Wickham's Diary

18th August 1798

Once again I awoke to find a line of creditors at my door. I packed my bags hastily and slipped down the back stairs, only to find them waiting for me there as well.

And so I find myself in debtor's prison. I am only surprised I managed to avoid it for so long. My pockets are to let. my bills unpaid, and I have nowhere to turn.

23rd August 1798

At last! A piece of luck. I heard by chance that the living I should have had is vacant, the incumbent having recently died. I decided I would write to Darcy and remind him of the fact. I told him that I had decided against the law and decided instead to follow my original plan of being ordained and going into the church. I told him. too. that my circumstances were exceedingly bad and reminded him that his father intended me to have the Pemberley living. Then I posted the letter.

I only hope he helps me soon, for I am tired of kicking my heels in here and want to be out in life once again.

27th August 1798

I have had a reply from Darcy, and what a reply! To think that the boy I once went swimming with and fishing with could speak to me in such terms! He. who is no better than me. save for the fact that he was born into the Darcy cradle and not the cradle marked Wickham. How dare he? How dare he write me such a letter? How dare he refuse me the living and, what is more, say I am not fit to have it? How dare he refuse to help me. when it will cost him nothing? And how can he sit there in Pemberley, with not a care in the world, and leave me to the mercy of my creditors? I was so angry I wrote and told him that his father would be ashamed of him and sent the letter straightaway. Once my anger had cooled I regretted it. for it would do no good and would only rouse his resentment, but it was done and could not be undone.