THE GENERAL SPIRITS of the Darcy family having been somewhat restored, it might be assumed that the family were able to enjoy their last hours in Geneva without further upset, but two pieces of bad news being invariably succeeded by a third, this last found its way to the family through delivery of a letter to Mr. Darcy, addressed in the generously proportioned hand of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Both Mrs. and Miss Darcy attended to the letter, which the recipient read aloud for their benefit, and to their collective astonishment.

7th May
Grand Parade, Bath

DEAR FITZWILLIAM,

You may receive my news with some surprise, having presupposed, no doubt, that my tender feelings for Sir Lewis would prevent any second attachment, but your assumptions are mistaken, for upon your return to our country, married I will be, and happily so. Our recent residence in Bath was occasioned, of course, for no benefit of my own, but rather to provide a scene of more diversion for your cousin, Anne. Imagine my surprise to find that I, myself, was the object of a gentleman of our acquaintance. I am renowned for the natural modesty of my character, but the ardency of the intentions of the gentleman in question being quite unmistakable, an attachment has been formed, and Sir William Elliot and I intend to announce our engagement without delay.

I write to you not only because I know you would wish the earliest knowledge of my happiness, and so to avail yourself of the opportunity to wish your aunt joy, but also to impart to you some advice, for I find that my intended is in the happy position of possessing many friends in the world of business, and a most advantageous investment opportunity has been presented to me. Sir William informs me that you are under quite a misapprehension in your notion that the coal-gas is the most advantageous for lighting. The errors of this notion have been made apparent to me during my own particular researches of these past weeks. I am, sadly, bound to the strictest secrecy, and can tell you no more at present, but suffice to say that I am in expectation of a large return. Please send my fondest regards to your sister.

With great affection, I sign myself—for perhaps the last time,

LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

A silence descended over the table as each of the Darcys attempted to make some sense of the letter’s contents. Mr. Darcy was the first to attempt a response.