Mama keeps making me and Lizzy entertain him so that Jane can have Mr Bingley all to herself. We had to go for a walk with him today so that Jane and Mr Bingley would not have the bother of talking to him, but I managed to run off to the Lucases'. Lizzy said she did not have anything particular to say to Maria Lucas and so she walked on with Mr Darcy, which I must say was very n.o.ble of her; there could have been no pleasure in it for her.

Poor Lizzy! I would not be her for a kingdom, having to walk about with Mr Darcy. They are still out walking, though Jane and Mr Bingley returned an hour ago. Mama thinks they must have got lost. How horrid for Lizzy, to be lost with that man, and to have to wander through the country lanes with him all afternoon!

I would rather be here, writing to you, though it would be better to go somewhere like Bath or Brighton and get a husband. But Papa says he will never let me go anywhere, and if he does not relent, I will turn into an old maid.

Kitty Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Charlotte Collins Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 7 My dear Charlotte, You were right! Mr Darcy is in love with me, he proposed to me yesterday and I have said yes! I am so happy that I cannot even be angry with you for being right where I was wrong, and for seeing what I could not. To think, you knew it all along, before I knew it myself, before even my dear Mr Darcy knew it; though he tells me now that he was struck with the beautiful expression in my eyes almost the first day he met me, as soon as he had roundly condemned my looks to everyone else! It seems that when Sir William Lucas begged a partner for me at Lucas Lodge last November, Mr Darcy was ready to oblige, although he liked me better for my spirit in refusing.

I am sure I cannot claim any virtue for it, as I was motivated by a wish to confound his expectations and remove any reason he might have for disdaining me rather than by any n.o.bler instincts. He had slighted my charms and so I was determined never to like him, and I was certain that he would never like me. Such is the blindness that prejudice brings with it.

But I was wrong! Charlotte, we have been talking all day, and you may imagine how much we have to say. We have a year's worth of conversation.

When I stayed with Jane at Netherfield to nurse her through her cold, he found himself so much in danger from me by the end of the visit that he withdrew into silence lest he should raise any expectations in my breast. And I thought he was simply being arrogant and disdainful; particularly after Mama's visit, which I knew had disgusted him. And when he left the neighbourhood with Mr Bingley, my loss caused him a great deal of unhappiness; more unhappiness than his loss caused me, for by then I had heard Mr Wickham's tale of woe and I was foolish enough to believe it.

When I think how Mr Wickham duped me, and how easy I was to dupe, I am ashamed. And when I think of how I treated my dear Mr Darcy at Easter, when I was still in the grip of all my blind prejudices, I blush with mortification.

But let me not dwell on such things. As soon as Mr Wickham's villainy was revealed I began to think differently about everything, though I thought it too late, because by then I had lost my dearest Mr Darcy.

And now I must tell you of something which happened at Easter, when I was staying with you and Mr Collins, and which I did not tell you about at the time because of my confusion and my uncertainty as to my own feelings. It is this, Charlotte: that when I was staying at the parsonage, Mr Darcy proposed to me.

And now you are shocked, I suppose-or perhaps not, as you always suspected he had a partiality for me. It was on the night of Tuesday, the twenty-second of April that he offered me his hand. The date is ingrained in my memory. You and Mr Collins and Maria had gone to dine at Rosings Park, but I had stayed behind pleading a headache. And indeed I did have a headache, for I had just discovered that Mr Darcy had separated Mr Bingley and Jane. You may guess at my feelings towards Mr Darcy then, and my unwillingness to meet him at dinner.

But what should happen, when I was sitting alone in the parsonage, but that Mr Darcy should walk in! Oh, Charlotte, the things I said to him! And the things he said to me! He criticised my family, my person, my station in life, and then had the temerity to propose to me. You may imagine my reply. I not only condemned him for separating Mr Bingley and Jane, but for ruining Mr Wickham's hopes as well.

