She spent considerable time with Colonel Fitzwilliam, who gladly took her around making sure she knew everyone and kept her mightily entertained throughout. At one point she laughed so hard she had to stop to catch her breath. Two of his brothers proved almost as jovial and she was incredibly relieved to be gaining such cousins.

She talked for three quarters of an hour with her mother, suddenly missing the dear, maddening woman who had raised her. Mrs. Bennet looked on her daughter with such a softness in her eye and expression that Elizabeth was nearly moved to tears. Her mother had finally shooed her off to spend time with her new family, and Elizabeth didn’t miss that Mrs. Bennet dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes when she turned away from the room.

Once Elizabeth found Jane, she could hardly let her go. She was suddenly wishing Jane was to accompany them on the wedding trip, but she could not do that to her sister. She should stay close to the men who were trying to win her. But oh! How she would miss her dearest sister! When the two finally parted, both needed handkerchiefs and Mr. Bingley was quick to offer his to Jane, looking unusually understanding and compassionate. Perhaps there is more to him than I suspected, thought Elizabeth.

She went upstairs and spent nearly half an hour saying farewell to Lydia and Kitty, giving them all sorts of advice. Kitty cried when Elizabeth hugged her goodbye while Lydia reminded her to send them souvenirs from The Lakes and to write down everything she saw so they would feel like they were there. Elizabeth promised she would and left tearfully, after Georgiana quietly gave her a peck on the cheek and wished her well.

The celebration was still going when she came downstairs. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his brother Michael were singing rather boisterously at the instrument with two female cousins Elizabeth couldn’t remember the names of, but that she vaguely remembered being told were on Darcy’s mother’s side of the family. She smiled at their antics and seeing her sister Mary nearby, took her by the arm and pulled her into a dark corner of the hall.

“Lizzy, what is it?” asked Mary in a hushed voice.

“Mary, I want you to do something for me,” whispered Elizabeth.

“Of course.”

“Keep an eye on father.”

“What?”

“I suspect something may be wrong, with his health. I don’t know what, but I have long noticed some changes and I can’t help but suspect that he turned his household on its head for a reason.” Her sister’s eyes were wide. “Just promise me you’ll watch out for him. Write to me if he looks pale or sleeps more than usual, or if anything else out of the ordinary occurs. Will you do that for me?” asked Elizabeth.

“Yes, of course,” replied Mary.

“Promise!”

“I promise!”