From 0c646dc408621a54d4e88ed2cf2218f44f987510 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jack Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2024 17:56:12 +0800 Subject: [PATCH] Release athena to Maven central --- .github/tag-for-release.bash | 19 - .github/upversion.py | 6 - .github/workflows/ci-cd.yml | 63 +- README.md | 10 - athena-core/pom.xml | 17 +- .../athena-example-books/Dockerfile | 2 +- athena-examples/athena-example-books/pom.xml | 2 +- .../README.md | 19 - .../athena-examples-acceptance-tests/pom.xml | 110 - .../acceptance/AbstractStepDefinitions.java | 295 - .../test/acceptance/FileStepDefinitions.java | 120 - .../test/acceptance/InitStepDefinitions.java | 45 - .../acceptance/MetadataStepDefinitions.java | 106 - .../test/acceptance/RunCucumberTest.java | 35 - .../athena/test/acceptance/file.feature | 7 - .../athena/test/acceptance/metadata.feature | 11 - .../pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt | 14579 ---------------- .../multiple-fields-metadata-request.graphql | 6 - .../single-field-metadata-request.graphql | 5 - .../multiple-fields-metadata-request.json | 4 - .../multiple-fields-metadata-response.json | 11 - .../single-field-metadata-request.json | 4 - .../single-field-metadata-response.json | 10 - .../uploaded-file-metadata-request.json | 4 - .../uploaded-file-metadata-response.json | 11 - athena-examples/pom.xml | 3 +- .../athena-filestore-swift/pom.xml | 2 +- athena-filestore/pom.xml | 2 +- .../athena-metastore-graphql/pom.xml | 2 +- athena-metastore/pom.xml | 2 +- athena-system-config/pom.xml | 2 +- pom.xml | 86 +- 32 files changed, 146 insertions(+), 15454 deletions(-) delete mode 100755 .github/tag-for-release.bash delete mode 100644 .github/upversion.py delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/README.md delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/pom.xml delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/AbstractStepDefinitions.java delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/FileStepDefinitions.java delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/InitStepDefinitions.java delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/MetadataStepDefinitions.java delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/RunCucumberTest.java delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/file.feature delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/metadata.feature delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/file/pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/path-param/multiple-fields-metadata-request.graphql delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/path-param/single-field-metadata-request.graphql delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-request.json delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-response.json delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-request.json delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-response.json delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-request.json delete mode 100644 athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-response.json diff --git a/.github/tag-for-release.bash b/.github/tag-for-release.bash deleted file mode 100755 index e4f868ef2..000000000 --- a/.github/tag-for-release.bash +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19 +0,0 @@ -#!/bin/bash - -# pick up the tags from the adjusted remote -git fetch --tags - -echo $(git branch -v) - -#get the last tag on this branch -LAST_TAG=$(git describe) -echo "INFO Last tag: $LAST_TAG" - -#Build the new tag to push -NEW_TAG=$(LAST_TAG=${LAST_TAG} python .github/upversion.py) -echo "INFO Creating tag: $NEW_TAG" -git tag $NEW_TAG -a -m "Autogenerated version bump tag" - -#push the new tag -echo "INFO Pushing tag: $NEW_TAG" -git push origin $NEW_TAG diff --git a/.github/upversion.py b/.github/upversion.py deleted file mode 100644 index a0c03592f..000000000 --- a/.github/upversion.py +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6 +0,0 @@ -#!/usr/bin/python -import os - -split_tag = (os.environ['LAST_TAG'].split('-')[0]).split(".") -split_tag[-1] = str(int(split_tag[-1]) + 1) -print(".".join(split_tag)) diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-cd.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-cd.yml index 5612b5856..19c1eefe8 100644 --- a/.github/workflows/ci-cd.yml +++ b/.github/workflows/ci-cd.yml @@ -39,14 +39,6 @@ jobs: - uses: actionshub/markdownlint@main with: filesToIgnoreRegex: "docs/node_modules\\/.*" -# markdown-link-check: -# name: Markdown Link Check -# runs-on: ubuntu-latest -# steps: -# - uses: actions/checkout@v3 -# - uses: gaurav-nelson/github-action-markdown-link-check@v1 -# with: -# use-verbose-mode: "yes" tests: name: Unit & Integration Tests @@ -65,8 +57,6 @@ jobs: runs-on: ubuntu-latest steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v3 - with: - fetch-depth: 0 - uses: actions/setup-python@v4 with: python-version: '3.8' @@ -131,3 +121,56 @@ jobs: context: athena-examples/athena-example-books push: true tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}/athena-example-books:latest + + push-release-tag: + name: Bump Semantic Version + if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/master' + needs: tests + uses: QubitPi/hashicorp-aws/.github/workflows/version-bump.yml@master + with: + user: QubitPi + email: jack20220723@gmail.com + + release: + name: Release athena to Maven Central + if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/master' + needs: push-release-tag + runs-on: ubuntu-latest + steps: + - uses: actions/checkout@v3 + - name: Set up JDK + uses: QubitPi/hashicorp-aws/.github/actions/jdk-setup@master + - name: Configure settings.xml for Maven Central release + uses: whelk-io/maven-settings-xml-action@v20 + with: + servers: > + [ + { + "id": "paion-data", + "username": "${{ secrets.MAVEN_CENTRAL_USERNAME }}", + "password": "${{ secrets.MAVEN_CENTRAL_TOKEN }}", + "passphrase": "${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}" + } + ] + profiles: > + [ + { + "id": "paion-data", + "properties": { + "gpg.keyname": "paion-data" + } + "activation": { + "activeByDefault": "true" + } + } + ] + - name: Fetch GPG key + run: gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys ${{ secrets.GPG_PUB_KEY }} + - name: Bump version + run: | + VERSION=$(git describe) + echo "INFO Last tag: $VERSION" + mvn versions:set -DnewVersion=$VERSION -DgenerateBackupPoms=false + mvn versions:update-property -Dproperty=version.athena -DnewVersion=$VERSION -DgenerateBackupPoms=false + - name: Release + run: mvn clean deploy -P release -DskipTests diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index c3666a46e..d6becce7b 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,10 +1,6 @@ Athena ![Java Version Badge][Java Version Badge] =========================================================== -> My sincere thanks to [yahoo/fili] & [yahoo/elide], which gave tremendous amount of guidance on design and development -> of [Athena], and to my former employer, Yahoo, who taught me to love software engineering and fundamentally -> influenced my tech career - [![GitHub Workflow Status][GitHub Workflow Status badge]][GitHub Workflow Status URL] ![[GitHub Last Commit]][GitHub Last Commit badge] [![Discord][Discord badge]][Discord URL] @@ -92,12 +88,6 @@ License The use and distribution terms for [Athena] are covered by the [Apache License, Version 2.0]. -
- - License Illustration - -
- [Apache License, Version 2.0]: http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html [Athena]: https://athena.qubitpi.org/ [Athena Documentation]: https://qubitpi.github.io/athena/doc-index.html diff --git a/athena-core/pom.xml b/athena-core/pom.xml index 4874a436b..fedb62c3d 100644 --- a/athena-core/pom.xml +++ b/athena-core/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-parent-pom - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-core @@ -95,21 +95,6 @@ org.apache.maven.plugins maven-jar-plugin - - - **/userConfig.properties - **/applicationConfig.properties - **/testApplicationConfig.properties - - - - - test-jar - - test-jar - - - diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-example-books/Dockerfile b/athena-examples/athena-example-books/Dockerfile index fd710538f..ccefbd0ce 100644 --- a/athena-examples/athena-example-books/Dockerfile +++ b/athena-examples/athena-example-books/Dockerfile @@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ FROM jetty:jdk17 LABEL maintainer="Jiaqi (Jack) Liu" LABEL maintainer-email="jack20220723@gmail.com" -ARG ATHENA_VERSION=1.0-SNAPSHOT +ARG ATHENA_VERSION=1.0.0 ENV JETTY_WEBAPPS_DIR /var/lib/jetty/webapps diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-example-books/pom.xml b/athena-examples/athena-example-books/pom.xml index 3dac13ba4..ea14869e0 100644 --- a/athena-examples/athena-example-books/pom.xml +++ b/athena-examples/athena-example-books/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-examples - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-example-books diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/README.md b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/README.md deleted file mode 100644 index 8bcd974c0..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/README.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19 +0,0 @@ -Athena Acceptance Test Framework -================================ - -Athena acceptance test framework is a slightly modified BDD, which -[eliminates the QA](https://spectrum.ieee.org/yahoos-engineers-move-to-coding-without-a-net) - -To run all acceptance tests, run - -```bash -cd athena/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests -mvn clean verify -``` - -> Note that all unit & integration tests will also run by the command above - -Development ------------ - -In general, Maven dependencies of this module should NOT be promoted to athena parent POM diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/pom.xml b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/pom.xml deleted file mode 100644 index 51fcdf659..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/pom.xml +++ /dev/null @@ -1,110 +0,0 @@ - - - 4.0.0 - - - com.paiondata.athena - athena-examples - 1.0-SNAPSHOT - - - athena-examples-acceptance-tests - jar - - Athena: Acceptance Test for Example Applications - A modified BDD module with the concept of QA eliminated - - - - Jiaqi Liu - https://github.com/QubitPi - - - - - - The Apache Software License, Version 2.0 - http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.txt - repo - - - - - - - io.cucumber - cucumber-bom - 7.0.0 - pom - import - - - org.junit - junit-bom - 5.8.1 - pom - import - - - - - - - - io.cucumber - cucumber-java - test - - - io.cucumber - cucumber-junit-platform-engine - test - - - org.junit.platform - junit-platform-suite - test - - - org.junit.jupiter - junit-jupiter - test - - - - junit - junit - 4.4 - test - - - io.rest-assured - rest-assured - - - - org.apache.httpcomponents - httpclient - 4.5.13 - - - com.fasterxml.jackson.core - jackson-databind - 2.13.1 - - - - - - - org.apache.maven.plugins - maven-compiler-plugin - - - org.apache.maven.plugins - maven-surefire-plugin - - - - diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/AbstractStepDefinitions.java b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/AbstractStepDefinitions.java deleted file mode 100644 index 009c7e018..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/AbstractStepDefinitions.java +++ /dev/null @@ -1,295 +0,0 @@ -/* - * Copyright Jiaqi Liu - * - * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); - * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. - * You may obtain a copy of the License at - * - * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 - * - * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software - * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, - * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. - * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and - * limitations under the License. - */ -package com.paiondata.athena.test.acceptance; - -import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.JsonNode; -import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.ObjectMapper; - -import org.apache.http.HttpHeaders; -import org.apache.http.client.methods.HttpGet; -import org.apache.http.client.methods.HttpPost; -import org.apache.http.client.utils.URIBuilder; -import org.apache.http.entity.ContentType; -import org.apache.http.entity.StringEntity; -import org.apache.http.impl.client.CloseableHttpClient; -import org.apache.http.impl.client.HttpClients; -import org.apache.http.message.BasicNameValuePair; -import org.apache.http.util.EntityUtils; - -import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotNull; - -import java.io.IOException; -import java.net.URI; -import java.net.URISyntaxException; -import java.nio.file.Files; -import java.nio.file.Paths; -import java.util.Map; -import java.util.Objects; -import java.util.stream.Collectors; - -/** - * {@link AbstractStepDefinitions} contains utility methods for common operations, such as reading test resources and - * sending HTTP POST requests. - *

- * All effective step definition class should extend this class so that tests can be developed quickly and efficiently. - */ -abstract class AbstractStepDefinitions { - - /** - * JSON utility. - */ - protected static final ObjectMapper JSON_MAPPER = new ObjectMapper(); - - /** - * JAX-RS resource path for uploading file. - */ - protected static final String FILE_UPLOAD_PATH = "/file/upload"; - - /** - * JAX-RS resource path for downloading file. - */ - protected static final String FILE_DOWNLOAD_PATH = "/file/download"; - - /** - * GraphQL resource path for querying file metadata. - */ - protected static final String METADATA_ENDPOINT_PATH = "/metadata/graphql"; - - /** - * Loads a resource file, under "payload" resource directory, as a {@code String} object given that resource file - * name. - * - * @param resourceName The specified resource file name - * - * @return the resource file content as a single {@code String} - * - * @throws NullPointerException if {@code resourceName} is {@code null} - * @throws IllegalStateException if an I/O error occurs reading from the resource file stream - * @throws IllegalArgumentException if resource path is not formatted strictly according to RFC2396 and cannot be - * converted to a URI. - */ - @NotNull - protected String payload(final @NotNull String resourceName) { - return resource("payload", resourceName); - } - - /** - * Loads a resource file, under "path-param" resource directory, as a {@code String} object given that resource file - * name. - * - * @param resourceName The specified resource file name - * - * @return the resource file content as a single {@code String} - * - * @throws NullPointerException if {@code resourceName} is {@code null} - * @throws IllegalStateException if an I/O error occurs reading from the resource file stream - * @throws IllegalArgumentException if resource path is not formatted strictly according to RFC2396 and cannot be - * converted to a URI. - */ - @NotNull - protected String pathParam(final @NotNull String resourceName) { - return resource("path-param", resourceName); - } - - /** - * Loads a resource file, under "file" resource directory, as a {@code String} object given that resource file - * name. - * - * @param resourceName The specified resource file name - * - * @return the resource file content as a single {@code String} - * - * @throws NullPointerException if {@code resourceName} is {@code null} - * @throws IllegalStateException if an I/O error occurs reading from the resource file stream - * @throws IllegalArgumentException if resource path is not formatted strictly according to RFC2396 and cannot be - * converted to a URI. - */ - @NotNull - protected String file(final @NotNull String resourceName) { - return resource("file", resourceName); - } - - /** - * Loads a resource file content as a {@code String} object according to a provided resource path. - *

- * The resource path is defined by two components: - *

    - *
  1. a relative path under "resource" folder - *
  2. the name of the resource file - *
- * For example, when we would like to read - * "src/test/resources/payload/metadata/multiple-fields-metadata-request.json", then the relative path is - * "payload/metadata" and the name of the resource file is "multiple-fields-metadata-request.json" - * - * @param resourceDirPath The relative path under "resource" folder - * @param resourceFilename The specified resource file name - * - * @return the resource file content as a single {@code String} - * - * @throws NullPointerException if {@code resourceFilename} is {@code null} - * @throws IllegalStateException if an I/O error occurs reading from the resource file stream - * @throws IllegalArgumentException if resource path is not formatted strictly according to RFC2396 and cannot be - * converted to a URI. - */ - @NotNull - protected String resource(final @NotNull String resourceDirPath, final @NotNull String resourceFilename) { - Objects.requireNonNull(resourceDirPath); - Objects.requireNonNull(resourceFilename); - - final String resource = String.format( - "%s/%s", - resourceDirPath.endsWith("/") - ? resourceDirPath.substring(0, resourceDirPath.length() - 1) - : resourceDirPath, - resourceFilename - ); - - try { - return new String( - Files.readAllBytes( - Paths.get( - Objects.requireNonNull( - this.getClass() - .getClassLoader() - .getResource(resource) - ) - .toURI() - ) - ) - ); - } catch (final IOException exception) { - final String message = String.format("Error reading file stream from '%s'", resource); - throw new IllegalStateException(message, exception); - } catch (final URISyntaxException exception) { - final String message = String.format("'%s' is not a valid URI fragment", resource); - throw new IllegalArgumentException(message, exception); - } - } - - /** - * Sends a GET request to a provided URL using specified set of GET parameters. - * - * @param url The specified URL, for example, {@code http://192.168.1.101:8080/api/v2/users}; cannot be - * {@code null} - * @param parameters A mapping of request parameter's key-value pairs; cannot be null - * - * @return the response entity - * - * @throws NullPointerException if any argument is {@code null} - * @throws IllegalStateException if there was a HTTP error - * @throws URISyntaxException if the {@code parameters} or {@code url} is in invalid format - * - * @deprecated Please use RestAssured framework instead - */ - @NotNull - @Deprecated - protected JsonNode httpGet(final @NotNull String url, final @NotNull Map parameters) - throws URISyntaxException { - Objects.requireNonNull(url); - Objects.requireNonNull(parameters); - - try (CloseableHttpClient client = HttpClients.createDefault()) { - final HttpGet httpGet = new HttpGet(url); - - final URI uri = new URIBuilder(httpGet.getURI()) - .addParameters( - parameters - .entrySet() - .stream() - .map(entry -> new BasicNameValuePair(entry.getKey(), entry.getValue())) - .collect(Collectors.toList()) - ) - .build(); - httpGet.setURI(uri); - - return JSON_MAPPER.readTree(EntityUtils.toString(client.execute(httpGet).getEntity())); - } catch (final IOException exception) { - throw new IllegalStateException("HTTP GET error.", exception); - } - } - - /** - * Sends a POST request to a provided URL using a specified payload. - *

- * This methods adds the following default headers so that callers do not need to specify them - *

- * - * @param url The specified URL, for example, {@code http://192.168.1.101:8080/api/v2/users} - * @param payloadFile A relative path under test resource folder. For example, assumming the following resource - * folder structure - * 
-     * src/
-     * ├─ test/
-     * │  ├─ java/
-     * │  ├─ resources/
-     * │  │  ├─ payload/
-     * │  │  │  ├─ create-new-user.json
-     *
- * To post the {@code create-new-user.json} using this method, the {@code payloadFile} should be - * {@code payload/create-new-user.json}. {@code payloadFile} cannot be null - * @param extraHeaders a mapping of extra header name to header values not mentioned above; cannot be null - * - * @return the response entity - * - * @throws NullPointerException if any argument is {@code null} - * @throws IllegalStateException if there was a HTTP error - * @throws URISyntaxException if the {@code payloadFile} does not form a valid resource path - * - * @deprecated Please use RestAssured framework instead - */ - @NotNull - @Deprecated - @SuppressWarnings({"ConstantConditions", "JavaDoc"}) - protected JsonNode httpPost( - final @NotNull String url, - final @NotNull String payloadFile, - final @NotNull Map extraHeaders - ) throws URISyntaxException { - Objects.requireNonNull(url); - Objects.requireNonNull(payloadFile); - Objects.requireNonNull(extraHeaders); - - try (CloseableHttpClient client = HttpClients.createDefault()) { - final HttpPost httpPost = new HttpPost(url); - - httpPost.setHeader(HttpHeaders.ACCEPT, ContentType.APPLICATION_JSON.getMimeType()); - httpPost.setHeader(HttpHeaders.CONTENT_TYPE, ContentType.APPLICATION_JSON.getMimeType()); - extraHeaders.forEach(httpPost::setHeader); - - httpPost.setEntity( - new StringEntity( - new String( - Files.readAllBytes( - Paths.get( - this.getClass() - .getClassLoader() - .getResource(payloadFile) - .toURI() - ) - ) - ) - ) - ); - - return JSON_MAPPER.readTree(EntityUtils.toString(client.execute(httpPost).getEntity())); - } catch (final IOException exception) { - throw new IllegalStateException("HTTP POST error.", exception); - } - } -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/FileStepDefinitions.java b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/FileStepDefinitions.java deleted file mode 100644 index 4db8e343e..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/FileStepDefinitions.java +++ /dev/null @@ -1,120 +0,0 @@ -/* - * Copyright Jiaqi Liu - * - * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); - * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. - * You may obtain a copy of the License at - * - * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 - * - * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software - * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, - * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. - * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and - * limitations under the License. - */ -package com.paiondata.athena.test.acceptance; - -import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.equalTo; - -import org.junit.Assert; - -import io.cucumber.java.en.Then; -import io.cucumber.java.en.When; -import io.restassured.RestAssured; -import io.restassured.http.ContentType; -import io.restassured.path.json.JsonPath; -import io.restassured.response.Response; - -import java.net.URISyntaxException; -import java.nio.file.Paths; -import java.util.Collections; -import java.util.List; -import java.util.Objects; - -/** - * BDD step definition for file upload/download business logic. - */ -public class FileStepDefinitions extends AbstractStepDefinitions { - - private static final String FILE_ID = "fileId"; - - private static final String PRIDE_AND_PREJUDICE_TXT = "pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt"; - - private static final String UPLOADED_FILE_METADATA_REQUEST_JSON = "uploaded-file-metadata-request.json"; - private static final String UPLOADED_FILE_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON = "uploaded-file-metadata-response.json"; - - private Response response; - private List fileId; - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @When("^a text file is uploaded$") - //CHECKSTYLE:OFF - public void uploadTextFile() throws URISyntaxException { - //CHECKSTYLE:ON - response = RestAssured.given() - .multiPart( - Paths.get( - Objects.requireNonNull( - this.getClass() - .getClassLoader() - .getResource(String.format("file/%s", PRIDE_AND_PREJUDICE_TXT)) - ) - .toURI() - ) - .toFile() - ) - .when() - .post(FILE_UPLOAD_PATH); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @Then("^the ID of that file is returned and the file metadata is generated$") - public void responseContainsFileNameFieldOnly() { - response.then() - .statusCode(201); - fileId = Collections.singletonList(response.body().path(FILE_ID)); - Assert.assertNotNull(fileId.get(0)); - Assert.assertFalse(fileId.get(0).isEmpty()); - - RestAssured.given() - .contentType(ContentType.JSON) - .body(String.format(payload(UPLOADED_FILE_METADATA_REQUEST_JSON), fileId.get(0))) - .when() - .post(METADATA_ENDPOINT_PATH) - .then() - .statusCode(200) - .body("", equalTo(new JsonPath(payload(UPLOADED_FILE_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON)).get())); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - * - * @throws IllegalArgumentException if there is an error in test setup - */ - @When("^the file ID of an existing text file is provided to download$") - public void download() { - if (fileId.get(0) == null) { - throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot BE NULL"); - } - if (fileId.get(0).isEmpty()) { - throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot BE EMPTY"); - } - response = RestAssured.given() - .queryParam(FILE_ID, fileId.get(0)) - .when() - .get(FILE_DOWNLOAD_PATH); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @Then("^the text can be properly downloaded$") - public void originalTextIsDownloaded() { - Assert.assertEquals(file(PRIDE_AND_PREJUDICE_TXT), response.body().print()); - } -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/InitStepDefinitions.java b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/InitStepDefinitions.java deleted file mode 100644 index e9bb11986..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/InitStepDefinitions.java +++ /dev/null @@ -1,45 +0,0 @@ -/* - * Copyright Jiaqi Liu - * - * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); - * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. - * You may obtain a copy of the License at - * - * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 - * - * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software - * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, - * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. - * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and - * limitations under the License. - */ -package com.paiondata.athena.test.acceptance; - -import io.cucumber.java.BeforeAll; -import io.restassured.RestAssured; - -/** - * BDD initialization step definition before all other steps are executed. - *

- * All init logics are defined in {@link #beforeAll()} - */ -@SuppressWarnings("unused") -public class InitStepDefinitions { - - /** - * BDD initialization definition. - */ - @BeforeAll - public static void beforeAll() { - initRestAssured(); - } - - /** - * Defines the endpoint resource location used during acceptance test. - */ - private static void initRestAssured() { - RestAssured.baseURI = "http://localhost"; - RestAssured.port = 8080; - RestAssured.basePath = "/v1"; - } -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/MetadataStepDefinitions.java b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/MetadataStepDefinitions.java deleted file mode 100644 index 6b13e3a72..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/MetadataStepDefinitions.java +++ /dev/null @@ -1,106 +0,0 @@ -/* - * Copyright Jiaqi Liu - * - * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); - * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. - * You may obtain a copy of the License at - * - * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 - * - * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software - * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, - * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. - * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and - * limitations under the License. - */ -package com.paiondata.athena.test.acceptance; - -import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.equalTo; - -import io.cucumber.java.en.Given; -import io.cucumber.java.en.Then; -import io.cucumber.java.en.When; -import io.restassured.RestAssured; -import io.restassured.http.ContentType; -import io.restassured.path.json.JsonPath; -import io.restassured.response.Response; -import io.restassured.specification.RequestSpecification; - -/** - * BDD step definition for file metadata read & write business logic. - */ -public class MetadataStepDefinitions extends AbstractStepDefinitions { - - private static final String QUERY = "query"; - - private static final String SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_JSON = "single-field-metadata-request.json"; - private static final String MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_JSON = "multiple-fields-metadata-request.json"; - private static final String SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON = "single-field-metadata-response.json"; - private static final String MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON = "multiple-fields-metadata-response.json"; - private static final String SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_GRAPHQL = "single-field-metadata-request.graphql"; - private static final String MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_GRAPHQL = "multiple-fields-metadata-request.graphql"; - - private Response getResponse; - private Response postResponse; - private RequestSpecification getRequest; - private RequestSpecification postRequest; - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @When("^the query is executed$") - public void executeQuery() { - getResponse = getRequest.when().get(METADATA_ENDPOINT_PATH); - postResponse = postRequest.when().post(METADATA_ENDPOINT_PATH); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @Given("^the query is asking for file name only$") - public void fileNameOnly() { - getRequest = RestAssured.given() - .queryParam(QUERY, pathParam(SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_GRAPHQL)); - postRequest = RestAssured.given() - .contentType(ContentType.JSON) - .body(payload(SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_JSON)); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @Then("^response contains only one field, which is file name$") - public void responseContainsFileNameFieldOnly() { - getResponse.then() - .statusCode(200) - .body("", equalTo(new JsonPath(payload(SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON)).get())); - postResponse.then() - .statusCode(200) - .body("", equalTo(new JsonPath(payload(SINGLE_FIELD_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON)).get())); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @Given("^the query is asking for multiple metadata fields$") - public void multipleFields() { - getRequest = RestAssured.given() - .queryParam(QUERY, pathParam(MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_GRAPHQL)); - postRequest = RestAssured.given() - .contentType(ContentType.JSON) - .body(payload(MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_REQUEST_JSON)); - } - - /** - * Step definition. - */ - @Then("^response contains all requested fields$") - public void responseContainsAllRequestedFields() { - getResponse.then() - .statusCode(200) - .body("", equalTo(new JsonPath(payload(MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON)).get())); - postResponse.then() - .statusCode(200) - .body("", equalTo(new JsonPath(payload(MULTI_FIELD_METADATA_RESPONSE_JSON)).get())); - } -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/RunCucumberTest.java b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/RunCucumberTest.java deleted file mode 100644 index 2f62dee3c..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/java/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/RunCucumberTest.java +++ /dev/null @@ -1,35 +0,0 @@ -/* - * Copyright Jiaqi Liu - * - * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); - * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. - * You may obtain a copy of the License at - * - * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 - * - * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software - * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, - * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. - * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and - * limitations under the License. - */ -package com.paiondata.athena.test.acceptance; - -import static io.cucumber.junit.platform.engine.Constants.PLUGIN_PROPERTY_NAME; - -import org.junit.platform.suite.api.ConfigurationParameter; -import org.junit.platform.suite.api.IncludeEngines; -import org.junit.platform.suite.api.SelectClasspathResource; -import org.junit.platform.suite.api.Suite; - -/** - * Cucumber test suite configs. - */ -@Suite -@IncludeEngines("cucumber") -@SelectClasspathResource("com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/") -@ConfigurationParameter(key = PLUGIN_PROPERTY_NAME, value = "pretty") -public class RunCucumberTest { - - // intentionally left blank -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/file.feature b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/file.feature deleted file mode 100644 index bb05edb19..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/file.feature +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7 +0,0 @@ -Feature: File - - Scenario: A file can be uploaded and a file ID is returned - When a text file is uploaded - Then the ID of that file is returned and the file metadata is generated - When the file ID of an existing text file is provided to download - Then the text can be properly downloaded diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/metadata.feature b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/metadata.feature deleted file mode 100644 index fa7d54fbc..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/com/paiondata/athena/test/acceptance/metadata.feature +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11 +0,0 @@ -Feature: MetaData can be read via GraphQL GET and POST endpoints as specified by GraphQL HEEP spec - - Scenario: MetaData gets returned - Given the query is asking for file name only - When the query is executed - Then response contains only one field, which is file name - - Scenario: - Given the query is asking for multiple metadata fields - When the query is executed - Then response contains all requested fields diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/file/pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/file/pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c3c09628a..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/file/pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14579 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Pride and Prejudice - -Author: Jane Austen - -Release Date: June, 1998 [eBook #1342] -[Most recently updated: August 23, 2021] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Anonymous Volunteers and David Widger - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIDE AND PREJUDICE *** - - - - -THERE IS AN ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK -[# 42671 ] - -cover - - - - -Pride and Prejudice - -By Jane Austen - -CONTENTS - - Chapter 1 - - Chapter 2 - - Chapter 3 - - Chapter 4 - - Chapter 5 - - Chapter 6 - - Chapter 7 - - Chapter 8 - - Chapter 9 - - Chapter 10 - - Chapter 11 - - Chapter 12 - - Chapter 13 - - Chapter 14 - - Chapter 15 - - Chapter 16 - - Chapter 17 - - Chapter 18 - - Chapter 19 - - Chapter 20 - - Chapter 21 - - Chapter 22 - - Chapter 23 - - Chapter 24 - - Chapter 25 - - Chapter 26 - - Chapter 27 - - Chapter 28 - - Chapter 29 - - Chapter 30 - - Chapter 31 - - Chapter 32 - - Chapter 33 - - Chapter 34 - - Chapter 35 - - Chapter 36 - - Chapter 37 - - Chapter 38 - - Chapter 39 - - Chapter 40 - - Chapter 41 - - Chapter 42 - - Chapter 43 - - Chapter 44 - - Chapter 45 - - Chapter 46 - - Chapter 47 - - Chapter 48 - - Chapter 49 - - Chapter 50 - - Chapter 51 - - Chapter 52 - - Chapter 53 - - Chapter 54 - - Chapter 55 - - Chapter 56 - - Chapter 57 - - Chapter 58 - - Chapter 59 - - Chapter 60 - - Chapter 61 - - - - -Chapter 1 - - It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in - possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. - - However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be - on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well - fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is - considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their - daughters. - - “My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you - heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?” - - Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. - - “But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and - she told me all about it.” - - Mr. Bennet made no answer. - - “Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife - impatiently. - - “_You_ want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.” - - This was invitation enough. - - “Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is - taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; - that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the - place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. - Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before - Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by - the end of next week.” - - “What is his name?” - - “Bingley.” - - “Is he married or single?” - - “Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; - four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!” - - “How so? how can it affect them?” - - “My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so - tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of - them.” - - “Is that his design in settling here?” - - “Design! nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely - that he _may_ fall in love with one of them, and therefore you - must visit him as soon as he comes.” - - “I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may - send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for - as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you - the best of the party.” - - “My dear, you flatter me. I certainly _have_ had my share of - beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. - When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over - thinking of her own beauty.” - - “In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.” - - “But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he - comes into the neighbourhood.” - - “It is more than I engage for, I assure you.” - - “But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it - would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are - determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you - know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be - impossible for _us_ to visit him, if you do not.” - - “You are over scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be - very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to - assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he - chooses of the girls; though I must throw in a good word for my - little Lizzy.” - - “I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better - than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as - Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always - giving _her_ the preference.” - - “They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he; - “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has - something more of quickness than her sisters.” - - “Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? - You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor - nerves.” - - “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. - They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with - consideration these twenty years at least.” - - “Ah, you do not know what I suffer.” - - “But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men - of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.” - - “It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you - will not visit them.” - - “Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will - visit them all.” - - Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, - reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty - years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his - character. _Her_ mind was less difficult to develop. She was a - woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain - temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. - The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its - solace was visiting and news. - - - - -Chapter 2 - - Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. - Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last - always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the - evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It - was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second - daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her - with, - - “I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.” - - “We are not in a way to know _what_ Mr. Bingley likes,” said her - mother resentfully, “since we are not to visit.” - - “But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth, “that we shall meet him - at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him.” - - “I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two - nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I - have no opinion of her.” - - “No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet; “and I am glad to find that - you do not depend on her serving you.” - - Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply; but, unable to contain - herself, began scolding one of her daughters. - - “Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven’s sake! Have a little - compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.” - - “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she - times them ill.” - - “I do not cough for my own amusement,” replied Kitty fretfully. - “When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?” - - “To-morrow fortnight.” - - “Aye, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Mrs. Long does not come - back till the day before; so, it will be impossible for her to - introduce him, for she will not know him herself.” - - “Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and - introduce Mr. Bingley to _her_.” - - “Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted - with him myself; how can you be so teasing?” - - “I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’s acquaintance is - certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by - the end of a fortnight. But if _we_ do not venture somebody else - will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her nieces must stand their - chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, - if you decline the office, I will take it on myself.” - - The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, - “Nonsense, nonsense!” - - “What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?” cried he. - “Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that - is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you - _there_. What say you, Mary? for you are a young lady of deep - reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts.” - - Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how. - - “While Mary is adjusting her ideas,” he continued, “let us return - to Mr. Bingley.” - - “I am sick of Mr. Bingley,” cried his wife. - - “I am sorry to hear _that_; but why did not you tell me so - before? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not - have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually - paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.” - - The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of - Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though when the first - tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she - had expected all the while. - - “How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should - persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to - neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is - such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning, and - never said a word about it till now.” - - “Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose,” said Mr. - Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the - raptures of his wife. - - “What an excellent father you have, girls,” said she, when the - door was shut. “I do not know how you will ever make him amends - for his kindness; or me either, for that matter. At our time of - life, it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new - acquaintance every day; but for your sakes, we would do - anything. Lydia, my love, though you _are_ the youngest, I dare - say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball.” - - “Oh!” said Lydia stoutly, “I am not afraid; for though I _am_ the - youngest, I’m the tallest.” - - The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he - would return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determining when they should - ask him to dinner. - - - - -Chapter 3 - - Not all that Mrs. Bennet, however, with the assistance of her - five daughters, could ask on the subject, was sufficient to draw - from her husband any satisfactory description of Mr. Bingley. - They attacked him in various ways; with barefaced questions, - ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the - skill of them all; and they were at last obliged to accept the - second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas. Her - report was highly favourable. Sir William had been delighted with - him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely - agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next - assembly with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To - be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; - and very lively hopes of Mr. Bingley’s heart were entertained. - - “If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at - Netherfield,” said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, “and all the - others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for.” - - In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet’s visit, and sat - about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained - hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose - beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies - were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of - ascertaining from an upper window, that he wore a blue coat and - rode a black horse. - - An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and - already had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do - credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred - it all. Mr. Bingley was obliged to be in town the following day, - and consequently unable to accept the honour of their - invitation, etc. Mrs. Bennet was quite disconcerted. She could - not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his - arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might be - always flying about from one place to another, and never settled - at Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears a - little by starting the idea of his being gone to London only to - get a large party for the ball; and a report soon followed that - Mr. Bingley was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with - him to the assembly. The girls grieved over such a number of - ladies; but were comforted the day before the ball by hearing, - that instead of twelve, he had brought only six with him from - London, his five sisters and a cousin. And when the party entered - the assembly room it consisted of only five altogether; Mr. - Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and another - young man. - - Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant - countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine - women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. - Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon - drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome - features, noble mien, and the report which was in general - circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having - ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine - figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than - Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about - half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned - the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to - be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his - large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most - forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be - compared with his friend. - - Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the - principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, - danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and - talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable - qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him - and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and - once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other - lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the - room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His - character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man - in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there - again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, - whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into - particular resentment by his having slighted one of her - daughters. - - Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, - to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. - Darcy had been standing near enough for her to overhear a - conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance - for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it. - - “Come, Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you - standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much - better dance.” - - “I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am - particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as - this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and - there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a - punishment to me to stand up with.” - - “I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Bingley, - “for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant - girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of - them you see uncommonly pretty.” - - “_You_ are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said - Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet. - - “Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there - is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very - pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner - to introduce you.” - - “Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at - Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly - said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt _me_; and I - am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies - who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your - partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with - me.” - - Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and - Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She - told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for - she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in - anything ridiculous. - - The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. - Mrs. Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the - Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she - had been distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified - by this as her mother could be, though in a quieter way. - Elizabeth felt Jane’s pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned - to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the - neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough - to be never without partners, which was all that they had yet - learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good - spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which - they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still - up. With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present - occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an - evening which had raised such splendid expectations. He had - rather hoped that all his wife’s views on the stranger would be - disappointed; but he soon found that he had a very different story - to hear. - - “Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet,” as she entered the room, “we have had a - most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had - been there. Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. - Everybody said how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her - quite beautiful, and danced with her twice. Only think of _that_, - my dear; he actually danced with her twice; and she was the only - creature in the room that he asked a second time. First of all, - he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him stand up with her; - but, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody can, - you know; and he seemed quite struck with Jane as she was going - down the dance. So he enquired who she was, and got introduced, - and asked her for the two next. Then, the two third he danced with - Miss King, and the two fourth with Maria Lucas, and the two fifth - with Jane again, and the two sixth with Lizzy, and the - _Boulanger_—” - - “If he had had any compassion for _me_,” cried her husband - impatiently, “he would not have danced half so much! For God’s - sake, say no more of his partners. Oh that he had sprained his - ankle in the first dance!” - - “Oh! my dear,” continued Mrs. Bennet, “I am quite delighted with him. He is so excessively - handsome! and his sisters are charming women. I never in my life - saw anything more elegant than their dresses. I dare say the lace - upon Mrs. Hurst’s gown—” - - Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Bennet protested against any - description of finery. She was therefore obliged to seek another - branch of the subject, and related, with much bitterness of - spirit and some exaggeration, the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy. - - “But I can assure you,” she added, “that Lizzy does not lose much - by not suiting _his_ fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid - man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that - there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, - fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance - with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one - of your set-downs. I quite detest the man.” - - - - -Chapter 4 - - When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been - cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her - sister how very much she admired him. - - “He is just what a young man ought to be,” said she, “sensible, - good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!—so - much ease, with such perfect good breeding!” - - “He is also handsome,” replied Elizabeth, “which a young man - ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is - thereby complete.” - - “I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second - time. I did not expect such a compliment.” - - “Did not you? _I_ did for you. But that is one great difference - between us. Compliments always take _you_ by surprise, and _me_ - never. What could be more natural than his asking you again? He - could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as - every other woman in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for - that. Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave - to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.” - - “Dear Lizzy!” - - “Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in - general. You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good - and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a - human being in my life.” - - “I would wish not to be hasty in censuring any one; but I always - speak what I think.” - - “I know you do; and it is _that_ which makes the wonder. With - _your_ good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and - nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough;—one - meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or - design—to take the good of everybody’s character and make it - still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone. - And so, you like this man’s sisters, too, do you? Their manners - are not equal to his.” - - “Certainly not; at first. But they are very pleasing women when - you converse with them. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother, - and keep his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a - very charming neighbour in her.” - - Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced; their - behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in - general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy - of temper than her sister, and with a judgment too unassailed by - any attention to herself, she was very little disposed to approve - them. They were in fact very fine ladies; not deficient in good - humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of - being agreeable where they chose it; but proud and conceited. - They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first - private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand - pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and - of associating with people of rank; and were therefore in every - respect entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of - others. They were of a respectable family in the north of - England; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories - than that their brother’s fortune and their own had been acquired - by trade. - - Mr. Bingley inherited property to the amount of nearly a hundred - thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an - estate, but did not live to do it. Mr. Bingley intended it - likewise, and sometimes made choice of his county; but as he was - now provided with a good house and the liberty of a manor, it was - doubtful to many of those who best knew the easiness of his - temper, whether he might not spend the remainder of his days at - Netherfield, and leave the next generation to purchase. - - His sisters were very anxious for his having an estate of his own; - but though he was now established only as a tenant, Miss Bingley - was by no means unwilling to preside at his table, nor was Mrs. - Hurst, who had married a man of more fashion than fortune, less - disposed to consider his house as her home when it suited her. - Mr. Bingley had not been of age two years, when he was tempted by - an accidental recommendation to look at Netherfield House. He did - look at it, and into it for half an hour, was pleased with the - situation and the principal rooms, satisfied with what the owner - said in its praise, and took it immediately. - - Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in - spite of great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to - Darcy by the easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, - though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, - and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the - strength of Darcy’s regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and - of his judgment the highest opinion. In understanding, Darcy was - the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was - clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and - fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. - In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was - sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually - giving offence. - - The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was - sufficiently characteristic. Bingley had never met with - pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; everybody had been - most kind and attentive to him; there had been no formality, no - stiffness; he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as - to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. - Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom - there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had - felt the smallest interest, and from none received either - attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty, - but she smiled too much. - - Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so—but still they - admired her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, - and one whom they should not object to know more of. Miss Bennet - was therefore established as a sweet girl, and their brother felt - authorised by such commendation to think of her as he chose. - - - - -Chapter 5 - - Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the - Bennets were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been - formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable - fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to - the king during his mayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been - felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business - and to his residence in a small market town; and, quitting - them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile - from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge, where he - could think with pleasure of his own importance, and, unshackled - by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all the - world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him - supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. - By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation - at St. James’s had made him courteous. - - Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a - valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The - eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about - twenty-seven, was Elizabeth’s intimate friend. - - That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk - over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the - assembly brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to - communicate. - - “_You_ began the evening well, Charlotte,” said Mrs. Bennet with - civil self-command to Miss Lucas. “_You_ were Mr. Bingley’s first - choice.” - - “Yes; but he seemed to like his second better.” - - “Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. - To be sure that _did_ seem as if he admired her—indeed I rather - believe he _did_—I heard something about it—but I hardly know - what—something about Mr. Robinson.” - - “Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; - did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson’s asking him how he - liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there - were a great many pretty women in the room, and _which_ he - thought the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last - question—‘Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet, beyond a doubt, there - cannot be two opinions on that point.’” - - “Upon my word! Well, that was very decided indeed—that does seem - as if—but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know.” - - “_My_ overhearings were more to the purpose than _yours_, Eliza,” - said Charlotte. “Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as - his friend, is he?—Poor Eliza!—to be only just _tolerable_.” - - “I beg you would not put it into Lizzy’s head to be vexed by his - ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man that it would - be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last - night that he sat close to her for half an hour without once - opening his lips.” - - “Are you quite sure, ma’am?—is not there a little mistake?” said - Jane. “I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her.” - - “Aye—because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and - he could not help answering her; but she said he seemed very - angry at being spoke to.” - - “Miss Bingley told me,” said Jane, “that he never speaks much - unless among his intimate acquaintance. With _them_ he is - remarkably agreeable.” - - “I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very - agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how - it was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride, and I dare - say he had heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, - and had come to the ball in a hack chaise.” - - “I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,” said Miss Lucas, - “but I wish he had danced with Eliza.” - - “Another time, Lizzy,” said her mother, “I would not dance with - _him_, if I were you.” - - “I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you _never_ to dance with - him.” - - “His pride,” said Miss Lucas, “does not offend _me_ so much as - pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot - wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, - everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I - may so express it, he has a _right_ to be proud.” - - “That is very true,” replied Elizabeth, “and I could easily - forgive _his_ pride, if he had not mortified _mine_.” - - “Pride,” observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of - her reflections, “is a very common failing, I believe. By all - that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common - indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that - there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of - self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or - imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the - words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without - being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, - vanity to what we would have others think of us.” - - “If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy,” cried a young Lucas, who came - with his sisters, “I should not care how proud I was. I would - keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine every day.” - - “Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought,” said - Mrs. Bennet; “and if I were to see you at it, I should take away - your bottle directly.” - - The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare - that she would, and the argument ended only with the visit. - - - - -Chapter 6 - - The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The - visit was returned in due form. Miss Bennet’s pleasing - manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and - though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger - sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted - with _them_ was expressed towards the two eldest. By Jane this - attention was received with the greatest pleasure; but Elizabeth - still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, - hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though - their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in - all probability from the influence of their brother’s admiration. - It was generally evident whenever they met, that he _did_ admire - her; and to _her_ it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to - the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the - first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she - considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered - by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength - of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of - manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the - impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas. - - “It may perhaps be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to - impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a - disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her - affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose - the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor - consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. There is so - much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it - is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all _begin_ freely—a - slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us - who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. - In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show _more_ affection - than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may - never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.” - - “But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If - _I_ can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton - indeed not to discover it too.” - - “Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you - do.” - - “But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to - conceal it, he must find it out.” - - “Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Bingley - and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours - together; and as they always see each other in large mixed - parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in - conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every - half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is - secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as - much as she chooses.” - - “Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth, “where nothing is - in question but the desire of being well married; and if I were - determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I - should adopt it. But these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not - acting by design. As yet, she cannot even be certain of the - degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness. She has known - him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton; - she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined - in company with him four times. This is not quite enough to make - her understand his character.” - - “Not as you represent it. Had she merely _dined_ with him, she - might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but - you must remember that four evenings have been also spent - together—and four evenings may do a great deal.” - - “Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that - they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to - any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has - been unfolded.” - - “Well,” said Charlotte, “I wish Jane success with all my heart; - and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had - as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his - character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a - matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so - well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does - not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to - grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of - vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the - defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” - - “You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it - is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.” - - Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley’s attentions to her sister, - Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming - an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy - had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at - her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he - looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it - clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good - feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered - uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark - eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. - Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure - of perfect symmetry in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her - figure to be light and pleasing; and in spite of his asserting - that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was - caught by their easy playfulness. Of this she was perfectly - unaware;—to her he was only the man who made himself agreeable - nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance - with. - - He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards - conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with - others. His doing so drew her notice. It was at Sir William - Lucas’s, where a large party were assembled. - - “What does Mr. Darcy mean,” said she to Charlotte, “by listening - to my conversation with Colonel Forster?” - - “That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer.” - - “But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I - see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do - not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid - of him.” - - On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming - to have any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend - to mention such a subject to him, which immediately provoking - Elizabeth to do it, she turned to him and said, - - “Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly - well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a - ball at Meryton?” - - “With great energy; but it is a subject which always makes a lady - energetic.” - - “You are severe on us.” - - “It will be _her_ turn soon to be teased,” said Miss Lucas. “I am - going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows.” - - “You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!—always - wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my - vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; - but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who - must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers.” On - Miss Lucas’s persevering, however, she added, “Very well; if it - must be so, it must.” And gravely glancing at Mr. Darcy, “There - is a fine old saying, which everybody here is of course familiar - with—‘Keep your breath to cool your porridge,’—and I shall keep - mine to swell my song.” - - Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a - song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of - several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at - the instrument by her sister Mary, who having, in consequence of - being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge - and accomplishments, was always impatient for display. - - Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given - her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and - conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of - excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, - had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing - half so well; and Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad - to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the - request of her younger sisters, who with some of the Lucases, - and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end - of the room. - - Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of - passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and - was too much engrossed by his own thoughts to perceive that Sir - William Lucas was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began. - - “What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! - There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of - the first refinements of polished societies.” - - “Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue - amongst the less polished societies of the world.—Every savage - can dance.” - - Sir William only smiled. “Your friend performs delightfully,” he - continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; “and I - doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. - Darcy.” - - “You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.” - - “Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the - sight. Do you often dance at St. James’s?” - - “Never, sir.” - - “Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?” - - “It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid - it.” - - “You have a house in town, I conclude?” - - Mr. Darcy bowed. - - “I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself—for I am - fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that - the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.” - - He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not - disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving - towards them, he was struck with the notion of doing a very - gallant thing, and called out to her, - - “My dear Miss Eliza, why are not you dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must - allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable - partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much - beauty is before you.” And, taking her hand, he would have given - it to Mr. Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not - unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said - with some discomposure to Sir William, - - “Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I - entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg - for a partner.” - - Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the - honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor - did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at - persuasion. - - “You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to - deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman - dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am - sure, to oblige us for one half-hour.” - - “Mr. Darcy is all politeness,” said Elizabeth, smiling. - - “He is, indeed—but, considering the inducement, my dear Miss - Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object - to such a partner?” - - Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not - injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with - some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley, - - “I can guess the subject of your reverie.” - - “I should imagine not.” - - “You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many - evenings in this manner—in such society; and indeed I am quite of - your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet - the noise; the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all - these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!” - - “Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more - agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great - pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman - can bestow.” - - Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired - he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such - reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity, - - “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” - - “Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley. “I am all - astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite?—and pray - when am I to wish you joy?” - - “That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A - lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to - love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be - wishing me joy.” - - “Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as - absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, - indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberley with - you.” - - He listened to her with perfect indifference, while she chose to - entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced - her that all was safe, her wit flowed long. - - - - -Chapter 7 - - Mr. 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, on a distant relation; and - their mother’s fortune, though ample for her situation in life, - could but ill supply the deficiency of his. Her father had been - an attorney in Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds. - - She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who had been a clerk - to their father, and succeeded him in the business, and a brother - settled in London in a respectable 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 shop 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 amuse 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 headquarters. - - 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. 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. 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 regimentals of an - ensign. - - After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, - Mr. Bennet coolly observed, - - “From all that I can collect 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 - slightingly of anybody’s children, it should not be of my own, - however.” - - “If my children are silly, I must hope to be always sensible 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 coat myself very well—and, - indeed, so I do still at my heart; and if a smart young colonel, - with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls, I - shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster looked - very becoming the other night at Sir William’s in his - regimentals.” - - “Mamma,” 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.” - - Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman - with a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield, and the - servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Bennet’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 be in danger of hating each other for the rest - of our lives, for a whole day’s _tête-à-tête_ 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” - - “With the officers!” cried Lydia. “I wonder my aunt did not tell - us of _that_.” - - “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.” - - “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. 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. My kind friends - will not hear of my returning home till I am better. They insist also - on my seeing Mr. Jones—therefore do not be alarmed if you should - hear of his having been to me—and, excepting a sore throat and - headache, there is not much the matter with me.—Yours, &c.” - - “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.” - - “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.” - - “I shall be very fit to see Jane—which is all I want.” - - “Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,” said her father, “to send for the - horses?” - - “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.” - - “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 repaired 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 - stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and - finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary - ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of - exercise. - - She was shown into the breakfast-parlour, 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. 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 brilliancy - 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. - - 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 showed for Jane. The apothecary - 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. 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 wanted 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 chaise to 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. - - - - -Chapter 8 - - At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past - six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the civil enquiries - which then poured in, and amongst which she had the pleasure of - distinguishing the much superior solicitude of Mr. Bingley’s, she - could not make a very favourable answer. Jane was by no means - better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four - times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a - bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; - and then thought no more of the matter: and their indifference - towards Jane when not immediately before them, restored Elizabeth - to the enjoyment of all her original dislike. - - Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom she - could regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Jane was - evident, and his attentions to herself most pleasing, and they - prevented her feeling herself so much an intruder as she believed - she was considered by the others. She had very little notice from - any but him. Miss Bingley was engrossed by Mr. Darcy, her sister - scarcely less so; and as for Mr. Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, he - was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at - cards; who, when he found her prefer a plain dish to a ragout, - had nothing to say to her. - - When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, and Miss - Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her - manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride - and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty. - Mrs. Hurst thought the same, and added, - - “She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an - excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this - morning. She really looked almost wild.” - - “She did, indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. - Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must _she_ be scampering - about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair so - untidy, so blowsy!” - - “Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches - deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had been - let down to hide it not doing its office.” - - “Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,” said Bingley; “but this - was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked - remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. Her - dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.” - - “_You_ observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley; - “and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see _your - sister_ make such an exhibition.” - - “Certainly not.” - - “To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever - it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what - could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort - of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to - decorum.” - - “It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,” - said Bingley. - - “I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,” observed Miss Bingley, in a half - whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration - of her fine eyes.” - - “Not at all,” he replied; “they were brightened by the exercise.” - A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again. - - “I have an excessive regard for Miss Jane Bennet, she is really a - very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well - settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low - connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.” - - “I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in - Meryton.” - - “Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside.” - - “That is capital,” added her sister, and they both laughed - heartily. - - “If they had uncles enough to fill _all_ Cheapside,” cried - Bingley, “it would not make them one jot less agreeable.” - - “But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men - of any consideration in the world,” replied Darcy. - - To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it - their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at - the expense of their dear friend’s vulgar relations. - - With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to her room - on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to - coffee. She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would not quit - her at all, till late in the evening, when she had the comfort of - seeing her asleep, and when it appeared to her rather right than - pleasant that she should go downstairs herself. On entering the - drawing-room she found the whole party at loo, and was - immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be - playing high she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, - said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay - below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment. - - “Do you prefer reading to cards?” said he; “that is rather - singular.” - - “Miss Eliza Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, “despises cards. She is a - great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.” - - “I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,” cried - Elizabeth; “I am _not_ a great reader, and I have pleasure in - many things.” - - “In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,” said - Bingley; “and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her - quite well.” - - Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards a - table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to - fetch her others; all that his library afforded. - - “And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own - credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I - have more than I ever looked into.” - - Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with - those in the room. - - “I am astonished,” said Miss Bingley, “that my father should have - left so small a collection of books. What a delightful library - you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!” - - “It ought to be good,” he replied, “it has been the work of many - generations.” - - “And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always - buying books.” - - “I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days - as these.” - - “Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the - beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build _your_ - house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley.” - - “I wish it may.” - - “But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that - neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is - not a finer county in England than Derbyshire.” - - “With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will - sell it.” - - “I am talking of possibilities, Charles.” - - “Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get - Pemberley by purchase than by imitation.” - - Elizabeth was so much caught by what passed, as to leave her - very little attention for her book; and soon laying it wholly - aside, she drew near the card-table, and stationed herself - between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister, to observe the game. - - “Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?” said Miss Bingley; - “will she be as tall as I am?” - - “I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s - height, or rather taller.” - - “How I long to see her again! I never met with anybody who - delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners!—and so - extremely accomplished for her age! Her performance on the - pianoforte is exquisite.” - - “It is amazing to me,” said Bingley, “how young ladies can have - patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.” - - “All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you - mean?” - - “Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, - and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, - and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first - time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.” - - “Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,” said Darcy, - “has too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who - deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse or covering a - screen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your - estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more - than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that - are really accomplished.” - - “Nor I, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley. - - “Then,” observed Elizabeth, “you must comprehend a great deal in - your idea of an accomplished woman.” - - “Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.” - - “Oh! certainly,” cried his faithful assistant, “no one can be - really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is - usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of - music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to - deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a - certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of - her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but - half deserved.” - - “All this she must possess,” added Darcy, “and to all this she - must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of - her mind by extensive reading.” - - “I am no longer surprised at your knowing _only_ six accomplished - women. I rather wonder now at your knowing _any_.” - - “Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility - of all this?” - - “_I_ never saw such a woman. _I_ never saw such capacity, and - taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united.” - - Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice - of her implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew - many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst called - them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to - what was going forward. As all conversation was thereby at an - end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room. - - “Eliza Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed - on her, “is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend - themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with - many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a - paltry device, a very mean art.” - - “Undoubtedly,” replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly - addressed, “there is meanness in _all_ the arts which ladies - sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears - affinity to cunning is despicable.” - - Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to - continue the subject. - - Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was - worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones’s - being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no - country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to - town for one of the most eminent physicians. This she would not - hear of; but she was not so unwilling to comply with their - brother’s proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be - sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were not decidedly - better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared - that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, - however, by duets after supper, while he could find no better - relief to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions - that every possible attention might be paid to the sick lady and her - sister. - - - - -Chapter 9 - - Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister’s room, and - in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable - answer to the enquiries which she very early received from Mr. - Bingley by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from the two - elegant ladies who waited on his sisters. In spite of this - amendment, however, she requested to have a note sent to - Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own - judgment of her situation. The note was immediately dispatched, - and its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet, - accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon - after the family breakfast. - - Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet would have - been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her that her - illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering - immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove - her from Netherfield. She would not listen, therefore, to her - daughter’s proposal of being carried home; neither did the - apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all - advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss - Bingley’s appearance and invitation, the mother and three - daughters all attended her into the breakfast parlour. Bingley - met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet - worse than she expected. - - “Indeed I have, sir,” was her answer. “She is a great deal too - ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. - We must trespass a little longer on your kindness.” - - “Removed!” cried Bingley. “It must not be thought of. My sister, - I am sure, will not hear of her removal.” - - “You may depend upon it, Madam,” said Miss Bingley, with cold - civility, “that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention - while she remains with us.” - - Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments. - - “I am sure,” she added, “if it was not for such good friends I do - not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, - and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the - world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without - exception, the sweetest temper I ever met with. I often tell - my other girls they are nothing to _her_. You have a sweet room - here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming prospect over that gravel walk. - I do not know a place in the country that is equal to - Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I - hope, though you have but a short lease.” - - “Whatever I do is done in a hurry,” replied he; “and therefore if - I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in - five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite - fixed here.” - - “That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,” said - Elizabeth. - - “You begin to comprehend me, do you?” cried he, turning towards - her. - - “Oh! yes—I understand you perfectly.” - - “I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily - seen through I am afraid is pitiful.” - - “That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate - character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.” - - “Lizzy,” cried her mother, “remember where you are, and do not - run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” - - “I did not know before,” continued Bingley immediately, “that you - were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study.” - - “Yes; but intricate characters are the _most_ amusing. They have - at least that advantage.” - - “The country,” said Darcy, “can in general supply but few - subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in - a very confined and unvarying society.” - - “But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new - to be observed in them for ever.” - - “Yes, indeed,” cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of - mentioning a country neighbourhood. “I assure you there is quite - as much of _that_ going on in the country as in town.” - - Everybody was surprised; and Darcy, after looking at her for a - moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who fancied she had - gained a complete victory over him, continued her triumph. - - “I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the - country, for my part, except the shops and public places. The - country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bingley?” - - “When I am in the country,” he replied, “I never wish to leave - it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have - each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.” - - “Aye—that is because you have the right disposition. But that - gentleman,” looking at Darcy, “seemed to think the country was - nothing at all.” - - “Indeed, Mama, you are mistaken,” said Elizabeth, blushing for - her mother. “You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that - there was not such a variety of people to be met with in the - country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.” - - “Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not - meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there - are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with - four-and-twenty families.” - - Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep - his countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her - eye towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth, - for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother’s - thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn - since _her_ coming away. - - “Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man - Sir William is, Mr. Bingley—is not he? so much the man of - fashion! So genteel and so easy! He has always something to say to - everybody. _That_ is my idea of good breeding; and those persons - who fancy themselves very important and never open their mouths, - quite mistake the matter.” - - “Did Charlotte dine with you?” - - “No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the - mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, _I_ always keep servants - that can do their own work; _my_ daughters are brought up - differently. But everybody is to judge for themselves, and the - Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity - they are not handsome! Not that _I_ think Charlotte so _very_ - plain—but then she is our particular friend.” - - “She seems a very pleasant young woman,” said Bingley. - - “Oh! dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas - herself has often said so, and envied me Jane’s beauty. I do not - like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane—one does not - often see anybody better looking. It is what everybody says. I do - not trust my own partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was - a gentleman at my brother Gardiner’s in town so much in love with her, - that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before - we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her - too young. However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty - they were.” - - “And so ended his affection,” said Elizabeth impatiently. “There - has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder - who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away - love!” - - “I have been used to consider poetry as the _food_ of love,” said - Darcy. - - “Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what - is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of - inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it - entirely away.” - - Darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensued made - Elizabeth tremble lest her mother should be exposing herself - again. She longed to speak, but could think of nothing to say; - and after a short silence Mrs. Bennet began repeating her thanks - to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for - troubling him also with Lizzy. Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil - in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, - and say what the occasion required. She performed her part indeed - without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet was satisfied, and - soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the - youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had - been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the - result of it was, that the youngest should tax Mr. Bingley with - having promised on his first coming into the country to give a - ball at Netherfield. - - Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine - complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her - mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early - age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural - self-consequence, which the attentions of the officers, to whom - her uncle’s good dinners and her own easy manners recommended - her, had increased into assurance. She was very equal, therefore, - to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly - reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most - shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to - this sudden attack was delightful to their mother’s ear. - - “I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement; and - when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the - very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing while - she is ill.” - - Lydia declared herself satisfied. “Oh! yes—it would be much - better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely - Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given - _your_ ball,” she added, “I shall insist on their giving one - also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame if he - does not.” - - Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth - returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own and her relations’ - behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy; the - latter of whom, however, could not be prevailed on to join in - their censure of _her_, in spite of all Miss Bingley’s witticisms - on _fine eyes_. - - - - -Chapter 10 - - The day passed much as the day before had done. Mrs. Hurst and - Miss Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the - invalid, who continued, though slowly, to mend; and in the - evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room. The - loo table, however, did not appear. Mr. Darcy was writing, and - Miss Bingley, seated near him, was watching the progress of his - letter, and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to - his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. - Hurst was observing their game. - - Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was sufficiently amused in - attending to what passed between Darcy and his companion. The - perpetual commendations of the lady either on his handwriting, - or on the evenness of his lines, or on the length of his letter, - with the perfect unconcern with which her praises were received, - formed a curious dialogue, and was exactly in unison with her - opinion of each. - - “How delighted Miss Darcy will be to receive such a letter!” - - He made no answer. - - “You write uncommonly fast.” - - “You are mistaken. I write rather slowly.” - - “How many letters you must have occasion to write in the course - of a year! Letters of business, too! How odious I should think - them!” - - “It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of to - yours.” - - “Pray tell your sister that I long to see her.” - - “I have already told her so once, by your desire.” - - “I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend it for you. I - mend pens remarkably well.” - - “Thank you—but I always mend my own.” - - “How can you contrive to write so even?” - - He was silent. - - “Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her improvement on - the harp, and pray let her know that I am quite in raptures with - her beautiful little design for a table, and I think it - infinitely superior to Miss Grantley’s.” - - “Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till I write - again? At present I have not room to do them justice.” - - “Oh! it is of no consequence. I shall see her in January. But do - you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?” - - “They are generally long; but whether always charming, it is not - for me to determine.” - - “It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter - with ease, cannot write ill.” - - “That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline,” cried her - brother, “because he does _not_ write with ease. He studies too - much for words of four syllables. Do not you, Darcy?” - - “My style of writing is very different from yours.” - - “Oh!” cried Miss Bingley, “Charles writes in the most careless - way imaginable. He leaves out half his words, and blots the - rest.” - - “My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them—by - which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my - correspondents.” - - “Your humility, Mr. Bingley,” said Elizabeth, “must disarm - reproof.” - - “Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy, “than the appearance of - humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes - an indirect boast.” - - “And which of the two do you call _my_ little recent piece of - modesty?” - - “The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in - writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity - of thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not - estimable, you think at least highly interesting. The power of - doing anything with quickness is always much prized by the - possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of - the performance. When you told Mrs. Bennet this morning that if - you ever resolved on quitting Netherfield you should be gone in - five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of panegyric, of - compliment to yourself—and yet what is there so very laudable in - a precipitance which must leave very necessary business undone, - and can be of no real advantage to yourself or any one else?” - - “Nay,” cried Bingley, “this is too much, to remember at night all - the foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon - my honour, I believed what I said of myself to be true, and I - believe it at this moment. At least, therefore, I did not assume - the character of needless precipitance merely to show off before - the ladies.” - - “I dare say you believed it; but I am by no means convinced that - you would be gone with such celerity. Your conduct would be quite - as dependent on chance as that of any man I know; and if, as you - were mounting your horse, a friend were to say, ‘Bingley, you had - better stay till next week,’ you would probably do it, you would - probably not go—and, at another word, might stay a month.” - - “You have only proved by this,” cried Elizabeth, “that Mr. - Bingley did not do justice to his own disposition. You have shown - him off now much more than he did himself.” - - “I am exceedingly gratified,” said Bingley, “by your converting - what my friend says into a compliment on the sweetness of my - temper. But I am afraid you are giving it a turn which that - gentleman did by no means intend; for he would certainly think - the better of me, if under such a circumstance I were to give a flat - denial, and ride off as fast as I could.” - - “Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of your original - intention as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it?” - - “Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter, Darcy must - speak for himself.” - - “You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call - mine, but which I have never acknowledged. Allowing the case, - however, to stand according to your representation, you must - remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend who is supposed to desire - his return to the house, and the delay of his plan, has merely - desired it, asked it without offering one argument in favour of - its propriety.” - - “To yield readily—easily—to the _persuasion_ of a friend is no - merit with you.” - - “To yield without conviction is no compliment to the - understanding of either.” - - “You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence - of friendship and affection. A regard for the requester would - often make one readily yield to a request, without waiting for - arguments to reason one into it. I am not particularly speaking - of such a case as you have supposed about Mr. Bingley. We may as - well wait, perhaps, till the circumstance occurs, before we - discuss the discretion of his behaviour thereupon. But in general - and ordinary cases between friend and friend, where one of them - is desired by the other to change a resolution