“Georgiana, I will not pretend that I cannot see his preference for you over any other of the women in whose company we have observed him,” agreed Elizabeth. “Do you have other objections to his company?”

“No,” replied Georgiana slowly, “but I would not wish to give rise to any expectations which would necessarily be disappointed. I am, on that account, somewhat uneasy as to whether it is wise to pass such a proportion of our time in his company. I would never knowingly be the cause of giving pain to anyone, if I could direct my behaviour in such a way as to prevent it.”

Here, Mr. Darcy looked up from his paper and asked Georgiana, “I have not had the pleasure of attending to quite all of your conversation, but are you so sure, Georgiana, that you would not in the future find the Comte more agreeable than you do presently?”

Georgiana looked thunder-struck, and knew not how to reply. Her eyes flew immediately to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was in an instant confusion as to how to respond without coming between brother and sister. After a moment’s hesitation, she said quietly, “Georgiana, I do not claim to know the particular reasons why you are irrevocably decided against the Comte, but might venture to guess that you are prejudiced against the idea of returning his regard, as to do so would inevitably force you to choose between your home and your husband.”

“Oh, yes!” cried Georgiana. “That is exactly the reason! Indeed, the Comte d’Estrouville is in no way to blame for my feelings; I know nothing ill of his character. On the contrary, he seems in every way a gentleman. However, I could never consent to such an unhappy arrangement as would require me to give up my home in England, whilst I had any power of preventing it. I have no wish to connect myself so far from home.”

“Well, my dear,” said Darcy, addressing Elizabeth after a moment’s reflection, “again, your superior knowledge of such matters must decide what we are to do. In the light of Georgiana’s feelings, do you think the acceptance of the invitation advisable? I own that my disappointment at the loss of some hours’ fishing would be little counter-balance to such reflections of regret.”