Lizzy engaged!

Tonight Lizzy told me the strangest thing: she's engaged to Mr. Darcy! At first I couldn't believe it, I mean she absolutely despised him. I had no hint that she might fancy him, but I suppose I was too worried about seeing Mr. Bingley and then getting engaged myself. She explained that she fell in love with Darcy gradually, ever since he wrote her that letter explaining his behavior. I find that honesty is a very attractive quality and a good foundation to build a strong relationship on.

It took a couple minutes for Lizzy to convince me that she really did love Darcy, which seemed sudden on my part. I confess myself the happiest I've ever been. Not only do I get to spend the rest of my life with my beloved Bingley, but Lizzy also has someone to share her life with. We shall not live that far apart from each other either, so we can have dinner and see each other often. This will certainly appease mother to be able to visit her girls often and have us married to such respectable gentlemen.

Engaged

Bingley has returned to Netherfield with Mr. Darcy and visited us at Longbourn yesterday. This was quite surprising as we had not seen each other for some time, and now he suddenly wishes to resume contact. They dined with us the next night and Mr. Bingley sat next to me and it almost seemed as if no time had passed since the last time we saw each other. He was as pleasant as always, if not a little hesitant. I did my best to encourage him and show him that I was glad to see him.

He has had dinner with us almost every day this week and I hope Bingley doesn't see how my mother is trying to get us alone together. Eventually she succeeded, and when she did, Bingley told me that he was going to ask my father for permission to marry me. Can you believe it! He really does love me! After my father agreed it was like I was flying on clouds! I am possibly the happiest creature there ever was! I can't wait to tell Lizzy!

Letter about Lydia

Today we were visited by Colonel Forster and he had some distressing news about Lydia. It appears that she has run off with Wickham to London and it is not known if they are married. Poor mother is so upset as not to be consoled and I've never seen father so angry. I really had that Lydia had more sense than to run off with practically a stranger. A part of me wishes that Lizzy and I had told Lydia what we had discovered about Wickham's character, but we had no way of knowing this result and it wouldn't have been right to expose him so. Lizzy and I had tried to hard to introduce more important matters to her but she wouldn't listen and now she's in a horrible mess.

It occurred to me that Lizzy has missed this recent news and so I hastily wrote a letter to inform her. I wished not to end her vacation with our aunt and uncle, but I desperately need her at home to help me with mother. Mary and Kitty seem fine, although Kitty may not realize the seriousness of the situation. Lizzy and I need to redouble our efforts with Kitty to make sure that she does not make a similar error as Lydia has done.

Bingley leaves

Mr. Bingley left Netherfield for London today and Mr. Darcy and his sisters followed him. I received a letter from Miss Bingley and she said that Mr. Bingley is staying in London all winter. She also wrote a good deal about Miss Darcy and the possibility of her marrying Mr. Bingley. I simply don't understand; how could he just up and leave without saying goodbye? I don't believe he is the type to lead a girl on and then just disappear. I must have misread our time together, he must not have cared for me the way I care for him. What a fool I am! It does not help that mother cannot stop bringing it up. My heart breaks a little more each time his name is spoken.

I guess I just need to forgot about him, and move on. There's no point in thinking of what might have been and what will now never be. I am sure that Miss Darcy is very lovely and that she and Mr. Bingley will be very happy together. Well, my aunt and uncle have invited me to stay with them in London for a few weeks and I was delighted to accept. It's not very often that I go to London and there's a small chance that I might see Mr. Bingley while I'm there. At the very least, it will be good to get out of the house and visit with my aunt and uncle.

Mrs. Jane Bingley (?)

The past few balls I have found myself the object of Bingley's attention and I must say that I am enjoying it. I care about him very much and can only hope that he feels the same way. Bingley is so charming and polite and pleasant to be around. And he's such a wonderful dancer! I can't wait until the next ball so I can see him and see his lovely smile. We enjoy each other's company immensely, and I adore his sisters.

My mother has been in a very good mood recently and she has said that she expects wedding bells for me and Bingley soon. I must confess that it would be wonderful to be Bingley's wife. Mrs. Jane Bingley sounds so grand, but I must not get ahead of myself. He has yet to propose, but mother expects it to be any day now and I find myself waiting, wishing for it to happen. I shouldn't appear to eager or expectant to put him off, so I'll just be calm when I'm around him.

Getting better (Jane)

I have been feeling much better since my dear sister Elizabeth has come to see me here at Netherfield. Under the most considerate care of the Bingleys, I was well enough to dress for dinner today. Mr. Bingley seemed very pleased that I was feeling better and watched me carefully to see how I was doing throughout dinner. I find myself very pleased that he was so attentive and concerned about my well-being. His sisters were also insisting that I stay until I am much improved, which is so kind of them.

Lizzy, however, is anxious to leave Netherfield, which may have to do with getting away from Darcy. I must say that I don't see what she has against him, apart from being a little reserved he is a gentleman. Well, Lizzy has written to mother to call for the carriage to take us home but she replied that she will not do so until Tuesday. Lizzy is upset but she bears it well for my sake. I am glad to spend a few more days under Bingley's attentive eye and regain my strength.

Visit from Lizzy (Jane)

Ever since I came to Netherfield I have not felt very well. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were kind enough to insist on calling the doctor Mr. Jones. I was restricted to bed rest and became very bored. Thankfully Lizzy came to visit me the day after I rode to Netherfield. She arrived late and quite dirty from walking the whole three miles distance between our houses. I was too sick at the time to feel anything but relief at seeing her, though I would have normally have spoken to her about it.

It is a good thing that sense I was not very good company in bed, that Lizzy came. Although she can not do much for me other than talk and press cold cloths to my forehead, I was comforted by her presence. I am to Netherfield for dinner and good company but Lizzy took over my place instead. She did a most wonderful job too, I'm sure. Ever since she got here I have felt much better and should be back on my feet in no time.