Free More Letters From Pemberley by Jane Dawkins Page B

to be still in pain, for which Brownley could find no apparent cause. Finally, spent and exhausted, she fell asleep. Brownley said the longer she rests the better, she may well sleep off her disorder.
    I stayed by her bedside throughout the day and by last evening she seemed much improved, even managing to smile at me, twice! I was heartened enough to leave her in the care of Nurse through the night, though with instructions to wake me should there be any change. This morning, Mr. Brownley advises not leaving home until Cassie’s strength returns, a day or two, he says. Otherwise he is satisfied with her improvement.
    I have been urging Mr. Darcy to depart with Annie, for I know he has looked forward to our visit as much as I have, but he insists that we will make the journey together. So, expect us all on 2nd July, towards two o’clock!
    Affectionately,
Lizzy

Pemberley
Tuesday, 1 st July, 1817
    My dear Jane,
    I regret we are obliged to postpone our visit once again. My darling Cassie was taken ill again early yesterday morning with a fever. It is a grievous blow to our spirits for she had been making such good progress. I was at her side all day and by evening she had rallied again and slept the night through. This morning, she is weak from exhaustion, to be sure, but assured by Mr. Brownley that she is out of danger.
    We are all quite fatigued and long for the restorative powers which your good company will surely bestow. I shall send an express when we are finally able to leave Pemberley.
    With love,
Lizzy

Pemberley
Thursday, 10 th July, 1817
    My dear Jane,
    I know you will forgive this short letter and the prior absence of news from me when I tell you that since Cassie fell ill, I have not left her side for more than an hour altogether. Her condition has given us all serious cause for alarm: when she is awake, the fever gives her so much discomfort and distress; when she sleeps too long, I begin to fear she will never awaken—a feeling impossible to describe. I hold her hot little body to my breast to soothe her, but she cannot settle for long. Brownley maintains that the fever will break soon, that we must be patient. How easy to say, how difficult to accomplish!
    (My Husband insists that I join him for breakfast now. While I have little appetite to bring to the table, I must not add to his worries and shall attempt to eat a little to satisfy him.)
    11th July, 1817
    Good news, Jane! The fever has abated once more and my darling Girl rests comfortably. Brownley declares she is now quite safe. How pitiful she looks, so pale and thin, but with fresh air and nourishment, in a few months she will be well again. It is such a relief to cast this weight from our shoulders. At times during these past days and weeks, I thought—but no matter, it is over and we are all ready to be happy again.
    My poor Annie has been sorely neglected—despite my efforts to spend time with her each day, I have been so fatigued and distracted with worry that she has gained little satisfaction from my presence. Today, however, we have played at spillikins, paper ships, riddles and cards, and later I have promised her we shall gather flowers and make a posy for Cassie.
    With love,
E.

Pemberley
Friday, 18 th July, 1817
    My dear Jane,
    How can I bear to write these terrible words? In writing them, perhaps they will seem real at last, perhaps I will feel their full, awful import. Perhaps I will feel something, anything but this cold numbness which covers me like a shroud. This morning, just after dawn, Cassandra Jane, our dearest Cassie, aged one year and seven months, passed away peacefully, finally released from the ravages of the fever which consumed her tiny body.
    Last evening, she was suddenly taken worse. Mr. Brownley was sent for and said she could not outlive the night. To see her little wasted body lying in a state of exhaustion cut to my very soul. This was once my lovely Cassie. Against Mr. Brownley’s and Mr. Darcy’s wishes and