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The next day Richard attempted to draw her into an argument about whether his cousin was ever known to laugh. Elizabeth informed him that she had seen Mr. Darcy smile twice and considered the evidence inconclusive. Darcy, overhearing them, gave a third smile and returned to his book.

The remaining days never settled into a simple pattern. Some afternoons Elizabeth felt light enough to tease Richard without a second thought; on others an unexpected word or the smell of a familiar flower brought Henry and Minna so near that she had to stand alone for a while beside a window. Nobody made an occasion of either mood. Richard continued his ridiculous challenges; Saye left a book within reach of her chair before disappearing to his papers; Lady Matlock remembered which dishes Elizabeth enjoyed and did not make her gratitude a subject of conversation. When the visit ended, Elizabeth was astonished by how much she dreaded saying goodbye to a household in which she had scarcely been asked to account for herself.

On one rainy afternoon during the visit, Lady Matlock found Elizabeth in the music room with Georgiana. The younger girl was seated at the pianoforte, playing the same difficult passage for the fourth time. Each failure made her slower and more anxious, until she finally lifted her hands from the keys.

"I shall never manage it," Georgiana said, scarcely above a whisper.

"Then we shall tell the composer that he has made an unreasonable demand upon us," Elizabeth answered from the sofa. "I do not see why he should be allowed to triumph over two ladies who have done him no injury."

Georgiana looked surprised. Then she laughed, the kind of laugh that escaped before she could decide whether it was permitted. Elizabeth rose and stood beside her, examining the score without pretending she could play it as well.

"My mother used to make me begin a difficult line very slowly," Elizabeth said. "She maintained that haste was often a disguise worn by impatience. I resented the observation exceedingly, chiefly because it was true."

"Did she teach you music?" Georgiana asked.

"She did, and German, and how to fold a napkin as though it were of national importance. She would have liked you. She loved music especially when nobody was competing to be admired for it."

Lady Matlock remained near the door rather than interrupting. Georgiana began the passage again at a gentler pace. Elizabeth counted quietly beside her; after several attempts, the notes came together. They celebrated with so much pleasure that Darcy, passing the doorway, came to discover what victory had been achieved.

"A most difficult negotiation," Elizabeth informed him. "Miss Darcy has persuaded the composer to surrender."

"Then I am relieved," Darcy answered. "I feared I should find him an opponent entirely unwilling to yield."

Georgiana smiled up at her brother, and Lady Matlock saw something she had not seen often in the shy girl's company: freedom from the expectation that she must please everyone before she could be pleased herself.

That evening, after Elizabeth had gone upstairs to write to Jane, Lady Matlock asked her husband whether he remembered the way the girl had questioned him about household servants on the day of his accident.

"She wished to know whether the driver would recover," the Earl said. "I recall being quite put out that she was not content to inquire solely after me."

"She notices people," Lady Matlock replied. "Not their importance, but whether they are comfortable or afraid. We might do worse than encourage that habit in everyone who comes under our roof."

"We might begin with Richard," her husband suggested. "He has not noticed that you dislike his boots upon the footstool since he was old enough to reach it."

"Richard has had ample opportunity to observe my opinion," Lady Matlock answered. "Though I admit he has made admirable progress."

On the morning of her departure the Earl asked her to walk with him in the terrace garden. His injured leg had healed, although he still carried a stick when the weather was poor.

"I hope you have enjoyed your visit," he began.

"Very much, my lord. You have all been exceedingly kind."

"Kindness is less burdensome when one's company is agreeable. You have given us great pleasure, Elizabeth."

She felt her face warm at his use of her Christian name. He had asked Mr. Bennet's permission to speak to her so familiarly, and she had been delighted by it.

"You must remember," the Earl continued, "that you have friends here. Not merely acquaintances who are grateful for a fortunate act, but friends genuinely concerned for your happiness."

"I shall never forget it."

"And should you ever require assistance, you must write. I mean it, my dear. Whether the matter is large or small, you have only to tell us."

Elizabeth looked at him with affection. "I promise. Though I hope I shall not trouble your lordship with anything more serious than an opinion about a book."

"Then send the opinion. I can always use another excuse to disagree with you."

He offered his arm, and they returned to the house together.

After Elizabeth had departed, Lady Matlock found her husband standing near the library window.