of no very great - moment, should you think ill of that person for complying with - the desire, without waiting to be argued into it?” - - “Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this subject, to - arrange with rather more precision the degree of importance which - is to appertain to this request, as well as the degree of - intimacy subsisting between the parties?” - - “By all means,” cried Bingley; “let us hear all the particulars, - not forgetting their comparative height and size; for that will - have more weight in the argument, Miss Bennet, than you may be - aware of. I assure you that if Darcy were not such a great tall - fellow, in comparison with myself, I should not pay him half so - much deference. I declare I do not know a more awful object than - Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his - own house especially, and of a Sunday evening, when he has - nothing to do.” - - Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could perceive that - he was rather offended, and therefore checked her laugh. Miss - Bingley warmly resented the indignity he had received, in an - expostulation with her brother for talking such nonsense. - - “I see your design, Bingley,” said his friend. “You dislike an - argument, and want to silence this.” - - “Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and - Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room, I shall - be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me.” - - “What you ask,” said Elizabeth, “is no sacrifice on my side; and - Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter.” - - Mr. Darcy took her advice, and did finish his letter. - - When that business was over, he applied to Miss Bingley and - Elizabeth for the indulgence of some music. Miss Bingley moved - with alacrity to the pianoforte, and after a polite request - that Elizabeth would lead the way, which the other as politely and - more earnestly negatived, she seated herself. - - Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were thus - employed, Elizabeth could not help observing, as she turned over - some music-books that lay on the instrument, how frequently Mr. - Darcy’s eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to suppose - that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man; and - yet that he should look at her because he disliked her, was still - more strange. She could only imagine, however, at last, that she - drew his notice because there was a something about her more wrong and - reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in any other - person present. The supposition did not pain her. She liked him - too little to care for his approbation. - - After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm - by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy, drawing - near Elizabeth, said to her— - - “Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such - an opportunity of dancing a reel?” - - She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with - some surprise at her silence. - - “Oh!” said she, “I heard you before; but I could not immediately - determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say - ‘Yes,’ that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; - but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and - cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have, - therefore, made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to - dance a reel at all—and now despise me if you dare.” - - “Indeed I do not dare.” - - Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at - his gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness - in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; - and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by - her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of - her connections, he should be in some danger. - - Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous; and her - great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane received - some assistance from her desire of getting rid of Elizabeth. - - She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking her guest, by - talking of their supposed marriage, and planning his happiness in - such an alliance. - - “I hope,” said she, as they were walking together in the - shrubbery the next day, “you will give your mother-in-law a few - hints, when this desirable event takes place, as to the advantage - of holding her tongue; and if you can compass it, do cure the - younger girls of running after the officers. And, if I may mention so - delicate a subject, endeavour to check that little something, - bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady - possesses.” - - “Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?” - - “Oh! yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Philips be - placed in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your - great uncle the judge. They are in the same profession, you know, - only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth’s picture, you - must not attempt to have it taken, for what painter could do justice to - those beautiful eyes?” - - “It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression, but - their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, - might be copied.” - - At that moment they were met from another walk by Mrs. Hurst and - Elizabeth herself. - - “I did not know that you intended to walk,” said Miss Bingley, in - some confusion, lest they had been overheard. - - “You used us abominably ill,” answered Mrs. Hurst, “running away - without telling us that you were coming out.” - - Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy, she left Elizabeth - to walk by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt - their rudeness, and immediately said,— - - “This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go - into the avenue.” - - But Elizabeth, who had not the least inclination to remain with - them, laughingly answered, - - “No, no; stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped, and - appear to uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by - admitting a fourth. Good-bye.” - - She then ran gaily off, rejoicing as she rambled about, in the - hope of being at home again in a day or two. Jane was already so - much recovered as to intend leaving her room for a couple of - hours that evening. - - - - -Chapter 11 - - When the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran up to her - sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into - the drawing-room, where she was welcomed by her two friends with - many professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them - so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the - gentlemen appeared. Their powers of conversation were - considerable. They could describe an entertainment with accuracy, - relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh at their acquaintance - with spirit. - - But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first - object; Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned toward Darcy, - and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many - steps. He addressed himself to Miss Bennet, with a polite - congratulation; Mr. Hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he - was “very glad;” but diffuseness and warmth remained for - Bingley’s salutation. He was full of joy and attention. The first - half-hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer - from the change of room; and she removed at his desire to the - other side of the fireplace, that she might be further from the - door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to anyone - else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with - great delight. - - When tea was over, Mr. Hurst reminded his sister-in-law of the - card-table—but in vain. She had obtained private intelligence - that Mr. Darcy did not wish for cards; and Mr. Hurst soon found - even his open petition rejected. She assured him that no one - intended to play, and the silence of the whole party on the - subject seemed to justify her. Mr. Hurst had therefore nothing to - do, but to stretch himself on one of the sofas and go to sleep. - Darcy took up a book; Miss Bingley did the same; and Mrs. Hurst, - principally occupied in playing with her bracelets and rings, - joined now and then in her brother’s conversation with Miss - Bennet. - - Miss Bingley’s attention was quite as much engaged in watching - Mr. Darcy’s progress through _his_ book, as in reading her own; - and she was perpetually either making some enquiry, or looking at - his page. She could not win him, however, to any conversation; he - merely answered her question, and read on. At length, quite - exhausted by the attempt to be amused with her own book, which - she had only chosen because it was the second volume of his, she - gave a great yawn and said, “How pleasant it is to spend an - evening in this way! I declare after all there is no enjoyment - like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a - book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I - have not an excellent library.” - - No one made any reply. She then yawned again, threw aside her - book, and cast her eyes round the room in quest for some - amusement; when hearing her brother mentioning a ball to Miss - Bennet, she turned suddenly towards him and said: - - “By the bye, Charles, are you really serious in meditating a - dance at Netherfield? I would advise you, before you determine on - it, to consult the wishes of the present party; I am much - mistaken if there are not some among us to whom a ball would be - rather a punishment than a pleasure.” - - “If you mean Darcy,” cried her brother, “he may go to bed, if he - chooses, before it begins—but as for the ball, it is quite a - settled thing; and as soon as Nicholls has made white soup - enough, I shall send round my cards.” - - “I should like balls infinitely better,” she replied, “if they - were carried on in a different manner; but there is something - insufferably tedious in the usual process of such a meeting. It - would surely be much more rational if conversation instead of - dancing were made the order of the day.” - - “Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say, but it would - not be near so much like a ball.” - - Miss Bingley made no answer, and soon afterwards she got up and - walked about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked - well; but Darcy, at whom it was all aimed, was still inflexibly - studious. In the desperation of her feelings, she resolved on one - effort more, and, turning to Elizabeth, said: - - “Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and - take a turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing - after sitting so long in one attitude.” - - Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss - Bingley succeeded no less in the real object of her civility; Mr. - Darcy looked up. He was as much awake to the novelty of attention - in that quarter as Elizabeth herself could be, and unconsciously - closed his book. He was directly invited to join their party, but - he declined it, observing that he could imagine but two motives - for their choosing to walk up and down the room together, with - either of which motives his joining them would interfere. “What - could he mean? She was dying to know what could be his - meaning?”—and asked Elizabeth whether she could at all understand - him? - - “Not at all,” was her answer; “but depend upon it, he means to be - severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to - ask nothing about it.” - - Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy - in anything, and persevered therefore in requiring an explanation - of his two motives. - - “I have not the smallest objection to explaining them,” said he, - as soon as she allowed him to speak. “You either choose this - method of passing the evening because you are in each other’s - confidence, and have secret affairs to discuss, or because you - are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage - in walking; if the first, I would be completely in your way, and - if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the - fire.” - - “Oh! shocking!” cried Miss Bingley. “I never heard anything so - abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?” - - “Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination,” said - Elizabeth. “We can all plague and punish one another. Tease - him—laugh at him. Intimate as you are, you must know how it is to - be done.” - - “But upon my honour, I do _not_. I do assure you that my intimacy - has not yet taught me _that_. Tease calmness of manner and - presence of mind! No, no; I feel he may defy us there. And as to - laughter, we will not expose ourselves, if you please, by - attempting to laugh without a subject. Mr. Darcy may hug - himself.” - - “Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!” cried Elizabeth. “That is an - uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it - would be a great loss to _me_ to have many such acquaintances. I - dearly love a laugh.” - - “Miss Bingley,” said he, “has given me more credit than can be. - The wisest and the best of men—nay, the wisest and best of their - actions—may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object - in life is a joke.” - - “Certainly,” replied Elizabeth—“there are such people, but I hope - I am not one of _them_. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and - good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, _do_ - divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, - I suppose, are precisely what you are without.” - - “Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the - study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a - strong understanding to ridicule.” - - “Such as vanity and pride.” - - “Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride—where there is a - real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good - regulation.” - - Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile. - - “Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume,” said Miss - Bingley; “and pray what is the result?” - - “I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He - owns it himself without disguise.” - - “No,” said Darcy, “I have made no such pretension. I have faults - enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I - dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little - yielding—certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I - cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, - nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed - about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be - called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.” - - “_That_ is a failing indeed!” cried Elizabeth. “Implacable - resentment _is_ a shade in a character. But you have chosen your - fault well. I really cannot _laugh_ at it. You are safe from me.” - - “There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some - particular evil—a natural defect, which not even the best - education can overcome.” - - “And _your_ defect is to hate everybody.” - - “And yours,” he replied with a smile, “is willfully to - misunderstand them.” - - “Do let us have a little music,” cried Miss Bingley, tired of a - conversation in which she had no share. “Louisa, you will not - mind my waking Mr. Hurst?” - - Her sister had not the smallest objection, and the pianoforte was - opened; and Darcy, after a few moments’ recollection, was not - sorry for it. He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too - much attention. - - - - -Chapter 12 - - In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth - wrote the next morning to their mother, to beg that the carriage - might be sent for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, - who had calculated on her daughters remaining at Netherfield till - the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane’s week, - could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her - answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to - Elizabeth’s wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs. - Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the - carriage before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that - if Mr. Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she - could spare them very well. Against staying longer, however, - Elizabeth was positively resolved—nor did she much expect it - would be asked; and fearful, on the contrary, as being considered - as intruding themselves needlessly long, she urged Jane to borrow - Mr. Bingley’s carriage immediately, and at length it was settled - that their original design of leaving Netherfield that morning - should be mentioned, and the request made. - - The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough - was said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day - to work on Jane; and till the morrow their going was deferred. - Miss Bingley was then sorry that she had proposed the delay, for - her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her - affection for the other. - - The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to - go so soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it - would not be safe for her—that she was not enough recovered; but - Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right. - - To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence—Elizabeth had been at - Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked—and - Miss Bingley was uncivil to _her_, and more teasing than usual to - himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no - sign of admiration should _now_ escape him, nothing that could - elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity; sensible - that if such an idea had been suggested, his behaviour during the - last day must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. - Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through - the whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time left by - themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to - his book, and would not even look at her. - - On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to - almost all, took place. Miss Bingley’s civility to Elizabeth - increased at last very rapidly, as well as her affection for - Jane; and when they parted, after assuring the latter of the - pleasure it would always give her to see her either at Longbourn - or Netherfield, and embracing her most tenderly, she even shook - hands with the former. Elizabeth took leave of the whole party in - the liveliest of spirits. - - They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. - Bennet wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to - give so much trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold - again. But their father, though very laconic in his expressions - of pleasure, was really glad to see them; he had felt their - importance in the family circle. The evening conversation, when - they were all assembled, had lost much of its animation, and - almost all its sense by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth. - - They found Mary, as usual, deep in the study of thorough-bass and - human nature; and had some extracts to admire, and some new - observations of threadbare morality to listen to. Catherine and - Lydia had information for them of a different sort. Much had been - done and much had been said in the regiment since the preceding - Wednesday; several of the officers had dined lately with their - uncle, a private had been flogged, and it had actually been - hinted that Colonel Forster was going to be married. - - - - -Chapter 13 - - “I hope, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at - breakfast the next morning, “that you have ordered a good dinner - to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family - party.” - - “Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am - sure, unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in—and I hope - _my_ dinners are good enough for her. I do not believe she often - sees such at home.” - - “The person of whom I speak is a gentleman, and a stranger.” - - Mrs. Bennet’s eyes sparkled. “A gentleman and a stranger! It is - Mr. Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad - to see Mr. Bingley. But—good Lord! how unlucky! There is not a - bit of fish to be got to-day. Lydia, my love, ring the bell—I - must speak to Hill this moment.” - - “It is _not_ Mr. Bingley,” said her husband; “it is a person whom - I never saw in the whole course of my life.” - - This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of - being eagerly questioned by his wife and his five daughters at - once. - - After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus - explained: - - “About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight - ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and - requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, - who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon - as he pleases.” - - “Oh! my dear,” cried his wife, “I cannot bear to hear that - mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is - the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be - entailed away from your own children; and I am sure, if I had - been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other - about it.” - - Jane and Elizabeth tried to explain to her the nature of an - entail. They had often attempted to do it before, but it was a - subject on which Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason, and - she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an - estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man - whom nobody cared anything about. - - “It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,” said Mr. Bennet, “and - nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting - Longbourn. But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps - be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself.” - - “No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it is very - impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. - I hate such false friends. Why could he not keep on quarreling - with you, as his father did before him?” - - “Why, indeed; he does seem to have had some filial scruples on - that head, as you will hear.” - - “Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15_th October_. - - “Dear Sir,— - “The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late - honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have - had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal - the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, - fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to - be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him - to be at variance.—‘There, Mrs. Bennet.’—My mind, however, is now - made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, - I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage - of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir - Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to - the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest - endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her - ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies - which are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, - moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing - of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on - these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures are - highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in - the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your - side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch. I - cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring - your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as - well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible - amends—but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to - receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of - waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four - o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the - Saturday se’ennight following, which I can do without any - inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my - occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other - clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.—I remain, dear - sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your - well-wisher and friend, - - “WILLIAM COLLINS” - - “At four o’clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making - gentleman,” said Mr. Bennet, as he folded up the letter. “He - seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my - word, and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquaintance, - especially if Lady Catherine should be so indulgent as to let him - come to us again.” - - “There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however, - and if he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the - person to discourage him.” - - “Though it is difficult,” said Jane, “to guess in what way he can - mean to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is - certainly to his credit.” - - Elizabeth was chiefly struck by his extraordinary deference for - Lady Catherine, and his kind intention of christening, marrying, - and burying his parishioners whenever it were required. - - “He must be an oddity, I think,” said she. “I cannot make him - out.—There is something very pompous in his style.—And what can - he mean by apologising for being next in the entail?—We cannot - suppose he would help it if he could.—Could he be a sensible man, - sir?” - - “No, my dear, I think not. I have great hopes of finding him - quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility and - self-importance in his letter, which promises well. I am - impatient to see him.” - - “In point of composition,” said Mary, “the letter does not seem - defective. The idea of the olive-branch perhaps is not wholly - new, yet I think it is well expressed.” - - To Catherine and Lydia, neither the letter nor its writer were in - any degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their - cousin should come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks - since they had received pleasure from the society of a man in any - other colour. As for their mother, Mr. Collins’s letter had done - away much of her ill-will, and she was preparing to see him with - a degree of composure which astonished her husband and daughters. - - Mr. Collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great - politeness by the whole family. Mr. Bennet indeed said little; - but the ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Collins seemed - neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent - himself. He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of - five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners - were very formal. He had not been long seated before he - complimented Mrs. Bennet on having so fine a family of daughters; - said he had heard much of their beauty, but that in this instance - fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did not - doubt her seeing them all in due time disposed of in marriage. - This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; - but Mrs. Bennet, who quarreled with no compliments, answered most - readily. - - “You are very kind, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it - may prove so, for else they will be destitute enough. Things are - settled so oddly.” - - “You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate.” - - “Ah! sir, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, - you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with _you_, for - such things I know are all chance in this world. There is no - knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed.” - - “I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, - and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of - appearing forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young - ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not - say more; but, perhaps, when we are better acquainted—” - - He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled - on each other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins’s - admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture, - were examined and praised; and his commendation of everything - would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s heart, but for the mortifying - supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property. The - dinner too in its turn was highly admired; and he begged to know - to which of his fair cousins the excellency of its cooking was - owing. But he was set right there by Mrs. Bennet, who assured him - with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a good - cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He - begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she - declared herself not at all offended; but he continued to - apologise for about a quarter of an hour. - - - - -Chapter 14 - - During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the - servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some - conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in - which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed very - fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s attention - to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very - remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins - was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than - usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect he - protested that “he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour - in a person of rank—such affability and condescension, as he had - himself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously - pleased to approve of both of the discourses which he had already - had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked him - twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday - before, to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady - Catherine was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but _he_ had - never seen anything but affability in her. She had always spoken - to him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the - smallest objection to his joining in the society of the - neighbourhood nor to his leaving the parish occasionally for a - week or two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to - advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with - discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble - parsonage, where she had perfectly approved all the alterations - he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some - herself—some shelves in the closet up stairs.” - - “That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,” said Mrs. Bennet, - “and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that - great ladies in general are not more like her. Does she live near - you, sir?” - - “The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by - a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship’s residence.” - - “I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?” - - “She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very - extensive property.” - - “Ah!” said Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, “then she is better off - than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she - handsome?” - - “She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself - says that, in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far - superior to the handsomest of her sex, because there is that in - her features which marks the young lady of distinguished birth. - She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has - prevented her from making that progress in many accomplishments - which she could not have otherwise failed of, as I am informed by - the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides - with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to - drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.” - - “Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the - ladies at court.” - - “Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in - town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine one day, has - deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her - ladyship seemed pleased with the idea; and you may imagine that I - am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate - compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have more - than once observed to Lady Catherine, that her charming daughter - seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated rank, - instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her. These - are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it - is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound - to pay.” - - “You judge very properly,” said Mr. Bennet, “and it is happy for - you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May - I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse - of the moment, or are the result of previous study?” - - “They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though - I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such - little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary - occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as - possible.” - - Mr. Bennet’s expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as - absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest - enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute - composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at - Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure. - - By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet - was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and, when - tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. - Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but, on - beholding it (for everything announced it to be from a - circulating library), he started back, and begging pardon, - protested that he never read novels. Kitty stared at him, and - Lydia exclaimed. Other books were produced, and after some - deliberation he chose Fordyce’s Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened - the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, - read three pages, she interrupted him with: - - “Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Phillips talks of turning away - Richard; and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt - told me so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow - to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from - town.” - - Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but - Mr. Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said: - - “I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by - books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their - benefit. It amazes me, I confess; for, certainly, there can be - nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no - longer importune my young cousin.” - - Then turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist - at backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that - he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling - amusements. Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologised most civilly - for Lydia’s interruption, and promised that it should not occur - again, if he would resume his book; but Mr. Collins, after - assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill-will, and - should never resent her behaviour as any affront, seated himself - at another table with Mr. Bennet, and prepared for backgammon. - - - - -Chapter 15 - - Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature - had been but little assisted by education or society; the - greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of - an illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one - of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms, - without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in - which his father had brought him up had given him originally - great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted - by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the - consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A - fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh - when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he - felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his - patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his - authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him - altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance - and humility. - - Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended - to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn - family he had a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the - daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were - represented by common report. This was his plan of amends—of - atonement—for inheriting their father’s estate; and he thought it - an excellent one, full of eligibility and suitableness, and - excessively generous and disinterested on his own part. - - His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet’s lovely face - confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of - what was due to seniority; and for the first evening _she_ was - his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an - alteration; for in a quarter of an hour’s _tête-à-tête_ with Mrs. - Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his - parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of his - hopes, that a mistress might be found for it at Longbourn, - produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general - encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. - “As to her _younger_ daughters, she could not take upon her to - say—she could not positively answer—but she did not _know_ of any - prepossession; her _eldest_ daughter, she must just mention—she - felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon - engaged.” - - Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and it was - soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. - Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeeded - her of course. - - Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might - soon have two daughters married; and the man whom she could not - bear to speak of the day before was now high in her good graces. - - Lydia’s intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every - sister except Mary agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins was to - attend them, at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious - to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither - Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast; and there he would - continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the - collection, but really talking to Mr. Bennet, with little - cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford. Such doings - discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been - always sure of leisure and tranquillity; and though prepared, as - he told Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other - room of the house, he was used to be free from them there; his - civility, therefore, was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to - join his daughters in their walk; and Mr. Collins, being in fact - much better fitted for a walker than a reader, was extremely - pleased to close his large book, and go. - - In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on that of his - cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton. The - attention of the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by - _him_. Their eyes were immediately wandering up in the street in - quest of the officers, and nothing less than a very smart bonnet - indeed, or a really new muslin in a shop window, could recall - them. - - But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, - whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike - appearance, walking with another officer on the other side of the - way. The officer was the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return - from London Lydia came to enquire, and he bowed as they passed. - All were struck with the stranger’s air, all wondered who he - could be; and Kitty and Lydia, determined if possible to find - out, led the way across the street, under pretense of wanting - something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained - the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached - the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated - permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned - with him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had - accepted a commission in their corps. This was exactly as it - should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him - completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he - had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good - figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed - up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness - at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole - party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, - when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley - were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of - the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and - began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman, - and Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on - his way to Longbourn on purpose to enquire after her. Mr. Darcy - corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to - fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by - the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the - countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all - astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, - one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few - moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just - deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was - impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know. - - In another minute, Mr. Bingley, but without seeming to have - noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with his friend. - - Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the - door of Mr. Phillip’s house, and then made their bows, in spite - of Miss Lydia’s pressing entreaties that they should come in, and - even in spite of Mrs. Phillips’s throwing up the parlour window - and loudly seconding the invitation. - - Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces; and the two - eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and - she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return - home, which, as their own carriage had not fetched them, she - should have known nothing about, if she had not happened to see - Mr. Jones’s shop-boy in the street, who had told her that they - were not to send any more draughts to Netherfield because the - Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility was claimed - towards Mr. Collins by Jane’s introduction of him. She received - him with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much - more, apologising for his intrusion, without any previous - acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering - himself, however, might be justified by his relationship to the - young ladies who introduced him to her notice. Mrs. Phillips was - quite awed by such an excess of good breeding; but her - contemplation of one stranger was soon put to an end by - exclamations and enquiries about the other; of whom, however, she - could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that Mr. Denny - had brought him from London, and that he was to have a - lieutenant’s commission in the ——shire. She had been watching him - the last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street, and - had Mr. Wickham appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have - continued the occupation, but unluckily no one passed windows now - except a few of the officers, who, in comparison with the - stranger, were become “stupid, disagreeable fellows.” Some of - them were to dine with the Phillipses the next day, and their - aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr. Wickham, and give - him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn would come - in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Phillips protested - that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery - tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect - of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual - good spirits. Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the - room, and was assured with unwearying civility that they were - perfectly needless. - - As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen - pass between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have - defended either or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, - she could no more explain such behaviour than her sister. - - Mr. Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs. Bennet by - admiring Mrs. Phillips’s manners and politeness. He protested - that, except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a - more elegant woman; for she had not only received him with the - utmost civility, but even pointedly included him in her - invitation for the next evening, although utterly unknown to her - before. Something, he supposed, might be attributed to his - connection with them, but yet he had never met with so much - attention in the whole course of his life. - - - - -Chapter 16 - - As no objection was made to the young people’s engagement with - their aunt, and all Mr. Collins’s scruples of leaving Mr. and - Mrs. Bennet for a single evening during his visit were most - steadily resisted, the coach conveyed him and his five cousins at - a suitable hour to Meryton; and the girls had the pleasure of - hearing, as they entered the drawing-room, that Mr. Wickham had - accepted their uncle’s invitation, and was then in the house. - - When this information was given, and they had all taken their - seats, Mr. Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire, - and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the - apartment, that he declared he might almost have supposed himself - in the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings; a comparison - that did not at first convey much gratification; but when Mrs. - Phillips understood from him what Rosings was, and who was its - proprietor—when she had listened to the description of only one - of Lady Catherine’s drawing-rooms, and found that the - chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all - the force of the compliment, and would hardly have resented a - comparison with the housekeeper’s room. - - In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her - mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble - abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily - employed until the gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. - Phillips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his - consequence increased with what she heard, and who was resolving - to retail it all among her neighbours as soon as she could. To - the girls, who could not listen to their cousin, and who had - nothing to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine their - own indifferent imitations of china on the mantelpiece, the - interval of waiting appeared very long. It was over at last, - however. The gentlemen did approach, and when Mr. Wickham walked - into the room, Elizabeth felt that she had neither been seeing - him before, nor thinking of him since, with the smallest degree - of unreasonable admiration. The officers of the ——shire were in - general a very creditable, gentlemanlike set, and the best of - them were of the present party; but Mr. Wickham was as far beyond - them all in person, countenance, air, and walk, as _they_ were - superior to the broad-faced, stuffy uncle Phillips, breathing - port wine, who followed them into the room. - - Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female - eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he - finally seated himself; and the agreeable manner in which he - immediately fell into conversation, though it was only on its - being a wet night, made her feel that the commonest, dullest, - most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the skill - of the speaker. - - With such rivals for the notice of the fair as Mr. Wickham and - the officers, Mr. Collins seemed to sink into insignificance; to - the young ladies he certainly was nothing; but he had still at - intervals a kind listener in Mrs. Phillips, and was by her - watchfulness, most abundantly supplied with coffee and muffin. - When the card-tables were placed, he had the opportunity of - obliging her in turn, by sitting down to whist. - - “I know little of the game at present,” said he, “but I shall be - glad to improve myself, for in my situation in life—” Mrs. - Phillips was very glad for his compliance, but could not wait for - his reason. - - Mr. Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he - received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia. At first - there seemed danger of Lydia’s engrossing him entirely, for she - was a most determined talker; but being likewise extremely fond - of lottery tickets, she soon grew too much interested in the - game, too eager in making bets and exclaiming after prizes to - have attention for anyone in particular. Allowing for the common - demands of the game, Mr. Wickham was therefore at leisure to talk - to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear him, though what - she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told—the - history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She dared not even - mention that gentleman. Her curiosity, however, was unexpectedly - relieved. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He enquired how - far Netherfield was from Meryton; and, after receiving her - answer, asked in a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been - staying there. - - “About a month,” said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling to let the - subject drop, added, “He is a man of very large property in - Derbyshire, I understand.” - - “Yes,” replied Mr. Wickham; “his estate there is a noble one. A - clear ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a - person more capable of giving you certain information on that - head than myself, for I have been connected with his family in a - particular manner from my infancy.” - - Elizabeth could not but look surprised. - - “You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, - after seeing, as you probably might, the very cold manner of our - meeting yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?” - - “As much as I ever wish to be,” cried Elizabeth very warmly. “I - have spent four days in the same house with him, and I think him - very disagreeable.” - - “I have no right to give _my_ opinion,” said Wickham, “as to his - being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I - have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is - impossible for _me_ to be impartial. But I believe your opinion - of him would in general astonish—and perhaps you would not - express it quite so strongly anywhere else. Here you are in your - own family.” - - “Upon my word, I say no more _here_ than I might say in any house - in the neighbourhood, except Netherfield. He is not at all liked - in Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will - not find him more favourably spoken of by anyone.” - - “I cannot pretend to be sorry,” said Wickham, after a short - interruption, “that he or that any man should not be estimated - beyond their deserts; but with _him_ I believe it does not often - happen. The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or - frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as - he chooses to be seen.” - - “I should take him, even on _my_ slight acquaintance, to be an - ill-tempered man.” Wickham only shook his head. - - “I wonder,” said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, - “whether he is likely to be in this country much longer.” - - “I do not at all know; but I _heard_ nothing of his going away - when I was at Netherfield. I hope your plans in favour of the - ——shire will not be affected by his being in the neighbourhood.” - - “Oh! no—it is not for _me_ to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If - _he_ wishes to avoid seeing _me_, he must go. We are not on - friendly terms, and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I - have no reason for avoiding _him_ but what I might proclaim - before all the world, a sense of very great ill-usage, and most - painful regrets at his being what he is. His father, Miss Bennet, - the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, - and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never be in company - with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a - thousand tender recollections. His behaviour to myself has been - scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and - everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and - disgracing the memory of his father.” - - Elizabeth found the interest of the subject increase, and - listened with all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented - further enquiry. - - Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the - neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all - that he had yet seen, and speaking of the latter with gentle but - very intelligible gallantry. - - “It was the prospect of constant society, and good society,” he - added, “which was my chief inducement to enter the ——shire. I - knew it to be a most respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend - Denny tempted me further by his account of their present - quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent - acquaintances Meryton had procured them. Society, I own, is - necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and my spirits - will not bear solitude. I _must_ have employment and society. A - military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances - have now made it eligible. The church _ought_ to have been my - profession—I was brought up for the church, and I should at this - time have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it - pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now.” - - “Indeed!” - - “Yes—the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of - the best living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively - attached to me. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to - provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the - living fell, it was given elsewhere.” - - “Good heavens!” cried Elizabeth; “but how could _that_ be? How - could his will be disregarded? Why did you not seek legal - redress?” - - “There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest - as to give me no hope from law. A man of honour could not have - doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it—or to - treat it as a merely conditional recommendation, and to assert - that I had forfeited all claim to it by extravagance, - imprudence—in short anything or nothing. Certain it is, that the - living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to - hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no less - certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done - anything to deserve to lose it. I have a warm, unguarded temper, - and I may have spoken my opinion _of_ him, and _to_ him, too - freely. I can recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are - very different sort of men, and that he hates me.” - - “This is quite shocking! He deserves to be publicly disgraced.” - - “Some time or other he _will_ be—but it shall not be by _me_. - Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose _him_.” - - Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him - handsomer than ever as he expressed them. - - “But what,” said she, after a pause, “can have been his motive? - What can have induced him to behave so cruelly?” - - “A thorough, determined dislike of me—a dislike which I cannot - but attribute in some measure to jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy - liked me less, his son might have borne with me better; but his - father’s uncommon attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very - early in life. He had not a temper to bear the sort of - competition in which we stood—the sort of preference which was - often given me.” - - “I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this—though I have never - liked him. I had not thought so very ill of him. I had supposed - him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not - suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such - injustice, such inhumanity as this.” - - After a few minutes’ reflection, however, she continued, “I _do_ - remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of the - implacability of his resentments, of his having an unforgiving - temper. His disposition must be dreadful.” - - “I will not trust myself on the subject,” replied Wickham; “_I_ - can hardly be just to him.” - - Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, - “To treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite - of his father!” She could have added, “A young man, too, like - _you_, whose very countenance may vouch for your being - amiable”—but she contented herself with, “and one, too, who had - probably been his companion from childhood, connected together, - as I think you said, in the closest manner!” - - “We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the - greatest part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the - same house, sharing the same amusements, objects of the same - parental care. _My_ father began life in the profession which - your uncle, Mr. Phillips, appears to do so much credit to—but he - gave up everything to be of use to the late Mr. Darcy and devoted - all his time to the care of the Pemberley property. He was most - highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most intimate, confidential - friend. Mr. Darcy often acknowledged himself to be under the - greatest obligations to my father’s active superintendence, and - when, immediately before my father’s death, Mr. Darcy gave him a - voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced that he - felt it to be as much a debt of gratitude to _him_, as of his - affection to myself.” - - “How strange!” cried Elizabeth. “How abominable! I wonder that - the very pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him just to you! If - from no better motive, that he should not have been too proud to - be dishonest—for dishonesty I must call it.” - - “It _is_ wonderful,” replied Wickham, “for almost all his actions - may be traced to pride; and pride had often been his best friend. - It has connected him nearer with virtue than with any other - feeling. But we are none of us consistent, and in his behaviour - to me there were stronger impulses even than pride.” - - “Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him good?” - - “Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, to give - his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, - and relieve the poor. Family pride, and _filial_ pride—for he is - very proud of what his father was—have done this. Not to appear - to disgrace his family, to degenerate from the popular qualities, - or lose the influence of the Pemberley House, is a powerful - motive. He has also _brotherly_ pride, which, with _some_ - brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and careful guardian - of his sister, and you will hear him generally cried up as the - most attentive and best of brothers.” - - “What sort of girl is Miss Darcy?” - - He shook his head. “I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me - pain to speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her - brother—very, very proud. As a child, she was affectionate and - pleasing, and extremely fond of me; and I have devoted hours and - hours to her amusement. But she is nothing to me now. She is a - handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, - highly accomplished. Since her father’s death, her home has been - London, where a lady lives with her, and superintends her - education.” - - After many pauses and many trials of other subjects, Elizabeth - could not help reverting once more to the first, and saying: - - “I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. - Bingley, who seems good humour itself, and is, I really believe, - truly amiable, be in friendship with such a man? How can they - suit each other? Do you know Mr. Bingley?” - - “Not at all.” - - “He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know - what Mr. Darcy is.” - - “Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He does - not want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he - thinks it worth his while. Among those who are at all his equals - in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the - less prosperous. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich - he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and - perhaps agreeable—allowing something for fortune and figure.” - - The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered - round the other table and Mr. Collins took his station between - his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs. Phillips. The usual enquiries as to - his success were made by the latter. It had not been very great; - he had lost every point; but when Mrs. Phillips began to express - her concern thereupon, he assured her with much earnest gravity - that it was not of the least importance, that he considered the - money as a mere trifle, and begged that she would not make - herself uneasy. - - “I know very well, madam,” said he, “that when persons sit down - to a card-table, they must take their chances of these things, - and happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five - shillings any object. There are undoubtedly many who could not - say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I am - removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters.” - - Mr. Wickham’s attention was caught; and after observing Mr. - Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice - whether her relation was very intimately acquainted with the - family of de Bourgh. - - “Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” she replied, “has very lately given - him a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first introduced - to her notice, but he certainly has not known her long.” - - “You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne - Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present - Mr. Darcy.” - - “No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine’s - connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before - yesterday.” - - “Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, - and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two - estates.” - - This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor - Miss Bingley. Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and - useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself, - if he were already self-destined for another. - - “Mr. Collins,” said she, “speaks highly both of Lady Catherine - and her daughter; but from some particulars that he has related - of her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that - in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, - conceited woman.” - - “I believe her to be both in a great degree,” replied Wickham; “I - have not seen her for many years, but I very well remember that I - never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and - insolent. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and - clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities - from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner, - and the rest from the pride of her nephew, who chooses that - everyone connected with him should have an understanding of the - first class.” - - Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of - it, and they continued talking together, with mutual satisfaction - till supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies - their share of Mr. Wickham’s attentions. There could be no - conversation in the noise of Mrs. Phillips’s supper party, but - his manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was - said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went - away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of - Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home; but - there was not time for her even to mention his name as they went, - for neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were once silent. Lydia talked - incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the - fish she had won; and Mr. Collins in describing the civility of - Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, protesting that he did not in the least - regard his losses at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, - and repeatedly fearing that he crowded his cousins, had more to - say than he could well manage before the carriage stopped at - Longbourn House. - - - - -Chapter 17 - - Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what had passed between - Mr. Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and - concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so - unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her - nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable - appearance as Wickham. The possibility of his having endured such - unkindness, was enough to interest all her tender feelings; and - nothing remained therefore to be done, but to think well of them - both, to defend the conduct of each, and throw into the account - of accident or mistake whatever could not be otherwise explained. - - “They have both,” said she, “been deceived, I dare say, in some - way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people - have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, - impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which - may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side.” - - “Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to - say on behalf of the interested people who have probably been - concerned in the business? Do clear _them_ too, or we shall be - obliged to think ill of somebody.” - - “Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my - opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful - light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father’s favourite - in such a manner, one whom his father had promised to provide - for. It is impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had - any value for his character, could be capable of it. Can his most - intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him? Oh! no.” - - “I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley’s being imposed on, - than that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself as - he gave me last night; names, facts, everything mentioned without - ceremony. If it be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it. Besides, - there was truth in his looks.” - - “It is difficult indeed—it is distressing. One does not know what - to think.” - - “I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think.” - - But Jane could think with certainty on only one point—that Mr. - Bingley, if he _had been_ imposed on, would have much to suffer - when the affair became public. - - The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery, where this - conversation passed, by the arrival of the very persons of whom - they had been speaking; Mr. Bingley and his sisters came to give - their personal invitation for the long-expected ball at - Netherfield, which was fixed for the following Tuesday. The two - ladies were delighted to see their dear friend again, called it - an age since they had met, and repeatedly asked what she had been - doing with herself since their separation. To the rest of the - family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet as much - as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to - the others. They were soon gone again, rising from their seats - with an activity which took their brother by surprise, and - hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet’s civilities. - - The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to - every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as - given in compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly - flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, - instead of a ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy - evening in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of - their brother; and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a - great deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of - everything in Mr. Darcy’s look and behaviour. The happiness - anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended less on any single - event, or any particular person, for though they each, like - Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham, he - was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a - ball was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her - family that she had no disinclination for it. - - “While I can have my mornings to myself,” said she, “it is - enough—I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening - engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself - one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement - as desirable for everybody.” - - Elizabeth’s spirits were so high on this occasion, that though - she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could - not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley’s - invitation, and if he did, whether he would think it proper to - join in the evening’s amusement; and she was rather surprised to - find that he entertained no scruple whatever on that head, and - was very far from dreading a rebuke either from the Archbishop, - or Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by venturing to dance. - - “I am by no means of the opinion, I assure you,” said he, “that a - ball of this kind, given by a young man of character, to - respectable people, can have any evil tendency; and I am so far - from objecting to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be - honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of - the evening; and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, - Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially, a preference - which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right cause, - and not to any disrespect for her.” - - Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully - proposed being engaged by Mr. Wickham for those very dances; and - to have Mr. Collins instead! her liveliness had never been worse - timed. There was no help for it, however. Mr. Wickham’s happiness - and her own were perforce delayed a little longer, and Mr. - Collins’s proposal accepted with as good a grace as she could. - She was not the better pleased with his gallantry from the idea - it suggested of something more. It now first struck her, that - _she_ was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being - mistress of Hunsford Parsonage, and of assisting to form a - quadrille table at Rosings, in the absence of more eligible - visitors. The idea soon reached to conviction, as she observed - his increasing civilities toward herself, and heard his frequent - attempt at a compliment on her wit and vivacity; and though more - astonished than gratified herself by this effect of her charms, - it was not long before her mother gave her to understand that the - probability of their marriage was extremely agreeable to _her_. - Elizabeth, however, did not choose to take the hint, being well - aware that a serious dispute must be the consequence of any - reply. Mr. Collins might never make the offer, and till he did, - it was useless to quarrel about him. - - If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for and talk - of, the younger Miss Bennets would have been in a very pitiable - state at this time, for from the day of the invitation, to the - day of the ball, there was such a succession of rain as prevented - their walking to Meryton once. No aunt, no officers, no news - could be sought after—the very shoe-roses for Netherfield were - got by proxy. Even Elizabeth might have found some trial of her - patience in weather which totally suspended the improvement of - her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham; and nothing less than a dance - on Tuesday, could have made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and - Monday endurable to Kitty and Lydia. - - - - -Chapter 18 - - Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield, and - looked in vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats - there assembled, a doubt of his being present had never occurred - to her. The certainty of meeting him had not been checked by any - of those recollections that might not unreasonably have alarmed - her. She had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in - the highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained - unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more than might - be won in the course of the evening. But in an instant arose the - dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy’s - pleasure in the Bingleys’ invitation to the officers; and though - this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence - was pronounced by his friend Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly - applied, and who told them that Wickham had been obliged to go to - town on business the day before, and was not yet returned; - adding, with a significant smile, “I do not imagine his business - would have called him away just now, if he had not wanted to - avoid a certain gentleman here.” - - This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia, was - caught by Elizabeth, and, as it assured her that Darcy was not - less answerable for Wickham’s absence than if her first surmise - had been just, every feeling of displeasure against the former - was so sharpened by immediate disappointment, that she could - hardly reply with tolerable civility to the polite enquiries - which he directly afterwards approached to make. Attendance, - forbearance, patience with Darcy, was injury to Wickham. She was - resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned - away with a degree of ill-humour which she could not wholly - surmount even in speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind partiality - provoked her. - - But Elizabeth was not formed for ill-humour; and though every - prospect of her own was destroyed for the evening, it could not - dwell long on her spirits; and having told all her griefs to - Charlotte Lucas, whom she had not seen for a week, she was soon - able to make a voluntary transition to the oddities of her - cousin, and to point him out to her particular notice. The first - two dances, however, brought a return of distress; they were - dances of mortification. Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn, - apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong without - being aware of it, gave her all the shame and misery which a - disagreeable partner for a couple of dances can give. The moment - of her release from him was ecstasy. - - She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of - talking of Wickham, and of hearing that he was universally liked. - When those dances were over, she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and - was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly - addressed by Mr. Darcy who took her so much by surprise in his - application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did, she - accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was left - to fret over her own want of presence of mind; Charlotte tried to - console her: - - “I dare say you will find him very agreeable.” - - “Heaven forbid! _That_ would be the greatest misfortune of all! - To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not - wish me such an evil.” - - When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy approached to - claim her hand, Charlotte could not help cautioning her in a - whisper, not to be a simpleton, and allow her fancy for Wickham - to make her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man ten times his - consequence. Elizabeth made no answer, and took her place in the - set, amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived in being - allowed to stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and reading in her - neighbours’ looks, their equal amazement in beholding it. They - stood for some time without speaking a word; and she began to - imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances, - and at first was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancying - that it would be the greater punishment to her partner to oblige - him to talk, she made some slight observation on the dance. He - replied, and was again silent. After a pause of some minutes, she - addressed him a second time with:—“It is _your_ turn to say - something now, Mr. Darcy. _I_ talked about the dance, and _you_ - ought to make some sort of remark on the size of the room, or the - number of couples.” - - He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say - should be said. - - “Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and by - I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public - ones. But _now_ we may be silent.” - - “Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?” - - “Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd - to be entirely silent for half an hour together; and yet for the - advantage of _some_, conversation ought to be so arranged, as - that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible.” - - “Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do - you imagine that you are gratifying mine?” - - “Both,” replied Elizabeth archly; “for I have always seen a great - similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, - taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say - something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to - posterity with all the _éclat_ of a proverb.” - - “This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am - sure,” said he. “How near it may be to _mine_, I cannot pretend - to say. _You_ think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly.” - - “I must not decide on my own performance.” - - He made no answer, and they were again silent till they had gone - down the dance, when he asked her if she and her sisters did not - very often walk to Meryton. She answered in the affirmative, and, - unable to resist the temptation, added, “When you met us there - the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance.” - - The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of _hauteur_ overspread - his features, but he said not a word, and Elizabeth, though - blaming herself for her own weakness, could not go on. At length - Darcy spoke, and in a constrained manner said, “Mr. Wickham is - blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his _making_ - friends—whether he may be equally capable of _retaining_ them, is - less certain.” - - “He has been so unlucky as to lose _your_ friendship,” replied - Elizabeth with emphasis, “and in a manner which he is likely to - suffer from all his life.” - - Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing the - subject. At that moment, Sir William Lucas appeared close to - them, meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the - room; but on perceiving Mr. Darcy, he stopped with a bow of - superior courtesy to compliment him on his dancing and his - partner. - - “I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such very - superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong - to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair - partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this - pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable - event, my dear Eliza (glancing at her sister and Bingley) shall - take place. What congratulations will then flow in! I appeal to - Mr. Darcy:—but let me not interrupt you, sir. You will not thank - me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young - lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me.” - - The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy; but - Sir William’s allusion to his friend seemed to strike him - forcibly, and his eyes were directed with a very serious - expression towards Bingley and Jane, who were dancing together. - Recovering himself, however, shortly, he turned to his partner, - and said, “Sir William’s interruption has made me forget what we - were talking of.” - - “I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William could not - have interrupted two people in the room who had less to say for - themselves. We have tried two or three subjects already without - success, and what we are to talk of next I cannot imagine.” - - “What think you of books?” said he, smiling. - - “Books—oh! no. I am sure we never read the same, or not with the - same feelings.” - - “I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at - least be no want of subject. We may compare our different - opinions.” - - “No—I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head is always full - of something else.” - - “The _present_ always occupies you in such scenes—does it?” said - he, with a look of doubt. - - “Yes, always,” she replied, without knowing what she said, for - her thoughts had wandered far from the subject, as soon - afterwards appeared by her suddenly exclaiming, “I remember - hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy, that you hardly ever forgave, - that your resentment once created was unappeasable. You are very - cautious, I suppose, as to its _being created?_” - - “I am,” said he, with a firm voice. - - “And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?” - - “I hope not.” - - “It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their - opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.” - - “May I ask to what these questions tend?” - - “Merely to the illustration of _your_ character,” said she, - endeavouring to shake off her gravity. “I am trying to make it - out.” - - “And what is your success?” - - She shook her head. “I do not get on at all. I hear such - different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.” - - “I can readily believe,” answered he gravely, “that reports may - vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, - that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, - as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no - credit on either.” - - “But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another - opportunity.” - - “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,” he coldly - replied. She said no more, and they went down the other dance and - parted in silence; and on each side dissatisfied, though not to - an equal degree, for in Darcy’s breast there was a tolerably - powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and - directed all his anger against another. - - They had not long separated, when Miss Bingley came towards her, - and with an expression of civil disdain accosted her: - - “So, Miss Eliza, I hear you are quite delighted with George - Wickham! Your sister has been talking to me about him, and asking - me a thousand questions; and I find that the young man quite - forgot to tell you, among his other communication, that he was - the son of old Wickham, the late Mr. Darcy’s steward. Let me - recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit - confidence to all his assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy’s using him - ill, it is perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has always - been remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham has treated - Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. I do not know the - particulars, but I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not in the - least to blame, that he cannot bear to hear George Wickham - mentioned, and that though my brother thought that he could not - well avoid including him in his invitation to the officers, he - was excessively glad to find that he had taken himself out of the - way. His coming into the country at all is a most insolent thing, - indeed, and I wonder how he could presume to do it. I pity you, - Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite’s guilt; but - really, considering his descent, one could not expect much - better.” - - “His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the - same,” said Elizabeth angrily; “for I have heard you accuse him - of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy’s steward, - and of _that_, I can assure you, he informed me himself.” - - “I beg your pardon,” replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a - sneer. “Excuse my interference—it was kindly meant.” - - “Insolent girl!” said Elizabeth to herself. “You are much - mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as - this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the - malice of Mr. Darcy.” She then sought her eldest sister, who had - undertaken to make enquiries on the same subject of Bingley. Jane - met her with a smile of such sweet complacency, a glow of such - happy expression, as sufficiently marked how well she was - satisfied with the occurrences of the evening. Elizabeth - instantly read her feelings, and at that moment solicitude for - Wickham, resentment against his enemies, and everything else, - gave way before the hope of Jane’s being in the fairest way for - happiness. - - “I want to know,” said she, with a countenance no less smiling - than her sister’s, “what you have learnt about Mr. Wickham. But - perhaps you have been too pleasantly engaged to think of any - third person; in which case you may be sure of my pardon.” - - “No,” replied Jane, “I have not forgotten him; but I have nothing - satisfactory to tell you. Mr. Bingley does not know the whole of - his history, and is quite ignorant of the circumstances which - have principally offended Mr. Darcy; but he will vouch for the - good conduct, the probity, and honour of his friend, and is - perfectly convinced that Mr. Wickham has deserved much less - attention from Mr. Darcy than he has received; and I am sorry to - say by his account as well as his sister’s, Mr. Wickham is by no - means a respectable young man. I am afraid he has been very - imprudent, and has deserved to lose Mr. Darcy’s regard.” - - “Mr. Bingley does not know Mr. Wickham himself?” - - “No; he never saw him till the other morning at Meryton.” - - “This account then is what he has received from Mr. Darcy. I am - satisfied. But what does he say of the living?” - - “He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has - heard them from Mr. Darcy more than once, but he believes that it - was left to him _conditionally_ only.” - - “I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley’s sincerity,” said Elizabeth - warmly; “but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances - only. Mr. Bingley’s defense of his friend was a very able one, I - dare say; but since he is unacquainted with several parts of the - story, and has learnt the rest from that friend himself, I shall - venture to still think of both gentlemen as I did before.” - - She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each, - and on which there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth - listened with delight to the happy, though modest hopes which - Jane entertained of Mr. Bingley’s regard, and said all in her - power to heighten her confidence in it. On their being joined by - Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew to Miss Lucas; to whose - enquiry after the pleasantness of her last partner she had - scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them, and told - her with great exultation that he had just been so fortunate as - to make a most important discovery. - - “I have found out,” said he, “by a singular accident, that there - is now in the room a near relation of my patroness. I happened to - overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who - does the honours of the house the names of his cousin Miss de - Bourgh, and of her mother Lady Catherine. How wonderfully these - sort of things occur! Who would have thought of my meeting with, - perhaps, a nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in this assembly! I - am most thankful that the discovery is made in time for me to pay - my respects to him, which I am now going to do, and trust he will - excuse my not having done it before. My total ignorance of the - connection must plead my apology.” - - “You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy!” - - “Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it - earlier. I believe him to be Lady Catherine’s _nephew_. It will - be in my power to assure him that her ladyship was quite well - yesterday se’nnight.” - - Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme, assuring - him that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without - introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment - to his aunt; that it was not in the least necessary there should - be any notice on either side; and that if it were, it must belong - to Mr. Darcy, the superior in consequence, to begin the - acquaintance. Mr. Collins listened to her with the determined air - of following his own inclination, and, when she ceased speaking, - replied thus: - - “My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world - in your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of - your understanding; but permit me to say, that there must be a - wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst - the laity, and those which regulate the clergy; for, give me - leave to observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in - point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom—provided - that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time - maintained. You must therefore allow me to follow the dictates of - my conscience on this occasion, which leads me to perform what I - look on as a point of duty. Pardon me for neglecting to profit by - your advice, which on every other subject shall be my constant - guide, though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted - by education and habitual study to decide on what is right than a - young lady like yourself.” And with a low bow he left her to - attack Mr. Darcy, whose reception of his advances she eagerly - watched, and whose astonishment at being so addressed was very - evident. Her cousin prefaced his speech with a solemn bow and - though she could not hear a word of it, she felt as if hearing it - all, and saw in the motion of his lips the words “apology,” - “Hunsford,” and “Lady Catherine de Bourgh.” It vexed her to see - him expose himself to such a man. Mr. Darcy was eyeing him with - unrestrained wonder, and when at last Mr. Collins allowed him - time to speak, replied with an air of distant civility. Mr. - Collins, however, was not discouraged from speaking again, and - Mr. Darcy’s contempt seemed abundantly increasing with the length - of his second speech, and at the end of it he only made him a - slight bow, and moved another way. Mr. Collins then returned to - Elizabeth. - - “I have no reason, I assure you,” said he, “to be dissatisfied - with my reception. Mr. Darcy seemed much pleased with the - attention. He answered me with the utmost civility, and even paid - me the compliment of saying that he was so well convinced of Lady - Catherine’s discernment as to be certain she could never bestow a - favour unworthily. It was really a very handsome thought. Upon - the whole, I am much pleased with him.” - - As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to pursue, she - turned her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr. - Bingley; and the train of agreeable reflections which her - observations gave birth to, made her perhaps almost as happy as - Jane. She saw her in idea settled in that very house, in all the - felicity which a marriage of true affection could bestow; and she - felt capable, under such circumstances, of endeavouring even to - like Bingley’s two sisters. Her mother’s thoughts she plainly saw - were bent the same way, and she determined not to venture near - her, lest she might hear too much. When they sat down to supper, - therefore, she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which - placed them within one of each other; and deeply was she vexed to - find that her mother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas) - freely, openly, and of nothing else but her expectation that Jane - would soon be married to Mr. Bingley. It was an animating - subject, and Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while - enumerating the advantages of the match. His being such a - charming young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from - them, were the first points of self-gratulation; and then it was - such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of Jane, - and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as - she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her - younger daughters, as Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them - in the way of other rich men; and lastly, it was so pleasant at - her time of life to be able to consign her single daughters to - the care of their sister, that she might not be obliged to go - into company more than she liked. It was necessary to make this - circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on such occasions it - is the etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs. Bennet to - find comfort in staying home at any period of her life. She - concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be - equally fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing - there was no chance of it. - - In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her - mother’s words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a - less audible whisper; for, to her inexpressible vexation, she - could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, - who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for being - nonsensical. - - “What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I - am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged - to say nothing _he_ may not like to hear.” - - “For heaven’s sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be - for you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to - his friend by so doing!” - - Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her - mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. - Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation. She - could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though - every glance convinced her of what she dreaded; for though he was - not always looking at her mother, she was convinced that his - attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression of his face - changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and - steady gravity. - - At length, however, Mrs. Bennet had no more to say; and Lady - Lucas, who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights - which she saw no likelihood of sharing, was left to the comforts - of cold ham and chicken. Elizabeth now began to revive. But not - long was the interval of tranquillity; for, when supper was over, - singing was talked of, and she had the mortification of seeing - Mary, after very little entreaty, preparing to oblige the - company. By many significant looks and silent entreaties, did she - endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance, but in vain; - Mary would not understand them; such an opportunity of exhibiting - was delightful to her, and she began her song. Elizabeth’s eyes - were fixed on her with most painful sensations, and she watched - her progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which - was very ill rewarded at their close; for Mary, on receiving, - amongst the thanks of the table, the hint of a hope that she - might be prevailed on to favour them again, after the pause of - half a minute began another. Mary’s powers were by no means - fitted for such a display; her voice was weak, and her manner - affected. Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked at Jane, to see - how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley. - She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making signs of - derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued, however, - imperturbably grave. She looked at her father to entreat his - interference, lest Mary should be singing all night. He took the - hint, and when Mary had finished her second song, said aloud, - “That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long - enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.” - - Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; - and Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for her father’s speech, - was afraid her anxiety had done no good. Others of the party were - now applied to. - - “If I,” said Mr. Collins, “were so fortunate as to be able to - sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the - company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent - diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a - clergyman. I do not mean, however, to assert that we can be - justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for there - are certainly other things to be attended to. The rector of a - parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make such an - agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not - offensive to his patron. He must write his own sermons; and the - time that remains will not be too much for his parish duties, and - the care and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be - excused from making as comfortable as possible. And I do not - think it of light importance that he should have attentive and - conciliatory manners towards everybody, especially towards those - to whom he owes his preferment. I cannot acquit him of that duty; - nor could I think well of the man who should omit an occasion of - testifying his respect towards anybody connected with the - family.” And with a bow to Mr. Darcy, he concluded his speech, - which had been spoken so loud as to be heard by half the room. - Many stared—many smiled; but no one looked more amused than Mr. - Bennet himself, while his wife seriously commended Mr. Collins - for having spoken so sensibly, and observed in a half-whisper to - Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably clever, good kind of young - man. - - To Elizabeth it appeared that, had her family made an agreement - to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it - would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more - spirit or finer success; and happy did she think it for Bingley - and her sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his - notice, and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much - distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed. That his - two sisters and Mr. Darcy, however, should have such an - opportunity of ridiculing her relations, was bad enough, and she - could not determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman, - or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were more intolerable. - - The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was - teased by Mr. Collins, who continued most perseveringly by her - side, and though he could not prevail on her to dance with him - again, put it out of her power to dance with others. In vain did - she entreat him to stand up with somebody else, and offer to - introduce him to any young lady in the room. He assured her, that - as to dancing, he was perfectly indifferent to it; that his chief - object was by delicate attentions to recommend himself to her and - that he should therefore make a point of remaining close to her - the whole evening. There was no arguing upon such a project. She - owed her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas, who often - joined them, and good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins’s - conversation to herself. - - She was at least free from the offense of Mr. Darcy’s further - notice; though often standing within a very short distance of - her, quite disengaged, he never came near enough to speak. She - felt it to be the probable consequence of her allusions to Mr. - Wickham, and rejoiced in it. - - The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart, - and, by a manoeuvre of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their - carriage a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone, - which gave them time to see how heartily they were wished away by - some of the family. Mrs. Hurst and her sister scarcely opened - their mouths, except to complain of fatigue, and were evidently - impatient to have the house to themselves. They repulsed every - attempt of Mrs. Bennet at conversation, and by so doing threw a - languor over the whole party, which was very little relieved by - the long speeches of Mr. Collins, who was complimenting Mr. - Bingley and his sisters on the elegance of their entertainment, - and the hospitality and politeness which had marked their - behaviour to their guests. Darcy said nothing at all. Mr. Bennet, - in equal silence, was enjoying the scene. Mr. Bingley and Jane - were standing together, a little detached from the rest, and - talked only to each other. Elizabeth preserved as steady a - silence as either Mrs. Hurst or Miss Bingley; and even Lydia was - too much fatigued to utter more than the occasional exclamation - of “Lord, how tired I am!” accompanied by a violent yawn. - - When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet was most - pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at - Longbourn, and addressed herself especially to Mr. Bingley, to - assure him how happy he would make them by eating a family dinner - with them at any time, without the ceremony of a formal - invitation. Bingley was all grateful pleasure, and he readily - engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on her, - after his return from London, whither he was obliged to go the - next day for a short time. - - Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the house under - the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary - preparations of settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, - she should undoubtedly see her daughter settled at Netherfield in - the course of three or four months. Of having another daughter - married to Mr. Collins, she thought with equal certainty, and - with considerable, though not equal, pleasure. Elizabeth was the - least dear to her of all her children; and though the man and the - match were quite good enough for _her_, the worth of each was - eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield. - - - - -Chapter 19 - - The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins made - his declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without loss of - time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following - Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidence to make it - distressing to himself even at the moment, he set about it in a - very orderly manner, with all the observances, which he supposed - a regular part of the business. On finding Mrs. Bennet, - Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon after - breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words: - - “May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter - Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience - with her in the course of this morning?” - - Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, - Mrs. Bennet answered instantly, “Oh dear!—yes—certainly. I am - sure Lizzy will be very happy—I am sure she can have no - objection. Come, Kitty, I want you up stairs.” And, gathering her - work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth called out: - - “Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must - excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not - hear. I am going away myself.” - - “No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are.” - And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed - looks, about to escape, she added: “Lizzy, I _insist_ upon your - staying and hearing Mr. Collins.” - - Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction—and a moment’s - consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to - get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down - again and tried to conceal, by incessant employment the feelings - which were divided between distress and diversion. Mrs. Bennet - and Kitty walked off, and as soon as they were gone, Mr. Collins - began. - - “Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far - from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other - perfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes had - there _not_ been this little unwillingness; but allow me to - assure you, that I have your respected mother’s permission for - this address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse, - however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my - attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as - I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my - future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on this - subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasons - for marrying—and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with - the design of selecting a wife, as I certainly did.” - - The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run - away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing, that - she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to - stop him further, and he continued: - - “My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right - thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to - set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am - convinced that it will add very greatly to my happiness; and - thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it - is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble - lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she - condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!) on this - subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left - Hunsford—between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was - arranging Miss de Bourgh’s footstool, that she said, ‘Mr. - Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose - properly, choose a gentlewoman for _my_ sake; and for your _own_, - let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, - but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. - Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and - I will visit her.’ Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair - cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady - Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my - power to offer. You will find her manners beyond anything I can - describe; and your wit and vivacity, I think, must be acceptable - to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect - which her rank will inevitably excite. Thus much for my general - intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my - views were directed towards Longbourn instead of my own - neighbourhood, where I can assure you there are many amiable - young women. But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit - this estate after the death of your honoured father (who, - however, may live many years longer), I could not satisfy myself - without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that - the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the - melancholy event takes place—which, however, as I have already - said, may not be for several years. This has been my motive, my - fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your - esteem. And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the - most animated language of the violence of my affection. To - fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of - that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could - not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the four - per cents, which will not be yours till after your mother’s - decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head, - therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure - yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when - we are married.” - - It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now. - - “You are too hasty, sir,” she cried. “You forget that I have made - no answer. Let me do it without further loss of time. Accept my - thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible - of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to - do otherwise than to decline them.” - - “I am not now to learn,” replied Mr. Collins, with a formal wave - of the hand, “that it is usual with young ladies to reject the - addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he - first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is - repeated a second, or even a third time. I am therefore by no - means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to - lead you to the altar ere long.” - - “Upon my word, sir,” cried Elizabeth, “your hope is a rather - extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am - not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) - who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of - being asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. - You could not make _me_ happy, and I am convinced that I am the - last woman in the world who could make you so. Nay, were your - friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find - me in every respect ill qualified for the situation.” - - “Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so,” said Mr. - Collins very gravely—“but I cannot imagine that her ladyship - would at all disapprove of you. And you may be certain when I - have the honour of seeing her again, I shall speak in the very - highest terms of your modesty, economy, and other amiable - qualification.” - - “Indeed, Mr. Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary. You - must give me leave to judge for myself, and pay me the compliment - of believing what I say. I wish you very happy and very rich, and - by refusing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being - otherwise. In making me the offer, you must have satisfied the - delicacy of your feelings with regard to my family, and may take - possession of Longbourn estate whenever it falls, without any - self-reproach. This matter may be considered, therefore, as - finally settled.” And rising as she thus spoke, she would have - quitted the room, had Mr. Collins not thus addressed her: - - “When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the - subject, I shall hope to receive a more favourable answer than - you have now given me; though I am far from accusing you of - cruelty at present, because I know it to be the established - custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and - perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as - would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female - character.” - - “Really, Mr. Collins,” cried Elizabeth with some warmth, “you - puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to - you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my - refusal in such a way as to convince you of its being one.” - - “You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that - your refusal of my addresses is merely words of course. My - reasons for believing it are briefly these: It does not appear to - me that my hand is unworthy of your acceptance, or that the - establishment I can offer would be any other than highly - desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family - of de Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances - highly in my favour; and you should take it into further - consideration, that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is - by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be - made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all - likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable - qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not - serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it - to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the - usual practice of elegant females.” - - “I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to - that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable - man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed - sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have done - me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely - impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak - plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending - to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth - from her heart.” - - “You are uniformly charming!” cried he, with an air of awkward - gallantry; “and I am persuaded that when sanctioned by the - express authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals - will not fail of being acceptable.” - - To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would - make no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew; - determined, if he persisted in considering her repeated refusals - as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose - negative might be uttered in such a manner as to be decisive, and - whose behaviour at least could not be mistaken for the - affectation and coquetry of an elegant female. - - - - -Chapter 20 - - Mr. Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his - successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the - vestibule to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw - Elizabeth open the door and with quick step pass her towards the - staircase, than she entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated - both him and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their - nearer connection. Mr. Collins received and returned these - felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate - the particulars of their interview, with the result of which he - trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal - which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow - from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her - character. - - This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet; she would have - been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to - encourage him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared - not believe it, and could not help saying so. - - “But, depend upon it, Mr. Collins,” she added, “that Lizzy shall - be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it directly. She - is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own - interest but I will _make_ her know it.” - - “Pardon me for interrupting you, madam,” cried Mr. Collins; “but - if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she - would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my - situation, who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage - state. If therefore she actually persists in rejecting my suit, - perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me, - because if liable to such defects of temper, she could not - contribute much to my felicity.” - - “Sir, you quite misunderstand me,” said Mrs. Bennet, alarmed. - “Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything - else she is as good-natured a girl as ever lived. I will go - directly to Mr. Bennet, and we shall very soon settle it with - her, I am sure.” - - She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to - her husband, called out as she entered the library, “Oh! Mr. - Bennet, you are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You - must come and make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will - not have him, and if you do not make haste he will change his - mind and not have _her_.” - - Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and - fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern which was not in the - least altered by her communication. - - “I have not the pleasure of understanding you,” said he, when she - had finished her speech. “Of what are you talking?” - - “Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. - Collins, and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have - Lizzy.” - - “And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems an hopeless - business.” - - “Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon - her marrying him.” - - “Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.” - - Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was summoned to the - library. - - “Come here, child,” cried her father as she appeared. “I have - sent for you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. - Collins has made you an offer of marriage. Is it true?” Elizabeth - replied that it was. “Very well—and this offer of marriage you - have refused?” - - “I have, sir.” - - “Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon - your accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?” - - “Yes, or I will never see her again.” - - “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day - you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will - never see you again if you do _not_ marry Mr. Collins, and I will - never see you again if you _do_.” - - Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a - beginning, but Mrs. Bennet, who had persuaded herself that her - husband regarded the affair as she wished, was excessively - disappointed. - - “What do you mean, Mr. Bennet, in talking this way? You promised - me to _insist_ upon her marrying him.” - - “My dear,” replied her husband, “I have two small favours to - request. First, that you will allow me the free use of my - understanding on the present occasion; and secondly, of my room. - I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be.” - - Not yet, however, in spite of her disappointment in her husband, - did Mrs. Bennet give up the point. She talked to Elizabeth again - and again; coaxed and threatened her by turns. She endeavoured to - secure Jane in her interest; but Jane, with all possible - mildness, declined interfering; and Elizabeth, sometimes with - real earnestness, and sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to - her attacks. Though her manner varied, however, her determination - never did. - - Mr. Collins, meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on what had - passed. He thought too well of himself to comprehend on what - motives his cousin could refuse him; and though his pride was - hurt, he suffered in no other way. His regard for her was quite - imaginary; and the possibility of her deserving her mother’s - reproach prevented his feeling any regret. - - While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte Lucas came to - spend the day with them. She was met in the vestibule by Lydia, - who, flying to her, cried in a half whisper, “I am glad you are - come, for there is such fun here! What do you think has happened - this morning? Mr. Collins has made an offer to Lizzy, and she - will not have him.” - - Charlotte hardly had time to answer, before they were joined by - Kitty, who came to tell the same news; and no sooner had they - entered the breakfast-room, where Mrs. Bennet was alone, than she - likewise began on the subject, calling on Miss Lucas for her - compassion, and entreating her to persuade her friend Lizzy to - comply with the wishes of all her family. “Pray do, my dear Miss - Lucas,” she added in a melancholy tone, “for nobody is on my - side, nobody takes part with me. I am cruelly used, nobody feels - for my poor nerves.” - - Charlotte’s reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and - Elizabeth. - - “Aye, there she comes,” continued Mrs. Bennet, “looking as - unconcerned as may be, and caring no more for us than if we were - at York, provided she can have her own way. But I tell you, Miss - Lizzy—if you take it into your head to go on refusing every offer - of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all—and - I am sure I do not know who is to maintain you when your father - is dead. _I_ shall not be able to keep you—and so I warn you. I - have done with you from this very day. I told you in the library, - you know, that I should never speak to you again, and you will - find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to - undutiful children. Not that I have much pleasure, indeed, in - talking to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous - complaints can have no great inclination for talking. Nobody can - tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not - complain are never pitied.” - - Her daughters listened in silence to this effusion, sensible that - any attempt to reason with her or soothe her would only increase - the irritation. She talked on, therefore, without interruption - from any of them, till they were joined by Mr. Collins, who - entered the room with an air more stately than usual, and on - perceiving whom, she said to the girls, “Now, I do insist upon - it, that you, all of you, hold your tongues, and let me and Mr. - Collins have a little conversation together.” - - Elizabeth passed quietly out of the room, Jane and Kitty - followed, but Lydia stood her ground, determined to hear all she - could; and Charlotte, detained first by the civility of Mr. - Collins, whose enquiries after herself and all her family were - very minute, and then by a little curiosity, satisfied herself - with walking to the window and pretending not to hear. In a - doleful voice Mrs. Bennet began the projected conversation: “Oh! - Mr. Collins!” - - “My dear madam,” replied he, “let us be for ever silent on this - point. Far be it from me,” he presently continued, in a voice - that marked his displeasure, “to resent the behaviour of your - daughter. Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty of us all; - the peculiar duty of a young man who has been so fortunate as I - have been in early preferment; and I trust I am resigned. Perhaps - not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness had - my fair cousin honoured me with her hand; for I have often - observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the - blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our - estimation. You will not, I hope, consider me as showing any - disrespect to your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawing my - pretensions to your daughter’s favour, without having paid - yourself and Mr. Bennet the compliment of requesting you to - interpose your authority in my behalf. My conduct may, I fear, be - objectionable in having accepted my dismission from your - daughter’s lips instead of your own. But we are all liable to - error. I have certainly meant well through the whole affair. My - object has been to secure an amiable companion for myself, with - due consideration for the advantage of all your family, and if my - _manner_ has been at all reprehensible, I here beg leave to - apologise.” - - - - -Chapter 21 - - The discussion of Mr. Collins’s offer was now nearly at an end, - and Elizabeth had only to suffer from the uncomfortable feelings - necessarily attending it, and occasionally from some peevish - allusions of her mother. As for the gentleman himself, _his_ - feelings were chiefly expressed, not by embarrassment or - dejection, or by trying to avoid her, but by stiffness of manner - and resentful silence. He scarcely ever spoke to her, and the - assiduous attentions which he had been so sensible of himself - were transferred for the rest of the day to Miss Lucas, whose - civility in listening to him was a seasonable relief to them all, - and especially to her friend. - - The morrow produced no abatement of Mrs. Bennet’s ill-humour or - ill health. Mr. Collins was also in the same state of angry - pride. Elizabeth had hoped that his resentment might shorten his - visit, but his plan did not appear in the least affected by it. - He was always to have gone on Saturday, and to Saturday he meant - to stay. - - After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton to enquire if Mr. - Wickham were returned, and to lament over his absence from the - Netherfield ball. He joined them on their entering the town, and - attended them to their aunt’s where his regret and vexation, and - the concern of everybody, was well talked over. To Elizabeth, - however, he voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his - absence _had_ been self-imposed. - - “I found,” said he, “as the time drew near that I had better not - meet Mr. Darcy; that to be in the same room, the same party with - him for so many hours together, might be more than I could bear, - and that scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself.” - - She highly approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a - full discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they - civilly bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer - walked back with them to Longbourn, and during the walk he - particularly attended to her. His accompanying them was a double - advantage; she felt all the compliment it offered to herself, and - it was most acceptable as an occasion of introducing him to her - father and mother. - - Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet; - it came from Netherfield. The envelope contained a sheet of - elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady’s - fair, flowing hand; and Elizabeth saw her sister’s countenance - change as she read it, and saw her dwelling intently on some - particular passages. Jane recollected herself soon, and putting - the letter away, tried to join with her usual cheerfulness in the - general conversation; but Elizabeth felt an anxiety on the - subject which drew off her attention even from Wickham; and no - sooner had he and his companion taken leave, than a glance from - Jane invited her to follow her up stairs. When they had gained - their own room, Jane, taking out the letter, said: - - “This is from Caroline Bingley; what it contains has surprised me - a good deal. The whole party have left Netherfield by this time, - and are on their way to town—and without any intention of coming - back again. You shall hear what she says.” - - She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the - information of their having just resolved to follow their brother - to town directly, and of their meaning to dine in Grosvenor - Street, where Mr. Hurst had a house. The next was in these words: - “I do not pretend to regret anything I shall leave in - Hertfordshire, except your society, my dearest friend; but we - will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that - delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may - lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most - unreserved correspondence. I depend on you for that.” To these - highflown expressions Elizabeth listened with all the - insensibility of distrust; and though the suddenness of their - removal surprised her, she saw nothing in it really to lament; it - was not to be supposed that their absence from Netherfield would - prevent Mr. Bingley’s being there; and as to the loss of their - society, she was persuaded that Jane must cease to regard it, in - the enjoyment of his. - - “It is unlucky,” said she, after a short pause, “that you should - not be able to see your friends before they leave the country. - But may we not hope that the period of future happiness to which - Miss Bingley looks forward may arrive earlier than she is aware, - and that the delightful intercourse you have known as friends - will be renewed with yet greater satisfaction as sisters? Mr. - Bingley will not be detained in London by them.” - - “Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will return into - Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you:” - - “When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business - which took him to London might be concluded in three or four - days; but as we are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time - convinced that when Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry - to leave it again, we have determined on following him thither, - that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in a - comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintances are already there for - the winter; I wish that I could hear that you, my dearest friend, - had any intention of making one of the crowd—but of that I - despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may - abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and - that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling - the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.” - - “It is evident by this,” added Jane, “that he comes back no more - this winter.” - - “It is only evident that Miss Bingley does not mean that he - _should_.” - - “Why will you think so? It must be his own doing. He is his own - master. But you do not know _all_. I _will_ read you the passage - which particularly hurts me. I will have no reserves from _you_.” - - “Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister; and, to confess the - truth, _we_ are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really - do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, - and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in Louisa and - myself is heightened into something still more interesting, from - the hope we dare entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I - do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on - this subject; but I will not leave the country without confiding - them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My - brother admires her greatly already; he will have frequent - opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing; her - relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a - sister’s partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call - Charles most capable of engaging any woman’s heart. With all - these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to - prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of - an event which will secure the happiness of so many?” - - “What do you think of _this_ sentence, my dear Lizzy?” said Jane - as she finished it. “Is it not clear enough? Does it not - expressly declare that Caroline neither expects nor wishes me to - be her sister; that she is perfectly convinced of her brother’s - indifference; and that if she suspects the nature of my feelings - for him, she means (most kindly!) to put me on my guard? Can - there be any other opinion on the subject?” - - “Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you hear - it?” - - “Most willingly.” - - “You shall have it in a few words. Miss Bingley sees that her - brother is in love with you, and wants him to marry Miss Darcy. - She follows him to town in hope of keeping him there, and tries - to persuade you that he does not care about you.” - - Jane shook her head. - - “Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. No one who has ever seen - you together can doubt his affection. Miss Bingley, I am sure, - cannot. She is not such a simpleton. Could she have seen half as - much love in Mr. Darcy for herself, she would have ordered her - wedding clothes. But the case is this: We are not rich enough or - grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss - Darcy for her brother, from the notion that when there has been - _one_ intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a - second; in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and I dare - say it would succeed, if Miss de Bourgh were out of the way. But, - my dearest Jane, you cannot seriously imagine that because Miss - Bingley tells you her brother greatly admires Miss Darcy, he is - in the smallest degree less sensible of _your_ merit than when he - took leave of you on Tuesday, or that it will be in her power to - persuade him that, instead of being in love with you, he is very - much in love with her friend.” - - “If we thought alike of Miss Bingley,” replied Jane, “your - representation of all this might make me quite easy. But I know - the foundation is unjust. Caroline is incapable of wilfully - deceiving anyone; and all that I can hope in this case is that - she is deceiving herself.” - - “That is right. You could not have started a more happy idea, - since you will not take comfort in mine. Believe her to be - deceived, by all means. You have now done your duty by her, and - must fret no longer.” - - “But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing the best, in - accepting a man whose sisters and friends are all wishing him to - marry elsewhere?” - - “You must decide for yourself,” said Elizabeth; “and if, upon - mature deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his - two sisters is more than equivalent to the happiness of being his - wife, I advise you by all means to refuse him.” - - “How can you talk so?” said Jane, faintly smiling. “You must know - that though I should be exceedingly grieved at their - disapprobation, I could not hesitate.” - - “I did not think you would; and that being the case, I cannot - consider your situation with much compassion.” - - “But if he returns no more this winter, my choice will never be - required. A thousand things may arise in six months!” - - The idea of his returning no more Elizabeth treated with the - utmost contempt. It appeared to her merely the suggestion of - Caroline’s interested wishes, and she could not for a moment - suppose that those wishes, however openly or artfully spoken, - could influence a young man so totally independent of everyone. - - She represented to her sister as forcibly as possible what she - felt on the subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its - happy effect. Jane’s temper was not desponding, and she was - gradually led to hope, though the diffidence of affection - sometimes overcame the hope, that Bingley would return to - Netherfield and answer every wish of her heart. - - They agreed that Mrs. Bennet should only hear of the departure of - the family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman’s - conduct; but even this partial communication gave her a great - deal of concern, and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that - the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting - so intimate together. After lamenting it, however, at some - length, she had the consolation that Mr. Bingley would be soon - down again and soon dining at Longbourn, and the conclusion of - all was the comfortable declaration, that though he had been - invited only to a family dinner, she would take care to have two - full courses. - - - - -Chapter 22 - - The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases and again - during the chief of the day was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen - to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. - “It keeps him in good humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged - to you than I can express.” Charlotte assured her friend of her - satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for - the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but - Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any - conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure her - from any return of Mr. Collins’s addresses, by engaging them - towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme; and appearances - were so favourable, that when they parted at night, she would - have felt almost secure of success if he had not been to leave - Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did injustice to the - fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape - out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, - and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was - anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction - that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture - his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till - its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost - secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably - encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure - of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flattering - kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked - towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally - in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love - and eloquence awaited her there. - - In as short a time as Mr. Collins’s long speeches would allow, - everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; - and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name - the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such - a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no - inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with - which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any - charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss - Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested - desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment - were gained. - - Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their - consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. - Collins’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for - their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his - prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas - began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter - had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was - likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion, - that whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the - Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and - his wife should make their appearance at St. James’s. The whole - family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The - younger girls formed hopes of _coming out_ a year or two sooner - than they might otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved - from their apprehension of Charlotte’s dying an old maid. - Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her - point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were in - general satisfactory. Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither - sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his - attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her - husband. Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, - marriage had always been her object; it was the only provision - for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however - uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest - preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; - and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been - handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable - circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to - Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any - other person. Elizabeth would wonder, and probably would blame - her; and though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings - must be hurt by such a disapprobation. She resolved to give her - the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins, when - he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had - passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of - course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without - difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst - forth in such very direct questions on his return as required - some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising - great self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous - love. - - As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any - of the family, the ceremony of leave-taking was performed when - the ladies moved for the night; and Mrs. Bennet, with great - politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see - him at Longbourn again, whenever his engagements might allow him - to visit them. - - “My dear madam,” he replied, “this invitation is particularly - gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and - you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon - as possible.” - - They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no means - wish for so speedy a return, immediately said: - - “But is there not danger of Lady Catherine’s disapprobation here, - my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the - risk of offending your patroness.” - - “My dear sir,” replied Mr. Collins, “I am particularly obliged to - you for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not - taking so material a step without her ladyship’s concurrence.” - - “You cannot be too much upon your guard. Risk anything rather - than her displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by - your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly - probable, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that _we_ shall - take no offence.” - - “Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such - affectionate attention; and depend upon it, you will speedily - receive from me a letter of thanks for this, and for every other - mark of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my - fair cousins, though my absence may not be long enough to render - it necessary, I shall now take the liberty of wishing them health - and happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizabeth.” - - With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of them - equally surprised that he meditated a quick return. Mrs. Bennet - wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his - addresses to one of her younger girls, and Mary might have been - prevailed on to accept him. She rated his abilities much higher - than any of the others; there was a solidity in his reflections - which often struck her, and though by no means so clever as - herself, she thought that if encouraged to read and improve - himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very - agreeable companion. But on the following morning, every hope of - this kind was done away. Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, - and in a private conference with Elizabeth related the event of - the day before. - - The possibility of Mr. Collins’s fancying himself in love with - her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or - two; but that Charlotte could encourage him seemed almost as far - from possibility as she could encourage him herself, and her - astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first - the bounds of decorum, and she could not help crying out: - - “Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte—impossible!” - - The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling - her story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so - direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, - she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied: - - “Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it - incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman’s - good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with - you?” - - But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong - effort for it, was able to assure with tolerable firmness that - the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her, - and that she wished her all imaginable happiness. - - “I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte. “You must be - surprised, very much surprised—so lately as Mr. Collins was - wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it - over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am - not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable - home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connection, and - situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness - with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the - marriage state.” - - Elizabeth quietly answered “Undoubtedly;” and after an awkward - pause, they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte did not - stay much longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what - she had heard. It was a long time before she became at all - reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a match. The strangeness - of Mr. Collins’s making two offers of marriage within three days - was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted. She had - always felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly - like her own, but she had not supposed it to be possible that, - when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better - feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins - was a most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend - disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the - distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to - be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen. - - - - -Chapter 23 - - Elizabeth was sitting with her mother and sisters, reflecting on - what she had heard, and doubting whether she was authorised to - mention it, when Sir William Lucas himself appeared, sent by his - daughter, to announce her engagement to the family. With many - compliments to them, and much self-gratulation on the prospect of - a connection between the houses, he unfolded the matter—to an - audience not merely wondering, but incredulous; for Mrs. Bennet, - with more perseverance than politeness, protested he must be - entirely mistaken; and Lydia, always unguarded and often uncivil, - boisterously exclaimed: - - “Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story? Do not - you know that Mr. Collins wants to marry Lizzy?” - - Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne - without anger such treatment; but Sir William’s good breeding - carried him through it all; and though he begged leave to be - positive as to the truth of his information, he listened to all - their impertinence with the most forbearing courtesy. - - Elizabeth, feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him from so - unpleasant a situation, now put herself forward to confirm his - account, by mentioning her prior knowledge of it from Charlotte - herself; and endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of her - mother and sisters by the earnestness of her congratulations to - Sir William, in which she was readily joined by Jane, and by - making a variety of remarks on the happiness that might be - expected from the match, the excellent character of Mr. Collins, - and the convenient distance of Hunsford from London. - - Mrs. Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to say a great deal - while Sir William remained; but no sooner had he left them than - her feelings found a rapid vent. In the first place, she - persisted in disbelieving the whole of the matter; secondly, she - was very sure that Mr. Collins had been taken in; thirdly, she - trusted that they would never be happy together; and fourthly, - that the match might be broken off. Two inferences, however, were - plainly deduced from the whole: one, that Elizabeth was the real - cause of the mischief; and the other that she herself had been - barbarously misused by them all; and on these two points she - principally dwelt during the rest of the day. Nothing could - console and nothing could appease her. Nor did that day wear out - her resentment. A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth - without scolding her, a month passed away before she could speak - to Sir William or Lady Lucas without being rude, and many months - were gone before she could at all forgive their daughter. - - Mr. Bennet’s emotions were much more tranquil on the occasion, - and such as he did experience he pronounced to be of a most - agreeable sort; for it gratified him, he said, to discover that - Charlotte Lucas, whom he had been used to think tolerably - sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his - daughter! - - Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match; but she - said less of her astonishment than of her earnest desire for - their happiness; nor could Elizabeth persuade her to consider it - as improbable. Kitty and Lydia were far from envying Miss Lucas, - for Mr. Collins was only a clergyman; and it affected them in no - other way than as a piece of news to spread at Meryton. - - Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to - retort on Mrs. Bennet the comfort of having a daughter well - married; and she called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to - say how happy she was, though Mrs. Bennet’s sour looks and - ill-natured remarks might have been enough to drive happiness - away. - - Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept - them mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded - that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again. - Her disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard - to her sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her - opinion could never be shaken, and for whose happiness she grew - daily more anxious, as Bingley had now been gone a week and - nothing more was heard of his return. - - Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was - counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again. - The promised letter of thanks from Mr. Collins arrived on - Tuesday, addressed to their father, and written with all the - solemnity of gratitude which a twelvemonth’s abode in the family - might have prompted. After discharging his conscience on that - head, he proceeded to inform them, with many rapturous - expressions, of his happiness in having obtained the affection of - their amiable neighbour, Miss Lucas, and then explained that it - was merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had been - so ready to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at - Longbourn, whither he hoped to be able to return on Monday - fortnight; for Lady Catherine, he added, so heartily approved his - marriage, that she wished it to take place as soon as possible, - which he trusted would be an unanswerable argument with his - amiable Charlotte to name an early day for making him the - happiest of men. - - Mr. Collins’s return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter of - pleasure to Mrs. Bennet. On the contrary, she was as much - disposed to complain of it as her husband. It was very strange - that he should come to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge; it - was also very inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome. She hated - having visitors in the house while her health was so indifferent, - and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable. Such were - the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and they gave way only to the - greater distress of Mr. Bingley’s continued absence. - - Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject. Day - after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him - than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming - no more to Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly - incensed Mrs. Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as - a most scandalous falsehood. - - Even Elizabeth began to fear—not that Bingley was indifferent—but - that his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. - Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive of Jane’s - happiness, and so dishonorable to the stability of her lover, she - could not prevent its frequently occurring. The united efforts of - his two unfeeling sisters and of his overpowering friend, - assisted by the attractions of Miss Darcy and the amusements of - London might be too much, she feared, for the strength of his - attachment. - - As for Jane, _her_ anxiety under this suspense was, of course, - more painful than Elizabeth’s, but whatever she felt she was - desirous of concealing, and between herself and Elizabeth, - therefore, the subject was never alluded to. But as no such - delicacy restrained her mother, an hour seldom passed in which - she did not talk of Bingley, express her impatience for his - arrival, or even require Jane to confess that if he did not come - back she would think herself very ill used. It needed all Jane’s - steady mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable - tranquillity. - - Mr. Collins returned most punctually on Monday fortnight, but his - reception at Longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had been - on his first introduction. He was too happy, however, to need - much attention; and luckily for the others, the business of - love-making relieved them from a great deal of his company. The - chief of every day was spent by him at Lucas Lodge, and he - sometimes returned to Longbourn only in time to make an apology - for his absence before the family went to bed. - - Mrs. Bennet was really in a most pitiable state. The very mention - of anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of - ill-humour, and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it - talked of. The sight of Miss Lucas was odious to her. As her - successor in that house, she regarded her with jealous - abhorrence. Whenever Charlotte came to see them, she concluded - her to be anticipating the hour of possession; and whenever she - spoke in a low voice to Mr. Collins, was convinced that they were - talking of the Longbourn estate, and resolving to turn herself - and her daughters out of the house, as soon as Mr. Bennet were - dead. She complained bitterly of all this to her husband. - - “Indeed, Mr. Bennet,” said she, “it is very hard to think that - Charlotte Lucas should ever be mistress of this house, that _I_ - should be forced to make way for _her_, and live to see her take - her place in it!” - - “My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope - for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that _I_ may be the - survivor.” - - This was not very consoling to Mrs. Bennet, and therefore, - instead of making any answer, she went on as before. - - “I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate. If - it was not for the entail, I should not mind it.” - - “What should not you mind?” - - “I should not mind anything at all.” - - “Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such - insensibility.” - - “I never can be thankful, Mr. Bennet, for anything about the - entail. How anyone could have the conscience to entail away an - estate from one’s own daughters, I cannot understand; and all for - the sake of Mr. Collins too! Why should _he_ have it more than - anybody else?” - - “I leave it to yourself to determine,” said Mr. Bennet. - - - - -Chapter 24 - - Miss Bingley’s letter arrived, and put an end to doubt. The very - first sentence conveyed the assurance of their being all settled - in London for the winter, and concluded with her brother’s regret - at not having had time to pay his respects to his friends in - Hertfordshire before he left the country. - - Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane could attend to the - rest of the letter, she found little, except the professed - affection of the writer, that could give her any comfort. Miss - Darcy’s praise occupied the chief of it. Her many attractions - were again dwelt on, and Caroline boasted joyfully of their - increasing intimacy, and ventured to predict the accomplishment - of the wishes which had been unfolded in her former letter. She - wrote also with great pleasure of her brother’s being an inmate - of Mr. Darcy’s house, and mentioned with raptures some plans of - the latter with regard to new furniture. - - Elizabeth, to whom Jane very soon communicated the chief of all - this, heard it in silent indignation. Her heart was divided - between concern for her sister, and resentment against all - others. To Caroline’s assertion of her brother’s being partial to - Miss Darcy she paid no credit. That he was really fond of Jane, - she doubted no more than she had ever done; and much as she had - always been disposed to like him, she could not think without - anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness of temper, that - want of proper resolution, which now made him the slave of his - designing friends, and led him to sacrifice of his own happiness - to the caprice of their inclination. Had his own happiness, - however, been the only sacrifice, he might have been allowed to - sport with it in whatever manner he thought best, but her - sister’s was involved in it, as she thought he must be sensible - himself. It was a subject, in short, on which reflection would be - long indulged, and must be unavailing. She could think of nothing - else; and yet whether Bingley’s regard had really died away, or - were suppressed by his friends’ interference; whether he had been - aware of Jane’s attachment, or whether it had escaped his - observation; whatever were the case, though her opinion of him - must be materially affected by the difference, her sister’s - situation remained the same, her peace equally wounded. - - A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her - feelings to Elizabeth; but at last, on Mrs. Bennet’s leaving them - together, after a longer irritation than usual about Netherfield - and its master, she could not help saying: - - “Oh, that my dear mother had more command over herself! She can - have no idea of the pain she gives me by her continual - reflections on him. But I will not repine. It cannot last long. - He will be forgot, and we shall all be as we were before.” - - Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude, but - said nothing. - - “You doubt me,” cried Jane, slightly colouring; “indeed, you have - no reason. He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my - acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or - fear, and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God! I have not - _that_ pain. A little time, therefore—I shall certainly try to - get the better.” - - With a stronger voice she soon added, “I have this comfort - immediately, that it has not been more than an error of fancy on - my side, and that it has done no harm to anyone but myself.” - - “My dear Jane!” exclaimed Elizabeth, “you are too good. Your - sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know - what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or - loved you as you deserve.” - - Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit, and threw - back the praise on her sister’s warm affection. - - “Nay,” said Elizabeth, “this is not fair. _You_ wish to think all - the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of anybody. - _I_ only want to think _you_ perfect, and you set yourself - against it. Do not be afraid of my running into any excess, of my - encroaching on your privilege of universal good-will. You need - not. There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of - whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I - dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the - inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little - dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or - sense. I have met with two instances lately, one I will not - mention; the other is Charlotte’s marriage. It is unaccountable! - In every view it is unaccountable!” - - “My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They - will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for - difference of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins’s - respectability, and Charlotte’s steady, prudent character. - Remember that she is one of a large family; that as to fortune, - it is a most eligible match; and be ready to believe, for - everybody’s sake, that she may feel something like regard and - esteem for our cousin.” - - “To oblige you, I would try to believe almost anything, but no - one else could be benefited by such a belief as this; for were I - persuaded that Charlotte had any regard for him, I should only - think worse of her understanding than I now do of her heart. My - dear Jane, Mr. Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, - silly man; you know he is, as well as I do; and you must feel, as - well as I do, that the woman who married him cannot have a proper - way of thinking. You shall not defend her, though it is Charlotte - Lucas. You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the - meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade - yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility - of danger security for happiness.” - - “I must think your language too strong in speaking of both,” - replied Jane; “and I hope you will be convinced of it by seeing - them happy together. But enough of this. You alluded to something - else. You mentioned _two_ instances. I cannot misunderstand you, - but I entreat you, dear Lizzy, not to pain me by thinking _that - person_ to blame, and saying your opinion of him is sunk. We must - not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must - not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and - circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that - deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.” - - “And men take care that they should.” - - “If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but 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,” said Elizabeth; “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.” - - “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 were 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—or, at least, it is light, 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; and from this time Mr. - Bingley’s name was scarcely ever mentioned between them. - - Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning - no more, and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth did - not account for it clearly, there was little chance of her ever - considering it with less perplexity. Her daughter endeavoured to - convince her of what she did not believe herself, that his - attentions to Jane had been merely the effect of a common and - transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no more; but - 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,” said he - one day, “your sister is crossed in love, I find. 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 satisfy 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 society was of material 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; and everybody was pleased to - know how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they had - known anything of the matter. - - Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might - be any extenuating circumstances in the case, unknown to the - society of Hertfordshire; her mild and steady candour always - pleaded for allowances, and urged the possibility of mistakes—but - by everybody else Mr. Darcy was condemned as the worst of men. - - - - -Chapter 25 - - After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of - felicity, Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by - the arrival of Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might - be alleviated on his side, by preparations for the reception of - his bride; as he had reason to hope, that shortly after his - return into Hertfordshire, the day would be fixed that was to - make him the happiest of men. He took leave of his relations at - Longbourn with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair - cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father - another letter of thanks. - - On the following Monday, 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, - gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister, as well 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 been staying 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,” she continued, “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. However, your coming just at this time is - the greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you - tell us, of long sleeves.” - - Mrs. Gardiner, to whom the chief of this news had been given - before, in the course of Jane and Elizabeth’s correspondence with - her, made her sister a slight answer, and, in compassion to her - nieces, turned the conversation. - - When alone with Elizabeth afterwards, she spoke more on the - subject. “It seems likely to have been a desirable match for - Jane,” said she. “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, and when - accident separates them, so easily forgets her, that these sort - of inconsistencies are very frequent.” - - “An excellent consolation in its way,” said Elizabeth, “but it - will not do for _us_. We do not suffer by accident. It does not - often happen that the interference of friends will persuade a - young man of independent fortune to think no more of a girl whom - he was violently in love with only a few days before.” - - “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; and 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 felt - persuaded of her sister’s ready acquiescence. - - “I hope,” added Mrs. Gardiner, “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 really comes to see her.” - - “And _that_ is quite impossible; for he is now in the custody of - his friend, and 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 perhaps 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 affected to - place this point, as well as the still more interesting one of - Bingley’s being withheld from seeing Jane, she felt a solicitude - on the subject which convinced her, on examination, that she did - not consider it entirely hopeless. It was possible, and sometimes - she thought it probable, that his affection might be reanimated, - and the influence of his friends successfully combated by the - more natural influence of Jane’s attractions. - - Miss Bennet accepted her aunt’s invitation with pleasure; and the - Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the same time, than - as she hoped by Caroline’s not living in the same house with her - brother, she might occasionally spend a morning with her, without - any danger of seeing him. - - The Gardiners stayed a week at Longbourn; and what 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 - officers Mr. Wickham was sure to be one; and on these occasions, - Mrs. Gardiner, rendered suspicious by Elizabeth’s warm - commendation, narrowly observed them both. Without supposing - them, from what she saw, to be very seriously in love, their - preference of each other was plain enough to make her a little - uneasy; and she resolved to speak to Elizabeth on the subject - before she left Hertfordshire, and represent to her the - imprudence of encouraging such an attachment. - - To Mrs. Gardiner, Wickham had one means of affording pleasure, - unconnected with his general powers. About ten or a dozen years - ago, before her marriage, she had spent a considerable time in - that very part of Derbyshire to which he belonged. They had, - therefore, many acquaintances in common; and though Wickham had - been little there since the death of Darcy’s father, it was yet - in his power to give her fresher intelligence of her former - friends than she had been in the way of procuring. - - Mrs. Gardiner had seen Pemberley, and known the late Mr. Darcy by - character perfectly well. Here consequently was an inexhaustible - subject of discourse. In comparing her recollection of Pemberley - with the minute description which Wickham could give, and in - bestowing her tribute of praise on the character of its late - possessor, she was delighting both him and herself. On being made - acquainted with the present Mr. Darcy’s treatment of him, she - tried to remember some of that gentleman’s reputed disposition - when quite a lad which might agree with it, and was confident at - last that she recollected having heard Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy - formerly spoken of as a very proud, ill-natured boy. - - - - -Chapter 26 - - Mrs. Gardiner’s caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly - given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her - alone; after honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went - on: - - “You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely - because you are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not - afraid of speaking openly. 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; and 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.” - - “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 - really attached to me—I believe it will be better that he should - not. I see the imprudence of it. Oh! _that_ abominable Mr. Darcy! - My father’s opinion of me does me the greatest honour, and I - should be miserable to forfeit it. My father, however, is partial - to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I should be very sorry to - be the means of making any of you unhappy; but since we see every - day that where there is affection, young people are seldom - withheld by immediate want of fortune from entering into - engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than - so many of my fellow-creatures if I am tempted, or how am I even - to know that it would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promise - you, therefore, 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.” - - “Perhaps 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 in 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 really, and 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 having thanked - her for the kindness of her hints, they parted; a wonderful - instance of advice being given on such a point, without being - resented. - - Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been - quitted by the Gardiners and Jane; but 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 even - repeatedly to say, in an ill-natured tone, that she “_wished_ - they might be happy.” Thursday was to be the wedding day, and on - Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she rose - to take leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother’s ungracious and - reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself, - accompanied her out of the room. As they went downstairs - together, Charlotte said: - - “I shall 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, - therefore, 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,” added Charlotte, - “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, or to - hear, on the subject as usual. Elizabeth soon heard from her - friend; and 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, and 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; there could not but be - curiosity 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; though, 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; and 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; and when she wrote again, Elizabeth - hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys. - - Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as - impatience generally is. Jane had been a week in town without - either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, - however, by supposing that her last letter to her friend from - Longbourn had by some accident been lost. - - “My aunt,” she continued, “is going to-morrow 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,” were her words, - “but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for giving - her no notice of my coming to London. I was right, therefore, my - last letter had never reached her. I enquired 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. - - 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 a fortnight, and inventing - every evening a fresh excuse for her, the visitor did at last - appear; but 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, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in - her better judgement, at my expense, when I confess myself to - have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley’s regard for me. But, - my dear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not - think me obstinate if I still assert that, considering what her - behaviour was, my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. I - do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate - with me; but 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, and - was in every respect so altered a creature, that when she went - away I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no - longer. 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 intimacy 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; and though _we_ know this anxiety to - be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily account - for her behaviour to me; and 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; and yet it would seem, by her manner - of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he is - really 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. But 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.” - - This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits returned as - she considered that Jane would no longer be duped, by the sister - at least. All expectation from the brother was now absolutely - over. She would not even wish for a renewal of his attentions. - His character sunk on every review of it; and as a punishment for - him, as well as a possible advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped - he might really soon marry Mr. Darcy’s sister, as by Wickham’s - account, she would make him abundantly regret what he had thrown - away. - - Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise - concerning that gentleman, and required information; and - Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment to - her aunt than to herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, - his attentions were over, he was the admirer of some one else. - Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all, but she could see it - and write of it without material pain. Her heart had been but - slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing - that _she_ would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted - it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most - remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering - himself agreeable; but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in - this case than in Charlotte’s, did not quarrel with him for his - wish of independence. Nothing, on the contrary, could be more - natural; and while able to suppose that it cost him a few - struggles to relinquish her, she was ready to allow it a wise and - desirable measure for both, and could very sincerely wish him - happy. - - All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner; and after relating - the circumstances, she thus went on: “I am now convinced, my dear - aunt, that I have never been much in love; for had I really - experienced that pure and elevating passion, I should at present - detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil. But my - feelings are not only cordial towards _him_; they are even - impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find out that I hate her at - all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good - sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My watchfulness - has been effectual; and though I certainly should be a more - interesting object to all my acquaintances were I distractedly in - love with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative - insignificance. Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. - Kitty and Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do. - They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the - mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something - to live on as well as the plain.” - - - - -Chapter 27 - - With no greater events than these in the Longbourn family, and - otherwise diversified by little beyond the walks to Meryton, - sometimes dirty and sometimes cold, did January and February pass - away. March was to take Elizabeth to Hunsford. She had not at - first thought very seriously of going thither; but Charlotte, she - soon found, was depending on the plan and she gradually learned - to consider it herself with greater pleasure as well as greater - certainty. Absence had increased her desire of seeing Charlotte - again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins. There was novelty - in the scheme, and as, with such a mother and such - uncompanionable sisters, home could not be faultless, a little - change was not unwelcome for its own sake. The journey would - moreover give her a peep at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew - near, she would have been very sorry for any delay. Everything, - however, went on smoothly, and was finally settled according to - Charlotte’s first sketch. She was to accompany Sir William and - his second daughter. The improvement of spending a night in - London was added in time, and the plan became perfect as plan - could be. - - The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss - her, and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her - going, that he told her to write to him, and almost promised to - answer her letter. - - The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly - friendly; on his side even more. His present pursuit could not - make him forget that Elizabeth had been the first to excite and - to deserve his attention, the first to listen and to pity, the - first to be admired; and in his manner of bidding her adieu, - wishing her every enjoyment, reminding her of what she was to - expect in Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and trusting their opinion of - her—their opinion of everybody—would always coincide, there was a - solicitude, an interest which she felt must ever attach her to - him with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced - that, whether married or single, he must always be her model of - the amiable and pleasing. - - Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make her - think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas, and his daughter - Maria, a good-humoured girl, but as empty-headed as himself, had - nothing to say that could be worth hearing, and were listened to - with about as much delight as the rattle of the chaise. Elizabeth - loved absurdities, but she had known Sir William’s too long. He - could tell her nothing new of the wonders of his presentation and - knighthood; and his civilities were worn out, like his - information. - - It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so - early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to - Mr. Gardiner’s door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching - their arrival; when they entered the passage she was there to - welcome them, and Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her face, was - pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever. On the stairs - were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their - cousin’s appearance would not allow them to wait in the - drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a - twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and - kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in - bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres. - - Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first object - was her sister; and she was more grieved than astonished to hear, - in reply to her minute enquiries, that though Jane always - struggled to support her spirits, there were periods of - dejection. It was reasonable, however, to hope that they would - not continue long. Mrs. Gardiner gave her the particulars also of - Miss Bingley’s visit in Gracechurch Street, and repeated - conversations occurring at different times between Jane and - herself, which proved that the former had, from her heart, given - up the acquaintance. - - Mrs. Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham’s desertion, and - complimented her on bearing it so well. - - “But my dear Elizabeth,” she added, “what sort of girl is Miss - King? I should be sorry to think our friend mercenary.” - - “Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial - affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does - discretion end, and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid - of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, - because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, - you want to find out that he is mercenary.” - - “If you will only tell me what sort of girl Miss King is, I shall - know what to think.” - - “She is a very good kind of girl, I believe. I know no harm of - her.” - - “But he paid her not the smallest attention till her - grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune.” - - “No—why should he? If it were not allowable for him to gain _my_ - affections because I had no money, what occasion could there be - for making love to a girl whom he did not care about, and who was - equally poor?” - - “But there seems an indelicacy in directing his attentions - towards her so soon after this event.” - - “A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those - elegant decorums which other people may observe. If _she_ does - not object to it, why should _we_?” - - “_Her_ not objecting does not justify _him_. It only shows her - being deficient in something herself—sense or feeling.” - - “Well,” cried Elizabeth, “have it as you choose. _He_ shall be - mercenary, and _she_ shall be foolish.” - - “No, Lizzy, that is what I do _not_ choose. I should be sorry, - you know, to think ill of a young man who has lived so long in - Derbyshire.” - - “Oh! if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young men who - live in Derbyshire; and their intimate friends who live in - Hertfordshire are not much better. I am sick of them all. Thank - Heaven! I am going to-morrow where I shall find a man who has not - one agreeable quality, who has neither manner nor sense to - recommend him. Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing, after - all.” - - “Take care, Lizzy; that speech savours strongly of - disappointment.” - - Before they were separated by the conclusion of the play, she had - the unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle - and aunt in a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the - summer. - - “We have not determined how far it shall carry us,” said Mrs. - Gardiner, “but, perhaps, to the Lakes.” - - No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her - acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. “Oh, my - dear, dear aunt,” she rapturously cried, “what delight! what - felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to - disappointment and spleen. What are young men to rocks and - mountains? Oh! what hours of transport we shall spend! And when - we _do_ return, it shall not be like other travellers, without - being able to give one accurate idea of anything. We _will_ know - where we have gone—we _will_ recollect what we have seen. Lakes, - mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our - imaginations; nor when we attempt to describe any particular - scene, will we begin quarreling about its relative situation. Let - _our_ first effusions be less insupportable than those of the - generality of travellers.” - - - - -Chapter 28 - - Every object in the next day’s journey was new and interesting to - Elizabeth; and her spirits were in a state of enjoyment; for she - had seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her - health, and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant - source of delight. - - When they left the high road for the lane to Hunsford, every eye - was in search of the Parsonage, and every turning expected to - bring it in view. The palings of Rosings Park was their boundary - on one side. Elizabeth smiled at the recollection of all that she - had heard of its inhabitants. - - At length the Parsonage was discernible. The garden sloping to - the road, the house standing in it, the green pales, and the - laurel hedge, everything declared they were arriving. Mr. Collins - and Charlotte appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at - the small gate which led by a short gravel walk to the house, - amidst the nods and smiles of the whole party. In a moment they - were all out of the chaise, rejoicing at the sight of each other. - Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure, and - Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with coming when she found - herself so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her - cousin’s manners were not altered by his marriage; his formal - civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some - minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his enquiries after all - her family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing - out the neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as - soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them a second time, - with ostentatious formality to his humble abode, and punctually - repeated all his wife’s offers of refreshment. - - Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not - help in fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the - room, its aspect and its furniture, he addressed himself - particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had - lost in refusing him. But though everything seemed neat and - comfortable, she was not able to gratify him by any sigh of - repentance, and rather looked with wonder at her friend that she - could have so cheerful an air with such a companion. When Mr. - Collins said anything of which his wife might reasonably be - ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, she involuntarily - turned her eye on Charlotte. Once or twice she could discern a - faint blush; but in general Charlotte wisely did not hear. After - sitting long enough to admire every article of furniture in the - room, from the sideboard to the fender, to give an account of - their journey, and of all that had happened in London, Mr. - Collins invited them to take a stroll in the garden, which was - large and well laid out, and to the cultivation of which he - attended himself. To work in this garden was one of his most - respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth admired the command of - countenance with which Charlotte talked of the healthfulness of - the exercise, and owned she encouraged it as much as possible. - Here, leading the way through every walk and cross walk, and - scarcely allowing them an interval to utter the praises he asked - for, every view was pointed out with a minuteness which left - beauty entirely behind. He could number the fields in every - direction, and could tell how many trees there were in the most - distant clump. But of all the views which his garden, or which - the country or kingdom could boast, none were to be compared with - the prospect of Rosings, afforded by an opening in the trees that - bordered the park nearly opposite the front of his house. It was - a handsome modern building, well situated on rising ground. - - From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them round his two - meadows; but the ladies, not having shoes to encounter the - remains of a white frost, turned back; and while Sir William - accompanied him, Charlotte took her sister and friend over the - house, extremely well pleased, probably, to have the opportunity - of showing it without her husband’s help. It was rather small, - but well built and convenient; and everything was fitted up and - arranged with a neatness and consistency of which Elizabeth gave - Charlotte all the credit. When Mr. Collins could be forgotten, - there was really an air of great comfort throughout, and by - Charlotte’s evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must - be often forgotten. - - She had already learnt that Lady Catherine was still in the - country. It was spoken of again while they were at dinner, when - Mr. Collins joining in, observed: - - “Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing Lady - Catherine de Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church, and I need - not say you will be delighted with her. She is all affability and - condescension, and I doubt not but you will be honoured with some - portion of her notice when service is over. I have scarcely any - hesitation in saying she will include you and my sister Maria in - every invitation with which she honours us during your stay here. - Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte is charming. We dine at - Rosings twice every week, and are never allowed to walk home. Her - ladyship’s carriage is regularly ordered for us. I _should_ say, - one of her ladyship’s carriages, for she has several.” - - “Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed,” - added Charlotte, “and a most attentive neighbour.” - - “Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort - of woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference.” - - The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news, - and telling again what had already been written; and when it - closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to - meditate upon Charlotte’s degree of contentment, to understand - her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her - husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well. She - had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenor - of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of Mr. - Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings. A - lively imagination soon settled it all. - - About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting - ready for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole - house in confusion; and, after listening a moment, she heard - somebody running up stairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly - after her. She opened the door and met Maria in the landing - place, who, breathless with agitation, cried out— - - “Oh, my dear Eliza! pray make haste and come into the - dining-room, for there is such a sight to be seen! I will not - tell you what it is. Make haste, and come down this moment.” - - Elizabeth asked questions in vain; Maria would tell her nothing - more, and down they ran into the dining-room, which fronted the - lane, in quest of this wonder; It was two ladies stopping in a - low phaeton at the garden gate. - - “And is this all?” cried Elizabeth. “I expected at least that the - pigs were got into the garden, and here is nothing but Lady - Catherine and her daughter.” - - “La! my dear,” said Maria, quite shocked at the mistake, “it is - not Lady Catherine. The old lady is Mrs. Jenkinson, who lives - with them; the other is Miss de Bourgh. Only look at her. She is - quite a little creature. Who would have thought that she could be - so thin and small?” - - “She is abominably rude to keep Charlotte out of doors in all - this wind. Why does she not come in?” - - “Oh, Charlotte says she hardly ever does. It is the greatest of - favours when Miss de Bourgh comes in.” - - “I like her appearance,” said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. - “She looks sickly and cross. Yes, she will do for him very well. - She will make him a very proper wife.” - - Mr. Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the gate in - conversation with the ladies; and Sir William, to Elizabeth’s - high diversion, was stationed in the doorway, in earnest - contemplation of the greatness before him, and constantly bowing - whenever Miss de Bourgh looked that way. - - At length there was nothing more to be said; the ladies drove on, - and the others returned into the house. Mr. Collins no sooner saw - the two girls than he began to congratulate them on their good - fortune, which Charlotte explained by letting them know that the - whole party was asked to dine at Rosings the next day. - - - - -Chapter 29 - - Mr. Collins’s triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was - complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness - to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility - towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; - and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon, was - such an instance of Lady Catherine’s condescension, as he knew - not how to admire enough. - - “I confess,” said he, “that I should not have been at all - surprised by her ladyship’s asking us on Sunday to drink tea and - spend the evening at Rosings. I rather expected, from my - knowledge of her affability, that it would happen. But who could - have foreseen such an attention as this? Who could have imagined - that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an - invitation, moreover, including the whole party) so immediately - after your arrival!” - - “I am the less surprised at what has happened,” replied Sir - William, “from that knowledge of what the manners of the great - really are, which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire. - About the court, such instances of elegant breeding are not - uncommon.” - - Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning but - their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing - them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, - so many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might not wholly - overpower them. - - When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to - Elizabeth— - - “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. - Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us - which becomes herself and her daughter. I would advise you merely - to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest—there - is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think - the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the - distinction of rank preserved.” - - While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their - different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady - Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. - Such formidable accounts of her ladyship, and her manner of - living, quite frightened Maria Lucas who had been little used to - company, and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings - with as much apprehension as her father had done to his - presentation at St. James’s. - - As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a - mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its - prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though she - could not be in such raptures as Mr. Collins expected the scene - to inspire, and was but slightly affected by his enumeration of - the windows in front of the house, and his relation of what the - glazing altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis de Bourgh. - - When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria’s alarm was every - moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look perfectly - calm. Elizabeth’s courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing - of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary - talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money - or rank she thought she could witness without trepidation. - - From the entrance-hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a - rapturous air, the fine proportion and the finished ornaments, - they followed the servants through an ante-chamber, to the room - where Lady Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were - sitting. Her ladyship, with great condescension, arose to receive - them; and as Mrs. Collins had settled it with her husband that - the office of introduction should be hers, it was performed in a - proper manner, without any of those apologies and thanks which he - would have thought necessary. - - In spite of having been at St. James’s, Sir William was so - completely awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but - just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat - without saying a word; and his daughter, frightened almost out of - her senses, sat on the edge of her chair, not knowing which way - to look. Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene, and - could observe the three ladies before her composedly. Lady - Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, - which might once have been handsome. Her air was not - conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to - make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not - rendered formidable by silence; but whatever she said was spoken - in so authoritative a tone, as marked her self-importance, and - brought Mr. Wickham immediately to Elizabeth’s mind; and from the - observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine to - be exactly what he represented. - - When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and - deportment she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy, she - turned her eyes on the daughter, she could almost have joined in - Maria’s astonishment at her being so thin and so small. There was - neither in figure nor face any likeness between the ladies. Miss - de Bourgh was pale and sickly; her features, though not plain, - were insignificant; and she spoke very little, except in a low - voice, to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance there was nothing - remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening to what she - said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before her - eyes. - - After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the - windows to admire the view, Mr. Collins attending them to point - out its beauties, and Lady Catherine kindly informing them that - it was much better worth looking at in the summer. - - The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the - servants and all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had - promised; and, as he had likewise foretold, he took his seat at - the bottom of the table, by her ladyship’s desire, and looked as - if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater. He carved, - and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was - commended, first by him and then by Sir William, who was now - enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law said, in a - manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear. But - Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, - and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the - table proved a novelty to them. The party did not supply much - conversation. Elizabeth was ready to speak whenever there was an - opening, but she was seated between Charlotte and Miss de - Bourgh—the former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady - Catherine, and the latter said not a word to her all dinner-time. - Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little Miss - de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing - she was indisposed. Maria thought speaking out of the question, - and the gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire. - - When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to - be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without - any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on - every subject in so decisive a manner, as proved that she was not - used to have her judgement controverted. She enquired into - Charlotte’s domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, gave her a - great deal of advice as to the management of them all; told her - how everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as - hers, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her - poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great - lady’s attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of - dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs. - Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and - Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections she - knew the least, and who she observed to Mrs. Collins was a very - genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her, at different times, - how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger than - herself, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether - they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage - her father kept, and what had been her mother’s maiden name? - Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions but answered - them very composedly. Lady Catherine then observed, - - “Your father’s estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For - your sake,” turning to Charlotte, “I am glad of it; but otherwise - I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It - was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family. Do you - play and sing, Miss Bennet?” - - “A little.” - - “Oh! then—some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our - instrument is a capital one, probably superior to——You shall try - it some day. Do your sisters play and sing?” - - “One of them does.” - - “Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The - Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income - as yours. Do you draw?” - - “No, not at all.” - - “What, none of you?” - - “Not one.” - - “That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your - mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit - of masters.” - - “My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates - London.” - - “Has your governess left you?” - - “We never had any governess.” - - “No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up - at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your - mother must have been quite a slave to your education.” - - Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured her that had - not been the case. - - “Then, who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess, - you must have been neglected.” - - “Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us - as wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always - encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary. - Those who chose to be idle, certainly might.” - - “Aye, no doubt; but that is what a governess will prevent, and if - I had known your mother, I should have advised her most - strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be - done in education without steady and regular instruction, and - nobody but a governess can give it. It is wonderful how many - families I have been the means of supplying in that way. I am - always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces of - Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; - and it was but the other day that I recommended another young - person, who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the - family are quite delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you - of Lady Metcalf’s calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss - Pope a treasure. ‘Lady Catherine,’ said she, ‘you have given me a - treasure.’ Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?” - - “Yes, ma’am, all.” - - “All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the - second. The younger ones out before the elder ones are married! - Your younger sisters must be very young?” - - “Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps _she_ is full young to - be much in company. But really, ma’am, I think it would be very - hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share - of society and amusement, because the elder may not have the - means or inclination to marry early. The last-born has as good a - right to the pleasures of youth as the first. And to be kept back - on _such_ a motive! I think it would not be very likely to - promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind.” - - “Upon my word,” said her ladyship, “you give your opinion very - decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?” - - “With three younger sisters grown up,” replied Elizabeth, - smiling, “your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.” - - Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct - answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature - who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence. - - “You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, therefore you need - not conceal your age.” - - “I am not one-and-twenty.” - - When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over, the - card-tables were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and - Mrs. Collins sat down to quadrille; and as Miss de Bourgh chose - to play at cassino, the two girls had the honour of assisting - Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her party. Their table was - superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was uttered that did - not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson expressed her - fears of Miss de Bourgh’s being too hot or too cold, or having - too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the - other table. Lady Catherine was generally speaking—stating the - mistakes of the three others, or relating some anecdote of - herself. Mr. Collins was employed in agreeing to everything her - ladyship said, thanking her for every fish he won, and - apologising if he thought he won too many. Sir William did not - say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes and noble - names. - - When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they - chose, the tables were broken up, the carriage was offered to - Mrs. Collins, gratefully accepted and immediately ordered. The - party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine - determine what weather they were to have on the morrow. From - these instructions they were summoned by the arrival of the - coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr. Collins’s - side and as many bows on Sir William’s they departed. As soon as - they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her - cousin to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings, - which, for Charlotte’s sake, she made more favourable than it - really was. But her commendation, though costing her some - trouble, could by no means satisfy Mr. Collins, and he was very - soon obliged to take her ladyship’s praise into his own hands. - - - - -Chapter 30 - - Sir William stayed only a week at Hunsford, but his visit was - long enough to convince him of his daughter’s being most - comfortably settled, and of her possessing such a husband and - such a neighbour as were not often met with. While Sir William - was with them, Mr. Collins devoted his morning to driving him out - in his gig, and showing him the country; but when he went away, - the whole family returned to their usual employments, and - Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not see more of her - cousin by the alteration, for the chief of the time between - breakfast and dinner was now passed by him either at work in the - garden or in reading and writing, and looking out of the window - in his own book-room, which fronted the road. The room in which - the ladies sat was backwards. Elizabeth had at first rather - wondered that Charlotte should not prefer the dining-parlour for - common use; it was a better sized room, and had a more pleasant - aspect; but she soon saw that her friend had an excellent reason - for what she did, for Mr. Collins would undoubtedly have been - much less in his own apartment, had they sat in one equally - lively; and she gave Charlotte credit for the arrangement. - - From the drawing-room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, - and were indebted to Mr. Collins for the knowledge of what - carriages went along, and how often especially Miss de Bourgh - drove by in her phaeton, which he never failed coming to inform - them of, though it happened almost every day. She not - unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage, and had a few minutes’ - conversation with Charlotte, but was scarcely ever prevailed upon - to get out. - - Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins did not walk to - Rosings, and not many in which his wife did not think it - necessary to go likewise; and till Elizabeth recollected that - there might be other family livings to be disposed of, she could - not understand the sacrifice of so many hours. Now and then they - were honoured with a call from her ladyship, and nothing escaped - her observation that was passing in the room during these visits. - She examined into their employments, looked at their work, and - advised them to do it differently; found fault with the - arrangement of the furniture; or detected the housemaid in - negligence; and if she accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it - only for the sake of finding out that Mrs. Collins’s joints of - meat were too large for her family. - - Elizabeth soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in - the commission of the peace of the county, she was a most active - magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were - carried to her by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers - were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she - sallied forth into the village to settle their differences, - silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty. - - The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a - week; and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and there being - only one card-table in the evening, every such entertainment was - the counterpart of the first. Their other engagements were few, - as the style of living in the neighbourhood in general was beyond - Mr. Collins’s reach. This, however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and - upon the whole she spent her time comfortably enough; there were - half-hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte, and the - weather was so fine for the time of year that she had often great - enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she - frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, - was along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where - there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but - herself, and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s - curiosity. - - In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed - away. Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to - bring an addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a - circle must be important. Elizabeth had heard soon after her - arrival that Mr. Darcy was expected there in the course of a few - weeks, and though there were not many of her acquaintances whom - she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively - new to look at in their Rosings parties, and she might be amused - in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley’s designs on him were, by his - behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by - Lady Catherine, who talked of his coming with the greatest - satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, - and seemed almost angry to find that he had already been - frequently seen by Miss Lucas and herself. - - His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage; for Mr. Collins was - walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into - Hunsford Lane, in order to have the earliest assurance of it, and - after making his bow as the carriage turned into the Park, - hurried home with the great intelligence. On the following - morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects. There were - two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them, for Mr. Darcy had - brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of his - uncle Lord ——, and, to the great surprise of all the party, when - Mr. Collins returned, the gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte - had seen them from her husband’s room, crossing the road, and - immediately running into the other, told the girls what an honour - they might expect, adding: - - “I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy - would never have come so soon to wait upon me.” - - Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the - compliment, before their approach was announced by the door-bell, - and shortly afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. - Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was about thirty, not - handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman. Mr. - Darcy looked just as he had been used to look in - Hertfordshire—paid his compliments, with his usual reserve, to - Mrs. Collins, and whatever might be his feelings toward her - friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth - merely curtseyed to him without saying a word. - - Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the - readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very - pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed a slight - observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some - time without speaking to anybody. At length, however, his - civility was so far awakened as to enquire of Elizabeth after the - health of her family. She answered him in the usual way, and - after a moment’s pause, added: - - “My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you - never happened to see her there?” - - She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she wished to - see whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed - between the Bingleys and Jane, and she thought he looked a little - confused as he answered that he had never been so fortunate as to - meet Miss Bennet. The subject was pursued no farther, and the - gentlemen soon afterwards went away. - - - - -Chapter 31 - - Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners were very much admired at the - Parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably - to the pleasures of their engagements at Rosings. It was some - days, however, before they received any invitation thither—for - while there were visitors in the house, they could not be - necessary; and it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after - the gentlemen’s arrival, that they were honoured by such an - attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to - come there in the evening. For the last week they had seen very - little of Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had - called at the Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. - Darcy they had seen only at church. - - The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper hour they - joined the party in Lady Catherine’s drawing-room. Her ladyship - received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by - no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she - was, in fact, almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, - especially to Darcy, much more than to any other person in the - room. - - Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; anything was - a welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins’s pretty - friend had moreover caught his fancy very much. He now seated - himself by her, and talked so agreeably of Kent and - Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books - and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained - in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and - flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself, as well - as of Mr. Darcy. _His_ eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned - towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her ladyship, - after a while, shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, - for she did not scruple to call out: - - “What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are - talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it - is.” - - “We are speaking of music, madam,” said he, when no longer able - to avoid a reply. - - “Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my - delight. I must have my share in the conversation if you are - speaking of music. There are few people in England, I suppose, - who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better - natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great - proficient. And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to - apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. - How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?” - - Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister’s - proficiency. - - “I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,” said Lady - Catherine; “and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to - excel if she does not practice a good deal.” - - “I assure you, madam,” he replied, “that she does not need such - advice. She practises very constantly.” - - “So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next - write to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any - account. I often tell young ladies that no excellence in music is - to be acquired without constant practice. I have told Miss Bennet - several times, that she will never play really well unless she - practises more; and though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is - very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every - day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson’s room. She - would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part of the house.” - - Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s ill-breeding, and - made no answer. - - When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of - having promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the - instrument. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to - half a song, and then talked, as before, to her other nephew; - till the latter walked away from her, and making with his usual - deliberation towards the pianoforte stationed himself so as to - command a full view of the fair performer’s countenance. - Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient - pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said: - - “You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state - to hear me? I will not be alarmed though your sister _does_ play - so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to - be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at - every attempt to intimidate me.” - - “I shall not say you are mistaken,” he replied, “because you - could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming - you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough - to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing - opinions which in fact are not your own.” - - Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said - to Colonel Fitzwilliam, “Your cousin will give you a very pretty - notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am - particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so able to expose - my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to - pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it - is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my - disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very - impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such - things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.” - - “I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly. - - “Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,” cried Colonel - Fitzwilliam. “I should like to know how he behaves among - strangers.” - - “You shall hear then—but prepare yourself for something very - dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, - you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think - he did? He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; - and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was - sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the - fact.” - - “I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the - assembly beyond my own party.” - - “True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, - Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your - orders.” - - “Perhaps,” said Darcy, “I should have judged better, had I sought - an introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to - strangers.” - - “Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, - still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Shall we ask him why a man - of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill - qualified to recommend himself to strangers?” - - “I can answer your question,” said Fitzwilliam, “without applying - to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.” - - “I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said - Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. - I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested - in their concerns, as I often see done.” - - “My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument - in the masterly manner which I see so many women’s do. They have - not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same - expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own - fault—because I will not take the trouble of practising. It is - not that I do not believe _my_ fingers as capable as any other - woman’s of superior execution.” - - Darcy smiled and said, “You are perfectly right. You have - employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege - of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us - perform to strangers.” - - Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to - know what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began - playing again. Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening - for a few minutes, said to Darcy: - - “Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, - and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very - good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to - Anne’s. Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her - health allowed her to learn.” - - Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he assented to his - cousin’s praise; but neither at that moment nor at any other - could she discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his - behaviour to Miss de Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss - Bingley, that he might have been just as likely to marry _her_, - had she been his relation. - - Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth’s performance, - mixing with them many instructions on execution and taste. - Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility, - and, at the request of the gentlemen, remained at the instrument - till her ladyship’s carriage was ready to take them all home. - - - - -Chapter 32 - - Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning, and writing to - Jane while Mrs. Collins and Maria were gone on business into the - village, when she was startled by a ring at the door, the certain - signal of a visitor. As she had heard no carriage, she thought it - not unlikely to be Lady Catherine, and under that apprehension - was putting away her half-finished letter that she might escape - all impertinent questions, when the door opened, and, to her very - great surprise, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Darcy only, entered the room. - - He seemed astonished too on finding her alone, and apologised for - his intrusion by letting her know that he had understood all the - ladies were to be within. - - They then sat down, and when her enquiries after Rosings were - made, seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. It was - absolutely necessary, therefore, to think of something, and in - this emergence recollecting _when_ she had seen him last in - Hertfordshire, and feeling curious to know what he would say on - the subject of their hasty departure, she observed: - - “How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last November, Mr. - Darcy! It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr. Bingley - to see you all after him so soon; for, if I recollect right, he - went but the day before. He and his sisters were well, I hope, - when you left London?” - - “Perfectly so, I thank you.” - - She found that she was to receive no other answer, and, after a - short pause added: - - “I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley has not much idea of - ever returning to Netherfield again?” - - “I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may - spend very little of his time there in the future. He has many - friends, and is at a time of life when friends and engagements - are continually increasing.” - - “If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better - for the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely, - for then we might possibly get a settled family there. But, - perhaps, Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much for the - convenience of the neighbourhood as for his own, and we must - expect him to keep it or quit it on the same principle.” - - “I should not be surprised,” said Darcy, “if he were to give it - up as soon as any eligible purchase offers.” - - Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer of his - friend; and, having nothing else to say, was now determined to - leave the trouble of finding a subject to him. - - He took the hint, and soon began with, “This seems a very - comfortable house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal to - it when Mr. Collins first came to Hunsford.” - - “I believe she did—and I am sure she could not have bestowed her - kindness on a more grateful object.” - - “Mr. Collins appears to be very fortunate in his choice of a - wife.” - - “Yes, indeed, his friends may well rejoice in his having met with - one of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him, - or have made him happy if they had. My friend has an excellent - understanding—though I am not certain that I consider her - marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest thing she ever did. She seems - perfectly happy, however, and in a prudential light it is - certainly a very good match for her.” - - “It must be very agreeable for her to be settled within so easy a - distance of her own family and friends.” - - “An easy distance, do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles.” - - “And what is fifty miles of good road? Little more than half a - day’s journey. Yes, I call it a very easy distance.” - - “I should never have considered the distance as one of the - _advantages_ of the match,” cried Elizabeth. “I should never have - said Mrs. Collins was settled _near_ her family.” - - “It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire. Anything - beyond the very neighbourhood of Longbourn, I suppose, would - appear far.” - - As he spoke there was a sort of smile which Elizabeth fancied she - understood; he must be supposing her to be thinking of Jane and - Netherfield, and she blushed as she answered: - - “I do not mean to say that a woman may not be settled too near - her family. The far and the near must be relative, and depend on - many varying circumstances. Where there is fortune to make the - expenses of travelling unimportant, distance becomes no evil. But - that is not the case _here_. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have a - comfortable income, but not such a one as will allow of frequent - journeys—and I am persuaded my friend would not call herself - _near_ her family under less than _half_ the present distance.” - - Mr. Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said, “_You_ - cannot have a right to such very strong local attachment. _You_ - cannot have been always at Longbourn.” - - Elizabeth looked surprised. The gentleman experienced some change - of feeling; he drew back his chair, took a newspaper from the - table, and glancing over it, said, in a colder voice: - - “Are you pleased with Kent?” - - A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued, on either - side calm and concise—and soon put an end to by the entrance of - Charlotte and her sister, just returned from her walk. The - _tête-à-tête_ surprised them. Mr. Darcy related the mistake which - had occasioned his intruding on Miss Bennet, and after sitting a - few minutes longer without saying much to anybody, went away. - - “What can be the meaning of this?” said Charlotte, as soon as he - was gone. “My dear, Eliza, he must be in love with you, or he - would never have called on us in this familiar way.” - - But when Elizabeth told of his silence, it did not seem very - likely, even to Charlotte’s wishes, to be the case; and after - various conjectures, they could at last only suppose his visit to - proceed from the difficulty of finding anything to do, which was - the more probable from the time of year. All field sports were - over. Within doors there was Lady Catherine, books, and a - billiard-table, but gentlemen cannot always be within doors; and - in the nearness of the Parsonage, or the pleasantness of the walk - to it, or of the people who lived in it, the two cousins found a - temptation from this period of walking thither almost every day. - They called at various times of the morning, sometimes - separately, sometimes together, and now and then accompanied by - their aunt. It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam - came because he had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which - of course recommended him still more; and Elizabeth was reminded - by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by his - evident admiration of her, of her former favourite George - Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she saw there was less - captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners, she - believed he might have the best informed mind. - - But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the Parsonage, it was more - difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he - frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his - lips; and when he did speak, it seemed the effect of necessity - rather than of choice—a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to - himself. He seldom appeared really animated. Mrs. Collins knew - not what to make of him. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s occasionally - laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was generally - different, which her own knowledge of him could not have told - her; and as she would liked to have believed this change the - effect of love, and the object of that love her friend Eliza, she - set herself seriously to work to find it out. She watched him - whenever they were at Rosings, and whenever he came to Hunsford; - but without much success. He certainly looked at her friend a - great deal, but the expression of that look was disputable. It - was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often doubted whether - there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it seemed nothing - but absence of mind. - - She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of - his being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the - idea; and Mrs. Collins did not think it right to press the - subject, from the danger of raising expectations which might only - end in disappointment; for in her opinion it admitted not of a - doubt, that all her friend’s dislike would vanish, if she could - suppose him to be in her power. - - In her kind schemes for Elizabeth, she sometimes planned her - marrying Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was beyond comparison the most - pleasant man; he certainly admired her, and his situation in life - was most eligible; but, to counterbalance these advantages, Mr. - Darcy had considerable patronage in the church, and his cousin - could have none at all. - - - - -Chapter 33 - - More than once did Elizabeth, in her ramble within the park, - unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy. She felt all the perverseness of the - mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought, - and, to prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him - at first that it was a favourite haunt of hers. How it could - occur a second time, therefore, was very odd! Yet it did, and - even a third. It seemed like wilful ill-nature, or a voluntary - penance, for on these occasions it was not merely a few formal - enquiries and an awkward pause and then away, but he actually - thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. He never - said a great deal, nor did she give herself the trouble of - talking or of listening much; but it struck her in the course of - their third rencontre that he was asking some odd unconnected - questions—about her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of - solitary walks, and her opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins’s - happiness; and that in speaking of Rosings and her not perfectly - understanding the house, he seemed to expect that whenever she - came into Kent again she would be staying _there_ too. His words - seemed to imply it. Could he have Colonel Fitzwilliam in his - thoughts? She supposed, if he meant anything, he must mean an - allusion to what might arise in that quarter. It distressed her a - little, and she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the - pales opposite the Parsonage. - - She was engaged one day as she walked, in perusing Jane’s last - letter, and dwelling on some passages which proved that Jane had - not written in spirits, when, instead of being again surprised by - Mr. Darcy, she saw on looking up that Colonel Fitzwilliam was - meeting her. Putting away the letter immediately and forcing a - smile, she said: - - “I did not know before that you ever walked this way.” - - “I have been making the tour of the park,” he replied, “as I - generally do every year, and intend to close it with a call at - the Parsonage. Are you going much farther?” - - “No, I should have turned in a moment.” - - And accordingly she did turn, and they walked towards the - Parsonage together. - - “Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?” said she. - - “Yes—if Darcy does not put it off again. But I am at his - disposal. He arranges the business just as he pleases.” - - “And if not able to please himself in the arrangement, he has at - least pleasure in the great power of choice. I do not know - anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes - than Mr. Darcy.” - - “He likes to have his own way very well,” replied Colonel - Fitzwilliam. “But so we all do. It is only that he has better - means of having it than many others, because he is rich, and many - others are poor. I speak feelingly. A younger son, you know, must - be inured to self-denial and dependence.” - - “In my opinion, the younger son of an earl can know very little - of either. Now seriously, what have you ever known of self-denial - and dependence? When have you been prevented by want of money - from going wherever you chose, or procuring anything you had a - fancy for?” - - “These are home questions—and perhaps I cannot say that I have - experienced many hardships of that nature. But in matters of - greater weight, I may suffer from want of money. Younger sons - cannot marry where they like.” - - “Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very - often do.” - - “Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not - many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some - attention to money.” - - “Is this,” thought Elizabeth, “meant for me?” and she coloured at - the idea; but, recovering herself, said in a lively tone, “And - pray, what is the usual price of an earl’s younger son? Unless - the elder brother is very sickly, I suppose you would not ask - above fifty thousand pounds.” - - He answered her in the same style, and the subject dropped. To - interrupt a silence which might make him fancy her affected with - what had passed, she soon afterwards said: - - “I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the - sake of having someone at his disposal. I wonder he does not - marry, to secure a lasting convenience of that kind. But, - perhaps, his sister does as well for the present, and, as she is - under his sole care, he may do what he likes with her.” - - “No,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, “that is an advantage which he - must divide with me. I am joined with him in the guardianship of - Miss Darcy.” - - “Are you indeed? And pray what sort of guardians do you make? - Does your charge give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age - are sometimes a little difficult to manage, and if she has the - true Darcy spirit, she may like to have her own way.” - - As she spoke she observed him looking at her earnestly; and the - manner in which he immediately asked her why she supposed Miss - Darcy likely to give them any uneasiness, convinced her that she - had somehow or other got pretty near the truth. She directly - replied: - - “You need not be frightened. I never heard any harm of her; and I - dare say she is one of the most tractable creatures in the world. - She is a very great favourite with some ladies of my - acquaintance, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. I think I have heard - you say that you know them.” - - “I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant gentlemanlike - man—he is a great friend of Darcy’s.” - - “Oh! yes,” said Elizabeth drily; “Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to - Mr. Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.” - - “Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy _does_ take care of him - in those points where he most wants care. From something that he - told me in our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley - very much indebted to him. But I ought to beg his pardon, for I - have no right to suppose that Bingley was the person meant. It - was all conjecture.” - - “What is it you mean?” - - “It is a circumstance which Darcy could not wish to be generally - known, because if it were to get round to the lady’s family, it - would be an unpleasant thing.” - - “You may depend upon my not mentioning it.” - - “And remember that I have not much reason for supposing it to be - Bingley. What he told me was merely this: that he congratulated - himself on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences - of a most imprudent marriage, but without mentioning names or any - other particulars, and I only suspected it to be Bingley from - believing him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of that - sort, and from knowing them to have been together the whole of - last summer.” - - “Did Mr. Darcy give you reasons for this interference?” - - “I understood that there were some very strong objections against - the lady.” - - “And what arts did he use to separate them?” - - “He did not talk to me of his own arts,” said Fitzwilliam, - smiling. “He only told me what I have now told you.” - - Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with - indignation. After watching her a little, Fitzwilliam asked her - why she was so thoughtful. - - “I am thinking of what you have been telling me,” said she. “Your - cousin’s conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the - judge?” - - “You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?” - - “I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety - of his friend’s inclination, or why, upon his own judgement - alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner his friend - was to be happy. But,” she continued, recollecting herself, “as - we know none of the particulars, it is not fair to condemn him. - It is not to be supposed that there was much affection in the - case.” - - “That is not an unnatural surmise,” said Fitzwilliam, “but it is - a lessening of the honour of my cousin’s triumph very sadly.” - - This was spoken jestingly; but it appeared to her so just a - picture of Mr. Darcy, that she would not trust herself with an - answer, and therefore, abruptly changing the conversation talked - on indifferent matters until they reached the Parsonage. There, - shut into her own room, as soon as their visitor left them, she - could think without interruption of all that she had heard. It - was not to be supposed that any other people could be meant than - those with whom she was connected. There could not exist in the - world _two_ men over whom Mr. Darcy could have such boundless - influence. That he had been concerned in the measures taken to - separate Bingley and Jane she had never doubted; but she had - always attributed to Miss Bingley the principal design and - arrangement of them. If his own vanity, however, did not mislead - him, _he_ was the cause, his pride and caprice were the cause, of - all that Jane had suffered, and still continued to suffer. He had - ruined for a while every hope of happiness for the most - affectionate, generous heart in the world; and no one could say - how lasting an evil he might have inflicted. - - “There were some very strong objections against the lady,” were - Colonel Fitzwilliam’s words; and those strong objections probably - were, her having one uncle who was a country attorney, and - another who was in business in London. - - “To Jane herself,” she exclaimed, “there could be no possibility - of objection; all loveliness and goodness as she is!—her - understanding excellent, her mind improved, and her manners - captivating. Neither could anything be urged against my father, - who, though with some peculiarities, has abilities Mr. Darcy - himself need not disdain, and respectability which he will - probably never reach.” When she thought of her mother, her - confidence gave way a little; but she would not allow that any - objections _there_ had material weight with Mr. Darcy, whose - pride, she was convinced, would receive a deeper wound from the - want of importance in his friend’s connections, than from their - want of sense; and she was quite decided, at last, that he had - been partly governed by this worst kind of pride, and partly by - the wish of retaining Mr. Bingley for his sister. - - The agitation and tears which the subject occasioned, brought on - a headache; and it grew so much worse towards the evening, that, - added to her unwillingness to see Mr. Darcy, it determined her - not to attend her cousins to Rosings, where they were engaged to - drink tea. Mrs. Collins, seeing that she was really unwell, did - not press her to go and as much as possible prevented her husband - from pressing her; but Mr. Collins could not conceal his - apprehension of Lady Catherine’s being rather displeased by her - staying at home. - - - - -Chapter 34 - - When they were gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate - herself as much as possible against Mr. Darcy, chose for her - employment the examination of all the letters which Jane had - written to her since her being in Kent. They contained no actual - complaint, nor was there any revival of past occurrences, or any - communication of present suffering. But in all, and in almost - every line of each, there was a want of that cheerfulness which - had been used to characterise her style, and which, proceeding - from the serenity of a mind at ease with itself and kindly - disposed towards everyone, had been scarcely ever clouded. - Elizabeth noticed every sentence conveying the idea of - uneasiness, with an attention which it had hardly received on the - first perusal. Mr. Darcy’s shameful boast of what misery he had - been able to inflict, gave her a keener sense of her sister’s - sufferings. It was some consolation to think that his visit to - Rosings was to end on the day after the next—and, a still - greater, that in less than a fortnight she should herself be with - Jane again, and enabled to contribute to the recovery of her - spirits, by all that affection could do. - - She could not think of Darcy’s leaving Kent without remembering - that his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam had - made it clear that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as - he was, she did not mean to be unhappy about him. - - While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound - of the door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the - idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once - before called late in the evening, and might now come to enquire - particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished, and her - spirits were very differently affected, when, to her utter - amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In an hurried - manner he immediately began an enquiry after her health, imputing - his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better. She answered - him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then - getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but - said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came - towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began: - - “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not - be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire - and love you.” - - Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, - coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient - encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long - felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were - feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was - not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His - sense of her inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family - obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on - with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was - wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit. - - In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be - insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, and - though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at - first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to - resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in - anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with - patience, when he should have done. He concluded with - representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in - spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; - and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her - acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see - that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He _spoke_ of - apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real - security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, - when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said: - - “In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to - express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however - unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation - should be felt, and if I could _feel_ gratitude, I would now - thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion, - and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry - to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously - done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings - which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgment of - your regard, can have little difficulty in overcoming it after - this explanation.” - - Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes - fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less - resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, - and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. He - was struggling for the appearance of composure, and would not - open his lips till he believed himself to have attained it. The - pause was to Elizabeth’s feelings dreadful. At length, with a - voice of forced calmness, he said: - - “And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of - expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so - little _endeavour_ at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of - small importance.” - - “I might as well enquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a - desire of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that - you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even - against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, - if I _was_ uncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I - have. Had not my feelings decided against you—had they been - indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that - any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been - the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most - beloved sister?” - - As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy changed colour; but the - emotion was short, and he listened without attempting to - interrupt her while she continued: - - “I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive - can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted _there_. You - dare not, you cannot deny, that you have been the principal, if - not the only means of dividing them from each other—of exposing - one to the censure of the world for caprice and instability, and - the other to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving - them both in misery of the acutest kind.” - - She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that he was - listening with an air which proved him wholly unmoved by any - feeling of remorse. He even looked at her with a smile of - affected incredulity. - - “Can you deny that you have done it?” she repeated. - - With assumed tranquillity he then replied: “I have no wish of - denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend - from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards _him_ - I have been kinder than towards myself.” - - Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil - reflection, but its meaning did not escape, nor was it likely to - conciliate her. - - “But it is not merely this affair,” she continued, “on which my - dislike is founded. Long before it had taken place my opinion of - you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which - I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, - what can you have to say? In what imaginary act of friendship can - you here defend yourself? or under what misrepresentation can you - here impose upon others?” - - “You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns,” said - Darcy, in a less tranquil tone, and with a heightened colour. - - “Who that knows what his misfortunes have been, can help feeling - an interest in him?” - - “His misfortunes!” repeated Darcy contemptuously; “yes, his - misfortunes have been great indeed.” - - “And of your infliction,” cried Elizabeth with energy. “You have - reduced him to his present state of poverty—comparative poverty. - You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have been - designed for him. You have deprived the best years of his life of - that independence which was no less his due than his desert. You - have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention of his - misfortune with contempt and ridicule.” - - “And this,” cried Darcy, as he walked with quick steps across the - room, “is your opinion of me! This is the estimation in which you - hold me! I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, - according to this calculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps,” - added he, stopping in his walk, and turning towards her, “these - offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt - by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented - my forming any serious design. These bitter accusations might - have been suppressed, had I, with greater policy, concealed my - struggles, and flattered you into the belief of my being impelled - by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; by reason, by reflection, - by everything. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence. Nor - am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and - just. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your - connections?—to congratulate myself on the hope of relations, - whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?” - - Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she - tried to the utmost to speak with composure when she said: - - “You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of - your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared - me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you - behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.” - - She saw him start at this, but he said nothing, and she - continued: - - “You could not have made the offer of your hand in any possible - way that would have tempted me to accept it.” - - Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an - expression of mingled incredulity and mortification. She went on: - - “From the very beginning—from the first moment, I may almost - say—of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with - the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your - selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form - the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have - built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month - before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I - could ever be prevailed on to marry.” - - “You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your - feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have - been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and - accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.” - - And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth - heard him the next moment open the front door and quit the house. - - The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great. She knew not how - to support herself, and from actual weakness sat down and cried - for half-an-hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had - passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should - receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! That he should have - been in love with her for so many months! So much in love as to - wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made - him prevent his friend’s marrying her sister, and which must - appear at least with equal force in his own case—was almost - incredible! It was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so - strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride—his - shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane—his - unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could not - justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned - Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to - deny, soon overcame the pity which the consideration of his - attachment had for a moment excited. She continued in very - agitated reflections till the sound of Lady Catherine’s carriage - made her feel how unequal she was to encounter Charlotte’s - observation, and hurried her away to her room. - - - - -Chapter 35 - - Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same thoughts and - meditations which had at length closed her eyes. She could not - yet recover from the surprise of what had happened; it was - impossible to think of anything else; and, totally indisposed for - employment, she resolved, soon after breakfast, to indulge - herself in air and exercise. She was proceeding directly to her - favourite walk, when the recollection of Mr. Darcy’s sometimes - coming there stopped her, and instead of entering the park, she - turned up the lane, which led farther from the turnpike-road. The - park paling was still the boundary on one side, and she soon - passed one of the gates into the ground. - - After walking two or three times along that part of the lane, she - was tempted, by the pleasantness of the morning, to stop at the - gates and look into the park. The five weeks which she had now - passed in Kent had made a great difference in the country, and - every day was adding to the verdure of the early trees. She was - on the point of continuing her walk, when she caught a glimpse of - a gentleman within the sort of grove which edged the park; he was - moving that way; and, fearful of its being Mr. Darcy, she was - directly retreating. But the person who advanced was now near - enough to see her, and stepping forward with eagerness, - pronounced her name. She had turned away; but on hearing herself - called, though in a voice which proved it to be Mr. Darcy, she - moved again towards the gate. He had by that time reached it - also, and, holding out a letter, which she instinctively took, - said, with a look of haughty composure, “I have been walking in - the grove some time in the hope of meeting you. Will you do me - the honour of reading that letter?” And then, with a slight bow, - turned again into the plantation, and was soon out of sight. - - With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest - curiosity, Elizabeth opened the letter, and, to her still - increasing wonder, perceived an envelope containing two sheets of - letter-paper, written quite through, in a very close hand. The - envelope itself was likewise full. Pursuing her way along the - lane, she then began it. It was dated from Rosings, at eight - o’clock in the morning, and was as follows:— - - “Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the - apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments - or renewal of those offers which were last night so disgusting to - you. I write without any intention of paining you, or humbling - myself, by dwelling on wishes which, for the happiness of both, - cannot be too soon forgotten; and the effort which the formation - and the perusal of this letter must occasion, should have been - spared, had not my character required it to be written and read. - You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand your - attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but - I demand it of your justice. - - “Two offenses of a very different nature, and by no means of - equal magnitude, you last night laid to my charge. The first - mentioned was, that, regardless of the sentiments of either, I - had detached Mr. Bingley from your sister, and the other, that I - had, in defiance of various claims, in defiance of honour and - humanity, ruined the immediate prosperity and blasted the - prospects of Mr. Wickham. Wilfully and wantonly to have thrown - off the companion of my youth, the acknowledged favourite of my - father, a young man who had scarcely any other dependence than on - our patronage, and who had been brought up to expect its - exertion, would be a depravity, to which the separation of two - young persons, whose affection could be the growth of only a few - weeks, could bear no comparison. But from the severity of that - blame which was last night so liberally bestowed, respecting each - circumstance, I shall hope to be in the future secured, when the - following account of my actions and their motives has been read. - If, in the explanation of them, which is due to myself, I am - under the necessity of relating feelings which may be offensive - to yours, I can only say that I am sorry. The necessity must be - obeyed, and further apology would be absurd. - - “I had not been long in Hertfordshire, before I saw, in common - with others, that Bingley preferred your elder sister to any - other young woman in the country. But it was not till the evening - of the dance at Netherfield that I had any apprehension of his - feeling a serious attachment. I had often seen him in love - before. At that ball, while I had the honour of dancing with you, - I was first made acquainted, by Sir William Lucas’s accidental - information, that Bingley’s attentions to your sister had given - rise to a general expectation of their marriage. He spoke of it - as a certain event, of which the time alone could be undecided. - From that moment I observed my friend’s behaviour attentively; - and I could then perceive that his partiality for Miss Bennet was - beyond what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I also - watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging - as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I - remained convinced from the evening’s scrutiny, that though she - received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by - any participation of sentiment. If _you_ have not been mistaken - here, _I_ must have been in error. Your superior knowledge of - your sister must make the latter probable. If it be so, if I have - been misled by such error to inflict pain on her, your resentment - has not been unreasonable. But I shall not scruple to assert, - that the serenity of your sister’s countenance and air was such - as might have given the most acute observer a conviction that, - however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be easily - touched. That I was desirous of believing her indifferent is - certain—but I will venture to say that my investigation and - decisions are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears. I did - not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed - it on impartial conviction, as truly as I wished it in reason. My - objections to the marriage were not merely those which I last - night acknowledged to have required the utmost force of passion - to put aside, in my own case; the want of connection could not be - so great an evil to my friend as to me. But there were other - causes of repugnance; causes which, though still existing, and - existing to an equal degree in both instances, I had myself - endeavoured to forget, because they were not immediately before - me. These causes must be stated, though briefly. The situation of - your mother’s family, though objectionable, was nothing in - comparison to that total want of propriety so frequently, so - almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger - sisters, and occasionally even by your father. Pardon me. It - pains me to offend you. But amidst your concern for the defects - of your nearest relations, and your displeasure at this - representation of them, let it give you consolation to consider - that, to have conducted yourselves so as to avoid any share of - the like censure, is praise no less generally bestowed on you and - your elder sister, than it is honourable to the sense and - disposition of both. I will only say farther that from what - passed that evening, my opinion of all parties was confirmed, and - every inducement heightened which could have led me before, to - preserve my friend from what I esteemed a most unhappy - connection. He left Netherfield for London, on the day following, - as you, I am certain, remember, with the design of soon - returning. - - “The part which I acted is now to be explained. His sisters’ - uneasiness had been equally excited with my own; our coincidence - of feeling was soon discovered, and, alike sensible that no time - was to be lost in detaching their brother, we shortly resolved on - joining him directly in London. We accordingly went—and there I - readily engaged in the office of pointing out to my friend the - certain evils of such a choice. I described, and enforced them - earnestly. But, however this remonstrance might have staggered or - delayed his determination, I do not suppose that it would - ultimately have prevented the marriage, had it not been seconded - by the assurance that I hesitated not in giving, of your sister’s - indifference. He had before believed her to return his affection - with sincere, if not with equal regard. But Bingley has great - natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgement than - on his own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived - himself, was no very difficult point. To persuade him against - returning into Hertfordshire, when that conviction had been - given, was scarcely the work of a moment. I cannot blame myself - for having done thus much. There is but one part of my conduct in - the whole affair on which I do not reflect with satisfaction; it - is that I condescended to adopt the measures of art so far as to - conceal from him your sister’s being in town. I knew it myself, - as it was known to Miss Bingley; but her brother is even yet - ignorant of it. That they might have met without ill consequence - is perhaps probable; but his regard did not appear to me enough - extinguished for him to see her without some danger. Perhaps this - concealment, this disguise was beneath me; it is done, however, - and it was done for the best. On this subject I have nothing more - to say, no other apology to offer. If I have wounded your - sister’s feelings, it was unknowingly done and though the motives - which governed me may to you very naturally appear insufficient, - I have not yet learnt to condemn them. - - “With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of having - injured Mr. Wickham, I can only refute it by laying before you - the whole of his connection with my family. Of what he has - _particularly_ accused me I am ignorant; but of the truth of what - I shall relate, I can summon more than one witness of undoubted - veracity. - - “Mr. Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for - many years the management of all the Pemberley estates, and whose - good conduct in the discharge of his trust naturally inclined my - father to be of service to him; and on George Wickham, who was - his godson, his kindness was therefore liberally bestowed. My - father supported him at school, and afterwards at Cambridge—most - important assistance, as his own father, always poor from the - extravagance of his wife, would have been unable to give him a - gentleman’s education. My father was not only fond of this young - man’s society, whose manners were always engaging; he had also - the highest opinion of him, and hoping the church would be his - profession, intended to provide for him in it. As for myself, it - is many, many years since I first began to think of him in a very - different manner. The vicious propensities—the want of principle, - which he was careful to guard from the knowledge of his best - friend, could not escape the observation of a young man of nearly - the same age with himself, and who had opportunities of seeing - him in unguarded moments, which Mr. Darcy could not have. Here - again I shall give you pain—to what degree you only can tell. But - whatever may be the sentiments which Mr. Wickham has created, a - suspicion of their nature shall not prevent me from unfolding his - real character—it adds even another motive. - - “My excellent father died about five years ago; and his - attachment to Mr. Wickham was to the last so steady, that in his - will he particularly recommended it to me, to promote his - advancement in the best manner that his profession might - allow—and if he took orders, desired that a valuable family - living might be his as soon as it became vacant. There was also a - legacy of one thousand pounds. His own father did not long - survive mine, and within half a year from these events, Mr. - Wickham wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against - taking orders, he hoped I should not think it unreasonable for - him to expect some more immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of - the preferment, by which he could not be benefited. He had some - intention, he added, of studying law, and I must be aware that - the interest of one thousand pounds would be a very insufficient - support therein. I rather wished, than believed him to be - sincere; but, at any rate, was perfectly ready to accede to his - proposal. I knew that Mr. Wickham ought not to be a clergyman; - the business was therefore soon settled—he resigned all claim to - assistance in the church, were it possible that he could ever be - in a situation to receive it, and accepted in return three - thousand pounds. All connection between us seemed now dissolved. - I thought too ill of him to invite him to Pemberley, or admit his - society in town. In town I believe he chiefly lived, but his - studying the law was a mere pretence, and being now free from all - restraint, his life was a life of idleness and dissipation. For - about three years I heard little of him; but on the decease of - the incumbent of the living which had been designed for him, he - applied to me again by letter for the presentation. His - circumstances, he assured me, and I had no difficulty in - believing it, were exceedingly bad. He had found the law a most - unprofitable study, and was now absolutely resolved on being - ordained, if I would present him to the living in question—of - which he trusted there could be little doubt, as he was well - assured that I had no other person to provide for, and I could - not have forgotten my revered father’s intentions. You will - hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for - resisting every repetition to it. His resentment was in - proportion to the distress of his circumstances—and he was - doubtless as violent in his abuse of me to others as in his - reproaches to myself. After this period every appearance of - acquaintance was dropped. How he lived I know not. But last - summer he was again most painfully obtruded on my notice. - - “I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget - myself, and which no obligation less than the present should - induce me to unfold to any human being. Having said thus much, I - feel no doubt of your secrecy. My sister, who is more than ten - years my junior, was left to the guardianship of my mother’s - nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and myself. About a year ago, she - was taken from school, and an establishment formed for her in - London; and last summer she went with the lady who presided over - it, to Ramsgate; and thither also went Mr. Wickham, undoubtedly - by design; for there proved to have been a prior acquaintance - between him and Mrs. Younge, in whose character we were most - unhappily deceived; and by her connivance and aid, he so far - recommended himself to Georgiana, whose affectionate heart - retained a strong impression of his kindness to her as a child, - that she was persuaded to believe herself in love, and to consent - to an elopement. She was then but fifteen, which must be her - excuse; and after stating her imprudence, I am happy to add, that - I owed the knowledge of it to herself. I joined them unexpectedly - a day or two before the intended elopement, and then Georgiana, - unable to support the idea of grieving and offending a brother - whom she almost looked up to as a father, acknowledged the whole - to me. You may imagine what I felt and how I acted. Regard for my - sister’s credit and feelings prevented any public exposure; but I - wrote to Mr. Wickham, who left the place immediately, and Mrs. - Younge was of course removed from her charge. Mr. Wickham’s chief - object was unquestionably my sister’s fortune, which is thirty - thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of - revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge - would have been complete indeed. - - “This, madam, is a faithful narrative of every event in which we - have been concerned together; and if you do not absolutely reject - it as false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty - towards Mr. Wickham. I know not in what manner, under what form - of falsehood he had imposed on you; but his success is not - perhaps to be wondered at. Ignorant as you previously were of - everything concerning either, detection could not be in your - power, and suspicion certainly not in your inclination. - - “You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last - night; but I was not then master enough of myself to know what - could or ought to be revealed. For the truth of everything here - related, I can appeal more particularly to the testimony of - Colonel Fitzwilliam, who, from our near relationship and constant - intimacy, and, still more, as one of the executors of my father’s - will, has been unavoidably acquainted with every particular of - these transactions. If your abhorrence of _me_ should make _my_ - assertions valueless, you cannot be prevented by the same cause - from confiding in my cousin; and that there may be the - possibility of consulting him, I shall endeavour to find some - opportunity of putting this letter in your hands in the course of - the morning. I will only add, God bless you. - - “FITZWILLIAM DARCY” - - - - -Chapter 36 - - If Elizabeth, when Mr. Darcy gave her the letter, did not expect - it to contain a renewal of his offers, she had formed no - expectation at all of its contents. But such as they were, it may - well be supposed how eagerly she went through them, and what a - contrariety of emotion they excited. Her feelings as she read - were scarcely to be defined. With amazement did she first - understand that he believed any apology to be in his power; and - steadfastly was she persuaded, that he could have no explanation - to give, which a just sense of shame would not conceal. With a - strong prejudice against everything he might say, she began his - account of what had happened at Netherfield. She read with an - eagerness which hardly left her power of comprehension, and from - impatience of knowing what the next sentence might bring, was - incapable of attending to the sense of the one before her eyes. - His belief of her sister’s insensibility she instantly resolved - to be false; and his account of the real, the worst objections to - the match, made her too angry to have any wish of doing him - justice. He expressed no regret for what he had done which - satisfied her; his style was not penitent, but haughty. It was - all pride and insolence. - - But when this subject was succeeded by his account of Mr. - Wickham—when she read with somewhat clearer attention a relation - of events which, if true, must overthrow every cherished opinion - of his worth, and which bore so alarming an affinity to his own - history of himself—her feelings were yet more acutely painful and - more difficult of definition. Astonishment, apprehension, and - even horror, oppressed her. She wished to discredit it entirely, - repeatedly exclaiming, “This must be false! This cannot be! This - must be the grossest falsehood!”