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justifying her coming so far on foot. In their brother’s manners, however, there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was thinking of a letter he had received from the continent that morning, and the latter was thinking only of his breakfast.
    Her inquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.
    When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them a little better herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed Jane. Even Miss Bingley seemed to have lost her haughty air, pressing Elizabeth’s hand with her own and assuring her they would see Jane well very soon. Elizabeth let her fingers remain within the lady’s grasp for the briefest of moments, more from surprise than any other sensation. She had not expected such attention from Miss Bingley.
    The apothecary came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment; nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had, in fact, no need to be elsewhere.
    Caroline took advantage of the opportunity to watch Elizabeth tend to her sister. The relationship between the two Bennets was clearly devoted, and quite mutual—as far different from her own filial bonds as was possible. Elizabeth sat beside her sister on the bed, rubbing her hands with fine, sensitive fingers and amusing her with stories of their younger sisters’ adventures in Meryton among the gathered militia, while Jane smiled up at her in gratitude and what could only be genuine affection.
    At length, Louisa, noticing Caroline’s close attendance to the Bennets, fixed her with a knowing, ill-humoured look. She, along with Charles and Darcy, was intimately acquainted with the circumstances behind their hasty removal to Netherfield. In fact, Louisa knew better than anyone of Caroline’s affection for members of their sex, for they had attended together Mrs. Betwee’s School for Young Ladies in Derbyshire, where Caroline had first fallen under the spell of Lady Rosalind Emmett, the unmarried aunt of one of their classmates. Lady Rosalind had introduced Caroline to the pleasures of female companionship, and ever since, she had been in search of a situation that would allow her to be true to her heart without losing the good opinion of her connections. With Darcy, she believed she may have uncovered an ideal plan for achieving future happiness for both; but given his proud, somewhat obstinate nature, the idea would have to be planted and tended to subtly, until he believed it came from his own reasoning, and not another’s.
    For her part, Elizabeth was aware of Caroline’s gaze, but strove to ignore it as she worked to amuse and soothe Jane. Her sister had long been prone to consumptive fits, and she castigated herself for not interfering the day before in her mother’s scheme. Really, was securing a husband worth dying for? Not that Jane was dying. Indeed, with Miss Bingley’s and Mrs. Hurst’s kind attentions, she would likely be well quite soon. Kind —Elizabeth