by Tilly Davis
‘Tell me, Elizabeth,’ Caroline said, breaking her hitherto held silence, ‘do you find permanent life in the countryside an exciting pastime?’
‘It has many advantages,’ Elizabeth replied, ‘one does not always need excitement, sometimes the smallest pleasures in life are the greatest.’
‘Surely you must be bored at times, I have found it to be a most dull place, Meryton holds no attraction for me,’ Caroline continued.
‘Then why do you remain?’ Elizabeth asked.
‘For my brother’s sake, of course, he is charmed by the natural beauty, and whilst I am at leisure to decide my own destiny I remain by his side.’
‘An admirable occupation, and you have a sister too, do you not?’
‘I do,’ Caroline replied, ‘Louisa, who is currently in London under tutelage, a fine young lady, and one I keep a close eye upon, as I do Georgiana, isn’t that right, Fitzwilliam?’
Mr. Darcy agreed that Caroline did indeed keep a close eye upon his own sister, a fact for which he was most grateful, though as Caroline pontificated upon the need to preserve womanly virtue, he gave Elizabeth a wry smile.
As the soup was cleared away the fish course arrived, tender Dover sole in a cream sauce.
‘It is ever so delicate,’ Mrs. Bennet announced, and even Mr. Collins could only say that the food was comparable to that served at Rosings Park, a compliment indeed.
‘Do please let me know when you are next to be present at Rosings Park,’ Mr. Collins said to Mr. Darcy, ‘I should seek to call upon you then and further extend our acquaintance.’
‘I shall be sure to inform you,’ Mr. Darcy said, ‘though my visits there do not come often, business keeping me in Derbyshire for the most part.’
‘Is your Pemberley estate a fine one?’ Elizabeth asked.
‘One of the finest,’ Caroline Bingley said, ‘Fitzwilliam and I have spent many a happy summer there, have we not?’
‘We have all spent happy times at Pemberley,’ Mr. Darcy said, ‘I should be delighted if you were to see it one day.’
Elizabeth blushed a little, she would indeed like to see the house. The name conjured up for her such images of beauty and grandeur as she had never before seen. It was said that Pemberley was amongst the finest houses in England, if not a rival to those of Europe too.
‘I would be honoured, sir,’ she said.
Caroline Bingley scowled.
As the meal progressed, and Mr. Bingley expertly carved the joint of meat, conversation turned to the immediate district of Meryton and its occupants, of which there were many colourful characters.
‘We have met Sir William Lucas and his wife,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘an admirable fellow, I found him most appealing, his daughter too.’
‘Charlotte is a good friend of mine,’ Elizabeth said, ‘quite one of the most charming ladies in the district.’
‘There are hardly many ladies in the district,’ Caroline Bingley said, ‘apart from our present company, of course,’ she continued, checking herself a little, for even Caroline Bingley knew how to comport herself in the presence of others less familiar.
‘Mr. Bennet and I have lived in the district our whole lives and have always found the company to be most conducive,’ Mrs. Bennet said, ‘enhanced of course by your presence here with us now.’
‘And now that the regiment are stationed in Meryton, we have met one or two of the senior officers,’ Mr. Bingley continued, ‘capital fellows all of them, for the most part, some can be quite forward in their advances though.’
‘In what way, sir?’ Mrs. Bennet asked, Lydia and Kitty now giving the conversation their full attention as the sound of knives slicing into the food resonated round the room.
‘Well, take our friend Mr. George Wickham, an officer of the militia.’
‘Hardly a friend, Charles,’ Mr. Darcy said pointedly.
‘I apologise,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘Mr. Wickham is known to us, but he is quite the charmer, quickly forming attachments to young ladies who can be easily taken in by his wit and good humour.’
‘To what effect, sir?’ Mrs. Bennet said.
‘I think we’ve heard enough about Mr. Wickham,’ Mr. Darcy said, clattering his knife and fork down onto his plate.
‘Forgive me,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘let us call for the next course.’
