“Elizabeth, you must have some incident in mind to prompt such an unnecessary apology. I beg you tell me what misunderstanding… “

“Misunderstanding! Dearest Georgiana—nay, it was a positive dispute! I recall only yesterday a most lamentable disagreement over the pudding! Mr. Darcy (and we may excuse some partiality on his side, for the present) complimented me on the pudding, and when I disclaimed all knowledge of there being such a thing in the world prior to having eaten it, and that his pleasure was all of your devising, you remonstrated with me most violently about the pears! As if a simple mention of the pears being ripened should secure me the laurels for the ingenious employment of our surfeit, not to mention carrying the day with Monsieur le Cook!”

Georgiana simply smiled and shook her head.

“Now, continued Elizabeth, “I mean to atone for my share of the offense by speaking with you quite frankly on how we are to contrive it so that Pemberley returns to its former, well-regulated ways, and my own inabilities no longer imperil either Mr. Darcy’s happiness or his supper.”

This speech had the unhappy effect of again making Georgiana respond in earnest, “Oh, Elizabeth! I am sure that if any fault is to be found, the fault is surely mine.”

Elizabeth gently but firmly stopt her, and said in an equally serious tone, “You need not be concerned that I mean to apportion to myself any real inconvenience. Pray, let me continue—I am not afraid of being carried away by remorse; my feelings will resume their cheerful course in another moment. Allow me to me recollect that I was a visitor at Pemberley when it was under your care, and your care alone. I assume for myself only the credit due an acknowledgement of my own inabilities that prevent me from ordering any household properly, much less an establishment such as Pemberley. Your domestic management is not only able, but done with an ease and grace that I am sure I should never attain.”

“My appreciation for my other talents—to order people, as opposed to suppers—is, in contrast, so complete, that I have no scruple in advancing a solution for a problem that I have so charmingly occasioned for us both,” Elizabeth continued with a laugh, “and that I hope will meet with your ready approbation. I want to assure you, dear Georgiana, that I have given this matter much reflection—as long as the last ten minutes—and hope that you will see the matter as I do, without regard to the incontrovertible fact that my ideas are always without error.”

Here Georgiana interrupted, “Oh! My dearest Elizabeth, I am sure… “