by C. J. Hill
“A very laudable goal, I am sure, but he does not need to pretend to be in need for them to regard him with affection. Everywhere I go in the village, all I hear is how much aid you have been giving this Winter, Mrs. Collins. I hear many baskets have been distributed to the sick. Is this the reason why Mr. Collins must work his garden because you have overspent your housekeeping upon the poor?
“Generosity, Mrs. Collins, is to be applauded, but let me warn you: too much is an excess of giving and cannot be maintained for any great length of time. At some time, those whom you help will be disappointed. It is a mistake, one which Lord de Bourgh and I took great pains to avoid, to encourage dependency amongst the villagers; once they become used to an easy life they will never recover and expect you to provide for everything. ”
Lady Catherine sniffed and cast her eyes upon her guest.
Charlotte smiled and remained calm, although she found the accusations and the personal inquiry into her housekeeping decisions to be impertinent and was certainly having trouble imagining a less easy life being enjoyed by the people she had helped.
“No, indeed, I assure you, Lady Catherine, I have only used a small portion of our household budget to aid the poor; we have more than we need for our comfort and I can think of no better way to show kindness and caring to our parishioners than to help them when they truly need it. Mr. Collins is in full and complete agreement with me on this matter and is most pleased with my endeavours thus far. We hardly imagine that the small amount that we do will encourage dependency and sloth.
“However, I do hope that soon I shall be regarded with a more friendly eye when I visit, once they realise that I enjoy my role and take an active interest in their well-being.”
Lady Catherine listened to Charlotte with an impatient nodding at having her opinions repudiated, and at having to wait to speak on the subject again. Anne merely sat quietly, listening attentively as she always did when in the society of her mother, folding herself inconspicuously into her chair cushions.
“Of course we have always helped our neighbours in the village; it is a de Bourgh family tradition. My husband always ensured that his tenants were comfortable and content, and that they had everything they needed. However, I find that since his death I do not have the direct link to them as he did and find that some troubles are not reported to me but must rely upon your good husband for information.
“Mr. Collins is a necessary contact in that regard and I was grieved to discover the living arrangements of the Betts family when I called last week. I had no notion that there were so many of them all cramped inside that one house. It was really quite shocking; I could barely move inside the doorway. I was forced to conduct my conversation with Mrs. Betts from my carriage.”
Charlotte smiled inwardly at the thought of Lady Catherine trying to sweep into the Betts’ small family house which must be the size of the entrance hall at Rosings, to pay a solicitous visit; it must have mortified Mrs. Betts to be so caught unawares. Lady Catherine was known all around the county as a lady who was inclined to call upon any of her tenants on a whim to better understand their situation and ensure that they, in turn, appreciated having her as their landlord. Unfortunately, her tenants did not particularly appreciate her visits and felt them rather keenly as being inspected and judged, rather than having an employer who took such a keen interest in their well-being.
“I understand your interest in the Betts in particular, Lady Catherine, as I have had several occasions to help them this Winter when they were all suffering badly from the illness that spread throughout the family. Mr. Collins informed me of their plight and I was glad to assist in any way that I could. The children are delightful, and the parents are working so hard to raise them in a respectful, Godly manner. As I understand it, Farmer Betts is a hard worker and his farm produces a good income for the Rosings Park estate, as well as providing for his family.
“My husband and I also have a more personal reason to be most grateful to the Betts for being our rescuers on the night we arrived in Hunsford last January with no means of transport to the Parsonage; I felt most happy to return the favour in their time of need.”
“Farmer Betts is a good worker, to be sure, and an honest tenant; his family has worked the land here for several generations, you know. I do feel strongly that something should be done for them and their living conditions so that they at least have a separate room for their children’s bedroom. My husband used to decide all of these things and I now feel that it is possible that many of our tenant farm houses could be suffering from similar problems of overcrowding.
“My nephews, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, must investigate this further when they arrive in a few weeks; they oversee the estate and have been most agreeable to any works which I have suggested in the past.”
“I am sure, Lady Catherine, that your nephews will see that you are right in your sensible judgment and will view any improvements as a sound financial decision for the estate. They should be thankful for your keen observations which must make their work here so much easier when they visit. And I know that your tenants will be most grateful for your attention to their comfort.”
“I try to always be a reasonable employer - much to the dismay of some others in the neighbourhood who prefer to keep their tenants as cheaply as possible while profiting from their misery. I cannot behave in such a way; it is unconscionable,” Lady Catherine responded warmly to Charlotte’s praise.
She then gave one of her extremely rare smiles as she eagerly changed the course of the conversation, and took a deep breath as if to lend weight to her words.
“We are, of course, always most anxious to see the gentlemen each year; Anne and Darcy grow more and more attached to each other every time he visits. They are promised in marriage to each other, you know – it was decided at their cradles and will join the great houses of de Bourgh and Darcy, to everyone’s advantage.”
Charlotte looked with astonishment at Anne, who had not even slightly hinted at this possibility about her future this morning - surely this could be considered as a major event in her life and worthy of mention? But she was met only with a slight smile accompanied with a rising blush. Anne clearly had no interest in joining the conversation.
