As he completed his errands, he passed by the shop window of Rojard’s, and admired the small size and elegance of the new pocket-watches on display. Pausing outside the shop window for a moment before entering, his attention was caught by an assistant demonstrating a mouse automaton, finely covered in rows of pearls, much to the delight of a gentleman and lady within. The animal was perfection, from its golden nose to its woven tail. The movement was extremely life-like, all four feet scurrying, and the little head moving up and down as if it were inspecting the ground. As he watched, the mouse suddenly stopt in its tracks, and performed twice a volte-face before scurrying off in the opposite direction. It was a master-piece of precision and artistry, and Darcy had never seen the like. Entering the shop, he quietly waited by the door whilst the assistant enquired whether the couple meant to purchase the automaton. When the assistant named the sum, the gentleman laughed his dissent, and, donning his hat and taking his lady by the arm, he bade Mr. Darcy and the assistant a good day.

The assistant recognised the tall Englishman at once, for Mr. Darcy had visited the shop on a previous day to enquire of some of the jewellery. “Mr. Darcy! It is indeed a pleasure to remake your acquaintance again. Please, sir, if you are pleased, we must rewind the automaton, for you miss the beginning of his trick.” By the time the machine had finished its display, Darcy had determined that the mouse was the very thing to amuse his sister after the loss of her Blanche, reflecting that the mechanism was more than worth its price, if it might allay Georgiana’s sadness. The clerk presented the automaton to Mr. Darcy in a beautifully inscribed silver case in the shape of a cupboard and drawer. Well-satisfied with the result of these exertions, he walked directly back to the hôtel in the happy anticipation of the pleasure the gifts would bring his wife and sister.