Lady Catherine looked, if such could be possible, even more wretched than before. She quietly replied, “I was afraid of what my daughter would do if she knew. I had no recourse against the will; I had already tried without success to find a way to have it annulled. The solicitor told me that the will was drawn up in such a way as to prevent my assuming authority over my daughter’s fortune, even if she were incapacitated, or if she had deceased prior to her one-and-twentieth year. Any trusteeship would have passed to you and George. My husband was very thorough.”

“What about the duty of the trustees, when the will was read? Was there no-one else present to inform Anne, in default of your effort?”

“My husband overlooked one particular, which allowed me to hope that I could succeed in retaining controul of the Rosings property until Anne married; at that point it would not be material, as she would naturally have connected herself well—to you, as your mother and I had planned—and the bequest of her father’s estate would not be in question until she deceased. Old Haggerston was named by Sir Lewis as executor. Only he and his clerk were present when the will was read—you and George were named only as successor trustees, and were away at school. Haggerston was the only impediment until such time as the two of you had attained your majority. I easily convinced him that I was delighted with the terms of the will (having my own independent fortune), and that I would inform you and George by my letter. Anne was too young and delicate to be burthened with such matters, and I assured him that I, as her mother, was most able to choose the proper time to relate its contents. Mr. Haggerston left off his business shortly thereafter, and his clerk was in no position to dictate my duties to me. I heard that another man purchased his concern, but, fortunately, amidst the other matters Mr. Haggerston left to his successor, this one minor transaction was likely to be overlooked.”

At last, Darcy spoke and broke the dreadful silence that had arisen since the end of Lady Catherine’s last speech. “I am sorry, Madam; there is little I can say or do to either console or encourage you in such circumstances. I assume that Anne has notified the servants that you are not to be received at your—the house here in town?”

“She is her father’s daughter. She has been so thorough as to have her solicitor affix a bill to the door, indicating that I am not to be allowed onto the premises.”

“In that case, I welcome you to my house for as long as you desire,” he said rising from his chair.