Page 96 of The Crown’s Gift

Bingley learned the household at Longbourn anew. Jane moved the writing desk toward the east window, restored her grandfather's portrait to greater prominence, and opened the schoolroom as a place where tenant children might receive lessons twice a week. Bingley approved all three and was firmly prevented from ordering an expensive new pianoforte for a room that already possessed one.

"He wishes to improve everything by purchase," Jane told Elizabeth. "I ask him first whether improvement requires money. He finds the question unsettling."

"Darcy improves by plan. Papa by investigation. We shall compare husbands after a year."

"You have not yet married yours."

"Then I retain optimism."

Darcy remained at Longbourn through November. His courtship of Elizabeth became part of the neighborhood's daily life. They rode with Sir Thomas, visited the Gardiners in London for three days, attended a concert where Mary heard her composition rehearsed by professionals, and spent evenings arguing over books.

One rainy afternoon, Elizabeth found Darcy in Netherfield's schoolroom helping Lydia with an account.

"If the ribbon costs three shillings a yard and you purchase six yards, how much remains from one pound?" he asked.

"Enough for gloves."

"That is not a number."

"It is a practical answer."

Darcy looked toward Elizabeth with mute appeal.

"You ranked above Papa in weakness," she reminded him.

"I begin to see why."

Lydia completed the sum under protest. When she left, Darcy held up the page.

"She is intelligent."

"Very. Her attention runs faster than instruction."

"Sir Thomas could have ignored it."

"He once would have. Lydia might then have mistaken attention from any man for regard."

They both thought of Wickham.

"She helped save Georgiana," Darcy said.

"Because someone taught her observation could be useful, not merely amusing."

He took Elizabeth's hand. "Your family might have been very different."

"So might yours."

"Will you regret living so far from them?"

"Sometimes."

Darcy accepted the answer rather than asking her to soothe him.

"Will you regret marrying into noise?" she asked.

"Sometimes."

Elizabeth laughed. "An excellent foundation."