Page 79 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

“I wonder whether he knows how much trouble she is taking on his behalf,” Elizabeth said, her eyes alight with mirth.

Jane had added that Caroline was looking particularly well, and that it was pleasant to see her in such good spirits. I thought this very like Jane. She can observe quite as wittily as Elizabeth, but generally contrives to finish with something kind.

I hope the gentleman proves worthy of all this attention. It must be trying to make so many arrangements for somebody’s benefit and then discover that he has not understood their purpose.

Elizabeth said that she looked forward to learning more when we reached London.

The rest of the letter concerned Mary. Jane has obtained the things she wanted, and will bring them when she and Charles return to Netherfield. Everything there is to be made ready for us before we arrive, so that we need not all descend upon Longbourn with our servants and luggage.

I think Mrs Bennet will have quite enough to occupy her without having to find beds for the whole party. Mary will go home, of course, to be married from Longbourn, and Kitty has decided to accompany her so that she does not have to bear the brunt of Mrs Bennet’s attentions alone. I did ask if their youngest sister and her husband would be coming down from Newcastle for the occasion, but Mary only said rather flatly that they had not been invited.

We leave Pemberley on Saturday. Elizabeth and Mrs Reynolds have been consulting together for much of the day, and Darcy has scarcely emerged from his study except to go out upon the estate.

Kitty is anxious that her drawings should not be placed beneath anything heavy. Georgiana is anxious that none of her music should be forgotten. I have discovered that Luna will enter her basket quite willingly when there is no occasion for her to do so, but objects the instant anybody approaches the lid.

I expect the morning of our departure to be rather busy.

5 October

We have reached Netherfield, and I am very glad that there is no further travelling to be done for a little while.

We have come south by easy stages. Darcy was determined that Elizabeth should not be fatigued, and she submitted to his arrangements with tolerable patience, although she told him more than once that she would inform him when she wished to stop.

He generally appeared to think that it would be better to stop before she wished it.

I found this rather pleasing, though I was careful not to say so when she was looking at him reproachfully.

The cats have travelled better than I expected. There were objections when they were first put into their baskets, but they settled after a while, and each evening we let them out in our rooms at the inn. Luna spent part of the first evening examining every corner of mine, then went back into the basket in which she had so recently declared it impossible to remain.

Mary grew quieter as we approached Hertfordshire. She had been looking forward to seeing her family, but I think the nearness of the wedding had begun to make her thoughtful.

When we stopped at Longbourn today, however, Mrs Bennet left her very little opportunity to remain so.

There were embraces, questions about the journey, questions about Christopher, and an immediate enquiry as to where the wedding gown had been packed. Mary was scarcely permitted to take off her bonnet before her mother wished to see it.

Kitty has remained there with her, and Darling went with Kitty. I think Mary was pleased to have her sister’s company, although Mrs Bennet appeared to believe that Kitty’s principal purpose in returning was to give an opinion upon the lace.

Mary had scarcely begun to explain that matter when we left.

I hope she will be firm.

The rest of us came on to Netherfield, where Jane and Charles had arrived yesterday. They were both waiting to welcome us, and Jane scarcely allowed Elizabeth to come through the door before embracing her.

Then she drew back, still holding her sister’s hands.

“Oh, Lizzy! How much you have grown!”

Elizabeth laughed. “I have had all summer to do it, Jane.”

“I know, but I had not imagined quite such a change.” Jane looked from her sister’s face to the plainly rounded front of her gown, smiling so happily that I could not help smiling too. “It is so very good to see you.”

I had scarcely noticed how much Elizabeth had altered. I see her every day, and although there have been gowns to let out and others put aside, each little change has seemed quite ordinary. Seeing Jane’s surprise made me remember how Lizzy had looked when we were last at Netherfield. There is certainly a considerable difference.

Jane wished to know how she felt, and Elizabeth assured her that she was very well, though she would be glad to sit down. This immediately set both gentlemen in motion. Charles ushered us into the drawing-room while Darcy found the chair he thought would suit his wife best.

Jane sat beside her, and they were soon talking as though there had been no interruption to their daily acquaintance.

I was glad to see them together again. Elizabeth has been so attentive to all of us that it was pleasant to watch her being looked after in her turn.