In consideration of the years of conjugal misery, frequently punctuated by Lady Catherine’s reminders as to their difference in rank, that his fortune and house had been acquired by trade, that their consequence and respectability were owing entirely to her family, &c., the good knight had seen fit to settle the entirety of his estate upon his daughter, his commiserator, comforter, and confidante in the pathos and torment of daily domestic abuse. Sir William’s enquiries also proved enlightening as to the particulars of Sir Lewis’s will; namely, that Anne de Bourgh had been a wealthy woman since attaining her majority, the fact of which Lady Catherine had apparently kept her daughter in the dark. In short, that Lady Catherine was living on her daughter’s inheritance and ignorance, Sir William felt with certitude. The entirety of the Rosings estate was now the property of Anne de Bourgh; the will of Sir Lewis left no ambiguity on that score. That no one of independent means, regardless of relation, would live under the iron thumb of Lady Catherine a moment longer than absolutely necessary was equally unequivocal.

In the week prior, this honourable gentleman deliberately cancelled several engagements with the de Bourghs in order to confirm his indispensability to both mother and daughter, so that when they next met, Sir William felt it highly probable, within the space of a short time, he would be master of seven thousand pounds to be pledged with Lady Catherine’s ready approbation, in a most attractive speculation. With the pecuniary details all but secured, Sir William was now free to turn his attentions to Miss de Bourgh. It was extremely convenient, thought Sir William, that the mother was so disposed to the match; he would much prefer Lady Catherine as an ally—if necessary, to secure her daughter’s consent—than an adversary, but this was of trifling concern. He was in no uncertainty that he would succeed in his suit, as, indeed, every time he was in the presence of Her Ladyship, she seemed almost wishing to introduce the subject! Anne’s feelings toward himself were less definitive, but he had never yet failed to engage any woman’s heart with his attentions. He anticipated little resistance, and resolved to lose no more time in securing Anne and her fortune to himself.

CHAP. 19.