Pride and Prejudice: BTS version

Chapter Thirty Eight

On Saturday morning Jimin and Minseok met for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary.

"I know not, Jimin," said he, "whether Mrs. Kang has yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for it. The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain manner of living, our small rooms and few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young omega like yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension, and that we have done everything in our power to prevent your spending your time unpleasantly."

Jimin was eager with his thanks and assurances of happiness. He had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with Jisoo, and the kind attentions he had received, must make HIM feel the obliged. Minseok was gratified, and with a more smiling solemnity replied:

"It gives me great pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very superior society, and, from our connection with Rosings, the frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady Sohee's family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You see how continually we are engaged there. In truth I must acknowledge that, with all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I should not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings."

Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he was obliged to walk about the room, while Jimin tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences.

"You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you will be able to do so. Lady Sohee's great attentions to Mrs. Kang you have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate--but on this point it will be as well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Jimin, that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Jisoo and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other."

Jimin could safely say that it was a great happiness where that was the case, and with equal sincerity could add, that he firmly believed and rejoiced in Minseok's domestic comforts. He was not sorry, however, to have the recital of them interrupted by the lady from whom they sprang. Poor Jisoo! it was melancholy to leave her to such society! But she had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms.

At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. After an affectionate parting between the friends, Jimin was attended to the carriage by Minseok, and as they walked down the garden he was commissioning him with his best respects to all his family, not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received at Longbourn in the winter, and his compliments to the Kim family, though unknown. He then handed him in, Chayoung followed, and the door was on the point of being closed, when he suddenly reminded them, with some consternation, that they had hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies at Rosings.

"But," he added, "you will of course wish to have your humble respects delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here."

Jimin made no objection; the door was then allowed to be shut, and the carriage drove off.

"Good gracious!" cried Chayoung, after a few minutes' silence, "it seems but a day or two since we first came! and yet how many things have happened!"

"A great many indeed," said her companion with a sigh.

"We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! How much I shall have to tell!"

Jimin added privately, "And how much I shall have to conceal!"

Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford they reached Kim Namjoon's house, where they were to remain a few days.
Taehyung looked well, and Jimin had little opportunity of studying his spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of his uncles had reserved for them. But Taehyung was to go home with him, and at Longbourn there would be leisure enough for observation.

It was not without an effort, meanwhile, that he could wait even for Longbourn, before he told his brother of Min Yoongi's proposals. To know that he had the power of revealing what would so exceedingly astonish Taehyung, and must, at the same time, so highly gratify whatever of his own vanity he had not yet been able to reason away, was such a temptation to openness as nothing could have conquered but the state of indecision in which he remained as to the extent of what he should communicate; and his fear, if he once entered on the subject, of being hurried into repeating something of Jungkook which might only grieve his brother further.