“You may change your mind about him once you know him better. As for his treatment of Miss Bingley, I think you would be very much mistaken to believe all the fault lies on his side. She might have done something to provoke him. Perhaps they had a quarrel before the ball.”
“That certainly could be possible. I had the impression he did not wish to dance with her.”
“One can hardly be surprised by that,” Charlotte said with a smile. “He was not the only one. I am curious about your siding with her. Did you like Miss Bingley?”
“I never had any thought of taking a side. My feelings were only of what was right. In fact, I did not like her at all. She is conceited and arrogant. Both she and Mrs. Hurst are very unlike their brother. He was by far the best of the group.”
“A truly amiable gentleman,” Charlotte agreed. “He did appear to be very much taken with Jane, and she with him. I think he could be a very good prospect for her. It would be an excellent match.”
“You are too hasty,” Elizabeth laughed. “They have only just begun to know each other.”
“It does not take much to form a beginning, and if they should both continue to hold a preference for each other, an attachment may soon form.”
“Not too soon, one hopes. These things ought to take time; however, I will admit to thinking that there is the potential for compatibility between them.”
“You are ever cautious,” Charlotte said. “It is a good thing to a point, but I would suggest you not advise Jane to take too much time making up her mind. Opportunity may easily slip through one’s fingers.”
“An opportunity which is so easily lost should not be so well regarded,” Elizabeth countered. “Nor a decision which is too hastily made, but I will concede that I would not be averse to seeing my sister find happiness with Mr. Bingley. They would make a happy couple, something which one can hardly anticipate for Mr. Darcy. I will take the liberty of feeling sorry for him in that regard. One cannot imagine that a life with Miss Bingley will give him much cause for happiness.”
“One cannot. The differences in their manners and characters practically ensures it, but I think it will be worse for him. An evening’s acquaintance with her is enough to see that she will only care for the consequence of the marriage.”
“I can certainly agree with your assessment, but it seems that Mr. Darcy is perfectly capable of pursuing his own amusements without regard for her, so they may settle into some sort of amicable dislike. What an appalling marriage that will be, but it seems such ways suit fashionable people. I am very glad to have no such prospect in my future.”
“I would say one other thing of Mr. Darcy. It may not please you that he approved of your sisters, but you must allow that his treatment of them was infinitely superior to Miss Bingley’s undisguised contempt.”
“I would not have minded approval. It was his encouragement of them that I so disliked, but you are right about Miss Bingley. She had a low opinion of everybody, but I was aware that a great part of her scorn was particularly directed at my sisters.”
“She does not quite dislike everybody, I think. I heard her say that she is eager to know you better.”
Elizabeth sighed. “She said much the same to me, but I have no desire for any friendship with her.”
“I believe it is too late to repulse her. Perhaps you should have kept your dance with Mr. Darcy after all.”
“She hardly gave me an opportunity to make up my own mind upon the subject. I could not ignore her thinly disguised hints that Mr. Darcy’s excessive kindness to my family had deprived her of her rights. It seemed an easy solution to make the offer that we should exchange dances. I had no idea it would bring upon me such a degree of good will. I have not yet told you that at the end of the evening she addressed me as Miss Eliza.”
Charlotte laughed. “Poor Lizzy. I know how intensely you dislike being called Eliza. Perhaps, if you are very fortunate, Miss Bingley will soon forget her newfound regard for you. If anybody is excessively selfish, I am sure it is she.”
“Oh, she seems a hateful woman. I saw how she looked at Jane when she was dancing with Mr. Bingley. It might be better if we did not attach any hopes to a connection between him and Jane. If I am not mistaken, his sister will do everything in her power to prevent him forming any attachments among us simple country people.”
“I agree, but in that case, there may be some benefit to her liking for you. It occurs to me that you might encourage a friendship with Miss Bingley after all, and endeavour to turn it to Jane’s advantage.”
“I cannot bring myself to use the lady in such a way. You would not do such a thing yourself, I am sure.”
“Do not be so certain. I do believe I could be more practical and less principled than you in the matter of securing my future.”
“You are practical, but never unprincipled. However, your point has some validity. I have no desire to encourage any great intimacy between us, but Miss Bingley’s overtures of friendship may have the advantage of allowing me to easily ascertain her opinions. If Jane should be inclined toward forming a great liking for Mr. Bingley, I would not put it past his sisters to use devious methods to thwart an attachment between them.”
“I am sure they are quite experienced in the use of deceit and trickery. If you are to be Miss Bingley’s friend, perhaps you might be a good influence and persuade them to change their ways.”
“I doubt anybody is capable of that much persuasion. I shall not hold any hopes of it. I think that influence for the better rarely succeeds. It is more often the opposite case, as I fear from Mr. Darcy’s effect on my sisters. I dread to think how much worse they might behave if he continues to influence them by setting his own example of poor behaviour.”
“I think you worry too much,” Charlotte said. “In my opinion, there is a greater chance that Mr. Darcy’s influence upon your sisters will be an excellent one.”
“We really did meet two different men,” Elizabeth said.
CHAPTER 6
The next day, the ladies of Longbourn called upon those of Netherfield. The visit was returned only one day later, a very great mark of attention which Elizabeth felt to be directed particularly toward her as Miss Bingley singled her out for a large part of the conversation. She and Mrs. Hurst were reasonably attentive to Jane also, but their treatment of the others was disdainful. Elizabeth did not like it, but politeness made it difficult for her to scorn the friendship offered by the sisters.
She was invited to spend the next morning with them and duly went. Walking across the fields, she feared that this exercise was to be the best part of the day and was nearly proven correct. The ladies entertained her with stories of the grand parties which they attended in London. They made lists of their friends, laid claim to knowing some very important people, and boasted of the amount they spent upon their dresses. Elizabeth listened with increasing boredom and could form no expectation of pleasure when she was invited to stay on for dinner. Fortunately, there was the company of the gentlemen to provide some variety.
Mr. Bingley was the same charming gentlemen he had been at the assembly, Mr. Darcy was quite forthcoming on an odd variety of topics, and even Mr. Hurst made a few comments to pass the time between courses. It made for some strange company, which Elizabeth was capable of appreciating, except for the awkwardness of hearing Mr. Darcy so frequently upon disagreeing with Miss Bingley. Any subject she introduced was sure to meet with his opposition. When she expressed her great fondness for a ragout, he immediately declared a preference for plain dishes. When she remarked that weather was pleasant of late, he was certain that it was about to turn at any moment.
They squabbled through much of the meal, and Elizabeth was several times called upon to take the lady’s side, which she attempted to avoid as much as possible, not wishing to have any part of their quarrel. The few things which she felt compelled to contribute drew some of the gentleman’s irritation in her direction. All this behaviour confirmed her suspicions that there w
as no love between the pair. By the end of the meal she was rather inclined to think that there was intense dislike on Mr. Darcy’s part. He was amusing in all his arguments, but she detected bitterness in some of his remarks.
After dinner, the ladies engaged themselves in a discussion of accomplishments. When the gentlemen appeared, Mr. Bingley caught their subject and made an observation that all young ladies were exceptionally accomplished. His sisters protested together that he did not know what he was saying.
“Certainly, he does,” Mr. Darcy said in his friend’s defence. “I do not know any young lady who cannot paint a table, cover a screen, or net a purse. She need not even be able to do all of them. Just one or two of those abilities should suffice as a mark of great talent.”
“A lady should also have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing and dancing,” Miss Bingley said firmly.
“I agree that everybody should be able to dance, but I do not think any of those other abilities necessary. If one lady has no musical ability, there is sure to be another in the room who wishes to entertain the company. And if she cannot sing, she might be joined by a friend who can. As for drawing, it can hardly have any purpose at all. I do not see that it has any entertainment value. A very dull sort of activity.”
“A lady should also know all the modern languages,” Miss Bingley pronounced, refusing to acknowledge his opinions on her other requirements.
“All the modern languages?” he queried. “You have some very high expectations.”
“They are high,” Miss Bingley agreed, “but there are at least half a dozen ladies of my acquaintance who meet my most particular standards, and all of them add to the improvement of their minds by reading extensively.”
“Reading extensively!” Mr. Darcy exclaimed. “If that is included in your notion of an accomplished young lady, I think it miraculous that you can boast of knowing even half a dozen such creatures. In fact, I rather wonder at your knowing any.”
Elizabeth had to suppress another urge to giggle. Mr. Darcy might be a frivolous man with stupid opinions, but his amusing way of speaking was delightfully diverting. For the rest of the evening, his quarreling with Miss Bingley continued in this more light-hearted way, which was less uncomfortable than their disagreements during dinner, and often quite entertaining. When Miss Bingley summoned the carriage to convey her home and said that they must do this again some time soon, Elizabeth was not completely opposed to the idea.
“I could almost like him,” she confessed to Charlotte when they were next together. “I still see no evidence of the superior intelligence which you claim he possesses, but he is more amusing than I gave him credit for. Some of his remarks are extremely witty. It is, however, rather awkward to be in company with him and Miss Bingley. They disagree incessantly, and Mr. Darcy seems very determined to set himself up against her. I very much doubt that a mere quarrel had anything to with his behaviour toward her yesterday. It really does seem that he dislikes her intensely. I find their engagement is even more puzzling after spending an evening with them.”
“Perhaps he regrets having committed himself. Or perhaps he did so against his will. I cannot imagine what reason Mr. Darcy might have had for choosing a lady whose manners are so unlike his own and whose company is so obviously disagreeable to him. I cannot help suspecting that he was somehow coerced into it.”
“It is hard to believe that a man of his consequence would have allowed anybody to get away with forcing him to an action which is not to his liking. I maintain that he gives the impression of being a man who likes to have his own way and does what he wants without regard for others.”
“Perhaps he was in need of money. I heard it said that Miss Bingley has 20,000 pounds.”
“That could hardly explain it. There are plenty of ladies in the world with 20,000 pounds or more, and it is probable that a great many of them are much pleasanter than Miss Bingley. I assume that at least a few among them would be foolish enough to bestow hand and fortune upon a gentleman as handsome as Mr. Darcy even if it is the case that he is heavily in debt, his estates are mortgaged, and his 10,000 a year is an exaggeration.”