“I am sure that I did not know that, Lady Catherine. I am truly glad for them if the attraction is mutual – it is such a pleasant addition to a marriage. Mr. Collins and I have developed a respect for each other in the short while of our marriage, and we find we are able to work very well together. Marriage, without the respect for, or of, one’s spouse cannot be a felicitous arrangement.”
“Indeed, Mrs. Collins, you are quite astute in your observations. My late husband and I always maintained the highest consideration for each other and I am sure that you are enjoying a similar felicity with your husband. I can only wish the same for Anne in her marriage. Of course, she is fortunate in her choice of husband as he is the most charming and considerate man I have encountered, even though I speak with some preferment, as his aunt!”
Lady Catherine then brought her regal bearing into play to impress Charlotte with the importance of her following invitation, as she leaned forward in her chair, fixing her with her eye.
“Mrs. Collins. You and Mr. Collins must meet my nephews when they are visiting; I am sure you will find them both quite agreeable and charming.”
Charlotte replied, hesitating slightly, as she knew her news would not please her hostess.
“We should be honoured to be introduced to them although, in truth, Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins and I have already had the pleasure of becoming slightly acquainted with Mr. Darcy when he visited Meryton in November of last year. His friend, Mr. Bingley, has leased a large house there, Netherfield Park? Mr. Bingley is quite charming and most friendly; he hosted a large ball at Netherfield during the approach to Christmas, aided by his sisters and several other London acquaintances which included Mr. Darcy. However, it was observed that Mr. Darcy mainly kept to his own comp
any; we therefore had a very limited opportunity for conversation.”
Lady Catherine looked more than a little affronted at such prior knowledge of her nephew. It was most disagreeable.
“Indeed? How interesting that you have already met. I am sure that Mr. Darcy meant no slight to the local residents but I suppose his attitude could be regarded as aloof when caught amongst people he regards as strangers. When you meet him again here at Rosings, I am sure you will have your first opinion reversed.”
“I am sure that you are correct, Lady Catherine. Naturally, I can only report from the most limited view of a very small acquaintance! Being forced to socialise outside of one’s sphere is an onerous task and one that many people are not willing to undertake. I certainly look forward to meeting him on more familiar grounds.
“What is your other nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam? I have no prior knowledge of that gentleman.”
At this, Lady Catherine visibly relaxed now she had the advantage over Charlotte, and her tone softened as she spoke.
“Oh, he is altogether the opposite of his cousin; he does not suffer in new company as Darcy does, and is all charm and ease wherever he goes. He is always welcome at any gathering as he enjoys company and discussion. He is amiability personified, but he is, alas, the third son and so attracts none of the family fortune and must make his own way in the world. He is, however, a capable soldier and has already made his mark within his regiment for one so young, but I do not think that he should remain in the army for too much longer. I have informed his mother that he must enter a profession in the City and that I intend to assist him in that endeavour in every way, since his family cannot.”
“That is most considerate of you, Lady Catherine, to so improve his prospects, and a true blessing for Colonel Fitzwilliam to have an aunt with such an interest in his future. He sounds like an amiable gentleman who will do well in whatever profession he chooses,” Charlotte complimented, and then changed the subject to her own news.
“On the subject of visitors, Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins and I also look forward to some, and, coincidentally, at the same time as yours. My father and sister, Maria, and my personal and intimate friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, are to visit us at the end of March and will stay for at least a month.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Is that one of the Bennets who own the estate to which your husband is entailed? The ones whom he visited recently when he met you? He did intimate to me that he intended to ask one of the Bennet girls for their hand in marriage but he reconsidered after he met you. Is that true? If so, you must have an exceedingly strong friendship to withstand that kind of rejection.”
Charlotte smiled away her hostess’s concerns.
“While it is true that Mr. Collins did intend to marry one of the Bennet girls, he found that, after more acquaintance and discovering their natures, someone more like him in style and expectation was more to his preference. He wanted to find someone who fit in with your decree of being useful and not too highly brought up. While the Bennet girls are not too highly brought up, they do not have the housekeeping and budgeting skills which I have been prevailed upon to sharpen while overseeing my father’s household.
“Not that I say anything against the Bennets you understand, they are all my friends and Elizabeth, especially, I shall be most glad to see again. But Mrs. Bennet does not believe in training her daughters in the practicalities of life; some of them have educated themselves but the ones who do not care to have been allowed to run rather wild.”
“A narrow escape for all of us then, Mrs. Collins. I am glad that Mr. Collins took my advice to heart and chose with it in mind. I am most agreeably pleased with him, and you, and the manner in which you are executing your duties. He could not have chosen better. Now all that is left is for you to produce offspring – children are very important, Mrs. Collins - and you are not getting any younger. I had my sons when I was young and newly married and they were a joy to us both. But when I became with child for the third time, with what was to be Anne, I was much older, more than the age you are now, and I found the trials of the confinement to be most arduous; I had hardly any energy left for other duties after the birth.”
