The Darcys planned an early departure for the continent, calculated not only to permit a leisurely tour through to Paris and Geneva, reaching the Italian Alps and Simplon Pass as soon as the snows permitted safe passage, but also to avoid the hordes of round, English faces who would descend upon Europe later in the spring. It was said that there was no refuge to be found where the picturesque or solitude was yet undisturbed by their innumerable compatriots, their chaises, and loud accents. Mr. Darcy had been informed that prices had increased significantly with the invasion southward, and Elizabeth was given to understand the necessity of bringing all of their bed-cloathes, as the linens on the continent were not dependably clean. Georgiana ordered a new sketchbook, and her brother provided her with an ingenious folding easel that, when extended, included a chair! To his wife, he presented an exquisite travelling escritoire, inlaid with her initials. He presented himself with an handsome brace of pistols, and a new great-coat.

Elizabeth was energetically employed bespeaking linens and travelling cloathes; Mrs. Reynolds in ascertaining which of their trunks would fit on the coach most efficiently, and how to contrive to fill them with every imaginable article that might—in the most unlikely of circumstances—be of need to the Darcys on the road. Mr. Darcy wrote to his scientifical friends abroad as to their residence when the visit was likely to be paid, and to the loriner bespeaking large harness for the new coach horses; he asked the farrier to lay in extra shoes and extra carriage-furniture. Everything was to be in readiness for a departure in late February or early March, depending upon the vagaries of the English climate.

All of this industry and invention was nearly over-thrown when Georgiana announced that she could not possibly leave Mademoiselle Blanche, who, in her advancing years, appeared to be ailing. “She hardly eats anything, no matter what delicacy Cook sets before her, and see how rough and dull her fur is become? I am convinced that, in my absence, she may not eat at all, or, at any rate, will be much worse without my attendance.” Both Darcy and Elizabeth tried to reassure her that Mademoiselle Blanche looked likely to exist for some time to come, but Georgiana was unusually obdurate.

“Mademoiselle Blanche was there to soothe my sorrow and offer me comfort in times of a most wretched loneliness and grief. I shall never consent to forfeit my duty to in her time of need.”

There seemed an impasse until Mrs. Annesley offered to remain behind with Mademoiselle Blanche: “Georgiana, dearest, Mademoiselle Blanche may not love me as well as she loves you, but we have been three together these many years. I will answer for her comforts in your absence.” Reluctantly, Georgiana was persuaded to yield to entreaty, with the declarations of all that Mademoiselle Blanche yet looked very well able to survive to see another twelve-month, at least.

CHAP. 17.