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[visualising-punctuation.git] / pride-and-prejudice.txt
1 The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
2
3 This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
4 almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
5 re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
6 with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
7
8
9 Title: Pride and Prejudice
10
11 Author: Jane Austen
12
13 Posting Date: August 26, 2008 [EBook #1342]
14 Release Date: June, 1998
15 Last updated: February 15, 2015]
16
17 Language: English
18
19 Character set encoding: ASCII
20
21 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ***
22
23
24
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26 Produced by Anonymous Volunteers
27
28
29
30
31
32 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
33
34 By Jane Austen
35
36
37
38 Chapter 1
39
40
41 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
42 of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
43
44 However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his
45 first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds
46 of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property
47 of some one or other of their daughters.
48
49 "My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that
50 Netherfield Park is let at last?"
51
52 Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
53
54 "But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she
55 told me all about it."
56
57 Mr. Bennet made no answer.
58
59 "Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.
60
61 "_You_ want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."
62
63 This was invitation enough.
64
65 "Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken
66 by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came
67 down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much
68 delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he
69 is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to
70 be in the house by the end of next week."
71
72 "What is his name?"
73
74 "Bingley."
75
76 "Is he married or single?"
77
78 "Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or
79 five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!"
80
81 "How so? How can it affect them?"
82
83 "My dear Mr. Bennet," replied his wife, "how can you be so tiresome! You
84 must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."
85
86 "Is that his design in settling here?"
87
88 "Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he
89 _may_ fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as
90 soon as he comes."
91
92 "I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send
93 them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are
94 as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best of the
95 party."
96
97 "My dear, you flatter me. I certainly _have_ had my share of beauty, but
98 I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five
99 grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty."
100
101 "In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of."
102
103 "But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into
104 the neighbourhood."
105
106 "It is more than I engage for, I assure you."
107
108 "But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would
109 be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to
110 go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no
111 newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for _us_ to
112 visit him if you do not."
113
114 "You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very
115 glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my
116 hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though
117 I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy."
118
119 "I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the
120 others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so
121 good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving _her_ the preference."
122
123 "They have none of them much to recommend them," replied he; "they are
124 all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of
125 quickness than her sisters."
126
127 "Mr. Bennet, how _can_ you abuse your own children in such a way? You
128 take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves."
129
130 "You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They
131 are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration
132 these last twenty years at least."
133
134 "Ah, you do not know what I suffer."
135
136 "But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four
137 thousand a year come into the neighbourhood."
138
139 "It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not
140 visit them."
141
142 "Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them
143 all."
144
145 Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour,
146 reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had
147 been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. _Her_ mind
148 was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding,
149 little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented,
150 she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her
151 daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.
152
153
154
155 Chapter 2
156
157
158 Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He
159 had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring
160 his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was
161 paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following
162 manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he
163 suddenly addressed her with:
164
165 "I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy."
166
167 "We are not in a way to know _what_ Mr. Bingley likes," said her mother
168 resentfully, "since we are not to visit."
169
170 "But you forget, mamma," said Elizabeth, "that we shall meet him at the
171 assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introduce him."
172
173 "I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces
174 of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion
175 of her."
176
177 "No more have I," said Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad to find that you do
178 not depend on her serving you."
179
180 Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain
181 herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
182
183 "Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little
184 compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."
185
186 "Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she times
187 them ill."
188
189 "I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully. "When is
190 your next ball to be, Lizzy?"
191
192 "To-morrow fortnight."
193
194 "Aye, so it is," cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not come back
195 till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him,
196 for she will not know him herself."
197
198 "Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce
199 Mr. Bingley to _her_."
200
201 "Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him
202 myself; how can you be so teasing?"
203
204 "I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly
205 very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a
206 fortnight. But if _we_ do not venture somebody else will; and after all,
207 Mrs. Long and her neices must stand their chance; and, therefore, as
208 she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will
209 take it on myself."
210
211 The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, "Nonsense,
212 nonsense!"
213
214 "What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" cried he. "Do
215 you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on
216 them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you _there_. What say you,
217 Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read
218 great books and make extracts."
219
220 Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.
221
222 "While Mary is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us return to Mr.
223 Bingley."
224
225 "I am sick of Mr. Bingley," cried his wife.
226
227 "I am sorry to hear _that_; but why did not you tell me that before? If
228 I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called
229 on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we
230 cannot escape the acquaintance now."
231
232 The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs.
233 Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy
234 was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the
235 while.
236
237 "How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should
238 persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to
239 neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a
240 good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a
241 word about it till now."
242
243 "Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Bennet; and,
244 as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
245
246 "What an excellent father you have, girls!" said she, when the door was
247 shut. "I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness;
248 or me, either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so
249 pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but
250 for your sakes, we would do anything. Lydia, my love, though you _are_
251 the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next
252 ball."
253
254 "Oh!" said Lydia stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I _am_ the
255 youngest, I'm the tallest."
256
257 The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would
258 return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining when they should ask him to
259 dinner.
260
261
262
263 Chapter 3
264
265
266 Not all that Mrs. Bennet, however, with the assistance of her five
267 daughters, could ask on the subject, was sufficient to draw from her
268 husband any satisfactory description of Mr. Bingley. They attacked him
269 in various ways--with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and
270 distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all, and they were at
271 last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour,
272 Lady Lucas. Her report was highly favourable. Sir William had been
273 delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely
274 agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next assembly
275 with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To be fond of
276 dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively
277 hopes of Mr. Bingley's heart were entertained.
278
279 "If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield,"
280 said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, "and all the others equally well
281 married, I shall have nothing to wish for."
282
283 In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit, and sat about
284 ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being
285 admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had
286 heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more
287 fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper
288 window that he wore a blue coat, and rode a black horse.
289
290 An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and already
291 had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her
292 housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all. Mr. Bingley
293 was obliged to be in town the following day, and, consequently, unable
294 to accept the honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs. Bennet was quite
295 disconcerted. She could not imagine what business he could have in town
296 so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that
297 he might be always flying about from one place to another, and never
298 settled at Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears
299 a little by starting the idea of his being gone to London only to get
300 a large party for the ball; and a report soon followed that Mr. Bingley
301 was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly.
302 The girls grieved over such a number of ladies, but were comforted the
303 day before the ball by hearing, that instead of twelve he brought only
304 six with him from London--his five sisters and a cousin. And when
305 the party entered the assembly room it consisted of only five
306 altogether--Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and
307 another young man.
308
309 Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant
310 countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women,
311 with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely
312 looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention
313 of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and
314 the report which was in general circulation within five minutes
315 after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen
316 pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he
317 was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great
318 admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust
319 which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be
320 proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all
321 his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most
322 forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared
323 with his friend.
324
325 Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal
326 people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance,
327 was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving
328 one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for
329 themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced
330 only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being
331 introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in
332 walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party.
333 His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man
334 in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again.
335 Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of
336 his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his
337 having slighted one of her daughters.
338
339 Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit
340 down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been
341 standing near enough for her to hear a conversation between him and Mr.
342 Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend
343 to join it.
344
345 "Come, Darcy," said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you
346 standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better
347 dance."
348
349 "I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am
350 particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this
351 it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not
352 another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to
353 stand up with."
354
355 "I would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Mr. Bingley, "for a
356 kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in
357 my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see
358 uncommonly pretty."
359
360 "_You_ are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr.
361 Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
362
363 "Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one
364 of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I
365 dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."
366
367 "Which do you mean?" and turning round he looked for a moment at
368 Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said:
369 "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt _me_; I am in no
370 humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted
371 by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her
372 smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."
373
374 Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth
375 remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She told the story,
376 however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively,
377 playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
378
379 The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs.
380 Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield
381 party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been
382 distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this as
383 her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane's
384 pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most
385 accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been
386 fortunate enough never to be without partners, which was all that they
387 had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good
388 spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they
389 were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up. With
390 a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a
391 good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised
392 such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife's views on
393 the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found out that he had a
394 different story to hear.
395
396 "Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet," as she entered the room, "we have had a most
397 delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there.
398 Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well
399 she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with
400 her twice! Only think of _that_, my dear; he actually danced with her
401 twice! and she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second
402 time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him stand
403 up with her! But, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody
404 can, you know; and he seemed quite struck with Jane as she was going
405 down the dance. So he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and
406 asked her for the two next. Then the two third he danced with Miss King,
407 and the two fourth with Maria Lucas, and the two fifth with Jane again,
408 and the two sixth with Lizzy, and the _Boulanger_--"
409
410 "If he had had any compassion for _me_," cried her husband impatiently,
411 "he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of
412 his partners. Oh that he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!"
413
414 "Oh! my dear, I am quite delighted with him. He is so excessively
415 handsome! And his sisters are charming women. I never in my life saw
416 anything more elegant than their dresses. I dare say the lace upon Mrs.
417 Hurst's gown--"
418
419 Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Bennet protested against any
420 description of finery. She was therefore obliged to seek another branch
421 of the subject, and related, with much bitterness of spirit and some
422 exaggeration, the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy.
423
424 "But I can assure you," she added, "that Lizzy does not lose much by not
425 suiting _his_ fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at
426 all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring
427 him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very
428 great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my
429 dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man."
430
431
432
433 Chapter 4
434
435
436 When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been cautious in
437 her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her sister just how very
438 much she admired him.
439
440 "He is just what a young man ought to be," said she, "sensible,
441 good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!--so much
442 ease, with such perfect good breeding!"
443
444 "He is also handsome," replied Elizabeth, "which a young man ought
445 likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete."
446
447 "I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I
448 did not expect such a compliment."
449
450 "Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between
451 us. Compliments always take _you_ by surprise, and _me_ never. What
452 could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help
453 seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman
454 in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is
455 very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a
456 stupider person."
457
458 "Dear Lizzy!"
459
460 "Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general.
461 You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable
462 in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your
463 life."
464
465 "I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak
466 what I think."
467
468 "I know you do; and it is _that_ which makes the wonder. With _your_
469 good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of
470 others! Affectation of candour is common enough--one meets with it
471 everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design--to take the
472 good of everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing
473 of the bad--belongs to you alone. And so you like this man's sisters,
474 too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his."
475
476 "Certainly not--at first. But they are very pleasing women when you
477 converse with them. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother, and keep
478 his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming
479 neighbour in her."
480
481 Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced; their behaviour at
482 the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more
483 quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister,
484 and with a judgement too unassailed by any attention to herself, she
485 was very little disposed to approve them. They were in fact very fine
486 ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the
487 power of making themselves agreeable when they chose it, but proud and
488 conceited. They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the
489 first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand
490 pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of
491 associating with people of rank, and were therefore in every respect
492 entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of
493 a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply
494 impressed on their memories than that their brother's fortune and their
495 own had been acquired by trade.
496
497 Mr. Bingley inherited property to the amount of nearly a hundred
498 thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an
499 estate, but did not live to do it. Mr. Bingley intended it likewise, and
500 sometimes made choice of his county; but as he was now provided with a
501 good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of those
502 who best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend the
503 remainder of his days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation to
504 purchase.
505
506 His sisters were anxious for his having an estate of his own; but,
507 though he was now only established as a tenant, Miss Bingley was by no
508 means unwilling to preside at his table--nor was Mrs. Hurst, who had
509 married a man of more fashion than fortune, less disposed to consider
510 his house as her home when it suited her. Mr. Bingley had not been of
511 age two years, when he was tempted by an accidental recommendation
512 to look at Netherfield House. He did look at it, and into it for
513 half-an-hour--was pleased with the situation and the principal
514 rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it
515 immediately.
516
517 Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of
518 great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the
519 easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition
520 could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he
521 never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy's regard, Bingley
522 had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion.
523 In understanding, Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means
524 deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty,
525 reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not
526 inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley
527 was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually
528 giving offense.
529
530 The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently
531 characteristic. Bingley had never met with more pleasant people or
532 prettier girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive
533 to him; there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt
534 acquainted with all the room; and, as to Miss Bennet, he could not
535 conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a
536 collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for
537 none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received
538 either attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty,
539 but she smiled too much.
540
541 Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so--but still they admired
542 her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one
543 whom they would not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore
544 established as a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorized by such
545 commendation to think of her as he chose.
546
547
548
549 Chapter 5
550
551
552 Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets
553 were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade
554 in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the
555 honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty.
556 The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him a
557 disgust to his business, and to his residence in a small market town;
558 and, in quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house
559 about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge,
560 where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and,
561 unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all
562 the world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him
563 supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By
564 nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St.
565 James's had made him courteous.
566
567 Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a
568 valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The eldest
569 of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was
570 Elizabeth's intimate friend.
571
572 That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over
573 a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly
574 brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate.
575
576 "_You_ began the evening well, Charlotte," said Mrs. Bennet with civil
577 self-command to Miss Lucas. "_You_ were Mr. Bingley's first choice."
578
579 "Yes; but he seemed to like his second better."
580
581 "Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be
582 sure that _did_ seem as if he admired her--indeed I rather believe he
583 _did_--I heard something about it--but I hardly know what--something
584 about Mr. Robinson."
585
586 "Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; did not
587 I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's asking him how he liked our Meryton
588 assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many
589 pretty women in the room, and _which_ he thought the prettiest? and his
590 answering immediately to the last question: 'Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet,
591 beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.'"
592
593 "Upon my word! Well, that is very decided indeed--that does seem as
594 if--but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know."
595
596 "_My_ overhearings were more to the purpose than _yours_, Eliza," said
597 Charlotte. "Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend,
598 is he?--poor Eliza!--to be only just _tolerable_."
599
600 "I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by his
601 ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man, that it would be quite
602 a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he
603 sat close to her for half-an-hour without once opening his lips."
604
605 "Are you quite sure, ma'am?--is not there a little mistake?" said Jane.
606 "I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her."
607
608 "Aye--because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and he
609 could not help answering her; but she said he seemed quite angry at
610 being spoke to."
611
612 "Miss Bingley told me," said Jane, "that he never speaks much,
613 unless among his intimate acquaintances. With _them_ he is remarkably
614 agreeable."
615
616 "I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very
617 agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how it
618 was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride, and I dare say he had
619 heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to
620 the ball in a hack chaise."
621
622 "I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long," said Miss Lucas, "but I
623 wish he had danced with Eliza."
624
625 "Another time, Lizzy," said her mother, "I would not dance with _him_,
626 if I were you."
627
628 "I believe, ma'am, I may safely promise you _never_ to dance with him."
629
630 "His pride," said Miss Lucas, "does not offend _me_ so much as pride
631 often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so
632 very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour,
633 should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a _right_
634 to be proud."
635
636 "That is very true," replied Elizabeth, "and I could easily forgive
637 _his_ pride, if he had not mortified _mine_."
638
639 "Pride," observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her
640 reflections, "is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have
641 ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human
642 nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us
643 who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some
644 quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different
645 things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may
646 be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of
647 ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us."
648
649 "If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy," cried a young Lucas, who came with
650 his sisters, "I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of
651 foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine a day."
652
653 "Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought," said Mrs.
654 Bennet; "and if I were to see you at it, I should take away your bottle
655 directly."
656
657 The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare that she
658 would, and the argument ended only with the visit.
659
660
661
662 Chapter 6
663
664
665 The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit
666 was soon returned in due form. Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on
667 the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the mother was
668 found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to,
669 a wish of being better acquainted with _them_ was expressed towards
670 the two eldest. By Jane, this attention was received with the greatest
671 pleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment
672 of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them;
673 though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in
674 all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration. It
675 was generally evident whenever they met, that he _did_ admire her and
676 to _her_ it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference
677 which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a
678 way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it
679 was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane
680 united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a
681 uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions
682 of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.
683
684 "It may perhaps be pleasant," replied Charlotte, "to be able to impose
685 on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be
686 so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill
687 from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and
688 it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in
689 the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every
690 attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all
691 _begin_ freely--a slight preference is natural enough; but there are
692 very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without
693 encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a women had better show _more_
694 affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he
695 may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on."
696
697 "But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can
698 perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to
699 discover it too."
700
701 "Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do."
702
703 "But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal
704 it, he must find it out."
705
706 "Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But, though Bingley and Jane
707 meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they
708 always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that
709 every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should
710 therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his
711 attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for
712 falling in love as much as she chooses."
713
714 "Your plan is a good one," replied Elizabeth, "where nothing is in
715 question but the desire of being well married, and if I were determined
716 to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But
717 these are not Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet,
718 she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard nor of its
719 reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four
720 dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house,
721 and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite
722 enough to make her understand his character."
723
724 "Not as you represent it. Had she merely _dined_ with him, she might
725 only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must
726 remember that four evenings have also been spent together--and four
727 evenings may do a great deal."
728
729 "Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they
730 both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other
731 leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded."
732
733 "Well," said Charlotte, "I wish Jane success with all my heart; and
734 if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a
735 chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a
736 twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If
737 the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or
738 ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the
739 least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to
740 have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as
741 possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your
742 life."
743
744 "You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not
745 sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself."
746
747 Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley's attentions to her sister, Elizabeth
748 was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some
749 interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely
750 allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the
751 ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no
752 sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly
753 had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered
754 uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To
755 this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. Though he had
756 detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry
757 in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and
758 pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those
759 of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. Of
760 this she was perfectly unaware; to her he was only the man who made
761 himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough
762 to dance with.
763
764 He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing
765 with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. His doing so
766 drew her notice. It was at Sir William Lucas's, where a large party were
767 assembled.
768
769 "What does Mr. Darcy mean," said she to Charlotte, "by listening to my
770 conversation with Colonel Forster?"
771
772 "That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer."
773
774 "But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I see
775 what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by
776 being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him."
777
778 On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have
779 any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend to mention such
780 a subject to him; which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, she
781 turned to him and said:
782
783 "Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly
784 well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at
785 Meryton?"
786
787 "With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady
788 energetic."
789
790 "You are severe on us."
791
792 "It will be _her_ turn soon to be teased," said Miss Lucas. "I am going
793 to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows."
794
795 "You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!--always wanting me
796 to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken
797 a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would
798 really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of
799 hearing the very best performers." On Miss Lucas's persevering, however,
800 she added, "Very well, if it must be so, it must." And gravely glancing
801 at Mr. Darcy, "There is a fine old saying, which everybody here is of
802 course familiar with: 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge'; and I
803 shall keep mine to swell my song."
804
805 Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song
806 or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that
807 she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her
808 sister Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in
809 the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always
810 impatient for display.
811
812 Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her
813 application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited
814 manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she
815 had reached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with
816 much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Mary, at the
817 end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by
818 Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who,
819 with some of the Lucases, and two or three officers, joined eagerly in
820 dancing at one end of the room.
821
822 Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of
823 passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too
824 much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was
825 his neighbour, till Sir William thus began:
826
827 "What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There
828 is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first
829 refinements of polished society."
830
831 "Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst
832 the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance."
833
834 Sir William only smiled. "Your friend performs delightfully," he
835 continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; "and I doubt
836 not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy."
837
838 "You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir."
839
840 "Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do
841 you often dance at St. James's?"
842
843 "Never, sir."
844
845 "Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?"
846
847 "It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it."
848
849 "You have a house in town, I conclude?"
850
851 Mr. Darcy bowed.
852
853 "I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself--for I am fond
854 of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of
855 London would agree with Lady Lucas."
856
857 He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed
858 to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was
859 struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to
860 her:
861
862 "My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow
863 me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You
864 cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you."
865 And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though
866 extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly
867 drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William:
868
869 "Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you
870 not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."
871
872 Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of
873 her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at
874 all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.
875
876 "You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny
877 me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the
878 amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us
879 for one half-hour."
880
881 "Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Elizabeth, smiling.
882
883 "He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza,
884 we cannot wonder at his complaisance--for who would object to such a
885 partner?"
886
887 Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not
888 injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some
889 complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley:
890
891 "I can guess the subject of your reverie."
892
893 "I should imagine not."
894
895 "You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings
896 in this manner--in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion.
897 I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise--the
898 nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would
899 I give to hear your strictures on them!"
900
901 "Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more
902 agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure
903 which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."
904
905 Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he
906 would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.
907 Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity:
908
909 "Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
910
911 "Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley. "I am all astonishment.
912 How long has she been such a favourite?--and pray, when am I to wish you
913 joy?"
914
915 "That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's
916 imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love
917 to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy."
918
919 "Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is
920 absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed;
921 and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you."
922
923 He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to
924 entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her
925 that all was safe, her wit flowed long.
926
927
928
929 Chapter 7
930
931
932 Mr. Bennet's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two
933 thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed,
934 in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother's
935 fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply
936 the deficiency of his. Her father had been an attorney in Meryton, and
937 had left her four thousand pounds.
938
939 She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who had been a clerk to
940 their father and succeeded him in the business, and a brother settled in
941 London in a respectable line of trade.
942
943 The village of Longbourn was only one mile from Meryton; a most
944 convenient distance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted
945 thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt and
946 to a milliner's shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family,
947 Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in these attentions;
948 their minds were more vacant than their sisters', and when nothing
949 better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morning
950 hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of news
951 the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some
952 from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with
953 news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the
954 neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the
955 headquarters.
956
957 Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of the most
958 interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge
959 of the officers' names and connections. Their lodgings were not long a
960 secret, and at length they began to know the officers themselves. Mr.
961 Phillips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a store of
962 felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and
963 Mr. Bingley's large fortune, the mention of which gave animation
964 to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the
965 regimentals of an ensign.
966
967 After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr.
968 Bennet coolly observed:
969
970 "From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two
971 of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but
972 I am now convinced."
973
974 Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Lydia, with perfect
975 indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter,
976 and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the
977 next morning to London.
978
979 "I am astonished, my dear," said Mrs. Bennet, "that you should be so
980 ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly
981 of anybody's children, it should not be of my own, however."
982
983 "If my children are silly, I must hope to be always sensible of it."
984
985 "Yes--but as it happens, they are all of them very clever."
986
987 "This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I
988 had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must
989 so far differ from you as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly
990 foolish."
991
992 "My dear Mr. Bennet, you must not expect such girls to have the sense of
993 their father and mother. When they get to our age, I dare say they will
994 not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when
995 I liked a red coat myself very well--and, indeed, so I do still at my
996 heart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or six thousand a year,
997 should want one of my girls I shall not say nay to him; and I thought
998 Colonel Forster looked very becoming the other night at Sir William's in
999 his regimentals."
1000
1001 "Mamma," cried Lydia, "my aunt says that Colonel Forster and Captain
1002 Carter do not go so often to Miss Watson's as they did when they first
1003 came; she sees them now very often standing in Clarke's library."
1004
1005 Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with
1006 a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield, and the servant waited
1007 for an answer. Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was
1008 eagerly calling out, while her daughter read,
1009
1010 "Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well,
1011 Jane, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love."
1012
1013 "It is from Miss Bingley," said Jane, and then read it aloud.
1014
1015 "MY DEAR FRIEND,--
1016
1017 "If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me,
1018 we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives,
1019 for a whole day's tete-a-tete between two women can never end without a
1020 quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brother and the
1021 gentlemen are to dine with the officers.--Yours ever,
1022
1023 "CAROLINE BINGLEY"
1024
1025 "With the officers!" cried Lydia. "I wonder my aunt did not tell us of
1026 _that_."
1027
1028 "Dining out," said Mrs. Bennet, "that is very unlucky."
1029
1030 "Can I have the carriage?" said Jane.
1031
1032 "No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to
1033 rain; and then you must stay all night."
1034
1035 "That would be a good scheme," said Elizabeth, "if you were sure that
1036 they would not offer to send her home."
1037
1038 "Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley's chaise to go to Meryton,
1039 and the Hursts have no horses to theirs."
1040
1041 "I had much rather go in the coach."
1042
1043 "But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are
1044 wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are they not?"
1045
1046 "They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them."
1047
1048 "But if you have got them to-day," said Elizabeth, "my mother's purpose
1049 will be answered."
1050
1051 She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses
1052 were engaged. Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her
1053 mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a
1054 bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long before
1055 it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was
1056 delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission;
1057 Jane certainly could not come back.
1058
1059 "This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!" said Mrs. Bennet more than
1060 once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the
1061 next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her
1062 contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield
1063 brought the following note for Elizabeth:
1064
1065 "MY DEAREST LIZZY,--
1066
1067 "I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be
1068 imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not
1069 hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr.
1070 Jones--therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been
1071 to me--and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the
1072 matter with me.--Yours, etc."
1073
1074 "Well, my dear," said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note
1075 aloud, "if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness--if she
1076 should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of
1077 Mr. Bingley, and under your orders."
1078
1079 "Oh! I am not afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling
1080 colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is
1081 all very well. I would go and see her if I could have the carriage."
1082
1083 Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though
1084 the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horsewoman, walking
1085 was her only alternative. She declared her resolution.
1086
1087 "How can you be so silly," cried her mother, "as to think of such a
1088 thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get
1089 there."
1090
1091 "I shall be very fit to see Jane--which is all I want."
1092
1093 "Is this a hint to me, Lizzy," said her father, "to send for the
1094 horses?"
1095
1096 "No, indeed, I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing
1097 when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner."
1098
1099 "I admire the activity of your benevolence," observed Mary, "but every
1100 impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion,
1101 exertion should always be in proportion to what is required."
1102
1103 "We will go as far as Meryton with you," said Catherine and Lydia.
1104 Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off
1105 together.
1106
1107 "If we make haste," said Lydia, as they walked along, "perhaps we may
1108 see something of Captain Carter before he goes."
1109
1110 In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one
1111 of the officers' wives, and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing
1112 field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing
1113 over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last
1114 within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face
1115 glowing with the warmth of exercise.
1116
1117 She was shown into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Jane were
1118 assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise.
1119 That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such
1120 dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and
1121 Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt
1122 for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their
1123 brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there
1124 was good humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr.
1125 Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the
1126 brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as
1127 to the occasion's justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was
1128 thinking only of his breakfast.
1129
1130 Her inquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss
1131 Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not
1132 well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her
1133 immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving
1134 alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note how much she longed
1135 for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal,
1136 however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them
1137 together, could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the
1138 extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended
1139 her.
1140
1141 When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth
1142 began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and
1143 solicitude they showed for Jane. The apothecary came, and having
1144 examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught
1145 a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it;
1146 advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice
1147 was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head
1148 ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment; nor were
1149 the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had, in
1150 fact, nothing to do elsewhere.
1151
1152 When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go, and very
1153 unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only
1154 wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern
1155 in parting with her, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer
1156 of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present.
1157 Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to
1158 Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay and bring back a supply
1159 of clothes.
1160
1161
1162
1163 Chapter 8
1164
1165
1166 At five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six
1167 Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then
1168 poured in, and amongst which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the
1169 much superior solicitude of Mr. Bingley's, she could not make a very
1170 favourable answer. Jane was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing
1171 this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how
1172 shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked
1173 being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their
1174 indifference towards Jane when not immediately before them restored
1175 Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all her former dislike.
1176
1177 Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom she could
1178 regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his
1179 attentions to herself most pleasing, and they prevented her feeling
1180 herself so much an intruder as she believed she was considered by the
1181 others. She had very little notice from any but him. Miss Bingley was
1182 engrossed by Mr. Darcy, her sister scarcely less so; and as for Mr.
1183 Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to
1184 eat, drink, and play at cards; who, when he found her to prefer a plain
1185 dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her.
1186
1187 When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley
1188 began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were
1189 pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence;
1190 she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thought the
1191 same, and added:
1192
1193 "She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent
1194 walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really
1195 looked almost wild."
1196
1197 "She did, indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very
1198 nonsensical to come at all! Why must _she_ be scampering about the
1199 country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair, so untidy, so blowsy!"
1200
1201 "Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep
1202 in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had been let down to
1203 hide it not doing its office."
1204
1205 "Your picture may be very exact, Louisa," said Bingley; "but this was
1206 all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably
1207 well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite
1208 escaped my notice."
1209
1210 "_You_ observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure," said Miss Bingley; "and I am
1211 inclined to think that you would not wish to see _your_ sister make such
1212 an exhibition."
1213
1214 "Certainly not."
1215
1216 "To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is,
1217 above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she mean by
1218 it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence,
1219 a most country-town indifference to decorum."
1220
1221 "It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing," said
1222 Bingley.
1223
1224 "I am afraid, Mr. Darcy," observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, "that
1225 this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes."
1226
1227 "Not at all," he replied; "they were brightened by the exercise." A
1228 short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again:
1229
1230 "I have an excessive regard for Miss Jane Bennet, she is really a very
1231 sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with
1232 such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is
1233 no chance of it."
1234
1235 "I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in
1236 Meryton."
1237
1238 "Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside."
1239
1240 "That is capital," added her sister, and they both laughed heartily.
1241
1242 "If they had uncles enough to fill _all_ Cheapside," cried Bingley, "it
1243 would not make them one jot less agreeable."
1244
1245 "But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any
1246 consideration in the world," replied Darcy.
1247
1248 To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it their
1249 hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of
1250 their dear friend's vulgar relations.
1251
1252 With a renewal of tenderness, however, they returned to her room on
1253 leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to coffee.
1254 She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till
1255 late in the evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her sleep, and
1256 when it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go
1257 downstairs herself. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole
1258 party at loo, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting
1259 them to be playing high she declined it, and making her sister the
1260 excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay
1261 below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.
1262
1263 "Do you prefer reading to cards?" said he; "that is rather singular."
1264
1265 "Miss Eliza Bennet," said Miss Bingley, "despises cards. She is a great
1266 reader, and has no pleasure in anything else."
1267
1268 "I deserve neither such praise nor such censure," cried Elizabeth; "I am
1269 _not_ a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."
1270
1271 "In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure," said Bingley; "and
1272 I hope it will be soon increased by seeing her quite well."
1273
1274 Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards the
1275 table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch her
1276 others--all that his library afforded.
1277
1278 "And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own
1279 credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more
1280 than I ever looked into."
1281
1282 Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those
1283 in the room.
1284
1285 "I am astonished," said Miss Bingley, "that my father should have left
1286 so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at
1287 Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!"
1288
1289 "It ought to be good," he replied, "it has been the work of many
1290 generations."
1291
1292 "And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying
1293 books."
1294
1295 "I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as
1296 these."
1297
1298 "Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of
1299 that noble place. Charles, when you build _your_ house, I wish it may be
1300 half as delightful as Pemberley."
1301
1302 "I wish it may."
1303
1304 "But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that
1305 neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a
1306 finer county in England than Derbyshire."
1307
1308 "With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it."
1309
1310 "I am talking of possibilities, Charles."
1311
1312 "Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get
1313 Pemberley by purchase than by imitation."
1314
1315 Elizabeth was so much caught with what passed, as to leave her very
1316 little attention for her book; and soon laying it wholly aside, she drew
1317 near the card-table, and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his
1318 eldest sister, to observe the game.
1319
1320 "Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?" said Miss Bingley; "will
1321 she be as tall as I am?"
1322
1323 "I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet's height, or
1324 rather taller."
1325
1326 "How I long to see her again! I never met with anybody who delighted me
1327 so much. Such a countenance, such manners! And so extremely accomplished
1328 for her age! Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite."
1329
1330 "It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience
1331 to be so very accomplished as they all are."
1332
1333 "All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?"
1334
1335 "Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and
1336 net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this, and I am sure
1337 I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being
1338 informed that she was very accomplished."
1339
1340 "Your list of the common extent of accomplishments," said Darcy, "has
1341 too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no
1342 otherwise than by netting a purse or covering a screen. But I am very
1343 far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I
1344 cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my
1345 acquaintance, that are really accomplished."
1346
1347 "Nor I, I am sure," said Miss Bingley.
1348
1349 "Then," observed Elizabeth, "you must comprehend a great deal in your
1350 idea of an accomplished woman."
1351
1352 "Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it."
1353
1354 "Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really
1355 esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met
1356 with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing,
1357 dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides
1358 all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of
1359 walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word
1360 will be but half-deserved."
1361
1362 "All this she must possess," added Darcy, "and to all this she must
1363 yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by
1364 extensive reading."
1365
1366 "I am no longer surprised at your knowing _only_ six accomplished women.
1367 I rather wonder now at your knowing _any_."
1368
1369 "Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all
1370 this?"
1371
1372 "I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and
1373 application, and elegance, as you describe united."
1374
1375 Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her
1376 implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many women who
1377 answered this description, when Mr. Hurst called them to order, with
1378 bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward. As all
1379 conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the
1380 room.
1381
1382 "Elizabeth Bennet," said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her,
1383 "is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the
1384 other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it
1385 succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."
1386
1387 "Undoubtedly," replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed,
1388 "there is a meanness in _all_ the arts which ladies sometimes condescend
1389 to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is
1390 despicable."
1391
1392 Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to
1393 continue the subject.
1394
1395 Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and
1396 that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones being sent for
1397 immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could
1398 be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most
1399 eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so
1400 unwilling to comply with their brother's proposal; and it was settled
1401 that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet
1402 were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters
1403 declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness,
1404 however, by duets after supper, while he could find no better relief
1405 to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every
1406 attention might be paid to the sick lady and her sister.
1407
1408
1409
1410 Chapter 9
1411
1412
1413 Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister's room, and in the
1414 morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the
1415 inquiries which she very early received from Mr. Bingley by a housemaid,
1416 and some time afterwards from the two elegant ladies who waited on his
1417 sisters. In spite of this amendment, however, she requested to have a
1418 note sent to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her
1419 own judgement of her situation. The note was immediately dispatched, and
1420 its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her
1421 two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.
1422
1423 Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been
1424 very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her that her illness was
1425 not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her
1426 restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield. She
1427 would not listen, therefore, to her daughter's proposal of being carried
1428 home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think
1429 it at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss
1430 Bingley's appearance and invitation, the mother and three daughters all
1431 attended her into the breakfast parlour. Bingley met them with hopes
1432 that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.
1433
1434 "Indeed I have, sir," was her answer. "She is a great deal too ill to be
1435 moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass
1436 a little longer on your kindness."
1437
1438 "Removed!" cried Bingley. "It must not be thought of. My sister, I am
1439 sure, will not hear of her removal."
1440
1441 "You may depend upon it, Madam," said Miss Bingley, with cold civility,
1442 "that Miss Bennet will receive every possible attention while she
1443 remains with us."
1444
1445 Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.
1446
1447 "I am sure," she added, "if it was not for such good friends I do not
1448 know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers
1449 a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is
1450 always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest
1451 temper I have ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are
1452 nothing to _her_. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a
1453 charming prospect over the gravel walk. I do not know a place in the
1454 country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it
1455 in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease."
1456
1457 "Whatever I do is done in a hurry," replied he; "and therefore if I
1458 should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five
1459 minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here."
1460
1461 "That is exactly what I should have supposed of you," said Elizabeth.
1462
1463 "You begin to comprehend me, do you?" cried he, turning towards her.
1464
1465 "Oh! yes--I understand you perfectly."
1466
1467 "I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen
1468 through I am afraid is pitiful."
1469
1470 "That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep, intricate
1471 character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours."
1472
1473 "Lizzy," cried her mother, "remember where you are, and do not run on in
1474 the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."
1475
1476 "I did not know before," continued Bingley immediately, "that you were a
1477 studier of character. It must be an amusing study."
1478
1479 "Yes, but intricate characters are the _most_ amusing. They have at
1480 least that advantage."
1481
1482 "The country," said Darcy, "can in general supply but a few subjects for
1483 such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and
1484 unvarying society."
1485
1486 "But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be
1487 observed in them for ever."
1488
1489 "Yes, indeed," cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning
1490 a country neighbourhood. "I assure you there is quite as much of _that_
1491 going on in the country as in town."
1492
1493 Everybody was surprised, and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment,
1494 turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who fancied she had gained a complete
1495 victory over him, continued her triumph.
1496
1497 "I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country, for
1498 my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal
1499 pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?"
1500
1501 "When I am in the country," he replied, "I never wish to leave it;
1502 and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their
1503 advantages, and I can be equally happy in either."
1504
1505 "Aye--that is because you have the right disposition. But that
1506 gentleman," looking at Darcy, "seemed to think the country was nothing
1507 at all."
1508
1509 "Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken," said Elizabeth, blushing for her
1510 mother. "You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there was not
1511 such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in the town,
1512 which you must acknowledge to be true."
1513
1514 "Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting
1515 with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few
1516 neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families."
1517
1518 Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his
1519 countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards
1520 Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of
1521 saying something that might turn her mother's thoughts, now asked her if
1522 Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since _her_ coming away.
1523
1524 "Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir
1525 William is, Mr. Bingley, is not he? So much the man of fashion! So
1526 genteel and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. _That_
1527 is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very
1528 important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter."
1529
1530 "Did Charlotte dine with you?"
1531
1532 "No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For
1533 my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work;
1534 _my_ daughters are brought up very differently. But everybody is to
1535 judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls,
1536 I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think
1537 Charlotte so _very_ plain--but then she is our particular friend."
1538
1539 "She seems a very pleasant young woman."
1540
1541 "Oh! dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself
1542 has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast
1543 of my own child, but to be sure, Jane--one does not often see anybody
1544 better looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own
1545 partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother
1546 Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was
1547 sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he
1548 did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some verses
1549 on her, and very pretty they were."
1550
1551 "And so ended his affection," said Elizabeth impatiently. "There has
1552 been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first
1553 discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
1554
1555 "I have been used to consider poetry as the _food_ of love," said Darcy.
1556
1557 "Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is
1558 strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I
1559 am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."
1560
1561 Darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensued made Elizabeth
1562 tremble lest her mother should be exposing herself again. She longed to
1563 speak, but could think of nothing to say; and after a short silence Mrs.
1564 Bennet began repeating her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to
1565 Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy. Mr. Bingley was
1566 unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be
1567 civil also, and say what the occasion required. She performed her part
1568 indeed without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet was satisfied, and
1569 soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of
1570 her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to
1571 each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the
1572 youngest should tax Mr. Bingley with having promised on his first coming
1573 into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.
1574
1575 Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion
1576 and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose
1577 affection had brought her into public at an early age. She had high
1578 animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the
1579 attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own
1580 easy manners recommended her, had increased into assurance. She was very
1581 equal, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and
1582 abruptly reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most
1583 shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this
1584 sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:
1585
1586 "I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement; and when
1587 your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of
1588 the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill."
1589
1590 Lydia declared herself satisfied. "Oh! yes--it would be much better to
1591 wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter
1592 would be at Meryton again. And when you have given _your_ ball," she
1593 added, "I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel
1594 Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not."
1595
1596 Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth returned
1597 instantly to Jane, leaving her own and her relations' behaviour to the
1598 remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy; the latter of whom, however,
1599 could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of _her_, in spite of
1600 all Miss Bingley's witticisms on _fine eyes_.
1601
1602
1603
1604 Chapter 10
1605
1606
1607 The day passed much as the day before had done. Mrs. Hurst and Miss
1608 Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the invalid, who
1609 continued, though slowly, to mend; and in the evening Elizabeth joined
1610 their party in the drawing-room. The loo-table, however, did not appear.
1611 Mr. Darcy was writing, and Miss Bingley, seated near him, was watching
1612 the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by
1613 messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and
1614 Mrs. Hurst was observing their game.
1615
1616 Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was sufficiently amused in
1617 attending to what passed between Darcy and his companion. The perpetual
1618 commendations of the lady, either on his handwriting, or on the evenness
1619 of his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfect unconcern
1620 with which her praises were received, formed a curious dialogue, and was
1621 exactly in union with her opinion of each.
1622
1623 "How delighted Miss Darcy will be to receive such a letter!"
1624
1625 He made no answer.
1626
1627 "You write uncommonly fast."
1628
1629 "You are mistaken. I write rather slowly."
1630
1631 "How many letters you must have occasion to write in the course of a
1632 year! Letters of business, too! How odious I should think them!"
1633
1634 "It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of yours."
1635
1636 "Pray tell your sister that I long to see her."
1637
1638 "I have already told her so once, by your desire."
1639
1640 "I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend it for you. I mend
1641 pens remarkably well."
1642
1643 "Thank you--but I always mend my own."
1644
1645 "How can you contrive to write so even?"
1646
1647 He was silent.
1648
1649 "Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her improvement on the harp;
1650 and pray let her know that I am quite in raptures with her beautiful
1651 little design for a table, and I think it infinitely superior to Miss
1652 Grantley's."
1653
1654 "Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till I write again? At
1655 present I have not room to do them justice."
1656
1657 "Oh! it is of no consequence. I shall see her in January. But do you
1658 always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?"
1659
1660 "They are generally long; but whether always charming it is not for me
1661 to determine."
1662
1663 "It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter with
1664 ease, cannot write ill."
1665
1666 "That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline," cried her
1667 brother, "because he does _not_ write with ease. He studies too much for
1668 words of four syllables. Do not you, Darcy?"
1669
1670 "My style of writing is very different from yours."
1671
1672 "Oh!" cried Miss Bingley, "Charles writes in the most careless way
1673 imaginable. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest."
1674
1675 "My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them--by which
1676 means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents."
1677
1678 "Your humility, Mr. Bingley," said Elizabeth, "must disarm reproof."
1679
1680 "Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of
1681 humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an
1682 indirect boast."
1683
1684 "And which of the two do you call _my_ little recent piece of modesty?"
1685
1686 "The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in
1687 writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of
1688 thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not estimable, you
1689 think at least highly interesting. The power of doing anything with
1690 quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any
1691 attention to the imperfection of the performance. When you told Mrs.
1692 Bennet this morning that if you ever resolved upon quitting Netherfield
1693 you should be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of
1694 panegyric, of compliment to yourself--and yet what is there so very
1695 laudable in a precipitance which must leave very necessary business
1696 undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or anyone else?"
1697
1698 "Nay," cried Bingley, "this is too much, to remember at night all the
1699 foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon my honour,
1700 I believe what I said of myself to be true, and I believe it at this
1701 moment. At least, therefore, I did not assume the character of needless
1702 precipitance merely to show off before the ladies."
1703
1704 "I dare say you believed it; but I am by no means convinced that
1705 you would be gone with such celerity. Your conduct would be quite as
1706 dependent on chance as that of any man I know; and if, as you were
1707 mounting your horse, a friend were to say, 'Bingley, you had better
1708 stay till next week,' you would probably do it, you would probably not
1709 go--and at another word, might stay a month."
1710
1711 "You have only proved by this," cried Elizabeth, "that Mr. Bingley did
1712 not do justice to his own disposition. You have shown him off now much
1713 more than he did himself."
1714
1715 "I am exceedingly gratified," said Bingley, "by your converting what my
1716 friend says into a compliment on the sweetness of my temper. But I am
1717 afraid you are giving it a turn which that gentleman did by no means
1718 intend; for he would certainly think better of me, if under such a
1719 circumstance I were to give a flat denial, and ride off as fast as I
1720 could."
1721
1722 "Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of your original intentions
1723 as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it?"
1724
1725 "Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter; Darcy must speak for
1726 himself."
1727
1728 "You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call mine,
1729 but which I have never acknowledged. Allowing the case, however, to
1730 stand according to your representation, you must remember, Miss Bennet,
1731 that the friend who is supposed to desire his return to the house, and
1732 the delay of his plan, has merely desired it, asked it without offering
1733 one argument in favour of its propriety."
1734
1735 "To yield readily--easily--to the _persuasion_ of a friend is no merit
1736 with you."
1737
1738 "To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of
1739 either."
1740
1741 "You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence of
1742 friendship and affection. A regard for the requester would often make
1743 one readily yield to a request, without waiting for arguments to reason
1744 one into it. I am not particularly speaking of such a case as you have
1745 supposed about Mr. Bingley. We may as well wait, perhaps, till the
1746 circumstance occurs before we discuss the discretion of his behaviour
1747 thereupon. But in general and ordinary cases between friend and friend,
1748 where one of them is desired by the other to change a resolution of no
1749 very great moment, should you think ill of that person for complying
1750 with the desire, without waiting to be argued into it?"
1751
1752 "Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this subject, to
1753 arrange with rather more precision the degree of importance which is to
1754 appertain to this request, as well as the degree of intimacy subsisting
1755 between the parties?"
1756
1757 "By all means," cried Bingley; "let us hear all the particulars, not
1758 forgetting their comparative height and size; for that will have more
1759 weight in the argument, Miss Bennet, than you may be aware of. I assure
1760 you, that if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with
1761 myself, I should not pay him half so much deference. I declare I do not
1762 know a more awful object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in
1763 particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening,
1764 when he has nothing to do."
1765
1766 Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could perceive that he was
1767 rather offended, and therefore checked her laugh. Miss Bingley warmly
1768 resented the indignity he had received, in an expostulation with her
1769 brother for talking such nonsense.
1770
1771 "I see your design, Bingley," said his friend. "You dislike an argument,
1772 and want to silence this."
1773
1774 "Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss
1775 Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room, I shall be very
1776 thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me."
1777
1778 "What you ask," said Elizabeth, "is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr.
1779 Darcy had much better finish his letter."
1780
1781 Mr. Darcy took her advice, and did finish his letter.
1782
1783 When that business was over, he applied to Miss Bingley and Elizabeth
1784 for an indulgence of some music. Miss Bingley moved with some alacrity
1785 to the pianoforte; and, after a polite request that Elizabeth would lead
1786 the way which the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she
1787 seated herself.
1788
1789 Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were thus employed,
1790 Elizabeth could not help observing, as she turned over some music-books
1791 that lay on the instrument, how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed
1792 on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of
1793 admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should look at her
1794 because he disliked her, was still more strange. She could only imagine,
1795 however, at last that she drew his notice because there was something
1796 more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in
1797 any other person present. The supposition did not pain her. She liked
1798 him too little to care for his approbation.
1799
1800 After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm by
1801 a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy, drawing near
1802 Elizabeth, said to her:
1803
1804 "Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an
1805 opportunity of dancing a reel?"
1806
1807 She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with some
1808 surprise at her silence.
1809
1810 "Oh!" said she, "I heard you before, but I could not immediately
1811 determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say 'Yes,'
1812 that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always
1813 delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of
1814 their premeditated contempt. I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell
1815 you, that I do not want to dance a reel at all--and now despise me if
1816 you dare."
1817
1818 "Indeed I do not dare."
1819
1820 Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his
1821 gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her
1822 manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy
1823 had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really
1824 believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he
1825 should be in some danger.
1826
1827 Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous; and her great
1828 anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane received some
1829 assistance from her desire of getting rid of Elizabeth.
1830
1831 She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking her guest, by talking of
1832 their supposed marriage, and planning his happiness in such an alliance.
1833
1834 "I hope," said she, as they were walking together in the shrubbery
1835 the next day, "you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this
1836 desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue;
1837 and if you can compass it, do cure the younger girls of running after
1838 officers. And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to
1839 check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence,
1840 which your lady possesses."
1841
1842 "Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?"
1843
1844 "Oh! yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Phillips be placed
1845 in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your great-uncle the
1846 judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different
1847 lines. As for your Elizabeth's picture, you must not have it taken, for
1848 what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes?"
1849
1850 "It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression, but their
1851 colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be
1852 copied."
1853
1854 At that moment they were met from another walk by Mrs. Hurst and
1855 Elizabeth herself.
1856
1857 "I did not know that you intended to walk," said Miss Bingley, in some
1858 confusion, lest they had been overheard.
1859
1860 "You used us abominably ill," answered Mrs. Hurst, "running away without
1861 telling us that you were coming out."
1862
1863 Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy, she left Elizabeth to walk
1864 by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness,
1865 and immediately said:
1866
1867 "This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the
1868 avenue."
1869
1870 But Elizabeth, who had not the least inclination to remain with them,
1871 laughingly answered:
1872
1873 "No, no; stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped, and appear
1874 to uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a
1875 fourth. Good-bye."
1876
1877 She then ran gaily off, rejoicing as she rambled about, in the hope of
1878 being at home again in a day or two. Jane was already so much recovered
1879 as to intend leaving her room for a couple of hours that evening.
1880
1881
1882
1883 Chapter 11
1884
1885
1886 When the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran up to her
1887 sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into the
1888 drawing-room, where she was welcomed by her two friends with many
1889 professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable
1890 as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared.
1891 Their powers of conversation were considerable. They could describe an
1892 entertainment with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh
1893 at their acquaintance with spirit.
1894
1895 But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object;
1896 Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned toward Darcy, and she had
1897 something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed
1898 himself to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst also
1899 made her a slight bow, and said he was "very glad;" but diffuseness
1900 and warmth remained for Bingley's salutation. He was full of joy and
1901 attention. The first half-hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she
1902 should suffer from the change of room; and she removed at his desire
1903 to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be further from
1904 the door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to anyone
1905 else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great
1906 delight.
1907
1908 When tea was over, Mr. Hurst reminded his sister-in-law of the
1909 card-table--but in vain. She had obtained private intelligence that Mr.
1910 Darcy did not wish for cards; and Mr. Hurst soon found even his open
1911 petition rejected. She assured him that no one intended to play, and
1912 the silence of the whole party on the subject seemed to justify her. Mr.
1913 Hurst had therefore nothing to do, but to stretch himself on one of the
1914 sofas and go to sleep. Darcy took up a book; Miss Bingley did the same;
1915 and Mrs. Hurst, principally occupied in playing with her bracelets
1916 and rings, joined now and then in her brother's conversation with Miss
1917 Bennet.
1918
1919 Miss Bingley's attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr.
1920 Darcy's progress through _his_ book, as in reading her own; and she
1921 was perpetually either making some inquiry, or looking at his page. She
1922 could not win him, however, to any conversation; he merely answered her
1923 question, and read on. At length, quite exhausted by the attempt to be
1924 amused with her own book, which she had only chosen because it was the
1925 second volume of his, she gave a great yawn and said, "How pleasant
1926 it is to spend an evening in this way! I declare after all there is no
1927 enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a
1928 book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not
1929 an excellent library."
1930
1931 No one made any reply. She then yawned again, threw aside her book, and
1932 cast her eyes round the room in quest for some amusement; when hearing
1933 her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned suddenly
1934 towards him and said:
1935
1936 "By the bye, Charles, are you really serious in meditating a dance at
1937 Netherfield? I would advise you, before you determine on it, to consult
1938 the wishes of the present party; I am much mistaken if there are
1939 not some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a
1940 pleasure."
1941
1942 "If you mean Darcy," cried her brother, "he may go to bed, if he
1943 chooses, before it begins--but as for the ball, it is quite a settled
1944 thing; and as soon as Nicholls has made white soup enough, I shall send
1945 round my cards."
1946
1947 "I should like balls infinitely better," she replied, "if they were
1948 carried on in a different manner; but there is something insufferably
1949 tedious in the usual process of such a meeting. It would surely be much
1950 more rational if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of
1951 the day."
1952
1953 "Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say, but it would not be
1954 near so much like a ball."
1955
1956 Miss Bingley made no answer, and soon afterwards she got up and walked
1957 about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked well; but
1958 Darcy, at whom it was all aimed, was still inflexibly studious. In
1959 the desperation of her feelings, she resolved on one effort more, and,
1960 turning to Elizabeth, said:
1961
1962 "Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a
1963 turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so
1964 long in one attitude."
1965
1966 Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss Bingley
1967 succeeded no less in the real object of her civility; Mr. Darcy looked
1968 up. He was as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as
1969 Elizabeth herself could be, and unconsciously closed his book. He was
1970 directly invited to join their party, but he declined it, observing that
1971 he could imagine but two motives for their choosing to walk up and down
1972 the room together, with either of which motives his joining them would
1973 interfere. "What could he mean? She was dying to know what could be his
1974 meaning?"--and asked Elizabeth whether she could at all understand him?
1975
1976 "Not at all," was her answer; "but depend upon it, he means to be severe
1977 on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing
1978 about it."
1979
1980 Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy in
1981 anything, and persevered therefore in requiring an explanation of his
1982 two motives.
1983
1984 "I have not the smallest objection to explaining them," said he, as soon
1985 as she allowed him to speak. "You either choose this method of passing
1986 the evening because you are in each other's confidence, and have secret
1987 affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures
1988 appear to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be
1989 completely in your way, and if the second, I can admire you much better
1990 as I sit by the fire."
1991
1992 "Oh! shocking!" cried Miss Bingley. "I never heard anything so
1993 abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?"
1994
1995 "Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination," said Elizabeth. "We
1996 can all plague and punish one another. Tease him--laugh at him. Intimate
1997 as you are, you must know how it is to be done."
1998
1999 "But upon my honour, I do _not_. I do assure you that my intimacy has
2000 not yet taught me _that_. Tease calmness of manner and presence of
2001 mind! No, no; I feel he may defy us there. And as to laughter, we will
2002 not expose ourselves, if you please, by attempting to laugh without a
2003 subject. Mr. Darcy may hug himself."
2004
2005 "Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!" cried Elizabeth. "That is an
2006 uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would
2007 be a great loss to _me_ to have many such acquaintances. I dearly love a
2008 laugh."
2009
2010 "Miss Bingley," said he, "has given me more credit than can be.
2011 The wisest and the best of men--nay, the wisest and best of their
2012 actions--may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in
2013 life is a joke."
2014
2015 "Certainly," replied Elizabeth--"there are such people, but I hope I
2016 am not one of _them_. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good.
2017 Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, _do_ divert me, I own,
2018 and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are precisely
2019 what you are without."
2020
2021 "Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study
2022 of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong
2023 understanding to ridicule."
2024
2025 "Such as vanity and pride."
2026
2027 "Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride--where there is a real
2028 superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation."
2029
2030 Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.
2031
2032 "Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume," said Miss Bingley;
2033 "and pray what is the result?"
2034
2035 "I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it
2036 himself without disguise."
2037
2038 "No," said Darcy, "I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough,
2039 but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch
2040 for. It is, I believe, too little yielding--certainly too little for the
2041 convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others
2042 so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings
2043 are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper
2044 would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost
2045 forever."
2046
2047 "_That_ is a failing indeed!" cried Elizabeth. "Implacable resentment
2048 _is_ a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I
2049 really cannot _laugh_ at it. You are safe from me."
2050
2051 "There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular
2052 evil--a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome."
2053
2054 "And _your_ defect is to hate everybody."
2055
2056 "And yours," he replied with a smile, "is willfully to misunderstand
2057 them."
2058
2059 "Do let us have a little music," cried Miss Bingley, tired of a
2060 conversation in which she had no share. "Louisa, you will not mind my
2061 waking Mr. Hurst?"
2062
2063 Her sister had not the smallest objection, and the pianoforte was
2064 opened; and Darcy, after a few moments' recollection, was not sorry for
2065 it. He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.
2066
2067
2068
2069 Chapter 12
2070
2071
2072 In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the
2073 next morning to their mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for
2074 them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on
2075 her daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which
2076 would exactly finish Jane's week, could not bring herself to receive
2077 them with pleasure before. Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at
2078 least not to Elizabeth's wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs.
2079 Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage
2080 before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if Mr. Bingley
2081 and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them
2082 very well. Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively
2083 resolved--nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the
2084 contrary, as being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long,
2085 she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately, and at
2086 length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield
2087 that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.
2088
2089 The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough was
2090 said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work
2091 on Jane; and till the morrow their going was deferred. Miss Bingley was
2092 then sorry that she had proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike
2093 of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other.
2094
2095 The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so
2096 soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be
2097 safe for her--that she was not enough recovered; but Jane was firm where
2098 she felt herself to be right.
2099
2100 To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence--Elizabeth had been at
2101 Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked--and Miss
2102 Bingley was uncivil to _her_, and more teasing than usual to himself.
2103 He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration
2104 should _now_ escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope
2105 of influencing his felicity; sensible that if such an idea had been
2106 suggested, his behaviour during the last day must have material weight
2107 in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke
2108 ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were
2109 at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most
2110 conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.
2111
2112 On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost
2113 all, took place. Miss Bingley's civility to Elizabeth increased at last
2114 very rapidly, as well as her affection for Jane; and when they parted,
2115 after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always give her
2116 to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield, and embracing her most
2117 tenderly, she even shook hands with the former. Elizabeth took leave of
2118 the whole party in the liveliest of spirits.
2119
2120 They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet
2121 wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much
2122 trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But their
2123 father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure, was really
2124 glad to see them; he had felt their importance in the family circle. The
2125 evening conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost much of
2126 its animation, and almost all its sense by the absence of Jane and
2127 Elizabeth.
2128
2129 They found Mary, as usual, deep in the study of thorough-bass and human
2130 nature; and had some extracts to admire, and some new observations of
2131 threadbare morality to listen to. Catherine and Lydia had information
2132 for them of a different sort. Much had been done and much had been said
2133 in the regiment since the preceding Wednesday; several of the officers
2134 had dined lately with their uncle, a private had been flogged, and it
2135 had actually been hinted that Colonel Forster was going to be married.
2136
2137
2138
2139 Chapter 13
2140
2141
2142 "I hope, my dear," said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at
2143 breakfast the next morning, "that you have ordered a good dinner to-day,
2144 because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party."
2145
2146 "Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure,
2147 unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in--and I hope _my_ dinners
2148 are good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home."
2149
2150 "The person of whom I speak is a gentleman, and a stranger."
2151
2152 Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. "A gentleman and a stranger! It is Mr.
2153 Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr.
2154 Bingley. But--good Lord! how unlucky! There is not a bit of fish to be
2155 got to-day. Lydia, my love, ring the bell--I must speak to Hill this
2156 moment."
2157
2158 "It is _not_ Mr. Bingley," said her husband; "it is a person whom I
2159 never saw in the whole course of my life."
2160
2161 This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of being
2162 eagerly questioned by his wife and his five daughters at once.
2163
2164 After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained:
2165
2166 "About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago
2167 I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring
2168 early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead,
2169 may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases."
2170
2171 "Oh! my dear," cried his wife, "I cannot bear to hear that mentioned.
2172 Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing
2173 in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own
2174 children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I should have tried long ago
2175 to do something or other about it."
2176
2177 Jane and Elizabeth tried to explain to her the nature of an entail. They
2178 had often attempted to do it before, but it was a subject on which
2179 Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason, and she continued to rail
2180 bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of
2181 five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.
2182
2183 "It certainly is a most iniquitous affair," said Mr. Bennet, "and
2184 nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn.
2185 But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be a little
2186 softened by his manner of expressing himself."
2187
2188 "No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it is very impertinent of
2189 him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false
2190 friends. Why could he not keep on quarreling with you, as his father did
2191 before him?"
2192
2193 "Why, indeed; he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that
2194 head, as you will hear."
2195
2196 "Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October.
2197
2198 "Dear Sir,--
2199
2200 "The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured
2201 father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the
2202 misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but
2203 for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might
2204 seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone
2205 with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.--'There, Mrs.
2206 Bennet.'--My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for having
2207 received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be
2208 distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de
2209 Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has
2210 preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be
2211 my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her
2212 ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which
2213 are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, moreover, I
2214 feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in
2215 all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I
2216 flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and
2217 that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate
2218 will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the
2219 offered olive-branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the
2220 means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for
2221 it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible
2222 amends--but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to
2223 receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting
2224 on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and
2225 shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se'ennight
2226 following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine
2227 is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided
2228 that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.--I
2229 remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and
2230 daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
2231
2232 "WILLIAM COLLINS"
2233
2234 "At four o'clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making gentleman,"
2235 said Mr. Bennet, as he folded up the letter. "He seems to be a most
2236 conscientious and polite young man, upon my word, and I doubt not will
2237 prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so
2238 indulgent as to let him come to us again."
