BEAUVAIS WAS SITUATED on the banks of the Therain, and notable, Georgiana related, for its having successfully rebuffed a siege in the year 1472, when a woman, Jeanne Hachette, commanded the women of the town against an invading army led by the Duke of Burgundy. The Duke’s men were repelled by the ferocity of the towns-women, abandoning their enterprise and retreating into the hills. In homage to these brave souls every year, a procession of women from Beauvais paraded through the town, holding hay-forks, kitchen knives, and all manner of domestic weaponry. Despite such an heroic and feminine history, the town itself was deplorably dirty, and the imposition of a variety of disgusting odours was most unpleasant. Arriving early in the afternoon, and despite a near-inability to draw breath, the Darcys decided to walk about the town a little before continuing to their inn.

Georgiana had felt her spirits sink as she realised they had arrived at Beauvais on Saturday, and hence would not reach Paris for another four days. She was confused by the strength of her own impatience, and only after much reflection did she recognise both the malady and its cause. Not usually given to anxious sensibility, she found herself sitting forward on the chaise seat, every muscle in tension, and very disquiet in mind. Elizabeth asked if Georgiana were uncomfortable, and did she need a coverlet, or perhaps would she like to remove from the carriage and walk a little. Georgiana had not noticed any change in her own posture, but upon her sister’s questioning, was immediately aware of the accuracy of Elizabeth’s observation. Now even more anxious, in this instant, to minimise their concern over her perceived discomfort, Georgiana resorted to a small falsehood, and replied that she would be happy to have the coverlet and cushion, as she was wishing to rest. It was quite warm within the chaise, but, Georgiana reasoned, in the guise of sleep and the solitude it afforded, she could more quickly understand and dissuade herself from such an unreasonable agitation of spirits.