Charlotte and her husband stared at each other over the coffee cups, trying to absorb the implications; they were now, to all intents and purposes, master and mistress of Longbourn estate. Charlotte’s mind began to revolve; she would return to the country of her childhood as the first lady of the modest society it offered. She would not have to labour so industriously. They would be able to afford more staff, a small carriage. They would have stables and horses, grooms and a cook-general. She could take down those execrable curtains in the north-facing parlour, redesign the herb garden. William could settle down – but to what? Perhaps he could collate and publish his sermons?

Mr Collins’s thoughts were running along the same lines. ‘This means great changes for us, my dear,’ he said. ‘Far be it from me, however, to congratulate myself on our good fortune when your friend has been made fatherless, and Mrs Bennet a widow. We must proceed slowly and carefully, or be thought to be taking undue pleasure in the sad loss of others.’

Charlotte murmured her assent, and asked to be excused to see if she could be of any assistance to her friend. She hastened down one of the long, wide corridors that linked the various rooms of Pemberley towards Mrs Darcy’s private chambers, and met a flustered servant on her way to fetch Lizzy’s personal maid. She followed the sound of voices, and came upon Elizabeth prostrate and sobbing on a chaise-longue, her husband kneeling at her side, chafing her wrists and murmuring encouragement.

‘I beg your pardon – I do not mean to intrude,’ said Charlotte, ready to retreat, but Mr Darcy rose and approached her with alacrity.

‘I must write to Longbourn immediately, and also ride down to Hartscrane to communicate with Mr Bingley,’ he said. ‘And arrangements for travel to Hertfordshire must be made with all due speed. I would be grateful if you would sit with Mrs Darcy. Send for the doctor if necessary; she may be in need of a calming draught.’ He kissed his wife on the forehead and hurried from the room, leaving Charlotte to take his place and offer affectionate embraces and words of comfort to her friend.

Sarah, Mrs Darcy’s own maid, soon appeared, and was almost as affected as her mistress; she had come to Pemberley from Longbourn at Lizzy’s personal request, after serving the Bennet family for years. She had been particularly attached to Mr Bennet, who had generously loaned her books from his library, and now shed nearly as many tears at the news of his passing as his daughter.