2239
2240 "There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however, and if
2241 he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to
2242 discourage him."
2243
2244 "Though it is difficult," said Jane, "to guess in what way he can mean
2245 to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is certainly to his
2246 credit."
2247
2248 Elizabeth was chiefly struck by his extraordinary deference for Lady
2249 Catherine, and his kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying
2250 his parishioners whenever it were required.
2251
2252 "He must be an oddity, I think," said she. "I cannot make him
2253 out.--There is something very pompous in his style.--And what can he
2254 mean by apologising for being next in the entail?--We cannot suppose he
2255 would help it if he could.--Could he be a sensible man, sir?"
2256
2257 "No, my dear, I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the
2258 reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his
2259 letter, which promises well. I am impatient to see him."
2260
2261 "In point of composition," said Mary, "the letter does not seem
2262 defective. The idea of the olive-branch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I
2263 think it is well expressed."
2264
2265 To Catherine and Lydia, neither the letter nor its writer were in any
2266 degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their cousin should
2267 come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks since they had
2268 received pleasure from the society of a man in any other colour. As for
2269 their mother, Mr. Collins's letter had done away much of her ill-will,
2270 and she was preparing to see him with a degree of composure which
2271 astonished her husband and daughters.
2272
2273 Mr. Collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great
2274 politeness by the whole family. Mr. Bennet indeed said little; but the
2275 ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Collins seemed neither in
2276 need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself. He was a
2277 tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and
2278 stately, and his manners were very formal. He had not been long seated
2279 before he complimented Mrs. Bennet on having so fine a family of
2280 daughters; said he had heard much of their beauty, but that in this
2281 instance fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did
2282 not doubt her seeing them all in due time disposed of in marriage. This
2283 gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs.
2284 Bennet, who quarreled with no compliments, answered most readily.
2285
2286 "You are very kind, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may
2287 prove so, for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so
2288 oddly."
2289
2290 "You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate."
2291
2292 "Ah! sir, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you
2293 must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with _you_, for such things
2294 I know are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates
2295 will go when once they come to be entailed."
2296
2297 "I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and
2298 could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing
2299 forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young ladies that I come
2300 prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more; but, perhaps,
2301 when we are better acquainted--"
2302
2303 He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled on each
2304 other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins's admiration. The
2305 hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture, were examined and praised;
2306 and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet's
2307 heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his
2308 own future property. The dinner too in its turn was highly admired; and
2309 he begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellency of its
2310 cooking was owing. But he was set right there by Mrs. Bennet, who
2311 assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a
2312 good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He
2313 begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she declared
2314 herself not at all offended; but he continued to apologise for about a
2315 quarter of an hour.
2316
2317
2318
2319 Chapter 14
2320
2321
2322 During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants
2323 were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his
2324 guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to
2325 shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady
2326 Catherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and consideration for
2327 his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen
2328 better. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him
2329 to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect
2330 he protested that "he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour in
2331 a person of rank--such affability and condescension, as he had himself
2332 experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to
2333 approve of both of the discourses which he had already had the honour of
2334 preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings,
2335 and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of
2336 quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many
2337 people he knew, but _he_ had never seen anything but affability in her.
2338 She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; she
2339 made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the
2340 neighbourhood nor to his leaving the parish occasionally for a week or
2341 two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to
2342 marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had
2343 once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage, where she had perfectly
2344 approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed
2345 to suggest some herself--some shelves in the closet up stairs."
2346
2347 "That is all very proper and civil, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, "and
2348 I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies
2349 in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?"
2350
2351 "The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane
2352 from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence."
2353
2354 "I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?"
2355
2356 "She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very
2357 extensive property."
2358
2359 "Ah!" said Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, "then she is better off than
2360 many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she handsome?"
2361
2362 "She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says
2363 that, in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior to the
2364 handsomest of her sex, because there is that in her features which marks
2365 the young lady of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly
2366 constitution, which has prevented her from making that progress in many
2367 accomplishments which she could not have otherwise failed of, as I am
2368 informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still
2369 resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends
2370 to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies."
2371
2372 "Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at
2373 court."
2374
2375 "Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town;
2376 and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine one day, has deprived the
2377 British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased
2378 with the idea; and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to
2379 offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable
2380 to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that
2381 her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most
2382 elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by
2383 her. These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and
2384 it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to
2385 pay."
2386
2387 "You judge very properly," said Mr. Bennet, "and it is happy for you
2388 that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask
2389 whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the
2390 moment, or are the result of previous study?"
2391
2392 "They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I
2393 sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant
2394 compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to
2395 give them as unstudied an air as possible."
2396
2397 Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd
2398 as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment,
2399 maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance,
2400 and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner
2401 in his pleasure.
2402
2403 By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad
2404 to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and, when tea was over,
2405 glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily
2406 assented, and a book was produced; but, on beholding it (for everything
2407 announced it to be from a circulating library), he started back, and
2408 begging pardon, protested that he never read novels. Kitty stared at
2409 him, and Lydia exclaimed. Other books were produced, and after some
2410 deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the
2411 volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three
2412 pages, she interrupted him with:
2413
2414 "Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Phillips talks of turning away
2415 Richard; and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me
2416 so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more
2417 about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town."
2418
2419 Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr.
2420 Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said:
2421
2422 "I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books
2423 of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes
2424 me, I confess; for, certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to
2425 them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin."
2426
2427 Then turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at
2428 backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted
2429 very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements.
2430 Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologised most civilly for Lydia's
2431 interruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if he would
2432 resume his book; but Mr. Collins, after assuring them that he bore his
2433 young cousin no ill-will, and should never resent her behaviour as any
2434 affront, seated himself at another table with Mr. Bennet, and prepared
2435 for backgammon.
2436
2437
2438
2439 Chapter 15
2440
2441
2442 Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had
2443 been but little assisted by education or society; the greatest part
2444 of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and
2445 miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he
2446 had merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful
2447 acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had
2448 given him originally great humility of manner; but it was now a
2449 good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in
2450 retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected
2451 prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de
2452 Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which
2453 he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness,
2454 mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a
2455 clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of
2456 pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility.
2457
2458 Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to
2459 marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had
2460 a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if he found
2461 them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report.
2462 This was his plan of amends--of atonement--for inheriting their father's
2463 estate; and he thought it an excellent one, full of eligibility and
2464 suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested on his own
2465 part.
2466
2467 His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet's lovely face
2468 confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what
2469 was due to seniority; and for the first evening _she_ was his settled
2470 choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration; for in a
2471 quarter of an hour's tete-a-tete with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a
2472 conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally
2473 to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress might be found for it at
2474 Longbourn, produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general
2475 encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. "As to
2476 her _younger_ daughters, she could not take upon her to say--she could
2477 not positively answer--but she did not _know_ of any prepossession; her
2478 _eldest_ daughter, she must just mention--she felt it incumbent on her
2479 to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged."
2480
2481 Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth--and it was soon
2482 done--done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth, equally
2483 next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeeded her of course.
2484
2485 Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have
2486 two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of
2487 the day before was now high in her good graces.
2488
2489 Lydia's intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every sister
2490 except Mary agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins was to attend them,
2491 at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him,
2492 and have his library to himself; for thither Mr. Collins had followed
2493 him after breakfast; and there he would continue, nominally engaged with
2494 one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr.
2495 Bennet, with little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford. Such
2496 doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been
2497 always sure of leisure and tranquillity; and though prepared, as he told
2498 Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room of the
2499 house, he was used to be free from them there; his civility, therefore,
2500 was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their
2501 walk; and Mr. Collins, being in fact much better fitted for a walker
2502 than a reader, was extremely pleased to close his large book, and go.
2503
2504 In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on that of his
2505 cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton. The attention of
2506 the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by him. Their eyes were
2507 immediately wandering up in the street in quest of the officers, and
2508 nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed, or a really new muslin in
2509 a shop window, could recall them.
2510
2511 But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, whom
2512 they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking
2513 with another officer on the other side of the way. The officer was
2514 the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London Lydia came
2515 to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with the
2516 stranger's air, all wondered who he could be; and Kitty and Lydia,
2517 determined if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under
2518 pretense of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately
2519 had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had
2520 reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated
2521 permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with
2522 him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted a
2523 commission in their corps. This was exactly as it should be; for the
2524 young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming.
2525 His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of
2526 beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.
2527 The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness
2528 of conversation--a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and
2529 unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together
2530 very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy
2531 and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the
2532 ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and
2533 began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman, and
2534 Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to
2535 Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Darcy corroborated
2536 it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes
2537 on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the
2538 stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they
2539 looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting.
2540 Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham,
2541 after a few moments, touched his hat--a salutation which Mr. Darcy just
2542 deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to
2543 imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.
2544
2545 In another minute, Mr. Bingley, but without seeming to have noticed what
2546 passed, took leave and rode on with his friend.
2547
2548 Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of
2549 Mr. Phillip's house, and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Lydia's
2550 pressing entreaties that they should come in, and even in spite of
2551 Mrs. Phillips's throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the
2552 invitation.
2553
2554 Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces; and the two eldest,
2555 from their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and she was
2556 eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home, which, as
2557 their own carriage had not fetched them, she should have known nothing
2558 about, if she had not happened to see Mr. Jones's shop-boy in the
2559 street, who had told her that they were not to send any more draughts to
2560 Netherfield because the Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility
2561 was claimed towards Mr. Collins by Jane's introduction of him. She
2562 received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with
2563 as much more, apologising for his intrusion, without any previous
2564 acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself,
2565 however, might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who
2566 introduced him to her notice. Mrs. Phillips was quite awed by such an
2567 excess of good breeding; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon
2568 put to an end by exclamations and inquiries about the other; of whom,
2569 however, she could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that
2570 Mr. Denny had brought him from London, and that he was to have a
2571 lieutenant's commission in the ----shire. She had been watching him the
2572 last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street, and had Mr.
2573 Wickham appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the
2574 occupation, but unluckily no one passed windows now except a few of the
2575 officers, who, in comparison with the stranger, were become "stupid,
2576 disagreeable fellows." Some of them were to dine with the Phillipses
2577 the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr.
2578 Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn
2579 would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Phillips
2580 protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery
2581 tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such
2582 delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr.
2583 Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured
2584 with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless.
2585
2586 As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass
2587 between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either
2588 or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, she could no more explain
2589 such behaviour than her sister.
2590
2591 Mr. Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs. Bennet by admiring
2592 Mrs. Phillips's manners and politeness. He protested that, except Lady
2593 Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman;
2594 for she had not only received him with the utmost civility, but even
2595 pointedly included him in her invitation for the next evening, although
2596 utterly unknown to her before. Something, he supposed, might be
2597 attributed to his connection with them, but yet he had never met with so
2598 much attention in the whole course of his life.
2599
2600
2601
2602 Chapter 16
2603
2604
2605 As no objection was made to the young people's engagement with their
2606 aunt, and all Mr. Collins's scruples of leaving Mr. and Mrs. Bennet for
2607 a single evening during his visit were most steadily resisted, the coach
2608 conveyed him and his five cousins at a suitable hour to Meryton; and
2609 the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the drawing-room,
2610 that Mr. Wickham had accepted their uncle's invitation, and was then in
2611 the house.
2612
2613 When this information was given, and they had all taken their seats, Mr.
2614 Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire, and he was so much
2615 struck with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared he
2616 might almost have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast
2617 parlour at Rosings; a comparison that did not at first convey much
2618 gratification; but when Mrs. Phillips understood from him what
2619 Rosings was, and who was its proprietor--when she had listened to the
2620 description of only one of Lady Catherine's drawing-rooms, and found
2621 that the chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all
2622 the force of the compliment, and would hardly have resented a comparison
2623 with the housekeeper's room.
2624
2625 In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion,
2626 with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and
2627 the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the
2628 gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. Phillips a very attentive
2629 listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she
2630 heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbours as
2631 soon as she could. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin,
2632 and who had nothing to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine
2633 their own indifferent imitations of china on the mantelpiece, the
2634 interval of waiting appeared very long. It was over at last, however.
2635 The gentlemen did approach, and when Mr. Wickham walked into the room,
2636 Elizabeth felt that she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking
2637 of him since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration.
2638 The officers of the ----shire were in general a very creditable,
2639 gentlemanlike set, and the best of them were of the present party; but
2640 Mr. Wickham was as far beyond them all in person, countenance, air, and
2641 walk, as _they_ were superior to the broad-faced, stuffy uncle Phillips,
2642 breathing port wine, who followed them into the room.
2643
2644 Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was
2645 turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated
2646 himself; and the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into
2647 conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night, made her feel
2648 that the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered
2649 interesting by the skill of the speaker.
2650
2651 With such rivals for the notice of the fair as Mr. Wickham and the
2652 officers, Mr. Collins seemed to sink into insignificance; to the young
2653 ladies he certainly was nothing; but he had still at intervals a kind
2654 listener in Mrs. Phillips, and was by her watchfulness, most abundantly
2655 supplied with coffee and muffin. When the card-tables were placed, he
2656 had the opportunity of obliging her in turn, by sitting down to whist.
2657
2658 "I know little of the game at present," said he, "but I shall be glad
2659 to improve myself, for in my situation in life--" Mrs. Phillips was very
2660 glad for his compliance, but could not wait for his reason.
2661
2662 Mr. Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he
2663 received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia. At first there
2664 seemed danger of Lydia's engrossing him entirely, for she was a most
2665 determined talker; but being likewise extremely fond of lottery tickets,
2666 she soon grew too much interested in the game, too eager in making bets
2667 and exclaiming after prizes to have attention for anyone in particular.
2668 Allowing for the common demands of the game, Mr. Wickham was therefore
2669 at leisure to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear
2670 him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be
2671 told--the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She dared not
2672 even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity, however, was unexpectedly
2673 relieved. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He inquired how far
2674 Netherfield was from Meryton; and, after receiving her answer, asked in
2675 a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.
2676
2677 "About a month," said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling to let the subject
2678 drop, added, "He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I
2679 understand."
2680
2681 "Yes," replied Mr. Wickham; "his estate there is a noble one. A clear
2682 ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more
2683 capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself, for
2684 I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my
2685 infancy."
2686
2687 Elizabeth could not but look surprised.
2688
2689 "You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, after
2690 seeing, as you probably might, the very cold manner of our meeting
2691 yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?"
2692
2693 "As much as I ever wish to be," cried Elizabeth very warmly. "I have
2694 spent four days in the same house with him, and I think him very
2695 disagreeable."
2696
2697 "I have no right to give _my_ opinion," said Wickham, "as to his being
2698 agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him
2699 too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for _me_
2700 to be impartial. But I believe your opinion of him would in general
2701 astonish--and perhaps you would not express it quite so strongly
2702 anywhere else. Here you are in your own family."
2703
2704 "Upon my word, I say no more _here_ than I might say in any house in
2705 the neighbourhood, except Netherfield. He is not at all liked in
2706 Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will not find
2707 him more favourably spoken of by anyone."
2708
2709 "I cannot pretend to be sorry," said Wickham, after a short
2710 interruption, "that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond
2711 their deserts; but with _him_ I believe it does not often happen. The
2712 world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his
2713 high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen."
2714
2715 "I should take him, even on _my_ slight acquaintance, to be an
2716 ill-tempered man." Wickham only shook his head.
2717
2718 "I wonder," said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, "whether he is
2719 likely to be in this country much longer."
2720
2721 "I do not at all know; but I _heard_ nothing of his going away when I
2722 was at Netherfield. I hope your plans in favour of the ----shire will
2723 not be affected by his being in the neighbourhood."
2724
2725 "Oh! no--it is not for _me_ to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If _he_
2726 wishes to avoid seeing _me_, he must go. We are not on friendly terms,
2727 and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for
2728 avoiding _him_ but what I might proclaim before all the world, a sense
2729 of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he
2730 is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men
2731 that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never
2732 be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by
2733 a thousand tender recollections. His behaviour to myself has been
2734 scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and
2735 everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the
2736 memory of his father."
2737
2738 Elizabeth found the interest of the subject increase, and listened with
2739 all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented further inquiry.
2740
2741 Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the
2742 neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that
2743 he had yet seen, and speaking of the latter with gentle but very
2744 intelligible gallantry.
2745
2746 "It was the prospect of constant society, and good society," he added,
2747 "which was my chief inducement to enter the ----shire. I knew it to be
2748 a most respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me
2749 further by his account of their present quarters, and the very great
2750 attentions and excellent acquaintances Meryton had procured them.
2751 Society, I own, is necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and
2752 my spirits will not bear solitude. I _must_ have employment and society.
2753 A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have
2754 now made it eligible. The church _ought_ to have been my profession--I
2755 was brought up for the church, and I should at this time have been in
2756 possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we
2757 were speaking of just now."
2758
2759 "Indeed!"
2760
2761 "Yes--the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best
2762 living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me.
2763 I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply,
2764 and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given
2765 elsewhere."
2766
2767 "Good heavens!" cried Elizabeth; "but how could _that_ be? How could his
2768 will be disregarded? Why did you not seek legal redress?"
2769
2770 "There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to
2771 give me no hope from law. A man of honour could not have doubted the
2772 intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it--or to treat it as a merely
2773 conditional recommendation, and to assert that I had forfeited all claim
2774 to it by extravagance, imprudence--in short anything or nothing. Certain
2775 it is, that the living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was
2776 of an age to hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no
2777 less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done
2778 anything to deserve to lose it. I have a warm, unguarded temper, and
2779 I may have spoken my opinion _of_ him, and _to_ him, too freely. I can
2780 recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort
2781 of men, and that he hates me."
2782
2783 "This is quite shocking! He deserves to be publicly disgraced."
2784
2785 "Some time or other he _will_ be--but it shall not be by _me_. Till I
2786 can forget his father, I can never defy or expose _him_."
2787
2788 Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than
2789 ever as he expressed them.
2790
2791 "But what," said she, after a pause, "can have been his motive? What can
2792 have induced him to behave so cruelly?"
2793
2794 "A thorough, determined dislike of me--a dislike which I cannot but
2795 attribute in some measure to jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy liked me
2796 less, his son might have borne with me better; but his father's uncommon
2797 attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very early in life. He had
2798 not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood--the sort
2799 of preference which was often given me."
2800
2801 "I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this--though I have never liked
2802 him. I had not thought so very ill of him. I had supposed him to be
2803 despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of
2804 descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as
2805 this."
2806
2807 After a few minutes' reflection, however, she continued, "I _do_
2808 remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of the implacability of
2809 his resentments, of his having an unforgiving temper. His disposition
2810 must be dreadful."
2811
2812 "I will not trust myself on the subject," replied Wickham; "I can hardly
2813 be just to him."
2814
2815 Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, "To
2816 treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite of his
2817 father!" She could have added, "A young man, too, like _you_, whose very
2818 countenance may vouch for your being amiable"--but she contented herself
2819 with, "and one, too, who had probably been his companion from childhood,
2820 connected together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!"
2821
2822 "We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the greatest
2823 part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the same house,
2824 sharing the same amusements, objects of the same parental care. _My_
2825 father began life in the profession which your uncle, Mr. Phillips,
2826 appears to do so much credit to--but he gave up everything to be of
2827 use to the late Mr. Darcy and devoted all his time to the care of the
2828 Pemberley property. He was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most
2829 intimate, confidential friend. Mr. Darcy often acknowledged himself to
2830 be under the greatest obligations to my father's active superintendence,
2831 and when, immediately before my father's death, Mr. Darcy gave him a
2832 voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced that he felt it to
2833 be as much a debt of gratitude to _him_, as of his affection to myself."
2834
2835 "How strange!" cried Elizabeth. "How abominable! I wonder that the very
2836 pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him just to you! If from no better
2837 motive, that he should not have been too proud to be dishonest--for
2838 dishonesty I must call it."
2839
2840 "It _is_ wonderful," replied Wickham, "for almost all his actions may
2841 be traced to pride; and pride had often been his best friend. It has
2842 connected him nearer with virtue than with any other feeling. But we are
2843 none of us consistent, and in his behaviour to me there were stronger
2844 impulses even than pride."
2845
2846 "Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him good?"
2847
2848 "Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, to give his money
2849 freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the
2850 poor. Family pride, and _filial_ pride--for he is very proud of what
2851 his father was--have done this. Not to appear to disgrace his family,
2852 to degenerate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of the
2853 Pemberley House, is a powerful motive. He has also _brotherly_ pride,
2854 which, with _some_ brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and
2855 careful guardian of his sister, and you will hear him generally cried up
2856 as the most attentive and best of brothers."
2857
2858 "What sort of girl is Miss Darcy?"
2859
2860 He shook his head. "I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me pain to
2861 speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother--very, very
2862 proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond
2863 of me; and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But she is
2864 nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen,
2865 and, I understand, highly accomplished. Since her father's death, her
2866 home has been London, where a lady lives with her, and superintends her
2867 education."
2868
2869 After many pauses and many trials of other subjects, Elizabeth could not
2870 help reverting once more to the first, and saying:
2871
2872 "I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. Bingley,
2873 who seems good humour itself, and is, I really believe, truly amiable,
2874 be in friendship with such a man? How can they suit each other? Do you
2875 know Mr. Bingley?"
2876
2877 "Not at all."
2878
2879 "He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know what Mr.
2880 Darcy is."
2881
2882 "Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He does not
2883 want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth
2884 his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is
2885 a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His
2886 pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just,
2887 sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable--allowing something
2888 for fortune and figure."
2889
2890 The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered round
2891 the other table and Mr. Collins took his station between his cousin
2892 Elizabeth and Mrs. Phillips. The usual inquiries as to his success were
2893 made by the latter. It had not been very great; he had lost every
2894 point; but when Mrs. Phillips began to express her concern thereupon,
2895 he assured her with much earnest gravity that it was not of the least
2896 importance, that he considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged
2897 that she would not make herself uneasy.
2898
2899 "I know very well, madam," said he, "that when persons sit down to a
2900 card-table, they must take their chances of these things, and happily I
2901 am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There
2902 are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady
2903 Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding
2904 little matters."
2905
2906 Mr. Wickham's attention was caught; and after observing Mr. Collins for
2907 a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relation
2908 was very intimately acquainted with the family of de Bourgh.
2909
2910 "Lady Catherine de Bourgh," she replied, "has very lately given him
2911 a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first introduced to her
2912 notice, but he certainly has not known her long."
2913
2914 "You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy
2915 were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy."
2916
2917 "No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine's
2918 connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before
2919 yesterday."
2920
2921 "Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and it is
2922 believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates."
2923
2924 This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor Miss
2925 Bingley. Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and useless her
2926 affection for his sister and her praise of himself, if he were already
2927 self-destined for another.
2928
2929 "Mr. Collins," said she, "speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her
2930 daughter; but from some particulars that he has related of her ladyship,
2931 I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that in spite of her being his
2932 patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman."
2933
2934 "I believe her to be both in a great degree," replied Wickham; "I have
2935 not seen her for many years, but I very well remember that I never liked
2936 her, and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent. She has the
2937 reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe
2938 she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from
2939 her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride for her
2940 nephew, who chooses that everyone connected with him should have an
2941 understanding of the first class."
2942
2943 Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of it, and
2944 they continued talking together, with mutual satisfaction till supper
2945 put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr.
2946 Wickham's attentions. There could be no conversation in the noise
2947 of Mrs. Phillips's supper party, but his manners recommended him to
2948 everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done
2949 gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could
2950 think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all
2951 the way home; but there was not time for her even to mention his name
2952 as they went, for neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were once silent. Lydia
2953 talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the
2954 fish she had won; and Mr. Collins in describing the civility of Mr. and
2955 Mrs. Phillips, protesting that he did not in the least regard his losses
2956 at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, and repeatedly fearing
2957 that he crowded his cousins, had more to say than he could well manage
2958 before the carriage stopped at Longbourn House.
2959
2960
2961
2962 Chapter 17
2963
2964
2965 Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what had passed between Mr.
2966 Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she
2967 knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr.
2968 Bingley's regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the
2969 veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham. The
2970 possibility of his having endured such unkindness, was enough to
2971 interest all her tender feelings; and nothing remained therefore to be
2972 done, but to think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each,
2973 and throw into the account of accident or mistake whatever could not be
2974 otherwise explained.
2975
2976 "They have both," said she, "been deceived, I dare say, in some way
2977 or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people have perhaps
2978 misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to
2979 conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them,
2980 without actual blame on either side."
2981
2982 "Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say on
2983 behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the
2984 business? Do clear _them_ too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of
2985 somebody."
2986
2987 "Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my
2988 opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light
2989 it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite in such
2990 a manner, one whom his father had promised to provide for. It is
2991 impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his
2992 character, could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so
2993 excessively deceived in him? Oh! no."
2994
2995 "I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley's being imposed on, than
2996 that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me
2997 last night; names, facts, everything mentioned without ceremony. If it
2998 be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his
2999 looks."
3000
3001 "It is difficult indeed--it is distressing. One does not know what to
3002 think."
3003
3004 "I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think."
3005
3006 But Jane could think with certainty on only one point--that Mr. Bingley,
3007 if he _had_ been imposed on, would have much to suffer when the affair
3008 became public.
3009
3010 The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery, where this
3011 conversation passed, by the arrival of the very persons of whom they had
3012 been speaking; Mr. Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal
3013 invitation for the long-expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed
3014 for the following Tuesday. The two ladies were delighted to see their
3015 dear friend again, called it an age since they had met, and repeatedly
3016 asked what she had been doing with herself since their separation. To
3017 the rest of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet
3018 as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to
3019 the others. They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an
3020 activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if
3021 eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet's civilities.
3022
3023 The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every
3024 female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as given in
3025 compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered
3026 by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a
3027 ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the
3028 society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and
3029 Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr.
3030 Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy's look
3031 and behaviour. The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended
3032 less on any single event, or any particular person, for though they
3033 each, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham,
3034 he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball
3035 was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her family that she
3036 had no disinclination for it.
3037
3038 "While I can have my mornings to myself," said she, "it is enough--I
3039 think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements.
3040 Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those
3041 who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for
3042 everybody."
3043
3044 Elizabeth's spirits were so high on this occasion, that though she did
3045 not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking
3046 him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley's invitation, and if
3047 he did, whether he would think it proper to join in the evening's
3048 amusement; and she was rather surprised to find that he entertained no
3049 scruple whatever on that head, and was very far from dreading a rebuke
3050 either from the Archbishop, or Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by venturing to
3051 dance.
3052
3053 "I am by no means of the opinion, I assure you," said he, "that a ball
3054 of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable people,
3055 can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting to dancing
3056 myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair
3057 cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of
3058 soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially,
3059 a preference which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right
3060 cause, and not to any disrespect for her."
3061
3062 Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully proposed being
3063 engaged by Mr. Wickham for those very dances; and to have Mr. Collins
3064 instead! her liveliness had never been worse timed. There was no help
3065 for it, however. Mr. Wickham's happiness and her own were perforce
3066 delayed a little longer, and Mr. Collins's proposal accepted with as
3067 good a grace as she could. She was not the better pleased with his
3068 gallantry from the idea it suggested of something more. It now first
3069 struck her, that _she_ was selected from among her sisters as worthy
3070 of being mistress of Hunsford Parsonage, and of assisting to form a
3071 quadrille table at Rosings, in the absence of more eligible visitors.
3072 The idea soon reached to conviction, as she observed his increasing
3073 civilities toward herself, and heard his frequent attempt at a
3074 compliment on her wit and vivacity; and though more astonished than
3075 gratified herself by this effect of her charms, it was not long before
3076 her mother gave her to understand that the probability of their marriage
3077 was extremely agreeable to _her_. Elizabeth, however, did not choose
3078 to take the hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be the
3079 consequence of any reply. Mr. Collins might never make the offer, and
3080 till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him.
3081
3082 If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for and talk of, the
3083 younger Miss Bennets would have been in a very pitiable state at this
3084 time, for from the day of the invitation, to the day of the ball, there
3085 was such a succession of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton
3086 once. No aunt, no officers, no news could be sought after--the very
3087 shoe-roses for Netherfield were got by proxy. Even Elizabeth might have
3088 found some trial of her patience in weather which totally suspended the
3089 improvement of her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham; and nothing less than
3090 a dance on Tuesday, could have made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and
3091 Monday endurable to Kitty and Lydia.
3092
3093
3094
3095 Chapter 18
3096
3097
3098 Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield, and looked in
3099 vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled, a
3100 doubt of his being present had never occurred to her. The certainty
3101 of meeting him had not been checked by any of those recollections that
3102 might not unreasonably have alarmed her. She had dressed with more than
3103 usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all
3104 that remained unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more than
3105 might be won in the course of the evening. But in an instant arose
3106 the dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy's
3107 pleasure in the Bingleys' invitation to the officers; and though
3108 this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence was
3109 pronounced by his friend Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly applied, and who
3110 told them that Wickham had been obliged to go to town on business the
3111 day before, and was not yet returned; adding, with a significant smile,
3112 "I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if
3113 he had not wanted to avoid a certain gentleman here."
3114
3115 This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia, was caught by
3116 Elizabeth, and, as it assured her that Darcy was not less answerable for
3117 Wickham's absence than if her first surmise had been just, every
3118 feeling of displeasure against the former was so sharpened by immediate
3119 disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable civility to
3120 the polite inquiries which he directly afterwards approached to make.
3121 Attendance, forbearance, patience with Darcy, was injury to Wickham. She
3122 was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away
3123 with a degree of ill-humour which she could not wholly surmount even in
3124 speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind partiality provoked her.
3125
3126 But Elizabeth was not formed for ill-humour; and though every prospect
3127 of her own was destroyed for the evening, it could not dwell long on her
3128 spirits; and having told all her griefs to Charlotte Lucas, whom she had
3129 not seen for a week, she was soon able to make a voluntary transition
3130 to the oddities of her cousin, and to point him out to her particular
3131 notice. The first two dances, however, brought a return of distress;
3132 they were dances of mortification. Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn,
3133 apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong without being
3134 aware of it, gave her all the shame and misery which a disagreeable
3135 partner for a couple of dances can give. The moment of her release from
3136 him was ecstasy.
3137
3138 She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of talking of
3139 Wickham, and of hearing that he was universally liked. When those dances
3140 were over, she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with
3141 her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy who took
3142 her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that,
3143 without knowing what she did, she accepted him. He walked away again
3144 immediately, and she was left to fret over her own want of presence of
3145 mind; Charlotte tried to console her:
3146
3147 "I dare say you will find him very agreeable."
3148
3149 "Heaven forbid! _That_ would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find
3150 a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an
3151 evil."
3152
3153 When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy approached to claim her
3154 hand, Charlotte could not help cautioning her in a whisper, not to be a
3155 simpleton, and allow her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant
3156 in the eyes of a man ten times his consequence. Elizabeth made no
3157 answer, and took her place in the set, amazed at the dignity to which
3158 she was arrived in being allowed to stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and
3159 reading in her neighbours' looks, their equal amazement in beholding
3160 it. They stood for some time without speaking a word; and she began to
3161 imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances, and at
3162 first was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancying that it would
3163 be the greater punishment to her partner to oblige him to talk, she made
3164 some slight observation on the dance. He replied, and was again
3165 silent. After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second time
3166 with:--"It is _your_ turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked
3167 about the dance, and _you_ ought to make some sort of remark on the size
3168 of the room, or the number of couples."
3169
3170 He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be
3171 said.
3172
3173 "Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and by I may
3174 observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But
3175 _now_ we may be silent."
3176
3177 "Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?"
3178
3179 "Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be
3180 entirely silent for half an hour together; and yet for the advantage of
3181 _some_, conversation ought to be so arranged, as that they may have the
3182 trouble of saying as little as possible."
3183
3184 "Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you
3185 imagine that you are gratifying mine?"
3186
3187 "Both," replied Elizabeth archly; "for I have always seen a great
3188 similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial,
3189 taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say
3190 something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to
3191 posterity with all the eclat of a proverb."
3192
3193 "This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure,"
3194 said he. "How near it may be to _mine_, I cannot pretend to say. _You_
3195 think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly."
3196
3197 "I must not decide on my own performance."
3198
3199 He made no answer, and they were again silent till they had gone down
3200 the dance, when he asked her if she and her sisters did not very often
3201 walk to Meryton. She answered in the affirmative, and, unable to resist
3202 the temptation, added, "When you met us there the other day, we had just
3203 been forming a new acquaintance."
3204
3205 The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of _hauteur_ overspread his
3206 features, but he said not a word, and Elizabeth, though blaming herself
3207 for her own weakness, could not go on. At length Darcy spoke, and in a
3208 constrained manner said, "Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners
3209 as may ensure his _making_ friends--whether he may be equally capable of
3210 _retaining_ them, is less certain."
3211
3212 "He has been so unlucky as to lose _your_ friendship," replied Elizabeth
3213 with emphasis, "and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all
3214 his life."
3215
3216 Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing the subject. At
3217 that moment, Sir William Lucas appeared close to them, meaning to pass
3218 through the set to the other side of the room; but on perceiving Mr.
3219 Darcy, he stopped with a bow of superior courtesy to compliment him on
3220 his dancing and his partner.
3221
3222 "I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such very
3223 superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong to the
3224 first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not
3225 disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated,
3226 especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Eliza (glancing at
3227 her sister and Bingley) shall take place. What congratulations will then
3228 flow in! I appeal to Mr. Darcy:--but let me not interrupt you, sir. You
3229 will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that
3230 young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me."
3231
3232 The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy; but Sir
3233 William's allusion to his friend seemed to strike him forcibly, and his
3234 eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and
3235 Jane, who were dancing together. Recovering himself, however, shortly,
3236 he turned to his partner, and said, "Sir William's interruption has made
3237 me forget what we were talking of."
3238
3239 "I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William could not have
3240 interrupted two people in the room who had less to say for themselves.
3241 We have tried two or three subjects already without success, and what we
3242 are to talk of next I cannot imagine."
3243
3244 "What think you of books?" said he, smiling.
3245
3246 "Books--oh! no. I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same
3247 feelings."
3248
3249 "I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be
3250 no want of subject. We may compare our different opinions."
3251
3252 "No--I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head is always full of
3253 something else."
3254
3255 "The _present_ always occupies you in such scenes--does it?" said he,
3256 with a look of doubt.
3257
3258 "Yes, always," she replied, without knowing what she said, for her
3259 thoughts had wandered far from the subject, as soon afterwards appeared
3260 by her suddenly exclaiming, "I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy,
3261 that you hardly ever forgave, that your resentment once created was
3262 unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its _being
3263 created_."
3264
3265 "I am," said he, with a firm voice.
3266
3267 "And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?"
3268
3269 "I hope not."
3270
3271 "It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion,
3272 to be secure of judging properly at first."
3273
3274 "May I ask to what these questions tend?"
3275
3276 "Merely to the illustration of _your_ character," said she, endeavouring
3277 to shake off her gravity. "I am trying to make it out."
3278
3279 "And what is your success?"
3280
3281 She shook her head. "I do not get on at all. I hear such different
3282 accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly."
3283
3284 "I can readily believe," answered he gravely, "that reports may vary
3285 greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were
3286 not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to
3287 fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either."
3288
3289 "But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another
3290 opportunity."
3291
3292 "I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours," he coldly replied.
3293 She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in
3294 silence; and on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree,
3295 for in Darcy's breast there was a tolerably powerful feeling towards
3296 her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against
3297 another.
3298
3299 They had not long separated, when Miss Bingley came towards her, and
3300 with an expression of civil disdain accosted her:
3301
3302 "So, Miss Eliza, I hear you are quite delighted with George Wickham!
3303 Your sister has been talking to me about him, and asking me a thousand
3304 questions; and I find that the young man quite forgot to tell you, among
3305 his other communication, that he was the son of old Wickham, the late
3306 Mr. Darcy's steward. Let me recommend you, however, as a friend, not to
3307 give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy's
3308 using him ill, it is perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has
3309 always been remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham has treated
3310 Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. I do not know the particulars, but
3311 I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not in the least to blame, that he
3312 cannot bear to hear George Wickham mentioned, and that though my brother
3313 thought that he could not well avoid including him in his invitation to
3314 the officers, he was excessively glad to find that he had taken himself
3315 out of the way. His coming into the country at all is a most insolent
3316 thing, indeed, and I wonder how he could presume to do it. I pity you,
3317 Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite's guilt; but really,
3318 considering his descent, one could not expect much better."
3319
3320 "His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same," said
3321 Elizabeth angrily; "for I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse
3322 than of being the son of Mr. Darcy's steward, and of _that_, I can
3323 assure you, he informed me himself."
3324
3325 "I beg your pardon," replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a sneer.
3326 "Excuse my interference--it was kindly meant."
3327
3328 "Insolent girl!" said Elizabeth to herself. "You are much mistaken
3329 if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as this. I see
3330 nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr.
3331 Darcy." She then sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make
3332 inquiries on the same subject of Bingley. Jane met her with a smile of
3333 such sweet complacency, a glow of such happy expression, as sufficiently
3334 marked how well she was satisfied with the occurrences of the evening.
3335 Elizabeth instantly read her feelings, and at that moment solicitude for
3336 Wickham, resentment against his enemies, and everything else, gave way
3337 before the hope of Jane's being in the fairest way for happiness.
3338
3339 "I want to know," said she, with a countenance no less smiling than her
3340 sister's, "what you have learnt about Mr. Wickham. But perhaps you have
3341 been too pleasantly engaged to think of any third person; in which case
3342 you may be sure of my pardon."
3343
3344 "No," replied Jane, "I have not forgotten him; but I have nothing
3345 satisfactory to tell you. Mr. Bingley does not know the whole of
3346 his history, and is quite ignorant of the circumstances which have
3347 principally offended Mr. Darcy; but he will vouch for the good conduct,
3348 the probity, and honour of his friend, and is perfectly convinced that
3349 Mr. Wickham has deserved much less attention from Mr. Darcy than he has
3350 received; and I am sorry to say by his account as well as his sister's,
3351 Mr. Wickham is by no means a respectable young man. I am afraid he has
3352 been very imprudent, and has deserved to lose Mr. Darcy's regard."
3353
3354 "Mr. Bingley does not know Mr. Wickham himself?"
3355
3356 "No; he never saw him till the other morning at Meryton."
3357
3358 "This account then is what he has received from Mr. Darcy. I am
3359 satisfied. But what does he say of the living?"
3360
3361 "He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has heard
3362 them from Mr. Darcy more than once, but he believes that it was left to
3363 him _conditionally_ only."
3364
3365 "I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley's sincerity," said Elizabeth warmly;
3366 "but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances only. Mr.
3367 Bingley's defense of his friend was a very able one, I dare say; but
3368 since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learnt
3369 the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture to still think of
3370 both gentlemen as I did before."
3371
3372 She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each, and on
3373 which there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with
3374 delight to the happy, though modest hopes which Jane entertained of Mr.
3375 Bingley's regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence
3376 in it. On their being joined by Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew
3377 to Miss Lucas; to whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last
3378 partner she had scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them,
3379 and told her with great exultation that he had just been so fortunate as
3380 to make a most important discovery.
3381
3382 "I have found out," said he, "by a singular accident, that there is now
3383 in the room a near relation of my patroness. I happened to overhear the
3384 gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of
3385 the house the names of his cousin Miss de Bourgh, and of her mother Lady
3386 Catherine. How wonderfully these sort of things occur! Who would have
3387 thought of my meeting with, perhaps, a nephew of Lady Catherine de
3388 Bourgh in this assembly! I am most thankful that the discovery is made
3389 in time for me to pay my respects to him, which I am now going to
3390 do, and trust he will excuse my not having done it before. My total
3391 ignorance of the connection must plead my apology."
3392
3393 "You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy!"
3394
3395 "Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it earlier.
3396 I believe him to be Lady Catherine's _nephew_. It will be in my power to
3397 assure him that her ladyship was quite well yesterday se'nnight."
3398
3399 Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme, assuring him
3400 that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction
3401 as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt; that
3402 it was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on either
3403 side; and that if it were, it must belong to Mr. Darcy, the superior in
3404 consequence, to begin the acquaintance. Mr. Collins listened to her
3405 with the determined air of following his own inclination, and, when she
3406 ceased speaking, replied thus:
3407
3408 "My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world in
3409 your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your
3410 understanding; but permit me to say, that there must be a wide
3411 difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity,
3412 and those which regulate the clergy; for, give me leave to observe that
3413 I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with
3414 the highest rank in the kingdom--provided that a proper humility of
3415 behaviour is at the same time maintained. You must therefore allow me to
3416 follow the dictates of my conscience on this occasion, which leads me to
3417 perform what I look on as a point of duty. Pardon me for neglecting to
3418 profit by your advice, which on every other subject shall be my constant
3419 guide, though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted by
3420 education and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young
3421 lady like yourself." And with a low bow he left her to attack Mr.
3422 Darcy, whose reception of his advances she eagerly watched, and whose
3423 astonishment at being so addressed was very evident. Her cousin prefaced
3424 his speech with a solemn bow and though she could not hear a word of
3425 it, she felt as if hearing it all, and saw in the motion of his lips the
3426 words "apology," "Hunsford," and "Lady Catherine de Bourgh." It vexed
3427 her to see him expose himself to such a man. Mr. Darcy was eyeing him
3428 with unrestrained wonder, and when at last Mr. Collins allowed him time
3429 to speak, replied with an air of distant civility. Mr. Collins, however,
3430 was not discouraged from speaking again, and Mr. Darcy's contempt seemed
3431 abundantly increasing with the length of his second speech, and at the
3432 end of it he only made him a slight bow, and moved another way. Mr.
3433 Collins then returned to Elizabeth.
3434
3435 "I have no reason, I assure you," said he, "to be dissatisfied with my
3436 reception. Mr. Darcy seemed much pleased with the attention. He answered
3437 me with the utmost civility, and even paid me the compliment of saying
3438 that he was so well convinced of Lady Catherine's discernment as to be
3439 certain she could never bestow a favour unworthily. It was really a very
3440 handsome thought. Upon the whole, I am much pleased with him."
3441
3442 As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to pursue, she turned
3443 her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr. Bingley; and the
3444 train of agreeable reflections which her observations gave birth to,
3445 made her perhaps almost as happy as Jane. She saw her in idea settled in
3446 that very house, in all the felicity which a marriage of true affection
3447 could bestow; and she felt capable, under such circumstances, of
3448 endeavouring even to like Bingley's two sisters. Her mother's thoughts
3449 she plainly saw were bent the same way, and she determined not to
3450 venture near her, lest she might hear too much. When they sat down to
3451 supper, therefore, she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which
3452 placed them within one of each other; and deeply was she vexed to find
3453 that her mother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas) freely,
3454 openly, and of nothing else but her expectation that Jane would soon
3455 be married to Mr. Bingley. It was an animating subject, and Mrs. Bennet
3456 seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the
3457 match. His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but
3458 three miles from them, were the first points of self-gratulation; and
3459 then it was such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of
3460 Jane, and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as
3461 she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger
3462 daughters, as Jane's marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of
3463 other rich men; and lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be
3464 able to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that
3465 she might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked. It was
3466 necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on
3467 such occasions it is the etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs.
3468 Bennet to find comfort in staying home at any period of her life. She
3469 concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally
3470 fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no
3471 chance of it.
3472
3473 In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother's
3474 words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible
3475 whisper; for, to her inexpressible vexation, she could perceive that the
3476 chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her
3477 mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.
3478
3479 "What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am
3480 sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say
3481 nothing _he_ may not like to hear."
3482
3483 "For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be for you
3484 to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by
3485 so doing!"
3486
3487 Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would
3488 talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and
3489 blushed again with shame and vexation. She could not help frequently
3490 glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what
3491 she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was
3492 convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression
3493 of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and
3494 steady gravity.
3495
3496 At length, however, Mrs. Bennet had no more to say; and Lady Lucas, who
3497 had been long yawning at the repetition of delights which she saw no
3498 likelihood of sharing, was left to the comforts of cold ham and
3499 chicken. Elizabeth now began to revive. But not long was the interval of
3500 tranquillity; for, when supper was over, singing was talked of, and
3501 she had the mortification of seeing Mary, after very little entreaty,
3502 preparing to oblige the company. By many significant looks and silent
3503 entreaties, did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance,
3504 but in vain; Mary would not understand them; such an opportunity of
3505 exhibiting was delightful to her, and she began her song. Elizabeth's
3506 eyes were fixed on her with most painful sensations, and she watched her
3507 progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which was very
3508 ill rewarded at their close; for Mary, on receiving, amongst the thanks
3509 of the table, the hint of a hope that she might be prevailed on to
3510 favour them again, after the pause of half a minute began another.
3511 Mary's powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was
3512 weak, and her manner affected. Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked at
3513 Jane, to see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to
3514 Bingley. She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making signs
3515 of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued, however,
3516 imperturbably grave. She looked at her father to entreat his
3517 interference, lest Mary should be singing all night. He took the hint,
3518 and when Mary had finished her second song, said aloud, "That will do
3519 extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other
3520 young ladies have time to exhibit."
3521
3522 Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and
3523 Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for her father's speech, was afraid
3524 her anxiety had done no good. Others of the party were now applied to.
3525
3526 "If I," said Mr. Collins, "were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I
3527 should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an
3528 air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly
3529 compatible with the profession of a clergyman. I do not mean, however,
3530 to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time
3531 to music, for there are certainly other things to be attended to. The
3532 rector of a parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make
3533 such an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not
3534 offensive to his patron. He must write his own sermons; and the time
3535 that remains will not be too much for his parish duties, and the care
3536 and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be excused from making
3537 as comfortable as possible. And I do not think it of light importance
3538 that he should have attentive and conciliatory manners towards everybody,
3539 especially towards those to whom he owes his preferment. I cannot acquit
3540 him of that duty; nor could I think well of the man who should omit an
3541 occasion of testifying his respect towards anybody connected with the
3542 family." And with a bow to Mr. Darcy, he concluded his speech, which had
3543 been spoken so loud as to be heard by half the room. Many stared--many
3544 smiled; but no one looked more amused than Mr. Bennet himself, while his
3545 wife seriously commended Mr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly,
3546 and observed in a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably
3547 clever, good kind of young man.
3548
3549 To Elizabeth it appeared that, had her family made an agreement to
3550 expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would
3551 have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or
3552 finer success; and happy did she think it for Bingley and her sister
3553 that some of the exhibition had escaped his notice, and that his
3554 feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed by the folly which he
3555 must have witnessed. That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy, however, should
3556 have such an opportunity of ridiculing her relations, was bad enough,
3557 and she could not determine whether the silent contempt of the
3558 gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were more intolerable.
3559
3560 The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was teased by
3561 Mr. Collins, who continued most perseveringly by her side, and though
3562 he could not prevail on her to dance with him again, put it out of her
3563 power to dance with others. In vain did she entreat him to stand up with
3564 somebody else, and offer to introduce him to any young lady in the room.
3565 He assured her, that as to dancing, he was perfectly indifferent to it;
3566 that his chief object was by delicate attentions to recommend himself to
3567 her and that he should therefore make a point of remaining close to her
3568 the whole evening. There was no arguing upon such a project. She owed
3569 her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas, who often joined them, and
3570 good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins's conversation to herself.
3571
3572 She was at least free from the offense of Mr. Darcy's further notice;
3573 though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite
3574 disengaged, he never came near enough to speak. She felt it to be the
3575 probable consequence of her allusions to Mr. Wickham, and rejoiced in
3576 it.
3577
3578 The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart, and, by
3579 a manoeuvre of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their carriage a quarter of
3580 an hour after everybody else was gone, which gave them time to see how
3581 heartily they were wished away by some of the family. Mrs. Hurst and her
3582 sister scarcely opened their mouths, except to complain of fatigue, and
3583 were evidently impatient to have the house to themselves. They repulsed
3584 every attempt of Mrs. Bennet at conversation, and by so doing threw a
3585 languor over the whole party, which was very little relieved by the
3586 long speeches of Mr. Collins, who was complimenting Mr. Bingley and his
3587 sisters on the elegance of their entertainment, and the hospitality and
3588 politeness which had marked their behaviour to their guests. Darcy said
3589 nothing at all. Mr. Bennet, in equal silence, was enjoying the scene.
3590 Mr. Bingley and Jane were standing together, a little detached from the
3591 rest, and talked only to each other. Elizabeth preserved as steady a
3592 silence as either Mrs. Hurst or Miss Bingley; and even Lydia was too
3593 much fatigued to utter more than the occasional exclamation of "Lord,
3594 how tired I am!" accompanied by a violent yawn.
3595
3596 When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet was most pressingly
3597 civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at Longbourn, and
3598 addressed herself especially to Mr. Bingley, to assure him how happy he
3599 would make them by eating a family dinner with them at any time, without
3600 the ceremony of a formal invitation. Bingley was all grateful pleasure,
3601 and he readily engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on
3602 her, after his return from London, whither he was obliged to go the next
3603 day for a short time.
3604
3605 Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the house under the
3606 delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparations of
3607 settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly
3608 see her daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four
3609 months. Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins, she thought
3610 with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure.
3611 Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the
3612 man and the match were quite good enough for _her_, the worth of each
3613 was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.
3614
3615
3616
3617 Chapter 19
3618
3619
3620 The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins made his
3621 declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as
3622 his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and having
3623 no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at
3624 the moment, he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the
3625 observances, which he supposed a regular part of the business. On
3626 finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together,
3627 soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words:
3628
3629 "May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth,
3630 when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the
3631 course of this morning?"
3632
3633 Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs.
3634 Bennet answered instantly, "Oh dear!--yes--certainly. I am sure Lizzy
3635 will be very happy--I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty, I
3636 want you up stairs." And, gathering her work together, she was hastening
3637 away, when Elizabeth called out:
3638
3639 "Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must excuse
3640 me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am
3641 going away myself."
3642
3643 "No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are." And upon
3644 Elizabeth's seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to
3645 escape, she added: "Lizzy, I _insist_ upon your staying and hearing Mr.
3646 Collins."
3647
3648 Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction--and a moment's
3649 consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to get it
3650 over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down again and tried to
3651 conceal, by incessant employment the feelings which were divided between
3652 distress and diversion. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off, and as soon as
3653 they were gone, Mr. Collins began.
3654
3655 "Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from
3656 doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You
3657 would have been less amiable in my eyes had there _not_ been this little
3658 unwillingness; but allow me to assure you, that I have your respected
3659 mother's permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the
3660 purport of my discourse, however your natural delicacy may lead you to
3661 dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as
3662 soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of
3663 my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on this
3664 subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasons for
3665 marrying--and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with the design
3666 of selecting a wife, as I certainly did."
3667
3668 The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run away
3669 with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing, that she could
3670 not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him further,
3671 and he continued:
3672
3673 "My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for
3674 every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example
3675 of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced that it will
3676 add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly--which perhaps I ought
3677 to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and
3678 recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling
3679 patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her opinion (unasked
3680 too!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I
3681 left Hunsford--between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was
3682 arranging Miss de Bourgh's footstool, that she said, 'Mr. Collins, you
3683 must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose properly, choose
3684 a gentlewoman for _my_ sake; and for your _own_, let her be an active,
3685 useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small
3686 income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as
3687 you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.' Allow me, by the
3688 way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice
3689 and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the
3690 advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond
3691 anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity, I think, must be
3692 acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and
3693 respect which her rank will inevitably excite. Thus much for my general
3694 intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my views
3695 were directed towards Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where I
3696 can assure you there are many amiable young women. But the fact is, that
3697 being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured
3698 father (who, however, may live many years longer), I could not satisfy
3699 myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that
3700 the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the melancholy
3701 event takes place--which, however, as I have already said, may not
3702 be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and
3703 I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem. And now nothing
3704 remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the
3705 violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and
3706 shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well
3707 aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds
3708 in the four per cents, which will not be yours till after your mother's
3709 decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head,
3710 therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that
3711 no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married."
3712
3713 It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.
3714
3715 "You are too hasty, sir," she cried. "You forget that I have made no
3716 answer. Let me do it without further loss of time. Accept my thanks for
3717 the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of
3718 your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to
3719 decline them."
3720
3721 "I am not now to learn," replied Mr. Collins, with a formal wave of the
3722 hand, "that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the
3723 man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their
3724 favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second, or even a
3725 third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just
3726 said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long."
3727
3728 "Upon my word, sir," cried Elizabeth, "your hope is a rather
3729 extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not
3730 one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so
3731 daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second
3732 time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. You could not make _me_
3733 happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who
3734 could make you so. Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I
3735 am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the
3736 situation."
3737
3738 "Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so," said Mr. Collins
3739 very gravely--"but I cannot imagine that her ladyship would at all
3740 disapprove of you. And you may be certain when I have the honour of
3741 seeing her again, I shall speak in the very highest terms of your
3742 modesty, economy, and other amiable qualification."
3743
3744 "Indeed, Mr. Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary. You
3745 must give me leave to judge for myself, and pay me the compliment
3746 of believing what I say. I wish you very happy and very rich, and by
3747 refusing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise.
3748 In making me the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy of your
3749 feelings with regard to my family, and may take possession of Longbourn
3750 estate whenever it falls, without any self-reproach. This matter may
3751 be considered, therefore, as finally settled." And rising as she
3752 thus spoke, she would have quitted the room, had Mr. Collins not thus
3753 addressed her:
3754
3755 "When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the subject, I
3756 shall hope to receive a more favourable answer than you have now given
3757 me; though I am far from accusing you of cruelty at present, because I
3758 know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on
3759 the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to
3760 encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the
3761 female character."
3762
3763 "Really, Mr. Collins," cried Elizabeth with some warmth, "you puzzle me
3764 exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form
3765 of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as
3766 to convince you of its being one."
3767
3768 "You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your
3769 refusal of my addresses is merely words of course. My reasons for
3770 believing it are briefly these: It does not appear to me that my hand is
3771 unworthy of your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would
3772 be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections
3773 with the family of de Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are
3774 circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into further
3775 consideration, that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no
3776 means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your
3777 portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo
3778 the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must
3779 therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me,
3780 I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by
3781 suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females."
3782
3783 "I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to that kind
3784 of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would
3785 rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you
3786 again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but
3787 to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect
3788 forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant
3789 female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking
3790 the truth from her heart."
3791
3792 "You are uniformly charming!" cried he, with an air of awkward
3793 gallantry; "and I am persuaded that when sanctioned by the express
3794 authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals will not fail of
3795 being acceptable."
3796
3797 To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would make
3798 no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew; determined, if
3799 he persisted in considering her repeated refusals as flattering
3800 encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered
3801 in such a manner as to be decisive, and whose behaviour at least could
3802 not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female.
3803
3804
3805
3806 Chapter 20
3807
3808
3809 Mr. Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his
3810 successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule
3811 to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open
3812 the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she
3813 entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself in
3814 warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins
3815 received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then
3816 proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result
3817 of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the
3818 refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow
3819 from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.
3820
3821 This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet; she would have been
3822 glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage
3823 him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not believe it,
3824 and could not help saying so.
3825
3826 "But, depend upon it, Mr. Collins," she added, "that Lizzy shall be
3827 brought to reason. I will speak to her about it directly. She is a very
3828 headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest but I will
3829 _make_ her know it."
3830
3831 "Pardon me for interrupting you, madam," cried Mr. Collins; "but if
3832 she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would
3833 altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who
3834 naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state. If therefore she
3835 actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not
3836 to force her into accepting me, because if liable to such defects of
3837 temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity."
3838
3839 "Sir, you quite misunderstand me," said Mrs. Bennet, alarmed. "Lizzy is
3840 only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything else she is as
3841 good-natured a girl as ever lived. I will go directly to Mr. Bennet, and
3842 we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure."
3843
3844 She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her
3845 husband, called out as she entered the library, "Oh! Mr. Bennet, you
3846 are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and make
3847 Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him, and if you
3848 do not make haste he will change his mind and not have _her_."
3849
3850 Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed them
3851 on her face with a calm unconcern which was not in the least altered by
3852 her communication.
3853
3854 "I have not the pleasure of understanding you," said he, when she had
3855 finished her speech. "Of what are you talking?"
3856
3857 "Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. Collins,
3858 and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy."
3859
3860 "And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems an hopeless business."
3861
3862 "Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her
3863 marrying him."
3864
3865 "Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion."
3866
3867 Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was summoned to the
3868 library.
3869
3870 "Come here, child," cried her father as she appeared. "I have sent for
3871 you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. Collins has made
3872 you an offer of marriage. Is it true?" Elizabeth replied that it was.
3873 "Very well--and this offer of marriage you have refused?"
3874
3875 "I have, sir."
3876
3877 "Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your
3878 accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?"
3879
3880 "Yes, or I will never see her again."
3881
3882 "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must
3883 be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you
3884 again if you do _not_ marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again
3885 if you _do_."
3886
3887 Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning,
3888 but Mrs. Bennet, who had persuaded herself that her husband regarded the
3889 affair as she wished, was excessively disappointed.
3890
3891 "What do you mean, Mr. Bennet, in talking this way? You promised me to
3892 _insist_ upon her marrying him."
3893
3894 "My dear," replied her husband, "I have two small favours to request.
3895 First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the
3896 present occasion; and secondly, of my room. I shall be glad to have the
3897 library to myself as soon as may be."
3898
3899 Not yet, however, in spite of her disappointment in her husband, did
3900 Mrs. Bennet give up the point. She talked to Elizabeth again and again;
3901 coaxed and threatened her by turns. She endeavoured to secure Jane
3902 in her interest; but Jane, with all possible mildness, declined
3903 interfering; and Elizabeth, sometimes with real earnestness, and
3904 sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to her attacks. Though her manner
3905 varied, however, her determination never did.
3906
3907 Mr. Collins, meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on what had passed.
3908 He thought too well of himself to comprehend on what motives his cousin
3909 could refuse him; and though his pride was hurt, he suffered in no other
3910 way. His regard for her was quite imaginary; and the possibility of her
3911 deserving her mother's reproach prevented his feeling any regret.
3912
3913 While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte Lucas came to spend
3914 the day with them. She was met in the vestibule by Lydia, who, flying to
3915 her, cried in a half whisper, "I am glad you are come, for there is such
3916 fun here! What do you think has happened this morning? Mr. Collins has
3917 made an offer to Lizzy, and she will not have him."
3918
3919 Charlotte hardly had time to answer, before they were joined by Kitty,
3920 who came to tell the same news; and no sooner had they entered the
3921 breakfast-room, where Mrs. Bennet was alone, than she likewise began on
3922 the subject, calling on Miss Lucas for her compassion, and entreating
3923 her to persuade her friend Lizzy to comply with the wishes of all her
3924 family. "Pray do, my dear Miss Lucas," she added in a melancholy tone,
3925 "for nobody is on my side, nobody takes part with me. I am cruelly used,
3926 nobody feels for my poor nerves."
3927
3928 Charlotte's reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and Elizabeth.
3929
3930 "Aye, there she comes," continued Mrs. Bennet, "looking as unconcerned
3931 as may be, and caring no more for us than if we were at York, provided
3932 she can have her own way. But I tell you, Miss Lizzy--if you take it
3933 into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way,
3934 you will never get a husband at all--and I am sure I do not know who is
3935 to maintain you when your father is dead. I shall not be able to keep
3936 you--and so I warn you. I have done with you from this very day. I told
3937 you in the library, you know, that I should never speak to you again,
3938 and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking
3939 to undutiful children. Not that I have much pleasure, indeed, in talking
3940 to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have
3941 no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it
3942 is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied."
