greystone, while Elizabeth rode her pony, played chess with her cousin Gabriel, played the piano, or slept, the adults had several serious conversations about her future.
The Harrisons, particularly Victoria, loved Elizabeth as their daughter, and they suggested Mr. Bennet rewrite his will to protect Elizabeth from Mrs. Bennet's selfish ambitions.
Therefore, before returning to Longbourn, the Harrisons' solicitor rewrote Mr. Bennet's will, stipulating that if he died before Elizabeth came of age, her guardians would be Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, and also stipulated Elizabeth's dowry would be £20,000—Elizabeth's mother's dowry plus interests. Due to Mrs. Bennet's excessive spending, in the years they were married, he could only save about £3000, which he stipulated should be divided equally between his remaining three daughters.
Besides, upon Mrs. Bennet's death, her £5,000 settlement should be divided into four equal parts among her four daughters.
In 1808, Mr. Bennet began to suffer from severe pain and found it difficult to get up. Elizabeth stayed by her father's side most of the time, because she knew he was dying. In late 1808, Mr. Bennet fell into a coma, and Elizabeth urgently sent a letter to the Gardiners and Harrisons to come as soon as possible. Three days later, Mr. Bennet passed away.