“So you find him handsome, do you, Lizzy?”
“I do not find him anything. I was merely making an observation.”
Charlotte smiled. “He is very attractive in both appearance and character, and a very likeable person, even if you refuse to see it. All of this only adds to the puzzle of his engagement. I do not think it the case that he is in debt and his estates mortgaged. He seemed much too sensible to me.”
“It was your suggestion that he needed money,” Elizabeth pointed out. “For my part, I think him quite capable of frittering away a fortune. Or, if you will have it that he is sensible, it is possible that he was left debt incurred by his father or grandfather.”
“One cannot discount that possibility,” Charlotte agreed. “Whatever the case, there is certainly a mystery about his engagement. Whether he was in need of money or merely of an inclination to marry, it seems incomprehensible that he chose somebody he clearly dislikes when he is so eligible and has the financial freedom to do as he wishes.”
“That does not change the fact that he did choose her, and consequently has obligations. As long as he does not live up to them, your attempt to paint him a different sort of man than I see will surely fail.”
“Then I shall cease to make any such attempts. You can only find out for yourself what sort of man he is.”
In the following weeks, there were other mornings spent with Mr. Bingley’s sisters, and Elizabeth soon found herself entangled in the most intolerable intimacy with them, exactly what she had wished to avoid. They met frequently at evening parties as well, and on every occasion, she was singled out as their particular friend. They often complimented her in various ways, and if she expressed an opinion on any subject, Miss Bingley was sure to call everybody’s attention to her wit. This was a cause for great discomfort. Elizabeth did not care to be put upon a pedestal, but at the urging of her unwanted friend, she was very often called upon to repeat some remark for the benefit of the company as large.
“Miss Bennet has just said the most amusing thing,” Miss Bingley would announce in a loud voice. Or she might say, “You must hear Miss Bennet’s wisdom” upon one topic or another.
The alleviation of Elizabeth’s torment generally came from an unwelcome quarter. Whenever Miss Bingley spoke, Mr. Darcy seemed inclined to draw all the attention in the room to himself instead. It was excessively rude of him; however, his behaviour very often saved Elizabeth from the polite necessity of performing on command. She could almost have been grateful to him for diverting her audience’s notice, except that he did so with some bit of foolishness which inevitably drew giggles from Kitty and Lydia. He spent much of his time laughing in silly conversations with them or begging for some music to be played so they could all dance. As she had feared, he was becoming great friends with her sisters, which sustained her prejudice against him and gave her little desire to be much in his company.
In that regard, the friendship with Miss Bingley provided an advantage. Being frequently required to sit beside her was a guarantee of being little in Mr. Darcy’s company. With every meeting, it became more obvious to Elizabeth that he had a great aversion to his own fiancée. He went out of his way to avoid her or to make himself difficult when he could not. This continuance of neglect and the seeking out his own diversion meant that Elizabeth was spared much conversation with him.
It was easy to see that his behaviour did not please Miss Bingley. Her eyes strayed often toward her errant fiancé, and there was censure in them, but Elizabeth never thought she saw sadness. There was no more evidence that Miss Bingley’s heart was engaged than there was for Mr. Darcy’s being so. She never spoke of him with affection in her voice; her tone in mentioning or addressing him was usually a proprietary one.
Elizabeth did not feel that her new friend was exactly in need of consolation; however, she fel
t some sort of obligation to make up for her sisters dominating a large part of Mr. Darcy’s attention, which she fulfilled by enduring Miss Bingley’s company and listening to her dull conversation. Once when the subject grew especially boring, her eyes, in wandering about the room, fell upon Mr. Darcy who was surrounded by a group of laughing friends. He might be a fool, she thought, but his companions were so much better entertained. For a brief moment, she considered getting up from her seat and going to find out what he was saying which had everybody so much amused. On some occasions, however, she heard him say utter nonsense which did nothing to improve her opinion of him.
A few times, she noticed him staring in her direction, which at first had her wondering if there was something odd about her appearance. On a subsequent evening, she considered that perhaps he was wondering why she would choose the same company that he avoided. Or maybe he was grateful to her for making it easier for him to avoid it.
One evening, he unaccountably paid attention to her. It was one of those times when Miss Bingley drew notice to her wit, and instead of interrupting, he stayed to hear Elizabeth’s point and then engaged her in a debate, putting forward an opposing argument with great energy. As she defended her position, he pressed the attack with surprising skill, which was not consistent with the role of fool which he usually played. Evidently, he did have greater intellectual powers as Charlotte had surmised. This discovery did not add anything to the credit of his character, however. In her opinion, there was greater discredit in an intelligent man choosing to give himself over to foolishness, as he did the moment that their discussion came to an end.
From this moment, however, he did begin to talk to her with increasing frequency, although rarely with much agreement on their subject. Perhaps it was because she was Miss Bingley’s friend, she thought with some amusement. By association, she came in for a share of Mr. Darcy’s contrariness, but at least he did not speak to with the same bitterness, and he was often so amusing that she quite enjoyed taking part in some banter with him.
Mr. Darcy Dances: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 4