The Ashes of Longbourn Read Online Free PDF Page A

Mrs Gardiner was thrilled for her favorite niece, and looked forward to seeing Elizabeth settled in an arrangement by the time the Gardiners returned to England.
                  Elizabeth had informed Jane of the news from Hunsford, especially what she now knew of Darcy with regards to Wickham.  She told Jane of Lady Catherine’s behavior, of the sickly and pathetic Anne de Bourgh, of Mr Collins and his ridiculous rambling over the shelves in the closet which had been a dictate to him by Lady Catherine.  Jane particularly enjoyed hearing of Mr Collins spending time chasing the pigs from the garden that Charlotte had encouraged her husband to tend.
    The news that had garnered the most attention from Jane was that Darcy was in love with Elizabeth.  It was difficult for Elizabeth to become accustomed to the way her heart fluttered whenever she thought of Darcy.  When he said his farewell to her the day before she left Hunsford, he placed a kiss on the back of her hand.  He also gave her a pocket sized book of sonnets to keep with her and read whenever she thought of him.  It was small enough to keep in her reticule so no one would know that she had accepted a gift from a gentleman.  She showed it to Jane, as she ran her fingers lightly over the lettering.  It had become her most treasured possession.
                  A little over two weeks after they had all returned to Longbourn, Charles Bingley came to speak with Mr Bennet as early as was respectable. “Mr Bennet, I wish to ask for your approval to marry your daughter, Jane.  I love her dearly and wish to spend the rest of my life with her.”
                  “I have anticipated your coming to speak with me.  And I have a few questions to ask of you.  The first of which is this, how am I to know that you will not leave her as you did last November?”
                  “I regret my behavior last year, especially as it caused Miss Bennet pain.  I foolishly listened to my sisters when they spoke of your daughter not having a tender regard for me.  When I learned that she truly did love me, I went immediately to see her at your brother-in-law’s house in London.  I will never again listen to the opinion of others without learning more information.  And, as you are aware, my sisters did not travel with me to Netherfield. What you are not aware of is the fact that they were not invited to come with me and I insisted that they would not be welcome in my home.”
                  “Mr Bingley, I must say that I am impressed.  I assume you have spoken with my daughter with regards to marrying you.”
                  “Indeed, Mr Bennet, I have.  And I have drawn up a rough draft of the settlement that I wish to bestow on Miss Bennet, if you wish to view it and give me your opinion.”
                  “I would very much like to see it.  If I find it to my liking, I might find it in my heart to allow you to marry my Jane.”
                  An hour went by before Mr Bennet and Mr Bingley stepped from the library.  Though Mrs Bennet was certain that her husband would give his consent to the marriage, she was waving her handkerchief quite fiercely.  “I always knew Jane was not so beautiful for nothing.  She will save us all from the hedgerow when you die, Mr Bennet.”  She then turned her attentions on her future son.  “Oh, Mr Bingley, you could not have found a more fitting bride, for I have trained Jane how to be the mistress of an estate.  She is very capable as well as being so very beautiful and serene.”
                  “I am sure that you are correct, Mrs Bennet.  But most importantly, she will be a fitting wife due to the fact that I love her dearly and she loves me.  We will be very happy with each other.”
                  “Of course, Mr Bingley, as you could not do better for a wife.  Oh, Jane, you will have such