But the mention of Mr. Wickham had aroused the interest of all, for he was not a stranger to everyone sat around the table. Kitty and Lydia had been introduced to him in Meryton just a week ago when he had met them standing by the seamstress shop on Highbrow Lane. He had indeed been charming and good humoured, promising to introduce both girls to other officers of the regiment, though insisting that their first duty was friendship to him.
Both girls were intrigued by Mr. Darcy’s reluctance to speak more of the young officer, though this only increased their interest in him, both nudging the other under the table and garnering their mother’s disapproval once again.
Mr. George Wickham had been acquainted with Mr. Darcy since his youth, being the son of a steward employed at Pemberley. But as he had grown up it had become apparent that Mr. Wickham’s interest in the young ladies of the Pemberley estate would not be confined to the servant girls, and shortly before her sixteenth birthday, the young Georgiana Darcy had almost met with tragedy when Mr. Wickham had sought to elope with her, saved only by Mr. Darcy’s intervention.
Thus, it was that the occupants at Netherfield still kept a watchful eye upon Mr. Wickham as well as Georgiana herself.
‘Well, I can surely declare this dinner to be the finest I have ever tasted,’ Mrs. Bennet said, as the final sweet course was removed from the table, and the party sat back in a state of silent exhaustion, the food consumed having been exceptionally good, and exceptionally filling.
‘The hospitality of your home is second to none, sir,’ Mr. Bennet said, ‘such kindness must be repaid and we shall do so, of that I assure you.’
‘My dear sir, there is nothing here to repay,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘the company this evening has more than adequately settled any perceived debt.’
Caroline Bingley snorted.
At length, the party rose from the table, and the gentlemen made first to smoke and take brandy, whilst the ladies returned to the salon, though Caroline Bingley made her excuses and departed for bed, she having had quite enough of the company that evening.
‘It is a most fine house,’ Mrs. Bennet said, ‘most fine indeed,’
‘Mother, all you have done this evening is comment upon our surroundings,’ Mary said, ‘I should like to look into the library, they say it is amongst the finest in the country.’
‘Perhaps we should look round now,’ Lydia said, giggling with Kitty.
‘Perhaps we should remain here and enjoy the convivial atmosphere,’ Mrs. Bennet said, ‘besides, we shall no doubt be leaving shortly, your father and Mr. Collins will be ready soon, I am sure, but when Jane is mistress of the house we shall the run of the place, then you may look round, girls.’
The gentlemen were indeed ready soon, Mr. Darcy visibly tiring of Mr. Collins’ constant references to his aunt, Mr. Bingley tiring of it though ever the congenial host, and Mr. Bennet wisely suggesting that it was time to take his family home.
As the guests took their travelling coats from the footmen, both Jane and Elizabeth found themselves to one side with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy respectively.
‘How I have enjoyed your company this evening, Jane,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘and how I should enjoy it further if it were permitted.’
Jane blushed a little, but smiled at Mr. Bingley.
‘You have been most gracious in your hospitality, sir,’ she said, ‘it would be my delight to continue our association.’
‘Then we shall,’ he said, ‘we shall indeed!’
Mrs. Bennet, watching from the corner of her eye, gave her husband a sharp poke, and pointed him in the direction of Jane and Mr. Bingley.
‘They appear most suitably matched, Mr.
Bennet,’ she whispered.
On her part Elizabeth had found Mr. Darcy most pleasant company that evening, though she had been aware of Caroline Bingley’s haunting presence at all times, it was as if Mr. Bingley’s sister would allow no one close to Fitzwilliam, despite the two being in no formal act of courtship.
‘Did you enjoy the evening, Elizabeth?’ he asked. ‘I was most honoured to sit with you, if truth be told, each time we are together I realise a little more of your attraction.’
Elizabeth blushed, and turned her eyes away from him.
‘I have greatly enjoyed dining here at Netherfield this evening, and it was a pleasure to speak on such close terms with you,’ she said.
‘We shall see each other again soon, I am sure,’ he said, and assisted her with her cloak.
‘If I may be allowed to assist you once again, dear cousin.’ Mr. Collins said, as he helped Elizabeth into the carriage. He had been aware throughout the evening of the rivalry which he faced for her affections whenever Mr. Darcy might be present, and thus he sought now to eliminate any further opposition, his self-perceived charm foremost in his armament.