3943
3944 Her daughters listened in silence to this effusion, sensible that
3945 any attempt to reason with her or soothe her would only increase the
3946 irritation. She talked on, therefore, without interruption from any of
3947 them, till they were joined by Mr. Collins, who entered the room with
3948 an air more stately than usual, and on perceiving whom, she said to
3949 the girls, "Now, I do insist upon it, that you, all of you, hold
3950 your tongues, and let me and Mr. Collins have a little conversation
3951 together."
3952
3953 Elizabeth passed quietly out of the room, Jane and Kitty followed, but
3954 Lydia stood her ground, determined to hear all she could; and Charlotte,
3955 detained first by the civility of Mr. Collins, whose inquiries after
3956 herself and all her family were very minute, and then by a little
3957 curiosity, satisfied herself with walking to the window and pretending
3958 not to hear. In a doleful voice Mrs. Bennet began the projected
3959 conversation: "Oh! Mr. Collins!"
3960
3961 "My dear madam," replied he, "let us be for ever silent on this point.
3962 Far be it from me," he presently continued, in a voice that marked his
3963 displeasure, "to resent the behaviour of your daughter. Resignation
3964 to inevitable evils is the duty of us all; the peculiar duty of a
3965 young man who has been so fortunate as I have been in early preferment;
3966 and I trust I am resigned. Perhaps not the less so from feeling a doubt
3967 of my positive happiness had my fair cousin honoured me with her hand;
3968 for I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as
3969 when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our
3970 estimation. You will not, I hope, consider me as showing any disrespect
3971 to your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawing my pretensions to
3972 your daughter's favour, without having paid yourself and Mr. Bennet the
3973 compliment of requesting you to interpose your authority in my
3974 behalf. My conduct may, I fear, be objectionable in having accepted my
3975 dismission from your daughter's lips instead of your own. But we are all
3976 liable to error. I have certainly meant well through the whole affair.
3977 My object has been to secure an amiable companion for myself, with due
3978 consideration for the advantage of all your family, and if my _manner_
3979 has been at all reprehensible, I here beg leave to apologise."
3980
3981
3982
3983 Chapter 21
3984
3985
3986 The discussion of Mr. Collins's offer was now nearly at an end, and
3987 Elizabeth had only to suffer from the uncomfortable feelings necessarily
3988 attending it, and occasionally from some peevish allusions of her
3989 mother. As for the gentleman himself, _his_ feelings were chiefly
3990 expressed, not by embarrassment or dejection, or by trying to avoid her,
3991 but by stiffness of manner and resentful silence. He scarcely ever spoke
3992 to her, and the assiduous attentions which he had been so sensible of
3993 himself were transferred for the rest of the day to Miss Lucas, whose
3994 civility in listening to him was a seasonable relief to them all, and
3995 especially to her friend.
3996
3997 The morrow produced no abatement of Mrs. Bennet's ill-humour or ill
3998 health. Mr. Collins was also in the same state of angry pride. Elizabeth
3999 had hoped that his resentment might shorten his visit, but his plan did
4000 not appear in the least affected by it. He was always to have gone on
4001 Saturday, and to Saturday he meant to stay.
4002
4003 After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton to inquire if Mr. Wickham
4004 were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball.
4005 He joined them on their entering the town, and attended them to their
4006 aunt's where his regret and vexation, and the concern of everybody, was
4007 well talked over. To Elizabeth, however, he voluntarily acknowledged
4008 that the necessity of his absence _had_ been self-imposed.
4009
4010 "I found," said he, "as the time drew near that I had better not meet
4011 Mr. Darcy; that to be in the same room, the same party with him for so
4012 many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes
4013 might arise unpleasant to more than myself."
4014
4015 She highly approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a full
4016 discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they civilly
4017 bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer walked back with
4018 them to Longbourn, and during the walk he particularly attended to
4019 her. His accompanying them was a double advantage; she felt all the
4020 compliment it offered to herself, and it was most acceptable as an
4021 occasion of introducing him to her father and mother.
4022
4023 Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet; it came
4024 from Netherfield. The envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little,
4025 hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady's fair, flowing hand; and
4026 Elizabeth saw her sister's countenance change as she read it, and saw
4027 her dwelling intently on some particular passages. Jane recollected
4028 herself soon, and putting the letter away, tried to join with her usual
4029 cheerfulness in the general conversation; but Elizabeth felt an anxiety
4030 on the subject which drew off her attention even from Wickham; and no
4031 sooner had he and his companion taken leave, than a glance from Jane
4032 invited her to follow her up stairs. When they had gained their own room,
4033 Jane, taking out the letter, said:
4034
4035 "This is from Caroline Bingley; what it contains has surprised me a good
4036 deal. The whole party have left Netherfield by this time, and are on
4037 their way to town--and without any intention of coming back again. You
4038 shall hear what she says."
4039
4040 She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information
4041 of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly,
4042 and of their meaning to dine in Grosvenor Street, where Mr. Hurst had a
4043 house. The next was in these words: "I do not pretend to regret anything
4044 I shall leave in Hertfordshire, except your society, my dearest friend;
4045 but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that
4046 delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may
4047 lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved
4048 correspondence. I depend on you for that." To these highflown
4049 expressions Elizabeth listened with all the insensibility of distrust;
4050 and though the suddenness of their removal surprised her, she saw
4051 nothing in it really to lament; it was not to be supposed that their
4052 absence from Netherfield would prevent Mr. Bingley's being there; and as
4053 to the loss of their society, she was persuaded that Jane must cease to
4054 regard it, in the enjoyment of his.
4055
4056 "It is unlucky," said she, after a short pause, "that you should not be
4057 able to see your friends before they leave the country. But may we not
4058 hope that the period of future happiness to which Miss Bingley looks
4059 forward may arrive earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful
4060 intercourse you have known as friends will be renewed with yet greater
4061 satisfaction as sisters? Mr. Bingley will not be detained in London by
4062 them."
4063
4064 "Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will return into
4065 Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you:"
4066
4067 "When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which
4068 took him to London might be concluded in three or four days; but as we
4069 are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when
4070 Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have
4071 determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend
4072 his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintances are
4073 already there for the winter; I wish that I could hear that you, my
4074 dearest friend, had any intention of making one of the crowd--but of
4075 that I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may
4076 abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your
4077 beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the
4078 three of whom we shall deprive you."
4079
4080 "It is evident by this," added Jane, "that he comes back no more this
4081 winter."
4082
4083 "It is only evident that Miss Bingley does not mean that he _should_."
4084
4085 "Why will you think so? It must be his own doing. He is his own
4086 master. But you do not know _all_. I _will_ read you the passage which
4087 particularly hurts me. I will have no reserves from _you_."
4088
4089 "Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister; and, to confess the truth,
4090 _we_ are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think
4091 Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments;
4092 and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into
4093 something still more interesting, from the hope we dare entertain of
4094 her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before
4095 mentioned to you my feelings on this subject; but I will not leave the
4096 country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them
4097 unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have
4098 frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing;
4099 her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister's
4100 partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most
4101 capable of engaging any woman's heart. With all these circumstances to
4102 favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest
4103 Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness
4104 of so many?"
4105
4106 "What do you think of _this_ sentence, my dear Lizzy?" said Jane as she
4107 finished it. "Is it not clear enough? Does it not expressly declare that
4108 Caroline neither expects nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is
4109 perfectly convinced of her brother's indifference; and that if she
4110 suspects the nature of my feelings for him, she means (most kindly!) to
4111 put me on my guard? Can there be any other opinion on the subject?"
4112
4113 "Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you hear it?"
4114
4115 "Most willingly."
4116
4117 "You shall have it in a few words. Miss Bingley sees that her brother is
4118 in love with you, and wants him to marry Miss Darcy. She follows him
4119 to town in hope of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he
4120 does not care about you."
4121
4122 Jane shook her head.
4123
4124 "Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. No one who has ever seen you
4125 together can doubt his affection. Miss Bingley, I am sure, cannot. She
4126 is not such a simpleton. Could she have seen half as much love in Mr.
4127 Darcy for herself, she would have ordered her wedding clothes. But the
4128 case is this: We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she
4129 is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother, from the notion
4130 that when there has been _one_ intermarriage, she may have less trouble
4131 in achieving a second; in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and
4132 I dare say it would succeed, if Miss de Bourgh were out of the way. But,
4133 my dearest Jane, you cannot seriously imagine that because Miss Bingley
4134 tells you her brother greatly admires Miss Darcy, he is in the smallest
4135 degree less sensible of _your_ merit than when he took leave of you on
4136 Tuesday, or that it will be in her power to persuade him that, instead
4137 of being in love with you, he is very much in love with her friend."
4138
4139 "If we thought alike of Miss Bingley," replied Jane, "your
4140 representation of all this might make me quite easy. But I know the
4141 foundation is unjust. Caroline is incapable of wilfully deceiving
4142 anyone; and all that I can hope in this case is that she is deceiving
4143 herself."
4144
4145 "That is right. You could not have started a more happy idea, since you
4146 will not take comfort in mine. Believe her to be deceived, by all means.
4147 You have now done your duty by her, and must fret no longer."
4148
4149 "But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing the best, in
4150 accepting a man whose sisters and friends are all wishing him to marry
4151 elsewhere?"
4152
4153 "You must decide for yourself," said Elizabeth; "and if, upon mature
4154 deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is
4155 more than equivalent to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you by
4156 all means to refuse him."
4157
4158 "How can you talk so?" said Jane, faintly smiling. "You must know that
4159 though I should be exceedingly grieved at their disapprobation, I could
4160 not hesitate."
4161
4162 "I did not think you would; and that being the case, I cannot consider
4163 your situation with much compassion."
4164
4165 "But if he returns no more this winter, my choice will never be
4166 required. A thousand things may arise in six months!"
4167
4168 The idea of his returning no more Elizabeth treated with the utmost
4169 contempt. It appeared to her merely the suggestion of Caroline's
4170 interested wishes, and she could not for a moment suppose that those
4171 wishes, however openly or artfully spoken, could influence a young man
4172 so totally independent of everyone.
4173
4174 She represented to her sister as forcibly as possible what she felt
4175 on the subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its happy effect.
4176 Jane's temper was not desponding, and she was gradually led to hope,
4177 though the diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope, that
4178 Bingley would return to Netherfield and answer every wish of her heart.
4179
4180 They agreed that Mrs. Bennet should only hear of the departure of the
4181 family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman's conduct;
4182 but even this partial communication gave her a great deal of concern,
4183 and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen
4184 to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together. After
4185 lamenting it, however, at some length, she had the consolation that Mr.
4186 Bingley would be soon down again and soon dining at Longbourn, and the
4187 conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration, that though he had
4188 been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care to have two
4189 full courses.
4190
4191
4192
4193 Chapter 22
4194
4195
4196 The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases and again during the
4197 chief of the day was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins.
4198 Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. "It keeps him in good
4199 humour," said she, "and I am more obliged to you than I can express."
4200 Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and
4201 that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was
4202 very amiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended farther than Elizabeth
4203 had any conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure her
4204 from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards
4205 herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so
4206 favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost
4207 secure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very
4208 soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his
4209 character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next
4210 morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw
4211 himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins,
4212 from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to
4213 conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known
4214 till its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost
4215 secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging,
4216 he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday.
4217 His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas
4218 perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and
4219 instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had
4220 she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.
4221
4222 In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow,
4223 everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as
4224 they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that
4225 was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must
4226 be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with
4227 his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must
4228 guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its
4229 continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure
4230 and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that
4231 establishment were gained.
4232
4233 Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent;
4234 and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins's present
4235 circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom
4236 they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were
4237 exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more
4238 interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer
4239 Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided
4240 opinion, that whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the
4241 Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife
4242 should make their appearance at St. James's. The whole family, in short,
4243 were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger girls formed hopes
4244 of _coming out_ a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have
4245 done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte's
4246 dying an old maid. Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. She had
4247 gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were
4248 in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible
4249 nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must
4250 be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly
4251 either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was
4252 the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune,
4253 and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest
4254 preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at
4255 the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all
4256 the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the business
4257 was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship
4258 she valued beyond that of any other person. Elizabeth would wonder,
4259 and probably would blame her; and though her resolution was not to be
4260 shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such a disapprobation. She resolved
4261 to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins,
4262 when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had
4263 passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of course very
4264 dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the
4265 curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct
4266 questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was
4267 at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to
4268 publish his prosperous love.
4269
4270 As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the
4271 family, the ceremony of leave-taking was performed when the ladies moved
4272 for the night; and Mrs. Bennet, with great politeness and cordiality,
4273 said how happy they should be to see him at Longbourn again, whenever
4274 his engagements might allow him to visit them.
4275
4276 "My dear madam," he replied, "this invitation is particularly
4277 gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and
4278 you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as
4279 possible."
4280
4281 They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no means wish for
4282 so speedy a return, immediately said:
4283
4284 "But is there not danger of Lady Catherine's disapprobation here, my
4285 good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of
4286 offending your patroness."
4287
4288 "My dear sir," replied Mr. Collins, "I am particularly obliged to you
4289 for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so
4290 material a step without her ladyship's concurrence."
4291
4292 "You cannot be too much upon your guard. Risk anything rather than her
4293 displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us
4294 again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home,
4295 and be satisfied that _we_ shall take no offence."
4296
4297 "Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such
4298 affectionate attention; and depend upon it, you will speedily receive
4299 from me a letter of thanks for this, and for every other mark of your
4300 regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins, though
4301 my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now
4302 take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not excepting my
4303 cousin Elizabeth."
4304
4305 With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of them equally
4306 surprised that he meditated a quick return. Mrs. Bennet wished to
4307 understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her
4308 younger girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him.
4309 She rated his abilities much higher than any of the others; there was
4310 a solidity in his reflections which often struck her, and though by no
4311 means so clever as herself, she thought that if encouraged to read
4312 and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very
4313 agreeable companion. But on the following morning, every hope of this
4314 kind was done away. Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a
4315 private conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before.
4316
4317 The possibility of Mr. Collins's fancying himself in love with her
4318 friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or two; but
4319 that Charlotte could encourage him seemed almost as far from
4320 possibility as she could encourage him herself, and her astonishment was
4321 consequently so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and
4322 she could not help crying out:
4323
4324 "Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte--impossible!"
4325
4326 The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her
4327 story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a
4328 reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained
4329 her composure, and calmly replied:
4330
4331 "Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible
4332 that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion,
4333 because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?"
4334
4335 But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort
4336 for it, was able to assure with tolerable firmness that the prospect of
4337 their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished her
4338 all imaginable happiness.
4339
4340 "I see what you are feeling," replied Charlotte. "You must be surprised,
4341 very much surprised--so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry
4342 you. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be
4343 satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never
4344 was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's
4345 character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my
4346 chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on
4347 entering the marriage state."
4348
4349 Elizabeth quietly answered "Undoubtedly;" and after an awkward pause,
4350 they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte did not stay much
4351 longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had heard.
4352 It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so
4353 unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins's making two offers
4354 of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now
4355 accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony was
4356 not exactly like her own, but she had not supposed it to be possible
4357 that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better
4358 feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins was a
4359 most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself
4360 and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it
4361 was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had
4362 chosen.
4363
4364
4365
4366 Chapter 23
4367
4368
4369 Elizabeth was sitting with her mother and sisters, reflecting on what
4370 she had heard, and doubting whether she was authorised to mention
4371 it, when Sir William Lucas himself appeared, sent by his daughter, to
4372 announce her engagement to the family. With many compliments to them,
4373 and much self-gratulation on the prospect of a connection between the
4374 houses, he unfolded the matter--to an audience not merely wondering, but
4375 incredulous; for Mrs. Bennet, with more perseverance than politeness,
4376 protested he must be entirely mistaken; and Lydia, always unguarded and
4377 often uncivil, boisterously exclaimed:
4378
4379 "Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story? Do not you know
4380 that Mr. Collins wants to marry Lizzy?"
4381
4382 Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne
4383 without anger such treatment; but Sir William's good breeding carried
4384 him through it all; and though he begged leave to be positive as to the
4385 truth of his information, he listened to all their impertinence with the
4386 most forbearing courtesy.
4387
4388 Elizabeth, feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him from so unpleasant
4389 a situation, now put herself forward to confirm his account, by
4390 mentioning her prior knowledge of it from Charlotte herself; and
4391 endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of her mother and sisters
4392 by the earnestness of her congratulations to Sir William, in which she
4393 was readily joined by Jane, and by making a variety of remarks on the
4394 happiness that might be expected from the match, the excellent character
4395 of Mr. Collins, and the convenient distance of Hunsford from London.
4396
4397 Mrs. Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to say a great deal while
4398 Sir William remained; but no sooner had he left them than her feelings
4399 found a rapid vent. In the first place, she persisted in disbelieving
4400 the whole of the matter; secondly, she was very sure that Mr. Collins
4401 had been taken in; thirdly, she trusted that they would never be
4402 happy together; and fourthly, that the match might be broken off. Two
4403 inferences, however, were plainly deduced from the whole: one, that
4404 Elizabeth was the real cause of the mischief; and the other that she
4405 herself had been barbarously misused by them all; and on these two
4406 points she principally dwelt during the rest of the day. Nothing could
4407 console and nothing could appease her. Nor did that day wear out her
4408 resentment. A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth without
4409 scolding her, a month passed away before she could speak to Sir William
4410 or Lady Lucas without being rude, and many months were gone before she
4411 could at all forgive their daughter.
4412
4413 Mr. Bennet's emotions were much more tranquil on the occasion, and such
4414 as he did experience he pronounced to be of a most agreeable sort; for
4415 it gratified him, he said, to discover that Charlotte Lucas, whom he had
4416 been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and
4417 more foolish than his daughter!
4418
4419 Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match; but she said
4420 less of her astonishment than of her earnest desire for their happiness;
4421 nor could Elizabeth persuade her to consider it as improbable. Kitty
4422 and Lydia were far from envying Miss Lucas, for Mr. Collins was only a
4423 clergyman; and it affected them in no other way than as a piece of news
4424 to spread at Meryton.
4425
4426 Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to retort
4427 on Mrs. Bennet the comfort of having a daughter well married; and she
4428 called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to say how happy she was,
4429 though Mrs. Bennet's sour looks and ill-natured remarks might have been
4430 enough to drive happiness away.
4431
4432 Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept them
4433 mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded that
4434 no real confidence could ever subsist between them again. Her
4435 disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard to her
4436 sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her opinion could
4437 never be shaken, and for whose happiness she grew daily more anxious,
4438 as Bingley had now been gone a week and nothing more was heard of his
4439 return.
4440
4441 Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was counting
4442 the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again. The promised
4443 letter of thanks from Mr. Collins arrived on Tuesday, addressed to
4444 their father, and written with all the solemnity of gratitude which a
4445 twelvemonth's abode in the family might have prompted. After discharging
4446 his conscience on that head, he proceeded to inform them, with many
4447 rapturous expressions, of his happiness in having obtained the affection
4448 of their amiable neighbour, Miss Lucas, and then explained that it was
4449 merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had been so ready
4450 to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at Longbourn, whither
4451 he hoped to be able to return on Monday fortnight; for Lady Catherine,
4452 he added, so heartily approved his marriage, that she wished it to take
4453 place as soon as possible, which he trusted would be an unanswerable
4454 argument with his amiable Charlotte to name an early day for making him
4455 the happiest of men.
4456
4457 Mr. Collins's return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter of
4458 pleasure to Mrs. Bennet. On the contrary, she was as much disposed to
4459 complain of it as her husband. It was very strange that he should come
4460 to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge; it was also very inconvenient
4461 and exceedingly troublesome. She hated having visitors in the house
4462 while her health was so indifferent, and lovers were of all people the
4463 most disagreeable. Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and
4464 they gave way only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley's continued
4465 absence.
4466
4467 Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject. Day after
4468 day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the
4469 report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to
4470 Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs.
4471 Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous
4472 falsehood.
4473
4474 Even Elizabeth began to fear--not that Bingley was indifferent--but that
4475 his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. Unwilling as
4476 she was to admit an idea so destructive of Jane's happiness, and so
4477 dishonorable to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent its
4478 frequently occurring. The united efforts of his two unfeeling sisters
4479 and of his overpowering friend, assisted by the attractions of Miss
4480 Darcy and the amusements of London might be too much, she feared, for
4481 the strength of his attachment.
4482
4483 As for Jane, _her_ anxiety under this suspense was, of course, more
4484 painful than Elizabeth's, but whatever she felt she was desirous of
4485 concealing, and between herself and Elizabeth, therefore, the subject
4486 was never alluded to. But as no such delicacy restrained her mother,
4487 an hour seldom passed in which she did not talk of Bingley, express her
4488 impatience for his arrival, or even require Jane to confess that if he
4489 did not come back she would think herself very ill used. It needed
4490 all Jane's steady mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable
4491 tranquillity.
4492
4493 Mr. Collins returned most punctually on Monday fortnight, but his
4494 reception at Longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had been on his
4495 first introduction. He was too happy, however, to need much attention;
4496 and luckily for the others, the business of love-making relieved them
4497 from a great deal of his company. The chief of every day was spent by
4498 him at Lucas Lodge, and he sometimes returned to Longbourn only in time
4499 to make an apology for his absence before the family went to bed.
4500
4501 Mrs. Bennet was really in a most pitiable state. The very mention of
4502 anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of ill-humour,
4503 and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it talked of. The sight
4504 of Miss Lucas was odious to her. As her successor in that house, she
4505 regarded her with jealous abhorrence. Whenever Charlotte came to see
4506 them, she concluded her to be anticipating the hour of possession; and
4507 whenever she spoke in a low voice to Mr. Collins, was convinced that
4508 they were talking of the Longbourn estate, and resolving to turn herself
4509 and her daughters out of the house, as soon as Mr. Bennet were dead. She
4510 complained bitterly of all this to her husband.
4511
4512 "Indeed, Mr. Bennet," said she, "it is very hard to think that Charlotte
4513 Lucas should ever be mistress of this house, that I should be forced to
4514 make way for _her_, and live to see her take her place in it!"
4515
4516 "My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for
4517 better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor."
4518
4519 This was not very consoling to Mrs. Bennet, and therefore, instead of
4520 making any answer, she went on as before.
4521
4522 "I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate. If it was
4523 not for the entail, I should not mind it."
4524
4525 "What should not you mind?"
4526
4527 "I should not mind anything at all."
4528
4529 "Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such
4530 insensibility."
4531
4532 "I never can be thankful, Mr. Bennet, for anything about the entail. How
4533 anyone could have the conscience to entail away an estate from one's own
4534 daughters, I cannot understand; and all for the sake of Mr. Collins too!
4535 Why should _he_ have it more than anybody else?"
4536
4537 "I leave it to yourself to determine," said Mr. Bennet.
4538
4539
4540
4541 Chapter 24
4542
4543
4544 Miss Bingley's letter arrived, and put an end to doubt. The very first
4545 sentence conveyed the assurance of their being all settled in London for
4546 the winter, and concluded with her brother's regret at not having had
4547 time to pay his respects to his friends in Hertfordshire before he left
4548 the country.
4549
4550 Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane could attend to the rest
4551 of the letter, she found little, except the professed affection of the
4552 writer, that could give her any comfort. Miss Darcy's praise occupied
4553 the chief of it. Her many attractions were again dwelt on, and Caroline
4554 boasted joyfully of their increasing intimacy, and ventured to predict
4555 the accomplishment of the wishes which had been unfolded in her former
4556 letter. She wrote also with great pleasure of her brother's being an
4557 inmate of Mr. Darcy's house, and mentioned with raptures some plans of
4558 the latter with regard to new furniture.
4559
4560 Elizabeth, to whom Jane very soon communicated the chief of all this,
4561 heard it in silent indignation. Her heart was divided between concern
4562 for her sister, and resentment against all others. To Caroline's
4563 assertion of her brother's being partial to Miss Darcy she paid no
4564 credit. That he was really fond of Jane, she doubted no more than she
4565 had ever done; and much as she had always been disposed to like him, she
4566 could not think without anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness
4567 of temper, that want of proper resolution, which now made him the slave
4568 of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice of his own happiness
4569 to the caprice of their inclination. Had his own happiness, however,
4570 been the only sacrifice, he might have been allowed to sport with it in
4571 whatever manner he thought best, but her sister's was involved in it, as
4572 she thought he must be sensible himself. It was a subject, in short,
4573 on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing. She
4574 could think of nothing else; and yet whether Bingley's regard had really
4575 died away, or were suppressed by his friends' interference; whether
4576 he had been aware of Jane's attachment, or whether it had escaped his
4577 observation; whatever were the case, though her opinion of him must be
4578 materially affected by the difference, her sister's situation remained
4579 the same, her peace equally wounded.
4580
4581 A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her feelings to
4582 Elizabeth; but at last, on Mrs. Bennet's leaving them together, after a
4583 longer irritation than usual about Netherfield and its master, she could
4584 not help saying:
4585
4586 "Oh, that my dear mother had more command over herself! She can have no
4587 idea of the pain she gives me by her continual reflections on him. But
4588 I will not repine. It cannot last long. He will be forgot, and we shall
4589 all be as we were before."
4590
4591 Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude, but said
4592 nothing.
4593
4594 "You doubt me," cried Jane, slightly colouring; "indeed, you have
4595 no reason. He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my
4596 acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or fear,
4597 and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God! I have not _that_ pain. A
4598 little time, therefore--I shall certainly try to get the better."
4599
4600 With a stronger voice she soon added, "I have this comfort immediately,
4601 that it has not been more than an error of fancy on my side, and that it
4602 has done no harm to anyone but myself."
4603
4604 "My dear Jane!" exclaimed Elizabeth, "you are too good. Your sweetness
4605 and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say
4606 to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you
4607 deserve."
4608
4609 Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit, and threw back
4610 the praise on her sister's warm affection.
4611
4612 "Nay," said Elizabeth, "this is not fair. _You_ wish to think all the
4613 world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of anybody. I only want
4614 to think _you_ perfect, and you set yourself against it. Do not
4615 be afraid of my running into any excess, of my encroaching on your
4616 privilege of universal good-will. You need not. There are few people
4617 whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see
4618 of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms
4619 my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the
4620 little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or
4621 sense. I have met with two instances lately, one I will not mention; the
4622 other is Charlotte's marriage. It is unaccountable! In every view it is
4623 unaccountable!"
4624
4625 "My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will
4626 ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference
4627 of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins's respectability, and
4628 Charlotte's steady, prudent character. Remember that she is one of a
4629 large family; that as to fortune, it is a most eligible match; and be
4630 ready to believe, for everybody's sake, that she may feel something like
4631 regard and esteem for our cousin."
4632
4633 "To oblige you, I would try to believe almost anything, but no one else
4634 could be benefited by such a belief as this; for were I persuaded that
4635 Charlotte had any regard for him, I should only think worse of her
4636 understanding than I now do of her heart. My dear Jane, Mr. Collins is a
4637 conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man; you know he is, as well as
4638 I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who married him
4639 cannot have a proper way of thinking. You shall not defend her, though
4640 it is Charlotte Lucas. You shall not, for the sake of one individual,
4641 change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade
4642 yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility of
4643 danger security for happiness."
4644
4645 "I must think your language too strong in speaking of both," replied
4646 Jane; "and I hope you will be convinced of it by seeing them happy
4647 together. But enough of this. You alluded to something else. You
4648 mentioned _two_ instances. I cannot misunderstand you, but I entreat
4649 you, dear Lizzy, not to pain me by thinking _that person_ to blame, and
4650 saying your opinion of him is sunk. We must not be so ready to fancy
4651 ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man
4652 to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but
4653 our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than
4654 it does."
4655
4656 "And men take care that they should."
4657
4658 "If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but I have no idea
4659 of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine."
4660
4661 "I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley's conduct to design,"
4662 said Elizabeth; "but without scheming to do wrong, or to make others
4663 unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness,
4664 want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of resolution,
4665 will do the business."
4666
4667 "And do you impute it to either of those?"
4668
4669 "Yes; to the last. But if I go on, I shall displease you by saying what
4670 I think of persons you esteem. Stop me whilst you can."
4671
4672 "You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him?"
4673
4674 "Yes, in conjunction with his friend."
4675
4676 "I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can
4677 only wish his happiness; and if he is attached to me, no other woman can
4678 secure it."
4679
4680 "Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his
4681 happiness; they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence; they
4682 may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great
4683 connections, and pride."
4684
4685 "Beyond a doubt, they _do_ wish him to choose Miss Darcy," replied Jane;
4686 "but this may be from better feelings than you are supposing. They have
4687 known her much longer than they have known me; no wonder if they love
4688 her better. But, whatever may be their own wishes, it is very unlikely
4689 they should have opposed their brother's. What sister would think
4690 herself at liberty to do it, unless there were something very
4691 objectionable? If they believed him attached to me, they would not try
4692 to part us; if he were so, they could not succeed. By supposing such an
4693 affection, you make everybody acting unnaturally and wrong, and me most
4694 unhappy. Do not distress me by the idea. I am not ashamed of having been
4695 mistaken--or, at least, it is light, it is nothing in comparison of what
4696 I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters. Let me take it in
4697 the best light, in the light in which it may be understood."
4698
4699 Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish; and from this time Mr. Bingley's
4700 name was scarcely ever mentioned between them.
4701
4702 Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning no
4703 more, and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth did not account
4704 for it clearly, there was little chance of her ever considering it with
4705 less perplexity. Her daughter endeavoured to convince her of what she
4706 did not believe herself, that his attentions to Jane had been merely the
4707 effect of a common and transient liking, which ceased when he saw her
4708 no more; but though the probability of the statement was admitted at
4709 the time, she had the same story to repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet's best
4710 comfort was that Mr. Bingley must be down again in the summer.
4711
4712 Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. "So, Lizzy," said he one day,
4713 "your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate her. Next to
4714 being married, a girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then.
4715 It is something to think of, and it gives her a sort of distinction
4716 among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to
4717 be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are officers enough in
4718 Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham
4719 be _your_ man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably."
4720
4721 "Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not
4722 all expect Jane's good fortune."
4723
4724 "True," said Mr. Bennet, "but it is a comfort to think that whatever of
4725 that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will make
4726 the most of it."
4727
4728 Mr. Wickham's society was of material service in dispelling the gloom
4729 which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn
4730 family. They saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now
4731 added that of general unreserve. The whole of what Elizabeth had already
4732 heard, his claims on Mr. Darcy, and all that he had suffered from him,
4733 was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed; and everybody was
4734 pleased to know how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they
4735 had known anything of the matter.
4736
4737 Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be
4738 any extenuating circumstances in the case, unknown to the society
4739 of Hertfordshire; her mild and steady candour always pleaded for
4740 allowances, and urged the possibility of mistakes--but by everybody else
4741 Mr. Darcy was condemned as the worst of men.
4742
4743
4744
4745 Chapter 25
4746
4747
4748 After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of felicity,
4749 Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by the arrival of
4750 Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might be alleviated on his
4751 side, by preparations for the reception of his bride; as he had reason
4752 to hope, that shortly after his return into Hertfordshire, the day would
4753 be fixed that was to make him the happiest of men. He took leave of his
4754 relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair
4755 cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another
4756 letter of thanks.
4757
4758 On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving
4759 her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend the Christmas
4760 at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly
4761 superior to his sister, as well by nature as education. The Netherfield
4762 ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived
4763 by trade, and within view of his own warehouses, could have been so
4764 well-bred and agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger
4765 than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, was an amiable, intelligent, elegant
4766 woman, and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces. Between the
4767 two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted a particular regard.
4768 They had frequently been staying with her in town.
4769
4770 The first part of Mrs. Gardiner's business on her arrival was to
4771 distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When this was
4772 done she had a less active part to play. It became her turn to listen.
4773 Mrs. Bennet had many grievances to relate, and much to complain of. They
4774 had all been very ill-used since she last saw her sister. Two of her
4775 girls had been upon the point of marriage, and after all there was
4776 nothing in it.
4777
4778 "I do not blame Jane," she continued, "for Jane would have got Mr.
4779 Bingley if she could. But Lizzy! Oh, sister! It is very hard to think
4780 that she might have been Mr. Collins's wife by this time, had it not
4781 been for her own perverseness. He made her an offer in this very room,
4782 and she refused him. The consequence of it is, that Lady Lucas will have
4783 a daughter married before I have, and that the Longbourn estate is just
4784 as much entailed as ever. The Lucases are very artful people indeed,
4785 sister. They are all for what they can get. I am sorry to say it of
4786 them, but so it is. It makes me very nervous and poorly, to be thwarted
4787 so in my own family, and to have neighbours who think of themselves
4788 before anybody else. However, your coming just at this time is the
4789 greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, of
4790 long sleeves."
4791
4792 Mrs. Gardiner, to whom the chief of this news had been given before,
4793 in the course of Jane and Elizabeth's correspondence with her, made her
4794 sister a slight answer, and, in compassion to her nieces, turned the
4795 conversation.
4796
4797 When alone with Elizabeth afterwards, she spoke more on the subject. "It
4798 seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane," said she. "I am
4799 sorry it went off. But these things happen so often! A young man, such
4800 as you describe Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl
4801 for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets
4802 her, that these sort of inconsistencies are very frequent."
4803
4804 "An excellent consolation in its way," said Elizabeth, "but it will not
4805 do for _us_. We do not suffer by _accident_. It does not often
4806 happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man of
4807 independent fortune to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in
4808 love with only a few days before."
4809
4810 "But that expression of 'violently in love' is so hackneyed, so
4811 doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me very little idea. It is as
4812 often applied to feelings which arise from a half-hour's acquaintance,
4813 as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, how _violent was_ Mr. Bingley's
4814 love?"
4815
4816 "I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite
4817 inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time
4818 they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he
4819 offended two or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance; and I
4820 spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer. Could there be
4821 finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?"
4822
4823 "Oh, yes!--of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. Poor
4824 Jane! I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get
4825 over it immediately. It had better have happened to _you_, Lizzy; you
4826 would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. But do you think she
4827 would be prevailed upon to go back with us? Change of scene might be
4828 of service--and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as
4829 anything."
4830
4831 Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and felt persuaded
4832 of her sister's ready acquiescence.
4833
4834 "I hope," added Mrs. Gardiner, "that no consideration with regard to
4835 this young man will influence her. We live in so different a part of
4836 town, all our connections are so different, and, as you well know, we go
4837 out so little, that it is very improbable that they should meet at all,
4838 unless he really comes to see her."
4839
4840 "And _that_ is quite impossible; for he is now in the custody of his
4841 friend, and Mr. Darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane in such
4842 a part of London! My dear aunt, how could you think of it? Mr. Darcy may
4843 perhaps have _heard_ of such a place as Gracechurch Street, but he
4844 would hardly think a month's ablution enough to cleanse him from its
4845 impurities, were he once to enter it; and depend upon it, Mr. Bingley
4846 never stirs without him."
4847
4848 "So much the better. I hope they will not meet at all. But does not Jane
4849 correspond with his sister? _She_ will not be able to help calling."
4850
4851 "She will drop the acquaintance entirely."
4852
4853 But in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth affected to place this
4854 point, as well as the still more interesting one of Bingley's being
4855 withheld from seeing Jane, she felt a solicitude on the subject which
4856 convinced her, on examination, that she did not consider it entirely
4857 hopeless. It was possible, and sometimes she thought it probable, that
4858 his affection might be reanimated, and the influence of his friends
4859 successfully combated by the more natural influence of Jane's
4860 attractions.
4861
4862 Miss Bennet accepted her aunt's invitation with pleasure; and the
4863 Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the same time, than as she
4864 hoped by Caroline's not living in the same house with her brother,
4865 she might occasionally spend a morning with her, without any danger of
4866 seeing him.
4867
4868 The Gardiners stayed a week at Longbourn; and what with the Phillipses,
4869 the Lucases, and the officers, there was not a day without its
4870 engagement. Mrs. Bennet had so carefully provided for the entertainment
4871 of her brother and sister, that they did not once sit down to a family
4872 dinner. When the engagement was for home, some of the officers always
4873 made part of it--of which officers Mr. Wickham was sure to be one; and
4874 on these occasions, Mrs. Gardiner, rendered suspicious by Elizabeth's
4875 warm commendation, narrowly observed them both. Without supposing them,
4876 from what she saw, to be very seriously in love, their preference
4877 of each other was plain enough to make her a little uneasy; and
4878 she resolved to speak to Elizabeth on the subject before she left
4879 Hertfordshire, and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging such
4880 an attachment.
4881
4882 To Mrs. Gardiner, Wickham had one means of affording pleasure,
4883 unconnected with his general powers. About ten or a dozen years ago,
4884 before her marriage, she had spent a considerable time in that very
4885 part of Derbyshire to which he belonged. They had, therefore, many
4886 acquaintances in common; and though Wickham had been little there since
4887 the death of Darcy's father, it was yet in his power to give her fresher
4888 intelligence of her former friends than she had been in the way of
4889 procuring.
4890
4891 Mrs. Gardiner had seen Pemberley, and known the late Mr. Darcy by
4892 character perfectly well. Here consequently was an inexhaustible subject
4893 of discourse. In comparing her recollection of Pemberley with the minute
4894 description which Wickham could give, and in bestowing her tribute of
4895 praise on the character of its late possessor, she was delighting both
4896 him and herself. On being made acquainted with the present Mr. Darcy's
4897 treatment of him, she tried to remember some of that gentleman's
4898 reputed disposition when quite a lad which might agree with it, and
4899 was confident at last that she recollected having heard Mr. Fitzwilliam
4900 Darcy formerly spoken of as a very proud, ill-natured boy.
4901
4902
4903
4904 Chapter 26
4905
4906
4907 Mrs. Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly given
4908 on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her alone; after
4909 honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went on:
4910
4911 "You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because
4912 you are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not afraid of speaking
4913 openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve
4914 yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the want
4915 of fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to say against
4916 _him_; he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he
4917 ought to have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is, you
4918 must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all
4919 expect you to use it. Your father would depend on _your_ resolution and
4920 good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father."
4921
4922 "My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed."
4923
4924 "Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise."
4925
4926 "Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care of
4927 myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with me, if I
4928 can prevent it."
4929
4930 "Elizabeth, you are not serious now."
4931
4932 "I beg your pardon, I will try again. At present I am not in love with
4933 Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison,
4934 the most agreeable man I ever saw--and if he becomes really attached to
4935 me--I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence
4936 of it. Oh! _that_ abominable Mr. Darcy! My father's opinion of me does
4937 me the greatest honour, and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My
4938 father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I
4939 should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but
4940 since we see every day that where there is affection, young people
4941 are seldom withheld by immediate want of fortune from entering into
4942 engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than so many
4943 of my fellow-creatures if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it
4944 would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not
4945 to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first
4946 object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short,
4947 I will do my best."
4948
4949 "Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so very
4950 often. At least, you should not _remind_ your mother of inviting him."
4951
4952 "As I did the other day," said Elizabeth with a conscious smile: "very
4953 true, it will be wise in me to refrain from _that_. But do not imagine
4954 that he is always here so often. It is on your account that he has been
4955 so frequently invited this week. You know my mother's ideas as to the
4956 necessity of constant company for her friends. But really, and upon my
4957 honour, I will try to do what I think to be the wisest; and now I hope
4958 you are satisfied."
4959
4960 Her aunt assured her that she was, and Elizabeth having thanked her for
4961 the kindness of her hints, they parted; a wonderful instance of advice
4962 being given on such a point, without being resented.
4963
4964 Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted
4965 by the Gardiners and Jane; but as he took up his abode with the Lucases,
4966 his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet. His marriage was
4967 now fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned as to think
4968 it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say, in an ill-natured tone, that
4969 she "_wished_ they might be happy." Thursday was to be the wedding day,
4970 and on Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she
4971 rose to take leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother's ungracious and
4972 reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself, accompanied her
4973 out of the room. As they went downstairs together, Charlotte said:
4974
4975 "I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza."
4976
4977 "_That_ you certainly shall."
4978
4979 "And I have another favour to ask you. Will you come and see me?"
4980
4981 "We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire."
4982
4983 "I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to
4984 come to Hunsford."
4985
4986 Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the
4987 visit.
4988
4989 "My father and Maria are coming to me in March," added Charlotte, "and I
4990 hope you will consent to be of the party. Indeed, Eliza, you will be as
4991 welcome as either of them."
4992
4993 The wedding took place; the bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from
4994 the church door, and everybody had as much to say, or to hear, on
4995 the subject as usual. Elizabeth soon heard from her friend; and their
4996 correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been; that
4997 it should be equally unreserved was impossible. Elizabeth could never
4998 address her without feeling that all the comfort of intimacy was over,
4999 and though determined not to slacken as a correspondent, it was for the
5000 sake of what had been, rather than what was. Charlotte's first letters
5001 were received with a good deal of eagerness; there could not but be
5002 curiosity to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would
5003 like Lady Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to
5004 be; though, when the letters were read, Elizabeth felt that Charlotte
5005 expressed herself on every point exactly as she might have foreseen. She
5006 wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing
5007 which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighbourhood, and
5008 roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine's behaviour was most
5009 friendly and obliging. It was Mr. Collins's picture of Hunsford and
5010 Rosings rationally softened; and Elizabeth perceived that she must wait
5011 for her own visit there to know the rest.
5012
5013 Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to announce their
5014 safe arrival in London; and when she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it
5015 would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys.
5016
5017 Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as impatience
5018 generally is. Jane had been a week in town without either seeing or
5019 hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, however, by supposing that
5020 her last letter to her friend from Longbourn had by some accident been
5021 lost.
5022
5023 "My aunt," she continued, "is going to-morrow into that part of the
5024 town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street."
5025
5026 She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen Miss Bingley.
5027 "I did not think Caroline in spirits," were her words, "but she was very
5028 glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming
5029 to London. I was right, therefore, my last letter had never reached
5030 her. I inquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much
5031 engaged with Mr. Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that
5032 Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visit was
5033 not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall
5034 see them soon here."
5035
5036 Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced her that
5037 accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her sister's being in town.
5038
5039 Four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him. She endeavoured to
5040 persuade herself that she did not regret it; but she could no longer be
5041 blind to Miss Bingley's inattention. After waiting at home every morning
5042 for a fortnight, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for her, the
5043 visitor did at last appear; but the shortness of her stay, and yet more,
5044 the alteration of her manner would allow Jane to deceive herself no
5045 longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will
5046 prove what she felt.
5047
5048 "My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her
5049 better judgement, at my expense, when I confess myself to have been
5050 entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my dear sister,
5051 though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate if I
5052 still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence was
5053 as natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for
5054 wishing to be intimate with me; but if the same circumstances were to
5055 happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not
5056 return my visit till yesterday; and not a note, not a line, did I
5057 receive in the meantime. When she did come, it was very evident that
5058 she had no pleasure in it; she made a slight, formal apology, for not
5059 calling before, said not a word of wishing to see me again, and was
5060 in every respect so altered a creature, that when she went away I was
5061 perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer. I pity,
5062 though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out
5063 as she did; I can safely say that every advance to intimacy began on
5064 her side. But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting
5065 wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the
5066 cause of it. I need not explain myself farther; and though _we_ know
5067 this anxiety to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily
5068 account for her behaviour to me; and so deservedly dear as he is to
5069 his sister, whatever anxiety she must feel on his behalf is natural and
5070 amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having any such fears now,
5071 because, if he had at all cared about me, we must have met, long ago.
5072 He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from something she said
5073 herself; and yet it would seem, by her manner of talking, as if she
5074 wanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy. I
5075 cannot understand it. If I were not afraid of judging harshly, I should
5076 be almost tempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity
5077 in all this. But I will endeavour to banish every painful thought,
5078 and think only of what will make me happy--your affection, and the
5079 invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very
5080 soon. Miss Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield
5081 again, of giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better
5082 not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts
5083 from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with Sir William and
5084 Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there.--Yours, etc."
5085
5086 This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits returned as she
5087 considered that Jane would no longer be duped, by the sister at least.
5088 All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. She would not
5089 even wish for a renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on
5090 every review of it; and as a punishment for him, as well as a possible
5091 advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr.
5092 Darcy's sister, as by Wickham's account, she would make him abundantly
5093 regret what he had thrown away.
5094
5095 Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise
5096 concerning that gentleman, and required information; and Elizabeth
5097 had such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to
5098 herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over,
5099 he was the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth was watchful enough to
5100 see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain.
5101 Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied
5102 with believing that _she_ would have been his only choice, had fortune
5103 permitted it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most
5104 remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself
5105 agreeable; but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in this case than
5106 in Charlotte's, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence.
5107 Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural; and while able to
5108 suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was
5109 ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very
5110 sincerely wish him happy.
5111
5112 All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner; and after relating the
5113 circumstances, she thus went on: "I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that
5114 I have never been much in love; for had I really experienced that pure
5115 and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and
5116 wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial
5117 towards _him_; they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find
5118 out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to
5119 think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My
5120 watchfulness has been effectual; and though I certainly should be a more
5121 interesting object to all my acquaintances were I distractedly in love
5122 with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance.
5123 Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. Kitty and Lydia take
5124 his defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the
5125 ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that
5126 handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain."
5127
5128
5129
5130 Chapter 27
5131
5132
5133 With no greater events than these in the Longbourn family, and otherwise
5134 diversified by little beyond the walks to Meryton, sometimes dirty and
5135 sometimes cold, did January and February pass away. March was to take
5136 Elizabeth to Hunsford. She had not at first thought very seriously of
5137 going thither; but Charlotte, she soon found, was depending on the plan
5138 and she gradually learned to consider it herself with greater pleasure
5139 as well as greater certainty. Absence had increased her desire of seeing
5140 Charlotte again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins. There
5141 was novelty in the scheme, and as, with such a mother and such
5142 uncompanionable sisters, home could not be faultless, a little change
5143 was not unwelcome for its own sake. The journey would moreover give her
5144 a peep at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would have
5145 been very sorry for any delay. Everything, however, went on smoothly,
5146 and was finally settled according to Charlotte's first sketch. She was
5147 to accompany Sir William and his second daughter. The improvement
5148 of spending a night in London was added in time, and the plan became
5149 perfect as plan could be.
5150
5151 The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss her,
5152 and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her going, that he
5153 told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter.
5154
5155 The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly friendly; on
5156 his side even more. His present pursuit could not make him forget that
5157 Elizabeth had been the first to excite and to deserve his attention, the
5158 first to listen and to pity, the first to be admired; and in his manner
5159 of bidding her adieu, wishing her every enjoyment, reminding her of
5160 what she was to expect in Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and trusting their
5161 opinion of her--their opinion of everybody--would always coincide, there
5162 was a solicitude, an interest which she felt must ever attach her to
5163 him with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced that,
5164 whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable
5165 and pleasing.
5166
5167 Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make her
5168 think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas, and his daughter Maria, a
5169 good-humoured girl, but as empty-headed as himself, had nothing to say
5170 that could be worth hearing, and were listened to with about as much
5171 delight as the rattle of the chaise. Elizabeth loved absurdities, but
5172 she had known Sir William's too long. He could tell her nothing new of
5173 the wonders of his presentation and knighthood; and his civilities were
5174 worn out, like his information.
5175
5176 It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early
5177 as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner's
5178 door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival; when
5179 they entered the passage she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth,
5180 looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it healthful and
5181 lovely as ever. On the stairs were a troop of little boys and girls,
5182 whose eagerness for their cousin's appearance would not allow them to
5183 wait in the drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen
5184 her for a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and
5185 kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and
5186 shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.
5187
5188 Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first object was her
5189 sister; and she was more grieved than astonished to hear, in reply to
5190 her minute inquiries, that though Jane always struggled to support her
5191 spirits, there were periods of dejection. It was reasonable, however,
5192 to hope that they would not continue long. Mrs. Gardiner gave her the
5193 particulars also of Miss Bingley's visit in Gracechurch Street, and
5194 repeated conversations occurring at different times between Jane and
5195 herself, which proved that the former had, from her heart, given up the
5196 acquaintance.
5197
5198 Mrs. Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham's desertion, and
5199 complimented her on bearing it so well.
5200
5201 "But my dear Elizabeth," she added, "what sort of girl is Miss King? I
5202 should be sorry to think our friend mercenary."
5203
5204 "Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs,
5205 between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end,
5206 and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me,
5207 because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get
5208 a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is
5209 mercenary."
5210
5211 "If you will only tell me what sort of girl Miss King is, I shall know
5212 what to think."
5213
5214 "She is a very good kind of girl, I believe. I know no harm of her."
5215
5216 "But he paid her not the smallest attention till her grandfather's death
5217 made her mistress of this fortune."
5218
5219 "No--why should he? If it were not allowable for him to gain _my_
5220 affections because I had no money, what occasion could there be for
5221 making love to a girl whom he did not care about, and who was equally
5222 poor?"
5223
5224 "But there seems an indelicacy in directing his attentions towards her
5225 so soon after this event."
5226
5227 "A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant
5228 decorums which other people may observe. If _she_ does not object to it,
5229 why should _we_?"
5230
5231 "_Her_ not objecting does not justify _him_. It only shows her being
5232 deficient in something herself--sense or feeling."
5233
5234 "Well," cried Elizabeth, "have it as you choose. _He_ shall be
5235 mercenary, and _she_ shall be foolish."
5236
5237 "No, Lizzy, that is what I do _not_ choose. I should be sorry, you know,
5238 to think ill of a young man who has lived so long in Derbyshire."
5239
5240 "Oh! if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young men who live in
5241 Derbyshire; and their intimate friends who live in Hertfordshire are not
5242 much better. I am sick of them all. Thank Heaven! I am going to-morrow
5243 where I shall find a man who has not one agreeable quality, who has
5244 neither manner nor sense to recommend him. Stupid men are the only ones
5245 worth knowing, after all."
5246
5247 "Take care, Lizzy; that speech savours strongly of disappointment."
5248
5249 Before they were separated by the conclusion of the play, she had the
5250 unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in
5251 a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the summer.
5252
5253 "We have not determined how far it shall carry us," said Mrs. Gardiner,
5254 "but, perhaps, to the Lakes."
5255
5256 No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her
5257 acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. "Oh, my dear,
5258 dear aunt," she rapturously cried, "what delight! what felicity! You
5259 give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What
5260 are young men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what hours of transport
5261 we shall spend! And when we _do_ return, it shall not be like other
5262 travellers, without being able to give one accurate idea of anything. We
5263 _will_ know where we have gone--we _will_ recollect what we have seen.
5264 Lakes, mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our
5265 imaginations; nor when we attempt to describe any particular scene,
5266 will we begin quarreling about its relative situation. Let _our_
5267 first effusions be less insupportable than those of the generality of
5268 travellers."
5269
5270
5271
5272 Chapter 28
5273
5274
5275 Every object in the next day's journey was new and interesting to
5276 Elizabeth; and her spirits were in a state of enjoyment; for she had
5277 seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health,
5278 and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant source of delight.
5279
5280 When they left the high road for the lane to Hunsford, every eye was in
5281 search of the Parsonage, and every turning expected to bring it in view.
5282 The palings of Rosings Park was their boundary on one side. Elizabeth
5283 smiled at the recollection of all that she had heard of its inhabitants.
5284
5285 At length the Parsonage was discernible. The garden sloping to the
5286 road, the house standing in it, the green pales, and the laurel hedge,
5287 everything declared they were arriving. Mr. Collins and Charlotte
5288 appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at the small gate which
5289 led by a short gravel walk to the house, amidst the nods and smiles of
5290 the whole party. In a moment they were all out of the chaise, rejoicing
5291 at the sight of each other. Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the
5292 liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with
5293 coming when she found herself so affectionately received. She saw
5294 instantly that her cousin's manners were not altered by his marriage;
5295 his formal civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some
5296 minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his inquiries after all her
5297 family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the
5298 neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as soon as they
5299 were in the parlour, he welcomed them a second time, with ostentatious
5300 formality to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife's
5301 offers of refreshment.
5302
5303 Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not help
5304 in fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the room, its
5305 aspect and its furniture, he addressed himself particularly to her,
5306 as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. But
5307 though everything seemed neat and comfortable, she was not able to
5308 gratify him by any sigh of repentance, and rather looked with wonder at
5309 her friend that she could have so cheerful an air with such a companion.
5310 When Mr. Collins said anything of which his wife might reasonably be
5311 ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, she involuntarily turned her
5312 eye on Charlotte. Once or twice she could discern a faint blush; but
5313 in general Charlotte wisely did not hear. After sitting long enough to
5314 admire every article of furniture in the room, from the sideboard to
5315 the fender, to give an account of their journey, and of all that had
5316 happened in London, Mr. Collins invited them to take a stroll in the
5317 garden, which was large and well laid out, and to the cultivation of
5318 which he attended himself. To work in this garden was one of his most
5319 respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth admired the command of countenance
5320 with which Charlotte talked of the healthfulness of the exercise, and
5321 owned she encouraged it as much as possible. Here, leading the way
5322 through every walk and cross walk, and scarcely allowing them an
5323 interval to utter the praises he asked for, every view was pointed out
5324 with a minuteness which left beauty entirely behind. He could number the
5325 fields in every direction, and could tell how many trees there were in
5326 the most distant clump. But of all the views which his garden, or which
5327 the country or kingdom could boast, none were to be compared with the
5328 prospect of Rosings, afforded by an opening in the trees that bordered
5329 the park nearly opposite the front of his house. It was a handsome
5330 modern building, well situated on rising ground.
5331
5332 From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them round his two meadows;
5333 but the ladies, not having shoes to encounter the remains of a white
5334 frost, turned back; and while Sir William accompanied him, Charlotte
5335 took her sister and friend over the house, extremely well pleased,
5336 probably, to have the opportunity of showing it without her husband's
5337 help. It was rather small, but well built and convenient; and everything
5338 was fitted up and arranged with a neatness and consistency of which
5339 Elizabeth gave Charlotte all the credit. When Mr. Collins could be
5340 forgotten, there was really an air of great comfort throughout, and by
5341 Charlotte's evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often
5342 forgotten.
5343
5344 She had already learnt that Lady Catherine was still in the country. It
5345 was spoken of again while they were at dinner, when Mr. Collins joining
5346 in, observed:
5347
5348 "Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing Lady Catherine
5349 de Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church, and I need not say you will
5350 be delighted with her. She is all affability and condescension, and I
5351 doubt not but you will be honoured with some portion of her notice
5352 when service is over. I have scarcely any hesitation in saying she
5353 will include you and my sister Maria in every invitation with which she
5354 honours us during your stay here. Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte is
5355 charming. We dine at Rosings twice every week, and are never allowed
5356 to walk home. Her ladyship's carriage is regularly ordered for us. I
5357 _should_ say, one of her ladyship's carriages, for she has several."
5358
5359 "Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed," added
5360 Charlotte, "and a most attentive neighbour."
5361
5362 "Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of
5363 woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference."
5364
5365 The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news,
5366 and telling again what had already been written; and when it closed,
5367 Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon
5368 Charlotte's degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding,
5369 and composure in bearing with, her husband, and to acknowledge that it
5370 was all done very well. She had also to anticipate how her visit
5371 would pass, the quiet tenor of their usual employments, the vexatious
5372 interruptions of Mr. Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with
5373 Rosings. A lively imagination soon settled it all.
5374
5375 About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting ready
5376 for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole house in
5377 confusion; and, after listening a moment, she heard somebody running
5378 up stairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her. She opened
5379 the door and met Maria in the landing place, who, breathless with
5380 agitation, cried out--
5381
5382 "Oh, my dear Eliza! pray make haste and come into the dining-room, for
5383 there is such a sight to be seen! I will not tell you what it is. Make
5384 haste, and come down this moment."
5385
5386 Elizabeth asked questions in vain; Maria would tell her nothing more,
5387 and down they ran into the dining-room, which fronted the lane, in
5388 quest of this wonder; It was two ladies stopping in a low phaeton at the
5389 garden gate.
5390
5391 "And is this all?" cried Elizabeth. "I expected at least that the pigs
5392 were got into the garden, and here is nothing but Lady Catherine and her
5393 daughter."
5394
5395 "La! my dear," said Maria, quite shocked at the mistake, "it is not
5396 Lady Catherine. The old lady is Mrs. Jenkinson, who lives with them;
5397 the other is Miss de Bourgh. Only look at her. She is quite a little
5398 creature. Who would have thought that she could be so thin and small?"
5399
5400 "She is abominably rude to keep Charlotte out of doors in all this wind.
5401 Why does she not come in?"
5402
5403 "Oh, Charlotte says she hardly ever does. It is the greatest of favours
5404 when Miss de Bourgh comes in."
5405
5406 "I like her appearance," said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. "She
5407 looks sickly and cross. Yes, she will do for him very well. She will
5408 make him a very proper wife."
5409
5410 Mr. Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the gate in conversation
5411 with the ladies; and Sir William, to Elizabeth's high diversion, was
5412 stationed in the doorway, in earnest contemplation of the greatness
5413 before him, and constantly bowing whenever Miss de Bourgh looked that
5414 way.
5415
5416 At length there was nothing more to be said; the ladies drove on, and
5417 the others returned into the house. Mr. Collins no sooner saw the two
5418 girls than he began to congratulate them on their good fortune, which
5419 Charlotte explained by letting them know that the whole party was asked
5420 to dine at Rosings the next day.
5421
5422
5423
5424 Chapter 29
5425
5426
5427 Mr. Collins's triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete.
5428 The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering
5429 visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his
5430 wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity
5431 of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady
5432 Catherine's condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.
5433
5434 "I confess," said he, "that I should not have been at all surprised by
5435 her ladyship's asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at
5436 Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it
5437 would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this? Who
5438 could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there
5439 (an invitation, moreover, including the whole party) so immediately
5440 after your arrival!"
5441
5442 "I am the less surprised at what has happened," replied Sir William,
5443 "from that knowledge of what the manners of the great really are, which
5444 my situation in life has allowed me to acquire. About the court, such
5445 instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon."
5446
5447 Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning but their
5448 visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing them in what
5449 they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and
5450 so splendid a dinner, might not wholly overpower them.
5451
5452 When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to Elizabeth--
5453
5454 "Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady
5455 Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which
5456 becomes herself and her daughter. I would advise you merely to put on
5457 whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest--there is no occasion
5458 for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you
5459 for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank
5460 preserved."
5461
5462 While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their different
5463 doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine very much
5464 objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. Such formidable accounts of
5465 her ladyship, and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria Lucas
5466 who had been little used to company, and she looked forward to her
5467 introduction at Rosings with as much apprehension as her father had done
5468 to his presentation at St. James's.
5469
5470 As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a
5471 mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and
5472 Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though she could not be in such
5473 raptures as Mr. Collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but
5474 slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in front of the
5475 house, and his relation of what the glazing altogether had originally
5476 cost Sir Lewis de Bourgh.
5477
5478 When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria's alarm was every
5479 moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look perfectly calm.
5480 Elizabeth's courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing of Lady
5481 Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or
5482 miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money or rank she thought
5483 she could witness without trepidation.
5484
5485 From the entrance-hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a
5486 rapturous air, the fine proportion and the finished ornaments, they
5487 followed the servants through an ante-chamber, to the room where Lady
5488 Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were sitting. Her ladyship,
5489 with great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs. Collins had
5490 settled it with her husband that the office of introduction should
5491 be hers, it was performed in a proper manner, without any of those
5492 apologies and thanks which he would have thought necessary.