In reply, he wrote me a letter. He told me the truth about Mr Wickham: that Mr Wickham was a wastrel and other, less savoury, things; and I realised how wrong I had been about everything. But it was too late to put matters right.

And there matters would have ended, had I not met Mr Darcy again in Derbyshire. How changed he was, how polite and attentive to my aunt and uncle, how unfailingly courteous to me. And then came Lydia's elopement and I thought all hope had gone forever. But I was wrong!

Oh, Charlotte, I cannot tell you how happy I am! What does it matter what happened in the past, when everything in the present is so right? My dearest Mr Darcy smiling at me, my darling Jane happily betrothed, Susan blissfully married, and you, dear Charlotte, with your olive branch on the way.

I have time for no more. I must go. Give my love to Mr Collins, though I fear he will be horrified at my news! And perhaps it would be better to stay away from Lady Catherine for the next few days. My dear Mr Darcy intends to write to her and apprise her of our betrothal, and you know her feelings towards me. She liked me well enough as a friend of her rector's wife, but not as the mistress of Pemberley. I fear the shades will be polluted after all.

Your friend, Lizzy Mr Darcy to Mr Philip Darcy Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire, October 7 Philip, you must forgive me, but I have offered my hand to Elizabeth Bennet and she has accepted. I know you wanted me to make a great match, one which would enhance the standing of Pemberley and the Darcy name, but believe me, I have made the right choice. Elizabeth is the only woman I could ever take to Pemberley and the only woman I could ever make my wife. I am persuaded my father would be pleased. How well I remember his letter, telling me what I must look for in a wife, and I have found it and more besides. I have found something my parents had, something better than rank or wealth; I have found love. You must come to the wedding. When you meet her, you will understand.

Darcy Mr Bennet to Mr Collins Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 8 Dear Sir, I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more to give.

Yours sincerely, John Bennet Mrs Bennet to Mrs Gardiner Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 8 Sister, Lizzy is too busy to write herself, but I wanted to tell you the wonderful news: she is to marry Mr Darcy.

I knew how it would be as soon as I saw them together at the a.s.sembly. I said to Mr Bennet, 'You mark my words, we'll have Lizzy at Pemberley before the year is out.' Such a charming man! So handsome, so tall! A house in town, ten thousand a year! How rich and great Elizabeth will be! What pin money, what jewels and carriages she will have!

But I must go. The gentlemen are coming to luncheon and I must speak to Cook. We are having venison and fish and six sauces. A man like Mr Darcy will have French chefs, I am sure, and I am not about to let him think that we cannot cook in Hertfordshire. I intend to give him a luncheon the like of which he has never eaten before.

Your sister, Janet Miss Mary Bennet to Miss Lucy Sotherton Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 9 Most n.o.ble Friend, It has been a week of proposals. Mr Bingley has proposed to Jane, Mr Darcy has proposed to Elizabeth and Mama has proposed to move to Pemberley after the wedding.

I was surprised that Mr Bingley offered for Jane because he seemed eager to leave Netherfield last year, and as for Mr Darcy, he has never looked twice at Elizabeth in his life, except to find fault with her and to say that she was only tolerable. I have read much about the fickleness of women, and indeed I have made many extracts on the subject, but it has become clear to me that men are the fickle s.e.x.

I am beginning to lose my faith in extracts.

Your dolorous sister of the bosom, Mary Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Gardiner Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 10 I would have thanked you before, my dear aunt, as I ought to have done, for your long, kind, satisfactory detail of particulars; but to say the truth, I was too cross to write. You supposed more than really existed. But now suppose as much as you choose; give loose to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the subject will afford, and unless you believe me actually married, you cannot greatly err. You must write again very soon, and praise him a great deal more than you did in your last. I thank you, again and again, for not going to the Lakes. How could I be so silly as to wish it! Your idea of the ponies is delightful. We will go round the Park every day. I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh. Mr Darcy sends you all the love in the world that he can spare from me. You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas.

Your loving niece, Lizzy Mr Darcy to Lady Catherine de Bourgh Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire, October 10 Lady Catherine, I am sure you will want to wish me happy. I have asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to marry me, and she has done me the great honour of saying yes.

