Alternative Title: How far Mr. Bennet would go to assuage Lizzy's worries.

Popping out of her chair, she headed once again toward her bedroom window. Like a moth around a flame, however, she did not go in a direct line; instead she veered first toward the mirror to give herself a quick smile, then to her dresser to once again assure herself everything needed had been packed, and finally to the window, shouting all the while.

"Oh how lucky I am!, how lucky, lucky, lucky!! To be going to Brighton. Oh, what a time to be had there. So very lucky!! Mrs. Foster is the dearest person in all the world!"

Her overly excited nature could not find sufficient release in these words alone, and she was forced to open the window to sing Mrs. Foster's praises to the local robins and any other inhabitants within half a mile of Longbourn. Finally she had sufficiently vented her over-heated feelings to comprehend that her mother was trying to speak.

"Now Lydia, Please do set down. You will be going to Mrs. Foster's immediately following the little party we are giving for the officers, and thus this will be the only opportunity we will have for our talk. I told you earlier today that Mr. Bennet insisted I take time to give you some instructions on how to behave while with Mrs. Foster. You have never been away from us with people we know so little of; in fact you have only been away once. To London, to stay with your Aunt Gardiner who was by no means happy with your behavior while there. Brighton is such a very different type of town than Meryton and Mrs. Foster is not at all like your aunt."

"Ok. OK. But do hurry. The officers will be here soon! I must talk to Kitty before then, to see if she has anything in particular for me to pass on to Mrs. Foster, as I may not get another chance before leaving for Meryton. Although, lately she has seemed most unfeeling toward that lady. I don't see why she should be so offended that Mrs. Foster should prefer me to all others. I'm sure Mrs. Foster needs someone around as Colonel Foster can be such a bore at times."

"My dear Lydia. This is just the type of thing I have been requested to guard you against when in Brighton. Your manner of addressing the officers, while is all innocence, and when occurring in such a confining community as Meryton would not be offensive to anyone, might not be seen in the same light in a town without such simple manners."

Seeing that for once Lydia was giving serious consideration to her words Mrs. Bennet with a look of satisfaction continued.

"I am sure that .."

"Do you think I should have packed the blue and left the yellow. Or maybe kept both here in hopes of finding a better one in Brighton." interrupted Lydia.

"What? Blue what my dear. What are we about."

"Dresses of course. I packed the yellow because Maria told me it went exceedingly well with my complexion. But what does that silly girl know about anything. I'm beginning to think the blue is better."

"It does go very well with your eyes. Why, just the other day Mrs. Grey was telling me the dress was so flattering, that she believed one of the officers went into town purposely to get a matching ribbon. Wouldn't that be a fine thing to get in Brighton; a ribbon from an officer, oh what a lucky girl that would be!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "Do you think there is time for re-packing. We would hate to distress one of our fine officers."

"No mother, I could not possible take the time. This is dreadful. Why didn't you tell me earlier. Perhaps, I could get something near the color at one of the shops in Brighton, I'm sure Father wouldn't object when you explain."

"Mr. Bennet. Oh yes. To be sure. "

"Lydia, there are a few other topics we need to discuss before I can talk to Mr. Bennet about such things. Here at Longbourn, you have been in the habit of visiting your aunt at Meryton with only Kitty as a member of your party. You must not venture so freely while in Brighton, only in the company of Mrs. Foster should you feel free to.."

"Do you think there will be lots of them. Maybe everyday, almost".

"Lots of what"

"Parties of course. With so many officers, how else could we meet them all if there weren't parties. And I shall be of such particular notice, being the best friend of Mrs. Foster. All the officers will have to behave so gallantly or I will show them my displeasure."

"Now, we don't want to get them upset!" laughed Mrs. Bennet. "But, It will certainly be such fun. If only I were going to Brighton also. I would so much like to see you in the company of so many fine officers; and who can you talk to except Mrs. Foster. Who I am sure is a nice lady, but she could never replace your mother."

"This is so true. Please, approach father again. Tell him how much we could talk about, what finery we will see, what handsome men, what dances. You must come I'm sure Father wouldn't object when you explain."

"Mr. Bennet. Oh yes. To be sure. "

"Lydia, there is one more point that is of the utmost importance. I'm sure I never would have worried about it, but your father sometimes gets the silliest notions. Even after being married over a quarter of a century, I don't know where his ideas come from. He mentioned that your behavior at the local balls was sometimes so unguarded as to perhaps give some gentlemen, I'm sure none of the officers we know, to believe that .. well to feel that in your behavior; being so unguarded that you could .. that is .. that it might be better if you displayed a little more caution in the manner in which you ...."

"You don't think it possible do you. That would certainly be good fun. To be such before any of my sisters, what a good joke. But with so many officers it is possible isn't it; and I'm sure Father wouldn't object when you explain."

"Mr. Bennet. Oh yes. To be sure. "

"Well Lydia, I am glad we got a chance for this little talk. I am sure it did us both good. Now we must both get ready for the party."

With these words Mrs. Bennet left the room to go get dressed for the party. While on the way to her room she passed Mr. Bennet. Before entering the room she said,

"Lydia and I have had are little talk sir. And we are in perfect agreement. She shall have a lovely time at Brighton. I have the greatest trust Mrs. Foster and hope you can now put your mind to rest."

Mr. Bennet then took himself to the library, settling down with a book he complacently thought, "Lizzy, you can rest easy now. See to what lengths I am willing to go to assuage your concerns"