George


Colonel Fitzwilliam to Mr Darcy

Fitzwilliam House, London,

November 14

Dear cousin,

I had heard that Forster was with the militia but I did not know he was in Hertfordshire. You could not wish for better company. I have spent many an entertaining evening with him and I know he will collect the most interesting men around him. If he is stationed nearby, then you will not altogether lack for intelligent company, though you are living in a small neighbourhood in the middle of Hertfordshire. I have not heard that he is to marry but I hope it may be so. He is at that time of life when a man must think of such things, and if Forster is not averse to giving a ball, it seems the rumour must be true: I cannot think why he would be so eager to do it otherwise, despite Miss Lydia’s importunings.

The war continues to change course with every passing month. Everything was in our favour before Napoleon seized power: France was in disarray, and so was the army. But he is a natural leader and a man of considerable ability, and his recent victories against the Austrians have changed the balance of power again, so that I believe we will sign a treaty with him ere long. Even when it is signed, I doubt if the war will be truly over and I expect to see the outbreak of hostilities again before long. Napoleon is not a man to be content with peace, and the lull in hostilities will give him time to muster his forces and strike again, harder than before. If I had my way, we should crush him now whilst we can. But the politicians do not see it that way. The war is expensive and I think the government has no more stomach for it.

Your cousin,

Henry


Mr Darcy to Miss Georgiana Darcy

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,

November 14

Dearest Georgiana,

I was pleased to hear from Cousin Henry that you are well and happy and that you are making good progress with all your accomplishments. Ullswater is behaving herself, too, I hear, which will be a great relief to the rabbit population and no doubt the bird population as well! I remember you were going to paint her if she would only sit still long enough and I advise you to catch her when she is exhausted. I will look forward to seeing your portrait of her. I believe we will hang it in the gallery at Pemberley, at the far end between Cholmondley and Cerberus, a fitting filling between the sandwich of those other great Darcy dogs. And then you must paint your mare. Your last horse was so well done that it would be a pity not to take Milkfoot’s likeness, and now that you are so accomplished, we will hang it with all the other horses.

Caroline asks me to tell you that she longs to see your paintings and that she is sure they will be worthy additions to the Pemberley gallery. She cannot wait to see them when they are done, and hopes they are finished in time for her next visit.

You asked in your last letter how we spend our time and so I will tell you. We are at present in the drawing room. Charles is playing piquet with Edmund, and Louisa is watching them. You and I must play again when I return to London. As I recall you beat me last time, and I must have my revenge.

Caroline is offering to mend my pen for me, but as you know, I always mend my own.

Miss Bennet is still indisposed and keeps to her room. Her sister, Miss Elizabeth, has spent most of the day with her but has now joined us in the drawing room, where she is at present busy with her needlework.

Caroline is complimenting me on my penmanship, which reminds me that I must compliment you on your own. Your hand was very fine and flowing in your last letter; it is a credit to you and your tutor.

Louisa has grown tired of watching the piquet and has begun to look through her music.

Caroline begs me to tell you that she is delighted to hear of your improvement on the harp.

Charles is now accusing me of searching for words of four syllables and remarking that his own letters flow so fast that he has not time to express his ideas properly, but it is a boast, for he has always prized the idea of doing anything quickly. I hope you know that quickness is not a virtue and that considered thought is necessary in all things of importance.

Miss Elizabeth takes Charles’s side in the argument and Caroline takes mine. I fear it will not be over soon.

You must invite a friend to stay with you in London, for I find I will be in Hertfordshire for some time. You have your guardian in London at the moment, and Lady Catherine means to visit next week, but I am persuaded that you would like some company of your own age. I will be writing to Mrs Annesley about it, so pray invite whomever you wish. Perhaps Lady Catherine might be willing to let Anne remain with you for a few weeks. Though there are a good number of years between you, it makes me happy to see how well the two of you get on. Lady Catherine particularly commends you to practise your music, but I know you need no such reminders, as you are always diligent and your performance never fails to delight me.

And now I must go, for I am beginning to neglect Charles’s guests. We will have some music, I think, and perhaps I might ask Miss Elizabeth to dance a reel.

Your loving brother,

Fitzwilliam


Mr Charles Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,

November 16

Dear Ma,

When are you coming to visit me at Netherfield? It is all very well saying that you have already seen the house, but you have not seen it in the winter. You must come and stay with us for Christmas, and all my brothers and sisters, too.

I expect Caroline has told you already that we have houseguests, Miss Bennet and her sister. Miss Bennet is an angel, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. We think alike on every subject, we dance together—upon my word I like her very much. She is not very well at the moment, a cold, but although I am sorry she is suffering, I cannot be sorry that she is here. Her sister walked over to be with her, which showed a very pleasing affection, though Caroline laughed at her for having a muddy skirt.

I believe Caroline does not like Miss Elizabeth very much, no doubt because Darcy is paying her some attention. I am not surprised. Miss Elizabeth does not hang on his every word as Caroline does. Indeed, when Darcy asked Miss Elizabeth if she would like to dance a reel, she refused, teasing him by saying that he only asked her so that he might despise her taste. A reel, you know, is not held to be a very genteel dance in society. Caroline was shocked that anyone should dare to speak to Darcy in such a fashion, but I could see that Miss Elizabeth did not disgust him, in fact quite the reverse—I am convinced he thought better of her for it. I am sure that Darcy does not like to be fawned over all the time, however much he expects it, and I think he liked to find someone who would stand up to him. I saw him watching Miss Elizabeth throughout the rest of the evening when he thought himself unobserved and there was a look of interest on his face. However, Caroline need have no fear, for it will not last. Darcy is not the man to lose his head over a woman. When he marries, it will be to someone whose pedigree is as long as his own. He can trace his family back to William the Conqueror, and there are very few families in England who can do the same. Upon my honour, I am glad I come from humbler stock. I am free to like whomever I will.

Write to me and let me know when I can expect you.

Your son,

Charles


Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Bennet

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,

November 16

Dear Mama,

You will be pleased to hear that Jane is now so much recovered that she is ready to come home, and I am writing to ask you if you will send the carriage for us this afternoon. We have already trespassed on Mr Bingley’s hospitality far longer than we intended and I am sure he must be wishing us gone. His sister, I know, will not be sorry to see us leave. She is impatient for the day when she can have Mr Darcy all to herself again.

Your affectionate daughter,

Lizzy


Mrs Bennet to Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

November 16

Dear Lizzy,

You are quite wrong when you say that Mr Bingley is wishing you gone, for I never saw anything more promising than his attitude towards Jane when I called at Netherfield. Another few days will do the trick, you mark my words. I always intended Jane to stay at Netherfield for a week, and as the week will not be up until Tuesday, you may have the carriage then.

Your loving Mama

P.S. If Mr Bingley presses you to stay beyond Tuesday, then you must accept, for I can very well spare you for as long as he wishes.


Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Miss Susan Sotherton

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,

November 16

Dear Susan,

I owe you a letter. I would have written to you sooner but I have been busy looking after Jane, who was taken ill when she dined with the Bingleys at Netherfield some days ago. She was too ill to be moved—do not fear, it is only a cold, but she is very poorly with it—and so I came to look after her, for there is nothing so miserable as being among strangers when one is indisposed.