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Mrs. Bennet had arrived by then. She offered the recollection of two occasions upon which her own mother had predicted a very long wait and been proved mistaken.

“Then we shall hope you are right again, ma’am,” Mrs. Talbot replied. “Will you hand me the shawl?”

Mama supplied it at once. Being asked for something she could find appeared to relieve her more than the answer had done.

For part of the morning Jane preferred the chair beside the window. Elizabeth sat near her while Charles brought whatever his wife requested and occasionally something which nobody had thought to request at all.

“I am not cold,” Jane told him when he came with another blanket.

“It may be useful later.”

“Then put it where Mrs. Reynolds may find it later.”

He did so, and returned to take her hand.

Between the pains Jane could speak quite naturally. She asked whether her father had been told, whether anybody had remembered breakfast, and whether Elizabeth meant to remain in that uncomfortable little chair all day.

“I shall tell you when I become unreasonable about it,” Elizabeth said.

“You may be unreasonable now. We can find you another.”

Elizabeth laughed because her sister wished her to, and was grateful to discover that the sound came readily. There were moments in which this remained an ordinary morning with Jane, interrupted by something which required them all to be patient.

Then Jane would stop speaking, turn toward Charles or Elizabeth, and wait with her eyes closed until the next pain passed.

The morning lengthened. Mrs. Talbot stayed attentive, allowing conversation when Jane wished for it and quiet when she did not. Reynolds went out only for brief intervals, leaving Sally responsible for fetching what was needed from the cupboards below.

Early in the afternoon Elizabeth went to the landing to ask whether Charles had eaten. He had left the room to speak to Darcy, who stood beside him listening. Mr. Darcy looked at her at once.

“Can I bring anything?” he asked.

“Only make certain Charles has something to eat.”

“I shall.”

Their eyes met for a moment. She knew what he would have asked if they had been alone. There was no answer yet. Jane’s hand had felt like Jane’s hand, warm or cool as the room and her own exertions made it. Elizabeth had felt no other pressure.

She returned before her sister could miss her.

Later Jane wished to lie down. Mrs. Talbot directed the change. Charles helped his wife to the bed, then stood aside while the midwife and Mrs. Reynolds made her comfortable.

The larger chair stood empty beside the window. Elizabeth asked whether it might be brought nearer the bed, and Reynolds helped a servant move it into place. The workbag remained upon its right side, within Elizabeth’s reach when she sat down.

“Is that better?” Jane asked her.

“Much.”

Jane managed a small smile. Even now she was pleased to have settled somebody else’s comfort.

Charles stayed until Mrs. Talbot asked for more space about the bed. He looked toward Jane before moving.

“Go with Mr. Darcy for a little while,” his wife said. “I know where to find you.”

“I shall be downstairs.”

“I know.”

He bent and kissed her forehead. Elizabeth watched Jane hold his hand until the last moment before letting him go.