by C. J. Hill
“He will be as unhappy to see me as I shall be to see him, I am sure. We neither of us perform to strangers; he will not pretend nor cover his true feelings, and I will not either. We both must endure the savage truth that we speak as we find even when what we find is not to everyone’s taste. Do not distress yourself, my dear Charlotte, I shall behave as I always do!”
“That, my dear friend, is what I am rather afraid of!”
Charlotte continued to enjoy the companionship of her friend as she went about her daily tasks and found that very rarely did Eliza look at her quizzically now; she did not know but Elizabeth’s immediate expectation of resuming her only slightly disguised revulsion for Mr. Collins had been dismissed, in the interests of good taste and friendship, as she could certainly see how content Charlotte was in her life. Charlotte was under no delusion that Eliza’s opinion of her husband had improved, only that seeing her friend’s happiness forestalled her voicing it.
The man in question suddenly appeared one morning in a state of great excitement in the doorway of the parlour where the three ladies were upon their morning tasks.
“He has come, Mrs. Collins! I observed the carriage not two minutes ago turning into the Park. He will be here for Easter service! I must prepare a suitable sermon to demonstrate that his aunt’s choice in clergy is not amiss. My dear! Should I call this afternoon? What do you think? Is it not proper for me to do so as Lady Catherine’s clergyman; to welcome him into the village? What do you think, cousin?”
“Calm yourself, my dear William! Do not you think Lady Catherine capable of welcoming her nephew on her own? I am sure that she will want him to herself for the immediate period. Remember, he comes to review the estate not to make house calls or receive visitors.”
Elizabeth attempted more advice, taking great delight in her cousin’s indecision.
“Aye, cousin! Recall, if you will, Mr. Darcy’s temper when last we saw him; even at a ball he is not one for idle talk when there is nothing to be said worthy of his attention. He cannot be expected to endure visitors; it would be like cornering a lion in his den!”
He thought a moment on their words.
“Perhaps you are right, ladies. I will bow to your counsel in this instance. I shall allow Lady Catherine her visitor in peace. I am sure we shall be asked to join them when convenient; did she not expressly tell you that she would, my dear?”
“Of course, Mr. Collins. Now, perhaps you might take the opportunity to start work upon that very important first Easter sermon you just mentioned? I will send Nancy in with some coffee in an hour.”
Mr. Collins left to attack his sermon leaving his wife and her friend smiling at his behaviour.
“I’ll warrant he will only suffer waiting until tomorrow before he pays his respects, Lizzy. He will arrive at Rosings in his usual manner and pretend surprise at his intrusion upon the guests. He will not be able to spend a great deal of time and effort over his sermon writing until he has succeeded in his quest. It is all much too intriguing!”
Elizabeth smiled in return and perused the letter she had started to her sister Jane in London. She did not wish particularly to meet Mr. Darcy again and found that her hopes were rather contrary to those of her cousin; that the visit would pass without any need for conversation with him. She hoped sincerely that Lady Catherine would be so well entertained that she would not need extra until after her nephews had left. Mr. Darcy’s view of her and, more particularly, her family, could not have improved since the Ball and his sudden disappearance with his friend from Netherfield the morning after.
Imagine their surprise, then, the following morning when Mr. Collins came back from his visit to Rosings accompanied not only by Mr. Darcy but also another gentleman, clearly Colonel Fitzwilliam. After the gentlemen had been formally introduced, Charlotte enquired how they found Rosings Park and their aunt.
Colonel Fitzwilliam readily replied in a cheerful fashion detailing the great delight he always had revisiting the place and the grounds; he spoke so sincerely about his aunt that Charlotte was gratified to know that Lady Catherine’s largesse would benefit such a charming and sensible young man.
As she was talking to Colonel Fitzwilliam, Charlotte noticed that Mr. Darcy had moved away from her husband to speak with Eliza who, in turn, appeared to politely return his queries without any outward demonstration of the antipathy she claimed to hold for him. A calm first encounter!
