Chapter 2

Eventually Elizabeth and Darcy agreed that they could wait no longer. Their impending arrival must be announced. Elizabeth suspected that Lady Rose and Charlotte had already noticed, but she knew they would say nothing until Elizabeth chose to speak of it. She had confided the news privately to Mrs Hayes, but that had been it. Indeed, Elizabeth did not know how Jane had not noticed, as she was sure she had not, since Elizabeth's figure was quite close to hiding the matter no longer and indeed, it had been very nearly noticeable for weeks. Only Jane's adherence to ignoring Elizabeth as much as possible had kept it from her notice. Sarah had exhausted her skills with Elizabeth's wardrobe, but there was no way to hide the matter with cleverly altered gowns and layered shawls any longer. After the news was out, Elizabeth would invite the dressmaker from Lambton the following week to make her a number of new gowns for her rapidly increasing figure.

Elizabeth and Darcy agreed that they would inform Jane and Charles separately and alone, before making an announcement to the rest of the household. Late one morning, Elizabeth met Jane in the upstairs hall and asked her if she had a moment. Jane, being Jane, attempted to brush Elizabeth off by saying that she was expected downstairs to pay a call with Charlotte. "Very well, I cannot make you sit down and talk to me, but I must have a moment of your time," said Elizabeth exasperatedly, following her toward the stairs and moving in front of her to block her path. "Jane, I am hoping I may ask for your help with Kitty this upcoming season in London."

"What help could I possibly give you, Lizzy?" asked Jane sharply, not inclined to be generous to the sister that she was going to be seeing too much of against her will for the rest of her life. Jane was delighted with Tatton Hall as a house, but she had no desire to live so close to Elizabeth and be forced to pay her deference in her own county. She had only agreed to it for Charles's sake, and would have gladly settled anywhere else. She would even have been happy at Netherfield Park, and had been incensed to learn Elizabeth owned it. One might have thought that Jane would not wish to live so close to Longbourn so soon after being turned out by her mother, but if Bingley had purchased Netherfield and Jane had returned as its mistress, she would have nearly outranked her mother in their neighbourhood, which would have suited her very well indeed. As it was, Jane had refused to live in the house once she learned who its owner was.

"When we return to London for the Season, Kitty will be coming out. We must make the same effort for her that I did for Mary, it is only fair, but I will be recovering from childbirth. I will need help this year. I am hoping that Kitty will be able to attend events with you and Charles, and Mary and Richard have also promised to assist. I plan to have a number of events at Pemberley House, but otherwise, I hope that I will not need to attend too many major events myself this season," explained Elizabeth.

"Recovering from childbirth?" Suddenly Jane was shrieking at Elizabeth, ranting that her sisters were not there for Elizabeth to pick up and put down again whenever she was not busy with her own affairs – which was rich, coming from Jane – and that she would take Kitty with her to Tatton Hall when they moved! This continued, as she moved on to berate Elizabeth for her vindictiveness at constantly showing Jane up, and how Jane would be humiliated not to have produced a child when Elizabeth had two, but that of course her feelings meant nothing to Elizabeth! Georgiana and Kitty had crept from their private sitting room to see what was happening in the hall as Elizabeth attempted to reply calmly to Jane's irrational cries.

Darcy and Bingley had been in the stables when Darcy had shared the news. "We had planned to make an announcement before leaving Hertfordshire, Bingley, but it came to Elizabeth's attention that Mrs Bennet was distressing Mrs Bingley about her own lack of results, and we decided to wait a while before saying anything. But it cannot be delayed any longer. It is rapidly becoming visible, and it is far past time for us to tell the household. Elizabeth plans to tell Mrs Bingley privately this morning."

Bingley turned white. "That is wonderful news, Darcy! I cannot tell you how happy I am for you! Do you think Lady Darcy has told Jane yet? I am overjoyed, of course, by your news, but I ought to check on my wife and ensure that she is well. I am sure she will be quite pleased."

Darcy agreed that it might be prudent to go into the house to see their wives. The two gentlemen entered the house through the back, made their way to the great hall and turned to the stairs, hearing raised voices coming from above. "I believe," Darcy said quietly, "that my wife has told your wife the news."

As the gentlemen reached the bottom of the stairs they heard a shriek and both men looked up and clearly saw Jane reach out and shove Elizabeth in the chest with both hands.