5493
5494 In spite of having been at St. James's, Sir William was so completely
5495 awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage
5496 enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat without saying a word;
5497 and his daughter, frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge
5498 of her chair, not knowing which way to look. Elizabeth found herself
5499 quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three ladies before her
5500 composedly. Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked
5501 features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not
5502 conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her
5503 visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by
5504 silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone,
5505 as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham immediately to
5506 Elizabeth's mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she
5507 believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he represented.
5508
5509 When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and deportment
5510 she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy, she turned her eyes on the
5511 daughter, she could almost have joined in Maria's astonishment at her
5512 being so thin and so small. There was neither in figure nor face any
5513 likeness between the ladies. Miss de Bourgh was pale and sickly; her
5514 features, though not plain, were insignificant; and she spoke very
5515 little, except in a low voice, to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance
5516 there was nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening
5517 to what she said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before
5518 her eyes.
5519
5520 After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the windows to
5521 admire the view, Mr. Collins attending them to point out its beauties,
5522 and Lady Catherine kindly informing them that it was much better worth
5523 looking at in the summer.
5524
5525 The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants and
5526 all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had promised; and, as he had
5527 likewise foretold, he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her
5528 ladyship's desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish
5529 nothing greater. He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted
5530 alacrity; and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir
5531 William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law
5532 said, in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear.
5533 But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and
5534 gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved
5535 a novelty to them. The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth
5536 was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated
5537 between Charlotte and Miss de Bourgh--the former of whom was engaged in
5538 listening to Lady Catherine, and the latter said not a word to her all
5539 dinner-time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little
5540 Miss de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing
5541 she was indisposed. Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the
5542 gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire.
5543
5544 When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to
5545 be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without any
5546 intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every
5547 subject in so decisive a manner, as proved that she was not used to
5548 have her judgement controverted. She inquired into Charlotte's domestic
5549 concerns familiarly and minutely, gave her a great deal of advice as
5550 to the management of them all; told her how everything ought to be
5551 regulated in so small a family as hers, and instructed her as to the
5552 care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was
5553 beneath this great lady's attention, which could furnish her with an
5554 occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse
5555 with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and
5556 Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections she knew
5557 the least, and who she observed to Mrs. Collins was a very genteel,
5558 pretty kind of girl. She asked her, at different times, how many sisters
5559 she had, whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of
5560 them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they
5561 had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been
5562 her mother's maiden name? Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of
5563 her questions but answered them very composedly. Lady Catherine then
5564 observed,
5565
5566 "Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For your
5567 sake," turning to Charlotte, "I am glad of it; but otherwise I see no
5568 occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was not thought
5569 necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. Do you play and sing, Miss
5570 Bennet?"
5571
5572 "A little."
5573
5574 "Oh! then--some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our
5575 instrument is a capital one, probably superior to----You shall try it
5576 some day. Do your sisters play and sing?"
5577
5578 "One of them does."
5579
5580 "Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The Miss
5581 Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as yours. Do
5582 you draw?"
5583
5584 "No, not at all."
5585
5586 "What, none of you?"
5587
5588 "Not one."
5589
5590 "That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother
5591 should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters."
5592
5593 "My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London."
5594
5595 "Has your governess left you?"
5596
5597 "We never had any governess."
5598
5599 "No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home
5600 without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must
5601 have been quite a slave to your education."
5602
5603 Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured her that had not been
5604 the case.
5605
5606 "Then, who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess, you
5607 must have been neglected."
5608
5609 "Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as
5610 wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to
5611 read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be
5612 idle, certainly might."
5613
5614 "Aye, no doubt; but that is what a governess will prevent, and if I had
5615 known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage
5616 one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady
5617 and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is
5618 wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that
5619 way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces
5620 of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and
5621 it was but the other day that I recommended another young person,
5622 who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite
5623 delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalf's
5624 calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. 'Lady
5625 Catherine,' said she, 'you have given me a treasure.' Are any of your
5626 younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?"
5627
5628 "Yes, ma'am, all."
5629
5630 "All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second. The
5631 younger ones out before the elder ones are married! Your younger sisters
5632 must be very young?"
5633
5634 "Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps _she_ is full young to be
5635 much in company. But really, ma'am, I think it would be very hard upon
5636 younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and
5637 amusement, because the elder may not have the means or inclination to
5638 marry early. The last-born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth
5639 as the first. And to be kept back on _such_ a motive! I think it would
5640 not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind."
5641
5642 "Upon my word," said her ladyship, "you give your opinion very decidedly
5643 for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?"
5644
5645 "With three younger sisters grown up," replied Elizabeth, smiling, "your
5646 ladyship can hardly expect me to own it."
5647
5648 Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer;
5649 and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever
5650 dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence.
5651
5652 "You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, therefore you need not
5653 conceal your age."
5654
5655 "I am not one-and-twenty."
5656
5657 When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over, the card-tables
5658 were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat
5659 down to quadrille; and as Miss de Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the
5660 two girls had the honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her
5661 party. Their table was superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was
5662 uttered that did not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson
5663 expressed her fears of Miss de Bourgh's being too hot or too cold, or
5664 having too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the
5665 other table. Lady Catherine was generally speaking--stating the mistakes
5666 of the three others, or relating some anecdote of herself. Mr. Collins
5667 was employed in agreeing to everything her ladyship said, thanking her
5668 for every fish he won, and apologising if he thought he won too many.
5669 Sir William did not say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes
5670 and noble names.
5671
5672 When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they chose,
5673 the tables were broken up, the carriage was offered to Mrs. Collins,
5674 gratefully accepted and immediately ordered. The party then gathered
5675 round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were
5676 to have on the morrow. From these instructions they were summoned by
5677 the arrival of the coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr.
5678 Collins's side and as many bows on Sir William's they departed. As soon
5679 as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her cousin
5680 to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings, which, for
5681 Charlotte's sake, she made more favourable than it really was. But her
5682 commendation, though costing her some trouble, could by no means satisfy
5683 Mr. Collins, and he was very soon obliged to take her ladyship's praise
5684 into his own hands.
5685
5686
5687
5688 Chapter 30
5689
5690
5691 Sir William stayed only a week at Hunsford, but his visit was long
5692 enough to convince him of his daughter's being most comfortably settled,
5693 and of her possessing such a husband and such a neighbour as were not
5694 often met with. While Sir William was with them, Mr. Collins devoted his
5695 morning to driving him out in his gig, and showing him the country; but
5696 when he went away, the whole family returned to their usual employments,
5697 and Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not see more of her
5698 cousin by the alteration, for the chief of the time between breakfast
5699 and dinner was now passed by him either at work in the garden or in
5700 reading and writing, and looking out of the window in his own book-room,
5701 which fronted the road. The room in which the ladies sat was backwards.
5702 Elizabeth had at first rather wondered that Charlotte should not prefer
5703 the dining-parlour for common use; it was a better sized room, and had a
5704 more pleasant aspect; but she soon saw that her friend had an excellent
5705 reason for what she did, for Mr. Collins would undoubtedly have been
5706 much less in his own apartment, had they sat in one equally lively; and
5707 she gave Charlotte credit for the arrangement.
5708
5709 From the drawing-room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, and
5710 were indebted to Mr. Collins for the knowledge of what carriages went
5711 along, and how often especially Miss de Bourgh drove by in her phaeton,
5712 which he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened
5713 almost every day. She not unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage, and
5714 had a few minutes' conversation with Charlotte, but was scarcely ever
5715 prevailed upon to get out.
5716
5717 Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins did not walk to Rosings, and
5718 not many in which his wife did not think it necessary to go likewise;
5719 and till Elizabeth recollected that there might be other family livings
5720 to be disposed of, she could not understand the sacrifice of so many
5721 hours. Now and then they were honoured with a call from her ladyship,
5722 and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during
5723 these visits. She examined into their employments, looked at their work,
5724 and advised them to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement
5725 of the furniture; or detected the housemaid in negligence; and if she
5726 accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it only for the sake of finding
5727 out that Mrs. Collins's joints of meat were too large for her family.
5728
5729 Elizabeth soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in
5730 commission of the peace of the county, she was a most active magistrate
5731 in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to her
5732 by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to
5733 be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she sallied forth into the
5734 village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold
5735 them into harmony and plenty.
5736
5737 The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a week;
5738 and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and there being only one
5739 card-table in the evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart
5740 of the first. Their other engagements were few, as the style of living
5741 in the neighbourhood in general was beyond Mr. Collins's reach. This,
5742 however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and upon the whole she spent her time
5743 comfortably enough; there were half-hours of pleasant conversation with
5744 Charlotte, and the weather was so fine for the time of year that she had
5745 often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she
5746 frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was
5747 along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was
5748 a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and
5749 where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine's curiosity.
5750
5751 In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away.
5752 Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an
5753 addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a circle must be
5754 important. Elizabeth had heard soon after her arrival that Mr. Darcy was
5755 expected there in the course of a few weeks, and though there were not
5756 many of her acquaintances whom she did not prefer, his coming would
5757 furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties, and
5758 she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley's designs on him
5759 were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently
5760 destined by Lady Catherine, who talked of his coming with the greatest
5761 satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and
5762 seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by
5763 Miss Lucas and herself.
5764
5765 His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage; for Mr. Collins was walking
5766 the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Hunsford Lane,
5767 in order to have the earliest assurance of it, and after making his
5768 bow as the carriage turned into the Park, hurried home with the great
5769 intelligence. On the following morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his
5770 respects. There were two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them, for
5771 Mr. Darcy had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of
5772 his uncle Lord ----, and, to the great surprise of all the party, when
5773 Mr. Collins returned, the gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte had seen
5774 them from her husband's room, crossing the road, and immediately running
5775 into the other, told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding:
5776
5777 "I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would
5778 never have come so soon to wait upon me."
5779
5780 Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment,
5781 before their approach was announced by the door-bell, and shortly
5782 afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam,
5783 who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and
5784 address most truly the gentleman. Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been
5785 used to look in Hertfordshire--paid his compliments, with his usual
5786 reserve, to Mrs. Collins, and whatever might be his feelings toward her
5787 friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth merely
5788 curtseyed to him without saying a word.
5789
5790 Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the
5791 readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but
5792 his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and
5793 garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody.
5794 At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire of
5795 Elizabeth after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual
5796 way, and after a moment's pause, added:
5797
5798 "My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never
5799 happened to see her there?"
5800
5801 She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she wished to see
5802 whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed between
5803 the Bingleys and Jane, and she thought he looked a little confused as he
5804 answered that he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet. The
5805 subject was pursued no farther, and the gentlemen soon afterwards went
5806 away.
5807
5808
5809
5810 Chapter 31
5811
5812
5813 Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the Parsonage,
5814 and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasures
5815 of their engagements at Rosings. It was some days, however, before they
5816 received any invitation thither--for while there were visitors in the
5817 house, they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day,
5818 almost a week after the gentlemen's arrival, that they were honoured by
5819 such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to
5820 come there in the evening. For the last week they had seen very little
5821 of Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the
5822 Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy they had seen
5823 only at church.
5824
5825 The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper hour they joined
5826 the party in Lady Catherine's drawing-room. Her ladyship received
5827 them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so
5828 acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact,
5829 almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy,
5830 much more than to any other person in the room.
5831
5832 Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; anything was a
5833 welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins's pretty friend had
5834 moreover caught his fancy very much. He now seated himself by her, and
5835 talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying
5836 at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so
5837 well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much
5838 spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself,
5839 as well as of Mr. Darcy. _His_ eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned
5840 towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her ladyship, after a
5841 while, shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, for she did not
5842 scruple to call out:
5843
5844 "What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking
5845 of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is."
5846
5847 "We are speaking of music, madam," said he, when no longer able to avoid
5848 a reply.
5849
5850 "Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I
5851 must have my share in the conversation if you are speaking of music.
5852 There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment
5853 of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt,
5854 I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health
5855 had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed
5856 delightfully. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?"
5857
5858 Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister's proficiency.
5859
5860 "I am very glad to hear such a good account of her," said Lady
5861 Catherine; "and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel
5862 if she does not practice a good deal."
5863
5864 "I assure you, madam," he replied, "that she does not need such advice.
5865 She practises very constantly."
5866
5867 "So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write
5868 to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often
5869 tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without
5870 constant practice. I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she
5871 will never play really well unless she practises more; and though Mrs.
5872 Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told
5873 her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs.
5874 Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part
5875 of the house."
5876
5877 Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding, and made
5878 no answer.
5879
5880 When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having
5881 promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument. He
5882 drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song, and then
5883 talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the latter walked away
5884 from her, and making with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte
5885 stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's
5886 countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first
5887 convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said:
5888
5889 "You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear
5890 me? I will not be alarmed though your sister _does_ play so well. There
5891 is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the
5892 will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate
5893 me."
5894
5895 "I shall not say you are mistaken," he replied, "because you could not
5896 really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have
5897 had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find
5898 great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are
5899 not your own."
5900
5901 Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to
5902 Colonel Fitzwilliam, "Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of
5903 me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky
5904 in meeting with a person so able to expose my real character, in a part
5905 of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of
5906 credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all
5907 that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire--and, give me leave to
5908 say, very impolitic too--for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such
5909 things may come out as will shock your relations to hear."
5910
5911 "I am not afraid of you," said he, smilingly.
5912
5913 "Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of," cried Colonel
5914 Fitzwilliam. "I should like to know how he behaves among strangers."
5915
5916 "You shall hear then--but prepare yourself for something very dreadful.
5917 The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know,
5918 was at a ball--and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced
5919 only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain
5920 knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a
5921 partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact."
5922
5923 "I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly
5924 beyond my own party."
5925
5926 "True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, Colonel
5927 Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders."
5928
5929 "Perhaps," said Darcy, "I should have judged better, had I sought an
5930 introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers."
5931
5932 "Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?" said Elizabeth, still
5933 addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Shall we ask him why a man of sense and
5934 education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend
5935 himself to strangers?"
5936
5937 "I can answer your question," said Fitzwilliam, "without applying to
5938 him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble."
5939
5940 "I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy,
5941 "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot
5942 catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their
5943 concerns, as I often see done."
5944
5945 "My fingers," said Elizabeth, "do not move over this instrument in the
5946 masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same
5947 force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I
5948 have always supposed it to be my own fault--because I will not take the
5949 trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe _my_ fingers as
5950 capable as any other woman's of superior execution."
5951
5952 Darcy smiled and said, "You are perfectly right. You have employed your
5953 time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can
5954 think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers."
5955
5956 Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to know
5957 what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again.
5958 Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said
5959 to Darcy:
5960
5961 "Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and
5962 could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion
5963 of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. Anne would have
5964 been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn."
5965
5966 Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he assented to his
5967 cousin's praise; but neither at that moment nor at any other could she
5968 discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss
5969 de Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley, that he might have
5970 been just as likely to marry _her_, had she been his relation.
5971
5972 Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth's performance, mixing
5973 with them many instructions on execution and taste. Elizabeth received
5974 them with all the forbearance of civility, and, at the request of the
5975 gentlemen, remained at the instrument till her ladyship's carriage was
5976 ready to take them all home.
5977
5978
5979
5980 Chapter 32
5981
5982
5983 Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning, and writing to Jane
5984 while Mrs. Collins and Maria were gone on business into the village,
5985 when she was startled by a ring at the door, the certain signal of a
5986 visitor. As she had heard no carriage, she thought it not unlikely to
5987 be Lady Catherine, and under that apprehension was putting away her
5988 half-finished letter that she might escape all impertinent questions,
5989 when the door opened, and, to her very great surprise, Mr. Darcy, and
5990 Mr. Darcy only, entered the room.
5991
5992 He seemed astonished too on finding her alone, and apologised for his
5993 intrusion by letting her know that he had understood all the ladies were
5994 to be within.
5995
5996 They then sat down, and when her inquiries after Rosings were made,
5997 seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. It was absolutely
5998 necessary, therefore, to think of something, and in this emergence
5999 recollecting _when_ she had seen him last in Hertfordshire, and
6000 feeling curious to know what he would say on the subject of their hasty
6001 departure, she observed:
6002
6003 "How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last November, Mr. Darcy!
6004 It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr. Bingley to see you
6005 all after him so soon; for, if I recollect right, he went but the day
6006 before. He and his sisters were well, I hope, when you left London?"
6007
6008 "Perfectly so, I thank you."
6009
6010 She found that she was to receive no other answer, and, after a short
6011 pause added:
6012
6013 "I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley has not much idea of ever
6014 returning to Netherfield again?"
6015
6016 "I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may spend
6017 very little of his time there in the future. He has many friends, and
6018 is at a time of life when friends and engagements are continually
6019 increasing."
6020
6021 "If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better for
6022 the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely, for then we
6023 might possibly get a settled family there. But, perhaps, Mr. Bingley did
6024 not take the house so much for the convenience of the neighbourhood as
6025 for his own, and we must expect him to keep it or quit it on the same
6026 principle."
6027
6028 "I should not be surprised," said Darcy, "if he were to give it up as
6029 soon as any eligible purchase offers."
6030
6031 Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer of his
6032 friend; and, having nothing else to say, was now determined to leave the
6033 trouble of finding a subject to him.
6034
6035 He took the hint, and soon began with, "This seems a very comfortable
6036 house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal to it when Mr.
6037 Collins first came to Hunsford."
6038
6039 "I believe she did--and I am sure she could not have bestowed her
6040 kindness on a more grateful object."
6041
6042 "Mr. Collins appears to be very fortunate in his choice of a wife."
6043
6044 "Yes, indeed, his friends may well rejoice in his having met with one
6045 of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him, or have made
6046 him happy if they had. My friend has an excellent understanding--though
6047 I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the
6048 wisest thing she ever did. She seems perfectly happy, however, and in a
6049 prudential light it is certainly a very good match for her."
6050
6051 "It must be very agreeable for her to be settled within so easy a
6052 distance of her own family and friends."
6053
6054 "An easy distance, do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles."
6055
6056 "And what is fifty miles of good road? Little more than half a day's
6057 journey. Yes, I call it a _very_ easy distance."
6058
6059 "I should never have considered the distance as one of the _advantages_
6060 of the match," cried Elizabeth. "I should never have said Mrs. Collins
6061 was settled _near_ her family."
6062
6063 "It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire. Anything beyond
6064 the very neighbourhood of Longbourn, I suppose, would appear far."
6065
6066 As he spoke there was a sort of smile which Elizabeth fancied she
6067 understood; he must be supposing her to be thinking of Jane and
6068 Netherfield, and she blushed as she answered:
6069
6070 "I do not mean to say that a woman may not be settled too near her
6071 family. The far and the near must be relative, and depend on many
6072 varying circumstances. Where there is fortune to make the expenses of
6073 travelling unimportant, distance becomes no evil. But that is not the
6074 case _here_. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have a comfortable income, but not
6075 such a one as will allow of frequent journeys--and I am persuaded my
6076 friend would not call herself _near_ her family under less than _half_
6077 the present distance."
6078
6079 Mr. Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said, "_You_ cannot
6080 have a right to such very strong local attachment. _You_ cannot have
6081 been always at Longbourn."
6082
6083 Elizabeth looked surprised. The gentleman experienced some change of
6084 feeling; he drew back his chair, took a newspaper from the table, and
6085 glancing over it, said, in a colder voice:
6086
6087 "Are you pleased with Kent?"
6088
6089 A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued, on either side
6090 calm and concise--and soon put an end to by the entrance of Charlotte
6091 and her sister, just returned from her walk. The tete-a-tete surprised
6092 them. Mr. Darcy related the mistake which had occasioned his intruding
6093 on Miss Bennet, and after sitting a few minutes longer without saying
6094 much to anybody, went away.
6095
6096 "What can be the meaning of this?" said Charlotte, as soon as he was
6097 gone. "My dear, Eliza, he must be in love with you, or he would never
6098 have called us in this familiar way."
6099
6100 But when Elizabeth told of his silence, it did not seem very likely,
6101 even to Charlotte's wishes, to be the case; and after various
6102 conjectures, they could at last only suppose his visit to proceed from
6103 the difficulty of finding anything to do, which was the more probable
6104 from the time of year. All field sports were over. Within doors there
6105 was Lady Catherine, books, and a billiard-table, but gentlemen cannot
6106 always be within doors; and in the nearness of the Parsonage, or the
6107 pleasantness of the walk to it, or of the people who lived in it, the
6108 two cousins found a temptation from this period of walking thither
6109 almost every day. They called at various times of the morning, sometimes
6110 separately, sometimes together, and now and then accompanied by their
6111 aunt. It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam came because he
6112 had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which of course recommended
6113 him still more; and Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in
6114 being with him, as well as by his evident admiration of her, of her
6115 former favourite George Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she saw
6116 there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners,
6117 she believed he might have the best informed mind.
6118
6119 But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the Parsonage, it was more difficult
6120 to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there
6121 ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak,
6122 it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice--a sacrifice
6123 to propriety, not a pleasure to himself. He seldom appeared really
6124 animated. Mrs. Collins knew not what to make of him. Colonel
6125 Fitzwilliam's occasionally laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was
6126 generally different, which her own knowledge of him could not have told
6127 her; and as she would liked to have believed this change the effect
6128 of love, and the object of that love her friend Eliza, she set herself
6129 seriously to work to find it out. She watched him whenever they were at
6130 Rosings, and whenever he came to Hunsford; but without much success. He
6131 certainly looked at her friend a great deal, but the expression of that
6132 look was disputable. It was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often
6133 doubted whether there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it
6134 seemed nothing but absence of mind.
6135
6136 She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of his
6137 being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the idea; and Mrs.
6138 Collins did not think it right to press the subject, from the danger of
6139 raising expectations which might only end in disappointment; for in her
6140 opinion it admitted not of a doubt, that all her friend's dislike would
6141 vanish, if she could suppose him to be in her power.
6142
6143
6144 In her kind schemes for Elizabeth, she sometimes planned her marrying
6145 Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was beyond comparison the most pleasant man; he
6146 certainly admired her, and his situation in life was most eligible; but,
6147 to counterbalance these advantages, Mr. Darcy had considerable patronage
6148 in the church, and his cousin could have none at all.
6149
6150
6151
6152 Chapter 33
6153
6154
6155 More than once did Elizabeth, in her ramble within the park,
6156 unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy. She felt all the perverseness of the
6157 mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought, and, to
6158 prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him at first that
6159 it was a favourite haunt of hers. How it could occur a second time,
6160 therefore, was very odd! Yet it did, and even a third. It seemed like
6161 wilful ill-nature, or a voluntary penance, for on these occasions it was
6162 not merely a few formal inquiries and an awkward pause and then away,
6163 but he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. He
6164 never said a great deal, nor did she give herself the trouble of talking
6165 or of listening much; but it struck her in the course of their third
6166 rencontre that he was asking some odd unconnected questions--about
6167 her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of solitary walks, and her
6168 opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins's happiness; and that in speaking of
6169 Rosings and her not perfectly understanding the house, he seemed to
6170 expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying
6171 _there_ too. His words seemed to imply it. Could he have Colonel
6172 Fitzwilliam in his thoughts? She supposed, if he meant anything, he must
6173 mean an allusion to what might arise in that quarter. It distressed
6174 her a little, and she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the
6175 pales opposite the Parsonage.
6176
6177 She was engaged one day as she walked, in perusing Jane's last letter,
6178 and dwelling on some passages which proved that Jane had not written in
6179 spirits, when, instead of being again surprised by Mr. Darcy, she saw
6180 on looking up that Colonel Fitzwilliam was meeting her. Putting away the
6181 letter immediately and forcing a smile, she said:
6182
6183 "I did not know before that you ever walked this way."
6184
6185 "I have been making the tour of the park," he replied, "as I generally
6186 do every year, and intend to close it with a call at the Parsonage. Are
6187 you going much farther?"
6188
6189 "No, I should have turned in a moment."
6190
6191 And accordingly she did turn, and they walked towards the Parsonage
6192 together.
6193
6194 "Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?" said she.
6195
6196 "Yes--if Darcy does not put it off again. But I am at his disposal. He
6197 arranges the business just as he pleases."
6198
6199 "And if not able to please himself in the arrangement, he has at least
6200 pleasure in the great power of choice. I do not know anybody who seems
6201 more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes than Mr. Darcy."
6202
6203 "He likes to have his own way very well," replied Colonel Fitzwilliam.
6204 "But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of having it
6205 than many others, because he is rich, and many others are poor. I speak
6206 feelingly. A younger son, you know, must be inured to self-denial and
6207 dependence."
6208
6209 "In my opinion, the younger son of an earl can know very little of
6210 either. Now seriously, what have you ever known of self-denial and
6211 dependence? When have you been prevented by want of money from going
6212 wherever you chose, or procuring anything you had a fancy for?"
6213
6214 "These are home questions--and perhaps I cannot say that I have
6215 experienced many hardships of that nature. But in matters of greater
6216 weight, I may suffer from want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where
6217 they like."
6218
6219 "Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often
6220 do."
6221
6222 "Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not many
6223 in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to
6224 money."
6225
6226 "Is this," thought Elizabeth, "meant for me?" and she coloured at the
6227 idea; but, recovering herself, said in a lively tone, "And pray, what
6228 is the usual price of an earl's younger son? Unless the elder brother is
6229 very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds."
6230
6231 He answered her in the same style, and the subject dropped. To interrupt
6232 a silence which might make him fancy her affected with what had passed,
6233 she soon afterwards said:
6234
6235 "I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of
6236 having someone at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry, to secure a
6237 lasting convenience of that kind. But, perhaps, his sister does as well
6238 for the present, and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he
6239 likes with her."
6240
6241 "No," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "that is an advantage which he must
6242 divide with me. I am joined with him in the guardianship of Miss Darcy."
6243
6244 "Are you indeed? And pray what sort of guardians do you make? Does your
6245 charge give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age are sometimes a
6246 little difficult to manage, and if she has the true Darcy spirit, she
6247 may like to have her own way."
6248
6249 As she spoke she observed him looking at her earnestly; and the manner
6250 in which he immediately asked her why she supposed Miss Darcy likely to
6251 give them any uneasiness, convinced her that she had somehow or other
6252 got pretty near the truth. She directly replied:
6253
6254 "You need not be frightened. I never heard any harm of her; and I dare
6255 say she is one of the most tractable creatures in the world. She is a
6256 very great favourite with some ladies of my acquaintance, Mrs. Hurst and
6257 Miss Bingley. I think I have heard you say that you know them."
6258
6259 "I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant gentlemanlike man--he
6260 is a great friend of Darcy's."
6261
6262 "Oh! yes," said Elizabeth drily; "Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr.
6263 Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him."
6264
6265 "Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy _does_ take care of him in
6266 those points where he most wants care. From something that he told me in
6267 our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to
6268 him. But I ought to beg his pardon, for I have no right to suppose that
6269 Bingley was the person meant. It was all conjecture."
6270
6271 "What is it you mean?"
6272
6273 "It is a circumstance which Darcy could not wish to be generally known,
6274 because if it were to get round to the lady's family, it would be an
6275 unpleasant thing."
6276
6277 "You may depend upon my not mentioning it."
6278
6279 "And remember that I have not much reason for supposing it to be
6280 Bingley. What he told me was merely this: that he congratulated himself
6281 on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most
6282 imprudent marriage, but without mentioning names or any other
6283 particulars, and I only suspected it to be Bingley from believing
6284 him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of that sort, and from
6285 knowing them to have been together the whole of last summer."
6286
6287 "Did Mr. Darcy give you reasons for this interference?"
6288
6289 "I understood that there were some very strong objections against the
6290 lady."
6291
6292 "And what arts did he use to separate them?"
6293
6294 "He did not talk to me of his own arts," said Fitzwilliam, smiling. "He
6295 only told me what I have now told you."
6296
6297 Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with
6298 indignation. After watching her a little, Fitzwilliam asked her why she
6299 was so thoughtful.
6300
6301 "I am thinking of what you have been telling me," said she. "Your
6302 cousin's conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the judge?"
6303
6304 "You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?"
6305
6306 "I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his
6307 friend's inclination, or why, upon his own judgement alone, he was to
6308 determine and direct in what manner his friend was to be happy.
6309 But," she continued, recollecting herself, "as we know none of the
6310 particulars, it is not fair to condemn him. It is not to be supposed
6311 that there was much affection in the case."
6312
6313 "That is not an unnatural surmise," said Fitzwilliam, "but it is a
6314 lessening of the honour of my cousin's triumph very sadly."
6315
6316 This was spoken jestingly; but it appeared to her so just a picture
6317 of Mr. Darcy, that she would not trust herself with an answer, and
6318 therefore, abruptly changing the conversation talked on indifferent
6319 matters until they reached the Parsonage. There, shut into her own room,
6320 as soon as their visitor left them, she could think without interruption
6321 of all that she had heard. It was not to be supposed that any other
6322 people could be meant than those with whom she was connected. There
6323 could not exist in the world _two_ men over whom Mr. Darcy could have
6324 such boundless influence. That he had been concerned in the measures
6325 taken to separate Bingley and Jane she had never doubted; but she had
6326 always attributed to Miss Bingley the principal design and arrangement
6327 of them. If his own vanity, however, did not mislead him, _he_ was
6328 the cause, his pride and caprice were the cause, of all that Jane had
6329 suffered, and still continued to suffer. He had ruined for a while
6330 every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the
6331 world; and no one could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted.
6332
6333 "There were some very strong objections against the lady," were Colonel
6334 Fitzwilliam's words; and those strong objections probably were, her
6335 having one uncle who was a country attorney, and another who was in
6336 business in London.
6337
6338 "To Jane herself," she exclaimed, "there could be no possibility of
6339 objection; all loveliness and goodness as she is!--her understanding
6340 excellent, her mind improved, and her manners captivating. Neither
6341 could anything be urged against my father, who, though with some
6342 peculiarities, has abilities Mr. Darcy himself need not disdain, and
6343 respectability which he will probably never reach." When she thought of
6344 her mother, her confidence gave way a little; but she would not allow
6345 that any objections _there_ had material weight with Mr. Darcy, whose
6346 pride, she was convinced, would receive a deeper wound from the want of
6347 importance in his friend's connections, than from their want of sense;
6348 and she was quite decided, at last, that he had been partly governed
6349 by this worst kind of pride, and partly by the wish of retaining Mr.
6350 Bingley for his sister.
6351
6352 The agitation and tears which the subject occasioned, brought on a
6353 headache; and it grew so much worse towards the evening, that, added to
6354 her unwillingness to see Mr. Darcy, it determined her not to attend her
6355 cousins to Rosings, where they were engaged to drink tea. Mrs. Collins,
6356 seeing that she was really unwell, did not press her to go and as much
6357 as possible prevented her husband from pressing her; but Mr. Collins
6358 could not conceal his apprehension of Lady Catherine's being rather
6359 displeased by her staying at home.
6360
6361
6362
6363 Chapter 34
6364
6365
6366 When they were gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate herself
6367 as much as possible against Mr. Darcy, chose for her employment the
6368 examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her since her
6369 being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any
6370 revival of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering.
6371 But in all, and in almost every line of each, there was a want of that
6372 cheerfulness which had been used to characterise her style, and which,
6373 proceeding from the serenity of a mind at ease with itself and kindly
6374 disposed towards everyone, had been scarcely ever clouded. Elizabeth
6375 noticed every sentence conveying the idea of uneasiness, with an
6376 attention which it had hardly received on the first perusal. Mr. Darcy's
6377 shameful boast of what misery he had been able to inflict, gave her
6378 a keener sense of her sister's sufferings. It was some consolation
6379 to think that his visit to Rosings was to end on the day after the
6380 next--and, a still greater, that in less than a fortnight she should
6381 herself be with Jane again, and enabled to contribute to the recovery of
6382 her spirits, by all that affection could do.
6383
6384 She could not think of Darcy's leaving Kent without remembering that
6385 his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it clear
6386 that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, she did not
6387 mean to be unhappy about him.
6388
6389 While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the
6390 door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its
6391 being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in
6392 the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her.
6393 But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits were very differently
6394 affected, when, to her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the
6395 room. In an hurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after her
6396 health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better.
6397 She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and
6398 then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but
6399 said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her
6400 in an agitated manner, and thus began:
6401
6402 "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be
6403 repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love
6404 you."
6405
6406 Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured,
6407 doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement;
6408 and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her,
6409 immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides
6410 those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the
6411 subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority--of
6412 its being a degradation--of the family obstacles which had always
6413 opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to
6414 the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his
6415 suit.
6416
6417 In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to
6418 the compliment of such a man's affection, and though her intentions did
6419 not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to
6420 receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she
6421 lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to
6422 answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with
6423 representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite
6424 of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with
6425 expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of
6426 his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt
6427 of a favourable answer. He _spoke_ of apprehension and anxiety, but
6428 his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could
6429 only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her
6430 cheeks, and she said:
6431
6432 "In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to
6433 express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however
6434 unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should
6435 be felt, and if I could _feel_ gratitude, I would now thank you. But I
6436 cannot--I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly
6437 bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to
6438 anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be
6439 of short duration. The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented
6440 the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty in
6441 overcoming it after this explanation."
6442
6443 Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed
6444 on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than
6445 surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance
6446 of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the
6447 appearance of composure, and would not open his lips till he believed
6448 himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth's feelings
6449 dreadful. At length, with a voice of forced calmness, he said:
6450
6451 "And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting!
6452 I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little _endeavour_ at
6453 civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance."
6454
6455 "I might as well inquire," replied she, "why with so evident a desire
6456 of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me
6457 against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?
6458 Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I _was_ uncivil? But I have
6459 other provocations. You know I have. Had not my feelings decided against
6460 you--had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you
6461 think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has
6462 been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most
6463 beloved sister?"
6464
6465 As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy changed colour; but the emotion
6466 was short, and he listened without attempting to interrupt her while she
6467 continued:
6468
6469 "I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can
6470 excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted _there_. You dare not,
6471 you cannot deny, that you have been the principal, if not the only means
6472 of dividing them from each other--of exposing one to the censure of the
6473 world for caprice and instability, and the other to its derision for
6474 disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest
6475 kind."
6476
6477 She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that he was listening
6478 with an air which proved him wholly unmoved by any feeling of remorse.
6479 He even looked at her with a smile of affected incredulity.
6480
6481 "Can you deny that you have done it?" she repeated.
6482
6483 With assumed tranquillity he then replied: "I have no wish of denying
6484 that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your
6485 sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards _him_ I have been
6486 kinder than towards myself."
6487
6488 Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil reflection,
6489 but its meaning did not escape, nor was it likely to conciliate her.
6490
6491 "But it is not merely this affair," she continued, "on which my dislike
6492 is founded. Long before it had taken place my opinion of you was
6493 decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received
6494 many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to
6495 say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you here defend yourself?
6496 or under what misrepresentation can you here impose upon others?"
6497
6498 "You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns," said Darcy,
6499 in a less tranquil tone, and with a heightened colour.
6500
6501 "Who that knows what his misfortunes have been, can help feeling an
6502 interest in him?"
6503
6504 "His misfortunes!" repeated Darcy contemptuously; "yes, his misfortunes
6505 have been great indeed."
6506
6507 "And of your infliction," cried Elizabeth with energy. "You have reduced
6508 him to his present state of poverty--comparative poverty. You have
6509 withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for
6510 him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence
6511 which was no less his due than his desert. You have done all this!
6512 and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortune with contempt and
6513 ridicule."
6514
6515 "And this," cried Darcy, as he walked with quick steps across the room,
6516 "is your opinion of me! This is the estimation in which you hold me!
6517 I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, according to this
6518 calculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps," added he, stopping in
6519 his walk, and turning towards her, "these offenses might have been
6520 overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of the
6521 scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. These
6522 bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I, with greater
6523 policy, concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of
6524 my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; by reason, by
6525 reflection, by everything. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence.
6526 Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and
6527 just. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your
6528 connections?--to congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose
6529 condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?"
6530
6531 Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she tried to
6532 the utmost to speak with composure when she said:
6533
6534 "You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your
6535 declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern
6536 which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more
6537 gentlemanlike manner."
6538
6539 She saw him start at this, but he said nothing, and she continued:
6540
6541 "You could not have made the offer of your hand in any possible way that
6542 would have tempted me to accept it."
6543
6544 Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an
6545 expression of mingled incredulity and mortification. She went on:
6546
6547 "From the very beginning--from the first moment, I may almost say--of
6548 my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest
6549 belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of
6550 the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of
6551 disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a
6552 dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the
6553 last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."
6554
6555 "You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your
6556 feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been.
6557 Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best
6558 wishes for your health and happiness."
6559
6560 And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth heard him
6561 the next moment open the front door and quit the house.
6562
6563 The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great. She knew not how
6564 to support herself, and from actual weakness sat down and cried for
6565 half-an-hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed,
6566 was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of
6567 marriage from Mr. Darcy! That he should have been in love with her for
6568 so many months! So much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of
6569 all the objections which had made him prevent his friend's marrying
6570 her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his
6571 own case--was almost incredible! It was gratifying to have inspired
6572 unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable
6573 pride--his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to
6574 Jane--his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could
6575 not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr.
6576 Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon
6577 overcame the pity which the consideration of his attachment had for
6578 a moment excited. She continued in very agitated reflections till the
6579 sound of Lady Catherine's carriage made her feel how unequal she was to
6580 encounter Charlotte's observation, and hurried her away to her room.
6581
6582
6583
6584 Chapter 35
6585
6586
6587 Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same thoughts and meditations
6588 which had at length closed her eyes. She could not yet recover from the
6589 surprise of what had happened; it was impossible to think of anything
6590 else; and, totally indisposed for employment, she resolved, soon after
6591 breakfast, to indulge herself in air and exercise. She was proceeding
6592 directly to her favourite walk, when the recollection of Mr. Darcy's
6593 sometimes coming there stopped her, and instead of entering the park,
6594 she turned up the lane, which led farther from the turnpike-road. The
6595 park paling was still the boundary on one side, and she soon passed one
6596 of the gates into the ground.
6597
6598 After walking two or three times along that part of the lane, she was
6599 tempted, by the pleasantness of the morning, to stop at the gates and
6600 look into the park. The five weeks which she had now passed in Kent had
6601 made a great difference in the country, and every day was adding to the
6602 verdure of the early trees. She was on the point of continuing her walk,
6603 when she caught a glimpse of a gentleman within the sort of grove which
6604 edged the park; he was moving that way; and, fearful of its being Mr.
6605 Darcy, she was directly retreating. But the person who advanced was now
6606 near enough to see her, and stepping forward with eagerness, pronounced
6607 her name. She had turned away; but on hearing herself called, though
6608 in a voice which proved it to be Mr. Darcy, she moved again towards the
6609 gate. He had by that time reached it also, and, holding out a letter,
6610 which she instinctively took, said, with a look of haughty composure,
6611 "I have been walking in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you.
6612 Will you do me the honour of reading that letter?" And then, with a
6613 slight bow, turned again into the plantation, and was soon out of sight.
6614
6615 With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest curiosity,
6616 Elizabeth opened the letter, and, to her still increasing wonder,
6617 perceived an envelope containing two sheets of letter-paper, written
6618 quite through, in a very close hand. The envelope itself was likewise
6619 full. Pursuing her way along the lane, she then began it. It was dated
6620 from Rosings, at eight o'clock in the morning, and was as follows:--
6621
6622 "Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension
6623 of its containing any repetition of those sentiments or renewal of those
6624 offers which were last night so disgusting to you. I write without any
6625 intention of paining you, or humbling myself, by dwelling on wishes
6626 which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too soon forgotten; and the
6627 effort which the formation and the perusal of this letter must occasion,
6628 should have been spared, had not my character required it to be written
6629 and read. You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand
6630 your attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but I
6631 demand it of your justice.
6632
6633 "Two offenses of a very different nature, and by no means of equal
6634 magnitude, you last night laid to my charge. The first mentioned was,
6635 that, regardless of the sentiments of either, I had detached Mr. Bingley
6636 from your sister, and the other, that I had, in defiance of various
6637 claims, in defiance of honour and humanity, ruined the immediate
6638 prosperity and blasted the prospects of Mr. Wickham. Wilfully and
6639 wantonly to have thrown off the companion of my youth, the acknowledged
6640 favourite of my father, a young man who had scarcely any other
6641 dependence than on our patronage, and who had been brought up to expect
6642 its exertion, would be a depravity, to which the separation of two young
6643 persons, whose affection could be the growth of only a few weeks, could
6644 bear no comparison. But from the severity of that blame which was last
6645 night so liberally bestowed, respecting each circumstance, I shall hope
6646 to be in the future secured, when the following account of my actions
6647 and their motives has been read. If, in the explanation of them, which
6648 is due to myself, I am under the necessity of relating feelings which
6649 may be offensive to yours, I can only say that I am sorry. The necessity
6650 must be obeyed, and further apology would be absurd.
6651
6652 "I had not been long in Hertfordshire, before I saw, in common with
6653 others, that Bingley preferred your elder sister to any other young
6654 woman in the country. But it was not till the evening of the dance
6655 at Netherfield that I had any apprehension of his feeling a serious
6656 attachment. I had often seen him in love before. At that ball, while I
6657 had the honour of dancing with you, I was first made acquainted, by Sir
6658 William Lucas's accidental information, that Bingley's attentions to
6659 your sister had given rise to a general expectation of their marriage.
6660 He spoke of it as a certain event, of which the time alone could
6661 be undecided. From that moment I observed my friend's behaviour
6662 attentively; and I could then perceive that his partiality for Miss
6663 Bennet was beyond what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I also
6664 watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever,
6665 but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I remained convinced
6666 from the evening's scrutiny, that though she received his attentions
6667 with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of
6668 sentiment. If _you_ have not been mistaken here, _I_ must have been
6669 in error. Your superior knowledge of your sister must make the latter
6670 probable. If it be so, if I have been misled by such error to inflict
6671 pain on her, your resentment has not been unreasonable. But I shall not
6672 scruple to assert, that the serenity of your sister's countenance and
6673 air was such as might have given the most acute observer a conviction
6674 that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be
6675 easily touched. That I was desirous of believing her indifferent is
6676 certain--but I will venture to say that my investigation and decisions
6677 are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears. I did not believe
6678 her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed it on impartial
6679 conviction, as truly as I wished it in reason. My objections to the
6680 marriage were not merely those which I last night acknowledged to have
6681 the utmost force of passion to put aside, in my own case; the want of
6682 connection could not be so great an evil to my friend as to me. But
6683 there were other causes of repugnance; causes which, though still
6684 existing, and existing to an equal degree in both instances, I had
6685 myself endeavoured to forget, because they were not immediately before
6686 me. These causes must be stated, though briefly. The situation of your
6687 mother's family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison to that
6688 total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by
6689 herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your
6690 father. Pardon me. It pains me to offend you. But amidst your concern
6691 for the defects of your nearest relations, and your displeasure at this
6692 representation of them, let it give you consolation to consider that, to
6693 have conducted yourselves so as to avoid any share of the like censure,
6694 is praise no less generally bestowed on you and your elder sister, than
6695 it is honourable to the sense and disposition of both. I will only say
6696 farther that from what passed that evening, my opinion of all parties
6697 was confirmed, and every inducement heightened which could have led
6698 me before, to preserve my friend from what I esteemed a most unhappy
6699 connection. He left Netherfield for London, on the day following, as
6700 you, I am certain, remember, with the design of soon returning.
6701
6702 "The part which I acted is now to be explained. His sisters' uneasiness
6703 had been equally excited with my own; our coincidence of feeling was
6704 soon discovered, and, alike sensible that no time was to be lost in
6705 detaching their brother, we shortly resolved on joining him directly in
6706 London. We accordingly went--and there I readily engaged in the office
6707 of pointing out to my friend the certain evils of such a choice. I
6708 described, and enforced them earnestly. But, however this remonstrance
6709 might have staggered or delayed his determination, I do not suppose
6710 that it would ultimately have prevented the marriage, had it not been
6711 seconded by the assurance that I hesitated not in giving, of your
6712 sister's indifference. He had before believed her to return his
6713 affection with sincere, if not with equal regard. But Bingley has great
6714 natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his
6715 own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived himself, was
6716 no very difficult point. To persuade him against returning into
6717 Hertfordshire, when that conviction had been given, was scarcely the
6718 work of a moment. I cannot blame myself for having done thus much. There
6719 is but one part of my conduct in the whole affair on which I do not
6720 reflect with satisfaction; it is that I condescended to adopt the
6721 measures of art so far as to conceal from him your sister's being in
6722 town. I knew it myself, as it was known to Miss Bingley; but her
6723 brother is even yet ignorant of it. That they might have met without
6724 ill consequence is perhaps probable; but his regard did not appear to me
6725 enough extinguished for him to see her without some danger. Perhaps this
6726 concealment, this disguise was beneath me; it is done, however, and it
6727 was done for the best. On this subject I have nothing more to say, no
6728 other apology to offer. If I have wounded your sister's feelings, it
6729 was unknowingly done and though the motives which governed me may to
6730 you very naturally appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn
6731 them.
6732
6733 "With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of having injured
6734 Mr. Wickham, I can only refute it by laying before you the whole of his
6735 connection with my family. Of what he has _particularly_ accused me I
6736 am ignorant; but of the truth of what I shall relate, I can summon more
6737 than one witness of undoubted veracity.
6738
6739 "Mr. Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for many
6740 years the management of all the Pemberley estates, and whose good
6741 conduct in the discharge of his trust naturally inclined my father to
6742 be of service to him; and on George Wickham, who was his godson, his
6743 kindness was therefore liberally bestowed. My father supported him at
6744 school, and afterwards at Cambridge--most important assistance, as his
6745 own father, always poor from the extravagance of his wife, would have
6746 been unable to give him a gentleman's education. My father was not only
6747 fond of this young man's society, whose manners were always engaging; he
6748 had also the highest opinion of him, and hoping the church would be
6749 his profession, intended to provide for him in it. As for myself, it is
6750 many, many years since I first began to think of him in a very different
6751 manner. The vicious propensities--the want of principle, which he was
6752 careful to guard from the knowledge of his best friend, could not escape
6753 the observation of a young man of nearly the same age with himself,
6754 and who had opportunities of seeing him in unguarded moments, which Mr.
6755 Darcy could not have. Here again I shall give you pain--to what degree
6756 you only can tell. But whatever may be the sentiments which Mr. Wickham
6757 has created, a suspicion of their nature shall not prevent me from
6758 unfolding his real character--it adds even another motive.
6759
6760 "My excellent father died about five years ago; and his attachment to
6761 Mr. Wickham was to the last so steady, that in his will he particularly
6762 recommended it to me, to promote his advancement in the best manner
6763 that his profession might allow--and if he took orders, desired that a
6764 valuable family living might be his as soon as it became vacant. There
6765 was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. His own father did not long
6766 survive mine, and within half a year from these events, Mr. Wickham
6767 wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against taking orders,
6768 he hoped I should not think it unreasonable for him to expect some more
6769 immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the preferment, by which he
6770 could not be benefited. He had some intention, he added, of studying
6771 law, and I must be aware that the interest of one thousand pounds would
6772 be a very insufficient support therein. I rather wished, than believed
6773 him to be sincere; but, at any rate, was perfectly ready to accede to
6774 his proposal. I knew that Mr. Wickham ought not to be a clergyman; the
6775 business was therefore soon settled--he resigned all claim to assistance
6776 in the church, were it possible that he could ever be in a situation to
6777 receive it, and accepted in return three thousand pounds. All connection
6778 between us seemed now dissolved. I thought too ill of him to invite him
6779 to Pemberley, or admit his society in town. In town I believe he chiefly
6780 lived, but his studying the law was a mere pretence, and being now free
6781 from all restraint, his life was a life of idleness and dissipation.
6782 For about three years I heard little of him; but on the decease of the
6783 incumbent of the living which had been designed for him, he applied to
6784 me again by letter for the presentation. His circumstances, he assured
6785 me, and I had no difficulty in believing it, were exceedingly bad. He
6786 had found the law a most unprofitable study, and was now absolutely
6787 resolved on being ordained, if I would present him to the living in
6788 question--of which he trusted there could be little doubt, as he was
6789 well assured that I had no other person to provide for, and I could not
6790 have forgotten my revered father's intentions. You will hardly blame
6791 me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for resisting every
6792 repetition to it. His resentment was in proportion to the distress of
6793 his circumstances--and he was doubtless as violent in his abuse of me
6794 to others as in his reproaches to myself. After this period every
6795 appearance of acquaintance was dropped. How he lived I know not. But
6796 last summer he was again most painfully obtruded on my notice.
6797
6798 "I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself,
6799 and which no obligation less than the present should induce me to unfold
6800 to any human being. Having said thus much, I feel no doubt of your
6801 secrecy. My sister, who is more than ten years my junior, was left to
6802 the guardianship of my mother's nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and myself.
6803 About a year ago, she was taken from school, and an establishment formed
6804 for her in London; and last summer she went with the lady who presided
6805 over it, to Ramsgate; and thither also went Mr. Wickham, undoubtedly by
6806 design; for there proved to have been a prior acquaintance between him
6807 and Mrs. Younge, in whose character we were most unhappily deceived; and
6808 by her connivance and aid, he so far recommended himself to Georgiana,
6809 whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to
6810 her as a child, that she was persuaded to believe herself in love, and
6811 to consent to an elopement. She was then but fifteen, which must be her
6812 excuse; and after stating her imprudence, I am happy to add, that I owed
6813 the knowledge of it to herself. I joined them unexpectedly a day or two
6814 before the intended elopement, and then Georgiana, unable to support the
6815 idea of grieving and offending a brother whom she almost looked up to as
6816 a father, acknowledged the whole to me. You may imagine what I felt and
6817 how I acted. Regard for my sister's credit and feelings prevented
6818 any public exposure; but I wrote to Mr. Wickham, who left the place
6819 immediately, and Mrs. Younge was of course removed from her charge. Mr.
6820 Wickham's chief object was unquestionably my sister's fortune, which
6821 is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of
6822 revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have
6823 been complete indeed.
6824
6825 "This, madam, is a faithful narrative of every event in which we have
6826 been concerned together; and if you do not absolutely reject it as
6827 false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty towards Mr.
6828 Wickham. I know not in what manner, under what form of falsehood he
6829 had imposed on you; but his success is not perhaps to be wondered
6830 at. Ignorant as you previously were of everything concerning either,
6831 detection could not be in your power, and suspicion certainly not in
6832 your inclination.
6833
6834 "You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last night; but
6835 I was not then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to
6836 be revealed. For the truth of everything here related, I can appeal more
6837 particularly to the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who, from our
6838 near relationship and constant intimacy, and, still more, as one of
6839 the executors of my father's will, has been unavoidably acquainted
6840 with every particular of these transactions. If your abhorrence of _me_
6841 should make _my_ assertions valueless, you cannot be prevented by
6842 the same cause from confiding in my cousin; and that there may be
6843 the possibility of consulting him, I shall endeavour to find some
6844 opportunity of putting this letter in your hands in the course of the
6845 morning. I will only add, God bless you.
6846
6847 "FITZWILLIAM DARCY"
6848
6849
6850
6851 Chapter 36
6852
6853
6854 If Elizabeth, when Mr. Darcy gave her the letter, did not expect it to
6855 contain a renewal of his offers, she had formed no expectation at all of
6856 its contents. But such as they were, it may well be supposed how eagerly
6857 she went through them, and what a contrariety of emotion they excited.
6858 Her feelings as she read were scarcely to be defined. With amazement did
6859 she first understand that he believed any apology to be in his power;
6860 and steadfastly was she persuaded, that he could have no explanation
6861 to give, which a just sense of shame would not conceal. With a strong
6862 prejudice against everything he might say, she began his account of what
6863 had happened at Netherfield. She read with an eagerness which hardly
6864 left her power of comprehension, and from impatience of knowing what the
6865 next sentence might bring, was incapable of attending to the sense of
6866 the one before her eyes. His belief of her sister's insensibility she
6867 instantly resolved to be false; and his account of the real, the worst
6868 objections to the match, made her too angry to have any wish of doing
6869 him justice. He expressed no regret for what he had done which satisfied
6870 her; his style was not penitent, but haughty. It was all pride and
6871 insolence.
6872
6873 But when this subject was succeeded by his account of Mr. Wickham--when
6874 she read with somewhat clearer attention a relation of events which,
6875 if true, must overthrow every cherished opinion of his worth, and which
6876 bore so alarming an affinity to his own history of himself--her
6877 feelings were yet more acutely painful and more difficult of definition.
6878 Astonishment, apprehension, and even horror, oppressed her. She wished
6879 to discredit it entirely, repeatedly exclaiming, "This must be false!
6880 This cannot be! This must be the grossest falsehood!"--and when she had
6881 gone through the whole letter, though scarcely knowing anything of the
6882 last page or two, put it hastily away, protesting that she would not
6883 regard it, that she would never look in it again.
6884
6885 In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could rest on
6886 nothing, she walked on; but it would not do; in half a minute the letter
6887 was unfolded again, and collecting herself as well as she could, she
6888 again began the mortifying perusal of all that related to Wickham, and
6889 commanded herself so far as to examine the meaning of every sentence.
6890 The account of his connection with the Pemberley family was exactly what
6891 he had related himself; and the kindness of the late Mr. Darcy, though
6892 she had not before known its extent, agreed equally well with his own
6893 words. So far each recital confirmed the other; but when she came to the
6894 will, the difference was great. What Wickham had said of the living
6895 was fresh in her memory, and as she recalled his very words, it was
6896 impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on one side or the
6897 other; and, for a few moments, she flattered herself that her wishes did
6898 not err. But when she read and re-read with the closest attention, the
6899 particulars immediately following of Wickham's resigning all pretensions
6900 to the living, of his receiving in lieu so considerable a sum as three
6901 thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate. She put down
6902 the letter, weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be
6903 impartiality--deliberated on the probability of each statement--but with
6904 little success. On both sides it was only assertion. Again she read
6905 on; but every line proved more clearly that the affair, which she had
6906 believed it impossible that any contrivance could so represent as to
6907 render Mr. Darcy's conduct in it less than infamous, was capable of a
6908 turn which must make him entirely blameless throughout the whole.
6909
6910 The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to lay at
6911 Mr. Wickham's charge, exceedingly shocked her; the more so, as she could
6912 bring no proof of its injustice. She had never heard of him before his
6913 entrance into the ----shire Militia, in which he had engaged at the
6914 persuasion of the young man who, on meeting him accidentally in town,
6915 had there renewed a slight acquaintance. Of his former way of life
6916 nothing had been known in Hertfordshire but what he told himself. As
6917 to his real character, had information been in her power, she had
6918 never felt a wish of inquiring. His countenance, voice, and manner had
6919 established him at once in the possession of every virtue. She tried
6920 to recollect some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of
6921 integrity or benevolence, that might rescue him from the attacks of
6922 Mr. Darcy; or at least, by the predominance of virtue, atone for those
6923 casual errors under which she would endeavour to class what Mr. Darcy
6924 had described as the idleness and vice of many years' continuance. But
6925 no such recollection befriended her. She could see him instantly before
6926 her, in every charm of air and address; but she could remember no more
6927 substantial good than the general approbation of the neighbourhood, and
6928 the regard which his social powers had gained him in the mess. After
6929 pausing on this point a considerable while, she once more continued to
6930 read. But, alas! the story which followed, of his designs on Miss
6931 Darcy, received some confirmation from what had passed between Colonel
6932 Fitzwilliam and herself only the morning before; and at last she was
6933 referred for the truth of every particular to Colonel Fitzwilliam
6934 himself--from whom she had previously received the information of his
6935 near concern in all his cousin's affairs, and whose character she had no
6936 reason to question. At one time she had almost resolved on applying to
6937 him, but the idea was checked by the awkwardness of the application, and
6938 at length wholly banished by the conviction that Mr. Darcy would never
6939 have hazarded such a proposal, if he had not been well assured of his
6940 cousin's corroboration.
6941
6942 She perfectly remembered everything that had passed in conversation
6943 between Wickham and herself, in their first evening at Mr. Phillips's.
6944 Many of his expressions were still fresh in her memory. She was _now_
6945 struck with the impropriety of such communications to a stranger, and
6946 wondered it had escaped her before. She saw the indelicacy of putting
6947 himself forward as he had done, and the inconsistency of his professions
6948 with his conduct. She remembered that he had boasted of having no fear
6949 of seeing Mr. Darcy--that Mr. Darcy might leave the country, but that
6950 _he_ should stand his ground; yet he had avoided the Netherfield ball
6951 the very next week. She remembered also that, till the Netherfield
6952 family had quitted the country, he had told his story to no one but
6953 herself; but that after their removal it had been everywhere discussed;
6954 that he had then no reserves, no scruples in sinking Mr. Darcy's
6955 character, though he had assured her that respect for the father would
6956 always prevent his exposing the son.
6957
6958 How differently did everything now appear in which he was concerned!
6959 His attentions to Miss King were now the consequence of views solely and
6960 hatefully mercenary; and the mediocrity of her fortune proved no longer
6961 the moderation of his wishes, but his eagerness to grasp at anything.
6962 His behaviour to herself could now have had no tolerable motive; he had
6963 either been deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying
6964 his vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had most
6965 incautiously shown. Every lingering struggle in his favour grew fainter
6966 and fainter; and in farther justification of Mr. Darcy, she could not
6967 but allow that Mr. Bingley, when questioned by Jane, had long ago
6968 asserted his blamelessness in the affair; that proud and repulsive as
6969 were his manners, she had never, in the whole course of their
6970 acquaintance--an acquaintance which had latterly brought them much
6971 together, and given her a sort of intimacy with his ways--seen anything
6972 that betrayed him to be unprincipled or unjust--anything that spoke him
6973 of irreligious or immoral habits; that among his own connections he was
6974 esteemed and valued--that even Wickham had allowed him merit as a
6975 brother, and that she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his
6976 sister as to prove him capable of _some_ amiable feeling; that had his
6977 actions been what Mr. Wickham represented them, so gross a violation of
6978 everything right could hardly have been concealed from the world; and
6979 that friendship between a person capable of it, and such an amiable man
6980 as Mr. Bingley, was incomprehensible.
6981
6982 She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham
6983 could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced,
6984 absurd.
6985
6986 "How despicably I have acted!" she cried; "I, who have prided myself
6987 on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have
6988 often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified
6989 my vanity in useless or blameable mistrust! How humiliating is this
6990 discovery! Yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could
6991 not have been more wretchedly blind! But vanity, not love, has been my
6992 folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect
6993 of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted
6994 prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were
6995 concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself."
6996
6997 From herself to Jane--from Jane to Bingley, her thoughts were in a line
6998 which soon brought to her recollection that Mr. Darcy's explanation
6999 _there_ had appeared very insufficient, and she read it again. Widely
7000 different was the effect of a second perusal. How could she deny that
7001 credit to his assertions in one instance, which she had been obliged to
7002 give in the other? He declared himself to be totally unsuspicious of her
7003 sister's attachment; and she could not help remembering what Charlotte's
7004 opinion had always been. Neither could she deny the justice of his
7005 description of Jane. She felt that Jane's feelings, though fervent, were
7006 little displayed, and that there was a constant complacency in her air
7007 and manner not often united with great sensibility.
7008
7009 When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were
7010 mentioned in terms of such mortifying, yet merited reproach, her sense
7011 of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly
7012 for denial, and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded as
7013 having passed at the Netherfield ball, and as confirming all his first
7014 disapprobation, could not have made a stronger impression on his mind
7015 than on hers.
