Something Like Regret

The title comes from the words Jane Austen penned as Elizabeth walks through Pemberley. She thinks about how she would be its mistress if she had accepted Mr. Darcy's proposal, but reminds herself that her aunt and uncle would never have been welcomed as guests. Jane Austen tells us, "This was a lucky recollection -- it saved her from something like regret." In "Something Like Regret," Mrs. Bennet's greatest fear comes to pass. With the death of Mr. Bennet in the early summer after Elizabeth returns from Kent, Longbourn is entailed away to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth and Jane take on positions as governesses in London; their mother and sisters move in with the Phillips' in Meryton. Elizabeth could not be happier with the family for whom she works, but soon comes to discover that they have a long-standing association with the Darcys. As she is thrown into his presence, she comes to a greater understanding of his goodness while comprehending the even greater disparity in their stations.