*****

Darcy took in Jane's expression of horror as she realised what she had done. He cried out for help as Elizabeth rolled down the stairs, desperate to stop her fall. She came to a stop halfway down the staircase on a landing, and he and Charles raced up two steps at a time. Darcy and the footmen who were at the bottom of the stairs rushed to Elizabeth, Charles continued to Jane as Georgiana and Kitty flew to the top of the stairs screaming in reaction to what they had apparently just witnessed from the upstairs hall.

Darcy was just about to lift Elizabeth into his arms when Kitty cried out, "Wait! You cannot move her; you do not know how she is injured!" When Darcy argued, she insisted, "Will, it was something taught to me by the nurse midwives when we were helping to open the school last summer. A worker fell from a scaffold, and the nurses would not allow him to be moved until the doctor arrived. You could make her injuries worse! We must send for the doctor immediately!" Kitty took command of the situation, sending servants running to fetch blankets to cover Elizabeth, and to find the doctor as quickly as possible.

"Please also send a carriage to the nursing school, and ask them to send a midwife without delay," Darcy said hoarsely as Kitty gasped sharply, met his eyes in horror, then covered her mouth with her hand and closed her eyes in fright as she understood the implication behind his order. As Darcy allowed his sisters and housekeeper to take charge of the situation, for once in his life he knew not what to do. He could only hold Elizabeth's hand and beg her to wake as her maid Sarah arrived in tears at the state of her mistress, followed by Charlotte. His grandmother and the other ladies had soon joined the others, watching from nearby, weeping.

At the top of the stairs, Jane Bingley was screaming hysterically. Georgiana and Charles attempted to calm her for a moment, but she was insensible, and her screams were making the situation intolerably worse, perhaps the only blessing being that Elizabeth could not hear them. Charles scooped Jane into his arms, and carried her into her bedchamber, shouting for her maid and begging Jane to calm herself. Georgiana assured Charles that she would stay with Jane until he returned, and Charles ran out of the room to return to Darcy and Elizabeth. Marianne and Aunt Josephine joined Georgiana and Jane's maid in Jane's room as Jane cried, "No, no, Lizzy! I did not mean it!" Over and over again. Aunt Josephine eventually slapped Jane hard across the face, and Jane swooned, falling blessedly unconscious and silent.

By some chance of fate, the doctor had actually been in the house, and it had taken little time to find him. Apparently Mr Lloyd had found that once he had started to be trusted locally, if he visited the Pemberley servants' hall and kitchen for a cup of tea and a biscuit once a week, to let the housekeeper know about any particular needs of the tenant families, the servants would find a moment to catch him alone, and confess any illnesses or concerns they had about their health, or that of their families. Even at Pemberley, where the staff had always been cared for, servants were not likely to volunteer information about their illnesses or concerns, but he found ways to gain their trust when they happened to wander in on one pretext or another.

The doctor examined Elizabeth to the best of his ability there on the stairs, complimented Kitty on her presence of mind in managing the situation just right, and declared that he could find no broken bones or immediate evidence of significant damage to Elizabeth's spine. He instructed the gentlemen on how to safely move the patient to her bed, and withdrew while Kitty, Charlotte, and Sarah changed her into a nightgown. They had to force Darcy from the room, and in the end his grandmother had to speak sharply to him to make him come away so the ladies could assist his wife.

The doctor examined Elizabeth again, and later, when Sister Augustine arrived with Evie in her wake, they both agreed that Elizabeth was unconscious and clearly had a head injury, based on the large lump on the back of her head, but that she was not yet showing any signs of losing her child. All they could do was watch her and see what happened if or when she woke, and pray that her labours would not begin.

Darcy had no idea how to feel about the pregnancy as he later sat at his wife's bedside. He had been equal parts elation and apprehension since Elizabeth had told him of their blessing. He wanted a child, of course. But he remembered the fear and anguish in the house each time his mother had lost a child, and he could not accept losing his wife the way he had his mother. He needed Elizabeth like he needed air. He could not think of the dark and lonely times from before their marriage any longer. As Elizabeth had advised, he thought only of the past insofar as it gave him pleasure. He could not go back to that dark and lonely place. Elizabeth had to live, no matter what else was lost. He could never do without her again.

Charles came to him as Darcy sat with his wife. "Darcy, what can I do?" he begged. Darcy shook his head in anguish. "There is nothing we can do but wait. How is Mrs Bingley?"

