In his ardent desire to ensure the safe travel of the two most dear to himself, Darcy had written to the Comte, begging his assistance to the Darcy ladies from Paris to Calais, and onto the packet bound for Dover. He paused in his rapid pace only long enough to stop at Paris to deliver his note to the Comte’s mother, who was at that time resident at the Paris house in advance of her son’s arrival in the course of the next few days. His assurance to the dowager Comtesse of the urgency of the case was rendered unnecessary by the dirty state of his cloathing and the obvious anxiety of his mind. Avowing his great obligation to and esteem for her son, Darcy gratefully entrusted the letter into her care, and immediately withdrew to continue on his way. Consequently, by the time Elizabeth and Georgiana entered into Dijon, they were in receipt of a letter from the Comte, explaining that he would meet them upon their arrival into Paris, provide accommodations for them at his own house, and assist them with every possible detail necessary to ready themselves and their belongings for the return voyage to England.

Elizabeth received the letter with some fretfulness at the thought that Georgiana must necessarily meet in daily intercourse with a gentleman, to whose hopes she had so recently given disappointment, but upon shewing the letter to Georgiana, she was surprised that her sister appeared to approve the plan, and, even more unexpectedly, did not seem at all unwilling to be soon and frequently in his company!

“I believe that the friendship of the Comte is far more genuine than any other we have had the good fortune to secure in the course of our visit to Paris. I have never for a minute doubted the sincerity of his regard for all of us. He will, I know, be eager to render this service to my brother, in honour of their mutual regard—it has nothing to do with me. I am confident that the Comte will treat us with every courtesy and unremitting kindness, as is his way, despite the unfortunate circumstances of our parting. Time will have removed the pain of our last encounter, and I do not believe he can now care for me in any other way than as a friend, and esteem me as the sister of a man he respects and admires. I do not at all feel unequal to our meeting.”