Revelations an adaption of Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 16

Halfan hour has him mounted and disappearing out of sight, and Elizabethreturns to the house alone. Once there, she looks for thehousekeeper, who is very pleased to show her around the chambers thatare relics of the Darcys who lived here before.

Theystart out with the room that used to be Fitzwilliam's grandmother's,his father's mother. The mirror in their bedroom used to be hers, andthe whole room is as tasteful as that huge piece of furniture. Notonly the furniture looks as new, and the walls have probably beenre-painted, but Elizabeth is amazed at how well the fabrics have beenpreserved, the curtains are still a beautiful pink with silver, thebedspread looks as good as new, and there are masses of pillowsstrewn across the bed that look just as if the room is still in use.Frankly, it is more like a girl's room than an elderly lady's.

'Itis all so beautifully preserved,' Elizabeth says, 'it doesn't lookold or worn at all.'

MrsReynolds is pleased with the compliment, and she observes: 'It is asif fabrics lasted longer in those days, in that wardrobe over therethere are some dresses that look as new. Old-fashioned of course, butnot worn at all, let me show you.'

Walkingto the wardrobe and opening it, she takes out a very formal ball-gownthat does indeed look as if it could still be worn, though it is alot stiffer and lower-waisted than the current fashion. Two otherdresses are as strangely designed to Elizabeth's eyes, and MrsReynolds says: 'These are riding-dresses from her time, Mr Darcy'sgrandmother was a very active lady. She loved to ride, even huntedwith the men. Look how little worn these are, they just don't makefabric like that anymore.'

Theyare indeed very well-preserved, like the pillows and the curtains,and beautiful, though strange-looking in the eyes of a twenty yearold.

'Isthere a portrait of this lady in the house?' Elizabeth asks, and MrsReynolds tells her there is one on the gallery, with 'old' Mrs Darcyon a horse actually. 'We'll take a look at it later,' she promises.

Theyput the dresses back and close the door of the wardrobe, then move onto the next room, a room with Fitzwilliam's late mother'spossessions. It is not her original room, that is used by Georgiananow, but a lot of her belongings are displayed here. To prove whereGeorgiana inherited her musical talent, there are instruments, alarge harp and a smaller harp, several flutes and guitars, and sinceit's a bedroom of course there is a bed, and again, beautifulpillows, but in muted, darker colours.

'Thoughthis lady was Fitzwilliam's mother, maybe knew Fitzwilliam'sgrandmother as an elderly lady, still his grandmother's possessionslook like those of a younger woman, while her daughter-in-law's looklike those of an elderly lady,' Elizabeth observes.

MrsReynolds replies: 'That is true, Mr Darcy's late mother seemed a bitolder than her age. She was not very strong, and especially after shehad Georgiana her health deteriorated. The poor mistress never wasstrong enough to ride or even walk much, she was mostly indoors or inher favourite garden, I think Mr Darcy will show it to you yet,though of course it will not really bloom until next summer.

Youare more like the elder lady, she was less tall and less noble ofbirth, but very strong and healthy. She was small and light like you,and very active, though you seem to prefer walking over riding.'

Elizabethaffirms this, and asks: 'What was she like, Fitzwilliam's mother? Wasshe sweet, was she often sad?'

'Shewas very beautiful, there is a portrait of her as well, also in thegallery, and she was tall, but thin. Her sister, Lady Catherine deBourgh, is just as tall but physically strong and a good dealbroader. She was the beauty of her days, and she made an even bettermatch than Lady Anne, Mr Darcy's mother was called Anne. Her sisterstill lives, she named her daughter after her beloved sister, theywere very close. Lady Anne was a very good match for the late MrDarcy, she was from a very good family, but not generally verystrong, fortunately the master and Miss Darcy have their father'svigour. They are both as tall as their mother, Miss Darcy looks agood deal like her.