Charles looked tortured. "I cannot believe that you would inquire after her after what she has done. She has fainted in a hysterical fit in our rooms. The doctor has left laudanum to quiet her when she wakes. I do not know what I will do or say when she does. Darcy, I cannot say how sorry I am. I knew Jane would be upset, but I had no idea she could do something like this."

"She did not mean to do it," said Darcy.

Bingley gaped at him. "Darcy, we both saw her push your wife quite intentionally."

"Yes, but I saw her expression as my wife fell, and it was pure horror. I do not know what was happening in their conversation, but in her distress, I do not believe Mrs Bingley perceived the danger of the stairs," Darcy replied.

"Even if that is the case, her actions were still beyond appalling. There is no call to assault any person in such a way, let alone a pregnant woman! One's own expectant sister. I cannot conceive how my wife could do so. It is in defiance of everything I know to be true about her," cried Charles. "I am so sorry. This is very wrong of me. Your wife needs you, Darcy. You cannot deal with my problems now."

"Elizabeth is going to wake up," insisted Darcy. "She is going to be fine. She only has a bump on the head. She will wake soon, I am sure of it," Darcy babbled, practically incoherent as he refused to look away from his wife's pale face. "Go to your wife, Bingley. Keep her quiet and contained to her rooms, please, but use no cruelty. Elizabeth cares deeply about Mrs Bingley. and will never forgive us if she wakes and we have treated her cruelly. I am determined that she shall wake soon and when she is well, we will discuss the rest."

Darcy sat by his wife's bed for more than three days and looked increasingly wretched as time passed. The midwife was concerned that Elizabeth needed water and liquids, and they forced her to take as much water and broth as they could, which was not much, with an invalid feeder. Sister Augustine took turns sitting close by with Evie and Sarah, but Darcy never moved from her bedside until, the second night, when his grandmother came in and berated him to take some food and go bathe. Only her solemn promise to stay with Elizabeth the entire time would convince him to go to his room and bathe and have a small meal.

When he returned to Elizabeth, his grandmother said, "I believe we should send word to Mary and Richard." When Darcy objected, insisting that there was no need because Elizabeth was certainly going to wake soon, she shushed him, "They were due to stop here on their return from the Lakes next week in any case. Mary is less than a day's journey away [*] , and will never forgive you if you do not send word. You could use Richard's firm hand around here as well."

When Darcy inquired as to her meaning, she replied, "Elizabeth is well loved here by the servants and tenants. With Mrs Bingley remaining at Pemberley, and Elizabeth taking so long to wake, many of the staff are angry with Mrs Bingley, calling her a murderess, and saying the magistrate ought to be called. I am aware you do not wish this to happen at this time. I advise that Bingley and his wife travel to Lake Cottage, bring the news to the Fitzwilliams, and perhaps stay there until matters settle here."

"Is Mrs Bingley well enough to travel?" asked Darcy disinterestedly.

"Not particularly, in my opinion, but there is nothing else to do. The lady does nothing but cry since she woke after the incident. She has said nothing sensible. She just cries for hours until Bingley can take no more and doses her with laudanum so she will sleep. Her sister Catherine fears she has gone mad. But I believe it will be better for Mrs Bingley to be anywhere else just now. I will ask Miss Catherine to accompany her. I think she should have one of her sisters with her, and I fear Mrs Fitzwilliam will not be very tolerant of Mrs Bingley when she learns of the matter." Darcy told her to arrange matters as she saw fit, uncaring of Mrs Bingley's state or anything else, the longer Elizabeth took to wake.

*****

At first light the following morning, Mr Bingley carried his heavily dosed wife to a carriage, followed by her second younger sister. Kitty had promised Granny Rose that she would do her best to see to her sister's care and comfort while they awaited news from Pemberley, although it had not been easy so far. Jane had fought them hysterically whenever she was awake, and had not allowed them to do anything for her comfort.

After several hours, the carriage pulled up to a lovely house. Kitty was amused about it being called a cottage, because it was far grander than any cottage she had ever seen. Richard and Mary came outside as the footman opened the door of the carriage. They all greeted each other, and Charles stepped down and asked if there was a room Jane could lay down in. "Something has happened, and I will need to tell you of it immediately. You will want to ask your servants to begin packing for you, for you are needed at Pemberley. But first, Jane is unwell. Is there somewhere that I can bring her to rest?"

