“Georgiana, do I disturb you? May I come in?” Georgiana replied that she was only writing some letters, and that he was welcome. “I do remember that I agreed to speak to the Comte on your behalf, to inform him that there was no possibility of an attachment forming between you. I have not yet done so, as you may have since found your opinion alterable, and there might, after all, be a chance for his happiness. He speaks of you so properly, Georgiana, with such gentle hope and ardent admiration. I wonder whether there exists such another gentleman of equal taste, judgement, and intelligence. I see that your cheeks colour at this speech, but I must continue. If any possibility exists that you might, in time, grow to love him, I would ask that you permit me to stay my errand. You must sometime contemplate the possibility of finding someone worthy of your love and esteem. What is your wish? Do you release me to abandon my promise, at least for the present?”

“Perhaps you are right, Brother,” she replied quietly, “but I cannot say with certainty that I would find happiness with the Comte, or he with me. I know, dearest Brother, that you believe yourself to be acting in my best interests, and that you would always wish my happiness in marriage, as in all else. For such a change, I would need to feel secure of such an unusual share of happiness to offer even partial recompense for quitting you and Elizabeth, and Pemberley. For no other reason, being settled so far from my home and everything I love would render such felicity impossible.”

Darcy looked closely at his sister as she spoke these final words, trying to see any hesitation in them, but Georgiana met his gaze very earnestly,

“I understand that you might wish it otherwise, but I ask you, as one who stands in place of my father, to speak with the Comte as soon as you have occasion. I feel we are only compounding the evil by remaining here under false apprehensions. Certainly, Brother, the kindest thing we can do is depart.”