“This is what I used to sleep with when I was a little girl, and wore the gown you are wearing tonight. Until Tabby’s kittens are old enough for Tabby to leave them and sleep with you, would you like to have Miss Kitty?”

Betsey reached for the well-worn toy and said, “Oh! Yes Ma’am!” and tucked the old woollen kitty in next to her pillow. “Now, Miss Kitty, it is time to sleep. Le’ me help you wif’ your prayers.” Georgiana softly closed the door, thinking, “With what different feelings did I leave this house only a few hours ago! In such short time have all my prospects changed—from a life of unremitting struggle against heart-break and despair, to a future of every imaginable blessing! I am truly the most fortunate of mortals; I have not one ungranted wish—no imaginable cause to repine. An husband and a child! Two to bring greater joy with each day, greater tenderness, and greater regard, and who are more deserving than can ever be merited; may Providence grant me the self-knowledge to remember such an obligation. Life is very good, indeed!”

The elevation of wilful deceit is a very poor principle to advocate, especially where at least half the world is imagining some insult to probity where it was neither intended nor found. However, in defence of those involved in this imposition upon the public, the falsehoods of society are more often motivated by malice than charity. In acting to secure the little girl’s future, and rehabilitate the late Viscount’s past, two wounds were healed with no infliction of further injury.

Georgiana was settled within a very comfortable few hours’ drive from Pemberley. Lady Hallendale was able to spend the remaining years with her husband in the enjoyment of a leisure made possible through engagement of a respectable steward, as well as the attentive management of the Viscount and his very capable wife, thus preserving and securing the Fitzwilliam estates for the future. Upon the old Earl’s death, upon his widow’s blessing, his son gave his cabinets to the nation. Perhaps to be nearer to his collection, or perhaps because she could still be of use, the dowager Countess passed her remaining days at the new British Museum employed in cataloguing the late Earl’s specimens, ensuring that his legacy was properly described, and available to all of the interested public.