Your nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy Mr Darcy to Miss Georgiana Darcy Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire, October 10 My dear sister, I know you will be delighted to hear that Elizabeth Bennet and I are to marry. I will tell you everything when I see you next.

Your loving brother, Fitzwilliam Miss Georgiana Darcy to Mr Darcy Darcy House, London, October 11 Oh, dear brother, I cannot tell you how delighted I am! I have always wanted a sister, and Elizabeth is the very one I would have chosen. I do so hope she will love me as much as I already love her.

When you told me you wanted to introduce me to her in Derbyshire, I suspected you were in love with her; indeed, I suspected it even before that, for you had a look about you whenever her name was mentioned. No one who did not know you as I do would have noticed it, but I hoped then that you might have found someone to make you happy. I know how difficult you are to please-oh dear! that did not come out as it should!-but there are so many women who court you for your name instead of yourself and you see through them at once. I am beginning to know something of it myself, and although last year I could not see through it, I believe that I now know the difference between honest interest and self-interest. At least I hope so.

But Elizabeth is not like that. She is warm and kind and genuine. I do not know how else to explain it. She was so good to me in Derbyshire. She persevered in talking to me, even though I was so shy I could do nothing but murmur in monosyllables. I wanted to make a good impression on her, as I could tell at once that you were full of admiration for her-your eyes soften when you look at her, you know, and the expression of boredom you frequently wear completely disappears-and I was so afraid of saying something foolish that I could scarcely say anything at all. Then I worried that she would think me a fool, but she made such an effort to put me at my ease that I soon felt much more comfortable.

But I think it was when we stayed beyond the half hour, and you then asked me to join you in inviting her to dinner, that I was sure she was special to you. And I was so pleased, even though I was alarmed at the thought of being your hostess on such an important occasion, for you know I do not want to ever let you down again in any way.

That is why I decided to receive her in the salon. The windows there, you know, are my favourite, opening as they do right down to the ground. I was so afraid of doing wrong that I was tongue-tied when she arrived, but I saw by her expression that she did not think any the worse of me for it. I am glad she was so forgiving, for you know I did not perform my duties as hostess very well. Having given orders in the kitchen the night before and having sent to the hothouses for the best fruits, I froze when they were brought in, and if not for Mrs Annesley, I would not have remembered what to do. You will think me a sad case, I am sure! I am only glad you were not there to see my embarra.s.sment. I was very glad when you came in to play the host, and I felt such happiness when I saw your eyes go to Elizabeth. I was glad for you and glad for me, selfishly, because I felt from the first that I could easily love such a sister.

She was so good to me when Caroline began to talk about the militia. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I could not lift my eyes from the carpet. I knew that Caroline wanted to pain Elizabeth, for she had not been able to resist laughing at the Bennets when we were playing our duets or singing together, and saying that they all ran after the officers. She could not have known how she was wounding me when she mentioned them. Elizabeth's collected behaviour, however, soon calmed me and I was able to raise my eyes again.

I was hoping to see more of her, and I was very sorry when her uncle had to return suddenly, taking her with him.

And here, dear brother, I have a confession to make. It has troubled me for some time but I cannot have secrets from you. I know what it was that took you to town. You handed me one of my guardian's letters in a hurry, without first removing the page that was for you alone. I also know why you helped in the way you did. I suspected it at the time, and I hoped to hear that I would have a sister months ago, but, however, I am very glad to learn that I am to have one now, especially as it is the right one.

Do you think we might go shopping together when she is in town? It would be such fun to do the things that sisters do. Elizabeth, I know, has four sisters of her own, but I am persuaded that she is kind enough to indulge me, if you will permit it. I am so happy I feel as if I could write another four pages, but I cannot end the letter without asking when the wedding is to be.

