MR DARCY TAKES A WIFE

How might a newspaper’s social page look if they were to report on Mr Darcy’s engagement today? It has long been speculated who Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire would marry. Many people have suggested the woman they believe he would choose to be his bride but that has all come to an end as Mr Darcy announced his engagement yesterday. It was believed by many that Mr Darcy would marry his cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh, that daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings in Kent. There was even a talk that they were engaged. Others also believed that Mr Darcy may marry Miss Caroline Bingley, the sister of his close friend Mr Charles Bingley. However, the lady Mr Darcy has chosen to marry is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourne in Hertfordshire.

The couple met last a year ago when Mr Darcy was staying with Mr Bingley in Hertfordshire. Mr Darcy and Miss Bennet were introduced at a ball but did not know each other very well until Miss Bennet stayed at Mr Bingley’s house for a few days in order to take care of her older sister who had taken ill while visiting Miss Caroline Bingley and was not well enough to be moved home.

Mr Bingley has immediately expressed his delight in Mr Darcy’s engagement but was very eager to talk about his own approaching nuptials to Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s older sister. Miss Bennet’s mother is equally excited and says that she feels very blessed that now three of her daughters will be married and, “Mary and Kitty are likely to marry well as they will meet other rich men through Jane and Lizzy.” Mr Bennet would not say much on the subject but did venture that he was pleased for both his daughters.

Mr Darcy’s sister Miss Georgiana Darcy is also overjoyed at her brother’s engagement saying that she has always liked Miss Elizabeth Bennet since their first meeting and is delighted that she will soon be able to call Miss Elizabeth Bennet her sister. Mr Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh has refused to comment on the engagement though sources reveal that she is in a rage as she had assumed Mr Darcy’s marriage proposal to her daughter was imminent.

As for Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet they have said that they have settled it between them that they are to be the happiest couple that ever was. We wish them very well.