7016
7017 The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed,
7018 but it could not console her for the contempt which had thus been
7019 self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she considered
7020 that Jane's disappointment had in fact been the work of her nearest
7021 relations, and reflected how materially the credit of both must be hurt
7022 by such impropriety of conduct, she felt depressed beyond anything she
7023 had ever known before.
7024
7025 After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every
7026 variety of thought--re-considering events, determining probabilities,
7027 and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a change so sudden and
7028 so important, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence, made
7029 her at length return home; and she entered the house with the wish
7030 of appearing cheerful as usual, and the resolution of repressing such
7031 reflections as must make her unfit for conversation.
7032
7033 She was immediately told that the two gentlemen from Rosings had each
7034 called during her absence; Mr. Darcy, only for a few minutes, to take
7035 leave--but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been sitting with them at least
7036 an hour, hoping for her return, and almost resolving to walk after her
7037 till she could be found. Elizabeth could but just _affect_ concern
7038 in missing him; she really rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no
7039 longer an object; she could think only of her letter.
7040
7041
7042
7043 Chapter 37
7044
7045
7046 The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning, and Mr. Collins having
7047 been in waiting near the lodges, to make them his parting obeisance, was
7048 able to bring home the pleasing intelligence, of their appearing in very
7049 good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected, after the
7050 melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings. To Rosings he then
7051 hastened, to console Lady Catherine and her daughter; and on his return
7052 brought back, with great satisfaction, a message from her ladyship,
7053 importing that she felt herself so dull as to make her very desirous of
7054 having them all to dine with her.
7055
7056 Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that, had
7057 she chosen it, she might by this time have been presented to her as
7058 her future niece; nor could she think, without a smile, of what her
7059 ladyship's indignation would have been. "What would she have said? how
7060 would she have behaved?" were questions with which she amused herself.
7061
7062 Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party. "I assure
7063 you, I feel it exceedingly," said Lady Catherine; "I believe no one
7064 feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But I am particularly
7065 attached to these young men, and know them to be so much attached to
7066 me! They were excessively sorry to go! But so they always are. The
7067 dear Colonel rallied his spirits tolerably till just at last; but Darcy
7068 seemed to feel it most acutely, more, I think, than last year. His
7069 attachment to Rosings certainly increases."
7070
7071 Mr. Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in here, which
7072 were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter.
7073
7074 Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of
7075 spirits, and immediately accounting for it by herself, by supposing that
7076 she did not like to go home again so soon, she added:
7077
7078 "But if that is the case, you must write to your mother and beg that
7079 you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins will be very glad of your
7080 company, I am sure."
7081
7082 "I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation," replied
7083 Elizabeth, "but it is not in my power to accept it. I must be in town
7084 next Saturday."
7085
7086 "Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I expected
7087 you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins so before you came. There
7088 can be no occasion for your going so soon. Mrs. Bennet could certainly
7089 spare you for another fortnight."
7090
7091 "But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return."
7092
7093 "Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. Daughters
7094 are never of so much consequence to a father. And if you will stay
7095 another _month_ complete, it will be in my power to take one of you as
7096 far as London, for I am going there early in June, for a week; and as
7097 Dawson does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good room
7098 for one of you--and indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I
7099 should not object to taking you both, as you are neither of you large."
7100
7101 "You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our
7102 original plan."
7103
7104 Lady Catherine seemed resigned. "Mrs. Collins, you must send a servant
7105 with them. You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea
7106 of two young women travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper.
7107 You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in
7108 the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly
7109 guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my
7110 niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her
7111 having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of
7112 Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with
7113 propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those
7114 things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I
7115 am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be
7116 discreditable to _you_ to let them go alone."
7117
7118 "My uncle is to send a servant for us."
7119
7120 "Oh! Your uncle! He keeps a man-servant, does he? I am very glad you
7121 have somebody who thinks of these things. Where shall you change horses?
7122 Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at the Bell, you will be
7123 attended to."
7124
7125 Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their journey,
7126 and as she did not answer them all herself, attention was necessary,
7127 which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her; or, with a mind so
7128 occupied, she might have forgotten where she was. Reflection must be
7129 reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it
7130 as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary
7131 walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant
7132 recollections.
7133
7134 Mr. Darcy's letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart. She
7135 studied every sentence; and her feelings towards its writer were at
7136 times widely different. When she remembered the style of his address,
7137 she was still full of indignation; but when she considered how unjustly
7138 she had condemned and upbraided him, her anger was turned against
7139 herself; and his disappointed feelings became the object of compassion.
7140 His attachment excited gratitude, his general character respect; but she
7141 could not approve him; nor could she for a moment repent her refusal,
7142 or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. In her own past
7143 behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in
7144 the unhappy defects of her family, a subject of yet heavier chagrin.
7145 They were hopeless of remedy. Her father, contented with laughing at
7146 them, would never exert himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his
7147 youngest daughters; and her mother, with manners so far from right
7148 herself, was entirely insensible of the evil. Elizabeth had frequently
7149 united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine
7150 and Lydia; but while they were supported by their mother's indulgence,
7151 what chance could there be of improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited,
7152 irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance, had been always
7153 affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, would
7154 scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and vain. While
7155 there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with him; and while
7156 Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there
7157 forever.
7158
7159 Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern; and Mr. Darcy's
7160 explanation, by restoring Bingley to all her former good opinion,
7161 heightened the sense of what Jane had lost. His affection was proved
7162 to have been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame, unless any
7163 could attach to the implicitness of his confidence in his friend. How
7164 grievous then was the thought that, of a situation so desirable in every
7165 respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had
7166 been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!
7167
7168 When to these recollections was added the development of Wickham's
7169 character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had
7170 seldom been depressed before, were now so much affected as to make it
7171 almost impossible for her to appear tolerably cheerful.
7172
7173 Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last week of
7174 her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening was spent
7175 there; and her ladyship again inquired minutely into the particulars of
7176 their journey, gave them directions as to the best method of packing,
7177 and was so urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right
7178 way, that Maria thought herself obliged, on her return, to undo all the
7179 work of the morning, and pack her trunk afresh.
7180
7181 When they parted, Lady Catherine, with great condescension, wished them
7182 a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year;
7183 and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her
7184 hand to both.
7185
7186
7187
7188 Chapter 38
7189
7190
7191 On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few
7192 minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of
7193 paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary.
7194
7195 "I know not, Miss Elizabeth," said he, "whether Mrs. Collins has yet
7196 expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I am very
7197 certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for
7198 it. The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We
7199 know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain
7200 manner of living, our small rooms and few domestics, and the little we
7201 see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like
7202 yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension,
7203 and that we have done everything in our power to prevent your spending
7204 your time unpleasantly."
7205
7206 Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness. She
7207 had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with
7208 Charlotte, and the kind attentions she had received, must make _her_
7209 feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified, and with a more smiling
7210 solemnity replied:
7211
7212 "It gives me great pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not
7213 disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most fortunately
7214 having it in our power to introduce you to very superior society, and,
7215 from our connection with Rosings, the frequent means of varying the
7216 humble home scene, I think we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford
7217 visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to
7218 Lady Catherine's family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage
7219 and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You
7220 see how continually we are engaged there. In truth I must acknowledge
7221 that, with all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I should
7222 not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion, while they are
7223 sharers of our intimacy at Rosings."
7224
7225 Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he was
7226 obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility
7227 and truth in a few short sentences.
7228
7229 "You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into
7230 Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you will
7231 be able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs. Collins you
7232 have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear
7233 that your friend has drawn an unfortunate--but on this point it will be
7234 as well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth,
7235 that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in
7236 marriage. My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of
7237 thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of
7238 character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each
7239 other."
7240
7241 Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where that was
7242 the case, and with equal sincerity could add, that she firmly believed
7243 and rejoiced in his domestic comforts. She was not sorry, however, to
7244 have the recital of them interrupted by the lady from whom they sprang.
7245 Poor Charlotte! it was melancholy to leave her to such society! But she
7246 had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that
7247 her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her
7248 home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their
7249 dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms.
7250
7251 At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels
7252 placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. After an affectionate
7253 parting between the friends, Elizabeth was attended to the carriage by
7254 Mr. Collins, and as they walked down the garden he was commissioning her
7255 with his best respects to all her family, not forgetting his thanks
7256 for the kindness he had received at Longbourn in the winter, and his
7257 compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, though unknown. He then handed her
7258 in, Maria followed, and the door was on the point of being closed,
7259 when he suddenly reminded them, with some consternation, that they had
7260 hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies at Rosings.
7261
7262 "But," he added, "you will of course wish to have your humble respects
7263 delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you
7264 while you have been here."
7265
7266 Elizabeth made no objection; the door was then allowed to be shut, and
7267 the carriage drove off.
7268
7269 "Good gracious!" cried Maria, after a few minutes' silence, "it seems
7270 but a day or two since we first came! and yet how many things have
7271 happened!"
7272
7273 "A great many indeed," said her companion with a sigh.
7274
7275 "We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice!
7276 How much I shall have to tell!"
7277
7278 Elizabeth added privately, "And how much I shall have to conceal!"
7279
7280 Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and
7281 within four hours of their leaving Hunsford they reached Mr. Gardiner's
7282 house, where they were to remain a few days.
7283
7284 Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity of studying her
7285 spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of her
7286 aunt had reserved for them. But Jane was to go home with her, and at
7287 Longbourn there would be leisure enough for observation.
7288
7289 It was not without an effort, meanwhile, that she could wait even for
7290 Longbourn, before she told her sister of Mr. Darcy's proposals. To know
7291 that she had the power of revealing what would so exceedingly astonish
7292 Jane, and must, at the same time, so highly gratify whatever of her own
7293 vanity she had not yet been able to reason away, was such a temptation
7294 to openness as nothing could have conquered but the state of indecision
7295 in which she remained as to the extent of what she should communicate;
7296 and her fear, if she once entered on the subject, of being hurried
7297 into repeating something of Bingley which might only grieve her sister
7298 further.
7299
7300
7301
7302 Chapter 39
7303
7304
7305 It was the second week in May, in which the three young ladies set out
7306 together from Gracechurch Street for the town of ----, in Hertfordshire;
7307 and, as they drew near the appointed inn where Mr. Bennet's carriage
7308 was to meet them, they quickly perceived, in token of the coachman's
7309 punctuality, both Kitty and Lydia looking out of a dining-room up stairs.
7310 These two girls had been above an hour in the place, happily employed
7311 in visiting an opposite milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and
7312 dressing a salad and cucumber.
7313
7314 After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a table set
7315 out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually affords, exclaiming,
7316 "Is not this nice? Is not this an agreeable surprise?"
7317
7318 "And we mean to treat you all," added Lydia, "but you must lend us the
7319 money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there." Then, showing
7320 her purchases--"Look here, I have bought this bonnet. I do not think
7321 it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well buy it as not. I shall
7322 pull it to pieces as soon as I get home, and see if I can make it up any
7323 better."
7324
7325 And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect
7326 unconcern, "Oh! but there were two or three much uglier in the shop; and
7327 when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I
7328 think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it will not much signify what
7329 one wears this summer, after the ----shire have left Meryton, and they
7330 are going in a fortnight."
7331
7332 "Are they indeed!" cried Elizabeth, with the greatest satisfaction.
7333
7334 "They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and I do so want papa to
7335 take us all there for the summer! It would be such a delicious scheme;
7336 and I dare say would hardly cost anything at all. Mamma would like to
7337 go too of all things! Only think what a miserable summer else we shall
7338 have!"
7339
7340 "Yes," thought Elizabeth, "_that_ would be a delightful scheme indeed,
7341 and completely do for us at once. Good Heaven! Brighton, and a whole
7342 campful of soldiers, to us, who have been overset already by one poor
7343 regiment of militia, and the monthly balls of Meryton!"
7344
7345 "Now I have got some news for you," said Lydia, as they sat down at
7346 table. "What do you think? It is excellent news--capital news--and about
7347 a certain person we all like!"
7348
7349 Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter was told he need
7350 not stay. Lydia laughed, and said:
7351
7352 "Aye, that is just like your formality and discretion. You thought the
7353 waiter must not hear, as if he cared! I dare say he often hears worse
7354 things said than I am going to say. But he is an ugly fellow! I am glad
7355 he is gone. I never saw such a long chin in my life. Well, but now for
7356 my news; it is about dear Wickham; too good for the waiter, is it not?
7357 There is no danger of Wickham's marrying Mary King. There's for you! She
7358 is gone down to her uncle at Liverpool: gone to stay. Wickham is safe."
7359
7360 "And Mary King is safe!" added Elizabeth; "safe from a connection
7361 imprudent as to fortune."
7362
7363 "She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him."
7364
7365 "But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side," said Jane.
7366
7367 "I am sure there is not on _his_. I will answer for it, he never cared
7368 three straws about her--who could about such a nasty little freckled
7369 thing?"
7370
7371 Elizabeth was shocked to think that, however incapable of such
7372 coarseness of _expression_ herself, the coarseness of the _sentiment_
7373 was little other than her own breast had harboured and fancied liberal!
7374
7375 As soon as all had ate, and the elder ones paid, the carriage was
7376 ordered; and after some contrivance, the whole party, with all their
7377 boxes, work-bags, and parcels, and the unwelcome addition of Kitty's and
7378 Lydia's purchases, were seated in it.
7379
7380 "How nicely we are all crammed in," cried Lydia. "I am glad I bought my
7381 bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having another bandbox! Well, now
7382 let us be quite comfortable and snug, and talk and laugh all the way
7383 home. And in the first place, let us hear what has happened to you all
7384 since you went away. Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any
7385 flirting? I was in great hopes that one of you would have got a husband
7386 before you came back. Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare.
7387 She is almost three-and-twenty! Lord, how ashamed I should be of not
7388 being married before three-and-twenty! My aunt Phillips wants you so to
7389 get husbands, you can't think. She says Lizzy had better have taken Mr.
7390 Collins; but _I_ do not think there would have been any fun in it. Lord!
7391 how I should like to be married before any of you; and then I would
7392 chaperon you about to all the balls. Dear me! we had such a good piece
7393 of fun the other day at Colonel Forster's. Kitty and me were to spend
7394 the day there, and Mrs. Forster promised to have a little dance in the
7395 evening; (by the bye, Mrs. Forster and me are _such_ friends!) and so
7396 she asked the two Harringtons to come, but Harriet was ill, and so Pen
7397 was forced to come by herself; and then, what do you think we did? We
7398 dressed up Chamberlayne in woman's clothes on purpose to pass for a
7399 lady, only think what fun! Not a soul knew of it, but Colonel and Mrs.
7400 Forster, and Kitty and me, except my aunt, for we were forced to borrow
7401 one of her gowns; and you cannot imagine how well he looked! When Denny,
7402 and Wickham, and Pratt, and two or three more of the men came in, they
7403 did not know him in the least. Lord! how I laughed! and so did Mrs.
7404 Forster. I thought I should have died. And _that_ made the men suspect
7405 something, and then they soon found out what was the matter."
7406
7407 With such kinds of histories of their parties and good jokes, did
7408 Lydia, assisted by Kitty's hints and additions, endeavour to amuse her
7409 companions all the way to Longbourn. Elizabeth listened as little as she
7410 could, but there was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham's name.
7411
7412 Their reception at home was most kind. Mrs. Bennet rejoiced to see Jane
7413 in undiminished beauty; and more than once during dinner did Mr. Bennet
7414 say voluntarily to Elizabeth:
7415
7416 "I am glad you are come back, Lizzy."
7417
7418 Their party in the dining-room was large, for almost all the Lucases
7419 came to meet Maria and hear the news; and various were the subjects that
7420 occupied them: Lady Lucas was inquiring of Maria, after the welfare and
7421 poultry of her eldest daughter; Mrs. Bennet was doubly engaged, on one
7422 hand collecting an account of the present fashions from Jane, who sat
7423 some way below her, and, on the other, retailing them all to the younger
7424 Lucases; and Lydia, in a voice rather louder than any other person's,
7425 was enumerating the various pleasures of the morning to anybody who
7426 would hear her.
7427
7428 "Oh! Mary," said she, "I wish you had gone with us, for we had such fun!
7429 As we went along, Kitty and I drew up the blinds, and pretended there
7430 was nobody in the coach; and I should have gone so all the way, if Kitty
7431 had not been sick; and when we got to the George, I do think we behaved
7432 very handsomely, for we treated the other three with the nicest cold
7433 luncheon in the world, and if you would have gone, we would have treated
7434 you too. And then when we came away it was such fun! I thought we never
7435 should have got into the coach. I was ready to die of laughter. And then
7436 we were so merry all the way home! we talked and laughed so loud, that
7437 anybody might have heard us ten miles off!"
7438
7439 To this Mary very gravely replied, "Far be it from me, my dear sister,
7440 to depreciate such pleasures! They would doubtless be congenial with the
7441 generality of female minds. But I confess they would have no charms for
7442 _me_--I should infinitely prefer a book."
7443
7444 But of this answer Lydia heard not a word. She seldom listened to
7445 anybody for more than half a minute, and never attended to Mary at all.
7446
7447 In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to walk
7448 to Meryton, and to see how everybody went on; but Elizabeth steadily
7449 opposed the scheme. It should not be said that the Miss Bennets could
7450 not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers.
7451 There was another reason too for her opposition. She dreaded seeing Mr.
7452 Wickham again, and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible. The
7453 comfort to _her_ of the regiment's approaching removal was indeed beyond
7454 expression. In a fortnight they were to go--and once gone, she hoped
7455 there could be nothing more to plague her on his account.
7456
7457 She had not been many hours at home before she found that the Brighton
7458 scheme, of which Lydia had given them a hint at the inn, was under
7459 frequent discussion between her parents. Elizabeth saw directly that her
7460 father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers were
7461 at the same time so vague and equivocal, that her mother, though often
7462 disheartened, had never yet despaired of succeeding at last.
7463
7464
7465
7466 Chapter 40
7467
7468
7469 Elizabeth's impatience to acquaint Jane with what had happened could
7470 no longer be overcome; and at length, resolving to suppress every
7471 particular in which her sister was concerned, and preparing her to be
7472 surprised, she related to her the next morning the chief of the scene
7473 between Mr. Darcy and herself.
7474
7475 Miss Bennet's astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly
7476 partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear perfectly
7477 natural; and all surprise was shortly lost in other feelings. She was
7478 sorry that Mr. Darcy should have delivered his sentiments in a manner so
7479 little suited to recommend them; but still more was she grieved for the
7480 unhappiness which her sister's refusal must have given him.
7481
7482 "His being so sure of succeeding was wrong," said she, "and certainly
7483 ought not to have appeared; but consider how much it must increase his
7484 disappointment!"
7485
7486 "Indeed," replied Elizabeth, "I am heartily sorry for him; but he has
7487 other feelings, which will probably soon drive away his regard for me.
7488 You do not blame me, however, for refusing him?"
7489
7490 "Blame you! Oh, no."
7491
7492 "But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham?"
7493
7494 "No--I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you did."
7495
7496 "But you _will_ know it, when I tell you what happened the very next
7497 day."
7498
7499 She then spoke of the letter, repeating the whole of its contents as far
7500 as they concerned George Wickham. What a stroke was this for poor Jane!
7501 who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that
7502 so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind, as was here
7503 collected in one individual. Nor was Darcy's vindication, though
7504 grateful to her feelings, capable of consoling her for such discovery.
7505 Most earnestly did she labour to prove the probability of error, and
7506 seek to clear the one without involving the other.
7507
7508 "This will not do," said Elizabeth; "you never will be able to make both
7509 of them good for anything. Take your choice, but you must be satisfied
7510 with only one. There is but such a quantity of merit between them; just
7511 enough to make one good sort of man; and of late it has been shifting
7512 about pretty much. For my part, I am inclined to believe it all Darcy's;
7513 but you shall do as you choose."
7514
7515 It was some time, however, before a smile could be extorted from Jane.
7516
7517 "I do not know when I have been more shocked," said she. "Wickham so
7518 very bad! It is almost past belief. And poor Mr. Darcy! Dear Lizzy, only
7519 consider what he must have suffered. Such a disappointment! and with the
7520 knowledge of your ill opinion, too! and having to relate such a thing
7521 of his sister! It is really too distressing. I am sure you must feel it
7522 so."
7523
7524 "Oh! no, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you so
7525 full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice, that I am
7526 growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your profusion
7527 makes me saving; and if you lament over him much longer, my heart will
7528 be as light as a feather."
7529
7530 "Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in his
7531 countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!"
7532
7533 "There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those
7534 two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the
7535 appearance of it."
7536
7537 "I never thought Mr. Darcy so deficient in the _appearance_ of it as you
7538 used to do."
7539
7540 "And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike
7541 to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an
7542 opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually
7543 abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot always be laughing
7544 at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty."
7545
7546 "Lizzy, when you first read that letter, I am sure you could not treat
7547 the matter as you do now."
7548
7549 "Indeed, I could not. I was uncomfortable enough, I may say unhappy. And
7550 with no one to speak to about what I felt, no Jane to comfort me and say
7551 that I had not been so very weak and vain and nonsensical as I knew I
7552 had! Oh! how I wanted you!"
7553
7554 "How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong expressions
7555 in speaking of Wickham to Mr. Darcy, for now they _do_ appear wholly
7556 undeserved."
7557
7558 "Certainly. But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a most
7559 natural consequence of the prejudices I had been encouraging. There
7560 is one point on which I want your advice. I want to be told whether I
7561 ought, or ought not, to make our acquaintances in general understand
7562 Wickham's character."
7563
7564 Miss Bennet paused a little, and then replied, "Surely there can be no
7565 occasion for exposing him so dreadfully. What is your opinion?"
7566
7567 "That it ought not to be attempted. Mr. Darcy has not authorised me
7568 to make his communication public. On the contrary, every particular
7569 relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as possible to
7570 myself; and if I endeavour to undeceive people as to the rest of his
7571 conduct, who will believe me? The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy
7572 is so violent, that it would be the death of half the good people in
7573 Meryton to attempt to place him in an amiable light. I am not equal
7574 to it. Wickham will soon be gone; and therefore it will not signify to
7575 anyone here what he really is. Some time hence it will be all found out,
7576 and then we may laugh at their stupidity in not knowing it before. At
7577 present I will say nothing about it."
7578
7579 "You are quite right. To have his errors made public might ruin him for
7580 ever. He is now, perhaps, sorry for what he has done, and anxious to
7581 re-establish a character. We must not make him desperate."
7582
7583 The tumult of Elizabeth's mind was allayed by this conversation. She had
7584 got rid of two of the secrets which had weighed on her for a fortnight,
7585 and was certain of a willing listener in Jane, whenever she might wish
7586 to talk again of either. But there was still something lurking behind,
7587 of which prudence forbade the disclosure. She dared not relate the other
7588 half of Mr. Darcy's letter, nor explain to her sister how sincerely she
7589 had been valued by her friend. Here was knowledge in which no one
7590 could partake; and she was sensible that nothing less than a perfect
7591 understanding between the parties could justify her in throwing off
7592 this last encumbrance of mystery. "And then," said she, "if that very
7593 improbable event should ever take place, I shall merely be able to
7594 tell what Bingley may tell in a much more agreeable manner himself. The
7595 liberty of communication cannot be mine till it has lost all its value!"
7596
7597 She was now, on being settled at home, at leisure to observe the real
7598 state of her sister's spirits. Jane was not happy. She still cherished a
7599 very tender affection for Bingley. Having never even fancied herself
7600 in love before, her regard had all the warmth of first attachment,
7601 and, from her age and disposition, greater steadiness than most first
7602 attachments often boast; and so fervently did she value his remembrance,
7603 and prefer him to every other man, that all her good sense, and all her
7604 attention to the feelings of her friends, were requisite to check the
7605 indulgence of those regrets which must have been injurious to her own
7606 health and their tranquillity.
7607
7608 "Well, Lizzy," said Mrs. Bennet one day, "what is your opinion _now_ of
7609 this sad business of Jane's? For my part, I am determined never to speak
7610 of it again to anybody. I told my sister Phillips so the other day. But
7611 I cannot find out that Jane saw anything of him in London. Well, he is
7612 a very undeserving young man--and I do not suppose there's the least
7613 chance in the world of her ever getting him now. There is no talk of
7614 his coming to Netherfield again in the summer; and I have inquired of
7615 everybody, too, who is likely to know."
7616
7617 "I do not believe he will ever live at Netherfield any more."
7618
7619 "Oh well! it is just as he chooses. Nobody wants him to come. Though I
7620 shall always say he used my daughter extremely ill; and if I was her, I
7621 would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will
7622 die of a broken heart; and then he will be sorry for what he has done."
7623
7624 But as Elizabeth could not receive comfort from any such expectation,
7625 she made no answer.
7626
7627 "Well, Lizzy," continued her mother, soon afterwards, "and so the
7628 Collinses live very comfortable, do they? Well, well, I only hope
7629 it will last. And what sort of table do they keep? Charlotte is an
7630 excellent manager, I dare say. If she is half as sharp as her
7631 mother, she is saving enough. There is nothing extravagant in _their_
7632 housekeeping, I dare say."
7633
7634 "No, nothing at all."
7635
7636 "A great deal of good management, depend upon it. Yes, yes, _they_ will
7637 take care not to outrun their income. _They_ will never be distressed
7638 for money. Well, much good may it do them! And so, I suppose, they often
7639 talk of having Longbourn when your father is dead. They look upon it as
7640 quite their own, I dare say, whenever that happens."
7641
7642 "It was a subject which they could not mention before me."
7643
7644 "No; it would have been strange if they had; but I make no doubt they
7645 often talk of it between themselves. Well, if they can be easy with an
7646 estate that is not lawfully their own, so much the better. I should be
7647 ashamed of having one that was only entailed on me."
7648
7649
7650
7651 Chapter 41
7652
7653
7654 The first week of their return was soon gone. The second began. It was
7655 the last of the regiment's stay in Meryton, and all the young ladies
7656 in the neighbourhood were drooping apace. The dejection was almost
7657 universal. The elder Miss Bennets alone were still able to eat, drink,
7658 and sleep, and pursue the usual course of their employments. Very
7659 frequently were they reproached for this insensibility by Kitty and
7660 Lydia, whose own misery was extreme, and who could not comprehend such
7661 hard-heartedness in any of the family.
7662
7663 "Good Heaven! what is to become of us? What are we to do?" would they
7664 often exclaim in the bitterness of woe. "How can you be smiling so,
7665 Lizzy?"
7666
7667 Their affectionate mother shared all their grief; she remembered what
7668 she had herself endured on a similar occasion, five-and-twenty years
7669 ago.
7670
7671 "I am sure," said she, "I cried for two days together when Colonel
7672 Miller's regiment went away. I thought I should have broken my heart."
7673
7674 "I am sure I shall break _mine_," said Lydia.
7675
7676 "If one could but go to Brighton!" observed Mrs. Bennet.
7677
7678 "Oh, yes!--if one could but go to Brighton! But papa is so
7679 disagreeable."
7680
7681 "A little sea-bathing would set me up forever."
7682
7683 "And my aunt Phillips is sure it would do _me_ a great deal of good,"
7684 added Kitty.
7685
7686 Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through
7687 Longbourn House. Elizabeth tried to be diverted by them; but all sense
7688 of pleasure was lost in shame. She felt anew the justice of Mr. Darcy's
7689 objections; and never had she been so much disposed to pardon his
7690 interference in the views of his friend.
7691
7692 But the gloom of Lydia's prospect was shortly cleared away; for she
7693 received an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the colonel of
7694 the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. This invaluable friend was a
7695 very young woman, and very lately married. A resemblance in good humour
7696 and good spirits had recommended her and Lydia to each other, and out of
7697 their _three_ months' acquaintance they had been intimate _two_.
7698
7699 The rapture of Lydia on this occasion, her adoration of Mrs. Forster,
7700 the delight of Mrs. Bennet, and the mortification of Kitty, are scarcely
7701 to be described. Wholly inattentive to her sister's feelings, Lydia
7702 flew about the house in restless ecstasy, calling for everyone's
7703 congratulations, and laughing and talking with more violence than ever;
7704 whilst the luckless Kitty continued in the parlour repined at her fate
7705 in terms as unreasonable as her accent was peevish.
7706
7707 "I cannot see why Mrs. Forster should not ask _me_ as well as Lydia,"
7708 said she, "Though I am _not_ her particular friend. I have just as much
7709 right to be asked as she has, and more too, for I am two years older."
7710
7711 In vain did Elizabeth attempt to make her reasonable, and Jane to make
7712 her resigned. As for Elizabeth herself, this invitation was so far from
7713 exciting in her the same feelings as in her mother and Lydia, that she
7714 considered it as the death warrant of all possibility of common sense
7715 for the latter; and detestable as such a step must make her were it
7716 known, she could not help secretly advising her father not to let her
7717 go. She represented to him all the improprieties of Lydia's general
7718 behaviour, the little advantage she could derive from the friendship of
7719 such a woman as Mrs. Forster, and the probability of her being yet more
7720 imprudent with such a companion at Brighton, where the temptations must
7721 be greater than at home. He heard her attentively, and then said:
7722
7723 "Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed herself in some public
7724 place or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so
7725 little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the present
7726 circumstances."
7727
7728 "If you were aware," said Elizabeth, "of the very great disadvantage to
7729 us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and
7730 imprudent manner--nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you
7731 would judge differently in the affair."
7732
7733 "Already arisen?" repeated Mr. Bennet. "What, has she frightened away
7734 some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such
7735 squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity
7736 are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of pitiful fellows who
7737 have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly."
7738
7739 "Indeed you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to resent. It is not
7740 of particular, but of general evils, which I am now complaining. Our
7741 importance, our respectability in the world must be affected by the
7742 wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark
7743 Lydia's character. Excuse me, for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear
7744 father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and
7745 of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of
7746 her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character
7747 will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt
7748 that ever made herself or her family ridiculous; a flirt, too, in the
7749 worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond
7750 youth and a tolerable person; and, from the ignorance and emptiness
7751 of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal
7752 contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger
7753 Kitty also is comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain,
7754 ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled! Oh! my dear father, can you
7755 suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever
7756 they are known, and that their sisters will not be often involved in the
7757 disgrace?"
7758
7759 Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject, and
7760 affectionately taking her hand said in reply:
7761
7762 "Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known
7763 you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less
7764 advantage for having a couple of--or I may say, three--very silly
7765 sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to
7766 Brighton. Let her go, then. Colonel Forster is a sensible man, and will
7767 keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor to be an
7768 object of prey to anybody. At Brighton she will be of less importance
7769 even as a common flirt than she has been here. The officers will find
7770 women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being
7771 there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow
7772 many degrees worse, without authorising us to lock her up for the rest
7773 of her life."
7774
7775 With this answer Elizabeth was forced to be content; but her own opinion
7776 continued the same, and she left him disappointed and sorry. It was not
7777 in her nature, however, to increase her vexations by dwelling on
7778 them. She was confident of having performed her duty, and to fret
7779 over unavoidable evils, or augment them by anxiety, was no part of her
7780 disposition.
7781
7782 Had Lydia and her mother known the substance of her conference with her
7783 father, their indignation would hardly have found expression in their
7784 united volubility. In Lydia's imagination, a visit to Brighton comprised
7785 every possibility of earthly happiness. She saw, with the creative eye
7786 of fancy, the streets of that gay bathing-place covered with officers.
7787 She saw herself the object of attention, to tens and to scores of them
7788 at present unknown. She saw all the glories of the camp--its tents
7789 stretched forth in beauteous uniformity of lines, crowded with the young
7790 and the gay, and dazzling with scarlet; and, to complete the view, she
7791 saw herself seated beneath a tent, tenderly flirting with at least six
7792 officers at once.
7793
7794 Had she known her sister sought to tear her from such prospects and such
7795 realities as these, what would have been her sensations? They could have
7796 been understood only by her mother, who might have felt nearly the same.
7797 Lydia's going to Brighton was all that consoled her for her melancholy
7798 conviction of her husband's never intending to go there himself.
7799
7800 But they were entirely ignorant of what had passed; and their raptures
7801 continued, with little intermission, to the very day of Lydia's leaving
7802 home.
7803
7804 Elizabeth was now to see Mr. Wickham for the last time. Having been
7805 frequently in company with him since her return, agitation was pretty
7806 well over; the agitations of former partiality entirely so. She had even
7807 learnt to detect, in the very gentleness which had first delighted
7808 her, an affectation and a sameness to disgust and weary. In his present
7809 behaviour to herself, moreover, she had a fresh source of displeasure,
7810 for the inclination he soon testified of renewing those intentions which
7811 had marked the early part of their acquaintance could only serve, after
7812 what had since passed, to provoke her. She lost all concern for him in
7813 finding herself thus selected as the object of such idle and frivolous
7814 gallantry; and while she steadily repressed it, could not but feel the
7815 reproof contained in his believing, that however long, and for whatever
7816 cause, his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity would be gratified,
7817 and her preference secured at any time by their renewal.
7818
7819 On the very last day of the regiment's remaining at Meryton, he dined,
7820 with other of the officers, at Longbourn; and so little was Elizabeth
7821 disposed to part from him in good humour, that on his making some
7822 inquiry as to the manner in which her time had passed at Hunsford, she
7823 mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam's and Mr. Darcy's having both spent three
7824 weeks at Rosings, and asked him, if he was acquainted with the former.
7825
7826 He looked surprised, displeased, alarmed; but with a moment's
7827 recollection and a returning smile, replied, that he had formerly seen
7828 him often; and, after observing that he was a very gentlemanlike man,
7829 asked her how she had liked him. Her answer was warmly in his favour.
7830 With an air of indifference he soon afterwards added:
7831
7832 "How long did you say he was at Rosings?"
7833
7834 "Nearly three weeks."
7835
7836 "And you saw him frequently?"
7837
7838 "Yes, almost every day."
7839
7840 "His manners are very different from his cousin's."
7841
7842 "Yes, very different. But I think Mr. Darcy improves upon acquaintance."
7843
7844 "Indeed!" cried Mr. Wickham with a look which did not escape her. "And
7845 pray, may I ask?--" But checking himself, he added, in a gayer tone, "Is
7846 it in address that he improves? Has he deigned to add aught of civility
7847 to his ordinary style?--for I dare not hope," he continued in a lower
7848 and more serious tone, "that he is improved in essentials."
7849
7850 "Oh, no!" said Elizabeth. "In essentials, I believe, he is very much
7851 what he ever was."
7852
7853 While she spoke, Wickham looked as if scarcely knowing whether to
7854 rejoice over her words, or to distrust their meaning. There was a
7855 something in her countenance which made him listen with an apprehensive
7856 and anxious attention, while she added:
7857
7858 "When I said that he improved on acquaintance, I did not mean that
7859 his mind or his manners were in a state of improvement, but that, from
7860 knowing him better, his disposition was better understood."
7861
7862 Wickham's alarm now appeared in a heightened complexion and agitated
7863 look; for a few minutes he was silent, till, shaking off his
7864 embarrassment, he turned to her again, and said in the gentlest of
7865 accents:
7866
7867 "You, who so well know my feeling towards Mr. Darcy, will readily
7868 comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that he is wise enough to assume
7869 even the _appearance_ of what is right. His pride, in that direction,
7870 may be of service, if not to himself, to many others, for it must only
7871 deter him from such foul misconduct as I have suffered by. I only
7872 fear that the sort of cautiousness to which you, I imagine, have been
7873 alluding, is merely adopted on his visits to his aunt, of whose good
7874 opinion and judgement he stands much in awe. His fear of her has always
7875 operated, I know, when they were together; and a good deal is to be
7876 imputed to his wish of forwarding the match with Miss de Bourgh, which I
7877 am certain he has very much at heart."
7878
7879 Elizabeth could not repress a smile at this, but she answered only by a
7880 slight inclination of the head. She saw that he wanted to engage her on
7881 the old subject of his grievances, and she was in no humour to indulge
7882 him. The rest of the evening passed with the _appearance_, on his
7883 side, of usual cheerfulness, but with no further attempt to distinguish
7884 Elizabeth; and they parted at last with mutual civility, and possibly a
7885 mutual desire of never meeting again.
7886
7887 When the party broke up, Lydia returned with Mrs. Forster to Meryton,
7888 from whence they were to set out early the next morning. The separation
7889 between her and her family was rather noisy than pathetic. Kitty was the
7890 only one who shed tears; but she did weep from vexation and envy. Mrs.
7891 Bennet was diffuse in her good wishes for the felicity of her daughter,
7892 and impressive in her injunctions that she should not miss the
7893 opportunity of enjoying herself as much as possible--advice which
7894 there was every reason to believe would be well attended to; and in
7895 the clamorous happiness of Lydia herself in bidding farewell, the more
7896 gentle adieus of her sisters were uttered without being heard.
7897
7898
7899
7900 Chapter 42
7901
7902
7903 Had Elizabeth's opinion been all drawn from her own family, she could
7904 not have formed a very pleasing opinion of conjugal felicity or domestic
7905 comfort. Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance
7906 of good humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a
7907 woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in
7908 their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect,
7909 esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views
7910 of domestic happiness were overthrown. But Mr. Bennet was not of
7911 a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own
7912 imprudence had brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often
7913 console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of
7914 the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal
7915 enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted, than as
7916 her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement. This is not
7917 the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his
7918 wife; but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true
7919 philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.
7920
7921 Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her
7922 father's behaviour as a husband. She had always seen it with pain; but
7923 respecting his abilities, and grateful for his affectionate treatment of
7924 herself, she endeavoured to forget what she could not overlook, and to
7925 banish from her thoughts that continual breach of conjugal obligation
7926 and decorum which, in exposing his wife to the contempt of her own
7927 children, was so highly reprehensible. But she had never felt so
7928 strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so
7929 unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising
7930 from so ill-judged a direction of talents; talents, which, rightly used,
7931 might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters, even
7932 if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife.
7933
7934 When Elizabeth had rejoiced over Wickham's departure she found little
7935 other cause for satisfaction in the loss of the regiment. Their parties
7936 abroad were less varied than before, and at home she had a mother and
7937 sister whose constant repinings at the dullness of everything around
7938 them threw a real gloom over their domestic circle; and, though Kitty
7939 might in time regain her natural degree of sense, since the disturbers
7940 of her brain were removed, her other sister, from whose disposition
7941 greater evil might be apprehended, was likely to be hardened in all
7942 her folly and assurance by a situation of such double danger as a
7943 watering-place and a camp. Upon the whole, therefore, she found, what
7944 has been sometimes found before, that an event to which she had been
7945 looking with impatient desire did not, in taking place, bring all the
7946 satisfaction she had promised herself. It was consequently necessary to
7947 name some other period for the commencement of actual felicity--to have
7948 some other point on which her wishes and hopes might be fixed, and by
7949 again enjoying the pleasure of anticipation, console herself for the
7950 present, and prepare for another disappointment. Her tour to the Lakes
7951 was now the object of her happiest thoughts; it was her best consolation
7952 for all the uncomfortable hours which the discontentedness of her mother
7953 and Kitty made inevitable; and could she have included Jane in the
7954 scheme, every part of it would have been perfect.
7955
7956 "But it is fortunate," thought she, "that I have something to wish for.
7957 Were the whole arrangement complete, my disappointment would be certain.
7958 But here, by carrying with me one ceaseless source of regret in my
7959 sister's absence, I may reasonably hope to have all my expectations of
7960 pleasure realised. A scheme of which every part promises delight can
7961 never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by
7962 the defence of some little peculiar vexation."
7963
7964 When Lydia went away she promised to write very often and very minutely
7965 to her mother and Kitty; but her letters were always long expected, and
7966 always very short. Those to her mother contained little else than that
7967 they were just returned from the library, where such and such officers
7968 had attended them, and where she had seen such beautiful ornaments as
7969 made her quite wild; that she had a new gown, or a new parasol, which
7970 she would have described more fully, but was obliged to leave off in a
7971 violent hurry, as Mrs. Forster called her, and they were going off to
7972 the camp; and from her correspondence with her sister, there was still
7973 less to be learnt--for her letters to Kitty, though rather longer, were
7974 much too full of lines under the words to be made public.
7975
7976 After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence, health, good
7977 humour, and cheerfulness began to reappear at Longbourn. Everything wore
7978 a happier aspect. The families who had been in town for the winter came
7979 back again, and summer finery and summer engagements arose. Mrs. Bennet
7980 was restored to her usual querulous serenity; and, by the middle of
7981 June, Kitty was so much recovered as to be able to enter Meryton without
7982 tears; an event of such happy promise as to make Elizabeth hope that by
7983 the following Christmas she might be so tolerably reasonable as not to
7984 mention an officer above once a day, unless, by some cruel and malicious
7985 arrangement at the War Office, another regiment should be quartered in
7986 Meryton.
7987
7988 The time fixed for the beginning of their northern tour was now fast
7989 approaching, and a fortnight only was wanting of it, when a letter
7990 arrived from Mrs. Gardiner, which at once delayed its commencement and
7991 curtailed its extent. Mr. Gardiner would be prevented by business from
7992 setting out till a fortnight later in July, and must be in London again
7993 within a month, and as that left too short a period for them to go so
7994 far, and see so much as they had proposed, or at least to see it with
7995 the leisure and comfort they had built on, they were obliged to give up
7996 the Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour, and, according to the
7997 present plan, were to go no farther northwards than Derbyshire. In that
7998 county there was enough to be seen to occupy the chief of their three
7999 weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner it had a peculiarly strong attraction. The
8000 town where she had formerly passed some years of her life, and where
8001 they were now to spend a few days, was probably as great an object of
8002 her curiosity as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth,
8003 Dovedale, or the Peak.
8004
8005 Elizabeth was excessively disappointed; she had set her heart on seeing
8006 the Lakes, and still thought there might have been time enough. But it
8007 was her business to be satisfied--and certainly her temper to be happy;
8008 and all was soon right again.
8009
8010 With the mention of Derbyshire there were many ideas connected. It was
8011 impossible for her to see the word without thinking of Pemberley and its
8012 owner. "But surely," said she, "I may enter his county with impunity,
8013 and rob it of a few petrified spars without his perceiving me."
8014
8015 The period of expectation was now doubled. Four weeks were to pass away
8016 before her uncle and aunt's arrival. But they did pass away, and Mr.
8017 and Mrs. Gardiner, with their four children, did at length appear at
8018 Longbourn. The children, two girls of six and eight years old, and two
8019 younger boys, were to be left under the particular care of their
8020 cousin Jane, who was the general favourite, and whose steady sense and
8021 sweetness of temper exactly adapted her for attending to them in every
8022 way--teaching them, playing with them, and loving them.
8023
8024 The Gardiners stayed only one night at Longbourn, and set off the
8025 next morning with Elizabeth in pursuit of novelty and amusement.
8026 One enjoyment was certain--that of suitableness of companions;
8027 a suitableness which comprehended health and temper to bear
8028 inconveniences--cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure--and affection
8029 and intelligence, which might supply it among themselves if there were
8030 disappointments abroad.
8031
8032 It is not the object of this work to give a description of Derbyshire,
8033 nor of any of the remarkable places through which their route thither
8034 lay; Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth, Birmingham, etc. are
8035 sufficiently known. A small part of Derbyshire is all the present
8036 concern. To the little town of Lambton, the scene of Mrs. Gardiner's
8037 former residence, and where she had lately learned some acquaintance
8038 still remained, they bent their steps, after having seen all the
8039 principal wonders of the country; and within five miles of Lambton,
8040 Elizabeth found from her aunt that Pemberley was situated. It was not
8041 in their direct road, nor more than a mile or two out of it. In
8042 talking over their route the evening before, Mrs. Gardiner expressed
8043 an inclination to see the place again. Mr. Gardiner declared his
8044 willingness, and Elizabeth was applied to for her approbation.
8045
8046 "My love, should not you like to see a place of which you have heard
8047 so much?" said her aunt; "a place, too, with which so many of your
8048 acquaintances are connected. Wickham passed all his youth there, you
8049 know."
8050
8051 Elizabeth was distressed. She felt that she had no business at
8052 Pemberley, and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing it. She
8053 must own that she was tired of seeing great houses; after going over so
8054 many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains.
8055
8056 Mrs. Gardiner abused her stupidity. "If it were merely a fine house
8057 richly furnished," said she, "I should not care about it myself; but
8058 the grounds are delightful. They have some of the finest woods in the
8059 country."
8060
8061 Elizabeth said no more--but her mind could not acquiesce. The
8062 possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, instantly
8063 occurred. It would be dreadful! She blushed at the very idea, and
8064 thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt than to run such
8065 a risk. But against this there were objections; and she finally resolved
8066 that it could be the last resource, if her private inquiries to the
8067 absence of the family were unfavourably answered.
8068
8069 Accordingly, when she retired at night, she asked the chambermaid
8070 whether Pemberley were not a very fine place? what was the name of its
8071 proprietor? and, with no little alarm, whether the family were down for
8072 the summer? A most welcome negative followed the last question--and her
8073 alarms now being removed, she was at leisure to feel a great deal of
8074 curiosity to see the house herself; and when the subject was revived the
8075 next morning, and she was again applied to, could readily answer, and
8076 with a proper air of indifference, that she had not really any dislike
8077 to the scheme. To Pemberley, therefore, they were to go.
8078
8079
8080
8081 Chapter 43
8082
8083
8084 Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of
8085 Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned
8086 in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.
8087
8088 The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They
8089 entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through
8090 a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent.
8091
8092 Elizabeth's mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired
8093 every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for
8094 half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable
8095 eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by
8096 Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which
8097 the road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone
8098 building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of
8099 high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was
8100 swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks
8101 were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She
8102 had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural
8103 beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were
8104 all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that
8105 to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!
8106
8107 They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and,
8108 while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehension of
8109 meeting its owner returned. She dreaded lest the chambermaid had been
8110 mistaken. On applying to see the place, they were admitted into the
8111 hall; and Elizabeth, as they waited for the housekeeper, had leisure to
8112 wonder at her being where she was.
8113
8114 The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderly woman, much less
8115 fine, and more civil, than she had any notion of finding her. They
8116 followed her into the dining-parlour. It was a large, well proportioned
8117 room, handsomely fitted up. Elizabeth, after slightly surveying it, went
8118 to a window to enjoy its prospect. The hill, crowned with wood, which
8119 they had descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance,
8120 was a beautiful object. Every disposition of the ground was good; and
8121 she looked on the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its
8122 banks and the winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it,
8123 with delight. As they passed into other rooms these objects were taking
8124 different positions; but from every window there were beauties to be
8125 seen. The rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture suitable to
8126 the fortune of its proprietor; but Elizabeth saw, with admiration of
8127 his taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine; with less of
8128 splendour, and more real elegance, than the furniture of Rosings.
8129
8130 "And of this place," thought she, "I might have been mistress! With
8131 these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of
8132 viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and
8133 welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt. But no,"--recollecting
8134 herself--"that could never be; my uncle and aunt would have been lost to
8135 me; I should not have been allowed to invite them."
8136
8137 This was a lucky recollection--it saved her from something very like
8138 regret.
8139
8140 She longed to inquire of the housekeeper whether her master was really
8141 absent, but had not the courage for it. At length however, the question
8142 was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with alarm, while Mrs.
8143 Reynolds replied that he was, adding, "But we expect him to-morrow, with
8144 a large party of friends." How rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own
8145 journey had not by any circumstance been delayed a day!
8146
8147 Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached and saw the
8148 likeness of Mr. Wickham, suspended, amongst several other miniatures,
8149 over the mantelpiece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly, how she liked it.
8150 The housekeeper came forward, and told them it was a picture of a young
8151 gentleman, the son of her late master's steward, who had been brought
8152 up by him at his own expense. "He is now gone into the army," she added;
8153 "but I am afraid he has turned out very wild."
8154
8155 Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth could not
8156 return it.
8157
8158 "And that," said Mrs. Reynolds, pointing to another of the miniatures,
8159 "is my master--and very like him. It was drawn at the same time as the
8160 other--about eight years ago."
8161
8162 "I have heard much of your master's fine person," said Mrs. Gardiner,
8163 looking at the picture; "it is a handsome face. But, Lizzy, you can tell
8164 us whether it is like or not."
8165
8166 Mrs. Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this
8167 intimation of her knowing her master.
8168
8169 "Does that young lady know Mr. Darcy?"
8170
8171 Elizabeth coloured, and said: "A little."
8172
8173 "And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman, ma'am?"
8174
8175 "Yes, very handsome."
8176
8177 "I am sure I know none so handsome; but in the gallery up stairs you
8178 will see a finer, larger picture of him than this. This room was my late
8179 master's favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to
8180 be then. He was very fond of them."
8181
8182 This accounted to Elizabeth for Mr. Wickham's being among them.
8183
8184 Mrs. Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy, drawn
8185 when she was only eight years old.
8186
8187 "And is Miss Darcy as handsome as her brother?" said Mrs. Gardiner.
8188
8189 "Oh! yes--the handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so
8190 accomplished!--She plays and sings all day long. In the next room is
8191 a new instrument just come down for her--a present from my master; she
8192 comes here to-morrow with him."
8193
8194 Mr. Gardiner, whose manners were very easy and pleasant, encouraged her
8195 communicativeness by his questions and remarks; Mrs. Reynolds, either
8196 by pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her
8197 master and his sister.
8198
8199 "Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?"
8200
8201 "Not so much as I could wish, sir; but I dare say he may spend half his
8202 time here; and Miss Darcy is always down for the summer months."
8203
8204 "Except," thought Elizabeth, "when she goes to Ramsgate."
8205
8206 "If your master would marry, you might see more of him."
8207
8208 "Yes, sir; but I do not know when _that_ will be. I do not know who is
8209 good enough for him."
8210
8211 Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner smiled. Elizabeth could not help saying, "It is
8212 very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so."
8213
8214 "I say no more than the truth, and everybody will say that knows him,"
8215 replied the other. Elizabeth thought this was going pretty far; and she
8216 listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper added, "I have
8217 never known a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him ever
8218 since he was four years old."
8219
8220 This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to her
8221 ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man had been her firmest opinion.
8222 Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear more, and was
8223 grateful to her uncle for saying:
8224
8225 "There are very few people of whom so much can be said. You are lucky in
8226 having such a master."
8227
8228 "Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I could
8229 not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are
8230 good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and
8231 he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the
8232 world."
8233
8234 Elizabeth almost stared at her. "Can this be Mr. Darcy?" thought she.
8235
8236 "His father was an excellent man," said Mrs. Gardiner.
8237
8238 "Yes, ma'am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like him--just
8239 as affable to the poor."
8240
8241 Elizabeth listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for more. Mrs.
8242 Reynolds could interest her on no other point. She related the subjects
8243 of the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the
8244 furniture, in vain. Mr. Gardiner, highly amused by the kind of family
8245 prejudice to which he attributed her excessive commendation of her
8246 master, soon led again to the subject; and she dwelt with energy on his
8247 many merits as they proceeded together up the great staircase.
8248
8249 "He is the best landlord, and the best master," said she, "that ever
8250 lived; not like the wild young men nowadays, who think of nothing but
8251 themselves. There is not one of his tenants or servants but will give
8252 him a good name. Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw
8253 anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away
8254 like other young men."
8255
8256 "In what an amiable light does this place him!" thought Elizabeth.
8257
8258 "This fine account of him," whispered her aunt as they walked, "is not
8259 quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend."
8260
8261 "Perhaps we might be deceived."
8262
8263 "That is not very likely; our authority was too good."
8264
8265 On reaching the spacious lobby above they were shown into a very pretty
8266 sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and lightness than
8267 the apartments below; and were informed that it was but just done to
8268 give pleasure to Miss Darcy, who had taken a liking to the room when
8269 last at Pemberley.
8270
8271 "He is certainly a good brother," said Elizabeth, as she walked towards
8272 one of the windows.
8273
8274 Mrs. Reynolds anticipated Miss Darcy's delight, when she should enter
8275 the room. "And this is always the way with him," she added. "Whatever
8276 can give his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in a moment. There
8277 is nothing he would not do for her."
8278
8279 The picture-gallery, and two or three of the principal bedrooms, were
8280 all that remained to be shown. In the former were many good paintings;
8281 but Elizabeth knew nothing of the art; and from such as had been already
8282 visible below, she had willingly turned to look at some drawings of Miss
8283 Darcy's, in crayons, whose subjects were usually more interesting, and
8284 also more intelligible.
8285
8286 In the gallery there were many family portraits, but they could have
8287 little to fix the attention of a stranger. Elizabeth walked in quest of
8288 the only face whose features would be known to her. At last it arrested
8289 her--and she beheld a striking resemblance to Mr. Darcy, with such a
8290 smile over the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen when he
8291 looked at her. She stood several minutes before the picture, in earnest
8292 contemplation, and returned to it again before they quitted the gallery.
8293 Mrs. Reynolds informed them that it had been taken in his father's
8294 lifetime.
8295
8296 There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth's mind, a more gentle
8297 sensation towards the original than she had ever felt at the height of
8298 their acquaintance. The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds
8299 was of no trifling nature. What praise is more valuable than the praise
8300 of an intelligent servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, she
8301 considered how many people's happiness were in his guardianship!--how
8302 much of pleasure or pain was it in his power to bestow!--how much of
8303 good or evil must be done by him! Every idea that had been brought
8304 forward by the housekeeper was favourable to his character, and as she
8305 stood before the canvas on which he was represented, and fixed his
8306 eyes upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of
8307 gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its warmth, and
8308 softened its impropriety of expression.
8309
8310 When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen,
8311 they returned downstairs, and, taking leave of the housekeeper, were
8312 consigned over to the gardener, who met them at the hall-door.
8313
8314 As they walked across the hall towards the river, Elizabeth turned back
8315 to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also, and while the former
8316 was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself
8317 suddenly came forward from the road, which led behind it to the stables.
8318
8319 They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his
8320 appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Their eyes
8321 instantly met, and the cheeks of both were overspread with the deepest
8322 blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immovable from
8323 surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party,
8324 and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least
8325 of perfect civility.
8326
8327 She had instinctively turned away; but stopping on his approach,
8328 received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be
8329 overcome. Had his first appearance, or his resemblance to the picture
8330 they had just been examining, been insufficient to assure the other two
8331 that they now saw Mr. Darcy, the gardener's expression of surprise, on
8332 beholding his master, must immediately have told it. They stood a little
8333 aloof while he was talking to their niece, who, astonished and confused,
8334 scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer
8335 she returned to his civil inquiries after her family. Amazed at the
8336 alteration of his manner since they last parted, every sentence that
8337 he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the
8338 impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the few
8339 minutes in which they continued were some of the most uncomfortable in
8340 her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease; when he spoke, his accent
8341 had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his inquiries as
8342 to the time of her having left Longbourn, and of her having stayed in
8343 Derbyshire, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke the
8344 distraction of his thoughts.
8345
8346 At length every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a few
8347 moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took
8348 leave.
8349
8350 The others then joined her, and expressed admiration of his figure; but
8351 Elizabeth heard not a word, and wholly engrossed by her own feelings,
8352 followed them in silence. She was overpowered by shame and vexation. Her
8353 coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the
8354 world! How strange it must appear to him! In what a disgraceful light
8355 might it not strike so vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely
8356 thrown herself in his way again! Oh! why did she come? Or, why did he
8357 thus come a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes
8358 sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination;
8359 for it was plain that he was that moment arrived--that moment alighted
8360 from his horse or his carriage. She blushed again and again over
8361 the perverseness of the meeting. And his behaviour, so strikingly
8362 altered--what could it mean? That he should even speak to her was
8363 amazing!--but to speak with such civility, to inquire after her family!
8364 Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never
8365 had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What
8366 a contrast did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park, when he put
8367 his letter into her hand! She knew not what to think, or how to account
8368 for it.
8369
8370 They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, and
8371 every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a finer
8372 reach of the woods to which they were approaching; but it was some time
8373 before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered
8374 mechanically to the repeated appeals of her uncle and aunt, and
8375 seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as they pointed out, she
8376 distinguished no part of the scene. Her thoughts were all fixed on that
8377 one spot of Pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then
8378 was. She longed to know what at the moment was passing in his mind--in
8379 what manner he thought of her, and whether, in defiance of everything,
8380 she was still dear to him. Perhaps he had been civil only because he
8381 felt himself at ease; yet there had been _that_ in his voice which was
8382 not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in
8383 seeing her she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with
8384 composure.
8385
8386 At length, however, the remarks of her companions on her absence of mind
8387 aroused her, and she felt the necessity of appearing more like herself.
8388
8389 They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a while,
8390 ascended some of the higher grounds; when, in spots where the opening of
8391 the trees gave the eye power to wander, were many charming views of the
8392 valley, the opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading
8393 many, and occasionally part of the stream. Mr. Gardiner expressed a wish
8394 of going round the whole park, but feared it might be beyond a walk.
8395 With a triumphant smile they were told that it was ten miles round.
8396 It settled the matter; and they pursued the accustomed circuit; which
8397 brought them again, after some time, in a descent among hanging woods,
8398 to the edge of the water, and one of its narrowest parts. They crossed
8399 it by a simple bridge, in character with the general air of the scene;
8400 it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet visited; and the
8401 valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed room only for the stream,
8402 and a narrow walk amidst the rough coppice-wood which bordered it.
8403 Elizabeth longed to explore its windings; but when they had crossed the
8404 bridge, and perceived their distance from the house, Mrs. Gardiner,
8405 who was not a great walker, could go no farther, and thought only
8406 of returning to the carriage as quickly as possible. Her niece was,
8407 therefore, obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house
8408 on the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction; but their
8409 progress was slow, for Mr. Gardiner, though seldom able to indulge the
8410 taste, was very fond of fishing, and was so much engaged in watching the
8411 occasional appearance of some trout in the water, and talking to the
8412 man about them, that he advanced but little. Whilst wandering on in this
8413 slow manner, they were again surprised, and Elizabeth's astonishment
8414 was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy
8415 approaching them, and at no great distance. The walk being here
8416 less sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him before
8417 they met. Elizabeth, however astonished, was at least more prepared
8418 for an interview than before, and resolved to appear and to speak with
8419 calmness, if he really intended to meet them. For a few moments, indeed,
8420 she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. The idea
8421 lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view; the
8422 turning past, he was immediately before them. With a glance, she saw
8423 that he had lost none of his recent civility; and, to imitate his
8424 politeness, she began, as they met, to admire the beauty of the place;
8425 but she had not got beyond the words "delightful," and "charming," when
8426 some unlucky recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise of
8427 Pemberley from her might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed,
8428 and she said no more.
8429
8430 Mrs. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, he asked
8431 her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to her friends.
8432 This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared;
8433 and she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the
8434 acquaintance of some of those very people against whom his pride had
8435 revolted in his offer to herself. "What will be his surprise," thought
8436 she, "when he knows who they are? He takes them now for people of
8437 fashion."
8438
8439 The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named their
8440 relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore
8441 it, and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he
8442 could from such disgraceful companions. That he was _surprised_ by the
8443 connection was evident; he sustained it, however, with fortitude, and
8444 so far from going away, turned back with them, and entered into
8445 conversation with Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth could not but be pleased,
8446 could not but triumph. It was consoling that he should know she had
8447 some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most
8448 attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every
8449 expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence,
8450 his taste, or his good manners.