Charlotte blushed slightly and answered with the formulaic response.
“Indeed. Children will be a blessing if they are granted to us. However, I was unaware that you had more children than Anne? I thought she was your only child?”
“She is now. And that is why I take such an interest in everyone around me because I lost both of my sons to war. Heroic, but deceased; no real comfort in that I assure you. It is perhaps unpatriotic to speak one’s mind about losing sons to a war, but there it is. That is why I take a prodigious amount of interest in Colonel Fitzwilliam; he has no one to support him and I have all the time and means in the world to do so, not having my own sons to organise. Yes, Mrs. Collins, children are a blessing as you say, but also a heartache when you can no longer protect them in the world.”
Both women looked soberly across at Anne, who sat looking miserable in her chair.
Poor thing, Charlotte thought. To be the lone survivor of Lady Catherine’s progeny, and to be so mousey and insipid! If only she would come out of herself more as she does when visiting me, her mother may develop a new respect for her daughter and not just see her as the difficult, sickly and almost invalid individual that she portrays every day.
“Well, perhaps soon Mr. Darcy will propose to Anne and she will be whisked away to his estate, which I hear is quite splendid, and your plans for Colonel Fitzwilliam will bear fruition very soon!”
Lady Catherine bowed her head slightly in agreement and launched into yet another of her tireless monologues regarding her desire to assist whenever possible, leaving Charlotte and Anne to nibble and sip quietly without having to contribute much more to the conversation.
After spending another half hour upon less important pleasantries, Charlotte made excuse and walked briskly back to the Parsonage in the gathering gloom and cold of the evening. The lights of the house glowed brightly and she could picture the activity, limited as it tended to be, in each of the lit rooms: her husband pacing in his book-room memorising a sermon or, perhaps, writing at his desk; cook and the maid finishing up the last details of the evening meal with Dawkins sitting thankfully by the kitchen fire, watching them and warming his toes after working about the grounds.
Charlotte smiled to herself as she entered her home and felt the warmth and comfort surround her. As she passed the book-room, she smiled in at William who returned her greeting with a pleased look upon his face. She entered her parlour, which was cosily lit with several candles and the brightly burning fire, saw the new heavy velvet drapes closed tightly against the Winter evening and felt a deep contentment at the sight.
How much more pleasant was this to what she had left behind her at Rosings Park, grand though it may be, so full of fine furniture and paintings! Although candles and fires burned in that house too, and more of them, they had more difficulty penetrating the coldness of the surroundings, and the company.
Charlotte sighed contentedly as she considered that her life was quite fortunate and felt some sadness for Anne de Bourgh to always be confined by such coldness and opinionated company. How would she ever break free from her mother’s influence – would she even try?
Anne de Bourgh and Mr. Darcy? The Mr. Darcy who had appeared to have an interest in her friend Elizabeth? The Mr. Darcy who had immediately deemed her friend as only ‘tolerable’ and ‘not handsome enough to tempt him,’ could not possibly consider Anne with any greater favour; she was not even close to being the equal in beauty to Elizabeth, and Charlotte had certainly detected no trace of favour from Anne when he was discussed. If it had not been presented as incontrovertible by the great lady herself, Charlotte would scarce have believed it to be true. But presented as such it had certainly been, and so Charlotte wondered whether the attractions of Colonel Fitzwilliam may prove to be of some interest for her friend where none
else was to be had. Mr. Darcy, by all accounts, was already spoken for!
Smiling to herself, Charlotte heard the dinner gong and went to meet William in the dining room. Charlotte’s thoughts paused here for a moment, rather hoping she had not divulged too much to Lady Catherine about her dearest friend, but she could hardly allow that Mr. Collins had applied for Eliza’s hand, been rejected, and had turned to Charlotte out of humiliation and desperation. He needed a wife and Charlotte had convinced him to marry her. An arrangement that was beneficial to both of them, but certainly not something about which Lady Catherine needed to know the particulars.
XIX
As the Winter slowly crept into a late Spring of blossom and birdsong, Charlotte kept to her word and pursued her intention of improving the condition of the Betts’ lifestyle as well as she could. She found in Mrs. Betts a pleasant and amusing companion who was extremely down-to-earth but also in possession of a wry sense of humour. Charlotte surmised that this humour was what had brought the family through their troubles of the Winter; having a sensible and steadying hand on the reins was important for any family facing adversity. The Betts had endured their illnesses of the Winter and looked to the future with hope now that Lady Catherine had promised that they should have improvements and enlargements made to their cottage, and that Farmer Betts was safe in his tenancy.
Mrs. Betts expressed her relief at the outcome.
“For, in truth, Mrs. Collins, I am sure I don’t know where we should have gone if we had given up our tenancy here – Mr. Betts was just so tired and ill that he could think of nothing other than to appeal to Mr. Collins, and yourself of course, to see what could be done for us and our situation. Otherwise, we should have moved into an uncertain future after all our history on Rosings land. And now see, we have builders arriving next week, as soon as they can be spared from Lady Catherine’s stable repairs, and they are to construct a whole new side to the cottage for us!”