A hackney carriage pulled up outside a three-story house on Gracechurch Street. Miss Elizabeth Bennet climbed out, assisted by a manservant; she was greeted by a middle-aged married couple and a beautiful blonde young woman.

"Lizzy, I missed you so much," the young blonde said as she hugged Elizabeth tightly.

"Oh, Jane, I missed you too. I am so happy to see you again. Aunt, Uncle Gardiner thanks for having me and sending John to fetch me."

"Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner said, "let's go inside while your uncle and John take care of unloading your trunk."

Minutes later, the family was gathered in the dining room listening to the details of Elizabeth's visit to Kent and the Collins couple in particular. When Elizabeth finished relating an amusing story about Mr. Collins' pig; her uncle told her with a big smile, "Lizzy, I have a surprise for you. It arrived a couple of days ago. I have been waiting to give it to you."

"A surprise? What is it?"

"Please, wait here, and I will be right back."

Mr. Gardiner went to his study, and within a couple of minutes, he returned with a package and an envelope, which he handed to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise, and looking at her uncle with an uncertain voice, she asked, "Is it what I want it to be?"

Mr. Gardiner smiled and replied, "I cannot read your mind, Lizzy. You should open the package and envelope to find out."

Elizabeth impatiently opened the envelope and was stunned to find a £200 note, then she opened the package and saw that it was a book. When she opened the cover, she realized that it was the novel she had written, which her uncle had encouraged her to try to publish.

For several seconds, she was so amazed that she did not know if she was dreaming or if she was awake. She was very excited; Elizabeth had been a precocious child; she had started reading and writing at the age of four and liked to ask her papa questions about everything. When she was about 10 years old, her uncle gave her a diary and she began to write diligently. At the age of 12, she began writing stories to entertain her younger sisters. Over the years her stories became longer and more complex. In the last two years, she had started writing novels. She had finished the last one several months ago, and her sister, Jane, and the Gardiners, had read it and liked it very much. According to the Gardiners, the novel was funny, well written and it was very good. Her Uncle Gardiner, with Elizabeth's permission, kept the manuscript, and promised her that he would talk to several acquaintances and try to find someone who would publish it. For several months there was no response. Elizabeth was a bit disappointed at first, but eventually, she forgot about her novel altogether.

"Am I dreaming? I can't believe it, uncle. Thank you, thank you very much," Elizabeth tearfully hugged her uncle, her aunt, and Jane tightly.

After celebrating and discussing the novel for almost an hour, her uncle gave her serious advice, "As I have told you several times, I am very proud of you, Lizzy. In my opinion, you should continue to write. But as the daughter of a gentleman, it is better nobody knows you are 'Lady Roses'. Your aunt and I think your mother, Kitty, and Lydia shouldn't be told that your story has been published. If you don't tell them, they probably will never know. They never buy books."

Elizabeth understood her uncle's advice perfectly. As a young woman, the daughter of a landowner, it would not look good if people knew that she was writing for money. Her mother and younger sisters were not discreet, and her literary success could have negative consequences if they knew. "You are right, uncle. I am just going to tell my father. I would also like you to help me invest this money."

Mr. Gardiner wholeheartedly agreed. Shortly after Elizabeth's coming out - some four years ago – he had been encouraging his two favourite nieces to start saving some of their allowances. During all this time, Elizabeth and Jane had managed to save almost 80 pounds each, Mr. Gardiner had invested for them.

PPP

During the week Elizabeth was in London, she and Jane had met several of her uncle's associates. Most of them were several years older than Elizabeth and married, but there was one, in particular, Mr. Carey, who was paying a lot of attention to her sister.

She was not surprised that a gentleman was interested in Jane; her sister was, in her opinion, the most beautiful and sweetest woman in all of London. However, she was surprised that Jane and the Gardiners seemed to encourage the gentleman's interest.

The night before returning to Longbourn, Elizabeth, out of curiosity, asked her sister directly for her opinion of that gentleman.

Jane sighed, and in an even voice asked, "What do you want to know, Lizzy?"

"What is your opinion of him? The few times that I have seen him, he seemed interested in you."

"Mr. Carey is 35 years old, he is a kind and intelligent man, and owns an import business similar to Uncle Gardiner's. He has an income of £800 a year, and a five-year-old daughter. His wife died giving birth to her." With a hint of sadness added, "After my disappointment with Mr. Bingley, added to the fact that next month I will be 23 years old, I have decided that if Mr. Carey proposes to me, I will accept him."

"Oh Jane, are you sure? Are you willing to have a marriage of convenience?"

"Lizzy, since I turned 16 years old, our mother has always told me that because of my beauty I would attract an important gentleman. The truth is that until now, no gentleman has made me a marriage proposal, and in a short time, as our mother always reminds me, I am going to be considered a spinster. You are two years younger, and you have already received two marriage proposals."

"Jane, the proposals were from Mr. Collins and Mr. Smith; the two most ridiculous gentlemen in the Kingdom!"

Jane sighed. " You also have your passion for writing, you have already published your first book, and surely you will publish many more...I don't have any special talent, I don't know how to play the piano, I don't speak foreign languages, and I am not as intelligent as you are. In conclusion, I am not special, I don't have anything to tempt a gentleman."

"Jane, you are beautiful, kind, and sweet…"

Jane cut her off, "Unfortunately, I came to the conclusion that is not enough!"

After such a speech, Jane was exhausted. Elizabeth could not sleep at all that night, because Jane's confession and pain had affected her tremendously. There was nothing she could do to ease her sister's suffering. According to Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bingley had left her behind under the influence of the hateful Mr. Darcy. Besides, Jane had already given up hope of marrying for love.