Your loving sister, Georgiana Lady Catherine de Bourgh to Mr Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, October 12 Fitzwilliam, I do not call you nephew, for you are no longer a nephew of mine. I am shocked and astonished that you could stoop to offer your hand to a person of such low breeding. It is a stain on the honour and credit of the name of Darcy. She will bring you nothing but degradation and embarra.s.sment, and she will reduce your house to a place of impertinence and vulgarity. Your children will be wild and undisciplined, and your daughters will run off with stable hands. Your sons will become attorneys. You will never be received by any of your acquaintance. You will be disgraced in the eyes of the world, a figure of contempt. You will bitterly regret this day. You will remember that I warned you of the consequences of such a disastrous act, but by then it will be too late. I will not end this letter by wishing you happiness, for no happiness can follow such a blighted union.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh Miss Anne de Bourgh to Miss Georgiana Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, October 12 Dear coz, We have just heard the news. Mama had a letter from Fitzwilliam, telling us of his betrothal. It is such a relief, I am overjoyed and I wish Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth every happiness!

Mama, on the other hand, is not overjoyed, and I am keeping out of her way. I sent a message downstairs to say that I was not well and I intend to keep to my room all day. I hear from my maid that the Collinses have thought it expedient to visit Mrs Collins's family in Hertfordshire and I am not surprised. Mama is livid. She has had three of the maids and two of the footmen in tears this morning, upset by her complaining about anything and nothing. She has written a letter to my aunt in c.u.mbria, telling her she must write to Fitzwilliam and forbid the match. It will do no good, I am sure my aunt is too sensible to take any notice, but it has gone some way to relieve Mama's feelings. She further relieved them by writing to Fitzwilliam and telling him he would disgrace his name, his family and indeed everything else if he married Elizabeth. However, I am sure he will be too happy to care for anything Mama might say.

I intend to remain in my room for two or three days and I have had the foresight to bring my pencils and paints, my needlework and my novels with me.

Do you think Henry will be home for the wedding? If so, I hope he might call on us here at Rosings, though I would not blame him if he stayed away. I wish we might attend the wedding, but Mama is so angry that she has declared she will not go and so there is no hope of that-unless she changes her mind, so that she can stand up when the vicar asks if any man can show any cause why they may not be joined together, and say that yes, she knows of a just cause, that Elizabeth would pollute the shades of Pemberley! Oh dear, I wish that thought had not occurred to me, for I now find myself wondering if it might happen. I will have nightmares about it, I am sure; or, even worse, that Mama might stand up and say that he was promised to me.

I will not think of it. I will think of church bells and white satin and flowers instead. You must tell me all about it; I rely on you, Georgiana.

Your dear coz, Anne Mrs Bennet to Mrs Gardiner Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 15 My dear sister, Were there ever such times! Jane to marry Mr Bingley, Lizzy to marry Mr Darcy! We are coming to London to shop for wedding clothes and we will be with you on the eighteenth. Poor Lydia had no time to shop for her clothes, but I mean to make up for it with Lizzy and Jane. I will not let anyone say that my girls did not have the best dresses for their wedding. Speaking of Lydia, I have told her to write to her sister and beg her husband's help for poor Wickham. He has been very hard done by and I am sure that Lizzy's husband would be glad to be of use to him. Who better than his own brother-in-law to a.s.sist him? I am sure he deserves it, for never a handsomer young man lived.

Now, if I can only get Mary and Kitty married, my happiness will be complete. Mr Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will be standing up with him, and I think he might do for one or other of them. Then there is Mr Bingley's younger brother, who is to stand up with him. To be sure, the Bingley fortune comes from trade, but Mr Bingley and his sisters are very genteel, and I am sure the rest of the family is just the same.

We will stay with you until Monday.