8451
8452 The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard Mr. Darcy
8453 invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as often as he
8454 chose while he continued in the neighbourhood, offering at the same time
8455 to supply him with fishing tackle, and pointing out those parts of
8456 the stream where there was usually most sport. Mrs. Gardiner, who was
8457 walking arm-in-arm with Elizabeth, gave her a look expressive of wonder.
8458 Elizabeth said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment
8459 must be all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme, and
8460 continually was she repeating, "Why is he so altered? From what can
8461 it proceed? It cannot be for _me_--it cannot be for _my_ sake that his
8462 manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a
8463 change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me."
8464
8465 After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the two
8466 gentlemen behind, on resuming their places, after descending to
8467 the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious
8468 water-plant, there chanced to be a little alteration. It originated
8469 in Mrs. Gardiner, who, fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found
8470 Elizabeth's arm inadequate to her support, and consequently preferred
8471 her husband's. Mr. Darcy took her place by her niece, and they walked on
8472 together. After a short silence, the lady first spoke. She wished him
8473 to know that she had been assured of his absence before she came to the
8474 place, and accordingly began by observing, that his arrival had been
8475 very unexpected--"for your housekeeper," she added, "informed us that
8476 you would certainly not be here till to-morrow; and indeed, before we
8477 left Bakewell, we understood that you were not immediately expected
8478 in the country." He acknowledged the truth of it all, and said that
8479 business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a few hours
8480 before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling. "They
8481 will join me early to-morrow," he continued, "and among them are some
8482 who will claim an acquaintance with you--Mr. Bingley and his sisters."
8483
8484 Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly
8485 driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley's name had been the last
8486 mentioned between them; and, if she might judge by his complexion, _his_
8487 mind was not very differently engaged.
8488
8489 "There is also one other person in the party," he continued after a
8490 pause, "who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow
8491 me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance
8492 during your stay at Lambton?"
8493
8494 The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too great
8495 for her to know in what manner she acceded to it. She immediately felt
8496 that whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of being acquainted with her
8497 must be the work of her brother, and, without looking farther, it was
8498 satisfactory; it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made
8499 him think really ill of her.
8500
8501 They now walked on in silence, each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth
8502 was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was flattered and
8503 pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of
8504 the highest kind. They soon outstripped the others, and when they had
8505 reached the carriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a
8506 mile behind.
8507
8508 He then asked her to walk into the house--but she declared herself not
8509 tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time much might
8510 have been said, and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but
8511 there seemed to be an embargo on every subject. At last she recollected
8512 that she had been travelling, and they talked of Matlock and Dove Dale
8513 with great perseverance. Yet time and her aunt moved slowly--and her
8514 patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the tete-a-tete was
8515 over. On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's coming up they were all pressed to go
8516 into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and
8517 they parted on each side with utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy handed the
8518 ladies into the carriage; and when it drove off, Elizabeth saw him
8519 walking slowly towards the house.
8520
8521 The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each of them
8522 pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected.
8523 "He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming," said her uncle.
8524
8525 "There _is_ something a little stately in him, to be sure," replied her
8526 aunt, "but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. I can now
8527 say with the housekeeper, that though some people may call him proud, I
8528 have seen nothing of it."
8529
8530 "I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more
8531 than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such
8532 attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was very trifling."
8533
8534 "To be sure, Lizzy," said her aunt, "he is not so handsome as Wickham;
8535 or, rather, he has not Wickham's countenance, for his features
8536 are perfectly good. But how came you to tell me that he was so
8537 disagreeable?"
8538
8539 Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked
8540 him better when they had met in Kent than before, and that she had never
8541 seen him so pleasant as this morning.
8542
8543 "But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities," replied
8544 her uncle. "Your great men often are; and therefore I shall not take him
8545 at his word, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off
8546 his grounds."
8547
8548 Elizabeth felt that they had entirely misunderstood his character, but
8549 said nothing.
8550
8551 "From what we have seen of him," continued Mrs. Gardiner, "I really
8552 should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by
8553 anybody as he has done by poor Wickham. He has not an ill-natured look.
8554 On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he
8555 speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance that would
8556 not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But, to be sure, the
8557 good lady who showed us his house did give him a most flaming character!
8558 I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal
8559 master, I suppose, and _that_ in the eye of a servant comprehends every
8560 virtue."
8561
8562 Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of
8563 his behaviour to Wickham; and therefore gave them to understand, in
8564 as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from
8565 his relations in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different
8566 construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor
8567 Wickham's so amiable, as they had been considered in Hertfordshire. In
8568 confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary
8569 transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming
8570 her authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on.
8571
8572 Mrs. Gardiner was surprised and concerned; but as they were now
8573 approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to
8574 the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out
8575 to her husband all the interesting spots in its environs to think of
8576 anything else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning's walk they
8577 had no sooner dined than she set off again in quest of her former
8578 acquaintance, and the evening was spent in the satisfactions of a
8579 intercourse renewed after many years' discontinuance.
8580
8581 The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Elizabeth
8582 much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing
8583 but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy's civility, and, above
8584 all, of his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.
8585
8586
8587
8588 Chapter 44
8589
8590
8591 Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister to visit
8592 her the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was consequently
8593 resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning.
8594 But her conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their
8595 arrival at Lambton, these visitors came. They had been walking about the
8596 place with some of their new friends, and were just returning to the inn
8597 to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a
8598 carriage drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and a lady in
8599 a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth immediately recognizing
8600 the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her
8601 surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she
8602 expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment
8603 of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many
8604 of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on
8605 the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they felt that
8606 there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a
8607 quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these
8608 newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of
8609 Elizabeth's feelings was at every moment increasing. She was quite
8610 amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet,
8611 she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much
8612 in her favour; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally
8613 suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.
8614
8615 She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked
8616 up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of
8617 inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse.
8618
8619 Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction
8620 took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new
8621 acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her
8622 being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud;
8623 but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was
8624 only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from
8625 her beyond a monosyllable.
8626
8627 Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though
8628 little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance
8629 womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother; but there
8630 was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly
8631 unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as
8632 acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much
8633 relieved by discerning such different feelings.
8634
8635 They had not long been together before Mr. Darcy told her that Bingley
8636 was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time to express her
8637 satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when Bingley's quick
8638 step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. All
8639 Elizabeth's anger against him had been long done away; but had she still
8640 felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected
8641 cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He
8642 inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked
8643 and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.
8644
8645 To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage
8646 than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The whole party before
8647 them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The suspicions which had just
8648 arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece directed their observation towards
8649 each with an earnest though guarded inquiry; and they soon drew from
8650 those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew
8651 what it was to love. Of the lady's sensations they remained a little
8652 in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was
8653 evident enough.
8654
8655 Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the
8656 feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her own, and
8657 to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she
8658 feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she
8659 endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley
8660 was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined, to be pleased.
8661
8662 In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and, oh!
8663 how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in
8664 a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on
8665 former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion
8666 that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But,
8667 though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his
8668 behaviour to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival to Jane. No look
8669 appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred
8670 between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point
8671 she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred
8672 ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a
8673 recollection of Jane not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of saying
8674 more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He observed
8675 to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and in a tone
8676 which had something of real regret, that it "was a very long time since
8677 he had had the pleasure of seeing her;" and, before she could reply,
8678 he added, "It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of
8679 November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield."
8680
8681 Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards
8682 took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether
8683 _all_ her sisters were at Longbourn. There was not much in the question,
8684 nor in the preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner which
8685 gave them meaning.
8686
8687 It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy himself;
8688 but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general
8689 complaisance, and in all that he said she heard an accent so removed
8690 from _hauteur_ or disdain of his companions, as convinced her that
8691 the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed however
8692 temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one day. When
8693 she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion
8694 of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a
8695 disgrace--when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the
8696 very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last
8697 lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage--the difference, the change was
8698 so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly
8699 restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company
8700 of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations
8701 at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from
8702 self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance
8703 could result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the
8704 acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw
8705 down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and
8706 Rosings.
8707
8708 Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour; and when they arose
8709 to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing
8710 their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss Bennet, to dinner
8711 at Pemberley, before they left the country. Miss Darcy, though with a
8712 diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations,
8713 readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing
8714 how _she_, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its
8715 acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming however,
8716 that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than
8717 any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of
8718 society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for
8719 her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.
8720
8721 Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth
8722 again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many inquiries to
8723 make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth, construing all
8724 this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased, and on
8725 this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their
8726 visitors left them, capable of considering the last half-hour with some
8727 satisfaction, though while it was passing, the enjoyment of it had been
8728 little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her
8729 uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their
8730 favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.
8731
8732 But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's curiosity; it was
8733 not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was
8734 much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of;
8735 it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to
8736 interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.
8737
8738 Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far
8739 as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could
8740 not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn his character
8741 from their own feelings and his servant's report, without any reference
8742 to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known
8743 would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest,
8744 however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible
8745 that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four
8746 years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be
8747 hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of
8748 their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight. They had
8749 nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not,
8750 it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town
8751 where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he
8752 was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.
8753
8754 With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held
8755 there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the
8756 son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well-known
8757 fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind
8758 him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.
8759
8760 As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than
8761 the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not
8762 long enough to determine her feelings towards _one_ in that mansion;
8763 and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring to make them out. She
8764 certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she
8765 had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him,
8766 that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his
8767 valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some
8768 time ceased to be repugnant to her feeling; and it was now heightened
8769 into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in
8770 his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light,
8771 which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem,
8772 there was a motive within her of goodwill which could not be overlooked.
8773 It was gratitude; gratitude, not merely for having once loved her,
8774 but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and
8775 acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations
8776 accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid
8777 her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most
8778 eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display
8779 of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only
8780 were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent
8781 on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much
8782 pride exciting not only astonishment but gratitude--for to love, ardent
8783 love, it must be attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a
8784 sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be
8785 exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him,
8786 she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how
8787 far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would
8788 be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her
8789 fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on her the renewal of
8790 his addresses.
8791
8792 It had been settled in the evening between the aunt and the niece, that
8793 such a striking civility as Miss Darcy's in coming to see them on the
8794 very day of her arrival at Pemberley, for she had reached it only to a
8795 late breakfast, ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled,
8796 by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that
8797 it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following
8798 morning. They were, therefore, to go. Elizabeth was pleased; though when
8799 she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.
8800
8801 Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been
8802 renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting
8803 some of the gentlemen at Pemberley before noon.
8804
8805
8806
8807 Chapter 45
8808
8809
8810 Convinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley's dislike of her had
8811 originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how unwelcome her
8812 appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was curious to know with how
8813 much civility on that lady's side the acquaintance would now be renewed.
8814
8815 On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the saloon,
8816 whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows
8817 opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody
8818 hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts
8819 which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.
8820
8821 In this house they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting there
8822 with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom she lived in
8823 London. Georgiana's reception of them was very civil, but attended with
8824 all the embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear
8825 of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior
8826 the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece,
8827 however, did her justice, and pitied her.
8828
8829 By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a curtsey; and,
8830 on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be,
8831 succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a
8832 genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind
8833 of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the
8834 others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from
8835 Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she
8836 wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a
8837 short sentence when there was least danger of its being heard.
8838
8839 Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley,
8840 and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without
8841 calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her
8842 from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an
8843 inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity
8844 of saying much. Her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every
8845 moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she
8846 feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether
8847 she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After
8848 sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing Miss
8849 Bingley's voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from her a cold
8850 inquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal
8851 indifference and brevity, and the other said no more.
8852
8853 The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the
8854 entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the
8855 finest fruits in season; but this did not take place till after many
8856 a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy had been
8857 given, to remind her of her post. There was now employment for the whole
8858 party--for though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the
8859 beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon collected
8860 them round the table.
8861
8862 While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether
8863 she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy, by the
8864 feelings which prevailed on his entering the room; and then, though but
8865 a moment before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she began to
8866 regret that he came.
8867
8868 He had been some time with Mr. Gardiner, who, with two or three other
8869 gentlemen from the house, was engaged by the river, and had left him
8870 only on learning that the ladies of the family intended a visit to
8871 Georgiana that morning. No sooner did he appear than Elizabeth wisely
8872 resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; a resolution the more
8873 necessary to be made, but perhaps not the more easily kept, because she
8874 saw that the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them,
8875 and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour
8876 when he first came into the room. In no countenance was attentive
8877 curiosity so strongly marked as in Miss Bingley's, in spite of the
8878 smiles which overspread her face whenever she spoke to one of its
8879 objects; for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions
8880 to Mr. Darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy, on her brother's
8881 entrance, exerted herself much more to talk, and Elizabeth saw that he
8882 was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded
8883 as much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either side. Miss
8884 Bingley saw all this likewise; and, in the imprudence of anger, took the
8885 first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility:
8886
8887 "Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the ----shire Militia removed from Meryton?
8888 They must be a great loss to _your_ family."
8889
8890 In Darcy's presence she dared not mention Wickham's name; but Elizabeth
8891 instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her thoughts; and the
8892 various recollections connected with him gave her a moment's distress;
8893 but exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she
8894 presently answered the question in a tolerably detached tone. While
8895 she spoke, an involuntary glance showed her Darcy, with a heightened
8896 complexion, earnestly looking at her, and his sister overcome with
8897 confusion, and unable to lift up her eyes. Had Miss Bingley known what
8898 pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would
8899 have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose
8900 Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed
8901 her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in
8902 Darcy's opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies
8903 and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected
8904 with that corps. Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy's
8905 meditated elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, where secrecy
8906 was possible, except to Elizabeth; and from all Bingley's connections
8907 her brother was particularly anxious to conceal it, from the very
8908 wish which Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming
8909 hereafter her own. He had certainly formed such a plan, and without
8910 meaning that it should affect his endeavour to separate him from Miss
8911 Bennet, it is probable that it might add something to his lively concern
8912 for the welfare of his friend.
8913
8914 Elizabeth's collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his emotion; and
8915 as Miss Bingley, vexed and disappointed, dared not approach nearer to
8916 Wickham, Georgiana also recovered in time, though not enough to be able
8917 to speak any more. Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely
8918 recollected her interest in the affair, and the very circumstance which
8919 had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth seemed to have
8920 fixed them on her more and more cheerfully.
8921
8922 Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer above
8923 mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy was attending them to their carriage Miss
8924 Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person,
8925 behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her. Her brother's
8926 recommendation was enough to ensure her favour; his judgement could not
8927 err. And he had spoken in such terms of Elizabeth as to leave Georgiana
8928 without the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When
8929 Darcy returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley could not help repeating to
8930 him some part of what she had been saying to his sister.
8931
8932 "How very ill Miss Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy," she
8933 cried; "I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is since
8934 the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing
8935 that we should not have known her again."
8936
8937 However little Mr. Darcy might have liked such an address, he contented
8938 himself with coolly replying that he perceived no other alteration than
8939 her being rather tanned, no miraculous consequence of travelling in the
8940 summer.
8941
8942 "For my own part," she rejoined, "I must confess that I never could
8943 see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion has no
8944 brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her nose
8945 wants character--there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are
8946 tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes,
8947 which have sometimes been called so fine, I could never see anything
8948 extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do
8949 not like at all; and in her air altogether there is a self-sufficiency
8950 without fashion, which is intolerable."
8951
8952 Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this was not
8953 the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always
8954 wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat nettled, she had all the
8955 success she expected. He was resolutely silent, however, and, from a
8956 determination of making him speak, she continued:
8957
8958 "I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all
8959 were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect
8960 your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, '_She_
8961 a beauty!--I should as soon call her mother a wit.' But afterwards she
8962 seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at
8963 one time."
8964
8965 "Yes," replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, "but _that_
8966 was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have
8967 considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance."
8968
8969 He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the satisfaction of
8970 having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself.
8971
8972 Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred during their
8973 visit, as they returned, except what had particularly interested them
8974 both. The look and behaviour of everybody they had seen were discussed,
8975 except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention. They talked
8976 of his sister, his friends, his house, his fruit--of everything but
8977 himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of
8978 him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece's
8979 beginning the subject.
8980
8981
8982
8983 Chapter 46
8984
8985
8986 Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from
8987 Jane on their first arrival at Lambton; and this disappointment had been
8988 renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but
8989 on the third her repining was over, and her sister justified, by the
8990 receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which was marked that
8991 it had been missent elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as
8992 Jane had written the direction remarkably ill.
8993
8994 They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and
8995 her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by
8996 themselves. The one missent must first be attended to; it had been
8997 written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of all their
8998 little parties and engagements, with such news as the country afforded;
8999 but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident
9000 agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect:
9001
9002 "Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a
9003 most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you--be
9004 assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia.
9005 An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed,
9006 from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland
9007 with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! Imagine our
9008 surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am
9009 very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! But I am willing
9010 to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood.
9011 Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step
9012 (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is
9013 disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing.
9014 Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How
9015 thankful am I that we never let them know what has been said against
9016 him; we must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about
9017 twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at
9018 eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must have
9019 passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect
9020 him here soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of
9021 their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor
9022 mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly
9023 know what I have written."
9024
9025 Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing
9026 what she felt, Elizabeth on finishing this letter instantly seized the
9027 other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows: it
9028 had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first.
9029
9030 "By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my hurried letter; I
9031 wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my
9032 head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest
9033 Lizzy, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you,
9034 and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as the marriage between Mr. Wickham
9035 and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has
9036 taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone
9037 to Scotland. Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton the
9038 day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia's short
9039 letter to Mrs. F. gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna
9040 Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W.
9041 never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was
9042 repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B.
9043 intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham,
9044 but no further; for on entering that place, they removed into a hackney
9045 coach, and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that
9046 is known after this is, that they were seen to continue the London road.
9047 I know not what to think. After making every possible inquiry on that
9048 side London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing
9049 them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but
9050 without any success--no such people had been seen to pass through. With
9051 the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn, and broke his apprehensions
9052 to us in a manner most creditable to his heart. I am sincerely grieved
9053 for him and Mrs. F., but no one can throw any blame on them. Our
9054 distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great. My father and mother believe the
9055 worst, but I cannot think so ill of him. Many circumstances might make
9056 it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue
9057 their first plan; and even if _he_ could form such a design against a
9058 young woman of Lydia's connections, which is not likely, can I suppose
9059 her so lost to everything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that
9060 Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook his
9061 head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. was not a man to
9062 be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and keeps her room. Could she
9063 exert herself, it would be better; but this is not to be expected. And
9064 as to my father, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has
9065 anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of
9066 confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you
9067 have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the
9068 first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not
9069 so selfish, however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu! I
9070 take up my pen again to do what I have just told you I would not; but
9071 circumstances are such that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to
9072 come here as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well,
9073 that I am not afraid of requesting it, though I have still something
9074 more to ask of the former. My father is going to London with Colonel
9075 Forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do I am sure
9076 I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any
9077 measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to
9078 be at Brighton again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence, my
9079 uncle's advice and assistance would be everything in the world; he will
9080 immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness."
9081
9082 "Oh! where, where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat
9083 as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him, without losing
9084 a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door it was
9085 opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared. Her pale face and impetuous
9086 manner made him start, and before he could recover himself to speak,
9087 she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation,
9088 hastily exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find
9089 Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not
9090 an instant to lose."
9091
9092 "Good God! what is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than
9093 politeness; then recollecting himself, "I will not detain you a minute;
9094 but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are
9095 not well enough; you cannot go yourself."
9096
9097 Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she felt how
9098 little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back
9099 the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless
9100 an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and
9101 mistress home instantly.
9102
9103 On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to support herself, and
9104 looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Darcy to leave her,
9105 or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration,
9106 "Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you
9107 present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill."
9108
9109 "No, I thank you," she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. "There
9110 is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by
9111 some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn."
9112
9113 She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could
9114 not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say
9115 something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate
9116 silence. At length she spoke again. "I have just had a letter from Jane,
9117 with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger
9118 sister has left all her friends--has eloped; has thrown herself into
9119 the power of--of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton.
9120 _You_ know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no
9121 connections, nothing that can tempt him to--she is lost for ever."
9122
9123 Darcy was fixed in astonishment. "When I consider," she added in a yet
9124 more agitated voice, "that I might have prevented it! I, who knew what
9125 he was. Had I but explained some part of it only--some part of what I
9126 learnt, to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not
9127 have happened. But it is all--all too late now."
9128
9129 "I am grieved indeed," cried Darcy; "grieved--shocked. But is it
9130 certain--absolutely certain?"
9131
9132 "Oh, yes! They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced
9133 almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not gone to
9134 Scotland."
9135
9136 "And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?"
9137
9138 "My father is gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my uncle's
9139 immediate assistance; and we shall be off, I hope, in half-an-hour. But
9140 nothing can be done--I know very well that nothing can be done. How is
9141 such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have
9142 not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible!"
9143
9144 Darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence.
9145
9146 "When _my_ eyes were opened to his real character--Oh! had I known what
9147 I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not--I was afraid of doing too
9148 much. Wretched, wretched mistake!"
9149
9150 Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking
9151 up and down the room in earnest meditation, his brow contracted, his air
9152 gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her
9153 power was sinking; everything _must_ sink under such a proof of family
9154 weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither
9155 wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing
9156 consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It
9157 was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own
9158 wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved
9159 him, as now, when all love must be vain.
9160
9161 But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Lydia--the
9162 humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed
9163 up every private care; and covering her face with her handkerchief,
9164 Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else; and, after a pause of
9165 several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by
9166 the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which, though it spoke
9167 compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, "I am afraid you have been
9168 long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my
9169 stay, but real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything
9170 could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to
9171 such distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may
9172 seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I
9173 fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley
9174 to-day."
9175
9176 "Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy. Say that
9177 urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as
9178 long as it is possible, I know it cannot be long."
9179
9180 He readily assured her of his secrecy; again expressed his sorrow for
9181 her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present
9182 reason to hope, and leaving his compliments for her relations, with only
9183 one serious, parting look, went away.
9184
9185 As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they
9186 should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality as
9187 had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire; and as she threw a
9188 retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full
9189 of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those
9190 feelings which would now have promoted its continuance, and would
9191 formerly have rejoiced in its termination.
9192
9193 If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's
9194 change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if
9195 otherwise--if regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or
9196 unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on
9197 a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been
9198 exchanged, nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given
9199 somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham,
9200 and that its ill success might, perhaps, authorise her to seek the other
9201 less interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him
9202 go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia's infamy must
9203 produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched
9204 business. Never, since reading Jane's second letter, had she entertained
9205 a hope of Wickham's meaning to marry her. No one but Jane, she thought,
9206 could flatter herself with such an expectation. Surprise was the least
9207 of her feelings on this development. While the contents of the first
9208 letter remained in her mind, she was all surprise--all astonishment that
9209 Wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry
9210 for money; and how Lydia could ever have attached him had appeared
9211 incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural. For such an attachment
9212 as this she might have sufficient charms; and though she did not suppose
9213 Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an elopement without the intention
9214 of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue
9215 nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey.
9216
9217 She had never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertfordshire, that
9218 Lydia had any partiality for him; but she was convinced that Lydia
9219 wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody. Sometimes one
9220 officer, sometimes another, had been her favourite, as their attentions
9221 raised them in her opinion. Her affections had continually been
9222 fluctuating but never without an object. The mischief of neglect and
9223 mistaken indulgence towards such a girl--oh! how acutely did she now
9224 feel it!
9225
9226 She was wild to be at home--to hear, to see, to be upon the spot to
9227 share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly upon her, in a
9228 family so deranged, a father absent, a mother incapable of exertion, and
9229 requiring constant attendance; and though almost persuaded that nothing
9230 could be done for Lydia, her uncle's interference seemed of the utmost
9231 importance, and till he entered the room her impatience was severe. Mr.
9232 and Mrs. Gardiner had hurried back in alarm, supposing by the servant's
9233 account that their niece was taken suddenly ill; but satisfying them
9234 instantly on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their
9235 summons, reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript
9236 of the last with trembling energy.--Though Lydia had never been a
9237 favourite with them, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner could not but be deeply
9238 afflicted. Not Lydia only, but all were concerned in it; and after the
9239 first exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr. Gardiner promised every
9240 assistance in his power. Elizabeth, though expecting no less, thanked
9241 him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated by one spirit,
9242 everything relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were to
9243 be off as soon as possible. "But what is to be done about Pemberley?"
9244 cried Mrs. Gardiner. "John told us Mr. Darcy was here when you sent for
9245 us; was it so?"
9246
9247 "Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our engagement.
9248 _That_ is all settled."
9249
9250 "What is all settled?" repeated the other, as she ran into her room to
9251 prepare. "And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose the real
9252 truth? Oh, that I knew how it was!"
9253
9254 But wishes were vain, or at least could only serve to amuse her in the
9255 hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth been at leisure
9256 to be idle, she would have remained certain that all employment was
9257 impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had her share of
9258 business as well as her aunt, and amongst the rest there were notes to
9259 be written to all their friends at Lambton, with false excuses for their
9260 sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and Mr.
9261 Gardiner meanwhile having settled his account at the inn, nothing
9262 remained to be done but to go; and Elizabeth, after all the misery of
9263 the morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could
9264 have supposed, seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn.
9265
9266
9267
9268 Chapter 47
9269
9270
9271 "I have been thinking it over again, Elizabeth," said her uncle, as they
9272 drove from the town; "and really, upon serious consideration, I am much
9273 more inclined than I was to judge as your eldest sister does on the
9274 matter. It appears to me so very unlikely that any young man should
9275 form such a design against a girl who is by no means unprotected or
9276 friendless, and who was actually staying in his colonel's family, that I
9277 am strongly inclined to hope the best. Could he expect that her friends
9278 would not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the
9279 regiment, after such an affront to Colonel Forster? His temptation is
9280 not adequate to the risk!"
9281
9282 "Do you really think so?" cried Elizabeth, brightening up for a moment.
9283
9284 "Upon my word," said Mrs. Gardiner, "I begin to be of your uncle's
9285 opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, honour, and
9286 interest, for him to be guilty of. I cannot think so very ill of
9287 Wickham. Can you yourself, Lizzy, so wholly give him up, as to believe
9288 him capable of it?"
9289
9290 "Not, perhaps, of neglecting his own interest; but of every other
9291 neglect I can believe him capable. If, indeed, it should be so! But I
9292 dare not hope it. Why should they not go on to Scotland if that had been
9293 the case?"
9294
9295 "In the first place," replied Mr. Gardiner, "there is no absolute proof
9296 that they are not gone to Scotland."
9297
9298 "Oh! but their removing from the chaise into a hackney coach is such
9299 a presumption! And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the
9300 Barnet road."
9301
9302 "Well, then--supposing them to be in London. They may be there, though
9303 for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptional purpose. It is
9304 not likely that money should be very abundant on either side; and it
9305 might strike them that they could be more economically, though less
9306 expeditiously, married in London than in Scotland."
9307
9308 "But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must their
9309 marriage be private? Oh, no, no--this is not likely. His most particular
9310 friend, you see by Jane's account, was persuaded of his never intending
9311 to marry her. Wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He
9312 cannot afford it. And what claims has Lydia--what attraction has she
9313 beyond youth, health, and good humour that could make him, for her sake,
9314 forego every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well? As to what
9315 restraint the apprehensions of disgrace in the corps might throw on a
9316 dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge; for I know
9317 nothing of the effects that such a step might produce. But as to your
9318 other objection, I am afraid it will hardly hold good. Lydia has
9319 no brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from my father's
9320 behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he has ever
9321 seemed to give to what was going forward in his family, that _he_ would
9322 do as little, and think as little about it, as any father could do, in
9323 such a matter."
9324
9325 "But can you think that Lydia is so lost to everything but love of him
9326 as to consent to live with him on any terms other than marriage?"
9327
9328 "It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed," replied Elizabeth, with
9329 tears in her eyes, "that a sister's sense of decency and virtue in such
9330 a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say.
9331 Perhaps I am not doing her justice. But she is very young; she has never
9332 been taught to think on serious subjects; and for the last half-year,
9333 nay, for a twelvemonth--she has been given up to nothing but amusement
9334 and vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle
9335 and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in her way.
9336 Since the ----shire were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but love,
9337 flirtation, and officers have been in her head. She has been doing
9338 everything in her power by thinking and talking on the subject, to give
9339 greater--what shall I call it? susceptibility to her feelings; which are
9340 naturally lively enough. And we all know that Wickham has every charm of
9341 person and address that can captivate a woman."
9342
9343 "But you see that Jane," said her aunt, "does not think so very ill of
9344 Wickham as to believe him capable of the attempt."
9345
9346 "Of whom does Jane ever think ill? And who is there, whatever might be
9347 their former conduct, that she would think capable of such an attempt,
9348 till it were proved against them? But Jane knows, as well as I do, what
9349 Wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every
9350 sense of the word; that he has neither integrity nor honour; that he is
9351 as false and deceitful as he is insinuating."
9352
9353 "And do you really know all this?" cried Mrs. Gardiner, whose curiosity
9354 as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive.
9355
9356 "I do indeed," replied Elizabeth, colouring. "I told you, the other day,
9357 of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy; and you yourself, when last at
9358 Longbourn, heard in what manner he spoke of the man who had behaved
9359 with such forbearance and liberality towards him. And there are other
9360 circumstances which I am not at liberty--which it is not worth while to
9361 relate; but his lies about the whole Pemberley family are endless. From
9362 what he said of Miss Darcy I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud,
9363 reserved, disagreeable girl. Yet he knew to the contrary himself. He
9364 must know that she was as amiable and unpretending as we have found
9365 her."
9366
9367 "But does Lydia know nothing of this? can she be ignorant of what you
9368 and Jane seem so well to understand?"
9369
9370 "Oh, yes!--that, that is the worst of all. Till I was in Kent, and saw
9371 so much both of Mr. Darcy and his relation Colonel Fitzwilliam, I was
9372 ignorant of the truth myself. And when I returned home, the ----shire
9373 was to leave Meryton in a week or fortnight's time. As that was the
9374 case, neither Jane, to whom I related the whole, nor I, thought it
9375 necessary to make our knowledge public; for of what use could
9376 it apparently be to any one, that the good opinion which all the
9377 neighbourhood had of him should then be overthrown? And even when it was
9378 settled that Lydia should go with Mrs. Forster, the necessity of opening
9379 her eyes to his character never occurred to me. That _she_ could be
9380 in any danger from the deception never entered my head. That such a
9381 consequence as _this_ could ensue, you may easily believe, was far
9382 enough from my thoughts."
9383
9384 "When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you had no reason, I
9385 suppose, to believe them fond of each other?"
9386
9387 "Not the slightest. I can remember no symptom of affection on either
9388 side; and had anything of the kind been perceptible, you must be aware
9389 that ours is not a family on which it could be thrown away. When first
9390 he entered the corps, she was ready enough to admire him; but so we all
9391 were. Every girl in or near Meryton was out of her senses about him for
9392 the first two months; but he never distinguished _her_ by any particular
9393 attention; and, consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and
9394 wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others of the regiment,
9395 who treated her with more distinction, again became her favourites."
9396
9397 * * * * *
9398
9399 It may be easily believed, that however little of novelty could be added
9400 to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this interesting subject, by
9401 its repeated discussion, no other could detain them from it long, during
9402 the whole of the journey. From Elizabeth's thoughts it was never absent.
9403 Fixed there by the keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find
9404 no interval of ease or forgetfulness.
9405
9406 They travelled as expeditiously as possible, and, sleeping one night
9407 on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner time the next day. It was a
9408 comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not have been wearied
9409 by long expectations.
9410
9411 The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing
9412 on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock; and, when the
9413 carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their
9414 faces, and displayed itself over their whole bodies, in a variety of
9415 capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome.
9416
9417 Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them a hasty kiss,
9418 hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running down from her
9419 mother's apartment, immediately met her.
9420
9421 Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears filled the
9422 eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether anything had been
9423 heard of the fugitives.
9424
9425 "Not yet," replied Jane. "But now that my dear uncle is come, I hope
9426 everything will be well."
9427
9428 "Is my father in town?"
9429
9430 "Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word."
9431
9432 "And have you heard from him often?"
9433
9434 "We have heard only twice. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday to say
9435 that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his directions, which I
9436 particularly begged him to do. He merely added that he should not write
9437 again till he had something of importance to mention."
9438
9439 "And my mother--how is she? How are you all?"
9440
9441 "My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her spirits are greatly
9442 shaken. She is up stairs and will have great satisfaction in seeing you
9443 all. She does not yet leave her dressing-room. Mary and Kitty, thank
9444 Heaven, are quite well."
9445
9446 "But you--how are you?" cried Elizabeth. "You look pale. How much you
9447 must have gone through!"
9448
9449 Her sister, however, assured her of her being perfectly well; and their
9450 conversation, which had been passing while Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were
9451 engaged with their children, was now put an end to by the approach
9452 of the whole party. Jane ran to her uncle and aunt, and welcomed and
9453 thanked them both, with alternate smiles and tears.
9454
9455 When they were all in the drawing-room, the questions which Elizabeth
9456 had already asked were of course repeated by the others, and they soon
9457 found that Jane had no intelligence to give. The sanguine hope of
9458 good, however, which the benevolence of her heart suggested had not yet
9459 deserted her; she still expected that it would all end well, and that
9460 every morning would bring some letter, either from Lydia or her father,
9461 to explain their proceedings, and, perhaps, announce their marriage.
9462
9463 Mrs. Bennet, to whose apartment they all repaired, after a few minutes'
9464 conversation together, received them exactly as might be expected; with
9465 tears and lamentations of regret, invectives against the villainous
9466 conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and ill-usage;
9467 blaming everybody but the person to whose ill-judging indulgence the
9468 errors of her daughter must principally be owing.
9469
9470 "If I had been able," said she, "to carry my point in going to Brighton,
9471 with all my family, _this_ would not have happened; but poor dear Lydia
9472 had nobody to take care of her. Why did the Forsters ever let her go out
9473 of their sight? I am sure there was some great neglect or other on their
9474 side, for she is not the kind of girl to do such a thing if she had been
9475 well looked after. I always thought they were very unfit to have the
9476 charge of her; but I was overruled, as I always am. Poor dear child!
9477 And now here's Mr. Bennet gone away, and I know he will fight Wickham,
9478 wherever he meets him and then he will be killed, and what is to become
9479 of us all? The Collinses will turn us out before he is cold in his
9480 grave, and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not know what we
9481 shall do."
9482
9483 They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner, after
9484 general assurances of his affection for her and all her family, told her
9485 that he meant to be in London the very next day, and would assist Mr.
9486 Bennet in every endeavour for recovering Lydia.
9487
9488 "Do not give way to useless alarm," added he; "though it is right to be
9489 prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain.
9490 It is not quite a week since they left Brighton. In a few days more we
9491 may gain some news of them; and till we know that they are not married,
9492 and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the matter over as
9493 lost. As soon as I get to town I shall go to my brother, and make
9494 him come home with me to Gracechurch Street; and then we may consult
9495 together as to what is to be done."
9496
9497 "Oh! my dear brother," replied Mrs. Bennet, "that is exactly what I
9498 could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out,
9499 wherever they may be; and if they are not married already, _make_ them
9500 marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that, but
9501 tell Lydia she shall have as much money as she chooses to buy them,
9502 after they are married. And, above all, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting.
9503 Tell him what a dreadful state I am in, that I am frighted out of my
9504 wits--and have such tremblings, such flutterings, all over me--such
9505 spasms in my side and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that
9506 I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia not to
9507 give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does
9508 not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how kind you are! I
9509 know you will contrive it all."
9510
9511 But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours
9512 in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation to her, as well
9513 in her hopes as her fear; and after talking with her in this manner till
9514 dinner was on the table, they all left her to vent all her feelings on
9515 the housekeeper, who attended in the absence of her daughters.
9516
9517 Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real
9518 occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not attempt to
9519 oppose it, for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her
9520 tongue before the servants, while they waited at table, and judged it
9521 better that _one_ only of the household, and the one whom they could
9522 most trust should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the
9523 subject.
9524
9525 In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and Kitty, who had been
9526 too busily engaged in their separate apartments to make their appearance
9527 before. One came from her books, and the other from her toilette. The
9528 faces of both, however, were tolerably calm; and no change was visible
9529 in either, except that the loss of her favourite sister, or the anger
9530 which she had herself incurred in this business, had given more of
9531 fretfulness than usual to the accents of Kitty. As for Mary, she was
9532 mistress enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth, with a countenance
9533 of grave reflection, soon after they were seated at table:
9534
9535 "This is a most unfortunate affair, and will probably be much talked of.
9536 But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of
9537 each other the balm of sisterly consolation."
9538
9539 Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she added,
9540 "Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful
9541 lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one
9542 false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less
9543 brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in
9544 her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex."
9545
9546 Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed
9547 to make any reply. Mary, however, continued to console herself with such
9548 kind of moral extractions from the evil before them.
9549
9550 In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for
9551 half-an-hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed herself of
9552 the opportunity of making any inquiries, which Jane was equally eager to
9553 satisfy. After joining in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel
9554 of this event, which Elizabeth considered as all but certain, and Miss
9555 Bennet could not assert to be wholly impossible, the former continued
9556 the subject, by saying, "But tell me all and everything about it which
9557 I have not already heard. Give me further particulars. What did Colonel
9558 Forster say? Had they no apprehension of anything before the elopement
9559 took place? They must have seen them together for ever."
9560
9561 "Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some partiality,
9562 especially on Lydia's side, but nothing to give him any alarm. I am so
9563 grieved for him! His behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He
9564 _was_ coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had
9565 any idea of their not being gone to Scotland: when that apprehension
9566 first got abroad, it hastened his journey."
9567
9568 "And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he know of
9569 their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny himself?"
9570
9571 "Yes; but, when questioned by _him_, Denny denied knowing anything of
9572 their plans, and would not give his real opinion about it. He did not
9573 repeat his persuasion of their not marrying--and from _that_, I am
9574 inclined to hope, he might have been misunderstood before."
9575
9576 "And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you entertained a
9577 doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?"
9578
9579 "How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains? I felt
9580 a little uneasy--a little fearful of my sister's happiness with him
9581 in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not been always quite
9582 right. My father and mother knew nothing of that; they only felt how
9583 imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then owned, with a very natural
9584 triumph on knowing more than the rest of us, that in Lydia's last letter
9585 she had prepared her for such a step. She had known, it seems, of their
9586 being in love with each other, many weeks."
9587
9588 "But not before they went to Brighton?"
9589
9590 "No, I believe not."
9591
9592 "And did Colonel Forster appear to think well of Wickham himself? Does
9593 he know his real character?"
9594
9595 "I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he formerly
9596 did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. And since this sad
9597 affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton greatly in debt;
9598 but I hope this may be false."
9599
9600 "Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of him,
9601 this could not have happened!"
9602
9603 "Perhaps it would have been better," replied her sister. "But to expose
9604 the former faults of any person without knowing what their present
9605 feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the best intentions."
9606
9607 "Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's note to his
9608 wife?"
9609
9610 "He brought it with him for us to see."
9611
9612 Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. These
9613 were the contents:
9614
9615 "MY DEAR HARRIET,
9616
9617 "You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help
9618 laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am
9619 missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who,
9620 I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the world I
9621 love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy without him, so think
9622 it no harm to be off. You need not send them word at Longbourn of my
9623 going, if you do not like it, for it will make the surprise the greater,
9624 when I write to them and sign my name 'Lydia Wickham.' What a good joke
9625 it will be! I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to
9626 Pratt for not keeping my engagement, and dancing with him to-night.
9627 Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all; and tell him I will
9628 dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great pleasure. I shall
9629 send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish you would tell
9630 Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown before they are
9631 packed up. Good-bye. Give my love to Colonel Forster. I hope you will
9632 drink to our good journey.
9633
9634 "Your affectionate friend,
9635
9636 "LYDIA BENNET."
9637
9638 "Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!" cried Elizabeth when she had
9639 finished it. "What a letter is this, to be written at such a moment!
9640 But at least it shows that _she_ was serious on the subject of their
9641 journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her
9642 side a _scheme_ of infamy. My poor father! how he must have felt it!"
9643
9644 "I never saw anyone so shocked. He could not speak a word for full ten
9645 minutes. My mother was taken ill immediately, and the whole house in
9646 such confusion!"
9647
9648 "Oh! Jane," cried Elizabeth, "was there a servant belonging to it who
9649 did not know the whole story before the end of the day?"
9650
9651 "I do not know. I hope there was. But to be guarded at such a time is
9652 very difficult. My mother was in hysterics, and though I endeavoured to
9653 give her every assistance in my power, I am afraid I did not do so
9654 much as I might have done! But the horror of what might possibly happen
9655 almost took from me my faculties."
9656
9657 "Your attendance upon her has been too much for you. You do not look
9658 well. Oh that I had been with you! you have had every care and anxiety
9659 upon yourself alone."
9660
9661 "Mary and Kitty have been very kind, and would have shared in every
9662 fatigue, I am sure; but I did not think it right for either of them.
9663 Kitty is slight and delicate; and Mary studies so much, that her hours
9664 of repose should not be broken in on. My aunt Phillips came to Longbourn
9665 on Tuesday, after my father went away; and was so good as to stay till
9666 Thursday with me. She was of great use and comfort to us all. And
9667 Lady Lucas has been very kind; she walked here on Wednesday morning to
9668 condole with us, and offered her services, or any of her daughters', if
9669 they should be of use to us."
9670
9671 "She had better have stayed at home," cried Elizabeth; "perhaps she
9672 _meant_ well, but, under such a misfortune as this, one cannot see
9673 too little of one's neighbours. Assistance is impossible; condolence
9674 insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied."
9675
9676 She then proceeded to inquire into the measures which her father had
9677 intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.
9678
9679 "He meant I believe," replied Jane, "to go to Epsom, the place where
9680 they last changed horses, see the postilions and try if anything could
9681 be made out from them. His principal object must be to discover the
9682 number of the hackney coach which took them from Clapham. It had come
9683 with a fare from London; and as he thought that the circumstance of a
9684 gentleman and lady's removing from one carriage into another might
9685 be remarked he meant to make inquiries at Clapham. If he could anyhow
9686 discover at what house the coachman had before set down his fare, he
9687 determined to make inquiries there, and hoped it might not be impossible
9688 to find out the stand and number of the coach. I do not know of any
9689 other designs that he had formed; but he was in such a hurry to be gone,
9690 and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty in finding
9691 out even so much as this."
9692
9693
9694
9695 Chapter 48
9696
9697
9698 The whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr. Bennet the next
9699 morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line from him.
9700 His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a most negligent and
9701 dilatory correspondent; but at such a time they had hoped for exertion.
9702 They were forced to conclude that he had no pleasing intelligence to
9703 send; but even of _that_ they would have been glad to be certain. Mr.
9704 Gardiner had waited only for the letters before he set off.
9705
9706 When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving constant
9707 information of what was going on, and their uncle promised, at parting,
9708 to prevail on Mr. Bennet to return to Longbourn, as soon as he could,
9709 to the great consolation of his sister, who considered it as the only
9710 security for her husband's not being killed in a duel.
9711
9712 Mrs. Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a few
9713 days longer, as the former thought her presence might be serviceable
9714 to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. Bennet, and was a
9715 great comfort to them in their hours of freedom. Their other aunt also
9716 visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of
9717 cheering and heartening them up--though, as she never came without
9718 reporting some fresh instance of Wickham's extravagance or irregularity,
9719 she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found
9720 them.
9721
9722 All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man who, but three months
9723 before, had been almost an angel of light. He was declared to be in debt
9724 to every tradesman in the place, and his intrigues, all honoured with
9725 the title of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman's family.
9726 Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world;
9727 and everybody began to find out that they had always distrusted the
9728 appearance of his goodness. Elizabeth, though she did not credit above
9729 half of what was said, believed enough to make her former assurance of
9730 her sister's ruin more certain; and even Jane, who believed still less
9731 of it, became almost hopeless, more especially as the time was now come
9732 when, if they had gone to Scotland, which she had never before entirely
9733 despaired of, they must in all probability have gained some news of
9734 them.
9735
9736 Mr. Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday his wife received a
9737 letter from him; it told them that, on his arrival, he had immediately
9738 found out his brother, and persuaded him to come to Gracechurch Street;
9739 that Mr. Bennet had been to Epsom and Clapham, before his arrival,
9740 but without gaining any satisfactory information; and that he was now
9741 determined to inquire at all the principal hotels in town, as Mr. Bennet
9742 thought it possible they might have gone to one of them, on their first
9743 coming to London, before they procured lodgings. Mr. Gardiner himself
9744 did not expect any success from this measure, but as his brother was
9745 eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He added that Mr.
9746 Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present to leave London and promised
9747 to write again very soon. There was also a postscript to this effect:
9748
9749 "I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find out, if
9750 possible, from some of the young man's intimates in the regiment,
9751 whether Wickham has any relations or connections who would be likely to
9752 know in what part of town he has now concealed himself. If there were
9753 anyone that one could apply to with a probability of gaining such a
9754 clue as that, it might be of essential consequence. At present we have
9755 nothing to guide us. Colonel Forster will, I dare say, do everything in
9756 his power to satisfy us on this head. But, on second thoughts, perhaps,
9757 Lizzy could tell us what relations he has now living, better than any
9758 other person."
9759
9760 Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this deference to her
9761 authority proceeded; but it was not in her power to give any information
9762 of so satisfactory a nature as the compliment deserved. She had never
9763 heard of his having had any relations, except a father and mother, both
9764 of whom had been dead many years. It was possible, however, that some of
9765 his companions in the ----shire might be able to give more information;
9766 and though she was not very sanguine in expecting it, the application
9767 was a something to look forward to.
9768
9769 Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety; but the most anxious
9770 part of each was when the post was expected. The arrival of letters
9771 was the grand object of every morning's impatience. Through letters,
9772 whatever of good or bad was to be told would be communicated, and every
9773 succeeding day was expected to bring some news of importance.
9774
9775 But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner, a letter arrived for
9776 their father, from a different quarter, from Mr. Collins; which, as Jane
9777 had received directions to open all that came for him in his absence,
9778 she accordingly read; and Elizabeth, who knew what curiosities his
9779 letters always were, looked over her, and read it likewise. It was as
9780 follows:
9781
9782 "MY DEAR SIR,
9783
9784 "I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and my situation
9785 in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now
9786 suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a letter from
9787 Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs. Collins and myself
9788 sincerely sympathise with you and all your respectable family, in
9789 your present distress, which must be of the bitterest kind, because
9790 proceeding from a cause which no time can remove. No arguments shall be
9791 wanting on my part that can alleviate so severe a misfortune--or that
9792 may comfort you, under a circumstance that must be of all others the
9793 most afflicting to a parent's mind. The death of your daughter would
9794 have been a blessing in comparison of this. And it is the more to
9795 be lamented, because there is reason to suppose as my dear Charlotte
9796 informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has
9797 proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence; though, at the same time,
9798 for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think
9799 that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be
9800 guilty of such an enormity, at so early an age. Howsoever that may be,
9801 you are grievously to be pitied; in which opinion I am not only joined
9802 by Mrs. Collins, but likewise by Lady Catherine and her daughter, to
9803 whom I have related the affair. They agree with me in apprehending that
9804 this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of
9805 all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says,
9806 will connect themselves with such a family? And this consideration leads
9807 me moreover to reflect, with augmented satisfaction, on a certain event
9808 of last November; for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved
9809 in all your sorrow and disgrace. Let me then advise you, dear sir, to
9810 console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child
9811 from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her
9812 own heinous offense.
9813
9814 "I am, dear sir, etc., etc."
9815
9816 Mr. Gardiner did not write again till he had received an answer from
9817 Colonel Forster; and then he had nothing of a pleasant nature to send.
9818 It was not known that Wickham had a single relationship with whom he
9819 kept up any connection, and it was certain that he had no near one
9820 living. His former acquaintances had been numerous; but since he
9821 had been in the militia, it did not appear that he was on terms of
9822 particular friendship with any of them. There was no one, therefore,
9823 who could be pointed out as likely to give any news of him. And in the
9824 wretched state of his own finances, there was a very powerful motive for
9825 secrecy, in addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia's relations, for
9826 it had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him to a
9827 very considerable amount. Colonel Forster believed that more than a
9828 thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expenses at Brighton.
9829 He owed a good deal in town, but his debts of honour were still more
9830 formidable. Mr. Gardiner did not attempt to conceal these particulars
9831 from the Longbourn family. Jane heard them with horror. "A gamester!"
9832 she cried. "This is wholly unexpected. I had not an idea of it."
9833
9834 Mr. Gardiner added in his letter, that they might expect to see their
9835 father at home on the following day, which was Saturday. Rendered
9836 spiritless by the ill-success of all their endeavours, he had yielded
9837 to his brother-in-law's entreaty that he would return to his family, and
9838 leave it to him to do whatever occasion might suggest to be advisable
9839 for continuing their pursuit. When Mrs. Bennet was told of this, she did
9840 not express so much satisfaction as her children expected, considering
9841 what her anxiety for his life had been before.
9842
9843 "What, is he coming home, and without poor Lydia?" she cried. "Sure he
9844 will not leave London before he has found them. Who is to fight Wickham,
9845 and make him marry her, if he comes away?"
9846
9847 As Mrs. Gardiner began to wish to be at home, it was settled that she
9848 and the children should go to London, at the same time that Mr. Bennet
9849 came from it. The coach, therefore, took them the first stage of their
9850 journey, and brought its master back to Longbourn.
9851
9852 Mrs. Gardiner went away in all the perplexity about Elizabeth and her
9853 Derbyshire friend that had attended her from that part of the world. His
9854 name had never been voluntarily mentioned before them by her niece; and
9855 the kind of half-expectation which Mrs. Gardiner had formed, of their
9856 being followed by a letter from him, had ended in nothing. Elizabeth had
9857 received none since her return that could come from Pemberley.
9858
9859 The present unhappy state of the family rendered any other excuse for
9860 the lowness of her spirits unnecessary; nothing, therefore, could be
9861 fairly conjectured from _that_, though Elizabeth, who was by this time
9862 tolerably well acquainted with her own feelings, was perfectly aware
9863 that, had she known nothing of Darcy, she could have borne the dread of
9864 Lydia's infamy somewhat better. It would have spared her, she thought,
9865 one sleepless night out of two.
9866
9867 When Mr. Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual
9868 philosophic composure. He said as little as he had ever been in the
9869 habit of saying; made no mention of the business that had taken him
9870 away, and it was some time before his daughters had courage to speak of
9871 it.
9872
9873 It was not till the afternoon, when he had joined them at tea, that
9874 Elizabeth ventured to introduce the subject; and then, on her briefly
9875 expressing her sorrow for what he must have endured, he replied, "Say
9876 nothing of that. Who should suffer but myself? It has been my own doing,
9877 and I ought to feel it."
9878
9879 "You must not be too severe upon yourself," replied Elizabeth.
9880
9881 "You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone
9882 to fall into it! No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how much I have
9883 been to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression.
9884 It will pass away soon enough."
9885
9886 "Do you suppose them to be in London?"
9887
9888 "Yes; where else can they be so well concealed?"
9889
9890 "And Lydia used to want to go to London," added Kitty.
9891
9892 "She is happy then," said her father drily; "and her residence there
9893 will probably be of some duration."
9894
9895 Then after a short silence he continued:
9896
9897 "Lizzy, I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me
9898 last May, which, considering the event, shows some greatness of mind."
9899
9900 They were interrupted by Miss Bennet, who came to fetch her mother's
9901 tea.
9902
9903 "This is a parade," he cried, "which does one good; it gives such an
9904 elegance to misfortune! Another day I will do the same; I will sit in my
9905 library, in my nightcap and powdering gown, and give as much trouble as
9906 I can; or, perhaps, I may defer it till Kitty runs away."
9907
9908 "I am not going to run away, papa," said Kitty fretfully. "If I should
9909 ever go to Brighton, I would behave better than Lydia."
9910
9911 "_You_ go to Brighton. I would not trust you so near it as Eastbourne
9912 for fifty pounds! No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to be cautious, and
9913 you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to enter into
9914 my house again, nor even to pass through the village. Balls will be
9915 absolutely prohibited, unless you stand up with one of your sisters.
9916 And you are never to stir out of doors till you can prove that you have
9917 spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner."
9918
9919 Kitty, who took all these threats in a serious light, began to cry.
9920
9921 "Well, well," said he, "do not make yourself unhappy. If you are a good
9922 girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of
9923 them."
9924
9925
9926
9927 Chapter 49
9928
9929
9930 Two days after Mr. Bennet's return, as Jane and Elizabeth were walking
9931 together in the shrubbery behind the house, they saw the housekeeper
9932 coming towards them, and, concluding that she came to call them to their
9933 mother, went forward to meet her; but, instead of the expected summons,
9934 when they approached her, she said to Miss Bennet, "I beg your pardon,
9935 madam, for interrupting you, but I was in hopes you might have got some
9936 good news from town, so I took the liberty of coming to ask."
9937
9938 "What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town."
9939
9940 "Dear madam," cried Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, "don't you know
9941 there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner? He has been here
9942 this half-hour, and master has had a letter."
9943
9944 Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for speech. They
9945 ran through the vestibule into the breakfast-room; from thence to the
9946 library; their father was in neither; and they were on the point of
9947 seeking him up stairs with their mother, when they were met by the
9948 butler, who said:
9949
9950 "If you are looking for my master, ma'am, he is walking towards the
9951 little copse."
9952
9953 Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall once
9954 more, and ran across the lawn after their father, who was deliberately
9955 pursuing his way towards a small wood on one side of the paddock.
9956
9957 Jane, who was not so light nor so much in the habit of running as
9958 Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath,
9959 came up with him, and eagerly cried out:
9960
9961 "Oh, papa, what news--what news? Have you heard from my uncle?"
9962
9963 "Yes I have had a letter from him by express."
9964
9965 "Well, and what news does it bring--good or bad?"
9966
9967 "What is there of good to be expected?" said he, taking the letter from
9968 his pocket. "But perhaps you would like to read it."
9969
9970 Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now came up.
9971
9972 "Read it aloud," said their father, "for I hardly know myself what it is
9973 about."
9974
9975 "Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2.
9976
9977 "MY DEAR BROTHER,
9978
9979 "At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as,
9980 upon the whole, I hope it will give you satisfaction. Soon after you
9981 left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of
9982 London they were. The particulars I reserve till we meet; it is enough
9983 to know they are discovered. I have seen them both--"
9984
9985 "Then it is as I always hoped," cried Jane; "they are married!"
9986
9987 Elizabeth read on:
9988
9989 "I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find there
9990 was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to perform the
9991 engagements which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope it will
9992 not be long before they are. All that is required of you is, to assure
9993 to your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of the five thousand
9994 pounds secured among your children after the decease of yourself and
9995 my sister; and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her,
9996 during your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions
9997 which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying with,
9998 as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by
9999 express, that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You
10000 will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham's
10001 circumstances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed to be.
10002 The world has been deceived in that respect; and I am happy to say there
10003 will be some little money, even when all his debts are discharged, to
10004 settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune. If, as I conclude
10005 will be the case, you send me full powers to act in your name throughout
10006 the whole of this business, I will immediately give directions to
10007 Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement. There will not be the
10008 smallest occasion for your coming to town again; therefore stay quiet at
10009 Longbourn, and depend on my diligence and care. Send back your answer as
10010 fast as you can, and be careful to write explicitly. We have judged it
10011 best that my niece should be married from this house, of which I hope
10012 you will approve. She comes to us to-day. I shall write again as soon as
10013 anything more is determined on. Yours, etc.,
10014
10015 "EDW. GARDINER."
10016
10017 "Is it possible?" cried Elizabeth, when she had finished. "Can it be
10018 possible that he will marry her?"
10019
10020 "Wickham is not so undeserving, then, as we thought him," said her
10021 sister. "My dear father, I congratulate you."
10022
10023 "And have you answered the letter?" cried Elizabeth.
10024
10025 "No; but it must be done soon."
10026
10027 Most earnestly did she then entreat him to lose no more time before he
10028 wrote.
10029
10030 "Oh! my dear father," she cried, "come back and write immediately.
10031 Consider how important every moment is in such a case."
10032
10033 "Let me write for you," said Jane, "if you dislike the trouble
10034 yourself."
10035
10036 "I dislike it very much," he replied; "but it must be done."
10037
10038 And so saying, he turned back with them, and walked towards the house.
10039
10040 "And may I ask--" said Elizabeth; "but the terms, I suppose, must be
10041 complied with."
10042
10043 "Complied with! I am only ashamed of his asking so little."
10044
10045 "And they _must_ marry! Yet he is _such_ a man!"
10046
10047 "Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But there
10048 are two things that I want very much to know; one is, how much money
10049 your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the other, how am I ever
10050 to pay him."
10051
10052 "Money! My uncle!" cried Jane, "what do you mean, sir?"
10053
10054 "I mean, that no man in his senses would marry Lydia on so slight a
10055 temptation as one hundred a year during my life, and fifty after I am
10056 gone."
10057
10058 "That is very true," said Elizabeth; "though it had not occurred to me
10059 before. His debts to be discharged, and something still to remain! Oh!
10060 it must be my uncle's doings! Generous, good man, I am afraid he has
10061 distressed himself. A small sum could not do all this."
10062
10063 "No," said her father; "Wickham's a fool if he takes her with a farthing
10064 less than ten thousand pounds. I should be sorry to think so ill of him,
10065 in the very beginning of our relationship."
10066
10067 "Ten thousand pounds! Heaven forbid! How is half such a sum to be
10068 repaid?"
10069
10070 Mr. Bennet made no answer, and each of them, deep in thought, continued
10071 silent till they reached the house. Their father then went on to the
10072 library to write, and the girls walked into the breakfast-room.
10073
10074 "And they are really to be married!" cried Elizabeth, as soon as they
10075 were by themselves. "How strange this is! And for _this_ we are to be
10076 thankful. That they should marry, small as is their chance of happiness,
10077 and wretched as is his character, we are forced to rejoice. Oh, Lydia!"
10078
10079 "I comfort myself with thinking," replied Jane, "that he certainly would
10080 not marry Lydia if he had not a real regard for her. Though our kind
10081 uncle has done something towards clearing him, I cannot believe that ten
10082 thousand pounds, or anything like it, has been advanced. He has children
10083 of his own, and may have more. How could he spare half ten thousand
10084 pounds?"
10085
10086 "If he were ever able to learn what Wickham's debts have been," said
10087 Elizabeth, "and how much is settled on his side on our sister, we shall
10088 exactly know what Mr. Gardiner has done for them, because Wickham has
10089 not sixpence of his own. The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never
10090 be requited. Their taking her home, and affording her their personal
10091 protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as
10092 years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. By this time she is
10093 actually with them! If such goodness does not make her miserable now,
10094 she will never deserve to be happy! What a meeting for her, when she
10095 first sees my aunt!"
10096
10097 "We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either side," said
10098 Jane: "I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His consenting to
10099 marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is come to a right way of
10100 thinking. Their mutual affection will steady them; and I flatter myself
10101 they will settle so quietly, and live in so rational a manner, as may in
10102 time make their past imprudence forgotten."
10103
10104 "Their conduct has been such," replied Elizabeth, "as neither you, nor
10105 I, nor anybody can ever forget. It is useless to talk of it."
10106
10107 It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all likelihood
10108 perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They went to the library,
10109 therefore, and asked their father whether he would not wish them to make
10110 it known to her. He was writing and, without raising his head, coolly
10111 replied:
10112
10113 "Just as you please."
