At this Mr. Darcy looked thoughtful and nodded his head slightly.

“Do you suppose… oh, I am being silly, never mind,” she closed her mouth and walked swiftly ahead.

“Miss Bennet!” He quickly caught up to her and said, “Please, continue. This is quite intriguing.”

She paused, took a deep breath and looked around before speaking quietly. “Do you suppose it’s possible that something is wrong with him?” At Mr. Darcy’s raised brow, she hastily continued, “Not with his mind, I do not mean that what he is doing is silly. On the contrary, I have wished he would do exactly this for some time, but it is so out of the ordinary, and so unlike him, I cannot help but think that something must have brought it on. Surely he did not wake up one day and suddenly think his daughters needed to learn French and that the youngest should go back to the nursery?”

“No, it does not sound likely. You think there is something amiss with his health?”

She licked her lips and nodded, looking around her worriedly. “It is as if he is trying to give us everything he can, before he can give us no more,” she said softly.

She looked to the ground and her expression was hidden by her bonnet, but Mr. Darcy was sure she was upset. “It does not sound implausible. My father did something similar in his last days.”

“He did?” She looked up in surprise.

“Yes. He knew for some months that his end was near. He had already been training me to take over the estate, but he had a new vigor. Even at mealtimes, he spoke to me of investments and tenants and road projects. It was as if he wanted to impart all his knowledge while he had the time.”

Elizabeth nodded, feeling dangerously close to losing her composure. “He has never taken us to the seaside before.” Mr. Darcy only nodded and walked alongside her slowly, while she hid behind her bonnet. “He gave Jane a beautiful necklace for her birthday. He has given us gifts before, but something about this one…” She trailed off, despising herself for exposing so much to Mr. Darcy of all people, but also feeling immense relief at having unburdened herself. “I am sorry, Mr. Darcy. I am afraid I’m not good company today,” she said.

He handed her his handkerchief and she dabbed at her eyes before handing it back to him. “It is no trouble at all, Miss Bennet. I am honored to share your confidence.”

They had reached the parsonage by now and he bowed deeply. She gave him a weak smile and a curtsey, then went silently into the house.