The night spent in Jane's room wasn't the worst in Eleazar's life, that title would never be given away again, but it came far too close for comfort. It wasn't as if Jane's condition had worsened or something equally bad had happened, but the mental strain had still been considerate.

Morning had come and gone and with it a message to Longbourn that Jane was doing considerably better than before. One such message was also received by Mr Bingley and his two sisters who sent a maid to ask after Jane.

The reply came fast and in the form of Mrs Bennet in company of her two youngest daughters knocking on the Netherfield's door.

Had Mrs Bennet found Jane in any serious danger she would have been inconsolable, but at the moment she was overjoyed. Jane was sick enough to stay at Netherfield and enjoy Mr Bingley's attentions, but not sick enough to actually suffer from it.

Eleazar did not share in his mother's delight though he did have to agree with the apothecary when he arrived and told Jane she was not to be carried home. It may not be a serious ailment, but he would not risk his sister for the temporal happiness of being gone from Netherfield.

A happiness that he would treasure and never again think lightly of. Oh, how he wished they were home and Longbourn and far away from Mr Bingley who, at the moment, was being accosted by Mrs Bennet.

He had thoughtfully asked how Jane was doing, and that she was hopefully not worse than Mrs Bennet had expected.

"Indeed I have, sir, she is a great deal too ill to be moved, Mr Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness."

"Removed! It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."

Eleazar internally thanked Mr Bingley for his vehement cries of objection, someone had to look out for Jane without hidden plans of their own.

"You may depend upon it, Madam, that Miss Bennet will receive every possible attention while she remains with us."

He didn't trust the sisters to do so, nor Mr Darcy. Who, though the perfect gentleman, was too cold for his taste to be trusted with the delicate health of his sister.

"I am sure, if it was not for such good friends I do not know what would have become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with."

Here Mrs Bennet took a quick breath before continuing her gratitude. Maybe of all the people in the breakfast parlour she was the least interested in Jane becoming healthy as soon as possible. It was a sad truth Eleazar had learned to live with a long time ago, his mother would not care about those silly things; especially not when there was a benefit to be found in the misery.

"I often tell my other children they are nothing to her. You have a sweet room here, Mr Bingley, and a charming prospect over the gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease."

One more sentence was dedicated to Jane's health before the sweet talking started. Something Eleazar was sure about, did not even register in his mother's mind as such. Life was just a short sequence of being unmarried, married and looking for unmarried men for her children. Any and all means to the desired end, them all married well, were allowed even at the expense of previously mentioned children.

"Whatever I do is done in a hurry, and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself quite fixed here."

Eleazar slowly closed his eyes while trying to not show a single emotion on his face.

Of all the things Mr Bingley could have said, and he managed to find the ones most certain to provoke his mother in replying.

"That is exactly what I should have supposed of you."

He quickly spoke the first thing that came to his mind before his mother could take this new turn of events to promote Jane to prospective would-be husbands.

"You begin to comprehend me, do you?"

"Oh! Yes– I understand you perfectly."

Just keep the words flowing without stopping, everything to ensure Mrs Bennet would be unable to interject and make it all worse.

"I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful."

The friendly jesting continued in good nature and a small laugh escaped from Eleazar's mouth. Mr Bingley was truly an amazing person and would be an ever better husband to Jane in the future.

"That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours."

It was a bit presumptuous in a way he was reminded of Mrs Bennet, but still. If everything went well Jane would be married to one wonderful gentleman of good fortune.

"Eli, remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."

His musings had given Mrs Bennet a moment to interject, but Mr Bingley did not let her take the conversation to unsteady waters; as he immediately answered Eleazar's unspoken question while ignoring Mrs Bennet interruption.

"I did not know before, that you were a studier of character. It must be quite an amusing study."

The conversation was meaningless and pointless.

"Yes, but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage."

But at least it made sure nothing worse was being discussed.

"The country can in general supply but a few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society."

And at the moment did Eleazar not have an ounce of faith in anyone beside himself and Mr Bingley. He might have wanted to give Mr Darcy the benefit of the doubt, but the man had just proved himself wrong.

"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them forever."

He really hadn't understood that anything said in this situation would be turned around and used against him.

"Yes, indeed, I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town."

Mrs Bennet wouldn't stand for the presumed slander of her living arrangements.

A silence fell over the company that only ended with Mr Darcy turning away from the offender; and Mrs Bennet, in the assumption to have won the verbal spat happily continued digging her own grave.

"I cannot see that London has any great advantages over the country, for my part, except the shops and the public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr Bingley?"

"When I am in the country I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either."

Dear Mr Bingley could be counted on to try and save the unsavable. Something Eleazar had learned to give up on years ago.

"Aye- that is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman seemed to think the country was nothing at all."

At some moments in time, when Mrs Bennet was talking and unwilling to change was the moment you had to lie low and let the storm pass.

"Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken. You quite mistook Mr Darcy. He only meant that there was not such a variety of people to be met in the country as in the town, which you must acknowledge to be true."

Angering a prospective gentleman was never a good idea, but one as rich and powerful as Mr Darcy, no matter how unpleasant the person, was truly mad.

"Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families."

Nothing but concern for Eleazar, of that he was sure, could have enabled Mr Bingley to keep his countenance. His sister on the other hand was less delicate, and directed her blinding smile towards Mr Darcy.

Eleazar opened his mouth a few times, trying but failing to come up with a way to salvage the ruins his mother had left behind in her war to show off. In the end he asked after Charlotte, as she at least should be a safe subject.

"Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr Bingley, is he not? So much the man of fashion! So genteel and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter."

It was in fact not and Eleazar already regretted standing up that morning to greet his mother.

"Did Charlotte dine with you?"

Was it really necessary to destroy any and all changes Jane might have had with the Bingley's in a single visit? Couldn't his mother at least have waited till the first christmas party after their marriage.

No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But everybody is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain - but then she is our particular friend."

Charlotte was not a safe subject when Mrs Bennet was on a mission to show off her own child in comparison to others.

"She seems a very pleasant young woman."

"Oh! Dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast my own child, but to be sure, Jane - one does not often see anybody better looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own partiality."

Oh, how impartial Mrs Bennet was when it came to her children. No care in the world was good enough for them.

"When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother's Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty they were."

Eleazar did not want to think about that man, it was a good thing it had ended as fast as it had begun. Otherwise it would have become uglier than his uncle would have been able to solve.

"And so ended his affection. There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"

He wanted this torture to be over with, for the visit to end. He wanted to go back to Jane's room and sit beside her holding her hand.

"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love."

Of course he would think so.

"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

The smile Mr Darcy granted her put a stop to the conversation and made it nigh impossible for Eleazar to think of anything to say to ensure his mother wouldn't try something again.

In the end Mrs Bennet thanked Mr Bingley once more for his excellent care and apologised for troubling him with her Eli too. Mr Bingley took it all in stride and ensured her none of that was necessary. He enjoyed their company immensely and wouldn't have it any other way.

It announced the end of Mrs Bennet's visit, but not before the youngest of the two sisters that had accompanied her interrogated Mr Bingley regarding the promise he made about hosting a ball.

"I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement; and when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill."

Lydia was more than satisfied with the answer and readily agreed.

Once Jane would be better a ball would be organised at Netherfield where the military could join them in the festivities.