Page 175 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Mrs. Phillips arrived before Mr. Jones.

She hurried into Longbourn demanding to know why no one had sent for her the night before, but the moment Hill told her how ill her sister remained, her complaints ceased.

“I shall go up to Frances. Take these, Hill. I shall not need them again today.”

Mrs. Phillips thrust her bonnet and gloves into Hill's hands and hurried upstairs.

Elizabeth found her a short while later sitting beside the bed. Mrs. Phillips held one of her sister’s hands between both of hers.

“You gave us a dreadful fright, Frances. You must stop this nonsense and get well. I have no one else who will listen properly when I tell her what is happening in Meryton.”

Mrs. Bennet made a faint sound but did not open her eyes.

Mrs. Phillips adjusted the coverlet. “There now. You sleep. I am not going anywhere.”

She glanced at Elizabeth. “She looks very poorly. Mr. Jones is coming again this morning, I hope.”

“He is.”

“And so, he should. I shall stay until he has seen her.”

She was still there when Mr. Jones arrived.

By afternoon Mrs. Bennet seemed no better, but no worse. She slept for much of the day, waking only briefly to complain of the pain in her head. Mrs. Phillips remained beside her, leaving only when Jane persuaded her to eat something.

Lydia was not permitted downstairs. She sent repeated messages through Alice asking after her mother, and by evening her anger over her confinement had given way to fear.

Elizabeth was crossing the upstairs passage when Lydia called to her through the nursery door.

“Lizzy, is Mamma very ill? Alice will only tell me that Mr. Jones has been here again.”

“He says she must be kept quiet. She has slept for much of the day.”

“Please ask Papa to let me see her. I would not disturb her, Lizzy. I only want to tell her I am sorry.”

Elizabeth rested her hand upon the door. “Not tonight. If Mamma is better tomorrow, we shall ask Papa and Mr. Jones.”

There was a long silence from the other side.

“Tell her I am sorry.”

“I will.”

Elizabeth continued down the passage toward her mother's room.

* * *

Mrs. Bennet was no better the following morning. The pain in her head had worsened during the night, and she had been sick twice before dawn. Mrs. Phillips had slept only a few hours in a guest chamber before returning to her sister's bedside.

Mr. Jones came early and remained longer than he had the day before.

When he came downstairs, Mr. Bennet was waiting for him with Jane and Elizabeth.

“Her condition concerns me more this morning,” Mr. Jones said. “The continued pain and sickness are troubling. She must remain in bed and be kept as quiet as possible. I shall come again this afternoon.”

“Is she in danger?” Mr. Bennet asked.

“I cannot say that she is, but neither would I dismiss the possibility. Send for me immediately if there is any sudden change.”