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Caroline described the colours while Jane listened. When they had finished, Charles asked his wife to help him answer the agent.

They went to the writing table in the adjoining room. Charles took the agent’s letter; Jane took their mother’s letter, which Charles had not yet read. Elizabeth remained to finish the last stitches in the sleeve.

Caroline waited until the other door had closed.

“You are very pleased with yourself.”

Elizabeth kept her needle clear of the cloth. “I had little to do with the decision.”

“You made your opinion plain enough.”

“Jane’s opinion mattered more. She managed to make that plain herself.”

Caroline came back to the table. “You may find it less amusing when somebody objects to the arrangements you wish to make in another person’s house.”

Elizabeth felt the blood rise in her face. She knew perfectly well which house Caroline meant, though neither of them had named it.

“I shall endeavour to remember the difference between being invited to help and being permitted to decide.”

“An admirable distinction. I wonder how long you will observe it.”

“Long enough, I hope, to ask the lady whose room I propose to alter.”

Caroline looked at the little garment in Elizabeth’s hands.

“You have made yourself indispensable to Jane. That must be a great comfort to you.”

“Jane has never required me to earn the right to remain beside her.”

“And Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth laid down her needle.

“You must ask him whatever question you mean to ask. I will not supply an answer merely to give you something to dislike.”

For a moment she thought Caroline would say the whole accusation plainly. Instead Caroline gathered the music left beside her chair.

“I am sure you will be very happy here.”

The words were civil. Her voice was not.

“I hope to see Jane safely delivered and comfortably settled,” Elizabeth replied. “You have no reason to quarrel with either wish.”

Caroline went out with the music held tightly against her. Elizabeth remained still until the door shut. Her hand shook when she took up her needle again, and she put it down rather than spoil the work.

She had wanted to be clever. She had been angry, and frightened that Caroline saw more of her hopes than she had admitted aloud. Neither feeling entitled her to treat the room dispute as a victory won for herself.

By Thursday morning the departure had been settled for after breakfast.

Elizabeth came down to find Charles attempting to fit his sisters’ bandboxes into the carriage without depriving Hurst of a place for his feet. Finch’s answer had gone: the nursery would remain where Jane wished it.

Jane embraced both women in the hall. Caroline promised to write and told her that the pale ribbon would suit the little cap better than the blue. Jane thanked her and said she would keep both until the child supplied an opinion.

Mr. Darcy wished them a safe journey and gave Louisa a message for a mutual acquaintance. He neither neglected Caroline nor prolonged the farewell. Elizabeth was grateful for the restraint, and ashamed of observing it so closely.

Caroline turned to her last.

“Miss Eliza.”