As the carriage left Netherfield on its return journey to Longbourn, the satiated occupants sat in silent contentment, having all received from the evening just what they were anticipating.
7
A Proposal at Longbourn
Mr. Collins had only a day now remaining at Longbourn, and having exhausted the full range of walking routes from the house, for really his build was not that of one who walked if it could be helped, he had now confined himself to the house in order to read a treatise on St. Matthew’s Gospel in preparation for Sunday morning’s sermon.
But Mr. Collins was distracted.
The conversation at Longbourn had revolved around little else except the dinner at Netherfield, and with so many perspectives and opinions presented it had taken some time for all to have their say, with breakfast and luncheon that Friday both occupied by the analysis of the events, Mrs. Bennet still declaring the evening amongst the happiest moments of her life to date, the prospect of the marriage of her daughters notwithstanding.
It was the subject of marriage which was distracting Mr. Collins from his analysis of St. Matthew, and laying down his book he watched, as outside his cousins, Jane and Elizabeth, were hanging out several sheets and clothes, it being a windy day, though cold and bright.
It was his intention to ask for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage that afternoon, after all that is why he had come to Longbourn in the first place, and with Jane clearly attached and attracted to Mr. Bingley, the only option now was for him to propose the contract to Elizabeth.
He felt certain she would accept, despite the evident attraction between Mr. Darcy and herself. But it was Mr. William Collins, and not Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, who held the key, quite literally, to her family’s future security. It was this fact which he had been wont to drive home during the walks he had taken with his cousin in the preceding week, and he had no doubt that given the future situation, Elizabeth would readily accept his proposal.
‘Mr. Collins?’ Mr. Bennet said, as the gentleman made his appearance unannounced into the study that afternoon, ‘I trust St. Matthew is treating you well?’
‘It is on a lower matter than the heavenly company that I come to entreat you upon, though one with similar noble cause,’ the clergyman said.
‘Then you’d best sit down, sir,’ Mr. Bennet said, laying down the volume of Greek tragedy which he had been consulting.
Mr. Collins had already taken a seat by the fire, and now faced his host with a determined look in his eyes.
‘As I have intimated in the preceding days it was my intention to come to Longbourn, both to survey my inheritance, and to make the acquaintance of my cousins, graciously offering myself as a suitor to one, a match such as that being expedient to us all, securing Longbourn’s future, as well as ensuring that one of your five daughters is suitably matched.’
‘I had received such an impression certainly, an admirable sentiment, sir, such an air of sacrifice to it,’ Mr. Bennet said, ‘and pray tell which of my daughters you have deigned to choose.’
‘Well, at first the choice seemed obvious, the eldest daughter should marry the heir to the estate, such is the natural order of things, yet in all charity I see that Jane is now attached to Mr. Bingley, and so I graciously step aside to allow that gentleman her honour.’
‘A kindness indeed, sir,’ Mr. Bennet said, disguising his wry smile with a cough.
‘And so, it befell me to consider once again. Kitty and Lydia are both far too young to make appropriate mistresses of a parsonage, especially a parsonage such as my own, where the likes of Lady Catherine de Bourgh may be received at any moment. Mary is plain and bookish, but not without charm, though her demeanour would not suit my temperament on a full-time basis,’ Mr. Collins continued.
‘Then it seems, sir, that you have only one choice remaining,’ Mr. Bennet said.
‘Well, indeed, and so I come here this afternoon to request Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, and assure you of my sense of duty towards her with regards to this proposal, one which would see the future of Longbourn secured, and myself satisfied that I had chosen correctly, no doubt too my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, would offer her own blessing upon such a union and agree that it appears most expedient to all.’
‘Most expedient, sir, yes, most expedient to all,’ Mr. Bennet said, ‘but I am afraid the request is not mine to grant, you must ask Elizabeth herself, and if she assents then you may have my blessing, but until then I can only remain a neutral party.’
This response was not quite what Mr. Collins had been expecting, but Mr. Bennet was not the sort of father he had expected either, far too lacking in discipline, and it was no surprise, Mr. Collins thought to himself, that none of his daughters had yet married.