Soon afterwards the gentlemen went away leaving the occupants of the Parsonage much bewildered about the visit, although Mr. Collins wished to believe it to be a measure of the esteem in which he was now held by the de Bourgh’s. It amused Charlotte much more to secretly decide that Mr. Darcy had come to further his attentions towards her friend, remembering how his eyes had watched Eliza across the dance floor and how he had singled her out particularly as a partner. Charlotte could not be certain of his motives but she was quite certain of one thing: Mr. Darcy would not have bothered to visit with such alacrity if there was only William and her as the inducement, or perhaps even at all.
Easter Day was a success due to the bright Spring weather, the not very great length and uplifting nature of Mr. Collins’ sermon, and the very gracious invitation after the service for the Collins and their guests to join Lady Catherine that evening.
Charlotte noticed several things which held her interest that evening and made her hope that her friend would be able to secure herself in marriage if she were amenable. She noticed that Colonel Fitzwilliam was very much taken with Elizabeth; he was at her side whenever possible and kept her to himself in conversation which, from the sound of their laughter and animated manner, was delightful to both parties. Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed to be an easy conversationalist unlike his cousin who, detained as he was by his aunt, was forced to endure her opinionated conversation but interjected no more than a polite nod or economic response to her more direct attacks.
His attention was certainly distracted, as was Charlotte’s, by the animation emanating from the area around the pianoforte where Colonel Fitzwilliam had convinced Eliza to play for their entertainment while he chose the music. Much discussion was ensuing about the correct tempo for one such choice when Darcy abruptly rose from his chair by his aunt and moved with determination towards the pianoforte; he seemingly entered into the conversation without much prompting which certainly drew the attention of both Charlotte and her ladyship.
Lady Catherine turned to converse with William and Charlotte, now at a loss without either of her nephews but then, unable to contain herself any longer, aimed her pique at the group around the pianoforte.
“What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? You are certainly most animated and I must have my share of the conversation. Miss Bennet, you should not keep the conversation to yourself when others are in need of it.”
Elizabeth, flushed from her enjoyable debating with Darcy and Fitzwilliam, obviously felt no desire to enter into a conversation the likes of which she had endured for several weeks and so allowed the Colonel to pacify his aunt and give her the topic of conversation.
“We are speaking of music, Madam.”
“Of music! Of all subjects it is my delight! Pray Miss Elizabeth, do proceed with your playing although of course you should practise more and every day, if necessary, to achieve true proficiency. Mrs. Collins, do not you play also? It must have been one of your accomplishments as a young lady? Of course, Anne was unable to learn due to her ill health and I, well I was not taught and so deprived myself and others of a great joy. Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, however, is a true proficient, and practises every day.”
“I am glad to hear it, Lady Catherine. He must be very proud of his sister,” concluded Charlotte.
“Oh, indeed. Such a well-educated, refined, charming creature she is. She is a credit to her brother and his guardianship. She will marry well, you can be sure of that.”
Mr. Collins took the opportunity to speak from experience.
“And who could not be impressed by someone so accomplished? But accomplishments come in many guises, I have found, your ladyship. I, for instance, discovered in my recent search that some accomplishments are less preferable than others depending on one’s requirements. I have found that Charlotte’s inability to play the pianoforte to be of little consequence, but her sound mind and sensible actions have proved most beneficial both within and outside our marriage. Some accomplishments do not always fit the mould of life which has been cut for the person. If Charlotte were to spend her days at the pianoforte she would never have been able to conduct her charity work this Winter and many families would have suffered while she played.”
Both Charlotte and Lady Catherine looked with amazement at Mr. Collins as he finished his tribute to Charlotte; never had he spoken so forcefully in favour of anything or anyone, and certainly not in front of his patroness.
