But can Darcy overcome his doubts and the influence of his upbringing? Or will he walk away from the perfect match because he is too proud to embrace it? Perhaps he does need more nudging in that direction.
“It is not very nice of your character to be deceitful,” Mr. Darcy said with a smile at his cousin, who was so deep in thought that he made no response.
This rain may be just the thing to sort him out. We have a nice companionable group here, no more obstruction from Miss Bingley, and the possibility of no intruders for days. This is an excellent opportunity for Darcy to see how much he likes being with Miss Elizabeth and for her to see more of his best qualities.
“But it is human nature to make sport of our friends,” Mr. Darcy said to Elizabeth. “You cannot deny Don Pedro the pleasure of such amusements, but he does also think of the pair as an excellent match; and while Leonato makes a valid point, he still believes that the two of them are right for each other. I think he feels that they enjoy driving each other mad. And you must not forget Hero, who only wants to help her cousin to a good husband.”
“Oh yes, she is very sweet, and later she speaks of false sweet bait and traps.”
Lizzy really does seem to like Mr. Darcy a great deal better than she used to, Jane thought. It is a pity that she still thinks him proud. I wish she could see how perfect they are for each other. Looking at them now, I cannot imagine her with anybody else. But if she keeps enjoying herself so much in these discussions with him, I think she soon will be in love.
Mr. Darcy smiled at Elizabeth. “I see that you cannot be persuaded of their goodness, but I have another argument. There are four schemers; therefore, their plot is a benevolent one. Shakespeare is particularly fond of associating evil with threesomes like the witches in Macbeth. The truly evil scheme in our play is plotted by three people: Don John, Borachio, and Conrad. Where there are four people, there is goodness.”
A little time is all that is needed, and this rainy weather is providing an excellent opportunity. It is very convenient that Caroline is ill. Miss Bingley, I mean. Now that I know what she and Mrs. Hurst are like, I am certain that they would try to hinder the match. It would be nice if everything could be settled before they return to disturb our comfort. I must try to encourage Lizzy to keep seeing the best in him.
“I was just about to admit that I do believe a favour was done in this play. Having made my point about interference, I felt committed to defending it, but I agree with you that Beatrice and Benedick were making a hopeless mess of their own affairs, and they were in need of help. Now, however,” Elizabeth said with a smile at Mr. Darcy, “I can see a new argument. Once Margaret and Ursula play their parts in this plot, there are really six schemers, and they are divided into two sets of three, with three men tricking Benedick and three women trapping Beatrice. Here is evidence of evil after all. And if we count the other plotters in the play, then we have three sets of three, which must be the height of evil.”
The two of them laughed together.
“And I thought that you were going to argue my point with examples of evil done by groups other than three,” Mr. Darcy said, still grinning in amusement.
“I can do that next.” Elizabeth smiled wickedly at him.
They are getting along exceedingly well, Mr. Bingley thought. Miss Elizabeth has the most infectious smile, and Darcy looks the happiest I have ever seen him. Is he feeling the pull of love? Does he comprehend its value? I hope it does not stop raining any time soon. This is the perfect opportunity for him to realize how happy they could be together.
It is pleasant without my sisters this evening. They do tend to dominate the conversation. Really, Caroline’s illness is providential. If she were here, she would be interrupting Darcy’s conversation and spoiling everything. I do hope that he can have an epiphany before she recovers. I wonder if anything could be done to hurry him along.
…the winter of my discontent…
RICHARD III, ACT I, SCENE I
Really, Louisa is the most demanding invalid, Mrs. Hurst thought crossly as she adjusted the bedcovers for the millionth time. I am hopelessly trapped in this room. I shall probably be stuck here for days. I am doomed to interminable suffering.
Oh, such pains in my head, Miss Bingley thought as she tossed in her bed. Such scratching at my throat. Such spasms in my chest that I can get no rest. Nobody knows how I suffer!
This is much better, Mr. Hurst thought as he poured himself a drink in the solitude of a quiet little room. I could not stand to hear any more chatter about their play. If it does rain for days on end, then I should just spend the time sleeping.
…There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET, ACT II, SCENE II
“Come to think of it,” Elizabeth said, “Macbeth and his wife are a duo who plot to kill the king.”
“They would not have done so without the influence of the witches. Although the three of them are not present in the moment the plot is formed, I shall claim their influence as that of a single entity, very much present in evil spirit.”
“First they are three; now they are one. It seems that you will do anything to win an argument.”
“I believe that stubbornness may be one of my faults.”
“But what if we were to count the three murderers among the plotters in that case, and also consider them as a single entity. Now we have the number four. Or if we return individual identity to everybody, we have eight, which is divisible by four.”
“You are suggesting that murdering the king was a benevolent act?” Mr. Darcy was smiling with excellent humour.
“Well, we do not know for certain that he was a good king. Perhaps Scotland was better off without him.”
“Now you are the one who will do anything to win an argument.”