‘Then I shall ask her the question,’ Mr. Collins said, drawing himself up a little, ‘I have no doubt that she will assent, given the closeness we have enjoyed these past few days, she is no doubt mindful of her duty.’
Mrs. Bennet had seen Mr. Collins entering the study some moments before and despite her bad back, which now gave her considerable discomfort as she stood upright, she had been listening at the keyhole, overhearing the entire conversation. At this point she entered the room.
‘My dear Mr. Bennet,’ she began, ‘oh, Mr. Collins, has St. Matthew eluded you?’
‘Mr. Collins was proposing a union,’ Mr. Bennet said, knowing full well that his wife had been listening at the keyhole, the crack under the study door enough to reveal her feet.
‘A union?’ Mrs. Bennet asked.
‘Between himself and Elizabeth,’ Mr. Bennet said.
‘My dear Mr. Bennet,’ the lady said, putting her hands up to her face in an expression of mock ecstasy, ‘well, that is simply wonderful, two daughters married, one to a gentleman of high means, the other to one of spiritual means, how simply wonderful, Mr. Collins. You have said yes, haven’t you, Mr. Bennet?’
‘I have said that Mr. Collins must ask Elizabeth, and if she assents then so do we.’
‘Well, she will assent, of course, if only to secure our futures, though of course Mr. Collins possesses inestimable charms other than those of the exterior,’ she said, catching herself off guard.
For Mrs. Bennet the highest calling which any of her daughters could reach was the state of marriage, and with five to marry off, she had her work cut out in assisting them. Whilst she disliked Mr. Collins due to his hold upon them, she was also wise enough, despite appearance to the contrary, to see that a union between he and one of her daughters would be beneficial to them all, and thus she was willing to forgo her opinion of him in order to seek a greater good.
‘You must ask her at once, sir,’ she said, ‘mustn’t he, Mr. Bennet?’
‘If an answer is desired then one must first ask a question,’ the gentleman said.
He himself had no desire to see any
of his daughters married to the pompous clergyman, nevertheless he too was aware of Longbourn’s impending fate, as well as the delicate nature of his health which he kept hidden from the rest of the family but was a cause of concern to him personally whilst the future of his family remained unsecured.
Mr. Collins was not good at asking questions, he was far more used to giving answers, whether they were desired or not, but as Mrs. Bennet called her daughter inside, he resolved himself that now was the time to make his formal proposal. And so, it occurred in the following manner.
‘Outside, girls,’ Mrs. Bennet said, shooing Lydia and Kitty out into the garden whilst she simultaneously called Elizabeth inside.
‘Jane and I are still hanging out the washing, Mother,’ Elizabeth replied.
‘The washing can wait, dear, come inside immediately, I have something important to tell you.’
Elizabeth left her sister on the lawn and went inside, passing Lydia and Kitty on the way. Mrs. Bennet had just snatched Mary’s book from her and bustled her into the kitchen whilst Mr. Bennet had returned to his Greek tragedy, grateful for some respite.
‘What is it, Mother?’ Elizabeth asked.
‘Oh, there you are, Elizabeth, in here now,’ and she bundled her daughter into the dining room, closing the door behind her, and listening at the keyhole.
Elizabeth found herself confronted by her cousin, who was standing on the opposite side of the table, looking fat and awkward.
‘Mr. Collins,’ Elizabeth said, offering a slight curtsey as she awaited the other to speak.
‘Dear cousin,’ he said, ‘dear cousin, there is, before I leave, a request which I must make of you, concerning your future, my future, the future. As a cleric of the established church, it is expected, nay commanded, that I set the example of a godly state of life before those over whom I have the cure of souls, and no more so than in that state of life blessed by Our Lord himself, the state of holy matrimony. Owing to my position at Hunsford, as rector and chaplain to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who herself now models the virtue of widowhood, and who has, upon a number of occasions, stated my need to enter the state of matrimony, I find myself mindful that I must bring a mistress to the parsonage, one who will appreciate the importance and virtue of such a position,’ here he paused.