‘You give me too much credit, Mr Collins. Mrs Bennet is my wife’s mother, Elizabeth’s sisters are my sisters. Their happiness and comfort is very much my concern, especially at this time of bereavement. But still more important is the happiness and comfort of my wife, and I must own that at a time of great grief and distress, these tidings have made a significant impression on her. She speaks of nothing but your compassion and kindness. Mrs Collins, I have a note from her for you, in which I assume she conveys these feelings to you directly.’

He drew a letter from his jacket and presented it to Charlotte, who hastily tucked it into a pocket lest her husband suggest she open and read it to them all.

‘I am glad to learn that Mrs Darcy takes comfort from our decision,’ she said, hoping to lead the conversation into a different channel. ‘And I am certain Mrs Bennet is greatly supported by the knowledge that she has good friends about her at this time.’

‘Indeed,’ said Mr Collins, veering towards dangerous territory. ‘And think, in all the first distress of widowhood, Mrs Bennet need not give up her home to others, move elsewhere, find herself estranged from familiar scenes and faces.’

Mr Darcy regarded them thoughtfully. ‘Mr Collins, yours is certainly not the usual response of an heir, and I would be sorry to see the legitimate process of inheritance disrupted. Are you not being too super-fine? Pray do not make such a momentous decision for the ease and convenience of my family. We could easily accommodate ten Mrs Bennets at Pemberley.’

Her husband opened his mouth, but Charlotte was there first: ‘Oh, sir, do not mistake us for saints! We are, we freely confess, motivated as much by self-interest as compassion. The extra line of revenue will make our lives here more comfortable – we can employ a curate, and Mr Collins can pay more attention to his sermons and his writing, and matters of the land here at Hunsford. We mean no disrespect to the processes of the law, or to the conduct of our superiors, and intend to be guided by them in due course. But the suddenness of Mr Bennet’s death has taken us all off guard. There is no reason matters should not go on as before for a little time, while we all make our adjustments.’

Mr Darcy nodded. ‘Very well. I shall write to my wife tonight to convey the particulars of your decision. Might I say once again that whatever the reasons that prompted such an unusual course of conduct, she finds it a source of comfort and ease, and speaks repeatedly of the kindness of your family. We are both indebted to you.’