They both laughed. As they continued to engage in a spirited and amusing debate about instances of good and evil in literature, their three companions talked quietly amongst themselves. The trio sometimes glanced at Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but they left the pair to their own conversation. Eventually it came to a point which required clarification.
“We shall have to look it up,” Mr. Darcy said. “Assuming that Mr. Bingley has the book in his library.”
“I hardly know what books are there,” Mr. Bingley said. “You will have to hunt around and see what turns up.”
“Then we shall hunt,” Mr. Darcy said to Elizabeth, standing up and offering her his hand. “Shall we have some wager on who is correct?”
To the library they went, laughing about some absurd ideas of possible wagers.
“They never meet but there is some skirmish of wit between them,” Mr. Bingley quoted from Much Ado about Nothing after they were gone. “I sometimes think they are just like Beatrice and Benedick.”
“That is what I think too,” Jane said.
“You are not the only ones,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “I have had the same idea. Have they always been like this?”
“They have,” Mr. Bingley said. “You should have heard them last week, debating the merits or otherwise of yielding to the persuasion of a friend. That almost turned into a combative argument. But they were very merry tonight. It made me think that Miss Elizabeth would be well suited to playing the part of Beatrice.”
“She has acted it before,” Jane said. “Only in one scene, but I thought she was very good.”
“I can well imagine it. Your sister has the same playful manner as Beatrice. The role would be a natural fit for her. I can particularly imagine her playing it with Darcy as Benedick.” Colonel Fitzwilliam glanced at the closed door. “If I might say something in confidence…” The other two nodded and he continued. “…I have excellent reasons for thinking that my cousin has a particular interest in Miss Bennet.”
“I have been thinking so as well,” Mr. Bingley cried.
“I have also suspected it,” Jane said.
“Have you any idea what your sister’s feelings might be?” Co
lonel Fitzwilliam asked her.
“I cannot be certain. To be honest, she used to frequently express a dislike of Mr. Darcy, yet I was inclined to think her more attracted to him than she cared to admit. I have heard her mention his name a great deal for somebody who claims to dislike him. She gives a lot of thought to what he is thinking or doing. While I was ill, she often told me that Mr. Darcy had said this or done that.”
“This sounds as though it could be promising.”
“There has lately been more. Yesterday, she was very keen to talk about what an excellent actor he is, and earlier today, she spoke of thinking him much improved.”
“That is promising indeed.”
“I think she is beginning to see what an excellent man he is as well. I hope that she may soon feel more for him. In my opinion, it would be a very suitable match.”
“And mine.”
“And mine.”
And thrice again to make up nine. That line from Macbeth flashed into Jane’s mind.
“I have been wondering if Darcy needs an extra nudge,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“I have been fearing that Lizzy will be too stubborn to see what is before her eyes.”
“I have been thinking that time is of the essence. It is embarrassing to admit, but I believe that my sisters would interfere if they could.”
“Perhaps we should be the ones to interfere,” Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested. “Dare we scheme some way of bringing them together?”
“It would be a benevolent scheme,” Jane said.
“Entirely for their own good,” Mr. Bingley agreed.
“Although we are a group of three,” she said. “Might we be tempting fate?”
“I am not superstitious,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“Nor I.”
“Eye of newt,” Jane said as those words popped into her head.
“Toe of frog and all that,” the colonel contributed.
“Something about bats,” Mr. Bingley said.
Jane laughed. “I am being nonsensical,” she said. “I had Macbeth on my mind earlier today, but we are not witches just because there are three of us.”
“Goodness no,” the colonel said. “We are just friends with the best of intentions.”
“I would like to help my sister to a good husband.”
“I would like to help my cousin to a good wife.”
“I would like to see my friends happy.”
“And it will be an excellent way to pass the time while the rain pours down,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “I jest of course,” he added. “We shall not be toying with them, merely helping them to know their own feelings better. And I know just how it can be done.”
Three heads leaned closer together as he sketched a plan.
CHAPTER 33
Is most tolerable, and not to be endured.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, ACT III, SCENE III
As the rain continued to pour down that evening, Mr. Collins unburdened himself to Mrs. Bennet.
“I made my offer to my cousin earlier today,” he began.
“This is wonderful news,” she cried. “I am very happy to have a daughter engaged, and to such a respectable man.”
“Yes,” Mr. Collins said, which sounded like confirmation of an engagement, but then he added, “I am certain that my proposal cannot fail of being acceptable, once it has been sanctioned by your authority, and Mr. Bennet’s.”
Mrs. Bennet could only assume that he had meant yes as to being respectable, but that was not the important point. “Do you mean to say that you are not engaged?” she asked in disappointment.
“No, but I have no doubt that I soon shall be.”
“You mean to say that she refused you?”
“Yes, but I am not discouraged. I understand that she wishes to increase my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Bennet said, but without thinking yes. She comprehended very well that her daughter had no such ideas. The reckless girl had really rejected him. That would have to be dealt with as soon as possible, but in the meantime, it was a good thing that Mr. Collins did not properly understand, and she had no intention of enlightening him.
