“Yes, they met. They were cordial to each other, but I do not believe they are friends,” said Jane.

“Do you have romantic feelings for Mr. Walker? Do you think he has those feelings for you?”

“I don’t think so. Mr. Walker is a kind and intelligent man. I enjoy conversing with him and benefiting from his greater information, but my heart is not touched as yet. I do esteem him and respect him as a friend, and given time, perhaps I could feel more, but I’m afraid I am not capable of it at the moment.” She sighed and laid her head on the pillow. “As for Mr. Walker’s feelings for me, I hardly know. He has said nothing and neither has his sister. I believe he likes me and he frequently asks me to dance, but beyond that, I know nothing.”

“Oh, dear Jane!” Elizabeth stroked her sister’s hair and lay down beside her. “I am so sorry your heart is going through this. It could not happen to a less deserving person. You have always been so good. It is not fair!”

“Would you wish heartache on someone else then? No, I will manage. As Papa says, it is the way of the world and unfortunately, cannot be avoided. I will be fine.”

Elizabeth nodded and kissed her sister’s cheek, then blew out the candle and went to sleep.

~

While the women were preparing for bed above stairs, Mr. Bennet asked Mr. Collins to speak with him in the study. After listening to Mr. Collins drone on for a quarter hour, Bennet finally interrupted.

“Mr. Collins, I’d like to go over some estate papers with you, since you are to inherit.”

“Oh! Of course!” Collins put his brandy glass on the side table and leaned forward. “I would be only too happy to discuss the great estate of Longbourn with you, though it can be nothing to Rosings Park. Lady Catherine says that a gentleman must have an estate and a proud one, of which I am sure —”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Mr. Bennet interrupted. “Now, here is the map of the home farm. You see in these fields we plant barley, and this is where the cows graze.” He continued on in a quiet voice, pointing to the diagram he’d brought and explaining what went where and who was responsible for what. He was describing the fifth tenant family when he noticed Mr. Collins’s eyes glazing over and his head beginning to tip.