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No doubt, when Wickham had become tired of her... Oh, I cannot even contemplate such a thing!"
    "Let us not worry our heads over people who do not deserve such attention," Mr Darcy continued. "Let us look forward to our future, to being all together again. I have longed for this time to come to pass, a chance to be settled at Pemberley once more and amongst my fellow Derbyshire neighbours. This county, this land of high peaks and lush valleys, all you survey before you is in my blood; it forms part of what it is to be a Darcy. Oh, Elizabeth, I hope some day you will feel as I do about our home. Georgiana, I know, was unhappy in town and longed to come back. I see the change in her already. Soon she will have to make her own establishment, but I see no reason for her to go very far from us. A neighbouring estate will do very nicely. We shall have to look about for a husband for her in the not too distant future."
    "Surely there is no need to do that just yet," Elizabeth implored. "Besides, I cannot think of anyone suitable in the vicinity."
    "Hugh Calladine would make a good match."
    "But he is at least ten years older than Georgiana, and besides, I thought it was common knowledge that he is in love with Eleanor Bradshaw. Mrs Bradshaw entertains high hopes of there being an alliance between the families."
    "Hugh Calladine is a good gentleman of suitable standing, with a fine property, a sizeable inheritance, and what is more, a title to come. He has ambition, despite his friendship with the Bradshaws. They are a respectable family, but there is no fortune. Hugh Calladine will not make an imprudent match; he is very sensible. He is a young man and like all young men he has had his share of falling in love and breaking one or two hearts. That is the way of life; there is no harm done. Besides, I like the fellow. It is true, he is older than Georgiana, but I think he would be a settling influence on her."
    "Do you mean to tell me that you would encourage him? And what does Georgiana think of him? I'm sure she would have no interest in a man who loved another. Darcy, you cannot be serious. Please tell me that you are joking, that you are teasing me for some cruel amusement. You do not really mean to marry Georgiana off for money and position alone, do you?"
    Darcy let go of her arm, and turning away from her continued to speak. "Georgiana is a wealthy young lady and, as such, will be the prey of fortune hunters. It is imperative that a suitable marriage be made for her. There is no reason to delay."
    "But surely you will let her find her own love," said Elizabeth, lightly running to catch him up slipping her arm inside his again. "Georgiana has not yet attended her first ball or had the pleasure of meeting any suitable young men who are nearer to her in age. She is just at the beginning and learning how to overcome her shyness. Even talking to young gentlemen will be a sore trial at first, let alone to someone of more mature years who might require a certain sophistication. Besides, you surely cannot deny her what you have allowed for yourself, can you?"
    "I can think of no other gentleman more suitable; my parents would have been delighted if they had thought my sister would make such a match. It is all they dreamed of for their only daughter. You do not understand these matters, Elizabeth. Romance and sentimentality have no place here. Georgiana is a dutiful girl; she knows what is expected of her."
    At this point Elizabeth lost her temper. "So, you are determined on this course for Georgiana. Oh, Fitzwilliam, I do not understand you. The poor girl has hardly set foot in Derbyshire and you have her married off to a man we know little about except for the fact that he is rich and enjoying the charms of another, less fitting candidate. Well, I cannot be a party to such folly and I will not discuss this matter further until you have come to your senses."
    Elizabeth turned on her heel and, before her husband could stop her, she left.