Page 176 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Mrs. Phillips came down after he left and found the family gathered in the drawing room.

“He has frightened Frances,” she said. “She asked me whether she was going to die, and I told her not to talk such nonsense. She has had headaches before.”

Jane took her aunt's hand. “Mr. Jones did not say that Mamma is dying. He wants us to watch her carefully.”

“Well, of course we shall watch her. I am going back upstairs as soon as I have had some tea.”

Kitty began to cry.

Mrs. Phillips drew her close. “None of that, Kitty. Your mamma needs a quiet house, not all of us frightening ourselves before there is anything to be frightened about.”

The morning passed slowly.

Mrs. Bennet slept for long intervals, and when she woke, she spoke little. Mrs. Phillips stayed beside her while Jane and Elizabeth divided their time between the bedchamber and the rest of the family.

Shortly before noon, Alice came to Elizabeth.

“Miss Lydia is asking again whether she may see her mother.”

Elizabeth went to her father.

“Papa, Lydia has asked several times to see Mamma. I think we should allow it.”

Mr. Bennet put aside his book. “Mr. Jones said she was to be kept quiet.”

“Lydia understands. She has been frightened since yesterday and only wishes to see her.”

He considered this before answering. “Very well. Take her yourself, and if she upsets your mother, bring her away.”

Elizabeth went upstairs to take Lydia to their mother's room.

The girl who came out bore little resemblance to the furious Lydia they had dragged home from Oakham Mount. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she kept her head bowed.

“Is she very ill, Lizzy?”

“She needs quiet. You may sit with her, but you must not excite her.”

“I will be careful.”

Mrs. Phillips was beside the bed when they entered. Mrs. Bennet opened her eyes at the sound of the door.

“Mamma,” Lydia whispered.

Mrs. Bennet looked at her youngest daughter.

Lydia approached the bed and began to cry. “I am sorry, Mamma. I shall never disobey again if you will only get well.”

Mrs. Bennet lifted her hand weakly.

Lydia seized it and pressed it against her cheek.

“Lydia.”

That was all she said.

Mrs. Phillips put an arm around Lydia's shoulders. “Sit quietly beside her. You may stay if you do not upset yourself or your mother.”

Lydia sat down and held her mother's hand.