Your sister, Janet Miss Mary Bennet to Miss Lucy Sotherton Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 16 Most n.o.ble Friend, This has been a doleful time for the cause of Learned Women. One of my sisters is already married, and now two more of my sisters are betrothed. Although I never had any hope of Lydia, and very little of Elizabeth, I did think, in time, that my sister Jane might abandon the path of frivolity and walk the highway of learning. But alas! It is not to be. Now Kitty and I are the only two girls remaining unspoken for. Kitty says she will never find a husband if Papa keeps her chained to Longbourn. I applauded her attempt at imagery; however, as we were at my aunt Philips's house at the time, her metaphor of being chained to Longbourn was not well chosen. When I pointed this out, Mama said, 'Oh, Mary, do be quiet,' but Mr Shackleton agreed with me.

He told me I looked charming in my new gown and asked me to dance with him. When I demurred, he reminded me that dancing was a healthful exercise and said that, in point of fact, he thought it more beneficial than playing the pianoforte, for that exercises only the fingers and dancing exercises the entire body.

I was much struck by his comment and I have decided that I should dance more often. Once my sisters have left the neighbourhood, I will no doubt be called upon to display true elegance and erudition, in the physical as well as the mental arts.

As Mr Shackleton led me back to my seat, I overheard my aunt Philips saying that we had had three weddings, and would no doubt soon have another one.

I cannot think what she means, unless she was referring to Kitty, who sat next to Mr Haydock all evening. He is visiting his cousins and means to spend some weeks in the neighbourhood, though what he can have to talk to Kitty about I do not know.

Your fellow traveller through this vale of vice, Mary Miss Kitty Bennet to Miss Eleanor Sotherton Longbourn, Hertfordshire, October 17 Dearest Ellie, It is not fair, Mama is to go to London tomorrow with my sisters Jane and Elizabeth, but she will not take me. I do not see why I should not go to London, for I am sure that my attendant's gown is just as important as their bridal gowns, or at any rate, nearly so. But I am to be left behind with Mary.

We have had a new visitor to the neighbourhood: Mr Haydock, the vicar of Kympton. I met him at my aunt Philips's house. You may be sure I let him know what I thought of him for stealing poor Wickham's living from him, but Mr Haydock just looked down his nose and pretended not to know what I was talking about, then tried to say that Wickham had not deserved the living, and then laughed at me when I told him he was an odious man and that I would not speak to him. And he is odious, though admittedly very handsome. It is a good thing Lydia was not here, or she would have been very severe on him.

Mama says that, now my older sisters are getting married, I must hurry up and find a husband for myself. Mr Darcy's cousins will be at the wedding and Mama says I must try to catch one of them. I am sure I will do my best. They are all very rich and if they are handsome as well, I think I would like to marry one of them. Lydia got a husband by running away with him and Jane got one by going to stay with him and Lizzy got one by nursing her sister devotedly. But as I believe Papa would track me down if I ran away with anyone, and as I cannot invite myself into someone else's house, and as I have no sister to nurse, then unless Mary should happen to be taken ill, I do not know how it is to be done.

I said so to Mr Haydock, but he only laughed at me.

I saw that he was to be no help and so I suggested to Mary that she should visit c.u.mbria and endeavour to catch a cold there, but she said she could not catch a cold to order, and when I said that she should pretend to have a cold, she said that he who walketh in vice does so ne'er so often as something or other, and then looked pleased with herself and said she must remember to tell it to Mr Shackleton. I do not know why she does not marry him and have done with it, but she says she will never marry, she is a follower of the G.o.ddess Athena. She has asked Mama to buy her an owl. Mama said she had better have a new dress instead and make herself agreeable to all the rich gentlemen who are certain to be at Mr Darcy's wedding.

Lots of love and kisses, Kitty Mrs Lydia Wickham to Miss Elizabeth Bennet Newcastle, October 23 My dear Lizzy, I wish you joy. If you love Mr Darcy half as well as I do my dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but, however, do not speak to Mr Darcy about it, if you had rather not.

