Mr Bennet finally agreed that they were in fact being used that day in the fields.So Jane set out on her horse,while her mother called cheerfully after her,‘I do hope it’ll rain heavily,my love!’And Jane had not been gone for long before it rained hard.Elizabeth was a little worried about her sister,but Mrs Bennet was delighted.‘What a good idea of mine that was!’she said more than once, extremely pleased with herself.
Not until the next morning,however,did she realize the full extent of her success.After breakfast a servant from Nether- field arrived with a note from Jane to Elizabeth,explaining that Jane had caught cold on her wet ride, and had been invited to stay at Netherfield until she recovered.
‘Well,my dear,’said Mr Bennet,‘if your daughter should become seriously ill and die, it would be a comfort to know that she died in a good cause, and in obedience to your orders.’
‘Oh, I'm not afraid of her dying.People don't die of colds.She’ll be looked after well at Netherfield.As long as she stays there, everything will be all right.’