Mary was slightly panicked at the idea that something was wrong at Pemberley, and flew into action. A room was prepared, and Charles carried Jane upstairs, wrapped in a cloak, and left her in Kitty's care. When he returned downstairs, Mary and Richard awaited him impatiently in the drawing room. As he sat and accepted a cup of tea from Mary gratefully, he hesitated while he attempted to think of what to say. "Mrs Fitzwilliam, I am aware that you know that Lady Darcy had news to share regarding a new addition to the family."

When Mary confirmed this, he continued, "Lord and Lady Darcy have been aware that Jane has been struggling with her hopes for falling with child ,and that she was distressed at the idea that Lady Darcy might fall with child before her, so they waited as long as they could to make an announcement of their news, which they did three days ago."

Mary took in a breath and squeezed her husband's hand tightly as she feared what news regarding Elizabeth's condition might come next.

"When Lady Darcy shared the news with Jane privately, for some reason they were conversing near the stairs. Jane became distraught, and we have not determined everything that was said or that happened, but somehow Jane pushed Lady Darcy, who fell down the stairs."

Mary began weeping, and Richard demanded that Bingley tell the rest immediately. "She is alive, and has not lost the child, nor does she seem to have any significant injuries to her body, but there is a rather large lump on her head, and she has not yet woken."

Mary demanded to know why Charles had brought Jane hither and he responded, "So far, I have not known what to do or what to think. But Darcy and I were at the bottom of the staircase and witnessed the fall. Darcy insists that he is certain that Jane did not intend what happened. He thinks that in her distress, she must have forgotten the risk, and proximity of the staircase. He saw her expression as Lady Darcy fell, and he believes she did not intend what happened.

"I have difficulty knowing what to think, but her behaviour since has suggested that he may be correct. We have had to keep her heavily dosed with laudanum and when she becomes too conscious, she weeps hysterically. But the longer she takes to wake, the more the servants have begun demanding that the magistrate be called for. Darcy does not wish for it at this time, but he is too busy sitting with Elizabeth to take charge of the household and enforce his edicts. He and Lady Rose have requested that you come immediately, Fitzwilliam, and that Mary come to be there for her sister. Lady Rose believes that Jane should remain here until Lady Darcy is well, because Darcy is determined she should have a say in what happens next."

Richard began to grumble about his cousin and Elizabeth's strange way of managing their affairs when Mary silenced him with a gentle hand on his arm. She thanked Charles, who looked perfectly wretched, for bringing them the news, and went immediately to the housekeeper to prepare her for the Bingleys to take over the house, with the understanding that Mrs Bingley was ill, and Mrs Bingley and Kitty would be attending her, so the house would need to run itself for a time. They dined in their rooms that night, Bingley preferred to sit by his wife, Mary was too distressed to be in company, and Kitty was exhausted by the trip and overwhelming worry of the last few days.

*****

Late that evening, Darcy had refused to allow Charlotte or indeed anyone take his place by Elizabeth's side. Eventually he fell asleep with his head upon the bed, as he had done many times over the last days and nights. Evie sat quietly in a corner and practised knitting a scarf by candlelight. The two of them had several conversations, and Darcy learned that the girl was nearly as tortured as he was about Elizabeth's condition.

"We saved each other, yer Lordship," said Evie quietly. "I saved her life, but then she saved mine. She coulda sent me back there to that place with a shilling an a meal, and I woulda thought myself lucky, but she saved me from it, and I never have to go back there again. She told me that she put it in her will and everything. Imagine that! Her ladyship, thinking of me in her will! She's the smartest, most beautiful, the bravest lady I ever knew, ‘sides Sister A! It pains me that there is nothing I would not do to see her well, but I can't make it so."

Darcy understood exactly how the girl felt, and the two sat vigil together into the night. Close to sunrise, the room turning grey with the first light of the new day, Darcy woke with his head upon the bed, and felt a hand in his hair, followed by a gasp from Evie's corner of the room. His head jerked up to find Elizabeth's fingers stroking his hair.

She was not fully conscious, but Darcy spoke to her and encouraged her to open her eyes as she moaned in discomfort, and Evie ran for Sister Augustine and the doctor. "Elizabeth, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes, darling? How do you feel?"

Elizabeth winced at the dim candlelight and moaned. "As if I've been beaten. What has happened to me?"

"Do you remember anything, my love?" asked Darcy.

