Miss Lucas vs. Miss Elizabeth

11:55 AM, Wednesday, October 3^rd, 1813:

I am still in shock due to Elizabeth’s decline of my most well-thought and impeccable proposal. I cannot imagine how she could be so unwise as to dismiss such an offer as mine! As her husband, I would have provided Elizabeth with the comfort of a wonderful home, the company of Lady Catherine, and the support of her mother and sisters after the death of their father, Mr. Bennet. I have yet to speak to her again and the only comfort I receive in rejection is the knowledge that she will not receive a proposal from a man such as myself ever again. I do find solace in her close friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas. Miss Lucas regards me with great respect and listens to my stories and little anecdotes with great alacrity. I realize my mistake now in first choosing Elizabeth as my future wife and have decided to propose to Miss Lucas, who is far more agreeable and can recognize a most deserving man when she sees one. I certainly have the ability to make her happy and I am sure she will accept my offer. Marriage will set a good example in my parish and, I am sure, will add to my happiness, as well as add to the approval of Lady Catherine in regards to myself. Next time I see Miss Lucas I will make her an offer she cannot refuse.

My conversation with Mrs. Bennet

9:30 AM, Tuesday, September 22^nd, 1813:

Before breakfast I engaged Mrs. Bennet in a conversation about my hope of finding a wife here at Longbourn. She was most encouraging and very agreeable; however, when I spoke of Jane as being my first choice for my bride-to-be, she became quite cautionary and informed me that Jane was to be shortly engaged. How unfortunate it is that I did not present myself sooner at Longbourn and take up Jane, who clearly surpasses her sisters in beauty and agreeability. Despite all this, her sister, Elizabeth, will make an acceptable alternative and should be able to sufficiently prove to be a decent wife for myself and my household. Lady Catherine’s understanding and courteousness will enable her to accept anyone I choose to fill such a position and Elizabeth shall be no exception. After much consideration of the timing of my proposal, I have decided to allow my feelings to take over me at that present moment,whenever it maybe, and I will propose to Miss Elizabeth. I believe, with no doubt, she will accept my proposal as I am sure to be one of the few, if the only man, who proposes to her. I know my secure household and profession, not to mention my patronage with the esteemed Lady Catherine, will be of high regard to any woman I choose to propose to. I flatter myself that by marrying one of the daughters of the man I am intended to succeed they will forever feel indebted to me; however, I will never request any sort of payment in turn for such a kind deed. As a clergyman, I could never ask for even the most miniscule payment or compensation in return and shall set the example of selfless in my parish.

Photograph of the Longbourn estate

8:00 AM, Tuesday, September 22^nd, 1813:

I took the liberty of taking a picture of Longbourn estate this morning so as Lady Catherine de Bourg can appraise my future home when I return to my present humble abode Saturday fortnight. My excellent intuition brings me to conclude she will approve but she may advise some much needed improvements to the outside of the dwelling. The bricks need to be painted and the masonry could use some work; however, aside from those minor details the house proves to me again and again its sufficiency.

My arrival at Longbourn

7:00 PM, Monday, September 21^st, 1813:

Today I arrived at Longbourn at exactly 4 o’clock as I had foreseen in the planning of such a punctual arrival. I was received quite enthusiastically, in my opinion, and was accommodated with the utmost politeness and provided with every comfort possible in such a household. After my careful observations of the Bennets’ five daughters during the adequate dinner prepared especially for my arrival, I ascertained that I had made a wise choice in requesting a visit to Longbourn to select an acceptable wife to present to my affable patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourg. The eldest, Jane, has received my approbation as she is certainly the most beautiful and the most capable out of the sisters as my future wife. When we are married, I will most certainly advise Jane to encourage her younger sisters to be more courteous to acquaintances far more superior to themselves. I most offended by Lydia’s interruption of my reading of Fordyce’s Sermons, a reading which would do her much good to listen to and abide by. By enforcing such well-advised behavior, I pride myself in the notion that Lydia and Kitty will be more likely to receive proposals in the future due to my foresight and excellent advice. I also took care to examine the house and its furnishing upon my arrival. The house itself is quite acceptable and will please mine and Lady Catherine’s taste when I am to obtain it. The furniture is very high in my opinion and in excellent shape. The furnishings are humble enough to bode well for a clergyman and when it comes time, I will be quite pleased to live in such quarters. I am most positive that Lady Catherine will approve as well.