She had begun, even before Mr. Bingley had arrived to secure consent, to make plans for her eldest daughter’s wedding. From the time they had stepped inside after returning home, everyone at once prodded Jane for all the details. She was very gracious in answering them all, but Elizabeth could readily see she was becoming quite wearied from all the questions. Mrs. Bennet, it seemed, had no intention of letting the subject drop. As happy as Jane was to talk about Mr. Bingley, the proposal, and the upcoming wedding, there were other things she wanted to hear about from the family. Mr. Bennet stood off to the side; appalled at the unrelenting commotion his wife created, but savouring the joy his daughter’s engagement wrought. He had been uneasy while his daughters had been at Pemberley, but now he could rest easy. It had turned out well, although he would never admit that to his wife. As mayhem coursed throughout the house and continued the next day, Mr. Bennet took longer periods of refuge in his library.
