I never noticed this before! I suppose you *could* make an argument (since Darcy says that Mr. Wickham Sr. did not long outlive Mr. Darcy Sr.), that perhaps Wickham Sr. was already sick with the illness that would eventually kill him, which would lead Darcy's father to try to ease his mind about his son's future, while Mr. Darcy Sr. died quite suddenly and unexpectedly (of a heart attack, perhaps?) *before* his steward! How's that for making much out of minimal evidence? ;-) Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy!