by Linda Phelps
Darcy intends to travel to Pemberly when he concludes his London business. I detect no sign that Elizabeth Bennet is worried by his absence. Even Louisa admits that if there is something between them he would come here to Netherfield directly. If he does not return to Netherfield, I shall know he has no interest in her. I believe I have lost hope when I should not have.
“Darcy!” exclaimed Bingley. “I did not expect you. You received my news I suppose.”
“And I hereby offer you my congratulations. You have won a lovely woman with a loving heart to be your wife. When is the happy day?
“Five weeks. Not a day more. We must delay the ceremony until a certain amount of clothing has been amassed. I believe that is the reason. Am I correct, Caroline?”
Louisa, recognizing the shock her sister felt at the appearance of Darcy, replied for her. “Yes. Men do not understand these things. A girl cannot become a wife without a proper wardrobe. Before I married Mr. Hurst Caroline and I visited every decent warehouse in London. Did we not, Caroline?”
“Yes,” said Caroline. “But Mr. Darcy, we believed you would return to Pemberly.”
“I have written to Georgiana to join us here at Netherfield,” said Darcy. “I may have business that involves her. I trust that she and I do not impose on your hospitality.”
“Impose?” cried Bingley, “My dear fellow, I owe much of my happiness to your encouragement or my suit. You can never impose. Without your confession, I would not have had the courage to resume my pursuit of my angel.”
“Charles, are you saying that Mr. Darcy encouraged you in your pursuit of Miss Bennet’s hand? I had no idea of it,” said Louisa. “That is quite extraordinary when one thinks of the past months in London. Well, I will say no more.”
“Do not be secretive, Sister,” said Bingley. “Darcy has informed me of your plot to keep Jane and me apart from each other. If things had ended differently, I would be most angry with all three of you.”
Caroline stared at Darcy. What right had he to reveal their machinations to their brother? They had sworn each other to secrecy and later been betrayed by the very man who had convinced them to plot in the first place.
“I trust you will find a way to forgive us,” said Darcy. “When do you next go to Longbourn? I should like to accompany you to congratulate the bride.”
“And the mother,” said Louisa.
“And the mother,” agreed Darcy with a smile. “I’m sure she is pleased.”
“You must come to know the father,” said Bingley. “I find that Mr. Bennet is well read in many areas. One can scarcely name a subject on which he has no knowledge. You will like him, I think.”
“I’m certain I shall,” said Darcy. “When do we call at Longbourn?”
“It is true,” said Caroline. “He can only be here to make an offer to Elizabeth Bennet. He did not meet my eyes once. It was as if I didn’t exist.”
“Dearest Sister,” said Louisa. “I am sorry for your disappointment. You deserve a fine husband, and someday you will find one.”
“Oh, Louisa,” said Caroline. “I beg you not to mention William Longstreet at this moment.”
“As you wish,” said Louisa, “but it would be well to practice words of congratulation so that when they must be said no one can suspect that you have anything but joyous feelings for the happy couple.”
Caroline groaned. “I do not need practice. You will remember that I have done this before.”
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (Pemberly)
Brother writes that he intends to spend some time at Netherfield before returning. to Derbyshire. He will be there only a day or two or perhaps a fortnight or two. In the latter case he will arrange for me to join him. It is all somewhat mysterious, but I believe I know the secret. He intends to offer his hand and heart to Elizabeth Bennet! How wonderful for him and for me! I have always wanted a sister, and if I had imagined one who was perfection, she would have been very like Miss Bennet.
He must have made plans to retreat if she refuses him, but what woman would do that? Brother is kindness itself. No woman he loves could not love him in return.
I will find it difficult to control my anticipation of his next letter.
Determined to wait for the proper moment to speak to Elizabeth, Darcy endured what seemed to be hours in the Longbourn drawing room, unable to escape from Mrs. Bennet’s scornful looks. When she turned her eye to Bingley, however, the transformation was remarkable. Bingley was the hero of this story. He planned to take her eldest daughter from her, but in exchange she would be able to claim his virtues to all her friends. She herself had been made eminent by Jane’s engagement.
Fortunately, the younger sisters were rather afraid of Mr. Darcy. They did not presume to enter what conversation took place. On this day, even Bingley’s good nature could not stifle his desire to be away from Longbourn with his love. “I believe Jane and I will walk to Meryton,” said he. “It is too lovely a day to be spent entirely indoors. Jane, dearest, you are willing?”
“Indeed I am,” said Jane Bennet, stuffing her needlework into its case. “Mary? Kitty? Do you join us?”
Mary chose to continue reading a history of the Midlands, but Kitty was more than ready to join them. She and the lovers and Elizabeth and Darcy escaped to the sweet air of an early autumn day.
Darcy was unsure of his words as he walked aside Elizabeth. The pair was too close to the others for anything of a private nature to be spoken. He was aware that Bingley and Jane Bennet were falling farther behind with every minute. Then Kitty declared, “Here is the Lucas house. I must speak with Maria,” and she was gone.
Darcy and Elizabeth were alone. Now was the time for him to speak, but he found it impossible. It was the perfect moment, but he could not think of what to say..
Thus it was that Elizabeth was the first to break the silence between them, “Mr. Darcy,” said she, “I am a selfish creature, and for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, I fear I may be wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. I have been anxious to acknowledge to you how grateful I am. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not have merely my gratitude to express.”
Darcy had not expected these words. After a moment he said, “I am exceedingly sorry that you have been informed of what may have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.”
“You must not blame my aunt. Lydia’s thoughtlessness first betrayed to me that you had been concerned in the matter of her marriage to Mr. Wickham, and, of course, I could not rest until I knew the particulars. Again, in the name of my family, I thank you for that compassion which induced you to take so much trouble and bear so many mortifications for the sake of discovering them.”
This couple, like the one behind them, fell to walking more slowly. It was not the opportunity Darcy had hoped for, but when he considered it, none better could be expected to appear. “If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owes me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you and what you suffered.”
Elizabeth lowered her eyes. He sensed she could not look at him. Nonetheless he continued, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me at once.”
Darcy lowered his head to hear her reply. “Mr. Darcy, my feelings are much changed since that night. Today I know you are a generous and caring man.”
He smiled. “I have practiced civility, as you once correctly suggested I do. My reward for my efforts is to know that you have recognized them.”
“It is not only that,” said Elizabeth. “It is not a question of civility. It is your acts of kindness to me and my family—”
“For you,” interrupted Darcy. “But I must have a clear answer. Have your feelings toward me changed enough that you would consider my offer of marriage?”
“Consider it?” said Elizabeth, looking up at him. “I need no time to con
sider it. I accept this instant.”
They walked on, without knowing in what direction. “I must beg your pardon,” said Darcy, “for the words with which my aunt reproved you. They were unforgivable. I have told her so.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy,” cried Elizabeth. “You do not know how her words convinced me that that there was still a chance you cared for me, despite the things I said to you that night in the rectory, despite my shame at having Wickham for a brother. Before she came to Longbourn I knew I loved you, but when she tried to part us, I realized the extent to which I loved you. I knew because of the fear I felt when she convinced me I would never see you again. She has been of great service to me”
“And to me,” said Darcy. “When she told me of your stubbornness, I felt hope as I had not felt it before. I knew that had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it openly to Lady Catherine.”
They continued to walk, recounting the tribulations of their previous acquaintance. Now that all was resolved, they could regret the wasted months, but soon they were speaking of the months and years to come. They had circled back to Longbourn, and when Darcy saw it, he put his hand on Elizabeth’s arm to stop her. “There is one thing I must know. I am aware that Mrs. Bennet dislikes me. She does not try to hide the fact. My question is why does she dislike me?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Do you recall the Assembly Ball where I first saw you?”
“Yes. I did not know then what you would come to mean to me.”
“Do you remember Mr. Bingley’s attempts to get you to dance? Do you recall that he offered to provide you with an introduction to me?”
Darcy looked to the distance. “Perhaps. I did not mark the occasion. I would certainly have been happy to make your acquaintance.”
“At the Assembly Ball Mr. Bingley begged you to dance with me. Do you remember these words? ‘Which girl do you mean?’ You examined me briefly and said, ‘She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.’”
Darcy stopped still. He heard himself say those very words, and he heard himself repeat them at Netherfield for the amusement of Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. How they had laughed at his rudeness! “I do recall. How abominable my manners were then.”
“Within minutes the episode had been related to half the people in attendance at the ball. My mother took offense when she heard. To her mind I am the least perfect of her daughters, but she could not forgive the suggestion that my appearance was merely ‘tolerable’”
“I cannot forgive myself for saying such a thing. And you?” asked Darcy. “Had you trouble forgiving me?”
“Perhaps for a time,” said Elizabeth, “but be assured that I have done so at last.”
Darcy’s Journal (Netherfield)
It is done! Elizabeth has accepted me and we will marry as soon as it can be arranged. Mrs. Bennet, up on hearing this news, changed her manner toward me so considerably that Bingley is quite left in the shadow. I am now her favourite son to be.
I have met with Mr. Bennet. He spoke to me with caution at first, for Elizabeth had not yet convinced him that I am not the ill-mannered arrogant man of whom he had heard so much. My incivility during my previous stay at Netherfield has been a favourite topic for conversation in the neighbourhood. Eventually he gave me a level look and welcomed me to his family. I agree with Bingley that there is more to Mr. Bennet than one first observes. His library contains books that have been read and reread. He will enjoy the library at Pemberly when he comes to stay.
We have told no one of our engagement except for Elizabeth’s parents, although I cannot expect that Mrs. Bennet will maintain silence for long. Tomorrow I will write to Georgiana with this splendid news and tell her to come to Netherfield with all possible haste. I believe that Bingley guessed my intention some weeks ago, so he will not be surprised, nor will his sisters when they come to consider the matter. Why would I leave Pemberly at this season to come to Netherfield? There can be only one answer.
