was standing up front waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Rosalyn sat next to Elizabeth, crying inconsolably.
Suddenly the doors to the back of the church opened wide, and everyone turned to see the bride come down the aisle. Elizabeth did not know who the bride was, and was just as anxious as everyone to see who would step out and walk down the aisle to him.
For several moments everyone waited, but no one came. Turning toward the people in the church, Mr. Darcy demanded, “Where is my bride?”
His eyes searched the crowded church as young ladies called out asking, “Is it me? Is it me?”
He grew impatient, and finally turned and noticed Elizabeth; his eyes glared out at her. “What are you doing over there, Elizabeth?” he demanded to know.
She looked down, and to her dismay, saw that she was wearing a wedding gown.
She awoke suddenly, her heart beating wildly. His gaze, looking out at her in her dream, was just as real to her as his gaze last evening. She shook her head as she tried to rid her mind of thoughts of him. Her hand went up and covered her mouth as she realized with a start that in truth she had begun to think differently about him. Her eyes widened as she contemplated this.
Elizabeth wondered why Rosalyn had not come to her last evening to enlighten her about all the events from the previous night. Perhaps Rosalyn’s hopes were dashed? Perhaps there was something she discovered about him that made her realize he was not her ideal? Could she have realized that her belief—her hope—that he had formed an attachment to her was erroneous?
Elizabeth took her time getting ready, and just as she was about to leave her room to go downstairs, there was a knock at the door.
“Elizabeth, it is Rosalyn. May I come in?”
Just anticipating the purpose of the visit prompted Elizabeth to feel somewhat anxious, but she cheerfully answered, “Do come in, Rosalyn.”
A sombre-faced young lady walked in. She lacked all the cheerfulness and sparkle that her other visits had. Elizabeth could only imagine what prompted this and hoped that whatever it was, Rosalyn would soon recover from it.
Rosalyn walked away from Elizabeth toward the window, and then abruptly turned back toward her. “You did not tell me of all your dealings with Mr. Darcy. I cannot believe you kept it from me.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and her mouth went dry. Before she was able to answer, Rosalyn continued, “He told us everything. How could you not have told me?”
Feeling her hands begin to shake, Elizabeth clasped them together tightly. She could not imagine Mr. Darcy informing them of his proposal and her refusal, and did not know what to say. “Rosalyn, I am sorry that I did not tell you. I am truly surprised that Mr. Darcy did. You must think me completely devoid of reason and a fool!”
Rosalyn stepped forward and reached out to Elizabeth. “Certainly not,” she said as she smiled softly. “It is not your fault that Mr. Bingley prefers your sister to Miss Darcy. Poor Miss Darcy. I hope she does not take this too hard.”
Trying to comprehend all that Rosalyn was saying, Elizabeth simply asked, “What? What about Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley?”
“Oh, I am sorry. I jumped ahead of myself. Mr. Darcy confidentially informed us that he was here last night in Mr. Bingley’s place, as there was no longer any attachment between Mr. Bingley and his sister. He went on to say that Mr. Bingley had realized that he still had strong feelings for a young lady he knew previously… and that young lady was your sister, Jane!”
Great relief flooded Elizabeth, mingled with a profusion of joy! She leaned over and hugged Rosalyn. “You do not know how happy this makes me! I must confess that I was surprised when I saw Mr. Bingley with Miss Darcy when they came to the house, and was so disheartened when I heard that an engagement between them was expected by all. I felt that all hope was gone for my sister. I was so in despair for Jane that I did not have the heart to even tell her that I had seen him, and I still have not.”
“Then you and your sister shall have much to talk about today, shall you not?” Rosalyn asked.
“Oh, yes, especially if Mr. Bingley has already called.” Elizabeth suddenly thought of Miss Darcy. “But how did Miss Darcy appear? Do you think she is very upset?”
Rosalyn shrugged her shoulders. “She is a very quiet girl; perhaps she was a bit more subdued last night than on the few other times I saw her. When we first inquired about Mr. Bingley, she merely replied that he could not attend due to other plans that arose. It was only when we mentioned him to Mr. Darcy that he informed us what had truly happened.”
Elizabeth tilted her head, wondering whether Mr. Bingley’s decision to return to Jane was sanctioned by Mr. Darcy or not. “And how did Mr. Darcy seem with this development? Did it appear that he harboured any anger or resentment toward Mr. Bingley for his actions regarding his sister?”
“He seemed only to have concern for her. He acted a bit protective of her throughout the evening. But he definitely made a point of informing us that it was your sister for whom Mr. Bingley still harboured an attachment.”
This surprised Elizabeth, for certainly Bingley’s actions most likely cost him Mr. Darcy’s friendship. “I am certain that Mr. Darcy must be gravely concerned for his sister,” Elizabeth answered, convinced that now, with his sister’s loss, he would have more reason to think ill of her—and her family.
“It is sad for her,” Rosalyn let out a sympathetic sigh. “But I only think that this means she is not to marry and therefore Mr. Darcy will not be so inclined to find a wife for himself directly. It gives me a little more time.”
Elizabeth let out a resigned chuckle. “Yes, Rosalyn. It may just do that.”
After the Willstones departed for church, Elizabeth hurried to get herself ready for her weekly visit to see Jane and the Gardiners. While she had earlier felt great sorrow anticipating this day—it being their last visit for several months—she could now look forward to it with great joy. Knowing that Mr. Bingley may have already paid Jane a call and that there was every hope of their love and attachment being restored brought her much elation. The mere hope of that would carry her through those months in the North Country far away from her family.
When Elizabeth arrived, the vibrant smiles with which her aunt and sister welcomed her caused her to hope that Mr. Bingley had indeed paid a call. Jane’s first words out of her mouth confirmed it.
“He came, Lizzy! He came!”
Elizabeth immediately went up to Jane and wrapped her arms about her. “Just by seeing your rapturous face, dear Jane, I have no need to ask of whom you speak. Mr. Bingley paid a call.” It was more of an affirmation than a question.
Jane nodded as tears of joy pooled in her eyes. “Just yesterday. I was so anxious for you to come today to tell you.”
“I am so pleased, Jane.” Elizabeth drew back and tilted her head at her sister. “And did you find him well? Is he just as you remember him to be?”
“Yes.” Jane laughed softly. “He has been in good health. He told me that he saw you at the Willstones’. How could you not have told me? He was so grieved to hear about Father. He expressed tremendous regret for our loss and offered heartfelt consolation. He also assured us how sorry he was that he never returned to Netherfield.”
Elizabeth felt great joy as she watched Jane speak in such a lively manner, quite unlike she normally did. “And did he make plans to call on you again?”
Jane let out a contented sigh. “Yes. He is meeting us at church this morning and will be returning to spend the afternoon here. I hope you do not mind, Elizabeth. I know this is your last visit for several months and…”
“You must know that I will heartily welcome Mr. Bingley’s company,” she fervently assured her sister. “Nothing could make me happier!”
As they ate breakfast together before leaving for services, Jane and Mrs. Gardiner related all that happened during Mr. Bingley’s visit: how he stayed for more than an hour, how it appeared he could not take his eyes off Jane,