Your sister, Lydia Miss Georgiana Darcy to Miss Anne de Bourgh Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire, October 29 My dear Anne, I write this to you in the carriage on my way back to London from Netherfield Park. You made me promise to tell you all about the wedding and I have now the leisure to do so. I travelled to Hertfordshire on Sat.u.r.day and my guardian escorted me. I must confess I thought of you for most of the journey, and how you would have liked to be sitting with him in the carriage; I do so sincerely hope he comes to see you soon. We stopped for lunch at an inn and arrived at Netherfield Park in time for dinner. Caroline was there, saying how happy she was, but although I do not like to think ill of people, I believe she was not really happy. I overheard her once, as I entered the room, saying something spiteful about Elizabeth to her sister; however, perhaps I misheard. I hope so.

I spent the next few days getting to know all of my future sisters, as well as Elizabeth's parents, and the time pa.s.sed very quickly.

We all retired early the night before the wedding and woke to mist, but it soon lifted and by the time we had finished breakfast it had cleared away completely. Fitzwilliam seemed very nervous and so did Mr Bingley. It was up to my guardian to distract their thoughts and occupy them until it was time to leave.

I dressed with great care, as you can imagine, given that I was to be an attendant. My dress was very elegant, white muslin with ribbon trim and white flowers in my hair. Elizabeth and Jane looked beautiful. They were dressed in white silk, but Jane's dress had a round neck whilst Elizabeth's had a square neck, the one trimmed with ribbon and the other with lace. They wore veiled bonnets and carried bouquets of roses, from which Kitty had removed the thorns. I believe she enjoyed the day as much as I did, for she was an attendant, too. She had the idea of decorating the lich-gate with flowers, and they smelled lovely as we pa.s.sed underneath.

The ceremony was so beautiful that I almost cried, although I must confess I had an anxious moment when the vicar asked if anyone knew of any reason...I could only think of you saying that your mama might turn up and halt the wedding, and I glanced towards the door once or twice, expecting to see her there. But it all went well. Mary played the organ-I believe it must have several keys missing, for it sounded very odd-and then all too soon the ceremony was over and we all went back to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast.

Mrs Bennet introduced Kitty and Mary to my guardian and remarked on how handsome they were looking, and said what a pity it was that all his brothers had not attended the wedding. And I could only think how I wished you were there, and that your mama would say that you were looking handsome to him. There was a great deal of eating and drinking, and one of Charlotte Collins's little brothers kept saying that when he was a man he would drink as many bottles of wine as he wanted, and Mrs Bennet said that he shouldn't, and he replied that he should, and so it went on-until Mrs Bennet espied Mr Bingley's brother, Mr Ned Bingley, who stood up with his brother, and introduced him to Kitty and Mary.

Mr Ned Bingley is very different to his brother, but I like him. He is very honest and says what he thinks. He did not flatter me or praise me and I liked that. I am afraid that a great many men give me compliments because they know I am an heiress. Miss Bingley tried to introduce him to Miss King, saying that she had inherited ten thousand pounds, but he said he had no wish to live off his wife.

He does not have a great deal of charm, but I have experience enough to know that charm is dangerous and not worth a great deal.

He asked me about myself, and he was interested to learn that I was Fitzwilliam's sister, but more because I was the sister of his brother's friend than because I was a great heiress. Somehow his straightforwardness made it easier for me to talk to him and I asked him about himself. He is engaged in trade, and although I should have been horrified, I found that instead I was interested. He owns a number of shops in the north and he said that if ever I find myself in Yorkshire, I should tell Charles and then Charles will tell him and he will show me round one of the shops himself.

I was also introduced to Mr Bingley's mother. Anne, what can I say? I have never met anyone like her. She frightened me at first because she was so different to anyone I knew, and she was so very unlike Caroline and Louisa. But she had a good heart and I saw her wiping away a tear as Jane and Charles left the church. I believe she will by this time have returned north with her son Mr Ned Bingley.

Elizabeth and my brother left for the Lake District at about the same time. Elizabeth looked radiant. There is no other word to describe it-she positively glowed. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness and I have never seen my brother look more proud or happy. I hope I may be so lucky when I marry.

