the abrupt end it had brought to preparing her sister's trousseau, Elizabeth had sought substitute em-
ployment for her needle. She'd tried to return to work on Jane's layette, but found herself unable to muster enthusiasm for it.
At breakfast. Elizabeth heard with restlessness the clock chime announcing that hours yet stood between the present time and the one that had been fixed upon for Darcy and Mr Ferrars's call in Pall Mall. She would accompany her husband as far as St. James's, where Elinor had invited her to meet the Brandons while they awaited the results of the gentlemen's errand.
'You and Mrs Ferrars seem to have formed a congenial acquaintance.' Darcy observed.
'I like her very much.' she replied. 'She is an easy person with whom to converse. Had Kitty's marriage taken place, my sister would have been fortunate in her connection to Mrs. Edward Ferrars.'
'And what of her connection to Mrs Robert Ferrars?'
'Conversation with Lucy Ferrars is easy, as well. No one else in the room need speak at all.'
The designated hour at last arrived. She and Darcy drove to the Brandons' townhouse, where Elizabeth was shown to the drawing room and Edward Ferrars took her place in the carriage.
Elinor's mother, sister, and brother-in-law were gathered in the room when Elizabeth entered. Mrs. Ferrars introduced her to Colonel and Mrs. Brandon, who welcomed her graciously and apologized for having been otherwise occupied when she called the previous afternoon. Elizabeth judged the former Marianne Dashwood to be perhaps two-and-thirty, and her husband nearly twenty years older. Five minutes' observation of the couple declared that they had married for an affection that the intervening years had not diminished.
They spoke the pleasant nothings that fill the conversations of people first meeting, until Mrs. Brandon grew obviously weary of empty chatter and cut to the subject on all of their minds.
'I understand your husband accompanies Edward to try to save our nephew from himself,' she said.
Elizabeth appreciated her directness and returned it. 'I am afraid we cherish little expectation of prevailing upon him. Mr. Darcy attempted to guide Mr. Dashwood while he and my sister were still engaged, without success, and their acquaintance has become less cordial since. With Mr. Ferrars's aid, however, perhaps Mr Dashwood may be worked upon. We can but hope, especially following last night's debacle.'
Marianne and the others regarded her in ignorance. 'Something more occurred last night?'
Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face. She had assumed someone would have informed Harry's relations by now that he had lost the estate they had once called home. She certainly did not want to he the bearer of tidings that would so shock and grieve these good-hearted people.
Fortunately, she was spared the unpleasant office by the timely arrival of Mrs. Robert Ferrars. who did not even allow the housekeeper to finish announcing her before bursting into the room with exclamations of astonishment and condolence.
'My dear Elinor and Marianne! Dear Mrs. Dashwood! I came the moment I heard about Norland. How devastated you must be!'
Had anyone else appeared so conveniently, Elizabeth would have marveled at the coincidence. But Lucy Ferrars was like the herald of a Greek tragedy, invested by her creator with the ability to enter a scene just when her communication could provide its most dramatic result. If only she would then exit as quickly, instead of staying on like a chorus to comment on her revelations, her dedication to performing the office might earn
her more appreciation.
All the room regarded her with dread — most in apprehension of what they were about to hear, Elizabeth in anticipation of its effect.
'We have received no news of Norland today,' Elinor said.
'Be so land as to enlighten us.'
'Why. I can't believe you haven't heard! Harry lost Norland! Gambled it away in a card game to Lord Lovejoy. The whole estate!'
Marianne gasped 'Norland — gone?' She looked to her mother 'I cannot conceive of it. Strangers in our home?' She turned her gaze back to Lucy. 'You are quite certain? There has been no mistake? You know how the ton—'
'Oh, I'm certain! I had it from Harry himself'
Elizabeth wondered what occasion Lucy would have had to see Mr. Dashwood already today, but given the magnetic pull between her and tidings of misfortune, some meeting between them in the wake of Harry's ill-fated whist game had probably been inevitable.
Mrs. Dashwood looked as if she'd been struck. 'I am thankful Henry and Uncle Albert are not alive to witness this,' she said quietly 'What an ungrateful child John and Fanny raised.'
'Yes. poor Fanny!' said Lucy, oblivious to the fact that Mrs. Dashwood had been ascribing some of the responsibility to Harry's parents. 'As a mother, my heart just breaks for her. Don't all of yours? Well — not yours, Mrs Darcy. since you don't have any children. But if you were in the family way like your elder sister, I'm sure you'd understand.'
Elizabeth smiled thinly and said nothing. The last person from whom she cared to hear observations about her family state was Lucy Ferrars.
'Thank heavens Fanny disinherited him before he could gamble away her fortune, too,' Lucy continued. 'Mrs Darcy, your younger sister is well rid of Harry. I'm relieved that Regina avoided connection with him. I suspected he was developing an attachment to her, but obviously that will be most soundly discouraged now. Besides, she has so many gentlemen
pursuing her that she hardly need settle for her own cousin. '
Elizabeth, still vexed by Lucy's earlier remark, could not let this one pass unchallenged. 'Indeed? I don't recall Miss Ferrars ever mentioning a suitor.'
'Why, we had so many callers yesterday we could paper the parlor with their cards.'
Fanny's bequest had evidently transformed Regina into a more eligible commodity in the marriage market. Elizabeth wondered if her newly enhanced dowry would prove enough to make up for inheriting Lucy Ferrars as a mother-in-law.
'Had you not better return home soon, then,' Elinor suggested. 'In case a caller appears whom Regina would like to receive?'
Elizabeth knew there was a reason she liked Elinor.
'No. I've told her a gentleman must come three limes before we'll admit him — to prove he's serious.' She rose. 'But I do need to supervise her toilette. We are going to Almack's tonight'
She made as dramatic an exit as possible given that no one in her audience took interest in watching it. Her departure did, however, occasion a collective expression of relief on the part of those remaining.
'Norland — lost!' Marianne said as the curtain fell on Lucy's performance. 'I still can scarcely comprehend it. I hope Edward is soundly lecturing Harry this minute. Though what further evil our nephew can commit, I cannot imagine.'
'Nor can I,' Elinor said. 'But I am sure that if he gets himself into any more trouble, Lucy will most thoughtfully keep us informed.'
When people are determined on a mode of conduct which they know to be wrong, they feel injured by the expectation of anything better from them.
'Mr. Ferrars and Mr. Darcy' Mr. Dashwood repeated his servant's announcement. 'Come to call on me together. How congenial.'
Harry received them in his dining room, where he sat behind large dish of ice cream. Though the glace looked appealing on this warm June afternoon, Darcy begrudged Mr. Dashwood the simple pleasure of it. In sacrificing his estate so capriciously he had injured not just himself and his family, but all those who relied on Norland for their
