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“When I have something I wish to say.” The answer sounded crueller aloud than it had in her mind. “I am not leaving to make you miserable.”

He looked at her for a long moment. “I cannot find much comfort in the distinction.”

Neither could she. The driver waited at the foot of the steps. Darcy moved aside, allowing her to pass without making her ask him. She went down, accepted the driver's assistance and settled into the carriage with her reticule held between both hands. Only when they were moving did she look back. Her husband stood in the doorway, becoming smaller with a speed she had not prepared herself to bear.

* * *

At the Gardiners', Jane came down to help her upstairs. They would share for the first nights, as they had shared a bed during visits when they were girls. Charlotte would have the little back chamber, ordinarily used for sewing, which their aunt had cleared with more energy than ceremony. Elizabeth set her reticule beside Jane's brush and was overcome by the smallness of the space her new life required.

Sir William had replied on Wednesday to Charlotte's request and was expected that morning. Charlotte arrived shortly after Elizabeth, carrying the original invitation to Rosings and wearing the same black gown in which they had met the previous Friday. She asked whether Elizabeth would remain when she spoke to her father. Elizabeth said she would.

Sir William arrived with an apology for the dust of his journey and an attempt at good spirits which faltered when he saw Charlotte's face. His daughter kissed him. Before he could begin an account of home, she asked that they go into the parlour. Gardiner brought in the solicitor, who had come at the agreed time, and then withdrew at Charlotte's request. Jane stayed upstairs; Mrs. Gardiner kept the servants occupied elsewhere. Charlotte took the chair nearest her father, and Elizabeth sat on her other side.

“I have something difficult to tell you, Papa,” Charlotte said. “I asked this gentleman to advise me on Monday. I should like you to hear it from me.”

Sir William looked towards the solicitor, whose name and business Gardiner had given him in the hall. Then Charlotte began. She told her father what Collins had done before he died, how Elizabeth had intervened and how the blow had been struck. Her voice became almost inaudible when she described catching the paperweight. Elizabeth moved nearer so that their sleeves touched, but left the telling to her.

“I struck him, Papa. Mr. Darcy came afterwards. I know you were told that my husband fell, but that is not what happened.”

Sir William began to rise, then sat again. “Why did you not send for me?”

“I was afraid. I believed that if anyone knew, no one could help us. I am telling you now because I have been advised, and because I want your help without asking you to act upon another untruth.” She turned briefly to the solicitor, then faced her father again. “I cannot make this an easier account for you. I have tried to make it an accurate one.”

“My dear,” Sir William said, and could get no further.

Charlotte continued through the accident story, Darcy's directions and the circumstances which had brought her to Brook Street. When she stopped, her father sat with both hands upon his knees. He had lost the appearance of a man preparing a suitable response. Elizabeth had never liked him better, nor found it harder to watch him.

“I thought you were cared for,” he said. “I was told the arrangements were for your comfort.”

“There has been comfort,” Charlotte said. “I don't wish to pretend otherwise. But I cannot remain there.”

He reached for her hand, then seemed unsure whether he ought. Charlotte gave it to him. His grip was clumsy with distress.

“You must come home.”

“For a little while, perhaps. First I should like to remain here, if Mrs. Gardiner will bear with me, while we consider what I can afford. I want a household of my own, Papa. A small one.”

Sir William looked towards Elizabeth as if she might interpret, then corrected himself and returned his attention to his daughter. He spoke of what he could provide, a modest fixed allowance from the family, and admitted that it could not support the rooms at Brook Street. Charlotte asked him to state the amount to the solicitor so it could be set beside the probable costs. The practical enquiry steadied him.

The adviser reminded them that his advice had offered no assurance against every consequence. Sir William listened, visibly shaken, and did not withdraw his offer. When Charlotte asked whether he required her to go to Rosings, he shook his head with an anger which had no polished expression.

“No. Not for my sake.”

She bent over their joined hands. Elizabeth looked away, giving them what little privacy could be managed without leaving the chair Charlotte had asked her to occupy.

Later that afternoon Elizabeth accompanied her to Brook Street. Sir William had advanced enough for the immediate expense, and Charlotte hired the carriage herself. They would return to the Gardiners when her belongings were ready. There was no need to await the Colonel's next visit.

At the house Charlotte asked for the housekeeper. She explained that she was leaving that day and indicated the trunk and two smaller bundles which were to go. The household bills were tied together upon the bureau; she took her copies, leaving the establishment's papers where they belonged. The housekeeper put a hand upon the smaller bundle. “Would it not be better to wait until the Colonel returns, madam?”

Charlotte looked at the hand. For a moment Elizabeth thought she would agree to another hour, merely to spare the woman her difficulty.

“He will receive a note. Please have that taken to my carriage.”

The housekeeper hesitated, then called the porter. Charlotte watched the bundle go before turning back to the room.

Elizabeth stood near the bed while her friend inspected the packed clothes. She wanted to take something up, to make herself useful, but waited until Charlotte asked her to check that the sewing case was secure in its shawl.

The emerald ring came last. Charlotte opened its box, looked at it briefly and shut it again. She enclosed it with a note declining any further arrangement and stating that she had left the house by her own choice. Then she wrapped and sealed the packet in Elizabeth's presence.