Notes: I'm traveling for work again in a few hours, and I'll be back next Thursday. I'll try to post at least the rest of this chapter. The following chapters are very difficult, and I have a hard time translating them.
PPP
Jane arrived at the Phillips ' house through tears of sadness, disappointment and helplessness. Alarmed at seeing her niece in such a state, Mrs. Phillips hugged her and asked, "What's wrong, Jane?"
In a voice choked with tears, she responded, "Elizabeth is the heiress of Longbourn… and my father did not even include me in his will."
Mrs. Phillips was surprised, and furious she stated, "It is not possible! I am sure my cousin forged those documents-"
At that precise moment, Mr. Phillips entered the drawing room. His wife looked at him and said, "John, we must go to Longbourn urgently! My cousin forged Mr. Bennet's will!"
Mr. Phillips sighed and shook his head. He locked the door and made sure the windows were closed before speaking. "What you are claiming is very serious, and you could quite rightly go to prison for accusing your cousin of such a crime. As a solicitor, I advise you to shut your silly mouth!"
Mrs. Phillips looked at her husband in shock. It was the first time her husband spoke to her that way. Mr. Phillips looked at Jane, who was red-eyed from crying, and gently requested her to tell him what had happened.
After listening to Jane, Mr. Phillips sighed and said, "If Longbourn was not entailed, Mr. Bennet was within his rights to appoint as heir whomever he pleased."
"But Jane is his eldest daughter! She should be the heiress! It's all my cousin's fault –"
Mr. Phillips shook his head. His deepest regret was his participation in Fanny and his wife's machinations to compromise Thomas Bennet. He remembered the disappointed face of his father-in-law when he learned Fanny's child was not Mr. Bennet's and his words of censure because he had been complicit in the compromise: "I am ashamed of my daughters' behaviour, but I am even more ashamed a dishonest man like you will be my son-in-law. You are a disgrace to our profession!" His life changed for the worse, Mr. Gardiner disinherited his daughters, lost several clients and was censured by several neighbours. What little respectability they still had would be lost forever if his wife accused Mrs. Bennet. In a clear voice, he exclaimed, "Stop it, Maria!"
He sighed, and looked at Jane sadly, "I am so sorry Jane, but it is time for you to know the truth once and for all."
He gestured for his wife to be quiet and added, "You are not Mr. Bennet's daughter." Seeing Jane's shocked face, he added, "I am ashamed to admit it, but your father was the victim of a compromise orchestrated by your mother, your aunt and me. "
Stunned, Jane shook her head. She looked at her aunt and noted she was pale but did not contradict him. Through tears, Jane stammered, "No, no, no…, that's not true… you are lying."
Ms. Phillips tried to protest, but Mr. Phillips quickly added, "Unfortunately it is the truth." He paused and added, "Mr. Bennet knew you were not his child. The plan was to give you up for adoption, but we had an accident, and you were born at the Carey's estate."
Jane again shook her head. She didn't want to believe what her uncle was saying, but several things from the past now made sense... Her father's disdain, several whispers from the neighbours, she was not included in her paternal grandmother's will…, she was born less than seven months after their parents' marriage. She had been a fool!
Her aunt tried to take her hand, but Jane stepped back. She opened the door and ran out of her uncle's house aimlessly. She heard her aunt was calling her and even her footsteps following her, but she needed to be alone.