Driving into the city, their route took them past the terminus of the Simplon, Buonaparte’s Triumphal Arch, sadly unfinished. The end of the Simplon as it approached Milan was very grand. The main road, passing through the great gates into Milan, was at least as wide as Piccadilly, with wide pavements on each side for the benefit of those walking. Unlike Paris, Milan was a warren of small, irregular streets, with few avenues of any size, and many streets so small that they could but barely accommodate a coach-and-four. Mr. Harmon was greatly vexed at the manoeuvres required to get close to their hôtel. The streets were a riot of carts, waggons, persons crossing everywhere, with no regard as to whether their way was clear, men standing in the street, shouting at one another, at passers-by, and even at persons at windows above the street. The noise and odours of the city were unlike any other of their knowledge, and made streets of Paris look like an oasis of well-regulated tranquility by comparison. They, at last, arrived at the Albergo della Gran-Bretagne, where they were to pass several days, and saw their baggage removed into the hôtel, and their horses and carriages disposed of safely in a mews near-by. Before they could settle into their rooms, it was necessary for Mr. Darcy to agree the price of their stay. As disagreeable as it was to the sensibilities of the English, Darcy had been advised that making a previous bargain was the only method of securing himself and his family against the greater evil of a dispute upon departure.

Milan was the last-intended meeting place of the Darcys with Colonel Fitzwilliam, but upon their arrival, a letter awaited Mr. Darcy, again full of apologies and explaining that the Colonel was delayed again a mere few days, but he would be sure to meet them at Venice. Georgiana, not having an idea previously of such an effect being possible, her heart now sank even further and she grew proportionately more silent and melancholy. She knew not how she could support herself well enough to appear composed, and was unable to make any excuse for her obvious indisposition upon their arrival, other than she had the head-ache and would be glad to lie down. She later sent word that she did not care for supper, and would rather rest until the morrow.