Elizabeth Bennet

by Eliza Gordon

  "And men take care that they should."

  "If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified. I have no idea of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine."

  "I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley's conduct to design, but without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of resolution, will do the business," said Elizabeth.

  "And do you impute it to either of those?"

  "Yes; to the last. But if I go on, I shall displease you by saying what I think of persons you esteem. Stop me whilst you can."

  "You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him?"

  "Yes, in conjunction with his friend."

  "I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can only wish his happiness; and if he is attached to me, no other woman can secure it."

  "Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his happiness; they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence. They may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great connections, and pride."

  "Beyond a doubt, they do wish him to choose Miss Darcy," replied Jane. "But this may be from better feelings than you are supposing. They have known her much longer than they have known me; no wonder if they love her better. But, whatever may be their own wishes, it is very unlikely they should have opposed their brother's. What sister would think herself at liberty to do it, unless there was something very objectionable? If they believed him attached to me, they would not try to part us; if he were so, they could not succeed. By supposing such an affection, you make everybody acting unnaturally and wrong, and me most unhappy. Do not distress me by the idea. I am not ashamed of having been mistaken; it is nothing in comparison of what I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters. Let me take it in the best light, in the light in which it may be understood."

  Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish. From this time Mr. Bingley's name was scarcely ever mentioned between them. Though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth did not account for it, there was little chance of her ever considering it with less perplexity.

  Mrs. Bennet continued to wonder and repine at his returning no more.

  Her daughter endeavoured to convince her that his attention to Jane had been merely the effect of a transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no more. Though the probability of the statement was admitted at the time, she had the same story to repeat every day.

  Mrs. Bennet's best comfort was that Mr. Bingley must be down again in the summer.

  Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. "So, Lizzy, your sister is crossed in love, I find," said he one day. "I congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of, and it gives her a sort of distinction among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are officers enough in Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham be your man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably."

  "Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would please me. We must not all expect Jane's good fortune."

  "True," said Mr. Bennet. "But it is a comfort to think that whatever of that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will make the most of it."

  Mr. Wickham's was of service in dispelling the gloom which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn family. They saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now added that of general unreserve.

  The whole of what Elizabeth had already heard, his claims on Mr. Darcy, and all that he had suffered from him, was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed. Everybody was pleased to know how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they had known anything of the matter.

  Miss Jane Bennet was the only creature who supposed there might be unknown extenuating circumstances in the case. Her mild and steady candour always pleaded for allowances and urged the possibility of mistakes.

  By everybody else, Mr. Darcy was condemned as the worst of men.

  Chapter 22

  Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came, as usual, to spend the Christmas at Longbourn.

  Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentleman, superior to his sister, by nature as education. The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade, and within view of his own warehouses, could have been so well-bred and agreeable.

  Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, was an amiable, intelligent, elegant woman, and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces. Between the two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted a particular regard. They had frequently stayed with her in town.

  The first part of Mrs. Gardiner's business on her arrival was to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When this was done, she had a less active part to play. It became her turn to listen.

  Mrs. Bennet had many grievances to relate, and much to complain of. They had all been very ill-used since she last saw her sister. Two of her girls had been upon the point of marriage, and after all, there was nothing in it.

  "I do not blame Jane for Jane would have got Mr. Bingley if she could. But Lizzy! Oh, sister! It is very hard to think that she might have been Mr. Collins's wife by this time, had it not been for her own perverseness. He made her an offer in this very room, and she refused him. The consequence of it is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have. And that the Longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever. The Lucases are very artful people indeed, sister. They are all for what they can get. I am sorry to say it of them, but so it is. It makes me very nervous and poorly, to be thwarted so in my own family, and to have neighbours who think of themselves before anybody else."

  When it seemed the monologue of her woes might never end, she concluded, "Your coming now is the greatest of comforts. And I am very glad to hear what you tell us, of long sleeves."

  The chief of this news had been given before to Mrs. Gardiner, in the course of Jane and Elizabeth's correspondence with her.

  When alone with Elizabeth afterwards, Mrs. Gardiner spoke more on the subject. "It seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane. I am sorry it went off. But these things happen so often! A young man, such as you describe Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks. When accident separates them, so easily forgets her, that these sort of inconsistencies are very frequent."

  "An excellent consolation in its way, but it will not do for us. We do not suffer by accident. It is not often that the interference of friends will persuade a young man to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in love with only a few days before," said Elizabeth.

  "But that expression of 'violently in love' is so hackneyed, so doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me very little idea. It is as often applied to feelings which arise from a half-hour's acquaintance, as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, how violent was Mr. Bingley's love?"

  "I never saw a more promising inclination. He was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball, he offended two or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance. I spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?"

  "Oh, yes!—of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. Poor Jane! I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get over it immediately. It had better have happened to you, Lizzy; you would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. But do you think she would be prevailed upon to go back with us? Change of scene might be of service—and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as anything."

  Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal
and expected Jane's acquiescence.

  "I hope, that no consideration with regard to this young man will influence her. We live in so different a part of town, all our connections are so different. And as you well know, we go out so little, that it is very improbable that they should meet at all, unless he comes to see her."

  "And that is quite impossible; for he is now in the custody of his friend. Mr. Darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane in such a part of London! My dear aunt, how could you think of it? Mr. Darcy may have heard of such a place as Gracechurch Street, but he would hardly think a month's ablution enough to cleanse him from its impurities, were he once to enter it. And depend upon it, Mr. Bingley never stirs without him."

  "So much the better. I hope they will not meet at all. But does not Jane correspond with his sister? She will not be able to help calling."

  "She will drop the acquaintance entirely."

  But in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth spoke about Bingley's being withheld from seeing Jane, she remained mindful. She did not consider their case hopeless. It was possible, perhaps probable, that his affection might be reanimated, and the influence of his friends combated by the more natural influence of Jane's attractions.

  Miss Jane Bennet accepted her aunt's invitation with pleasure.

  The Gardiners stayed a week at Longbourn. With the Phillipses, the Lucases, and the officers, there was not a day without its engagement.

  Mrs. Bennet had so carefully provided for the entertainment of her brother and sister, that they did not once sit down to a family dinner. When the engagement was for home, some of the officers always made part of it—of which Mr. Wickham was sure to be one. On these occasions, Mrs. Gardiner rendered suspicious by Elizabeth's warm commendation, narrowly observed them both.

  Chapter 23

  "You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it. Therefore, I am not afraid of speaking openly," said Mrs. Gardiner at the first favourable opportunity of speaking alone.

  "Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to say against him. He is a most interesting young man. If he had the fortune he ought to have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is, you must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all expect you to use it. Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father."

  Mrs. Gardiner expected Mr. Bennet to value a man's finances above romantic love for his daughter.

  "My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed."

  "Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise."

  "Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care of myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with me if I can prevent it."

  "Elizabeth, you are not serious now."

  "I beg your pardon, I will try again. At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw and if he becomes attached to me, I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it. Oh! That abominable Mr. Darcy! We see every day that where there is affection young people seldom hold back from entering into engagements by lack of fortune. Therefore, how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow creatures if I am tempted? How am I even to know that it would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promise you is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short, I will do my best."

  "It will be as well if you discourage his coming here so very often. At least, you should not remind your mother of inviting him."

  "As I did the other day," said Elizabeth with a conscious smile. "Very true. It will be wise for me to refrain from that. But do not imagine that he is always here so often. It is on your account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You know my mother's ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her friends. But upon my honour, I will try to do what I think to be the wisest; and now I hope you are satisfied."

  Her aunt assured her that she was, and Elizabeth thanked her for the kindness of her hints before they parted. A wonderful instance of advice being given on such a point, without being resented.

  Mr. Collins returned soon after the Gardiners left with Jane. As he took up his abode with the Lucases, his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet.

  His marriage was now fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned as to think it inevitable, and often to say that she "wished they might be happy."

  Thursday was to be the wedding day. On Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit. Elizabeth was ashamed of her mother's ungracious and reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself.

  When Charlotte rose to take leave, Elizabeth accompanied her out of the room.

  As they went downstairs together, Charlotte said,"I depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza."

  "That you certainly shall."

  "And I have another favour to ask you. Will you come and see me?"

  "We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire."

  "I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, to come to Hunsford."

  Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the visit.

  "My father and Maria are coming to me in March, and I hope you will consent to be of the party. Indeed, Eliza, you will be as welcome as either of them."

  The wedding took place. The bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from the church door, and everybody had as much to say on the subject as usual.

  Elizabeth soon heard from her friend. Their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been; that it should be equally unreserved was impossible. Elizabeth could never address her without feeling that all the comfort of intimacy was over. Though determined not to slacken as a correspondent, it was for the sake of what had been, rather than what was.

  Charlotte's first letters were received with a good deal of eagerness. They could not but be curious to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would like Lady Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to be.

  When the letters were read, Elizabeth felt that Charlotte expressed herself on every point exactly as she might have foreseen. She wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighbourhood, and roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine's behaviour was most friendly and obliging. It was Mr. Collins's picture of Hunsford and Rosings rationally softened. Elizabeth perceived that she must wait for her own visit there to know the rest.

  Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to announce their safe arrival in London. When she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys.

  Through the second letter, it was found Jane had been a week in town without either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, by supposing that her last letter to her friend from Longbourn had by some accident been lost. "My aunt is going tomorrow into that part of the town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street."

  She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen Miss Bingley. "I did not think Caroline in spirits, but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London. I was right; my last letter had never reached her. I inquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much engaged with Mr. Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall see them soon here."

  Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced her that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her sister's being in town.

  Continued letters re
vealed that four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him.

  She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret it, but she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley's inattention. After waiting at home every morning for two weeks, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for her, the visitor did at last appear. The shortness of her stay, and yet more, the alteration of her manner would allow Jane to deceive herself no longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will prove what she felt.

  "My dearest Lizzy will, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgement, at my expense. I confess to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my dear sister, the event has proved you right. But do not think me obstinate if I still assert that my confidence was as natural as your suspicion, considering her behaviour. I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be friendly with me. If the same circumstances were to happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday; and not a note, not a line, did I receive in the meantime. When she did come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it. She made a slight, formal apology, for not calling before, said not a word of wishing to see me again. She was in every respect so altered a creature that when she went away, I resolved not to continue the acquaintance. I pity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can safely say that every advance to friendship began on her side. But I pity her because she must feel that she has been acting wrong and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it. I need not explain myself farther. Though we know this anxiety to be quite needless, yet, it will easily account for her behaviour to me. So deservedly dear as he is to his sister, whatever anxiety she must feel on his behalf is natural and amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having any such fears now, because, if he had at all cared about me, we must have met, long ago. He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from something she said herself. Yet it would seem, by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he is partial to Miss Darcy. I cannot understand it. If I were not afraid of judging harshly, I should be almost tempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. I will endeavour to banish every painful thought and think only of what will make me happy, your affection, and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very soon. Miss Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield again, of giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with Sir William and Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there.—Yours, etc."