After a moment Elizabeth whispered, "Jane. Jane was angry. And then she looked so frightened. It is all so muddled; I cannot remember anything. Is Jane well? Was she hurt also?"

Darcy assured Elizabeth of Jane's safety. "Mrs Bingley is safe. You have fallen down the stairs. It is a miracle that you have been returned to us, and so far, our babe has not been lost. All will be well now, my darling!"

The doctor and midwife entered, and Darcy was persuaded to step out of the room so Elizabeth could be examined. When he returned, she had fallen asleep again, but the doctor told him not to worry.

"Now that she has awakened and seems to be coming to her senses, she will need a great deal of healthy and healing sleep, Lord Darcy," explained Mr Lloyd. "She should remain in bed for a number of weeks, I should think. For at least one week, perhaps more, she will be in danger of losing consciousness at unexpected moments after her head injury. It would be better if she does not exert herself and if she is in bed, she will not fall and harm herself further. She also must take care to ensure her pregnancy is safe. She should remain in bed for at least three weeks, perhaps longer, depending on how quickly she recovers, for the safety of the child."

Darcy thanked the doctor, who agreed to stay in the house for a few more days until they were sure Elizabeth was on the mend. An express messenger was sent with all speed to Lake Cottage, with instructions to keep an eye out for the Fitzwilliam's carriage on the road.

*****

Mary had gone in to see Jane after dinner the evening before, and Richard persuaded Bingley to join him in the billiards room. As much as Mary did not like her next elder sister very much, she was excessively distressed by what she found. Mary had gone to the kitchens and made a bowl of pastina and egg when her maid told her that the word among the staff was that Jane had taken nothing but tea and laudanum since the incident at Pemberley. When she arrived in her sister's bedchamber, followed by Kitty, she was shocked at Jane's appearance. "Why does my sister look so unwell and unkempt? Is she not being cared for properly?" Mary asked sharply. Jane's face and hair had been covered by her cloak and bonnet when she arrived.

Kitty assured Mary that they were doing all that Jane would allow them to do, but that Jane was too distressed when conscious to be overly meddled with. Mary frowned. Jane's pallor looked unhealthy and pale, her eyes had dark hollows beneath them, her hair was dull, limp, a tangled, greasy mess against her face. "Leave her with me for a while." Mary said finally. When Kitty raised a brow, knowing how Mary felt about their elder sister, Mary chastised her younger sister for such thoughts, and shooed her from the room, instructing Kitty to go and get some rest. Mary then dismissed the maid and sat with her sister, who was quietly crying and muttering to herself. Richard had encouraged Bingley to stay downstairs with him for the evening after dinner, knowing that Bingley would have the major part of Jane's care for at least several days when he and Mary left them. Bingley clearly needed at least a few hours reprieve from the days spent attempting to comfort his wife.

When Mary and Jane were alone, Mary sat and watched her sister quietly for a few moments. Mrs Bennet's "fits of nerves" over the years were silly flutterings compared to Jane's condition. This was the real thing. Jane fretted and sniffled and muttered, "Lizzy, I am sorry." until Mary reached forward and clasped Jane's hands and began to pray aloud. Jane whimpered as Mary prayed, thanking God for his miracles, and humbly begging him to bring Elizabeth back to health and Jane back from despair. She prayed and recited passages from the Bible aloud from memory, untiring, for nearly a half hour. Then she began to sing quietly, a hymn that was a favourite of the Bennet daughters when they were children, one that they had sung together often whenever they had been outside in the garden and out of their mother's sight and hearing, which was the only time they were ever able to play with Elizabeth. They did not do so often, but occasionally when their mother was not watching, and Jane was feeling generous, the girls might all have a game together, and most of them having lovely voices, often sang together when they were out of doors.

Mary remembered two years before Elizabeth had married, her eldest sister decided during one of her visits to Longbourn that the girls would learn the hymn in three-part harmony to surprise the family for Christmas. It was one of the few times she and her sisters had paid Elizabeth any significant notice, mostly because she had made a nuisance of herself about it, and Jane had capitulated in an effort to restore peace.