“But of course you must be, Mr. Collins! How could you not? Mrs. Collins is a valuable addition to our village. I merely wished to point out that to be a true proficient, one has to practise. If Miss Eliza wishes to improve her playing she should come to the Park and use Mrs. Jenkinson’s piano. She would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part of the house.”
“You are too kind, Madam,” murmured Mr. Collins. “I will advise my cousin of your extremely kind offer. I am sure she will avail herself of it as often as she can.”
“Yes, well, I am sure that I want to help others as much as I am able. My nephews were both rather taken aback at first, Mrs. Collins, when I told them of my improvements to the Betts’ home, and my intentions to continue with others in a similar state of overcrowding or disrepair. However, after looking over the accounts and drawings, they both concurred that what I had set in motion was eminently agreeable and that they should have recommended similar repairs to be made in their report. They work very well together, you know. They have such a worldly view and are such steadfast young men; I feel bereft every year when they leave. Darcy, in particular, seems more and more attached to Rosings every time he visits, which is most pleasing.”
Charlotte followed Lady Catherine’s gaze as it rested upon Darcy at the piano, and noticed that his gaze was firmly fixed upon the face of the player. Charlotte saw Lady Catherine stiffen and her lips tighten with disapproval before she called out to that gentleman to come and sit with her, which he did most reluctantly, leaving Fitzwilliam to tend to the music and the player on his own, which certainly did not appear to be a disappointment on either side.
Charlotte mused that Colonel Fitzwilliam may be a serious consideration for Eliza judging by the number of visits he had made during the week, and now this evening of attention; she certainly appeared extremely diverted and content in his company. Perhaps Lady Catherine’s largesse would be forthcoming for another reason: to keep Fitzwilliam’s eligibility alive for Elizabeth and so divert any attention that Darcy may think of giving to Elizabeth back to Anne, his supposed fiancé.
But pressure exerted by Lady Catherine could have no effect upon her friend’s opinion. Charlotte now knew that if Elizabeth found herself in love with an honourable man, contrary to her earlier protestations of only marrying for love, her security was of equal importance. His wealth would need to be equal to the affection involved.
XXIII
Charlotte had her secret convictions further confirmed the next morning when, returning from a shopping trip to the village with her sister, she entered the parlour to find Elizabeth entertaining Mr. Darcy, alone! At her entrance, they both started uncomfortably and, after some further stilted conversation, he abruptly took his leave.
“What can be the meaning of this!” said Charlotte as soon as he had gone. “My dear Eliza, he must be in love with you, or he would never have called upon us in this familiar way. How can you endure his company after the carefree manners of the Colonel? He is all silence and awkwardness!”
She listened with great amusement as her friend denied any such notion, and explained his intrusion as a mistake; he had thought that Charlotte would also be at home. She quietly noticed that Elizabeth’s colour was heightened as she spoke her defence causing Charlotte to wonder again just how near the truth her jesting had hit.
“But whatever can he have to converse with me about? Why should he wish to visit me? I am sure nothing I have to say would tempt him to the Parsonage! No, indeed! Did you not also mention that you have met several times by accident while you have been out walking? By accident? Take care, Elizabeth! Perhaps you are being blind where there are things to be seen. Be prepared for forthcoming protestations of undying love!” she laughed mischievously.
“Charlotte! You embarrass me with your speculations. As for our chance meetings before today, why should not he be exploring the estate which is, after all, what he is here to do? It is I who am interfering with his normal routine by being in his path. And as for him protesting anything – please be sensible. A man of his manners and breeding would never consider the idea of protesting anything, especially not anything to do with love, particularly for someone whom he has already deemed to be merely tolerable and extremely opinionated!”
Charlotte decided to refrain from tormenting her friend any further but remained of the opinion that her instincts from the party at Lucas Lodge and the Netherfield Ball were correct and that, against his will, Mr. Darcy saw something in her friend that he could not ignore. Something that, if given his full attention and free rein, could have disastrous effects upon Lady Catherine’s plans for her daughter.