By this time they will be on their way to the Lake District, where they are to visit the Fitzwilliam cousins and tour the lakes before returning to Derbyshire. Elizabeth is looking forward to meeting Ullswater. I am glad Ullswater is more staid now and does not jump up at people as she used to, though I think that Elizabeth would only laugh and not shout at her and say she should be confined to the stables.

I will soon be back in London but I will be spending Christmas at Pemberley with my brother and sister. My sister! How good that sounds!

I hope your mama has recovered from her ill humour by then, and we might all be there together.

Your loving coz, Georgiana.

NOVEMBER.

Mrs Elizabeth Darcy to Mrs Gardiner.

Fitzwater Park, c.u.mbria, November 4.

My dear aunt, You will see from the address on this letter that at last I am touring the Lakes, and it has been well worth the wait. I thought nothing could be better than our wedding, which was perfect, but the week since then has been even better. Every day brings me new knowledge of my husband and the knowledge draws me closer to him. I am more in love with him than ever and I know my husband to be violently in love with me.

How you will smile as you read that phrase, and how you teased me when I used it last year, saying that Bingley was violently in love with Jane. But if you could see me now, then you would not tease me, I am convinced, for you would be forced to acknowledge the truth of it. I have proof of my dear husband's uncommon love and affection every day. I believe I am the happiest woman alive. And this is before I have even taken up residence at Pemberley!

But you will want to know more about our wedding trip. We set out after the wedding breakfast, travelling for some way with Jane and Charles and seeing the sights together, alternating an hour or two in the carriage with an hour or two of walking through new and pleasant countryside or visiting some place of interest.

We stopped overnight along the way, once at an inn and the rest of the time with my husband's friends. They were very pleased to see us and welcomed us into their homes. When we had travelled as far north as Yorkshire, Jane and Charles left us, going on to see Charles's family. I know that Jane was feeling apprehensive about meeting the rest of his family, but I have had a letter from her this morning and she says with relief that they made her very welcome and that she likes them very much. This will not surprise you, for when did Jane ever dislike anyone? But I believe, from what she has said, that they are good people, and more like Charles than Caroline.

My husband-you will be hearing that phrase a great deal in this letter, for I am very much enjoying writing it!-my husband and I then travelled on to c.u.mbria, stopping to enjoy the scenery whenever a particularly splendid view offered itself. We took advantage of the fine weather and often made a picnic in some picturesque location, enjoying being just the two of us.

Today we arrived at Fitzwater Park. Colonel Fitzwilliam was here to greet us, having travelled more quickly, and it was good to see a familiar face in the midst of so many unfamiliar ones. He has a large family. His mother made me very welcome, but his father was more reticent, merely looking down his nose at me and saying, 'Harrumph!' It was no worse than I expected from an earl, and it was a good deal better than I was prepared for. At least he did not tell me I was polluting the shades of his ancestral home. I cannot really be surprised at his att.i.tude, since he obviously expected his nephew to marry a young woman with an old name, at least, and very possibly with a t.i.tle. What interested me was my husband's reaction. He was not in the least put out. There was no hint or suggestion in his face, voice or manner that he agreed with his uncle; indeed, he wore an expression of quiet pride and happiness whenever he looked at me. It is wonderful to see how it transforms his face, that smile. I cannot decide which I like most: his haughty expression, which, it must be admitted-though not to him!-is decidedly attractive, or his softer expression, which is merely decidedly handsome!

He introduced me to his cousins and they were all more or less agreeable. Peter was out walking with one of his friends, but another five cousins were indoors. I will not trouble you with all their names here; suffice it to say that I liked all of them at least a little, and I liked Maud very much. I expected to like her, because Georgiana had already told me something of her kindness, but how often does it happen that a person we think we will like turns out to disgust us in some way? But Maud was lively, sensible and amusing. She has two very well behaved children and Darcy is their G.o.dfather.

It was a revelation to me to see him allowing the children to pull his coat tails and play with his watch, with never a cross expression or a word of impatience. I had never considered him in such a light before, but I believe that as well as making an excellent husband he will also make a very good father.