The five girls had practised in secret in the cold gardens of Longbourn for weeks, and had sung accompanied by their Aunt Gardiner on the pianoforte on Christmas Eve. It was the last and possibly only time Mary had ever felt at one with all of her sisters. Now, as Mary sang, she felt Jane's hands tremble until suddenly her sister was sobbing loudly and uncontrollably. The high keening drew Kitty back into the room, followed eventually by Charles and Richard, who stood in the doorway. Kitty moved to the bed and embraced Mary and Jane, and joined in the singing as they rocked their sister as she wept.

Mary shook her head at Charles, who had begun to move toward the laudanum. It was time for Jane to get it all out, not to sleep more. She waved the gentlemen out of the room as she continued to sing and rock with her sisters. The gentlemen withdrew and went back downstairs, leaving a footman outside the door to fetch them if they were needed. Eventually, the sisters' singing trailed off quietly once Jane had cried herself out, and lay in her sisters' arms, sniffing and hiccupping. They were all quiet until Jane said clearly, "I did not mean it."

"Of course you did not mean it, Jane. Everyone knows that. Even Mr Darcy knows it," replied Mary.

"Mr Darcy?" Jane asked weakly.

"Mr Bingley informed us that Mr Darcy was the first to say so. He saw your face as Lizzy fell, and he believes that in your distress at the moment, you must not have realised the danger of the stairs," said Mary gently.

"Poor Mr Darcy!" cried Jane. "Poor Lizzy! Her poor baby! How could I do such a wicked thing! I never meant it!" Jane began to cry again until Mary said sharply, "Jane you have cried enough! In your shock you have heard nothing that is happening around you! Elizabeth has not woken because she struck her head, but she has not lost her child! There is still a chance! We still have hope! She must wake up, Jane, we must keep praying that she will do so!"

The sisters embraced and held hands and prayed together for Elizabeth. Eventually Mary rose and went to Jane's vanity and retrieved what was needed to take care of Jane's appearance. She sang softly as she used some damp towelling to scrub some of the grease from Jane's hair, then brushed it out, then plaited it into a neat braid. She then brought a basin, and assisted her sister to wash her face. She took no arguments as she prepared Jane a cup of tea and pressed her to eat something. Jane's appetite was not ready for much, but Mary was satisfied that Jane took at least some of the soup.

"I must leave in the morning, Jane, before you have woken. Richard and I are leaving with all haste to travel to Pemberley. I will send you an express the moment I arrive. Promise me you will not fall back into despair. Promise me that you and Kitty will pray together every day for Lizzy, and that you will bathe in the morning, and eat something, and take care of yourself," urged Mary.

"I will try. I do not know that I am strong enough," answered Jane.

"You must be. You must be strong for Charles and Kitty. They are frightened as well. You must be strong and send all your prayers to Lizzy. It is wrong to despair, Jane. To despair is to lose your faith in God," insisted Mary. The sisters stayed together until they fell asleep together on Jane's bed. Charles and Richard found them that way a few hours later when they returned to retire. After Richard kindly declined to invite Charles to share his bed, brothers or no. Charles laughed for the first time in days, and took himself to the daybed in Jane's sitting room to be close to his wife in case he was needed in the night.

*****

Mary and Richard departed at first light, after Mary had pressed Charles for his promise that he would avoid dosing Jane with laudanum again unless she was in the worst possible distress. "She's not wrong, old chap. The last thing you need is for your wife to become dependent upon the substance, Bingley. Better to make a clean break of it, before it's been too long," advised Richard as he handed his wife into the carriage. Charles and Kitty promised to do everything they could to lift Jane's spirits, and they all promised to send expresses daily as the carriage pulled away.

The express rider did find their carriage midway through their journey. Mary burst into tears with terror, then sobbed with relief in the courtyard of the inn when the messenger approached them with the missive. Now that good news had come, Richard wished to take a room for a few hours so Mary could rest after her distress, but knowing Elizabeth had woken only made Mary more determined to reach her as quickly as possible. Four horses were procured for the carriage, and they made excellent time thanks to Richard's driver and the fair state of the weather and roads.

At the cottage, Jane became slightly hysterical, and wept with relief when the messenger arrived from Pemberley. Eventually Charles administered one last miniscule dose of laudanum to his wife to help her rest, vowing that now that Lady Darcy had awoken, that his wife must begin to return to herself again. Jane slept for much of the day, and when she woke again her sister was able to persuade her to eat and bathe. Charles felt more hopeful than he had since that fateful morning. He wrote a joyful and indecipherable letter to Darcy full of splotches and blots and returned it with the messenger, begging for more news as soon as it became available.