I must write Simmons to ready my mother’s jewels. They will go to Elizabeth, the mistress of Pemberly.
Miss Bingley’s Journal (Netherfield)
Mr. Darcy informs us that he expects Georgiana to arrive by time for dinner. I will be pleased to see her. Both Mr. Darcy and Charles spend most of the day at Longbourn, so any addition to our small society will be appreciated. Louisa and I have been to call on our new sister every day. For some reason Jane is not so amiable as she was a year ago. I do not mean to suggest she is uncivil, but she is somewhat more reserved than Louisa and I had come to expect. Perhaps she feels the strain of preparing to enter a level of society that is not naturally hers. Jane is a sweet girl, but sadly lacking in accomplishments. One hopes that our brother will not tire of her too quickly.
This next is not so difficult to write as I feared.
As for Lizzy Bennet, her manner is pleasant to us, but I must admit that it is teasing and familiar to Mr. Darcy. Their relationship has progressed to the point that they can scarcely look away from each other. Louisa says I must face the truth, that he has sought her hand and won it,. “He waits for Georgiana to arrive to make the announcement,” says Louisa. I weep for a time, for I have no reason to doubt that Louisa is right. Darcy has made Lizzy Bennet an offer. When marriage is the subject, what is made cannot be unmade.
I will never sit with Darcy on the little bench next to the lake at Pemberly.
My sister smoothes my hair and says, “Your pride is hurt, but not your heart.” That is exactly right. I loved Darcy largely for his income and his ownership of Pemberly. I do not feel the pain I felt when George announced for Anne Constable.
I have come second to Lizzy Bennet despite my many superior attributes. I must expect that I will again be the subject of London gossip.. When Darcy’s choice is made known, it will be inexplicable to our friends, but when they discuss it among themselves, my distress will be of the most interest.
What I find most astounding is that now that I can no longer plan to spend my life with Darcy, I feel a certain sense of relief! I am done with making conversation with him, catering to his interests, trying to be so perfect that he would love me. When I look back, it was all quite difficult. Perhaps I shall not grieve for long.
How will William tease me when he hears of my failure to win the hand of Mr. Darcy!
From whence had this ambition to marry well appeared? She believed it came from the insistence of her parents that the three Bingley children must marry in a manner that would distance the family name farther from the tradesmen who had created their fortune. And here Louisa had married Mr. Hurst, a pleasant man with a good income, but in no way was he remarkable. Charles was about to wed a rather simple country girl, who brought him nothing but her own sweet person.
Caroline herself had spent a year in pursuit of a man who was immensely rich but reticent in his relations with others. His habitual silences had inspired her to speak immoderately and at length to fill the empty moments in conversations. She recalled these times now as times of anxiety. How she had tried to cover his deficiencies by speaking for the both of them! Further, she had done what she could to teach this same species of amiability to Georgiana, who was as unsuited to it as was her brother.
She saw now that Darcy was simply of a quiet nature. He was almost without humour, although that deficit might be remedied in time. Elizabeth Bennet had a rather charming wit with which to teach him to take himself less seriously. He seemed already to be more fond of the company of others. He was likely to greet one with a smile, which had not been the case in the past. They would make a good marriage.
When she thought of the years she might have spent, meeting Darcy at breakfast and dinner, striving to gain his attention as he read or wrote or lost himself in his own thoughts, she felt only a sense of relief. She now saw that her failure to attract him had in reality been a stroke of good fortune. How could she have stood his dour, serious nature? No house or fortune could make such a marriage satisfactory.<
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Bingley chose an early day to host a dinner for the Bennets and other prominent neighbours. Caroline gave the arranging of the affair to Louisa, for she had not the heart to manage it herself. Instead she forced herself to listen to Georgiana’s rapturous comments on Elizabeth Bennet’s face and hair and eyes and figure, her wit and charm.
“I am doing penance,” said she to her sister as they dressed for the evening, “although I am not entirely certain of the nature of my sin.”
“You are displaying your breeding,” said Louisa, “and quite well, when one considers the circumstances. If you can maintain this degree of poise throughout the dinner and the half hour with the ladies that will follow, you can take pride in your achievement.”
“Arrange that I do not sit at a place convenient for conversation with Lizzy Bennet,” said Caroline.
“Of course,” said Louisa. “To think this is the last dinner here at Netherfield at which I will sit at the bottom of the table as hostess”
“How many days must pass before we can return to town,” asked Caroline, “I mean, of course, without seeming uncivil.”
“After Charles and Jane marry,” said Louisa. “Then one more day and we go to London.”
“I wish to be gone before Darcy and Miss Lizzy exchange vows. I am sure it will mean another celebration.”
“I expect you are right,” said Louisa. “It will not be difficult to discover that we are needed in town for some urgent event. But are you so unhappy as all that? You seem almost light-hearted these last few days.”