I write to you from Beauvais, a place with an air of enchantment owing to the extraordinary Abbey church here. There is peacefulness, not a sadness, to be found, a sensation especially remarkable when one considers the horrible fate of this beautiful place of worship at the hands of Buonaparte and his adherents. My brother and Elizabeth have spent the day exploring the town and its surroundings, whilst I sit to correspond. I am afraid that the beautiful writing table my brother so thoughtfully installed in the chaise is unused by me, for I cannot help but feel the sea-sickness whilst reading or writing as we travel—even on dry land! I make a poor traveller, indeed, a deficiency made even more mortifying, as dear Elizabeth never appears to feel the slightest fatigue or other discomfort. Her enthusiasm for travel is a powerful blessing. I console myself with the reflection that having one’s husband as a companion must be an infinite source of strength and contentment—I know it should be so with me.

I am sure Paris will be delightful, and I eagerly await the pleasure of our meeting together again in Geneva. I remain,

Your fond cousin,

GEORGIANA DARCY

Having successfully composed a letter that said everything and nothing at once, and sure of having concealed her heart sufficiently from its recipient, she carefully sealed both letters and gave them to the servant to post. As she began to dress for supper, a knock at her chamber door announced the return of her brother and Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy handed her a silver box, inside of which was the beautiful miniature of a white cat, framed within a golden locket. “Oh!” gasped a surprised and delighted Georgiana. “My dearest brother—Elizabeth—it is so like Mademoiselle Blanche—so beautiful! I hardly know how to thank you—I miss her so much—thank you—thank you!” Georgiana handed the chain to Elizabeth and asked her to help put it on, vowing to wear it until she was returned to Mademoiselle. Darcy and Elizabeth left to dress, allowing Georgiana a few minutes to compose herself.

Their inn did not answer, being ill-attended, inconvenient, and in every way disagreeable. There was even a difficulty to get tea, despite the habit of the inn-keeper and his servants of constantly opening the doors and banging them loudly as they went through their rooms.