I know your heart will be in agonies for the Comte, dear feeling creature that you are, but do not trouble yourself. There was no denying that his pride and feelings were hurt a great deal. He truly believed he loved her; we are all quite sure of that. But whilst a fortnight’s acquaintance may be enough time for him to regret the loss of what might have been, his disappointment, I feel sure, will be got over in time, for he was likely more in love with the idea of love than the match itself. Georgiana worries herself a great deal over his disappointment, but begins to recover her spirits, for she knows she acted rightly and quickly to spare his feelings, but I do believe that she would willingly bear the Comte’s resentment and the world’s censure rather than marry where she does not love. I confess to being just a little disappointed, especially once we had been shewn ‘round Belle Aire; it is a beautiful, bountiful country, and—as astonishing as it seems—a French version of Pemberley. Surely, it cannot be wrong to wish those we love all the blessings which we ourselves enjoy?

We are now come into the region of Auxerre, where we find yet more surfeits of food and varieties of wine. I wonder Buonaparte was able to march as far as St. Denis, let alone all over Europe, as fond as the French are of eating, drinking, and all manner of entertainments. As I said we might, we staid near to Arcy, exploring the area in search of any evidence of Mr. Darcy’s family, but sadly were unable to discover anything.

By my husband’s express desire, pray tell Mr. Bingley that we have written for an appointment at Château d’Yquem, an engagement that I believe Mr. Darcy is far more eager to keep than any we attended in Paris. By my own desire, pray do not mention the food or the wine to Kitty, for she will imagine nothing but our collective and immediate extinction.

We continue on to Switzerland after Lyon, and let us hope that we have learnt to be content to go on as we are, and encounter no love-lorn Marquis, grief-stricken Ducs, &c.

I send this with our sincerest hopes this finds you in health and happiness, and please give our love and good wishes to all.

Your affectionate sister,

ELIZABETH DARCY