10114
10115 "May we take my uncle's letter to read to her?"
10116
10117 "Take whatever you like, and get away."
10118
10119 Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table, and they went up stairs
10120 together. Mary and Kitty were both with Mrs. Bennet: one communication
10121 would, therefore, do for all. After a slight preparation for good news,
10122 the letter was read aloud. Mrs. Bennet could hardly contain herself. As
10123 soon as Jane had read Mr. Gardiner's hope of Lydia's being soon
10124 married, her joy burst forth, and every following sentence added to its
10125 exuberance. She was now in an irritation as violent from delight, as she
10126 had ever been fidgety from alarm and vexation. To know that her daughter
10127 would be married was enough. She was disturbed by no fear for her
10128 felicity, nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct.
10129
10130 "My dear, dear Lydia!" she cried. "This is delightful indeed! She will
10131 be married! I shall see her again! She will be married at sixteen!
10132 My good, kind brother! I knew how it would be. I knew he would manage
10133 everything! How I long to see her! and to see dear Wickham too! But the
10134 clothes, the wedding clothes! I will write to my sister Gardiner about
10135 them directly. Lizzy, my dear, run down to your father, and ask him
10136 how much he will give her. Stay, stay, I will go myself. Ring the bell,
10137 Kitty, for Hill. I will put on my things in a moment. My dear, dear
10138 Lydia! How merry we shall be together when we meet!"
10139
10140 Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the violence of
10141 these transports, by leading her thoughts to the obligations which Mr.
10142 Gardiner's behaviour laid them all under.
10143
10144 "For we must attribute this happy conclusion," she added, "in a great
10145 measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that he has pledged himself to
10146 assist Mr. Wickham with money."
10147
10148 "Well," cried her mother, "it is all very right; who should do it but
10149 her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and my children
10150 must have had all his money, you know; and it is the first time we have
10151 ever had anything from him, except a few presents. Well! I am so happy!
10152 In a short time I shall have a daughter married. Mrs. Wickham! How well
10153 it sounds! And she was only sixteen last June. My dear Jane, I am in
10154 such a flutter, that I am sure I can't write; so I will dictate, and
10155 you write for me. We will settle with your father about the money
10156 afterwards; but the things should be ordered immediately."
10157
10158 She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico, muslin, and
10159 cambric, and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful orders, had
10160 not Jane, though with some difficulty, persuaded her to wait till her
10161 father was at leisure to be consulted. One day's delay, she observed,
10162 would be of small importance; and her mother was too happy to be quite
10163 so obstinate as usual. Other schemes, too, came into her head.
10164
10165 "I will go to Meryton," said she, "as soon as I am dressed, and tell the
10166 good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I come back, I can call
10167 on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty, run down and order the carriage.
10168 An airing would do me a great deal of good, I am sure. Girls, can I do
10169 anything for you in Meryton? Oh! Here comes Hill! My dear Hill, have you
10170 heard the good news? Miss Lydia is going to be married; and you shall
10171 all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding."
10172
10173 Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth received her
10174 congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly, took
10175 refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom.
10176
10177 Poor Lydia's situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that it was
10178 no worse, she had need to be thankful. She felt it so; and though, in
10179 looking forward, neither rational happiness nor worldly prosperity could
10180 be justly expected for her sister, in looking back to what they had
10181 feared, only two hours ago, she felt all the advantages of what they had
10182 gained.
10183
10184
10185
10186 Chapter 50
10187
10188
10189 Mr. Bennet had very often wished before this period of his life that,
10190 instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum for
10191 the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived
10192 him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that
10193 respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever
10194 of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of
10195 prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be
10196 her husband might then have rested in its proper place.
10197
10198 He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to anyone
10199 should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother-in-law, and he
10200 was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance,
10201 and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.
10202
10203 When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly
10204 useless, for, of course, they were to have a son. The son was to join
10205 in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow
10206 and younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters
10207 successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs.
10208 Bennet, for many years after Lydia's birth, had been certain that he
10209 would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then
10210 too late to be saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her
10211 husband's love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their
10212 income.
10213
10214 Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet and
10215 the children. But in what proportions it should be divided amongst the
10216 latter depended on the will of the parents. This was one point, with
10217 regard to Lydia, at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr. Bennet
10218 could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him. In
10219 terms of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother,
10220 though expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect
10221 approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the
10222 engagements that had been made for him. He had never before supposed
10223 that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would
10224 be done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present
10225 arrangement. He would scarcely be ten pounds a year the loser by the
10226 hundred that was to be paid them; for, what with her board and pocket
10227 allowance, and the continual presents in money which passed to her
10228 through her mother's hands, Lydia's expenses had been very little within
10229 that sum.
10230
10231 That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too, was
10232 another very welcome surprise; for his wish at present was to have as
10233 little trouble in the business as possible. When the first transports
10234 of rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were over, he
10235 naturally returned to all his former indolence. His letter was soon
10236 dispatched; for, though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick
10237 in its execution. He begged to know further particulars of what he
10238 was indebted to his brother, but was too angry with Lydia to send any
10239 message to her.
10240
10241 The good news spread quickly through the house, and with proportionate
10242 speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent
10243 philosophy. To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage
10244 of conversation had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the
10245 happiest alternative, been secluded from the world, in some distant
10246 farmhouse. But there was much to be talked of in marrying her; and the
10247 good-natured wishes for her well-doing which had proceeded before from
10248 all the spiteful old ladies in Meryton lost but a little of their spirit
10249 in this change of circumstances, because with such an husband her misery
10250 was considered certain.
10251
10252 It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been downstairs; but on this
10253 happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, and in
10254 spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her
10255 triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had been the first object
10256 of her wishes since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of
10257 accomplishment, and her thoughts and her words ran wholly on those
10258 attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and
10259 servants. She was busily searching through the neighbourhood for a
10260 proper situation for her daughter, and, without knowing or considering
10261 what their income might be, rejected many as deficient in size and
10262 importance.
10263
10264 "Haye Park might do," said she, "if the Gouldings could quit it--or the
10265 great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; but Ashworth is
10266 too far off! I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for
10267 Pulvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful."
10268
10269 Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the
10270 servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her: "Mrs.
10271 Bennet, before you take any or all of these houses for your son and
10272 daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into _one_ house in this
10273 neighbourhood they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage the
10274 impudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn."
10275
10276 A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet was firm. It
10277 soon led to another; and Mrs. Bennet found, with amazement and horror,
10278 that her husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for his
10279 daughter. He protested that she should receive from him no mark of
10280 affection whatever on the occasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend
10281 it. That his anger could be carried to such a point of inconceivable
10282 resentment as to refuse his daughter a privilege without which her
10283 marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all she could believe
10284 possible. She was more alive to the disgrace which her want of new
10285 clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of
10286 shame at her eloping and living with Wickham a fortnight before they
10287 took place.
10288
10289 Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of
10290 the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears for
10291 her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the
10292 proper termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its
10293 unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the
10294 spot.
10295
10296 She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There were
10297 few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended;
10298 but, at the same time, there was no one whose knowledge of a sister's
10299 frailty would have mortified her so much--not, however, from any fear
10300 of disadvantage from it individually to herself, for, at any rate,
10301 there seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had Lydia's marriage been
10302 concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that
10303 Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family where, to every other
10304 objection, would now be added an alliance and relationship of the
10305 nearest kind with a man whom he so justly scorned.
10306
10307 From such a connection she could not wonder that he would shrink. The
10308 wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself of his
10309 feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation survive such a
10310 blow as this. She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she
10311 hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no
10312 longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there
10313 seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that
10314 she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they
10315 should meet.
10316
10317 What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the
10318 proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, would now
10319 have been most gladly and gratefully received! He was as generous, she
10320 doubted not, as the most generous of his sex; but while he was mortal,
10321 there must be a triumph.
10322
10323 She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in
10324 disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and
10325 temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It
10326 was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease
10327 and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved;
10328 and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she
10329 must have received benefit of greater importance.
10330
10331 But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what
10332 connubial felicity really was. An union of a different tendency, and
10333 precluding the possibility of the other, was soon to be formed in their
10334 family.
10335
10336 How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence,
10337 she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could
10338 belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions
10339 were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.
10340
10341 * * * * *
10342
10343 Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet's
10344 acknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurance of his eagerness to
10345 promote the welfare of any of his family; and concluded with entreaties
10346 that the subject might never be mentioned to him again. The principal
10347 purport of his letter was to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved
10348 on quitting the militia.
10349
10350 "It was greatly my wish that he should do so," he added, "as soon as
10351 his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me, in
10352 considering the removal from that corps as highly advisable, both on
10353 his account and my niece's. It is Mr. Wickham's intention to go into
10354 the regulars; and among his former friends, there are still some who
10355 are able and willing to assist him in the army. He has the promise of an
10356 ensigncy in General ----'s regiment, now quartered in the North. It
10357 is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. He
10358 promises fairly; and I hope among different people, where they may each
10359 have a character to preserve, they will both be more prudent. I have
10360 written to Colonel Forster, to inform him of our present arrangements,
10361 and to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. Wickham
10362 in and near Brighton, with assurances of speedy payment, for which I
10363 have pledged myself. And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying
10364 similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin
10365 a list according to his information? He has given in all his debts; I
10366 hope at least he has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions,
10367 and all will be completed in a week. They will then join his regiment,
10368 unless they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand from Mrs.
10369 Gardiner, that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all before she
10370 leaves the South. She is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to
10371 you and her mother.--Yours, etc.,
10372
10373 "E. GARDINER."
10374
10375 Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham's removal
10376 from the ----shire as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. But Mrs. Bennet
10377 was not so well pleased with it. Lydia's being settled in the North,
10378 just when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her company,
10379 for she had by no means given up her plan of their residing in
10380 Hertfordshire, was a severe disappointment; and, besides, it was such a
10381 pity that Lydia should be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted
10382 with everybody, and had so many favourites.
10383
10384 "She is so fond of Mrs. Forster," said she, "it will be quite shocking
10385 to send her away! And there are several of the young men, too, that she
10386 likes very much. The officers may not be so pleasant in General ----'s
10387 regiment."
10388
10389 His daughter's request, for such it might be considered, of being
10390 admitted into her family again before she set off for the North,
10391 received at first an absolute negative. But Jane and Elizabeth,
10392 who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister's feelings and
10393 consequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by her parents,
10394 urged him so earnestly yet so rationally and so mildly, to receive her
10395 and her husband at Longbourn, as soon as they were married, that he was
10396 prevailed on to think as they thought, and act as they wished. And their
10397 mother had the satisfaction of knowing that she would be able to show
10398 her married daughter in the neighbourhood before she was banished to the
10399 North. When Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore, he sent
10400 his permission for them to come; and it was settled, that as soon as
10401 the ceremony was over, they should proceed to Longbourn. Elizabeth was
10402 surprised, however, that Wickham should consent to such a scheme, and
10403 had she consulted only her own inclination, any meeting with him would
10404 have been the last object of her wishes.
10405
10406
10407
10408 Chapter 51
10409
10410
10411 Their sister's wedding day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt for her
10412 probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was sent to
10413 meet them at ----, and they were to return in it by dinner-time. Their
10414 arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss Bennets, and Jane more especially,
10415 who gave Lydia the feelings which would have attended herself, had she
10416 been the culprit, and was wretched in the thought of what her sister
10417 must endure.
10418
10419 They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast room to receive
10420 them. Smiles decked the face of Mrs. Bennet as the carriage drove up to
10421 the door; her husband looked impenetrably grave; her daughters, alarmed,
10422 anxious, uneasy.
10423
10424 Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open, and
10425 she ran into the room. Her mother stepped forwards, embraced her, and
10426 welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand, with an affectionate smile,
10427 to Wickham, who followed his lady; and wished them both joy with an
10428 alacrity which shewed no doubt of their happiness.
10429
10430 Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then turned, was not quite
10431 so cordial. His countenance rather gained in austerity; and he scarcely
10432 opened his lips. The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was
10433 enough to provoke him. Elizabeth was disgusted, and even Miss Bennet
10434 was shocked. Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy,
10435 and fearless. She turned from sister to sister, demanding their
10436 congratulations; and when at length they all sat down, looked eagerly
10437 round the room, took notice of some little alteration in it, and
10438 observed, with a laugh, that it was a great while since she had been
10439 there.
10440
10441 Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself, but his manners
10442 were always so pleasing, that had his character and his marriage been
10443 exactly what they ought, his smiles and his easy address, while he
10444 claimed their relationship, would have delighted them all. Elizabeth had
10445 not before believed him quite equal to such assurance; but she sat down,
10446 resolving within herself to draw no limits in future to the impudence
10447 of an impudent man. She blushed, and Jane blushed; but the cheeks of the
10448 two who caused their confusion suffered no variation of colour.
10449
10450 There was no want of discourse. The bride and her mother could neither
10451 of them talk fast enough; and Wickham, who happened to sit near
10452 Elizabeth, began inquiring after his acquaintance in that neighbourhood,
10453 with a good humoured ease which she felt very unable to equal in her
10454 replies. They seemed each of them to have the happiest memories in the
10455 world. Nothing of the past was recollected with pain; and Lydia led
10456 voluntarily to subjects which her sisters would not have alluded to for
10457 the world.
10458
10459 "Only think of its being three months," she cried, "since I went away;
10460 it seems but a fortnight I declare; and yet there have been things
10461 enough happened in the time. Good gracious! when I went away, I am sure
10462 I had no more idea of being married till I came back again! though I
10463 thought it would be very good fun if I was."
10464
10465 Her father lifted up his eyes. Jane was distressed. Elizabeth looked
10466 expressively at Lydia; but she, who never heard nor saw anything of
10467 which she chose to be insensible, gaily continued, "Oh! mamma, do the
10468 people hereabouts know I am married to-day? I was afraid they might not;
10469 and we overtook William Goulding in his curricle, so I was determined he
10470 should know it, and so I let down the side-glass next to him, and took
10471 off my glove, and let my hand just rest upon the window frame, so that
10472 he might see the ring, and then I bowed and smiled like anything."
10473
10474 Elizabeth could bear it no longer. She got up, and ran out of the room;
10475 and returned no more, till she heard them passing through the hall to
10476 the dining parlour. She then joined them soon enough to see Lydia, with
10477 anxious parade, walk up to her mother's right hand, and hear her say
10478 to her eldest sister, "Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go
10479 lower, because I am a married woman."
10480
10481 It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that embarrassment
10482 from which she had been so wholly free at first. Her ease and good
10483 spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs. Phillips, the Lucases, and
10484 all their other neighbours, and to hear herself called "Mrs. Wickham"
10485 by each of them; and in the mean time, she went after dinner to show her
10486 ring, and boast of being married, to Mrs. Hill and the two housemaids.
10487
10488 "Well, mamma," said she, when they were all returned to the breakfast
10489 room, "and what do you think of my husband? Is not he a charming man? I
10490 am sure my sisters must all envy me. I only hope they may have half
10491 my good luck. They must all go to Brighton. That is the place to get
10492 husbands. What a pity it is, mamma, we did not all go."
10493
10494 "Very true; and if I had my will, we should. But my dear Lydia, I don't
10495 at all like your going such a way off. Must it be so?"
10496
10497 "Oh, lord! yes;--there is nothing in that. I shall like it of all
10498 things. You and papa, and my sisters, must come down and see us. We
10499 shall be at Newcastle all the winter, and I dare say there will be some
10500 balls, and I will take care to get good partners for them all."
10501
10502 "I should like it beyond anything!" said her mother.
10503
10504 "And then when you go away, you may leave one or two of my sisters
10505 behind you; and I dare say I shall get husbands for them before the
10506 winter is over."
10507
10508 "I thank you for my share of the favour," said Elizabeth; "but I do not
10509 particularly like your way of getting husbands."
10510
10511 Their visitors were not to remain above ten days with them. Mr. Wickham
10512 had received his commission before he left London, and he was to join
10513 his regiment at the end of a fortnight.
10514
10515 No one but Mrs. Bennet regretted that their stay would be so short; and
10516 she made the most of the time by visiting about with her daughter, and
10517 having very frequent parties at home. These parties were acceptable to
10518 all; to avoid a family circle was even more desirable to such as did
10519 think, than such as did not.
10520
10521 Wickham's affection for Lydia was just what Elizabeth had expected
10522 to find it; not equal to Lydia's for him. She had scarcely needed her
10523 present observation to be satisfied, from the reason of things, that
10524 their elopement had been brought on by the strength of her love, rather
10525 than by his; and she would have wondered why, without violently caring
10526 for her, he chose to elope with her at all, had she not felt certain
10527 that his flight was rendered necessary by distress of circumstances; and
10528 if that were the case, he was not the young man to resist an opportunity
10529 of having a companion.
10530
10531 Lydia was exceedingly fond of him. He was her dear Wickham on every
10532 occasion; no one was to be put in competition with him. He did every
10533 thing best in the world; and she was sure he would kill more birds on
10534 the first of September, than any body else in the country.
10535
10536 One morning, soon after their arrival, as she was sitting with her two
10537 elder sisters, she said to Elizabeth:
10538
10539 "Lizzy, I never gave _you_ an account of my wedding, I believe. You
10540 were not by, when I told mamma and the others all about it. Are not you
10541 curious to hear how it was managed?"
10542
10543 "No really," replied Elizabeth; "I think there cannot be too little said
10544 on the subject."
10545
10546 "La! You are so strange! But I must tell you how it went off. We were
10547 married, you know, at St. Clement's, because Wickham's lodgings were in
10548 that parish. And it was settled that we should all be there by eleven
10549 o'clock. My uncle and aunt and I were to go together; and the others
10550 were to meet us at the church. Well, Monday morning came, and I was in
10551 such a fuss! I was so afraid, you know, that something would happen to
10552 put it off, and then I should have gone quite distracted. And there was
10553 my aunt, all the time I was dressing, preaching and talking away just as
10554 if she was reading a sermon. However, I did not hear above one word in
10555 ten, for I was thinking, you may suppose, of my dear Wickham. I longed
10556 to know whether he would be married in his blue coat."
10557
10558 "Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual; I thought it would never
10559 be over; for, by the bye, you are to understand, that my uncle and aunt
10560 were horrid unpleasant all the time I was with them. If you'll believe
10561 me, I did not once put my foot out of doors, though I was there a
10562 fortnight. Not one party, or scheme, or anything. To be sure London was
10563 rather thin, but, however, the Little Theatre was open. Well, and so
10564 just as the carriage came to the door, my uncle was called away upon
10565 business to that horrid man Mr. Stone. And then, you know, when once
10566 they get together, there is no end of it. Well, I was so frightened I
10567 did not know what to do, for my uncle was to give me away; and if we
10568 were beyond the hour, we could not be married all day. But, luckily, he
10569 came back again in ten minutes' time, and then we all set out. However,
10570 I recollected afterwards that if he had been prevented going, the
10571 wedding need not be put off, for Mr. Darcy might have done as well."
10572
10573 "Mr. Darcy!" repeated Elizabeth, in utter amazement.
10574
10575 "Oh, yes!--he was to come there with Wickham, you know. But gracious
10576 me! I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word about it. I promised
10577 them so faithfully! What will Wickham say? It was to be such a secret!"
10578
10579 "If it was to be secret," said Jane, "say not another word on the
10580 subject. You may depend upon my seeking no further."
10581
10582 "Oh! certainly," said Elizabeth, though burning with curiosity; "we will
10583 ask you no questions."
10584
10585 "Thank you," said Lydia, "for if you did, I should certainly tell you
10586 all, and then Wickham would be angry."
10587
10588 On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced to put it out of her
10589 power, by running away.
10590
10591 But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible; or at least
10592 it was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcy had been at
10593 her sister's wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among people,
10594 where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to go.
10595 Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her
10596 brain; but she was satisfied with none. Those that best pleased her, as
10597 placing his conduct in the noblest light, seemed most improbable. She
10598 could not bear such suspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of paper,
10599 wrote a short letter to her aunt, to request an explanation of what
10600 Lydia had dropt, if it were compatible with the secrecy which had been
10601 intended.
10602
10603 "You may readily comprehend," she added, "what my curiosity must be
10604 to know how a person unconnected with any of us, and (comparatively
10605 speaking) a stranger to our family, should have been amongst you at such
10606 a time. Pray write instantly, and let me understand it--unless it is,
10607 for very cogent reasons, to remain in the secrecy which Lydia seems
10608 to think necessary; and then I must endeavour to be satisfied with
10609 ignorance."
10610
10611 "Not that I _shall_, though," she added to herself, as she finished
10612 the letter; "and my dear aunt, if you do not tell me in an honourable
10613 manner, I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and stratagems to find it
10614 out."
10615
10616 Jane's delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to
10617 Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall; Elizabeth was glad
10618 of it;--till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any
10619 satisfaction, she had rather be without a confidante.
10620
10621
10622
10623 Chapter 52
10624
10625
10626 Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving an answer to her letter as
10627 soon as she possibly could. She was no sooner in possession of it
10628 than, hurrying into the little copse, where she was least likely to
10629 be interrupted, she sat down on one of the benches and prepared to
10630 be happy; for the length of the letter convinced her that it did not
10631 contain a denial.
10632
10633 "Gracechurch street, Sept. 6.
10634
10635 "MY DEAR NIECE,
10636
10637 "I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole morning
10638 to answering it, as I foresee that a _little_ writing will not comprise
10639 what I have to tell you. I must confess myself surprised by your
10640 application; I did not expect it from _you_. Don't think me angry,
10641 however, for I only mean to let you know that I had not imagined such
10642 inquiries to be necessary on _your_ side. If you do not choose to
10643 understand me, forgive my impertinence. Your uncle is as much surprised
10644 as I am--and nothing but the belief of your being a party concerned
10645 would have allowed him to act as he has done. But if you are really
10646 innocent and ignorant, I must be more explicit.
10647
10648 "On the very day of my coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had a most
10649 unexpected visitor. Mr. Darcy called, and was shut up with him several
10650 hours. It was all over before I arrived; so my curiosity was not so
10651 dreadfully racked as _yours_ seems to have been. He came to tell Mr.
10652 Gardiner that he had found out where your sister and Mr. Wickham were,
10653 and that he had seen and talked with them both; Wickham repeatedly,
10654 Lydia once. From what I can collect, he left Derbyshire only one day
10655 after ourselves, and came to town with the resolution of hunting for
10656 them. The motive professed was his conviction of its being owing to
10657 himself that Wickham's worthlessness had not been so well known as to
10658 make it impossible for any young woman of character to love or confide
10659 in him. He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride, and
10660 confessed that he had before thought it beneath him to lay his private
10661 actions open to the world. His character was to speak for itself. He
10662 called it, therefore, his duty to step forward, and endeavour to remedy
10663 an evil which had been brought on by himself. If he _had another_
10664 motive, I am sure it would never disgrace him. He had been some days
10665 in town, before he was able to discover them; but he had something to
10666 direct his search, which was more than _we_ had; and the consciousness
10667 of this was another reason for his resolving to follow us.
10668
10669 "There is a lady, it seems, a Mrs. Younge, who was some time ago
10670 governess to Miss Darcy, and was dismissed from her charge on some cause
10671 of disapprobation, though he did not say what. She then took a large
10672 house in Edward-street, and has since maintained herself by letting
10673 lodgings. This Mrs. Younge was, he knew, intimately acquainted with
10674 Wickham; and he went to her for intelligence of him as soon as he got to
10675 town. But it was two or three days before he could get from her what he
10676 wanted. She would not betray her trust, I suppose, without bribery and
10677 corruption, for she really did know where her friend was to be found.
10678 Wickham indeed had gone to her on their first arrival in London, and had
10679 she been able to receive them into her house, they would have taken up
10680 their abode with her. At length, however, our kind friend procured the
10681 wished-for direction. They were in ---- street. He saw Wickham, and
10682 afterwards insisted on seeing Lydia. His first object with her, he
10683 acknowledged, had been to persuade her to quit her present disgraceful
10684 situation, and return to her friends as soon as they could be prevailed
10685 on to receive her, offering his assistance, as far as it would go. But
10686 he found Lydia absolutely resolved on remaining where she was. She cared
10687 for none of her friends; she wanted no help of his; she would not hear
10688 of leaving Wickham. She was sure they should be married some time or
10689 other, and it did not much signify when. Since such were her feelings,
10690 it only remained, he thought, to secure and expedite a marriage, which,
10691 in his very first conversation with Wickham, he easily learnt had never
10692 been _his_ design. He confessed himself obliged to leave the regiment,
10693 on account of some debts of honour, which were very pressing; and
10694 scrupled not to lay all the ill-consequences of Lydia's flight on her
10695 own folly alone. He meant to resign his commission immediately; and as
10696 to his future situation, he could conjecture very little about it. He
10697 must go somewhere, but he did not know where, and he knew he should have
10698 nothing to live on.
10699
10700 "Mr. Darcy asked him why he had not married your sister at once. Though
10701 Mr. Bennet was not imagined to be very rich, he would have been able
10702 to do something for him, and his situation must have been benefited by
10703 marriage. But he found, in reply to this question, that Wickham still
10704 cherished the hope of more effectually making his fortune by marriage in
10705 some other country. Under such circumstances, however, he was not likely
10706 to be proof against the temptation of immediate relief.
10707
10708 "They met several times, for there was much to be discussed. Wickham of
10709 course wanted more than he could get; but at length was reduced to be
10710 reasonable.
10711
10712 "Every thing being settled between _them_, Mr. Darcy's next step was to
10713 make your uncle acquainted with it, and he first called in Gracechurch
10714 street the evening before I came home. But Mr. Gardiner could not be
10715 seen, and Mr. Darcy found, on further inquiry, that your father was
10716 still with him, but would quit town the next morning. He did not judge
10717 your father to be a person whom he could so properly consult as your
10718 uncle, and therefore readily postponed seeing him till after the
10719 departure of the former. He did not leave his name, and till the next
10720 day it was only known that a gentleman had called on business.
10721
10722 "On Saturday he came again. Your father was gone, your uncle at home,
10723 and, as I said before, they had a great deal of talk together.
10724
10725 "They met again on Sunday, and then _I_ saw him too. It was not all
10726 settled before Monday: as soon as it was, the express was sent off to
10727 Longbourn. But our visitor was very obstinate. I fancy, Lizzy, that
10728 obstinacy is the real defect of his character, after all. He has been
10729 accused of many faults at different times, but _this_ is the true one.
10730 Nothing was to be done that he did not do himself; though I am sure (and
10731 I do not speak it to be thanked, therefore say nothing about it), your
10732 uncle would most readily have settled the whole.
10733
10734 "They battled it together for a long time, which was more than either
10735 the gentleman or lady concerned in it deserved. But at last your uncle
10736 was forced to yield, and instead of being allowed to be of use to his
10737 niece, was forced to put up with only having the probable credit of it,
10738 which went sorely against the grain; and I really believe your letter
10739 this morning gave him great pleasure, because it required an explanation
10740 that would rob him of his borrowed feathers, and give the praise where
10741 it was due. But, Lizzy, this must go no farther than yourself, or Jane
10742 at most.
10743
10744 "You know pretty well, I suppose, what has been done for the young
10745 people. His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably
10746 more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in addition to her own
10747 settled upon _her_, and his commission purchased. The reason why all
10748 this was to be done by him alone, was such as I have given above. It
10749 was owing to him, to his reserve and want of proper consideration, that
10750 Wickham's character had been so misunderstood, and consequently that he
10751 had been received and noticed as he was. Perhaps there was some truth
10752 in _this_; though I doubt whether _his_ reserve, or _anybody's_ reserve,
10753 can be answerable for the event. But in spite of all this fine talking,
10754 my dear Lizzy, you may rest perfectly assured that your uncle would
10755 never have yielded, if we had not given him credit for _another
10756 interest_ in the affair.
10757
10758 "When all this was resolved on, he returned again to his friends, who
10759 were still staying at Pemberley; but it was agreed that he should be in
10760 London once more when the wedding took place, and all money matters were
10761 then to receive the last finish.
10762
10763 "I believe I have now told you every thing. It is a relation which
10764 you tell me is to give you great surprise; I hope at least it will not
10765 afford you any displeasure. Lydia came to us; and Wickham had constant
10766 admission to the house. _He_ was exactly what he had been, when I
10767 knew him in Hertfordshire; but I would not tell you how little I was
10768 satisfied with her behaviour while she staid with us, if I had not
10769 perceived, by Jane's letter last Wednesday, that her conduct on coming
10770 home was exactly of a piece with it, and therefore what I now tell
10771 you can give you no fresh pain. I talked to her repeatedly in the most
10772 serious manner, representing to her all the wickedness of what she had
10773 done, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family. If she
10774 heard me, it was by good luck, for I am sure she did not listen. I was
10775 sometimes quite provoked, but then I recollected my dear Elizabeth and
10776 Jane, and for their sakes had patience with her.
10777
10778 "Mr. Darcy was punctual in his return, and as Lydia informed you,
10779 attended the wedding. He dined with us the next day, and was to leave
10780 town again on Wednesday or Thursday. Will you be very angry with me, my
10781 dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying (what I was never bold
10782 enough to say before) how much I like him. His behaviour to us has,
10783 in every respect, been as pleasing as when we were in Derbyshire. His
10784 understanding and opinions all please me; he wants nothing but a little
10785 more liveliness, and _that_, if he marry _prudently_, his wife may teach
10786 him. I thought him very sly;--he hardly ever mentioned your name. But
10787 slyness seems the fashion.
10788
10789 "Pray forgive me if I have been very presuming, or at least do not
10790 punish me so far as to exclude me from P. I shall never be quite happy
10791 till I have been all round the park. A low phaeton, with a nice little
10792 pair of ponies, would be the very thing.
10793
10794 "But I must write no more. The children have been wanting me this half
10795 hour.
10796
10797 "Yours, very sincerely,
10798
10799 "M. GARDINER."
10800
10801 The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth into a flutter of spirits,
10802 in which it was difficult to determine whether pleasure or pain bore the
10803 greatest share. The vague and unsettled suspicions which uncertainty had
10804 produced of what Mr. Darcy might have been doing to forward her sister's
10805 match, which she had feared to encourage as an exertion of goodness too
10806 great to be probable, and at the same time dreaded to be just, from the
10807 pain of obligation, were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true!
10808 He had followed them purposely to town, he had taken on himself all
10809 the trouble and mortification attendant on such a research; in which
10810 supplication had been necessary to a woman whom he must abominate and
10811 despise, and where he was reduced to meet, frequently meet, reason
10812 with, persuade, and finally bribe, the man whom he always most wished to
10813 avoid, and whose very name it was punishment to him to pronounce. He had
10814 done all this for a girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem. Her
10815 heart did whisper that he had done it for her. But it was a hope shortly
10816 checked by other considerations, and she soon felt that even her vanity
10817 was insufficient, when required to depend on his affection for her--for
10818 a woman who had already refused him--as able to overcome a sentiment so
10819 natural as abhorrence against relationship with Wickham. Brother-in-law
10820 of Wickham! Every kind of pride must revolt from the connection. He had,
10821 to be sure, done much. She was ashamed to think how much. But he had
10822 given a reason for his interference, which asked no extraordinary
10823 stretch of belief. It was reasonable that he should feel he had been
10824 wrong; he had liberality, and he had the means of exercising it; and
10825 though she would not place herself as his principal inducement, she
10826 could, perhaps, believe that remaining partiality for her might assist
10827 his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind must be materially
10828 concerned. It was painful, exceedingly painful, to know that they were
10829 under obligations to a person who could never receive a return. They
10830 owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, every thing, to him. Oh!
10831 how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever
10832 encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him. For
10833 herself she was humbled; but she was proud of him. Proud that in a cause
10834 of compassion and honour, he had been able to get the better of himself.
10835 She read over her aunt's commendation of him again and again. It
10836 was hardly enough; but it pleased her. She was even sensible of some
10837 pleasure, though mixed with regret, on finding how steadfastly both she
10838 and her uncle had been persuaded that affection and confidence subsisted
10839 between Mr. Darcy and herself.
10840
10841 She was roused from her seat, and her reflections, by some one's
10842 approach; and before she could strike into another path, she was
10843 overtaken by Wickham.
10844
10845 "I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear sister?" said he,
10846 as he joined her.
10847
10848 "You certainly do," she replied with a smile; "but it does not follow
10849 that the interruption must be unwelcome."
10850
10851 "I should be sorry indeed, if it were. We were always good friends; and
10852 now we are better."
10853
10854 "True. Are the others coming out?"
10855
10856 "I do not know. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are going in the carriage to
10857 Meryton. And so, my dear sister, I find, from our uncle and aunt, that
10858 you have actually seen Pemberley."
10859
10860 She replied in the affirmative.
10861
10862 "I almost envy you the pleasure, and yet I believe it would be too much
10863 for me, or else I could take it in my way to Newcastle. And you saw the
10864 old housekeeper, I suppose? Poor Reynolds, she was always very fond of
10865 me. But of course she did not mention my name to you."
10866
10867 "Yes, she did."
10868
10869 "And what did she say?"
10870
10871 "That you were gone into the army, and she was afraid had--not turned
10872 out well. At such a distance as _that_, you know, things are strangely
10873 misrepresented."
10874
10875 "Certainly," he replied, biting his lips. Elizabeth hoped she had
10876 silenced him; but he soon afterwards said:
10877
10878 "I was surprised to see Darcy in town last month. We passed each other
10879 several times. I wonder what he can be doing there."
10880
10881 "Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss de Bourgh," said
10882 Elizabeth. "It must be something particular, to take him there at this
10883 time of year."
10884
10885 "Undoubtedly. Did you see him while you were at Lambton? I thought I
10886 understood from the Gardiners that you had."
10887
10888 "Yes; he introduced us to his sister."
10889
10890 "And do you like her?"
10891
10892 "Very much."
10893
10894 "I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved within this year
10895 or two. When I last saw her, she was not very promising. I am very glad
10896 you liked her. I hope she will turn out well."
10897
10898 "I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age."
10899
10900 "Did you go by the village of Kympton?"
10901
10902 "I do not recollect that we did."
10903
10904 "I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have had. A
10905 most delightful place!--Excellent Parsonage House! It would have suited
10906 me in every respect."
10907
10908 "How should you have liked making sermons?"
10909
10910 "Exceedingly well. I should have considered it as part of my duty,
10911 and the exertion would soon have been nothing. One ought not to
10912 repine;--but, to be sure, it would have been such a thing for me! The
10913 quiet, the retirement of such a life would have answered all my ideas
10914 of happiness! But it was not to be. Did you ever hear Darcy mention the
10915 circumstance, when you were in Kent?"
10916
10917 "I have heard from authority, which I thought _as good_, that it was
10918 left you conditionally only, and at the will of the present patron."
10919
10920 "You have. Yes, there was something in _that_; I told you so from the
10921 first, you may remember."
10922
10923 "I _did_ hear, too, that there was a time, when sermon-making was not
10924 so palatable to you as it seems to be at present; that you actually
10925 declared your resolution of never taking orders, and that the business
10926 had been compromised accordingly."
10927
10928 "You did! and it was not wholly without foundation. You may remember
10929 what I told you on that point, when first we talked of it."
10930
10931 They were now almost at the door of the house, for she had walked fast
10932 to get rid of him; and unwilling, for her sister's sake, to provoke him,
10933 she only said in reply, with a good-humoured smile:
10934
10935 "Come, Mr. Wickham, we are brother and sister, you know. Do not let
10936 us quarrel about the past. In future, I hope we shall be always of one
10937 mind."
10938
10939 She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, though
10940 he hardly knew how to look, and they entered the house.
10941
10942
10943
10944 Chapter 53
10945
10946
10947 Mr. Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation that he
10948 never again distressed himself, or provoked his dear sister Elizabeth,
10949 by introducing the subject of it; and she was pleased to find that she
10950 had said enough to keep him quiet.
10951
10952 The day of his and Lydia's departure soon came, and Mrs. Bennet was
10953 forced to submit to a separation, which, as her husband by no means
10954 entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle, was likely to
10955 continue at least a twelvemonth.
10956
10957 "Oh! my dear Lydia," she cried, "when shall we meet again?"
10958
10959 "Oh, lord! I don't know. Not these two or three years, perhaps."
10960
10961 "Write to me very often, my dear."
10962
10963 "As often as I can. But you know married women have never much time for
10964 writing. My sisters may write to _me_. They will have nothing else to
10965 do."
10966
10967 Mr. Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than his wife's. He
10968 smiled, looked handsome, and said many pretty things.
10969
10970 "He is as fine a fellow," said Mr. Bennet, as soon as they were out of
10971 the house, "as ever I saw. He simpers, and smirks, and makes love to
10972 us all. I am prodigiously proud of him. I defy even Sir William Lucas
10973 himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law."
10974
10975 The loss of her daughter made Mrs. Bennet very dull for several days.
10976
10977 "I often think," said she, "that there is nothing so bad as parting with
10978 one's friends. One seems so forlorn without them."
10979
10980 "This is the consequence, you see, Madam, of marrying a daughter," said
10981 Elizabeth. "It must make you better satisfied that your other four are
10982 single."
10983
10984 "It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is married,
10985 but only because her husband's regiment happens to be so far off. If
10986 that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon."
10987
10988 But the spiritless condition which this event threw her into was shortly
10989 relieved, and her mind opened again to the agitation of hope, by an
10990 article of news which then began to be in circulation. The housekeeper
10991 at Netherfield had received orders to prepare for the arrival of her
10992 master, who was coming down in a day or two, to shoot there for several
10993 weeks. Mrs. Bennet was quite in the fidgets. She looked at Jane, and
10994 smiled and shook her head by turns.
10995
10996 "Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley is coming down, sister," (for Mrs.
10997 Phillips first brought her the news). "Well, so much the better. Not
10998 that I care about it, though. He is nothing to us, you know, and I am
10999 sure _I_ never want to see him again. But, however, he is very welcome
11000 to come to Netherfield, if he likes it. And who knows what _may_ happen?
11001 But that is nothing to us. You know, sister, we agreed long ago never to
11002 mention a word about it. And so, is it quite certain he is coming?"
11003
11004 "You may depend on it," replied the other, "for Mrs. Nicholls was in
11005 Meryton last night; I saw her passing by, and went out myself on purpose
11006 to know the truth of it; and she told me that it was certain true. He
11007 comes down on Thursday at the latest, very likely on Wednesday. She was
11008 going to the butcher's, she told me, on purpose to order in some meat on
11009 Wednesday, and she has got three couple of ducks just fit to be killed."
11010
11011 Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without changing
11012 colour. It was many months since she had mentioned his name to
11013 Elizabeth; but now, as soon as they were alone together, she said:
11014
11015 "I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of the present
11016 report; and I know I appeared distressed. But don't imagine it was from
11017 any silly cause. I was only confused for the moment, because I felt that
11018 I _should_ be looked at. I do assure you that the news does not affect
11019 me either with pleasure or pain. I am glad of one thing, that he comes
11020 alone; because we shall see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of
11021 _myself_, but I dread other people's remarks."
11022
11023 Elizabeth did not know what to make of it. Had she not seen him in
11024 Derbyshire, she might have supposed him capable of coming there with no
11025 other view than what was acknowledged; but she still thought him partial
11026 to Jane, and she wavered as to the greater probability of his coming
11027 there _with_ his friend's permission, or being bold enough to come
11028 without it.
11029
11030 "Yet it is hard," she sometimes thought, "that this poor man cannot
11031 come to a house which he has legally hired, without raising all this
11032 speculation! I _will_ leave him to himself."
11033
11034 In spite of what her sister declared, and really believed to be her
11035 feelings in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth could easily
11036 perceive that her spirits were affected by it. They were more disturbed,
11037 more unequal, than she had often seen them.
11038
11039 The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their parents,
11040 about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again.
11041
11042 "As soon as ever Mr. Bingley comes, my dear," said Mrs. Bennet, "you
11043 will wait on him of course."
11044
11045 "No, no. You forced me into visiting him last year, and promised, if I
11046 went to see him, he should marry one of my daughters. But it ended in
11047 nothing, and I will not be sent on a fool's errand again."
11048
11049 His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary such an attention
11050 would be from all the neighbouring gentlemen, on his returning to
11051 Netherfield.
11052
11053 "'Tis an etiquette I despise," said he. "If he wants our society,
11054 let him seek it. He knows where we live. I will not spend my hours
11055 in running after my neighbours every time they go away and come back
11056 again."
11057
11058 "Well, all I know is, that it will be abominably rude if you do not wait
11059 on him. But, however, that shan't prevent my asking him to dine here, I
11060 am determined. We must have Mrs. Long and the Gouldings soon. That will
11061 make thirteen with ourselves, so there will be just room at table for
11062 him."
11063
11064 Consoled by this resolution, she was the better able to bear her
11065 husband's incivility; though it was very mortifying to know that her
11066 neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, before
11067 _they_ did. As the day of his arrival drew near,--
11068
11069 "I begin to be sorry that he comes at all," said Jane to her sister. "It
11070 would be nothing; I could see him with perfect indifference, but I can
11071 hardly bear to hear it thus perpetually talked of. My mother means well;
11072 but she does not know, no one can know, how much I suffer from what she
11073 says. Happy shall I be, when his stay at Netherfield is over!"
11074
11075 "I wish I could say anything to comfort you," replied Elizabeth; "but it
11076 is wholly out of my power. You must feel it; and the usual satisfaction
11077 of preaching patience to a sufferer is denied me, because you have
11078 always so much."
11079
11080 Mr. Bingley arrived. Mrs. Bennet, through the assistance of servants,
11081 contrived to have the earliest tidings of it, that the period of anxiety
11082 and fretfulness on her side might be as long as it could. She counted
11083 the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent;
11084 hopeless of seeing him before. But on the third morning after his
11085 arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw him, from her dressing-room window,
11086 enter the paddock and ride towards the house.
11087
11088 Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane resolutely
11089 kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth, to satisfy her mother, went
11090 to the window--she looked,--she saw Mr. Darcy with him, and sat down
11091 again by her sister.
11092
11093 "There is a gentleman with him, mamma," said Kitty; "who can it be?"
11094
11095 "Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose; I am sure I do not
11096 know."
11097
11098 "La!" replied Kitty, "it looks just like that man that used to be with
11099 him before. Mr. what's-his-name. That tall, proud man."
11100
11101 "Good gracious! Mr. Darcy!--and so it does, I vow. Well, any friend of
11102 Mr. Bingley's will always be welcome here, to be sure; but else I must
11103 say that I hate the very sight of him."
11104
11105 Jane looked at Elizabeth with surprise and concern. She knew but little
11106 of their meeting in Derbyshire, and therefore felt for the awkwardness
11107 which must attend her sister, in seeing him almost for the first time
11108 after receiving his explanatory letter. Both sisters were uncomfortable
11109 enough. Each felt for the other, and of course for themselves; and their
11110 mother talked on, of her dislike of Mr. Darcy, and her resolution to be
11111 civil to him only as Mr. Bingley's friend, without being heard by either
11112 of them. But Elizabeth had sources of uneasiness which could not be
11113 suspected by Jane, to whom she had never yet had courage to shew Mrs.
11114 Gardiner's letter, or to relate her own change of sentiment towards him.
11115 To Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she had refused,
11116 and whose merit she had undervalued; but to her own more extensive
11117 information, he was the person to whom the whole family were indebted
11118 for the first of benefits, and whom she regarded herself with an
11119 interest, if not quite so tender, at least as reasonable and just as
11120 what Jane felt for Bingley. Her astonishment at his coming--at his
11121 coming to Netherfield, to Longbourn, and voluntarily seeking her again,
11122 was almost equal to what she had known on first witnessing his altered
11123 behaviour in Derbyshire.
11124
11125 The colour which had been driven from her face, returned for half a
11126 minute with an additional glow, and a smile of delight added lustre to
11127 her eyes, as she thought for that space of time that his affection and
11128 wishes must still be unshaken. But she would not be secure.
11129
11130 "Let me first see how he behaves," said she; "it will then be early
11131 enough for expectation."
11132
11133 She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and without daring to
11134 lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity carried them to the face of
11135 her sister as the servant was approaching the door. Jane looked a little
11136 paler than usual, but more sedate than Elizabeth had expected. On the
11137 gentlemen's appearing, her colour increased; yet she received them with
11138 tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from any
11139 symptom of resentment or any unnecessary complaisance.
11140
11141 Elizabeth said as little to either as civility would allow, and sat down
11142 again to her work, with an eagerness which it did not often command. She
11143 had ventured only one glance at Darcy. He looked serious, as usual; and,
11144 she thought, more as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, than as
11145 she had seen him at Pemberley. But, perhaps he could not in her mother's
11146 presence be what he was before her uncle and aunt. It was a painful, but
11147 not an improbable, conjecture.
11148
11149 Bingley, she had likewise seen for an instant, and in that short period
11150 saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed. He was received by Mrs.
11151 Bennet with a degree of civility which made her two daughters ashamed,
11152 especially when contrasted with the cold and ceremonious politeness of
11153 her curtsey and address to his friend.
11154
11155 Elizabeth, particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the latter
11156 the preservation of her favourite daughter from irremediable infamy,
11157 was hurt and distressed to a most painful degree by a distinction so ill
11158 applied.
11159
11160 Darcy, after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question
11161 which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely anything. He
11162 was not seated by her; perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but
11163 it had not been so in Derbyshire. There he had talked to her friends,
11164 when he could not to herself. But now several minutes elapsed without
11165 bringing the sound of his voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist
11166 the impulse of curiosity, she raised her eyes to his face, she as often
11167 found him looking at Jane as at herself, and frequently on no object but
11168 the ground. More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, than when
11169 they last met, were plainly expressed. She was disappointed, and angry
11170 with herself for being so.
11171
11172 "Could I expect it to be otherwise!" said she. "Yet why did he come?"
11173
11174 She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself; and to
11175 him she had hardly courage to speak.
11176
11177 She inquired after his sister, but could do no more.
11178
11179 "It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away," said Mrs. Bennet.
11180
11181 He readily agreed to it.
11182
11183 "I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People _did_ say
11184 you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope
11185 it is not true. A great many changes have happened in the neighbourhood,
11186 since you went away. Miss Lucas is married and settled. And one of my
11187 own daughters. I suppose you have heard of it; indeed, you must have
11188 seen it in the papers. It was in The Times and The Courier, I know;
11189 though it was not put in as it ought to be. It was only said, 'Lately,
11190 George Wickham, Esq. to Miss Lydia Bennet,' without there being a
11191 syllable said of her father, or the place where she lived, or anything.
11192 It was my brother Gardiner's drawing up too, and I wonder how he came to
11193 make such an awkward business of it. Did you see it?"
11194
11195 Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth
11196 dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, therefore, she could
11197 not tell.
11198
11199 "It is a delightful thing, to be sure, to have a daughter well married,"
11200 continued her mother, "but at the same time, Mr. Bingley, it is very
11201 hard to have her taken such a way from me. They are gone down to
11202 Newcastle, a place quite northward, it seems, and there they are to stay
11203 I do not know how long. His regiment is there; for I suppose you have
11204 heard of his leaving the ----shire, and of his being gone into the
11205 regulars. Thank Heaven! he has _some_ friends, though perhaps not so
11206 many as he deserves."
11207
11208 Elizabeth, who knew this to be levelled at Mr. Darcy, was in such
11209 misery of shame, that she could hardly keep her seat. It drew from her,
11210 however, the exertion of speaking, which nothing else had so effectually
11211 done before; and she asked Bingley whether he meant to make any stay in
11212 the country at present. A few weeks, he believed.
11213
11214 "When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley," said her mother,
11215 "I beg you will come here, and shoot as many as you please on Mr.
11216 Bennet's manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you, and
11217 will save all the best of the covies for you."
11218
11219 Elizabeth's misery increased, at such unnecessary, such officious
11220 attention! Were the same fair prospect to arise at present as had
11221 flattered them a year ago, every thing, she was persuaded, would be
11222 hastening to the same vexatious conclusion. At that instant, she felt
11223 that years of happiness could not make Jane or herself amends for
11224 moments of such painful confusion.
11225
11226 "The first wish of my heart," said she to herself, "is never more to
11227 be in company with either of them. Their society can afford no pleasure
11228 that will atone for such wretchedness as this! Let me never see either
11229 one or the other again!"
11230
11231 Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no
11232 compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from observing
11233 how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her
11234 former lover. When first he came in, he had spoken to her but little;
11235 but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention. He
11236 found her as handsome as she had been last year; as good natured, and
11237 as unaffected, though not quite so chatty. Jane was anxious that no
11238 difference should be perceived in her at all, and was really persuaded
11239 that she talked as much as ever. But her mind was so busily engaged,
11240 that she did not always know when she was silent.
11241
11242 When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs. Bennet was mindful of her
11243 intended civility, and they were invited and engaged to dine at
11244 Longbourn in a few days time.
11245
11246 "You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr. Bingley," she added, "for when
11247 you went to town last winter, you promised to take a family dinner with
11248 us, as soon as you returned. I have not forgot, you see; and I assure
11249 you, I was very much disappointed that you did not come back and keep
11250 your engagement."
11251
11252 Bingley looked a little silly at this reflection, and said something of
11253 his concern at having been prevented by business. They then went away.
11254
11255 Mrs. Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and dine
11256 there that day; but, though she always kept a very good table, she did
11257 not think anything less than two courses could be good enough for a man
11258 on whom she had such anxious designs, or satisfy the appetite and pride
11259 of one who had ten thousand a year.
11260
11261
11262
11263 Chapter 54
11264
11265
11266 As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits;
11267 or in other words, to dwell without interruption on those subjects that
11268 must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy's behaviour astonished and vexed her.
11269
11270 "Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent," said she,
11271 "did he come at all?"
11272
11273 She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure.
11274
11275 "He could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my uncle and aunt, when
11276 he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me, why come hither? If
11277 he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teasing, teasing, man! I will
11278 think no more about him."
11279
11280 Her resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept by the approach
11281 of her sister, who joined her with a cheerful look, which showed her
11282 better satisfied with their visitors, than Elizabeth.
11283
11284 "Now," said she, "that this first meeting is over, I feel perfectly
11285 easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be embarrassed again by
11286 his coming. I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. It will then be publicly
11287 seen that, on both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent
11288 acquaintance."
11289
11290 "Yes, very indifferent indeed," said Elizabeth, laughingly. "Oh, Jane,
11291 take care."
11292
11293 "My dear Lizzy, you cannot think me so weak, as to be in danger now?"
11294
11295 "I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with
11296 you as ever."
11297
11298 * * * * *
11299
11300 They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday; and Mrs. Bennet, in
11301 the meanwhile, was giving way to all the happy schemes, which the good
11302 humour and common politeness of Bingley, in half an hour's visit, had
11303 revived.
11304
11305 On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at Longbourn; and the two
11306 who were most anxiously expected, to the credit of their punctuality
11307 as sportsmen, were in very good time. When they repaired to the
11308 dining-room, Elizabeth eagerly watched to see whether Bingley would take
11309 the place, which, in all their former parties, had belonged to him, by
11310 her sister. Her prudent mother, occupied by the same ideas, forbore
11311 to invite him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed to
11312 hesitate; but Jane happened to look round, and happened to smile: it was
11313 decided. He placed himself by her.
11314
11315 Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his friend.
11316 He bore it with noble indifference, and she would have imagined that
11317 Bingley had received his sanction to be happy, had she not seen his eyes
11318 likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy, with an expression of half-laughing
11319 alarm.
11320
11321 His behaviour to her sister was such, during dinner time, as showed an
11322 admiration of her, which, though more guarded than formerly, persuaded
11323 Elizabeth, that if left wholly to himself, Jane's happiness, and his
11324 own, would be speedily secured. Though she dared not depend upon the
11325 consequence, she yet received pleasure from observing his behaviour. It
11326 gave her all the animation that her spirits could boast; for she was in
11327 no cheerful humour. Mr. Darcy was almost as far from her as the table
11328 could divide them. He was on one side of her mother. She knew how little
11329 such a situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to
11330 advantage. She was not near enough to hear any of their discourse, but
11331 she could see how seldom they spoke to each other, and how formal and
11332 cold was their manner whenever they did. Her mother's ungraciousness,
11333 made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth's mind;
11334 and she would, at times, have given anything to be privileged to tell
11335 him that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the
11336 family.
11337
11338 She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of
11339 bringing them together; that the whole of the visit would not pass away
11340 without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation than
11341 the mere ceremonious salutation attending his entrance. Anxious
11342 and uneasy, the period which passed in the drawing-room, before the
11343 gentlemen came, was wearisome and dull to a degree that almost made her
11344 uncivil. She looked forward to their entrance as the point on which all
11345 her chance of pleasure for the evening must depend.
11346
11347 "If he does not come to me, _then_," said she, "I shall give him up for
11348 ever."
11349
11350 The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as if he would have
11351 answered her hopes; but, alas! the ladies had crowded round the table,
11352 where Miss Bennet was making tea, and Elizabeth pouring out the coffee,
11353 in so close a confederacy that there was not a single vacancy near her
11354 which would admit of a chair. And on the gentlemen's approaching, one of
11355 the girls moved closer to her than ever, and said, in a whisper:
11356
11357 "The men shan't come and part us, I am determined. We want none of them;
11358 do we?"
11359
11360 Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with
11361 her eyes, envied everyone to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough
11362 to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for
11363 being so silly!
11364
11365 "A man who has once been refused! How could I ever be foolish enough to
11366 expect a renewal of his love? Is there one among the sex, who would not
11367 protest against such a weakness as a second proposal to the same woman?
11368 There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings!"
11369
11370 She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back his coffee cup
11371 himself; and she seized the opportunity of saying:
11372
11373 "Is your sister at Pemberley still?"
11374
11375 "Yes, she will remain there till Christmas."
11376
11377 "And quite alone? Have all her friends left her?"
11378
11379 "Mrs. Annesley is with her. The others have been gone on to Scarborough,
11380 these three weeks."
11381
11382 She could think of nothing more to say; but if he wished to converse
11383 with her, he might have better success. He stood by her, however, for
11384 some minutes, in silence; and, at last, on the young lady's whispering
11385 to Elizabeth again, he walked away.
11386
11387 When the tea-things were removed, and the card-tables placed, the ladies
11388 all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping to be soon joined by him,
11389 when all her views were overthrown by seeing him fall a victim to her
11390 mother's rapacity for whist players, and in a few moments after seated
11391 with the rest of the party. She now lost every expectation of pleasure.
11392 They were confined for the evening at different tables, and she had
11393 nothing to hope, but that his eyes were so often turned towards her side
11394 of the room, as to make him play as unsuccessfully as herself.
11395
11396 Mrs. Bennet had designed to keep the two Netherfield gentlemen to
11397 supper; but their carriage was unluckily ordered before any of the
11398 others, and she had no opportunity of detaining them.
11399
11400 "Well girls," said she, as soon as they were left to themselves, "What
11401 say you to the day? I think every thing has passed off uncommonly well,
11402 I assure you. The dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw. The
11403 venison was roasted to a turn--and everybody said they never saw so
11404 fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times better than what we had at the
11405 Lucases' last week; and even Mr. Darcy acknowledged, that the partridges
11406 were remarkably well done; and I suppose he has two or three French
11407 cooks at least. And, my dear Jane, I never saw you look in greater
11408 beauty. Mrs. Long said so too, for I asked her whether you did not. And
11409 what do you think she said besides? 'Ah! Mrs. Bennet, we shall have her
11410 at Netherfield at last.' She did indeed. I do think Mrs. Long is as good
11411 a creature as ever lived--and her nieces are very pretty behaved girls,
11412 and not at all handsome: I like them prodigiously."
11413
11414 Mrs. Bennet, in short, was in very great spirits; she had seen enough of
11415 Bingley's behaviour to Jane, to be convinced that she would get him at
11416 last; and her expectations of advantage to her family, when in a happy
11417 humour, were so far beyond reason, that she was quite disappointed at
11418 not seeing him there again the next day, to make his proposals.
11419
11420 "It has been a very agreeable day," said Miss Bennet to Elizabeth. "The
11421 party seemed so well selected, so suitable one with the other. I hope we
11422 may often meet again."
11423
11424 Elizabeth smiled.
11425
11426 "Lizzy, you must not do so. You must not suspect me. It mortifies me.
11427 I assure you that I have now learnt to enjoy his conversation as an
11428 agreeable and sensible young man, without having a wish beyond it. I am
11429 perfectly satisfied, from what his manners now are, that he never had
11430 any design of engaging my affection. It is only that he is blessed
11431 with greater sweetness of address, and a stronger desire of generally
11432 pleasing, than any other man."
11433
11434 "You are very cruel," said her sister, "you will not let me smile, and
11435 are provoking me to it every moment."
11436
11437 "How hard it is in some cases to be believed!"
11438
11439 "And how impossible in others!"
11440
11441 "But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I
11442 acknowledge?"
11443
11444 "That is a question which I hardly know how to answer. We all love to
11445 instruct, though we can teach only what is not worth knowing. Forgive
11446 me; and if you persist in indifference, do not make me your confidante."
11447
11448
11449
11450 Chapter 55
11451
11452
11453 A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley called again, and alone. His
11454 friend had left him that morning for London, but was to return home in
11455 ten days time. He sat with them above an hour, and was in remarkably
11456 good spirits. Mrs. Bennet invited him to dine with them; but, with many
11457 expressions of concern, he confessed himself engaged elsewhere.
11458
11459 "Next time you call," said she, "I hope we shall be more lucky."
11460
11461 He should be particularly happy at any time, etc. etc.; and if she would
11462 give him leave, would take an early opportunity of waiting on them.
11463
11464 "Can you come to-morrow?"
11465
11466 Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her invitation was
11467 accepted with alacrity.
11468
11469 He came, and in such very good time that the ladies were none of them
11470 dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennet to her daughter's room, in her dressing
11471 gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out:
11472
11473 "My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down. He is come--Mr. Bingley is
11474 come. He is, indeed. Make haste, make haste. Here, Sarah, come to Miss
11475 Bennet this moment, and help her on with her gown. Never mind Miss
11476 Lizzy's hair."
11477
11478 "We will be down as soon as we can," said Jane; "but I dare say Kitty is
11479 forwarder than either of us, for she went up stairs half an hour ago."
11480
11481 "Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it? Come be quick, be quick!
11482 Where is your sash, my dear?"
11483
11484 But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be prevailed on to go down
11485 without one of her sisters.
11486
11487 The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again in the
11488 evening. After tea, Mr. Bennet retired to the library, as was his
11489 custom, and Mary went up stairs to her instrument. Two obstacles of
11490 the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet sat looking and winking at
11491 Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, without making any
11492 impression on them. Elizabeth would not observe her; and when at last
11493 Kitty did, she very innocently said, "What is the matter mamma? What do
11494 you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?"
11495
11496 "Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you." She then sat still
11497 five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious occasion, she
11498 suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty, "Come here, my love, I want to
11499 speak to you," took her out of the room. Jane instantly gave a look
11500 at Elizabeth which spoke her distress at such premeditation, and her
11501 entreaty that _she_ would not give in to it. In a few minutes, Mrs.
11502 Bennet half-opened the door and called out:
11503
11504 "Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you."
11505
11506 Elizabeth was forced to go.
11507
11508 "We may as well leave them by themselves you know;" said her mother, as
11509 soon as she was in the hall. "Kitty and I are going up stairs to sit in
11510 my dressing-room."
11511
11512 Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother, but remained
11513 quietly in the hall, till she and Kitty were out of sight, then returned
11514 into the drawing-room.
