The rest of the day passed uncomfortably enough; Mrs Bennet could not refrain from peevish remarks on the ingratitude of her second daughter, and Mr Collins, lacking the finer feelings that might have led an unsuccessful suitor to absent himself from the family circle, hung about pointedly speaking to Lizzy barely at all, while assiduously engaging Charlotte in conversation at every turn. It was not the first time that Charlotte, one of life’s natural peacekeepers, found herself acting as a necessary buffer between hostile factions, and her civil and mild responses were welcomed not only by Mr Collins, but the rest of the family as well, most notably Lizzy.

When she left for home, her friend pressed her hand with more than usual fervour: ‘Thank goodness you were here, Charlotte. I do not know what we would have done without your cool head and warm heart. And it is a mercy we are dining with your family the day after tomorrow, as Mr Collins shows no sign of cutting short his visit. I know I will be able to rely on you to entertain him as best you can.’

At first, the dinner for which the two families assembled at Lucas Lodge several days later did not seem to be a propitious event. In the circumstances, the awkwardness between members of the Bennet party was only to be expected. Jane made sure she was close to Lizzy at all times, while Mrs Bennet subjected the latter to a continuous fusillade of bitter looks, sighs, head-shaking, and chest-clutching. Lydia and Kitty were no help; they were practically exploding with glee at the expense of their cousin and sister. Mary spoke only to utter platitudes borrowed from moral tomes, and Lizzy’s usual ebullience was muted.

Charlotte exchanged a few words with her friend, enough to ascertain that Lizzy was undaunted by the decision she had made. Charlotte marvelled again at the blithe confidence the combination of youth and beauty bestowed. Lizzy showed no regret whatsoever at having rejected Mr Collins’s admittedly precipitate and crass proposal; and while it seemed unlikely that he had formed any real attachment to her in the few days he had known her, there was her family to consider. It surprised Charlotte that the prospect of securing their future at Longbourn had not tempted her friend, but it was clear that Lizzy accepted as her due that her future would hold further – and more attractive – offers of matrimony.