The two gentlemen generally made the Parsonage a part of their walk every day, sometimes together and sometimes apart; the visits that included Colonel Fitzwilliam were most enjoyable and pleasant and Charlotte observed that Elizabeth was quite drawn to him and his easy manners. The visits which presented Mr. Darcy alone were visits of long drawn-out silences of ten minutes or more in which all other occupants of the room rather wished themselves miles away. As for Mr. Darcy, he seemed unperturbed by the lack of conversation although it sometimes seemed his nonchalance could be attributed to nothing but an absence of mind as he considered his thoughts. He certainly fixed his eyes upon Elizabeth a great deal but, in truth, it appeared similar to the stare with which he considered the vase upon the mantelpiece. Charlotte was very much intrigued by it all.
Now that the rush of Easter was over, Mr. Collins was more at leisure to resume his habitual activities and it was with great excitement that he presented Charlotte with his first jar of honey from his hives. The wax was still very evident but Charlotte pronounced it to be the best honey she had ever seen or tasted and promptly poured some into her crystal pot which took pride of place at the breakfast table the next morning so that all could admire and sample it with their morning muffin.
The prior evening, the Collins and Maria had visited Rosings for a farewell dinner as the two gentlemen were leaving the next day. They had gone without Elizabeth who had declared herself to be in the throes of a debilitating headache which she claimed could not possibly withstand an evening’s onslaught of Lady Catherine.
Charlotte was now anxious to enquire about her improvement as Elizabeth had retired to bed before they had returned home. The pot of honey was waiting in pride of place to be admired by Elizabeth when she spread it upon her morning toast but to Charlotte’s and, more so, William’s dismay, Elizabeth appeared at the dining room door in her walking coat with a very pinched and pale countenance, bidding them a civil good morning as she passed through the hallway to the front door.
“My dear Eliza! You do not look at all recovered from your headache. You are so pale my dear. Pray sit down and rest yourself over some tea with some toast and William’s first honey.”
“I thank you, no, Charlotte, forgive me. I must give my head every advantage of the fresh air; walking allows me to recover in solitude. I should be uncongenial company this morning.” And with less than a glimmer of a smile she was gone, heading off in her usual direction towards the paths and bridl
eways around Rosings and the surrounding estate.
Charlotte watched her leave in confusion and concern, and then recalled herself to her husband who had resumed his breakfast once he understood that no extra praise was to be forthcoming from his cousin.
“My dear. I must visit the Betts today. I believe that their new addition is finished. We should take some of your honey as a house gift. Will you join me?”
“Of course! I had forgotten with all that is happening at Rosings Park and our own visitors. I will decant some honey into a small jar that we shan’t miss, and then we shall set off immediately.”
However, the honey had to wait for another several hours to be delivered for, just as soon as the breakfast table had been cleared and the windows opened for a thorough airing, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived separately to pay their respects and bid their farewells. Mr. Darcy stayed, displaying his usual discomfort, only a matter of minutes before taking his leave but Colonel Fitzwilliam pronounced himself willing to wait as long as required until Elizabeth returned from her walk. He almost resolved to go and find her after thirty minutes had passed but then, as even he could withstand no more than an hour in Mr. Collins’ company, kindly paid his respects to them all, asked to be remembered to Elizabeth, and finally, unhappily, departed.
Not long after, Elizabeth reappeared, not much improved in looks but slightly more in communication, indicating some regret at missing Colonel Fitzwilliam, but receiving his respects from Mr. Collins in such a detached manner it concerned Charlotte. Of the two men, she had thought that Elizabeth had quite delighted in the Colonel’s company and Charlotte had quietly been hoping for an indication from her friend of some development of affection between the two of them. But it appeared not to be so, after all.
As to Mr. Darcy’s leave-taking, Charlotte noticed an angry vehemence in her friend’s voice as she declared that she was sure they would all be able to withstand the deprivation of his company.