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“I hope you have not considered me incapable of improvement.”
“No. I have considered you very obstinate.”
“That accusation is easier to bear.”
“It is also more useful. I can tell you when you are being obstinate. I cannot spend our lives deciding whether a dream has made you somebody else.”
He looked at her hand in his.
“Our lives?”
“Have you discovered some objection since our last discussion?”
“None.”
“Then you need not seize upon every plural as though I might withdraw it.”
She released his hand, rose, and came around the desk. He stood to meet her. For a moment they remained close without speaking. Then Elizabeth touched his cheek and kissed him.
He put his arm about her and returned the kiss with a pleasure which required no explanation from either of them.
When she drew back, she was smiling.
“That was not an answer to every objection you may ever make to yourself.”
“I shall endeavour not to mistake it for one.”
“Good. You may answer it, however.”
He did.
On Saturday morning Mrs. Bennet delayed the carriage because she wished to see Jane once more.
Mr. Bennet had expected the delay. He stood in the hall with his gloves on, reading the first page of the very book Elizabeth had attempted to hide from him.
Darcy glanced at the volume.
“I believe Miss Bennet intended to finish that.”
“Then she must ask for it before I leave.”
“She returned it to my desk.”
“An unfortunate precaution. She knows how readily I find things there.”
It was November 20. The Bennets meant to be home on Monday, after two nights upon the road. Mrs. Bennet had begun to remember three daughters whose conduct with their aunt might require examination.
Now Mrs. Bennet came down with Elizabeth beside her.
“Jane is quite comfortable,” she informed the gentlemen. “Charles is to write if there is the least alteration. I have told him not to suppose he will spare me anxiety by saying nothing.”
“I believe he understands,” Elizabeth said.
“He ought to. I have explained it very carefully.”
Mr. Bennet closed the book. “Then perhaps we may allow him to discover whether he has understood without our remaining to ask.”
Mrs. Bennet turned to Darcy and thanked him warmly.
