Notes: Sorry for the delay in updating this story. This week I had little free time, and I am giving priority to the translation of The Heiress.
This is a long story, close to 60 K.
PPP
Unfortunately, all efforts to revive Mrs. Bennet were in vain; she had died of a heart attack. At first, Elizabeth was shocked and then began to cry uncontrollably.
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley were shocked and saddened. While they had never held Mrs. Bennet in high regard, they empathized with the pain that Elizabeth was feeling. Having lost their mother a decade ago, they remembered the profound sense of devastation that had consumed them at the time. They tried to comfort her with kind words and gestures and offered their assistance with anything she might need.
Mr. Darcy immediately offered to go to Longbourn to inform Mr. Bennet of the sad news. He also suggested to Bingley that he should go and fetch Mr. Jones.
Several minutes later, Elizabeth had finally calmed down and wiped away her tears. Even though Miss Bingley had requested a maid to take care of Jane, Elizabeth felt that she needed to be with her sister and do everything in her power to help her recover.
With the help of the maid, they changed Jane's sweaty nightgown for a clean one, hoping to make her more comfortable. Afterwards, the maid resumed her other household chores, leaving Elizabeth to take care of Jane. She remained by her sister's side, speaking softly to her and wetting her forehead and neck with cold water to reduce the fever.
She sat beside Jane's bed, holding her hand and praying for her recovery. Her sister had always been her best friend and confidante. She could not bear the thought of losing Jane; she meant the world to her.
She spoke softly, expressing her love and telling Jane how much she needed her in her life. As she spoke, Elizabeth's eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep with her head resting on the bed and Jane's hand still clasped in hers.
Suddenly, a loud knock on the door jolted Elizabeth awake. Disoriented and confused, she looked around for a few moments before realizing where she was and what had happened. Her heart sank as she remembered the terrible events.
Elizabeth got up from her chair and made her way to the door. When she opened it, she was met with the sight of her father. "Oh, Papa," she said, her voice trembling.
Father and daughter embraced tightly, holding each other as if they would never let go. Mr. Bennet apologized profusely, his voice choked with tears, "Lizzy, my Lizzy. I am so sorry... I am so sorry for not taking your mother's complaints about her nerves and heart palpitations seriously. I never imagined something like this could happen to her."
Elizabeth cried on her father's shoulder; her body wracked with grief. Mr. Bennet gently stroked her hair, trying to soothe her as best he could. In a hushed voice, he asked, "How is Jane?"
Elizabeth shook her head, "Jane is not doing well," she said, her voice trembling, "She has been running a high fever since the accident and is having difficulty breathing."
She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself, but the tears were already welling up in her eyes. "Would you like to come in and see her?"
Mr. Bennet nodded gravely and walked over to the bed where Jane was lying. He took in her pale face and the sweat that was beading on her forehead, and his heart sank. It was clear that Jane was seriously ill.
Mr. Bennet's eyes welled up with tears as he held Jane's hand, feeling helpless and guilty. "Forgive me, Jane," he whispered, "This is all my fault. If I had been a better father and husband, none of this would have happened..."
Jane's eyes opened, revealing dilated pupils that seemed to reflect her intense pain. Suddenly, her whole body began to convulse, writhing in agony on the bed. Elizabeth rushed to her side, holding her hand and trying to soothe her, but the spasms were too strong to contain.
Mr. Bennet stood there, watching in horror as his daughter's condition worsened. Elizabeth cried, "Please, Jane… Don't leave us. We need you."
But it was too late. After a few minutes of convulsions, Jane let out a piercing scream and then went still. Her breathing stopped, and her heart ceased to beat. The room fell silent, except for Mr. Bennet's sobs and Elizabeth's quiet weeping.
Mrs. Bennet and Jane were gone, leaving behind a family shattered by grief and regret.
End Part I