“That would have been her purpose,” she agreed. I am glad that you understand how coquettish young ladies can be in matters of love. It is good of you to be so patient, but we shall have you settled as soon as this rain comes to an end. I shall have a word with Lizzy and tell her that she must not torment you with such silliness.”
“That is just what I desire, but it is with my Cousin Jane that you must speak.”
“Jane? Surely you mean Elizabeth.”
“No, I do mean Cousin Jane. A couple of days ago, I came to the realization that Cousin Elizabeth is not quite the right person to be mistress of Hunsford Parsonage. Although a delightful young lady in many ways, she is not quite what Lady Catherine would approve; however, Cousin Jane is exactly the sort of person whom her ladyship would wish me to marry.”
Mrs. Bennet did not care what Lady Catherine might wish. Her only concern was with her own wishes. “But this will not do,” she cried. “As I told you, Jane is soon to be engaged to somebody else.”
“But she is not. That is the most wonderful thing.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am very certain that she is.”
“I am absolutely certain that she is not. It is in my power to give you indisputable evidence of this. I was not supposed to say anything to anybody, but I have no doubt that you can keep a secret.”
“I can,” she assured him, even though secrets were just what she liked to share with all her friends.
“Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, whom I am now privileged to count among my closest friends, happened to mention to me that their brother is engaged to a young lady in London. I believe he is the gentleman whose proposal you were anticipating, and it cannot be, but fortunately, everything has worked out for the best.”
Mrs. Bennet was very far from agreeing with this opinion. Everything which she had been counting upon had suddenly been ripped away. Jane married to Mr. Collins instead of Mr. Bingley was not her idea of consolation for the splendid match she had been anticipating. She desperately hoped his information was incorrect, but his source made that hope sadly unlikely.
I wish this rain would stop, she thought. As soon as it does, I must hurry to Netherfield and find out what Elizabeth has done to make Mr. Collins not want to marry her, and whether Mr. Bingley is really engaged. If he is, then Jane must accept Mr. Collins. I suppose she rejected him because she would rather have Mr. Bingley, and who can blame her. He is infinitely preferable, but if that is at an end, then she had better take Mr. Collins, especially since he seems determined not to have Lizzy. Some good can still come out of this, but at the same time, it is such a great disappointment.
CHAPTER 34
Now I will believe that there are unicorns.
TEMPEST, ACT III, SCENE III
“That was a very pleasant evening,” Elizabeth said to Jane when they went upstairs to bed. “I never expected that Mr. Darcy could be so very amusing. He has been a little humorous in our recent conversations, but his joviality this evening was truly remarkable. I do not think I have ever laughed so well with anybody.”
“It was a nice evening,” Jane agreed. “I was relieved that Mrs. Hurst did not join us, and that Miss Bingley could not. It is dreadful of me to find satisfaction in her illness, but it has provided a very welcome reprieve. An evening spent with them so soon after learning of their plot would have been dreadfully uncomfortable. My anger should be less acute after a few days have passed.”
“I do not think mine will be. You are kinder than I am. But civility must be maintained. It may be a precarious civility, however.”
“It may indeed. I shall be very tempted to say something rude if I hear them call me dear Jane again. But I shall just have to remind myself that I would not want to insult Mr. Bingley.”
“I shall
be tempted to give an honest opinion of Miss Bingley’s acting abilities.”
“She really is awful. I have been keeping my thoughts to myself out of the loyalty of friendship, but it is quite liberating to be free of that constraint. I have never seen anybody act so badly. It will be pleasant to rehearse without her for a few days.”
“It will. And hopefully Mrs. Hurst as well. I am glad that we are to continue our rehearsals. It will be interesting to see Mr. Darcy act some more. And Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam too, of course. But Mr. Darcy is particularly good.”
“He is,” Jane agreed. “And perhaps you now agree with me that he is a good man too. Possibly not as proud as you once thought.”
Elizabeth laughed. “You will have me concede to your wisdom, will you? Yes, I admit it. You were right about his goodness, and his pride is not such a great thing either. He certainly displayed none of it this evening. He was all friendliness and good humour. It seems to take time to know Mr. Darcy properly, but then one discovers him to be the most wonderful man. I mean a very agreeable man.”
Did I mean wonderful? she thought after they had said goodnight. I have the strangest sensations when I think about him. Is it possible that I am beginning to have feelings for Mr. Darcy? The very man whom I disliked more than anybody only a week ago. I once swore that I would never dance with him, yet now I think that would be a very happy experience. My heart feels oddly stirred by thoughts of him. Could this be affection that I am feeling?
“My only love sprung from my only hate?” she quoted to her reflection in the mirror.
Then she laughed. No, the situation is not quite so dramatic as that of Romeo and Juliet. We are just two people who did not like each other on first acquaintance, but do now. I think he likes me. I am certain that he must. We have been getting along so very well.
Much Ado About Many Things Page 16