“It is not all about capital, however,” he continued as they walked slowly back up the hill toward the house. “I very much enjoy, as do many of our scientifical gentlemen, the discovery of those animals and crops that are considerably improved, and testing the various methods toward their betterment. I have been very fortunate in that my late father’s steward, Mr. Wickham, Senior, and our present factor, Mr. Bakewell, have been scrupulous record-keepers, and very careful in their experimental methods. As with the library at Pemberley, the produce of the farms is the work of many generations of improvers.”

Elizabeth stopt him just as they were about to enter and said, “But your favourite researches of all are the pears?”

Darcy smiled down at her and said, “Yes, how did you know? Was my enthusiasm for the asparagus and plums not what it ought?”

Elizabeth replied, “Your comment on the French pears. They must be very special, indeed, to surpass these at Pemberley.”

Darcy laughed, “They are, my dear, just as are you.”

“That may do very well for a compliment,” replied Elizabeth, “but it will not do as a comparison: they must be even more special, as I did not require you to make such a journey into France to collect me, merely into Hertfordshire.”

“Well said, Lizzy, but should you like to make a tour of Europe? I think that it may be a good thing for Georgiana, as her society is so little varied. We see the same families year in and year out. It is very pleasant to us, but you and I are not in need of enlarging our acquaintance for matrimony’s sake.”

“Yours is an excellent idea, for it exactly coincides with my own. I suppose it is too soon to leave to-day, but perhaps we may be gone tomorrow?” Lizzy replied, as they went in to tea.

“Lizzy,” began Darcy as they were seated in the small parlour, “I know that you are not serious about to-morrow, but I am concerned that you do not comprehend the inconvenience and trouble of such a journey. For example, to carry our immediate necessities and our servants with us, I need to bespeak a travelling chaise large enough and heavy enough for the journey over the Alps. You and Georgiana must see to the packing of our linens and cloathing for the journey of several months, and for all vagaries of climate. I have my hunting flint-lock and my father’s stag-rifle for under the box, but I would also like to commission a brace of new pistols for myself and Harmon—and a thousand other troublesome details which must be thought of and attended to before we can leave.”