You see, aunt, I can find no fault with him. How long this will last I do not know, but I beg you will indulge me in this one letter and then I promise not to boast of his many perfections again. It must make you very tired; indeed, you are probably running over the lines with a quick eye and a sigh even now! And so I will tell you more of c.u.mbria.

The scenery is even more dramatic than it was in Derbyshire, with mountains whose sides are clothed in the colours of autumn and whose tops are hidden in the clouds. The walking here is invigorating and the scenery breathtaking.

Fitzwater Park is even larger than Rosings and more imposing. It is in an elevated position with grounds that stretch down to the lake. There is boating on the lake whenever the weather is suitable, I am told, and we hope to go sailing tomorrow. I have also been promised a view of Aira Force waterfall, which drops sixty-five feet and is said to be very splendid. I will write and tell you more when I have seen all the sights.

Your loving niece, Lizzy.

Mrs Jane Bingley to Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire, November 17.

My dear Lizzy will forgive me for saying that she was quite wrong when she thought that she and Mr Darcy would be the happiest people alive, for I am convinced that that honour goes to Charles and myself. I cannot believe there was ever a time when I did not know him, for he is as necessary to me as breathing. I sought to be happy when I thought all hope had gone, but I could never concentrate or take pleasure in anything, all I could do was school myself to pretend. But now, how different everything is! I knew as soon as I met him that Charles was just what a young man ought to be: sensible, good-humoured and lively, with easy manners and good breeding. Now that I have him as my husband I have everything I could wish for.

Our visit to Yorkshire was interesting but I am glad to be back home-or where, for a time at least, we are making our home-at Netherfield Park. I like the house very well, I always have, but I must confess, Lizzy, that it is already proving to be too close to Longbourn.

When we returned from Yorkshire, we found Lydia and Wickham at Longbourn. They had overstayed their welcome, however, and Papa had given them a strong hint to be gone. They had ignored this hint, but when we returned they found it expedient to act upon it and in short, Lizzy, they came here. Fortunately, Wickham was called back north yesterday and they have left us now, but I dare say they will be here again before very long. They are finding it very difficult to manage on what little money they have. Lydia has never been good at economising and I am afraid they live beyond their means.

I hope it is not unkind of me to say that I am glad they have gone, for just at this moment I would rather not have guests. Charles and I are establishing our life together and it is not very convenient, particularly as Mama visits Netherfield every day. When she cannot get the horses for the carriage, she walks. I dare say the exercise is doing her good, and I think it is of benefit to Mary, for Mama must have company and either Kitty or Mary, or both, always accompany her. But for my part I could wish for rather more time to ourselves and rather less time with my family.

Charles bears it very well, even though he has already been persuaded to help Lydia and Wickham, and I fear that Lydia means to write to you, too. He says they are no trouble and that he is delighted to have them here, and he remarks that I was good to his family and that he has every intention of being equally good to mine.

Though his family are not what I am used to, I confess I like them. His mother is an affectionate woman who sincerely dotes on her children, and his brother Ned is very courteous. He reminds me of my uncle Gardiner: a man of business, and energetic in pursuit of it, but with good manners and good breeding besides. The little ones are lively and playful; in short I feel myself to be very fortunate.

You will be pleased to know that Mary studies less than formerly, which I think is a good thing. Mr Shackleton has persuaded her that too much study is bad for the brain.

Kitty has become closer to Maria Lucas in Lydia's absence. Away from Lydia, she is becoming more sensible and is far better company.

I am not the only one to think so. The rector of Kympton, Mark Haydock, has been spending some time in the neighbourhood and he seems to find Kitty's company amusing. I have caught him once or twice looking at her with an air of benevolent indulgence. For her part, I believe that Kitty has a liking for him, or will have, once she forgives him for taking Wickham's living; for of course she has heard the story from Lydia, in a very partial form. Certainly she seems to want his good opinion, and as he is a sensible man, I have high hopes of his attentions being good for her.