by Jane Austen
27. genius: natural aptitude.
28. application: diligence of effort (in practicing music).
29. conceno … Scotch and Irish airs: a concerto is a more formal and difficult piece of music, one that Mary, eager to show her musical sophistication, would naturally start off playing; that this is her motive is signaled by its being a long concerto. Scotch and Irish airs are folk tunes that would be more suitable for dancing. Scotch and Irish music, especially the former, had become extremely popular in England in the decades preceding this novel.
30. Such praise of dancing was a platitude of the time, for dancing was commonly celebrated as a sign of, and stimulus to, elegance and refinement. “Polished societies” was a common term, often seen among social thinkers and historians, to denote more advanced and refined societies; hence Darcy, in his reply, makes reference to savages, who would be the opposite of polished.
31. The sharpness of Darcy's response to Sir William's innocuous statement, like Darcy's earlier stricture on ladies before Elizabeth, indicates a characteristic he will display continually, even in his conversations with his best friend Bingley. Though generally silent and reserved, he is also outspoken and blunt in response to others' statements or questions.
32. science: science of dancing. Many books existed on dancing then, giving precise instructions as to its theory and practice, so calling it a science would seem natural.
33. St. James's: the royal court. Sir William presumes that Darcy's high social position would give him access there, an access that the snobbish Sir William values very highly.
34. Darcy's repeated use of “sir” shows his formality. He is one of the only characters who uses this designation frequently.
35. house in town: a house in London. Thanks to its many and growing amusements, London had become an increasingly popular residence for the wealthy, although those who could afford it, such as Darcy, also maintained a country house.
36. Sir William, not having Darcy's wealth, would have to make London his sole home if he moved there.
37. Presumably it would not be good for her health. Medical opinion of the time attributed many ailments to bad air, and city air was considered especially unhealthy.
38. Elizabeth's steadfast refusal is interesting, for otherwise she never shows any disinclination to dance. It may stem from the concern suggested in her comment that she does not wish to be supposed to be angling for a partner; in fact, she consistently avoids any maneuvers designed to attract or snare men, something that distinguishes her from Miss Bingley and that ends up being part of her attraction to Darcy. It is possible that her refusal is the first indication, albeit a mild one, of her hostility to Darcy, a hostility that presumably stems from her sense of his satirical eye as well as her remembrance of his earlier disparagement of her.
39. Elizabeth's words of refusal may be intended as a criticism of Darcy. On a specific level, she could be implying that he only asked her to dance out of politeness, under the influence of Sir William's pleas, and not from any real interest in dancing with her. On a general level, she could mean to label him as all politeness because she sees him only upholding the outward forms of etiquette, without infusing them with any genuine friendliness or consideration for others.
40. complaisance: obligingness, desire to please.
41. archly: in a playful, saucy, or mischievous manner.
42. complacency: pleasure, satisfaction.
43. the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people: they are nothing in a social sense (from Miss Bingley's fashionable London perspective), but they think of themselves as important (presumably because of their prominence in local society).
44. One sees Miss Bingley, who knows Darcy well, expecting sharp or critical comments from him.
45. The first indication of her interest in Darcy, and her jealousy of any possible rival.
46. wish you joy: a commonly used expression for congratulating someone on their marriage or engagement.
47. Miss Bingley, eager to discredit Elizabeth in Darcy's opinion, focuses immediately on what will be Elizabeth's, as well as Jane's, principal marital handicap—her family, especially her mother.
Chapter Seven
M r Bennet's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed in default of heirs male,1 on a distant relation; and their mother's fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply2 the deficiency of his. Her father had been an attorney3 in Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds.
She had a sister married to a Mr. Philips, who had been a clerk to their father, and succeeded him in the business,4 and a brother settled in London in a respectable5 line of trade.
The village of Longbourn was only one mile from Meryton; a most convenient distance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt and to a milliner's shop6 just over the way. The two youngest of the family, Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in these attentions; their minds were more vacant than their sisters', and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse7 their morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of news the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the head quarters.8
Their visits to Mrs. Philips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge of the officers' names and connections.9 Their lodgings were not long a secret, and at length they began to know the officers themselves. Mr. Philips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a source of felicity unknown before.10 They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley's large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals11 of an ensign.12
After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr. Bennet coolly observed,
“From all that I can collect13 by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced.”
Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Lydia, with perfect indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter, and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the next morning to London.
“I am astonished, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet, “that you should be so ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly14 of any body's children, it should not be of my own however.”
“If my children are silly I must hope to be always sensible15 of it.”
“Yes —but as it happens, they are all of them very clever.”
“This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must so far differ from you as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly foolish.”
“My dear Mr. Bennet, you must not expect such girls to have the sense of their father and mother. —When they get to our age I dare say they will not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when I liked a red coat16 myself very weiland indeed so I do still at my heart; and if a smart17 young colonel, with five or six thousand a year,18 should want one of my girls, I shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster19 looked very becoming the other night at Sir William's in his regimentals.”
“Mama,” cried Lydia, “my aunt says that Colonel Forster and Captain Carter do not go so often to Miss Watson's as they did when they first came; she sees them now very often standing in Clarke's library.”20
Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman21 with a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield,and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Benne
t's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while her daughter read,
“Well, Jane, who is it from? what is it about? what does he say? Well, Jane, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love.”
“It is from Miss Bingley,” said Jane, and then read it aloud.
My dear Friend,
If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me, we shall he in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tète-à-tète between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers. Yours ever,
Caroline Bingley.22
“With the officers!” cried Lydia. “I wonder my aunt did not tell us oithat.”
“Dining out,” said Mrs. Bennet, “that is very unlucky.”
“Can I have the carriage?” said Jane.
“No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night.”
“That would be a good scheme,” said Elizabeth, “if you were sure that they would not offer to send her home.”
“Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley's chaise to go to Meryton; and the Hursts have no horses to theirs.”
“I had much rather go in the coach.”
“But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are not they?”
“They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them.”23
“But if you have got them to day,” said Elizabeth, “my mother's purpose will be answered.”
She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged. Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Jane certainly could not come back.
“This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!” said Mrs. Bennet, more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance.24 Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield brought the following note for Elizabeth:
“My dearest Lizzy,
“I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday.25 My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones26—therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me27—and excepting a sore-throat and head-ache there is not much the matter with me.28
“Yours, & c”29
“Well, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, “if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.”30
“Oh! I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see her, if I could have the carriage.”
Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. She declared her resolution.
“How can you be so silly,” cried her mother, “as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.”31
“I shall be very fit to see Jane—which is all I want.”
“Is this a hint to rae, Lizzy” said her father, “to send for the horses?”32
“No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner.”
“I admire the activity of your benevolence,” observed Mary, “but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.”33
“We will go as far as Meryton with you,” said Catherine and Lydia. —Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off together.
“If we make haste,” said Lydia, as they walked along, “perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes.”
In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired34 to the lodgings of one of the officers' wives, and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles35 and springing over puddles with impatient activity,36 and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.
She was shewn into the breakfast-parlour,37 where all but Jane were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise.—That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it.38 She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness.—Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy39 which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to the occasion's justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast.
Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.40
When breakfast was over, they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they shewed for Jane. The apothecary41 came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts.42 The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had in fact nothing to do elsewhere.
When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go; and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only wanted43 a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern in parting with her, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise44 into an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay, and bring back a supply of clothes.
1. entailed in default of heirs male: an entail was a common legal device for keeping the family estate intact and under the same name (this latter purpose usually meant keeping it from women). Generally an entail specified that the current owner of the property was only a life tenant, and that after his death it would all go to the eldest son, or if there were no sons (i.e., “in default of heirs male”), to the father's next closest male relative. This means that while the Bennets live well now, the daughters will have little inheritance.
2. ill supply: poorly make up for.
3. attorney: a lawyer who handled ordinary legal business, such as property transactions, but could not try cases in court (a solicitor is the current equivalent in England). While the social prestige of attorneys had increased over the last century, it was still not considered a truly genteel profession, which means that
Mrs. Bennet's social origins are lower than her husband's.
4. A clerk assisted the attorney; usually he had been apprenticed to the attorney for five years, after which he was qualified to work as an attorney. It often happened that a clerk would marry the attorney's daughter and, through the aid of this connection, succeed the attorney in the business.
5. respectable: socially worthy and decent, but not necessarily genteel.
6. milliner's shop: a shop for women's clothes, hats, and decorative articles.
7. amuse: occupy (with something entertaining).
8. The militia was the main part of the army concerned with home defense. The novel occurs during the Napoleonic Wars, when the fear of French invasion was strong in Britain. Jane Austen's brother served in the militia from 1793 to 1801; his duties included guarding an area of English coast not far from Hertfordshire. She also had a cousin living in a section of Hertfordshire who experienced the winter residence of the Derbyshire militia in 1794-95; one scholar, Deirdre Le Faye, suggests this event may have helped inspire the first version of this novel (written in 1796), especially since the militia officer who plays such a critical role in the novel, Wickham, is from Derbyshire.
Militia units usually took up residence in a town for the winter, when there was little danger of invasion. They were housed in local inns; the inns were required to offer this accommodation but were paid for it by the soldiers.
9. connections: family background and ties. They would be very important for evaluating people, especially new acquaintances.
10. Mr. Philips's establishment of social relations with the officers is what allows his nieces to meet and talk with them.
11. regimentals: army uniforms. They were so called because each regiment, which was the basic unit of organization in the army, would have its own special features on the uniform distinguishing its members from those belonging to other units.