11515
11516 Mrs. Bennet's schemes for this day were ineffectual. Bingley was every
11517 thing that was charming, except the professed lover of her daughter. His
11518 ease and cheerfulness rendered him a most agreeable addition to their
11519 evening party; and he bore with the ill-judged officiousness of the
11520 mother, and heard all her silly remarks with a forbearance and command
11521 of countenance particularly grateful to the daughter.
11522
11523 He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and before he went
11524 away, an engagement was formed, chiefly through his own and Mrs.
11525 Bennet's means, for his coming next morning to shoot with her husband.
11526
11527 After this day, Jane said no more of her indifference. Not a word passed
11528 between the sisters concerning Bingley; but Elizabeth went to bed in
11529 the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded, unless Mr. Darcy
11530 returned within the stated time. Seriously, however, she felt tolerably
11531 persuaded that all this must have taken place with that gentleman's
11532 concurrence.
11533
11534 Bingley was punctual to his appointment; and he and Mr. Bennet spent
11535 the morning together, as had been agreed on. The latter was much more
11536 agreeable than his companion expected. There was nothing of presumption
11537 or folly in Bingley that could provoke his ridicule, or disgust him into
11538 silence; and he was more communicative, and less eccentric, than the
11539 other had ever seen him. Bingley of course returned with him to dinner;
11540 and in the evening Mrs. Bennet's invention was again at work to get
11541 every body away from him and her daughter. Elizabeth, who had a letter
11542 to write, went into the breakfast room for that purpose soon after tea;
11543 for as the others were all going to sit down to cards, she could not be
11544 wanted to counteract her mother's schemes.
11545
11546 But on returning to the drawing-room, when her letter was finished, she
11547 saw, to her infinite surprise, there was reason to fear that her mother
11548 had been too ingenious for her. On opening the door, she perceived her
11549 sister and Bingley standing together over the hearth, as if engaged in
11550 earnest conversation; and had this led to no suspicion, the faces of
11551 both, as they hastily turned round and moved away from each other, would
11552 have told it all. Their situation was awkward enough; but _hers_ she
11553 thought was still worse. Not a syllable was uttered by either; and
11554 Elizabeth was on the point of going away again, when Bingley, who as
11555 well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose, and whispering a few
11556 words to her sister, ran out of the room.
11557
11558 Jane could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where confidence would give
11559 pleasure; and instantly embracing her, acknowledged, with the liveliest
11560 emotion, that she was the happiest creature in the world.
11561
11562 "'Tis too much!" she added, "by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh!
11563 why is not everybody as happy?"
11564
11565 Elizabeth's congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth,
11566 a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every sentence of
11567 kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane. But she would not
11568 allow herself to stay with her sister, or say half that remained to be
11569 said for the present.
11570
11571 "I must go instantly to my mother;" she cried. "I would not on any
11572 account trifle with her affectionate solicitude; or allow her to hear it
11573 from anyone but myself. He is gone to my father already. Oh! Lizzy, to
11574 know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear
11575 family! how shall I bear so much happiness!"
11576
11577 She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely broken up the
11578 card party, and was sitting up stairs with Kitty.
11579
11580 Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity and ease
11581 with which an affair was finally settled, that had given them so many
11582 previous months of suspense and vexation.
11583
11584 "And this," said she, "is the end of all his friend's anxious
11585 circumspection! of all his sister's falsehood and contrivance! the
11586 happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!"
11587
11588 In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley, whose conference with her
11589 father had been short and to the purpose.
11590
11591 "Where is your sister?" said he hastily, as he opened the door.
11592
11593 "With my mother up stairs. She will be down in a moment, I dare say."
11594
11595 He then shut the door, and, coming up to her, claimed the good wishes
11596 and affection of a sister. Elizabeth honestly and heartily expressed
11597 her delight in the prospect of their relationship. They shook hands with
11598 great cordiality; and then, till her sister came down, she had to listen
11599 to all he had to say of his own happiness, and of Jane's perfections;
11600 and in spite of his being a lover, Elizabeth really believed all his
11601 expectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for
11602 basis the excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition of
11603 Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and
11604 himself.
11605
11606 It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the satisfaction of
11607 Miss Bennet's mind gave a glow of such sweet animation to her face, as
11608 made her look handsomer than ever. Kitty simpered and smiled, and hoped
11609 her turn was coming soon. Mrs. Bennet could not give her consent or
11610 speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings,
11611 though she talked to Bingley of nothing else for half an hour; and when
11612 Mr. Bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed
11613 how really happy he was.
11614
11615 Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it, till their
11616 visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he
11617 turned to his daughter, and said:
11618
11619 "Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman."
11620
11621 Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his
11622 goodness.
11623
11624 "You are a good girl;" he replied, "and I have great pleasure in
11625 thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your
11626 doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are
11627 each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so
11628 easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will
11629 always exceed your income."
11630
11631 "I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be
11632 unpardonable in me."
11633
11634 "Exceed their income! My dear Mr. Bennet," cried his wife, "what are you
11635 talking of? Why, he has four or five thousand a year, and very likely
11636 more." Then addressing her daughter, "Oh! my dear, dear Jane, I am so
11637 happy! I am sure I shan't get a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it
11638 would be. I always said it must be so, at last. I was sure you could not
11639 be so beautiful for nothing! I remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when
11640 he first came into Hertfordshire last year, I thought how likely it was
11641 that you should come together. Oh! he is the handsomest young man that
11642 ever was seen!"
11643
11644 Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond competition her
11645 favourite child. At that moment, she cared for no other. Her younger
11646 sisters soon began to make interest with her for objects of happiness
11647 which she might in future be able to dispense.
11648
11649 Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield; and Kitty
11650 begged very hard for a few balls there every winter.
11651
11652 Bingley, from this time, was of course a daily visitor at Longbourn;
11653 coming frequently before breakfast, and always remaining till after
11654 supper; unless when some barbarous neighbour, who could not be enough
11655 detested, had given him an invitation to dinner which he thought himself
11656 obliged to accept.
11657
11658 Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her sister; for
11659 while he was present, Jane had no attention to bestow on anyone else;
11660 but she found herself considerably useful to both of them in those hours
11661 of separation that must sometimes occur. In the absence of Jane, he
11662 always attached himself to Elizabeth, for the pleasure of talking of
11663 her; and when Bingley was gone, Jane constantly sought the same means of
11664 relief.
11665
11666 "He has made me so happy," said she, one evening, "by telling me that he
11667 was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring! I had not believed
11668 it possible."
11669
11670 "I suspected as much," replied Elizabeth. "But how did he account for
11671 it?"
11672
11673 "It must have been his sister's doing. They were certainly no friends to
11674 his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, since he might have
11675 chosen so much more advantageously in many respects. But when they see,
11676 as I trust they will, that their brother is happy with me, they will
11677 learn to be contented, and we shall be on good terms again; though we
11678 can never be what we once were to each other."
11679
11680 "That is the most unforgiving speech," said Elizabeth, "that I ever
11681 heard you utter. Good girl! It would vex me, indeed, to see you again
11682 the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard."
11683
11684 "Would you believe it, Lizzy, that when he went to town last November,
11685 he really loved me, and nothing but a persuasion of _my_ being
11686 indifferent would have prevented his coming down again!"
11687
11688 "He made a little mistake to be sure; but it is to the credit of his
11689 modesty."
11690
11691 This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his diffidence, and
11692 the little value he put on his own good qualities. Elizabeth was pleased
11693 to find that he had not betrayed the interference of his friend; for,
11694 though Jane had the most generous and forgiving heart in the world, she
11695 knew it was a circumstance which must prejudice her against him.
11696
11697 "I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!" cried
11698 Jane. "Oh! Lizzy, why am I thus singled from my family, and blessed
11699 above them all! If I could but see _you_ as happy! If there _were_ but
11700 such another man for you!"
11701
11702 "If you were to give me forty such men, I never could be so happy as
11703 you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your
11704 happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself; and, perhaps, if I have very
11705 good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins in time."
11706
11707 The situation of affairs in the Longbourn family could not be long a
11708 secret. Mrs. Bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Phillips,
11709 and she ventured, without any permission, to do the same by all her
11710 neighbours in Meryton.
11711
11712 The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the
11713 world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away,
11714 they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune.
11715
11716
11717
11718 Chapter 56
11719
11720
11721 One morning, about a week after Bingley's engagement with Jane had been
11722 formed, as he and the females of the family were sitting together in the
11723 dining-room, their attention was suddenly drawn to the window, by the
11724 sound of a carriage; and they perceived a chaise and four driving up
11725 the lawn. It was too early in the morning for visitors, and besides, the
11726 equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbours. The horses
11727 were post; and neither the carriage, nor the livery of the servant who
11728 preceded it, were familiar to them. As it was certain, however, that
11729 somebody was coming, Bingley instantly prevailed on Miss Bennet to avoid
11730 the confinement of such an intrusion, and walk away with him into the
11731 shrubbery. They both set off, and the conjectures of the remaining three
11732 continued, though with little satisfaction, till the door was thrown
11733 open and their visitor entered. It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
11734
11735 They were of course all intending to be surprised; but their
11736 astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on the part of Mrs.
11737 Bennet and Kitty, though she was perfectly unknown to them, even
11738 inferior to what Elizabeth felt.
11739
11740 She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no
11741 other reply to Elizabeth's salutation than a slight inclination of the
11742 head, and sat down without saying a word. Elizabeth had mentioned her
11743 name to her mother on her ladyship's entrance, though no request of
11744 introduction had been made.
11745
11746 Mrs. Bennet, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of such
11747 high importance, received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting
11748 for a moment in silence, she said very stiffly to Elizabeth,
11749
11750 "I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your
11751 mother."
11752
11753 Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was.
11754
11755 "And _that_ I suppose is one of your sisters."
11756
11757 "Yes, madam," said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to Lady Catherine.
11758 "She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all is lately married,
11759 and my eldest is somewhere about the grounds, walking with a young man
11760 who, I believe, will soon become a part of the family."
11761
11762 "You have a very small park here," returned Lady Catherine after a short
11763 silence.
11764
11765 "It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady, I dare say; but I
11766 assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas's."
11767
11768 "This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in
11769 summer; the windows are full west."
11770
11771 Mrs. Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner, and then
11772 added:
11773
11774 "May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr. and
11775 Mrs. Collins well."
11776
11777 "Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last."
11778
11779 Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her from
11780 Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable motive for her calling. But no
11781 letter appeared, and she was completely puzzled.
11782
11783 Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her ladyship to take some
11784 refreshment; but Lady Catherine very resolutely, and not very politely,
11785 declined eating anything; and then, rising up, said to Elizabeth,
11786
11787 "Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness
11788 on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you
11789 will favour me with your company."
11790
11791 "Go, my dear," cried her mother, "and show her ladyship about the
11792 different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage."
11793
11794 Elizabeth obeyed, and running into her own room for her parasol,
11795 attended her noble guest downstairs. As they passed through the
11796 hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining-parlour and
11797 drawing-room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent
11798 looking rooms, walked on.
11799
11800 Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw that her
11801 waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded in silence along the gravel walk
11802 that led to the copse; Elizabeth was determined to make no effort for
11803 conversation with a woman who was now more than usually insolent and
11804 disagreeable.
11805
11806 "How could I ever think her like her nephew?" said she, as she looked in
11807 her face.
11808
11809 As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following
11810 manner:--
11811
11812 "You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason of my
11813 journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I
11814 come."
11815
11816 Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.
11817
11818 "Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to account
11819 for the honour of seeing you here."
11820
11821 "Miss Bennet," replied her ladyship, in an angry tone, "you ought to
11822 know, that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere _you_ may
11823 choose to be, you shall not find _me_ so. My character has ever been
11824 celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such
11825 moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it. A report of a most
11826 alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only your
11827 sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that
11828 you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would, in all likelihood, be soon
11829 afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. Though I
11830 _know_ it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure him
11831 so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved
11832 on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to
11833 you."
11834
11835 "If you believed it impossible to be true," said Elizabeth, colouring
11836 with astonishment and disdain, "I wonder you took the trouble of coming
11837 so far. What could your ladyship propose by it?"
11838
11839 "At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted."
11840
11841 "Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family," said Elizabeth
11842 coolly, "will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report
11843 is in existence."
11844
11845 "If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been
11846 industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a
11847 report is spread abroad?"
11848
11849 "I never heard that it was."
11850
11851 "And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?"
11852
11853 "I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may
11854 ask questions which I shall not choose to answer."
11855
11856 "This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. Has
11857 he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?"
11858
11859 "Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible."
11860
11861 "It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of his
11862 reason. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation,
11863 have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You
11864 may have drawn him in."
11865
11866 "If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it."
11867
11868 "Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such
11869 language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world,
11870 and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns."
11871
11872 "But you are not entitled to know mine; nor will such behaviour as this,
11873 ever induce me to be explicit."
11874
11875 "Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the
11876 presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy is
11877 engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say?"
11878
11879 "Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will
11880 make an offer to me."
11881
11882 Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment, and then replied:
11883
11884 "The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy,
11885 they have been intended for each other. It was the favourite wish of
11886 _his_ mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles, we planned
11887 the union: and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would
11888 be accomplished in their marriage, to be prevented by a young woman of
11889 inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to
11890 the family! Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends? To his
11891 tacit engagement with Miss de Bourgh? Are you lost to every feeling of
11892 propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say that from his earliest
11893 hours he was destined for his cousin?"
11894
11895 "Yes, and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there is
11896 no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall certainly not
11897 be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt wished him to
11898 marry Miss de Bourgh. You both did as much as you could in planning the
11899 marriage. Its completion depended on others. If Mr. Darcy is neither
11900 by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make
11901 another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?"
11902
11903 "Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. Yes,
11904 Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or
11905 friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will
11906 be censured, slighted, and despised, by everyone connected with him.
11907 Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned
11908 by any of us."
11909
11910 "These are heavy misfortunes," replied Elizabeth. "But the wife of Mr.
11911 Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily
11912 attached to her situation, that she could, upon the whole, have no cause
11913 to repine."
11914
11915 "Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude
11916 for my attentions to you last spring? Is nothing due to me on that
11917 score? Let us sit down. You are to understand, Miss Bennet, that I came
11918 here with the determined resolution of carrying my purpose; nor will
11919 I be dissuaded from it. I have not been used to submit to any person's
11920 whims. I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment."
11921
11922 "_That_ will make your ladyship's situation at present more pitiable;
11923 but it will have no effect on me."
11924
11925 "I will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence. My daughter and my
11926 nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal
11927 side, from the same noble line; and, on the father's, from respectable,
11928 honourable, and ancient--though untitled--families. Their fortune on
11929 both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of
11930 every member of their respective houses; and what is to divide them?
11931 The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections,
11932 or fortune. Is this to be endured! But it must not, shall not be. If you
11933 were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in
11934 which you have been brought up."
11935
11936 "In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that
11937 sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are
11938 equal."
11939
11940 "True. You _are_ a gentleman's daughter. But who was your mother?
11941 Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their
11942 condition."
11943
11944 "Whatever my connections may be," said Elizabeth, "if your nephew does
11945 not object to them, they can be nothing to _you_."
11946
11947 "Tell me once for all, are you engaged to him?"
11948
11949 Though Elizabeth would not, for the mere purpose of obliging Lady
11950 Catherine, have answered this question, she could not but say, after a
11951 moment's deliberation:
11952
11953 "I am not."
11954
11955 Lady Catherine seemed pleased.
11956
11957 "And will you promise me, never to enter into such an engagement?"
11958
11959 "I will make no promise of the kind."
11960
11961 "Miss Bennet I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more
11962 reasonable young woman. But do not deceive yourself into a belief that
11963 I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have given me the
11964 assurance I require."
11965
11966 "And I certainly _never_ shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into
11967 anything so wholly unreasonable. Your ladyship wants Mr. Darcy to marry
11968 your daughter; but would my giving you the wished-for promise make their
11969 marriage at all more probable? Supposing him to be attached to me, would
11970 my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin?
11971 Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which you have
11972 supported this extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the
11973 application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character, if
11974 you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these. How far your
11975 nephew might approve of your interference in his affairs, I cannot tell;
11976 but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mine. I must beg,
11977 therefore, to be importuned no farther on the subject."
11978
11979 "Not so hasty, if you please. I have by no means done. To all the
11980 objections I have already urged, I have still another to add. I am
11981 no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister's infamous
11982 elopement. I know it all; that the young man's marrying her was a
11983 patched-up business, at the expence of your father and uncles. And is
11984 such a girl to be my nephew's sister? Is her husband, is the son of his
11985 late father's steward, to be his brother? Heaven and earth!--of what are
11986 you thinking? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"
11987
11988 "You can now have nothing further to say," she resentfully answered.
11989 "You have insulted me in every possible method. I must beg to return to
11990 the house."
11991
11992 And she rose as she spoke. Lady Catherine rose also, and they turned
11993 back. Her ladyship was highly incensed.
11994
11995 "You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of my nephew!
11996 Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not consider that a connection with you
11997 must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody?"
11998
11999 "Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say. You know my sentiments."
12000
12001 "You are then resolved to have him?"
12002
12003 "I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner,
12004 which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without
12005 reference to _you_, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me."
12006
12007 "It is well. You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to obey the
12008 claims of duty, honour, and gratitude. You are determined to ruin him in
12009 the opinion of all his friends, and make him the contempt of the world."
12010
12011 "Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude," replied Elizabeth, "have any
12012 possible claim on me, in the present instance. No principle of either
12013 would be violated by my marriage with Mr. Darcy. And with regard to the
12014 resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world, if the former
12015 _were_ excited by his marrying me, it would not give me one moment's
12016 concern--and the world in general would have too much sense to join in
12017 the scorn."
12018
12019 "And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well.
12020 I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that your
12021 ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you
12022 reasonable; but, depend upon it, I will carry my point."
12023
12024 In this manner Lady Catherine talked on, till they were at the door of
12025 the carriage, when, turning hastily round, she added, "I take no leave
12026 of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your mother. You deserve
12027 no such attention. I am most seriously displeased."
12028
12029 Elizabeth made no answer; and without attempting to persuade her
12030 ladyship to return into the house, walked quietly into it herself. She
12031 heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up stairs. Her mother
12032 impatiently met her at the door of the dressing-room, to ask why Lady
12033 Catherine would not come in again and rest herself.
12034
12035 "She did not choose it," said her daughter, "she would go."
12036
12037 "She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling here was prodigiously
12038 civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the Collinses were
12039 well. She is on her road somewhere, I dare say, and so, passing through
12040 Meryton, thought she might as well call on you. I suppose she had
12041 nothing particular to say to you, Lizzy?"
12042
12043 Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here; for to
12044 acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible.
12045
12046
12047
12048 Chapter 57
12049
12050
12051 The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw
12052 Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor could she, for many
12053 hours, learn to think of it less than incessantly. Lady Catherine, it
12054 appeared, had actually taken the trouble of this journey from Rosings,
12055 for the sole purpose of breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr.
12056 Darcy. It was a rational scheme, to be sure! but from what the report
12057 of their engagement could originate, Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine;
12058 till she recollected that _his_ being the intimate friend of Bingley,
12059 and _her_ being the sister of Jane, was enough, at a time when the
12060 expectation of one wedding made everybody eager for another, to supply
12061 the idea. She had not herself forgotten to feel that the marriage of her
12062 sister must bring them more frequently together. And her neighbours
12063 at Lucas Lodge, therefore (for through their communication with the
12064 Collinses, the report, she concluded, had reached Lady Catherine), had
12065 only set that down as almost certain and immediate, which she had looked
12066 forward to as possible at some future time.
12067
12068 In revolving Lady Catherine's expressions, however, she could not help
12069 feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence of her persisting
12070 in this interference. From what she had said of her resolution to
12071 prevent their marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth that she must meditate
12072 an application to her nephew; and how _he_ might take a similar
12073 representation of the evils attached to a connection with her, she dared
12074 not pronounce. She knew not the exact degree of his affection for his
12075 aunt, or his dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to suppose
12076 that he thought much higher of her ladyship than _she_ could do; and it
12077 was certain that, in enumerating the miseries of a marriage with _one_,
12078 whose immediate connections were so unequal to his own, his aunt would
12079 address him on his weakest side. With his notions of dignity, he would
12080 probably feel that the arguments, which to Elizabeth had appeared weak
12081 and ridiculous, contained much good sense and solid reasoning.
12082
12083 If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, which had often
12084 seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a relation might
12085 settle every doubt, and determine him at once to be as happy as dignity
12086 unblemished could make him. In that case he would return no more. Lady
12087 Catherine might see him in her way through town; and his engagement to
12088 Bingley of coming again to Netherfield must give way.
12089
12090 "If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come to his
12091 friend within a few days," she added, "I shall know how to understand
12092 it. I shall then give over every expectation, every wish of his
12093 constancy. If he is satisfied with only regretting me, when he might
12094 have obtained my affections and hand, I shall soon cease to regret him
12095 at all."
12096
12097 * * * * *
12098
12099 The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who their visitor had
12100 been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfied it, with the same
12101 kind of supposition which had appeased Mrs. Bennet's curiosity; and
12102 Elizabeth was spared from much teasing on the subject.
12103
12104 The next morning, as she was going downstairs, she was met by her
12105 father, who came out of his library with a letter in his hand.
12106
12107 "Lizzy," said he, "I was going to look for you; come into my room."
12108
12109 She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what he had to
12110 tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner
12111 connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck her that it
12112 might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated with dismay all the
12113 consequent explanations.
12114
12115 She followed her father to the fire place, and they both sat down. He
12116 then said,
12117
12118 "I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me
12119 exceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought to know its
12120 contents. I did not know before, that I had two daughters on the brink
12121 of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very important conquest."
12122
12123 The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's cheeks in the instantaneous
12124 conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, instead of the aunt;
12125 and she was undetermined whether most to be pleased that he explained
12126 himself at all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to
12127 herself; when her father continued:
12128
12129 "You look conscious. Young ladies have great penetration in such matters
12130 as these; but I think I may defy even _your_ sagacity, to discover the
12131 name of your admirer. This letter is from Mr. Collins."
12132
12133 "From Mr. Collins! and what can _he_ have to say?"
12134
12135 "Something very much to the purpose of course. He begins with
12136 congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest daughter, of
12137 which, it seems, he has been told by some of the good-natured, gossiping
12138 Lucases. I shall not sport with your impatience, by reading what he says
12139 on that point. What relates to yourself, is as follows: 'Having thus
12140 offered you the sincere congratulations of Mrs. Collins and myself on
12141 this happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subject of another;
12142 of which we have been advertised by the same authority. Your daughter
12143 Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the name of Bennet, after
12144 her elder sister has resigned it, and the chosen partner of her fate may
12145 be reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious personages in
12146 this land.'
12147
12148 "Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this? 'This young
12149 gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with every thing the heart of
12150 mortal can most desire,--splendid property, noble kindred, and extensive
12151 patronage. Yet in spite of all these temptations, let me warn my cousin
12152 Elizabeth, and yourself, of what evils you may incur by a precipitate
12153 closure with this gentleman's proposals, which, of course, you will be
12154 inclined to take immediate advantage of.'
12155
12156 "Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now it comes out:
12157
12158 "'My motive for cautioning you is as follows. We have reason to imagine
12159 that his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not look on the match with
12160 a friendly eye.'
12161
12162 "_Mr. Darcy_, you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I _have_
12163 surprised you. Could he, or the Lucases, have pitched on any man within
12164 the circle of our acquaintance, whose name would have given the lie
12165 more effectually to what they related? Mr. Darcy, who never looks at any
12166 woman but to see a blemish, and who probably never looked at you in his
12167 life! It is admirable!"
12168
12169 Elizabeth tried to join in her father's pleasantry, but could only force
12170 one most reluctant smile. Never had his wit been directed in a manner so
12171 little agreeable to her.
12172
12173 "Are you not diverted?"
12174
12175 "Oh! yes. Pray read on."
12176
12177 "'After mentioning the likelihood of this marriage to her ladyship last
12178 night, she immediately, with her usual condescension, expressed what she
12179 felt on the occasion; when it became apparent, that on the score of some
12180 family objections on the part of my cousin, she would never give her
12181 consent to what she termed so disgraceful a match. I thought it my duty
12182 to give the speediest intelligence of this to my cousin, that she and
12183 her noble admirer may be aware of what they are about, and not run
12184 hastily into a marriage which has not been properly sanctioned.' Mr.
12185 Collins moreover adds, 'I am truly rejoiced that my cousin Lydia's sad
12186 business has been so well hushed up, and am only concerned that their
12187 living together before the marriage took place should be so generally
12188 known. I must not, however, neglect the duties of my station, or refrain
12189 from declaring my amazement at hearing that you received the young
12190 couple into your house as soon as they were married. It was an
12191 encouragement of vice; and had I been the rector of Longbourn, I should
12192 very strenuously have opposed it. You ought certainly to forgive them,
12193 as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their
12194 names to be mentioned in your hearing.' That is his notion of Christian
12195 forgiveness! The rest of his letter is only about his dear Charlotte's
12196 situation, and his expectation of a young olive-branch. But, Lizzy, you
12197 look as if you did not enjoy it. You are not going to be _missish_,
12198 I hope, and pretend to be affronted at an idle report. For what do we
12199 live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our
12200 turn?"
12201
12202 "Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I am excessively diverted. But it is so
12203 strange!"
12204
12205 "Yes--_that_ is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed on any other man
12206 it would have been nothing; but _his_ perfect indifference, and _your_
12207 pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd! Much as I abominate
12208 writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins's correspondence for any
12209 consideration. Nay, when I read a letter of his, I cannot help giving
12210 him the preference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence and
12211 hypocrisy of my son-in-law. And pray, Lizzy, what said Lady Catherine
12212 about this report? Did she call to refuse her consent?"
12213
12214 To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh; and as it had
12215 been asked without the least suspicion, she was not distressed by
12216 his repeating it. Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her
12217 feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she
12218 would rather have cried. Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by
12219 what he said of Mr. Darcy's indifference, and she could do nothing but
12220 wonder at such a want of penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead of
12221 his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.
12222
12223
12224
12225 Chapter 58
12226
12227
12228 Instead of receiving any such letter of excuse from his friend, as
12229 Elizabeth half expected Mr. Bingley to do, he was able to bring Darcy
12230 with him to Longbourn before many days had passed after Lady Catherine's
12231 visit. The gentlemen arrived early; and, before Mrs. Bennet had time
12232 to tell him of their having seen his aunt, of which her daughter sat
12233 in momentary dread, Bingley, who wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed
12234 their all walking out. It was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the
12235 habit of walking; Mary could never spare time; but the remaining five
12236 set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the others
12237 to outstrip them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy
12238 were to entertain each other. Very little was said by either; Kitty
12239 was too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly forming a
12240 desperate resolution; and perhaps he might be doing the same.
12241
12242 They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished to call upon
12243 Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion for making it a general concern,
12244 when Kitty left them she went boldly on with him alone. Now was the
12245 moment for her resolution to be executed, and, while her courage was
12246 high, she immediately said:
12247
12248 "Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving
12249 relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I
12250 can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my
12251 poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to
12252 acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest
12253 of my family, I should not have merely my own gratitude to express."
12254
12255 "I am sorry, exceedingly sorry," replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise
12256 and emotion, "that you have ever been informed of what may, in a
12257 mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner
12258 was so little to be trusted."
12259
12260 "You must not blame my aunt. Lydia's thoughtlessness first betrayed to
12261 me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could
12262 not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again,
12263 in the name of all my family, for that generous compassion which induced
12264 you to take so much trouble, and bear so many mortifications, for the
12265 sake of discovering them."
12266
12267 "If you _will_ thank me," he replied, "let it be for yourself alone.
12268 That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other
12269 inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your
12270 _family_ owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought
12271 only of _you_."
12272
12273 Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause,
12274 her companion added, "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your
12275 feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. _My_
12276 affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence
12277 me on this subject for ever."
12278
12279 Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of
12280 his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not
12281 very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone
12282 so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make
12283 her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The
12284 happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never
12285 felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as
12286 warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth
12287 been able to encounter his eye, she might have seen how well the
12288 expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him;
12289 but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of
12290 feelings, which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his
12291 affection every moment more valuable.
12292
12293 They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to
12294 be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects. She
12295 soon learnt that they were indebted for their present good understanding
12296 to the efforts of his aunt, who did call on him in her return through
12297 London, and there relate her journey to Longbourn, its motive, and the
12298 substance of her conversation with Elizabeth; dwelling emphatically on
12299 every expression of the latter which, in her ladyship's apprehension,
12300 peculiarly denoted her perverseness and assurance; in the belief that
12301 such a relation must assist her endeavours to obtain that promise
12302 from her nephew which she had refused to give. But, unluckily for her
12303 ladyship, its effect had been exactly contrariwise.
12304
12305 "It taught me to hope," said he, "as I had scarcely ever allowed myself
12306 to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that,
12307 had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have
12308 acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly."
12309
12310 Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, "Yes, you know enough
12311 of my frankness to believe me capable of _that_. After abusing you so
12312 abominably to your face, I could have no scruple in abusing you to all
12313 your relations."
12314
12315 "What did you say of me, that I did not deserve? For, though your
12316 accusations were ill-founded, formed on mistaken premises, my
12317 behaviour to you at the time had merited the severest reproof. It was
12318 unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence."
12319
12320 "We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame annexed to that
12321 evening," said Elizabeth. "The conduct of neither, if strictly examined,
12322 will be irreproachable; but since then, we have both, I hope, improved
12323 in civility."
12324
12325 "I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself. The recollection of what I
12326 then said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of
12327 it, is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me. Your
12328 reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget: 'had you behaved in a
12329 more gentlemanlike manner.' Those were your words. You know not, you can
12330 scarcely conceive, how they have tortured me;--though it was some time,
12331 I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice."
12332
12333 "I was certainly very far from expecting them to make so strong an
12334 impression. I had not the smallest idea of their being ever felt in such
12335 a way."
12336
12337 "I can easily believe it. You thought me then devoid of every proper
12338 feeling, I am sure you did. The turn of your countenance I shall never
12339 forget, as you said that I could not have addressed you in any possible
12340 way that would induce you to accept me."
12341
12342 "Oh! do not repeat what I then said. These recollections will not do at
12343 all. I assure you that I have long been most heartily ashamed of it."
12344
12345 Darcy mentioned his letter. "Did it," said he, "did it soon make you
12346 think better of me? Did you, on reading it, give any credit to its
12347 contents?"
12348
12349 She explained what its effect on her had been, and how gradually all her
12350 former prejudices had been removed.
12351
12352 "I knew," said he, "that what I wrote must give you pain, but it was
12353 necessary. I hope you have destroyed the letter. There was one part
12354 especially, the opening of it, which I should dread your having the
12355 power of reading again. I can remember some expressions which might
12356 justly make you hate me."
12357
12358 "The letter shall certainly be burnt, if you believe it essential to the
12359 preservation of my regard; but, though we have both reason to think my
12360 opinions not entirely unalterable, they are not, I hope, quite so easily
12361 changed as that implies."
12362
12363 "When I wrote that letter," replied Darcy, "I believed myself perfectly
12364 calm and cool, but I am since convinced that it was written in a
12365 dreadful bitterness of spirit."
12366
12367 "The letter, perhaps, began in bitterness, but it did not end so. The
12368 adieu is charity itself. But think no more of the letter. The feelings
12369 of the person who wrote, and the person who received it, are now
12370 so widely different from what they were then, that every unpleasant
12371 circumstance attending it ought to be forgotten. You must learn some
12372 of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you
12373 pleasure."
12374
12375 "I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the kind. Your
12376 retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the contentment
12377 arising from them is not of philosophy, but, what is much better, of
12378 innocence. But with me, it is not so. Painful recollections will intrude
12379 which cannot, which ought not, to be repelled. I have been a selfish
12380 being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I
12381 was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I
12382 was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit.
12383 Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt
12384 by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all
12385 that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught
12386 me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family
12387 circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least
12388 to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I
12389 was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been
12390 but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You
12391 taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you,
12392 I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception.
12393 You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman
12394 worthy of being pleased."
12395
12396 "Had you then persuaded yourself that I should?"
12397
12398 "Indeed I had. What will you think of my vanity? I believed you to be
12399 wishing, expecting my addresses."
12400
12401 "My manners must have been in fault, but not intentionally, I assure
12402 you. I never meant to deceive you, but my spirits might often lead me
12403 wrong. How you must have hated me after _that_ evening?"
12404
12405 "Hate you! I was angry perhaps at first, but my anger soon began to take
12406 a proper direction."
12407
12408 "I am almost afraid of asking what you thought of me, when we met at
12409 Pemberley. You blamed me for coming?"
12410
12411 "No indeed; I felt nothing but surprise."
12412
12413 "Your surprise could not be greater than _mine_ in being noticed by you.
12414 My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary politeness, and I
12415 confess that I did not expect to receive _more_ than my due."
12416
12417 "My object then," replied Darcy, "was to show you, by every civility in
12418 my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the past; and I hoped to
12419 obtain your forgiveness, to lessen your ill opinion, by letting you
12420 see that your reproofs had been attended to. How soon any other wishes
12421 introduced themselves I can hardly tell, but I believe in about half an
12422 hour after I had seen you."
12423
12424 He then told her of Georgiana's delight in her acquaintance, and of her
12425 disappointment at its sudden interruption; which naturally leading to
12426 the cause of that interruption, she soon learnt that his resolution of
12427 following her from Derbyshire in quest of her sister had been formed
12428 before he quitted the inn, and that his gravity and thoughtfulness
12429 there had arisen from no other struggles than what such a purpose must
12430 comprehend.
12431
12432 She expressed her gratitude again, but it was too painful a subject to
12433 each, to be dwelt on farther.
12434
12435 After walking several miles in a leisurely manner, and too busy to know
12436 anything about it, they found at last, on examining their watches, that
12437 it was time to be at home.
12438
12439 "What could become of Mr. Bingley and Jane!" was a wonder which
12440 introduced the discussion of their affairs. Darcy was delighted with
12441 their engagement; his friend had given him the earliest information of
12442 it.
12443
12444 "I must ask whether you were surprised?" said Elizabeth.
12445
12446 "Not at all. When I went away, I felt that it would soon happen."
12447
12448 "That is to say, you had given your permission. I guessed as much." And
12449 though he exclaimed at the term, she found that it had been pretty much
12450 the case.
12451
12452 "On the evening before my going to London," said he, "I made a
12453 confession to him, which I believe I ought to have made long ago. I
12454 told him of all that had occurred to make my former interference in his
12455 affairs absurd and impertinent. His surprise was great. He had never had
12456 the slightest suspicion. I told him, moreover, that I believed myself
12457 mistaken in supposing, as I had done, that your sister was indifferent
12458 to him; and as I could easily perceive that his attachment to her was
12459 unabated, I felt no doubt of their happiness together."
12460
12461 Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of directing his
12462 friend.
12463
12464 "Did you speak from your own observation," said she, "when you told him
12465 that my sister loved him, or merely from my information last spring?"
12466
12467 "From the former. I had narrowly observed her during the two visits
12468 which I had lately made here; and I was convinced of her affection."
12469
12470 "And your assurance of it, I suppose, carried immediate conviction to
12471 him."
12472
12473 "It did. Bingley is most unaffectedly modest. His diffidence had
12474 prevented his depending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, but
12475 his reliance on mine made every thing easy. I was obliged to confess
12476 one thing, which for a time, and not unjustly, offended him. I could not
12477 allow myself to conceal that your sister had been in town three months
12478 last winter, that I had known it, and purposely kept it from him. He was
12479 angry. But his anger, I am persuaded, lasted no longer than he remained
12480 in any doubt of your sister's sentiments. He has heartily forgiven me
12481 now."
12482
12483 Elizabeth longed to observe that Mr. Bingley had been a most delightful
12484 friend; so easily guided that his worth was invaluable; but she checked
12485 herself. She remembered that he had yet to learn to be laughed at,
12486 and it was rather too early to begin. In anticipating the happiness
12487 of Bingley, which of course was to be inferior only to his own, he
12488 continued the conversation till they reached the house. In the hall they
12489 parted.
12490
12491
12492
12493 Chapter 59
12494
12495
12496 "My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking to?" was a question
12497 which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she entered their room,
12498 and from all the others when they sat down to table. She had only to
12499 say in reply, that they had wandered about, till she was beyond her own
12500 knowledge. She coloured as she spoke; but neither that, nor anything
12501 else, awakened a suspicion of the truth.
12502
12503 The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extraordinary. The
12504 acknowledged lovers talked and laughed, the unacknowledged were silent.
12505 Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness overflows in mirth;
12506 and Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather _knew_ that she was happy
12507 than _felt_ herself to be so; for, besides the immediate embarrassment,
12508 there were other evils before her. She anticipated what would be felt
12509 in the family when her situation became known; she was aware that no
12510 one liked him but Jane; and even feared that with the others it was a
12511 dislike which not all his fortune and consequence might do away.
12512
12513 At night she opened her heart to Jane. Though suspicion was very far
12514 from Miss Bennet's general habits, she was absolutely incredulous here.
12515
12516 "You are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be!--engaged to Mr. Darcy! No, no,
12517 you shall not deceive me. I know it to be impossible."
12518
12519 "This is a wretched beginning indeed! My sole dependence was on you; and
12520 I am sure nobody else will believe me, if you do not. Yet, indeed, I am
12521 in earnest. I speak nothing but the truth. He still loves me, and we are
12522 engaged."
12523
12524 Jane looked at her doubtingly. "Oh, Lizzy! it cannot be. I know how much
12525 you dislike him."
12526
12527 "You know nothing of the matter. _That_ is all to be forgot. Perhaps I
12528 did not always love him so well as I do now. But in such cases as
12529 these, a good memory is unpardonable. This is the last time I shall ever
12530 remember it myself."
12531
12532 Miss Bennet still looked all amazement. Elizabeth again, and more
12533 seriously assured her of its truth.
12534
12535 "Good Heaven! can it be really so! Yet now I must believe you," cried
12536 Jane. "My dear, dear Lizzy, I would--I do congratulate you--but are you
12537 certain? forgive the question--are you quite certain that you can be
12538 happy with him?"
12539
12540 "There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already, that
12541 we are to be the happiest couple in the world. But are you pleased,
12542 Jane? Shall you like to have such a brother?"
12543
12544 "Very, very much. Nothing could give either Bingley or myself more
12545 delight. But we considered it, we talked of it as impossible. And do you
12546 really love him quite well enough? Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather than
12547 marry without affection. Are you quite sure that you feel what you ought
12548 to do?"
12549
12550 "Oh, yes! You will only think I feel _more_ than I ought to do, when I
12551 tell you all."
12552
12553 "What do you mean?"
12554
12555 "Why, I must confess that I love him better than I do Bingley. I am
12556 afraid you will be angry."
12557
12558 "My dearest sister, now _be_ serious. I want to talk very seriously. Let
12559 me know every thing that I am to know, without delay. Will you tell me
12560 how long you have loved him?"
12561
12562 "It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began.
12563 But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds
12564 at Pemberley."
12565
12566 Another entreaty that she would be serious, however, produced the
12567 desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn assurances
12568 of attachment. When convinced on that article, Miss Bennet had nothing
12569 further to wish.
12570
12571 "Now I am quite happy," said she, "for you will be as happy as myself.
12572 I always had a value for him. Were it for nothing but his love of you,
12573 I must always have esteemed him; but now, as Bingley's friend and your
12574 husband, there can be only Bingley and yourself more dear to me. But
12575 Lizzy, you have been very sly, very reserved with me. How little did you
12576 tell me of what passed at Pemberley and Lambton! I owe all that I know
12577 of it to another, not to you."
12578
12579 Elizabeth told her the motives of her secrecy. She had been unwilling
12580 to mention Bingley; and the unsettled state of her own feelings had made
12581 her equally avoid the name of his friend. But now she would no longer
12582 conceal from her his share in Lydia's marriage. All was acknowledged,
12583 and half the night spent in conversation.
12584
12585 * * * * *
12586
12587 "Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Bennet, as she stood at a window the next
12588 morning, "if that disagreeable Mr. Darcy is not coming here again with
12589 our dear Bingley! What can he mean by being so tiresome as to be always
12590 coming here? I had no notion but he would go a-shooting, or something or
12591 other, and not disturb us with his company. What shall we do with him?
12592 Lizzy, you must walk out with him again, that he may not be in Bingley's
12593 way."
12594
12595 Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient a proposal; yet
12596 was really vexed that her mother should be always giving him such an
12597 epithet.
12598
12599 As soon as they entered, Bingley looked at her so expressively, and
12600 shook hands with such warmth, as left no doubt of his good information;
12601 and he soon afterwards said aloud, "Mrs. Bennet, have you no more lanes
12602 hereabouts in which Lizzy may lose her way again to-day?"
12603
12604 "I advise Mr. Darcy, and Lizzy, and Kitty," said Mrs. Bennet, "to walk
12605 to Oakham Mount this morning. It is a nice long walk, and Mr. Darcy has
12606 never seen the view."
12607
12608 "It may do very well for the others," replied Mr. Bingley; "but I am
12609 sure it will be too much for Kitty. Won't it, Kitty?" Kitty owned that
12610 she had rather stay at home. Darcy professed a great curiosity to see
12611 the view from the Mount, and Elizabeth silently consented. As she went
12612 up stairs to get ready, Mrs. Bennet followed her, saying:
12613
12614 "I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that
12615 disagreeable man all to yourself. But I hope you will not mind it: it is
12616 all for Jane's sake, you know; and there is no occasion for talking
12617 to him, except just now and then. So, do not put yourself to
12618 inconvenience."
12619
12620 During their walk, it was resolved that Mr. Bennet's consent should be
12621 asked in the course of the evening. Elizabeth reserved to herself the
12622 application for her mother's. She could not determine how her mother
12623 would take it; sometimes doubting whether all his wealth and grandeur
12624 would be enough to overcome her abhorrence of the man. But whether she
12625 were violently set against the match, or violently delighted with it, it
12626 was certain that her manner would be equally ill adapted to do credit
12627 to her sense; and she could no more bear that Mr. Darcy should hear
12628 the first raptures of her joy, than the first vehemence of her
12629 disapprobation.
12630
12631 * * * * *
12632
12633 In the evening, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to the library, she saw
12634 Mr. Darcy rise also and follow him, and her agitation on seeing it was
12635 extreme. She did not fear her father's opposition, but he was going to
12636 be made unhappy; and that it should be through her means--that _she_,
12637 his favourite child, should be distressing him by her choice, should be
12638 filling him with fears and regrets in disposing of her--was a wretched
12639 reflection, and she sat in misery till Mr. Darcy appeared again, when,
12640 looking at him, she was a little relieved by his smile. In a few minutes
12641 he approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty; and, while
12642 pretending to admire her work said in a whisper, "Go to your father, he
12643 wants you in the library." She was gone directly.
12644
12645 Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious.
12646 "Lizzy," said he, "what are you doing? Are you out of your senses, to be
12647 accepting this man? Have not you always hated him?"
12648
12649 How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more
12650 reasonable, her expressions more moderate! It would have spared her from
12651 explanations and professions which it was exceedingly awkward to give;
12652 but they were now necessary, and she assured him, with some confusion,
12653 of her attachment to Mr. Darcy.
12654
12655 "Or, in other words, you are determined to have him. He is rich, to be
12656 sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane.
12657 But will they make you happy?"
12658
12659 "Have you any other objection," said Elizabeth, "than your belief of my
12660 indifference?"
12661
12662 "None at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but
12663 this would be nothing if you really liked him."
12664
12665 "I do, I do like him," she replied, with tears in her eyes, "I love him.
12666 Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable. You do not
12667 know what he really is; then pray do not pain me by speaking of him in
12668 such terms."
12669
12670 "Lizzy," said her father, "I have given him my consent. He is the kind
12671 of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse anything, which he
12672 condescended to ask. I now give it to _you_, if you are resolved on
12673 having him. But let me advise you to think better of it. I know
12674 your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor
12675 respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked
12676 up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the
12677 greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape
12678 discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing
12679 _you_ unable to respect your partner in life. You know not what you are
12680 about."
12681
12682 Elizabeth, still more affected, was earnest and solemn in her reply; and
12683 at length, by repeated assurances that Mr. Darcy was really the object
12684 of her choice, by explaining the gradual change which her estimation of
12685 him had undergone, relating her absolute certainty that his affection
12686 was not the work of a day, but had stood the test of many months'
12687 suspense, and enumerating with energy all his good qualities, she did
12688 conquer her father's incredulity, and reconcile him to the match.
12689
12690 "Well, my dear," said he, when she ceased speaking, "I have no more to
12691 say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted with
12692 you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy."
12693
12694 To complete the favourable impression, she then told him what Mr. Darcy
12695 had voluntarily done for Lydia. He heard her with astonishment.
12696
12697 "This is an evening of wonders, indeed! And so, Darcy did every thing;
12698 made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow's debts, and got him
12699 his commission! So much the better. It will save me a world of trouble
12700 and economy. Had it been your uncle's doing, I must and _would_ have
12701 paid him; but these violent young lovers carry every thing their own
12702 way. I shall offer to pay him to-morrow; he will rant and storm about
12703 his love for you, and there will be an end of the matter."
12704
12705 He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before, on his reading
12706 Mr. Collins's letter; and after laughing at her some time, allowed her
12707 at last to go--saying, as she quitted the room, "If any young men come
12708 for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure."
12709
12710 Elizabeth's mind was now relieved from a very heavy weight; and, after
12711 half an hour's quiet reflection in her own room, she was able to join
12712 the others with tolerable composure. Every thing was too recent for
12713 gaiety, but the evening passed tranquilly away; there was no longer
12714 anything material to be dreaded, and the comfort of ease and familiarity
12715 would come in time.
12716
12717 When her mother went up to her dressing-room at night, she followed her,
12718 and made the important communication. Its effect was most extraordinary;
12719 for on first hearing it, Mrs. Bennet sat quite still, and unable to
12720 utter a syllable. Nor was it under many, many minutes that she could
12721 comprehend what she heard; though not in general backward to credit
12722 what was for the advantage of her family, or that came in the shape of a
12723 lover to any of them. She began at length to recover, to fidget about in
12724 her chair, get up, sit down again, wonder, and bless herself.
12725
12726 "Good gracious! Lord bless me! only think! dear me! Mr. Darcy! Who would
12727 have thought it! And is it really true? Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich
12728 and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages
12729 you will have! Jane's is nothing to it--nothing at all. I am so
12730 pleased--so happy. Such a charming man!--so handsome! so tall!--Oh, my
12731 dear Lizzy! pray apologise for my having disliked him so much before. I
12732 hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy. A house in town! Every thing
12733 that is charming! Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! Oh,
12734 Lord! What will become of me. I shall go distracted."
12735
12736 This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be doubted: and
12737 Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an effusion was heard only by herself,
12738 soon went away. But before she had been three minutes in her own room,
12739 her mother followed her.
12740
12741 "My dearest child," she cried, "I can think of nothing else! Ten
12742 thousand a year, and very likely more! 'Tis as good as a Lord! And a
12743 special licence. You must and shall be married by a special licence. But
12744 my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of,
12745 that I may have it to-morrow."
12746
12747 This was a sad omen of what her mother's behaviour to the gentleman
12748 himself might be; and Elizabeth found that, though in the certain
12749 possession of his warmest affection, and secure of her relations'
12750 consent, there was still something to be wished for. But the morrow
12751 passed off much better than she expected; for Mrs. Bennet luckily stood
12752 in such awe of her intended son-in-law that she ventured not to speak to
12753 him, unless it was in her power to offer him any attention, or mark her
12754 deference for his opinion.
12755
12756 Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father taking pains to get
12757 acquainted with him; and Mr. Bennet soon assured her that he was rising
12758 every hour in his esteem.
12759
12760 "I admire all my three sons-in-law highly," said he. "Wickham, perhaps,
12761 is my favourite; but I think I shall like _your_ husband quite as well
12762 as Jane's."
12763
12764
12765
12766 Chapter 60
12767
12768
12769 Elizabeth's spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted Mr.
12770 Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her. "How could
12771 you begin?" said she. "I can comprehend your going on charmingly, when
12772 you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first
12773 place?"
12774
12775 "I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which
12776 laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I
12777 knew that I _had_ begun."
12778
12779 "My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners--my behaviour
12780 to _you_ was at least always bordering on the uncivil, and I never spoke
12781 to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not. Now be sincere;
12782 did you admire me for my impertinence?"
12783
12784 "For the liveliness of your mind, I did."
12785
12786 "You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less.
12787 The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious
12788 attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking,
12789 and looking, and thinking for _your_ approbation alone. I roused, and
12790 interested you, because I was so unlike _them_. Had you not been really
12791 amiable, you would have hated me for it; but in spite of the pains you
12792 took to disguise yourself, your feelings were always noble and just; and
12793 in your heart, you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously
12794 courted you. There--I have saved you the trouble of accounting for
12795 it; and really, all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly
12796 reasonable. To be sure, you knew no actual good of me--but nobody thinks
12797 of _that_ when they fall in love."
12798
12799 "Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was
12800 ill at Netherfield?"
12801
12802 "Dearest Jane! who could have done less for her? But make a virtue of it
12803 by all means. My good qualities are under your protection, and you are
12804 to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me
12805 to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may
12806 be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what made you so unwilling
12807 to come to the point at last. What made you so shy of me, when you first
12808 called, and afterwards dined here? Why, especially, when you called, did
12809 you look as if you did not care about me?"
12810
12811 "Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no encouragement."
12812
12813 "But I was embarrassed."
12814
12815 "And so was I."
12816
12817 "You might have talked to me more when you came to dinner."
12818
12819 "A man who had felt less, might."
12820
12821 "How unlucky that you should have a reasonable answer to give, and that
12822 I should be so reasonable as to admit it! But I wonder how long you
12823 _would_ have gone on, if you had been left to yourself. I wonder when
12824 you _would_ have spoken, if I had not asked you! My resolution of
12825 thanking you for your kindness to Lydia had certainly great effect.
12826 _Too much_, I am afraid; for what becomes of the moral, if our comfort
12827 springs from a breach of promise? for I ought not to have mentioned the
12828 subject. This will never do."
12829
12830 "You need not distress yourself. The moral will be perfectly fair. Lady
12831 Catherine's unjustifiable endeavours to separate us were the means of
12832 removing all my doubts. I am not indebted for my present happiness to
12833 your eager desire of expressing your gratitude. I was not in a humour
12834 to wait for any opening of yours. My aunt's intelligence had given me
12835 hope, and I was determined at once to know every thing."
12836
12837 "Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her happy,
12838 for she loves to be of use. But tell me, what did you come down to
12839 Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrassed?
12840 or had you intended any more serious consequence?"
12841
12842 "My real purpose was to see _you_, and to judge, if I could, whether I
12843 might ever hope to make you love me. My avowed one, or what I avowed to
12844 myself, was to see whether your sister were still partial to Bingley,
12845 and if she were, to make the confession to him which I have since made."
12846
12847 "Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady Catherine what is to
12848 befall her?"
12849
12850 "I am more likely to want more time than courage, Elizabeth. But it
12851 ought to be done, and if you will give me a sheet of paper, it shall be
12852 done directly."
12853
12854 "And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you and
12855 admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did. But
12856 I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer neglected."
12857
12858 From an unwillingness to confess how much her intimacy with Mr. Darcy
12859 had been over-rated, Elizabeth had never yet answered Mrs. Gardiner's
12860 long letter; but now, having _that_ to communicate which she knew would
12861 be most welcome, she was almost ashamed to find that her uncle and
12862 aunt had already lost three days of happiness, and immediately wrote as
12863 follows:
12864
12865 "I would have thanked you before, my dear aunt, as I ought to have done,
12866 for your long, kind, satisfactory, detail of particulars; but to say the
12867 truth, I was too cross to write. You supposed more than really existed.
12868 But _now_ suppose as much as you choose; give a loose rein to your
12869 fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the
12870 subject will afford, and unless you believe me actually married, you
12871 cannot greatly err. You must write again very soon, and praise him a
12872 great deal more than you did in your last. I thank you, again and again,
12873 for not going to the Lakes. How could I be so silly as to wish it! Your
12874 idea of the ponies is delightful. We will go round the Park every day. I
12875 am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so
12876 before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she
12877 only smiles, I laugh. Mr. Darcy sends you all the love in the world that
12878 he can spare from me. You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas.
12879 Yours, etc."
12880
12881 Mr. Darcy's letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style; and still
12882 different from either was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. Collins, in reply
12883 to his last.
12884
12885 "DEAR SIR,
12886
12887 "I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon
12888 be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can.
12889 But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more to give.
12890
12891 "Yours sincerely, etc."
12892
12893 Miss Bingley's congratulations to her brother, on his approaching
12894 marriage, were all that was affectionate and insincere. She wrote even
12895 to Jane on the occasion, to express her delight, and repeat all her
12896 former professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but she was
12897 affected; and though feeling no reliance on her, could not help writing
12898 her a much kinder answer than she knew was deserved.
12899
12900 The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar information,
12901 was as sincere as her brother's in sending it. Four sides of paper were
12902 insufficient to contain all her delight, and all her earnest desire of
12903 being loved by her sister.
12904
12905 Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any congratulations
12906 to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn family heard that the
12907 Collinses were come themselves to Lucas Lodge. The reason of this
12908 sudden removal was soon evident. Lady Catherine had been rendered
12909 so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that
12910 Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till
12911 the storm was blown over. At such a moment, the arrival of her friend
12912 was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth, though in the course of their
12913 meetings she must sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought, when she
12914 saw Mr. Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of
12915 her husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness. He could even
12916 listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on carrying away
12917 the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed his hopes of their all
12918 meeting frequently at St. James's, with very decent composure. If he did
12919 shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir William was out of sight.
12920
12921 Mrs. Phillips's vulgarity was another, and perhaps a greater, tax on his
12922 forbearance; and though Mrs. Phillips, as well as her sister, stood in
12923 too much awe of him to speak with the familiarity which Bingley's good
12924 humour encouraged, yet, whenever she _did_ speak, she must be vulgar.
12925 Nor was her respect for him, though it made her more quiet, at all
12926 likely to make her more elegant. Elizabeth did all she could to shield
12927 him from the frequent notice of either, and was ever anxious to keep
12928 him to herself, and to those of her family with whom he might converse
12929 without mortification; and though the uncomfortable feelings arising
12930 from all this took from the season of courtship much of its pleasure, it
12931 added to the hope of the future; and she looked forward with delight to
12932 the time when they should be removed from society so little pleasing
12933 to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their family party at
12934 Pemberley.
12935
12936
12937
12938 Chapter 61
12939
12940
12941 Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got
12942 rid of her two most deserving daughters. With what delighted pride
12943 she afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley, and talked of Mrs. Darcy, may
12944 be guessed. I wish I could say, for the sake of her family, that the
12945 accomplishment of her earnest desire in the establishment of so many
12946 of her children produced so happy an effect as to make her a sensible,
12947 amiable, well-informed woman for the rest of her life; though perhaps it
12948 was lucky for her husband, who might not have relished domestic felicity
12949 in so unusual a form, that she still was occasionally nervous and
12950 invariably silly.
12951
12952 Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly; his affection for her
12953 drew him oftener from home than anything else could do. He delighted in
12954 going to Pemberley, especially when he was least expected.
12955
12956 Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth. So near
12957 a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to
12958 _his_ easy temper, or _her_ affectionate heart. The darling wish of his
12959 sisters was then gratified; he bought an estate in a neighbouring county
12960 to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source
12961 of happiness, were within thirty miles of each other.
12962
12963 Kitty, to her very material advantage, spent the chief of her time with
12964 her two elder sisters. In society so superior to what she had generally
12965 known, her improvement was great. She was not of so ungovernable a
12966 temper as Lydia; and, removed from the influence of Lydia's example,
12967 she became, by proper attention and management, less irritable, less
12968 ignorant, and less insipid. From the further disadvantage of Lydia's
12969 society she was of course carefully kept, and though Mrs. Wickham
12970 frequently invited her to come and stay with her, with the promise of
12971 balls and young men, her father would never consent to her going.
12972
12973 Mary was the only daughter who remained at home; and she was necessarily
12974 drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments by Mrs. Bennet's being quite
12975 unable to sit alone. Mary was obliged to mix more with the world, but
12976 she could still moralize over every morning visit; and as she was no
12977 longer mortified by comparisons between her sisters' beauty and her own,
12978 it was suspected by her father that she submitted to the change without
12979 much reluctance.
12980
12981 As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from
12982 the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the conviction that
12983 Elizabeth must now become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude
12984 and falsehood had before been unknown to her; and in spite of every
12985 thing, was not wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on
12986 to make his fortune. The congratulatory letter which Elizabeth received
12987 from Lydia on her marriage, explained to her that, by his wife at least,
12988 if not by himself, such a hope was cherished. The letter was to this
12989 effect:
12990
12991 "MY DEAR LIZZY,
12992
12993 "I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my dear
12994 Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so
12995 rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us.
12996 I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not
12997 think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help.
12998 Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however,
12999 do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not.
13000
13001 "Yours, etc."
13002
13003 As it happened that Elizabeth had _much_ rather not, she endeavoured in
13004 her answer to put an end to every entreaty and expectation of the kind.
13005 Such relief, however, as it was in her power to afford, by the practice
13006 of what might be called economy in her own private expences, she
13007 frequently sent them. It had always been evident to her that such an
13008 income as theirs, under the direction of two persons so extravagant in
13009 their wants, and heedless of the future, must be very insufficient to
13010 their support; and whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane or
13011 herself were sure of being applied to for some little assistance
13012 towards discharging their bills. Their manner of living, even when the
13013 restoration of peace dismissed them to a home, was unsettled in the
13014 extreme. They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap
13015 situation, and always spending more than they ought. His affection for
13016 her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer; and
13017 in spite of her youth and her manners, she retained all the claims to
13018 reputation which her marriage had given her.
13019
13020 Though Darcy could never receive _him_ at Pemberley, yet, for
13021 Elizabeth's sake, he assisted him further in his profession. Lydia was
13022 occasionally a visitor there, when her husband was gone to enjoy himself
13023 in London or Bath; and with the Bingleys they both of them frequently
13024 staid so long, that even Bingley's good humour was overcome, and he
13025 proceeded so far as to talk of giving them a hint to be gone.
13026
13027 Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy's marriage; but as she
13028 thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, she
13029 dropt all her resentment; was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as
13030 attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility
13031 to Elizabeth.
13032
13033 Pemberley was now Georgiana's home; and the attachment of the sisters
13034 was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able to love each
13035 other even as well as they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion
13036 in the world of Elizabeth; though at first she often listened with
13037 an astonishment bordering on alarm at her lively, sportive, manner of
13038 talking to her brother. He, who had always inspired in herself a respect
13039 which almost overcame her affection, she now saw the object of open
13040 pleasantry. Her mind received knowledge which had never before fallen
13041 in her way. By Elizabeth's instructions, she began to comprehend that
13042 a woman may take liberties with her husband which a brother will not
13043 always allow in a sister more than ten years younger than himself.
13044
13045 Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew;
13046 and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in
13047 her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him
13048 language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time
13049 all intercourse was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth's persuasion,
13050 he was prevailed on to overlook the offence, and seek a reconciliation;
13051 and, after a little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her
13052 resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity
13053 to see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait
13054 on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods had
13055 received, not merely from the presence of such a mistress, but the
13056 visits of her uncle and aunt from the city.
13057
13058 With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms.
13059 Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever
13060 sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing
13061 her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.
13062
13063
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13065
13066
13067 End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
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