“He is not an unattractive man,” Mr. Bennet’s expression showed his distaste for this particular topic, but he would not have his daughter believe him unfeeling or unaware of the difficulties a woman faced in her marriage and the intimacy that came with it. “He does not smell of cabbage or sweat profusely,” he tried to tease. Deciding he should be more practical, he added, “He is a very busy man, I doubt he would want to be entertained all day. He will have his own activities to keep him occupied.”

“Papa,” she whispered, on the verge of tears.

“My sweet Lizzy, he loves you, very dearly. He will take good care of you, and when I am gone, your mother and sisters.”

She cried in earnest now.

“Please, my darling girl, you will be all right. He will be good to you, I know it. I trust him. Please don’t cry, my dear.”

“But, but, it’s Mr. Darcy! He does not like me! How can he, how can we, I cannot! I simply cannot! Please do not ask it of me, Papa!”

Mr. Bennet was feeling nearly as distraught as his daughter at the sight of her tears. “Lizzy, you must listen to me.”

She sniffled and looked toward him.

“Mr. Darcy is an honest man.”

She interrupted him. “Honest! What of his behavior towards Mr. Wickham? And I strongly suspect he had something to do with Mr. Bingley never coming back to Netherfield.”

Mr. Bennet shook his head. “You are too much like me sometimes, Lizzy. Think! Use the cleverness you are so known for! Mr. Bingley is his own man. No matter what anyone tells him, he has the right to come and go as he pleases. If he was persuaded to stay away by Mr. Darcy, and we do not know that he was, is that truly the kind of man you wish your sister to marry? She who is not forceful herself? All their decisions would be made by others! And has not Jane seen Mr. Bingley again in town, several times? Has she not met other men, other suitors, perhaps more worthy than Mr. Bingley?”

She watched him with wide eyes and he shook his head. “Lizzy, you must not lay the problems of the world on Mr. Darcy’s doorstep. Jane has seen Mr. Bingley’s true character and it is now for her to decide what she will do. She is the one who will have to live with him, after all.”

“And would I not have to live with Mr. Darcy?” she asked sharply.