—and when she had gone through - the whole letter, though scarcely knowing anything of the last - page or two, put it hastily away, protesting that she would not - regard it, that she would never look in it again. - - In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could rest on - nothing, she walked on; but it would not do; in half a minute the - letter was unfolded again, and collecting herself as well as she - could, she again began the mortifying perusal of all that related - to Wickham, and commanded herself so far as to examine the - meaning of every sentence. The account of his connection with the - Pemberley family was exactly what he had related himself; and the - kindness of the late Mr. Darcy, though she had not before known - its extent, agreed equally well with his own words. So far each - recital confirmed the other; but when she came to the will, the - difference was great. What Wickham had said of the living was - fresh in her memory, and as she recalled his very words, it was - impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on one side - or the other; and, for a few moments, she flattered herself that - her wishes did not err. But when she read and re-read with the - closest attention, the particulars immediately following of - Wickham’s resigning all pretensions to the living, of his - receiving in lieu so considerable a sum as three thousand pounds, - again was she forced to hesitate. She put down the letter, - weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be - impartiality—deliberated on the probability of each statement—but - with little success. On both sides it was only assertion. Again - she read on; but every line proved more clearly that the affair, - which she had believed it impossible that any contrivance could - so represent as to render Mr. Darcy’s conduct in it less than - infamous, was capable of a turn which must make him entirely - blameless throughout the whole. - - The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to - lay at Mr. Wickham’s charge, exceedingly shocked her; the more - so, as she could bring no proof of its injustice. She had never - heard of him before his entrance into the ——shire Militia, in - which he had engaged at the persuasion of the young man who, on - meeting him accidentally in town, had there renewed a slight - acquaintance. Of his former way of life nothing had been known in - Hertfordshire but what he told himself. As to his real character, - had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of - enquiring. His countenance, voice, and manner had established him - at once in the possession of every virtue. She tried to recollect - some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of integrity - or benevolence, that might rescue him from the attacks of Mr. - Darcy; or at least, by the predominance of virtue, atone for - those casual errors under which she would endeavour to class what - Mr. Darcy had described as the idleness and vice of many years’ - continuance. But no such recollection befriended her. She could - see him instantly before her, in every charm of air and address; - but she could remember no more substantial good than the general - approbation of the neighbourhood, and the regard which his social - powers had gained him in the mess. After pausing on this point a - considerable while, she once more continued to read. But, alas! - the story which followed, of his designs on Miss Darcy, received - some confirmation from what had passed between Colonel - Fitzwilliam and herself only the morning before; and at last she - was referred for the truth of every particular to Colonel - Fitzwilliam himself—from whom she had previously received the - information of his near concern in all his cousin’s affairs, and - whose character she had no reason to question. At one time she - had almost resolved on applying to him, but the idea was checked - by the awkwardness of the application, and at length wholly - banished by the conviction that Mr. Darcy would never have - hazarded such a proposal, if he had not been well assured of his - cousin’s corroboration. - - She perfectly remembered everything that had passed in - conversation between Wickham and herself, in their first evening - at Mr. Phillips’s. Many of his expressions were still fresh in - her memory. She was _now_ struck with the impropriety of such - communications to a stranger, and wondered it had escaped her - before. She saw the indelicacy of putting himself forward as he - had done, and the inconsistency of his professions with his - conduct. She remembered that he had boasted of having no fear of - seeing Mr. Darcy—that Mr. Darcy might leave the country, but that - _he_ should stand his ground; yet he had avoided the Netherfield - ball the very next week. She remembered also that, till the - Netherfield family had quitted the country, he had told his story - to no one but herself; but that after their removal it had been - everywhere discussed; that he had then no reserves, no scruples - in sinking Mr. Darcy’s character, though he had assured her that - respect for the father would always prevent his exposing the son. - - How differently did everything now appear in which he was - concerned! His attentions to Miss King were now the consequence - of views solely and hatefully mercenary; and the mediocrity of - her fortune proved no longer the moderation of his wishes, but - his eagerness to grasp at anything. His behaviour to herself - could now have had no tolerable motive; he had either been - deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying his - vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had - most incautiously shown. Every lingering struggle in his favour - grew fainter and fainter; and in farther justification of Mr. - Darcy, she could not but allow that Mr. Bingley, when questioned - by Jane, had long ago asserted his blamelessness in the affair; - that proud and repulsive as were his manners, she had never, in - the whole course of their acquaintance—an acquaintance which had - latterly brought them much together, and given her a sort of - intimacy with his ways—seen anything that betrayed him to be - unprincipled or unjust—anything that spoke him of irreligious or - immoral habits; that among his own connections he was esteemed - and valued—that even Wickham had allowed him merit as a brother, - and that she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his - sister as to prove him capable of some amiable feeling; that had - his actions been what Mr. Wickham represented them, so gross a - violation of everything right could hardly have been concealed - from the world; and that friendship between a person capable of - it, and such an amiable man as Mr. Bingley, was incomprehensible. - - She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor - Wickham could she think without feeling she had been blind, - partial, prejudiced, absurd. - - “How despicably I have acted!” she cried; “I, who have prided - myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my - abilities! who have often disdained the generous candour of my - sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or blameable mistrust! - How humiliating is this discovery! Yet, how just a humiliation! - Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind! - But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the - preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on - the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted - prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either - were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself.” - - From herself to Jane—from Jane to Bingley, her thoughts were in a - line which soon brought to her recollection that Mr. Darcy’s - explanation _there_ had appeared very insufficient, and she read - it again. Widely different was the effect of a second perusal. - How could she deny that credit to his assertions in one instance, - which she had been obliged to give in the other? He declared - himself to be totally unsuspicious of her sister’s attachment; - and she could not help remembering what Charlotte’s opinion had - always been. Neither could she deny the justice of his - description of Jane. She felt that Jane’s feelings, though - fervent, were little displayed, and that there was a constant - complacency in her air and manner not often united with great - sensibility. - - When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were - mentioned in terms of such mortifying, yet merited reproach, her - sense of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck her - too forcibly for denial, and the circumstances to which he - particularly alluded as having passed at the Netherfield ball, - and as confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have - made a stronger impression on his mind than on hers. - - The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It - soothed, but it could not console her for the contempt which had - thus been self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she - considered that Jane’s disappointment had in fact been the work - of her nearest relations, and reflected how materially the credit - of both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt - depressed beyond anything she had ever known before. - - After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every - variety of thought—re-considering events, determining - probabilities, and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to - a change so sudden and so important, fatigue, and a recollection - of her long absence, made her at length return home; and she - entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, - and the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make - her unfit for conversation. - - She was immediately told that the two gentlemen from Rosings had - each called during her absence; Mr. Darcy, only for a few - minutes, to take leave—but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been - sitting with them at least an hour, hoping for her return, and - almost resolving to walk after her till she could be found. - Elizabeth could but just _affect_ concern in missing him; she - really rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer an - object; she could think only of her letter. - - - - -Chapter 37 - - The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning, and Mr. Collins - having been in waiting near the lodges, to make them his parting - obeisance, was able to bring home the pleasing intelligence, of - their appearing in very good health, and in as tolerable spirits - as could be expected, after the melancholy scene so lately gone - through at Rosings. To Rosings he then hastened, to console Lady - Catherine and her daughter; and on his return brought back, with - great satisfaction, a message from her ladyship, importing that - she felt herself so dull as to make her very desirous of having - them all to dine with her. - - Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that, - had she chosen it, she might by this time have been presented to - her as her future niece; nor could she think, without a smile, of - what her ladyship’s indignation would have been. “What would she - have said? how would she have behaved?” were questions with which - she amused herself. - - Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party. “I - assure you, I feel it exceedingly,” said Lady Catherine; “I - believe no one feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But I - am particularly attached to these young men, and know them to be - so much attached to me! They were excessively sorry to go! But so - they always are. The dear Colonel rallied his spirits tolerably - till just at last; but Darcy seemed to feel it most acutely, - more, I think, than last year. His attachment to Rosings - certainly increases.” - - Mr. Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in here, - which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter. - - Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed - out of spirits, and immediately accounting for it herself, by - supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon, she - added: - - “But if that is the case, you must write to your mother and beg - that you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins will be very glad - of your company, I am sure.” - - “I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation,” - replied Elizabeth, “but it is not in my power to accept it. I - must be in town next Saturday.” - - “Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I - expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins so before - you came. There can be no occasion for your going so soon. Mrs. - Bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight.” - - “But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return.” - - “Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. - Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father. And if - you will stay another _month_ complete, it will be in my power to - take one of you as far as London, for I am going there early in - June, for a week; and as Dawson does not object to the - barouche-box, there will be very good room for one of you—and - indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I should not - object to taking you both, as you are neither of you large.” - - “You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our - original plan.” - - Lady Catherine seemed resigned. “Mrs. Collins, you must send a - servant with them. You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot - bear the idea of two young women travelling post by themselves. - It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have - the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young - women should always be properly guarded and attended, according - to their situation in life. When my niece Georgiana went to - Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her having two - men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of Mr. Darcy, - of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with - propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to - all those things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. - Collins. I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would - really be discreditable to _you_ to let them go alone.” - - “My uncle is to send a servant for us.” - - “Oh! Your uncle! He keeps a man-servant, does he? I am very glad - you have somebody who thinks of these things. Where shall you - change horses? Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at - the Bell, you will be attended to.” - - Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their - journey, and as she did not answer them all herself, attention - was necessary, which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her; or, - with a mind so occupied, she might have forgotten where she was. - Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was - alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day - went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in - all the delight of unpleasant recollections. - - Mr. Darcy’s letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing by - heart. She studied every sentence; and her feelings towards its - writer were at times widely different. When she remembered the - style of his address, she was still full of indignation; but when - she considered how unjustly she had condemned and upbraided him, - her anger was turned against herself; and his disappointed - feelings became the object of compassion. His attachment excited - gratitude, his general character respect; but she could not - approve him; nor could she for a moment repent her refusal, or - feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. In her own - past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and - regret; and in the unhappy defects of her family, a subject of - yet heavier chagrin. They were hopeless of remedy. Her father, - contented with laughing at them, would never exert himself to - restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and her - mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely - insensible of the evil. Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane - in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia; - but while they were supported by their mother’s indulgence, what - chance could there be of improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited, - irritable, and completely under Lydia’s guidance, had been always - affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, - would scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and - vain. While there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt - with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they - would be going there forever. - - Anxiety on Jane’s behalf was another prevailing concern; and Mr. - Darcy’s explanation, by restoring Bingley to all her former good - opinion, heightened the sense of what Jane had lost. His - affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct - cleared of all blame, unless any could attach to the implicitness - of his confidence in his friend. How grievous then was the - thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so - replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had been - deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family! - - When to these recollections was added the development of - Wickham’s character, it may be easily believed that the happy - spirits which had seldom been depressed before, were now so much - affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear - tolerably cheerful. - - Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last - week of her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening - was spent there; and her ladyship again enquired minutely into - the particulars of their journey, gave them directions as to the - best method of packing, and was so urgent on the necessity of - placing gowns in the only right way, that Maria thought herself - obliged, on her return, to undo all the work of the morning, and - pack her trunk afresh. - - When they parted, Lady Catherine, with great condescension, - wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford - again next year; and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to - curtsey and hold out her hand to both. - - - - -Chapter 38 - - On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a - few minutes before the others appeared; and he took the - opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed - indispensably necessary. - - “I know not, Miss Elizabeth,” said he, “whether Mrs. Collins has - yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I - am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving - her thanks for it. The favour of your company has been much felt, - I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our - humble abode. Our plain manner of living, our small rooms and few - domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make Hunsford - extremely dull to a young lady like yourself; but I hope you will - believe us grateful for the condescension, and that we have done - everything in our power to prevent your spending your time - unpleasantly.” - - Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness. - She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of - being with Charlotte, and the kind attentions she had received, - must make _her_ feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified, and - with a more smiling solemnity replied: - - “It gives me great pleasure to hear that you have passed your - time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most - fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very - superior society, and, from our connection with Rosings, the - frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think we may - flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been - entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine’s - family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing - which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You see - how continually we are engaged there. In truth I must acknowledge - that, with all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I - should not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion, - while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings.” - - Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he - was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to - unite civility and truth in a few short sentences. - - “You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into - Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you - will be able to do so. Lady Catherine’s great attentions to Mrs. - Collins you have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust - it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate—but - on this point it will be as well to be silent. Only let me assure - you, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that I can from my heart most - cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Charlotte - and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in - everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas - between us. We seem to have been designed for each other.” - - Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where - that was the case, and with equal sincerity could add, that she - firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts. She was - not sorry, however, to have the recital of them interrupted by - the lady from whom they sprang. Poor Charlotte! it was melancholy - to leave her to such society! But she had chosen it with her eyes - open; and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to - go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her home and her - housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent - concerns, had not yet lost their charms. - - At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the - parcels placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. After - an affectionate parting between the friends, Elizabeth was - attended to the carriage by Mr. Collins, and as they walked down - the garden he was commissioning her with his best respects to all - her family, not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had - received at Longbourn in the winter, and his compliments to Mr. - and Mrs. Gardiner, though unknown. He then handed her in, Maria - followed, and the door was on the point of being closed, when he - suddenly reminded them, with some consternation, that they had - hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies at - Rosings. - - “But,” he added, “you will of course wish to have your humble - respects delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their - kindness to you while you have been here.” - - Elizabeth made no objection; the door was then allowed to be - shut, and the carriage drove off. - - “Good gracious!” cried Maria, after a few minutes’ silence, “it - seems but a day or two since we first came! and yet how many - things have happened!” - - “A great many indeed,” said her companion with a sigh. - - “We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there - twice! How much I shall have to tell!” - - Elizabeth added privately, “And how much I shall have to - conceal!” - - Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any - alarm; and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford they - reached Mr. Gardiner’s house, where they were to remain a few - days. - - Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity of - studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements which the - kindness of her aunt had reserved for them. But Jane was to go - home with her, and at Longbourn there would be leisure enough for - observation. - - It was not without an effort, meanwhile, that she could wait even - for Longbourn, before she told her sister of Mr. Darcy’s - proposals. To know that she had the power of revealing what would - so exceedingly astonish Jane, and must, at the same time, so - highly gratify whatever of her own vanity she had not yet been - able to reason away, was such a temptation to openness as nothing - could have conquered but the state of indecision in which she - remained as to the extent of what she should communicate; and her - fear, if she once entered on the subject, of being hurried into - repeating something of Bingley which might only grieve her sister - further. - - - - -Chapter 39 - - It was the second week in May, in which the three young ladies - set out together from Gracechurch Street for the town of ——, in - Hertfordshire; and, as they drew near the appointed inn where Mr. - Bennet’s carriage was to meet them, they quickly perceived, in - token of the coachman’s punctuality, both Kitty and Lydia looking - out of a dining-room up stairs. These two girls had been above an - hour in the place, happily employed in visiting an opposite - milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and dressing a salad - and cucumber. - - After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a - table set out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually - affords, exclaiming, “Is not this nice? Is not this an agreeable - surprise?” - - “And we mean to treat you all,” added Lydia, “but you must lend - us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.” - Then, showing her purchases—“Look here, I have bought this - bonnet. I do not think it is very pretty; but I thought I might - as well buy it as not. I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get - home, and see if I can make it up any better.” - - And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect - unconcern, “Oh! but there were two or three much uglier in the - shop; and when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to trim - it with fresh, I think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it - will not much signify what one wears this summer, after the - ——shire have left Meryton, and they are going in a fortnight.” - - “Are they indeed!” cried Elizabeth, with the greatest - satisfaction. - - “They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and I do so want - papa to take us all there for the summer! It would be such a - delicious scheme; and I dare say would hardly cost anything at - all. Mamma would like to go too of all things! Only think what a - miserable summer else we shall have!” - - “Yes,” thought Elizabeth, “_that_ would be a delightful scheme - indeed, and completely do for us at once. Good Heaven! Brighton, - and a whole campful of soldiers, to us, who have been overset - already by one poor regiment of militia, and the monthly balls of - Meryton!” - - “Now I have got some news for you,” said Lydia, as they sat down - at table. “What do you think? It is excellent news—capital - news—and about a certain person we all like!” - - Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter was told - he need not stay. Lydia laughed, and said: - - “Aye, that is just like your formality and discretion. You - thought the waiter must not hear, as if he cared! I dare say he - often hears worse things said than I am going to say. But he is - an ugly fellow! I am glad he is gone. I never saw such a long - chin in my life. Well, but now for my news; it is about dear - Wickham; too good for the waiter, is it not? There is no danger - of Wickham’s marrying Mary King. There’s for you! She is gone - down to her uncle at Liverpool: gone to stay. Wickham is safe.” - - “And Mary King is safe!” added Elizabeth; “safe from a connection - imprudent as to fortune.” - - “She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him.” - - “But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side,” said - Jane. - - “I am sure there is not on _his_. I will answer for it, he never - cared three straws about her—who _could_ about such a nasty - little freckled thing?” - - Elizabeth was shocked to think that, however incapable of such - coarseness of _expression_ herself, the coarseness of the - _sentiment_ was little other than her own breast had harboured - and fancied liberal! - - As soon as all had ate, and the elder ones paid, the carriage was - ordered; and after some contrivance, the whole party, with all - their boxes, work-bags, and parcels, and the unwelcome addition - of Kitty’s and Lydia’s purchases, were seated in it. - - “How nicely we are all crammed in,” cried Lydia. “I am glad I - bought my bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having another - bandbox! Well, now let us be quite comfortable and snug, and talk - and laugh all the way home. And in the first place, let us hear - what has happened to you all since you went away. Have you seen - any pleasant men? Have you had any flirting? I was in great hopes - that one of you would have got a husband before you came back. - Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare. She is almost - three-and-twenty! Lord, how ashamed I should be of not being - married before three-and-twenty! My aunt Phillips wants you so to - get husbands, you can’t think. She says Lizzy had better have - taken Mr. Collins; but _I_ do not think there would have been any - fun in it. Lord! how I should like to be married before any of - you; and then I would _chaperon_ you about to all the balls. Dear - me! we had such a good piece of fun the other day at Colonel - Forster’s. Kitty and me were to spend the day there, and Mrs. - Forster promised to have a little dance in the evening; (by the - bye, Mrs. Forster and me are _such_ friends!) and so she asked - the two Harringtons to come, but Harriet was ill, and so Pen was - forced to come by herself; and then, what do you think we did? We - dressed up Chamberlayne in woman’s clothes on purpose to pass for - a lady, only think what fun! Not a soul knew of it, but Colonel - and Mrs. Forster, and Kitty and me, except my aunt, for we were - forced to borrow one of her gowns; and you cannot imagine how - well he looked! When Denny, and Wickham, and Pratt, and two or - three more of the men came in, they did not know him in the - least. Lord! how I laughed! and so did Mrs. Forster. I thought I - should have died. And _that_ made the men suspect something, and - then they soon found out what was the matter.” - - With such kinds of histories of their parties and good jokes, did - Lydia, assisted by Kitty’s hints and additions, endeavour to - amuse her companions all the way to Longbourn. Elizabeth listened - as little as she could, but there was no escaping the frequent - mention of Wickham’s name. - - Their reception at home was most kind. Mrs. Bennet rejoiced to - see Jane in undiminished beauty; and more than once during dinner - did Mr. Bennet say voluntarily to Elizabeth: - - “I am glad you are come back, Lizzy.” - - Their party in the dining-room was large, for almost all the - Lucases came to meet Maria and hear the news; and various were - the subjects that occupied them: Lady Lucas was enquiring of - Maria, after the welfare and poultry of her eldest daughter; Mrs. - Bennet was doubly engaged, on one hand collecting an account of - the present fashions from Jane, who sat some way below her, and, - on the other, retailing them all to the younger Lucases; and - Lydia, in a voice rather louder than any other person’s, was - enumerating the various pleasures of the morning to anybody who - would hear her. - - “Oh! Mary,” said she, “I wish you had gone with us, for we had - such fun! As we went along, Kitty and I drew up the blinds, and - pretended there was nobody in the coach; and I should have gone - so all the way, if Kitty had not been sick; and when we got to - the George, I do think we behaved very handsomely, for we treated - the other three with the nicest cold luncheon in the world, and - if you would have gone, we would have treated you too. And then - when we came away it was such fun! I thought we never should have - got into the coach. I was ready to die of laughter. And then we - were so merry all the way home! we talked and laughed so loud, - that anybody might have heard us ten miles off!” - - To this Mary very gravely replied, “Far be it from me, my dear - sister, to depreciate such pleasures! They would doubtless be - congenial with the generality of female minds. But I confess they - would have no charms for _me_—I should infinitely prefer a book.” - - But of this answer Lydia heard not a word. She seldom listened to - anybody for more than half a minute, and never attended to Mary - at all. - - In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to - walk to Meryton, and to see how everybody went on; but Elizabeth - steadily opposed the scheme. It should not be said that the Miss - Bennets could not be at home half a day before they were in - pursuit of the officers. There was another reason too for her - opposition. She dreaded seeing Mr. Wickham again, and was - resolved to avoid it as long as possible. The comfort to _her_ of - the regiment’s approaching removal was indeed beyond expression. - In a fortnight they were to go—and once gone, she hoped there - could be nothing more to plague her on his account. - - She had not been many hours at home before she found that the - Brighton scheme, of which Lydia had given them a hint at the inn, - was under frequent discussion between her parents. Elizabeth saw - directly that her father had not the smallest intention of - yielding; but his answers were at the same time so vague and - equivocal, that her mother, though often disheartened, had never - yet despaired of succeeding at last. - - - - -Chapter 40 - - Elizabeth’s impatience to acquaint Jane with what had happened - could no longer be overcome; and at length, resolving to suppress - every particular in which her sister was concerned, and preparing - her to be surprised, she related to her the next morning the - chief of the scene between Mr. Darcy and herself. - - Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong - sisterly partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear - perfectly natural; and all surprise was shortly lost in other - feelings. She was sorry that Mr. Darcy should have delivered his - sentiments in a manner so little suited to recommend them; but - still more was she grieved for the unhappiness which her sister’s - refusal must have given him. - - “His being so sure of succeeding was wrong,” said she, “and - certainly ought not to have appeared; but consider how much it - must increase his disappointment!” - - “Indeed,” replied Elizabeth, “I am heartily sorry for him; but he - has other feelings, which will probably soon drive away his - regard for me. You do not blame me, however, for refusing him?” - - “Blame you! Oh, no.” - - “But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham?” - - “No—I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you did.” - - “But you _will_ know it, when I tell you what happened the very - next day.” - - She then spoke of the letter, repeating the whole of its contents - as far as they concerned George Wickham. What a stroke was this - for poor Jane! who would willingly have gone through the world - without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole - race of mankind, as was here collected in one individual. Nor was - Darcy’s vindication, though grateful to her feelings, capable of - consoling her for such discovery. Most earnestly did she labour - to prove the probability of error, and seek to clear the one - without involving the other. - - “This will not do,” said Elizabeth; “you never will be able to - make both of them good for anything. Take your choice, but you - must be satisfied with only one. There is but such a quantity of - merit between them; just enough to make one good sort of man; and - of late it has been shifting about pretty much. For my part, I am - inclined to believe it all Darcy’s; but you shall do as you - choose.” - - It was some time, however, before a smile could be extorted from - Jane. - - “I do not know when I have been more shocked,” said she. “Wickham - so very bad! It is almost past belief. And poor Mr. Darcy! Dear - Lizzy, only consider what he must have suffered. Such a - disappointment! and with the knowledge of your ill opinion, too! - and having to relate such a thing of his sister! It is really too - distressing. I am sure you must feel it so.” - - “Oh! no, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you - so full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice, that - I am growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your - profusion makes me saving; and if you lament over him much - longer, my heart will be as light as a feather.” - - “Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in his - countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!” - - “There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of - those two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other - all the appearance of it.” - - “I never thought Mr. Darcy so deficient in the _appearance_ of it - as you used to do.” - - “And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a - dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one’s - genius, such an opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. - One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but - one cannot always be laughing at a man without now and then - stumbling on something witty.” - - “Lizzy, when you first read that letter, I am sure you could not - treat the matter as you do now.” - - “Indeed, I could not. I was uncomfortable enough, I may say - unhappy. And with no one to speak to about what I felt, no Jane - to comfort me and say that I had not been so very weak and vain - and nonsensical as I knew I had! Oh! how I wanted you!” - - “How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong - expressions in speaking of Wickham to Mr. Darcy, for now they - _do_ appear wholly undeserved.” - - “Certainly. But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a - most natural consequence of the prejudices I had been - encouraging. There is one point on which I want your advice. I - want to be told whether I ought, or ought not, to make our - acquaintances in general understand Wickham’s character.” - - Miss Bennet paused a little, and then replied, “Surely there can - be no occasion for exposing him so dreadfully. What is your - opinion?” - - “That it ought not to be attempted. Mr. Darcy has not authorised - me to make his communication public. On the contrary, every - particular relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as - possible to myself; and if I endeavour to undeceive people as to - the rest of his conduct, who will believe me? The general - prejudice against Mr. Darcy is so violent, that it would be the - death of half the good people in Meryton to attempt to place him - in an amiable light. I am not equal to it. Wickham will soon be - gone; and therefore it will not signify to anyone here what he - really is. Some time hence it will be all found out, and then we - may laugh at their stupidity in not knowing it before. At present - I will say nothing about it.” - - “You are quite right. To have his errors made public might ruin - him for ever. He is now, perhaps, sorry for what he has done, and - anxious to re-establish a character. We must not make him - desperate.” - - The tumult of Elizabeth’s mind was allayed by this conversation. - She had got rid of two of the secrets which had weighed on her - for a fortnight, and was certain of a willing listener in Jane, - whenever she might wish to talk again of either. But there was - still something lurking behind, of which prudence forbade the - disclosure. She dared not relate the other half of Mr. Darcy’s - letter, nor explain to her sister how sincerely she had been - valued by her friend. Here was knowledge in which no one could - partake; and she was sensible that nothing less than a perfect - understanding between the parties could justify her in throwing - off this last encumbrance of mystery. “And then,” said she, “if - that very improbable event should ever take place, I shall merely - be able to tell what Bingley may tell in a much more agreeable - manner himself. The liberty of communication cannot be mine till - it has lost all its value!” - - She was now, on being settled at home, at leisure to observe the - real state of her sister’s spirits. Jane was not happy. She still - cherished a very tender affection for Bingley. Having never even - fancied herself in love before, her regard had all the warmth of - first attachment, and, from her age and disposition, greater - steadiness than most first attachments often boast; and so - fervently did she value his remembrance, and prefer him to every - other man, that all her good sense, and all her attention to the - feelings of her friends, were requisite to check the indulgence - of those regrets which must have been injurious to her own health - and their tranquillity. - - “Well, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Bennet one day, “what is your opinion - _now_ of this sad business of Jane’s? For my part, I am - determined never to speak of it again to anybody. I told my - sister Phillips so the other day. But I cannot find out that Jane - saw anything of him in London. Well, he is a very undeserving - young man—and I do not suppose there’s the least chance in the - world of her ever getting him now. There is no talk of his coming - to Netherfield again in the summer; and I have enquired of - everybody, too, who is likely to know.” - - “I do not believe he will ever live at Netherfield any more.” - - “Oh well! it is just as he chooses. Nobody wants him to come. - Though I shall always say he used my daughter extremely ill; and - if I was her, I would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort - is, I am sure Jane will die of a broken heart; and then he will - be sorry for what he has done.” - - But as Elizabeth could not receive comfort from any such - expectation, she made no answer. - - “Well, Lizzy,” continued her mother, soon afterwards, “and so the - Collinses live very comfortable, do they? Well, well, I only hope - it will last. And what sort of table do they keep? Charlotte is - an excellent manager, I dare say. If she is half as sharp as her - mother, she is saving enough. There is nothing extravagant in - _their_ housekeeping, I dare say.” - - “No, nothing at all.” - - “A great deal of good management, depend upon it. Yes, yes. - _They_ will take care not to outrun their income. _They_ will - never be distressed for money. Well, much good may it do them! - And so, I suppose, they often talk of having Longbourn when your - father is dead. They look upon it as quite their own, I dare say, - whenever that happens.” - - “It was a subject which they could not mention before me.” - - “No; it would have been strange if they had; but I make no doubt - they often talk of it between themselves. Well, if they can be - easy with an estate that is not lawfully their own, so much the - better. _I_ should be ashamed of having one that was only - entailed on me.” - - - - -Chapter 41 - - The first week of their return was soon gone. The second began. - It was the last of the regiment’s stay in Meryton, and all the - young ladies in the neighbourhood were drooping apace. The - dejection was almost universal. The elder Miss Bennets alone were - still able to eat, drink, and sleep, and pursue the usual course - of their employments. Very frequently were they reproached for - this insensibility by Kitty and Lydia, whose own misery was - extreme, and who could not comprehend such hard-heartedness in - any of the family. - - “Good Heaven! what is to become of us? What are we to do?” would - they often exclaim in the bitterness of woe. “How can you be - smiling so, Lizzy?” - - Their affectionate mother shared all their grief; she remembered - what she had herself endured on a similar occasion, - five-and-twenty years ago. - - “I am sure,” said she, “I cried for two days together when - Colonel Miller’s regiment went away. I thought I should have - broken my heart.” - - “I am sure I shall break _mine_,” said Lydia. - - “If one could but go to Brighton!” observed Mrs. Bennet. - - “Oh, yes!—if one could but go to Brighton! But papa is so - disagreeable.” - - “A little sea-bathing would set me up forever.” - - “And my aunt Phillips is sure it would do _me_ a great deal of - good,” added Kitty. - - Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through - Longbourn House. Elizabeth tried to be diverted by them; but all - sense of pleasure was lost in shame. She felt anew the justice of - Mr. Darcy’s objections; and never had she been so much disposed - to pardon his interference in the views of his friend. - - But the gloom of Lydia’s prospect was shortly cleared away; for - she received an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the - colonel of the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. This - invaluable friend was a very young woman, and very lately - married. A resemblance in good humour and good spirits had - recommended her and Lydia to each other, and out of their _three_ - months’ acquaintance they had been intimate _two_. - - The rapture of Lydia on this occasion, her adoration of Mrs. - Forster, the delight of Mrs. Bennet, and the mortification of - Kitty, are scarcely to be described. Wholly inattentive to her - sister’s feelings, Lydia flew about the house in restless - ecstasy, calling for everyone’s congratulations, and laughing and - talking with more violence than ever; whilst the luckless Kitty - continued in the parlour repining at her fate in terms as - unreasonable as her accent was peevish. - - “I cannot see why Mrs. Forster should not ask _me_ as well as - Lydia,” said she, “Though I am _not_ her particular friend. I - have just as much right to be asked as she has, and more too, for - I am two years older.” - - In vain did Elizabeth attempt to make her reasonable, and Jane to - make her resigned. As for Elizabeth herself, this invitation was - so far from exciting in her the same feelings as in her mother - and Lydia, that she considered it as the death warrant of all - possibility of common sense for the latter; and detestable as - such a step must make her were it known, she could not help - secretly advising her father not to let her go. She represented - to him all the improprieties of Lydia’s general behaviour, the - little advantage she could derive from the friendship of such a - woman as Mrs. Forster, and the probability of her being yet more - imprudent with such a companion at Brighton, where the - temptations must be greater than at home. He heard her - attentively, and then said: - - “Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed herself in some - public place or other, and we can never expect her to do it with - so little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the - present circumstances.” - - “If you were aware,” said Elizabeth, “of the very great - disadvantage to us all which must arise from the public notice of - Lydia’s unguarded and imprudent manner—nay, which has already - arisen from it, I am sure you would judge differently in the - affair.” - - “Already arisen?” repeated Mr. Bennet. “What, has she frightened - away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast - down. Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a - little absurdity are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the - list of pitiful fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia’s - folly.” - - “Indeed you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to resent. It - is not of particular, but of general evils, which I am now - complaining. Our importance, our respectability in the world must - be affected by the wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of - all restraint which mark Lydia’s character. Excuse me, for I must - speak plainly. If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble - of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her - present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will - soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character will be - fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt - that ever made herself or her family ridiculous; a flirt, too, in - the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any - attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and, from the - ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off - any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for - admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty also is - comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, - ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled! Oh! my dear father, - can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured and - despised wherever they are known, and that their sisters will not - be often involved in the disgrace?” - - Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject, and - affectionately taking her hand said in reply: - - “Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are - known you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear - to less advantage for having a couple of—or I may say, three—very - silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does - not go to Brighton. Let her go, then. Colonel Forster is a - sensible man, and will keep her out of any real mischief; and she - is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to anybody. At - Brighton she will be of less importance even as a common flirt - than she has been here. The officers will find women better worth - their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may - teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow - many degrees worse, without authorising us to lock her up for the - rest of her life.” - - With this answer Elizabeth was forced to be content; but her own - opinion continued the same, and she left him disappointed and - sorry. It was not in her nature, however, to increase her - vexations by dwelling on them. She was confident of having - performed her duty, and to fret over unavoidable evils, or - augment them by anxiety, was no part of her disposition. - - Had Lydia and her mother known the substance of her conference - with her father, their indignation would hardly have found - expression in their united volubility. In Lydia’s imagination, a - visit to Brighton comprised every possibility of earthly - happiness. She saw, with the creative eye of fancy, the streets - of that gay bathing-place covered with officers. She saw herself - the object of attention, to tens and to scores of them at present - unknown. She saw all the glories of the camp—its tents stretched - forth in beauteous uniformity of lines, crowded with the young - and the gay, and dazzling with scarlet; and, to complete the - view, she saw herself seated beneath a tent, tenderly flirting - with at least six officers at once. - - Had she known her sister sought to tear her from such prospects - and such realities as these, what would have been her sensations? - They could have been understood only by her mother, who might - have felt nearly the same. Lydia’s going to Brighton was all that - consoled her for her melancholy conviction of her husband’s never - intending to go there himself. - - But they were entirely ignorant of what had passed; and their - raptures continued, with little intermission, to the very day of - Lydia’s leaving home. - - Elizabeth was now to see Mr. Wickham for the last time. Having - been frequently in company with him since her return, agitation - was pretty well over; the agitations of former partiality - entirely so. She had even learnt to detect, in the very - gentleness which had first delighted her, an affectation and a - sameness to disgust and weary. In his present behaviour to - herself, moreover, she had a fresh source of displeasure, for the - inclination he soon testified of renewing those intentions which - had marked the early part of their acquaintance could only serve, - after what had since passed, to provoke her. She lost all concern - for him in finding herself thus selected as the object of such - idle and frivolous gallantry; and while she steadily repressed - it, could not but feel the reproof contained in his believing, - that however long, and for whatever cause, his attentions had - been withdrawn, her vanity would be gratified, and her preference - secured at any time by their renewal. - - On the very last day of the regiment’s remaining at Meryton, he - dined, with others of the officers, at Longbourn; and so little - was Elizabeth disposed to part from him in good humour, that on - his making some enquiry as to the manner in which her time had - passed at Hunsford, she mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam’s and Mr. - Darcy’s having both spent three weeks at Rosings, and asked him, - if he was acquainted with the former. - - He looked surprised, displeased, alarmed; but with a moment’s - recollection and a returning smile, replied, that he had formerly - seen him often; and, after observing that he was a very - gentlemanlike man, asked her how she had liked him. Her answer - was warmly in his favour. With an air of indifference he soon - afterwards added: - - “How long did you say he was at Rosings?” - - “Nearly three weeks.” - - “And you saw him frequently?” - - “Yes, almost every day.” - - “His manners are very different from his cousin’s.” - - “Yes, very different. But I think Mr. Darcy improves upon - acquaintance.” - - “Indeed!” cried Mr. Wickham with a look which did not escape her. - “And pray, may I ask?—” But checking himself, he added, in a - gayer tone, “Is it in address that he improves? Has he deigned to - add aught of civility to his ordinary style?—for I dare not - hope,” he continued in a lower and more serious tone, “that he is - improved in essentials.” - - “Oh, no!” said Elizabeth. “In essentials, I believe, he is very - much what he ever was.” - - While she spoke, Wickham looked as if scarcely knowing whether to - rejoice over her words, or to distrust their meaning. There was a - something in her countenance which made him listen with an - apprehensive and anxious attention, while she added: - - “When I said that he improved on acquaintance, I did not mean - that his mind or his manners were in a state of improvement, but - that, from knowing him better, his disposition was better - understood.” - - Wickham’s alarm now appeared in a heightened complexion and - agitated look; for a few minutes he was silent, till, shaking off - his embarrassment, he turned to her again, and said in the - gentlest of accents: - - “You, who so well know my feeling towards Mr. Darcy, will readily - comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that he is wise enough to - assume even the _appearance_ of what is right. His pride, in that - direction, may be of service, if not to himself, to many others, - for it must only deter him from such foul misconduct as I have - suffered by. I only fear that the sort of cautiousness to which - you, I imagine, have been alluding, is merely adopted on his - visits to his aunt, of whose good opinion and judgement he stands - much in awe. His fear of her has always operated, I know, when - they were together; and a good deal is to be imputed to his wish - of forwarding the match with Miss de Bourgh, which I am certain - he has very much at heart.” - - Elizabeth could not repress a smile at this, but she answered - only by a slight inclination of the head. She saw that he wanted - to engage her on the old subject of his grievances, and she was - in no humour to indulge him. The rest of the evening passed with - the _appearance_, on his side, of usual cheerfulness, but with no - further attempt to distinguish Elizabeth; and they parted at last - with mutual civility, and possibly a mutual desire of never - meeting again. - - When the party broke up, Lydia returned with Mrs. Forster to - Meryton, from whence they were to set out early the next morning. - The separation between her and her family was rather noisy than - pathetic. Kitty was the only one who shed tears; but she did weep - from vexation and envy. Mrs. Bennet was diffuse in her good - wishes for the felicity of her daughter, and impressive in her - injunctions that she should not miss the opportunity of enjoying - herself as much as possible—advice which there was every reason - to believe would be well attended to; and in the clamorous - happiness of Lydia herself in bidding farewell, the more gentle - adieus of her sisters were uttered without being heard. - - - - -Chapter 42 - - Had Elizabeth’s opinion been all drawn from her own family, she - could not have formed a very pleasing opinion of conjugal - felicity or domestic comfort. Her father, captivated by youth and - beauty, and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty - generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and - illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all - real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence had - vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were - overthrown. But Mr. Bennet was not of a disposition to seek - comfort for the disappointment which his own imprudence had - brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often console the - unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of the - country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his - principal enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise - indebted, than as her ignorance and folly had contributed to his - amusement. This is not the sort of happiness which a man would in - general wish to owe to his wife; but where other powers of - entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive - benefit from such as are given. - - Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of - her father’s behaviour as a husband. She had always seen it with - pain; but respecting his abilities, and grateful for his - affectionate treatment of herself, she endeavoured to forget what - she could not overlook, and to banish from her thoughts that - continual breach of conjugal obligation and decorum which, in - exposing his wife to the contempt of her own children, was so - highly reprehensible. But she had never felt so strongly as now - the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable - a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising - from so ill-judged a direction of talents; talents, which, - rightly used, might at least have preserved the respectability of - his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his - wife. - - When Elizabeth had rejoiced over Wickham’s departure she found - little other cause for satisfaction in the loss of the regiment. - Their parties abroad were less varied than before, and at home - she had a mother and sister whose constant repinings at the - dullness of everything around them threw a real gloom over their - domestic circle; and, though Kitty might in time regain her - natural degree of sense, since the disturbers of her brain were - removed, her other sister, from whose disposition greater evil - might be apprehended, was likely to be hardened in all her folly - and assurance by a situation of such double danger as a - watering-place and a camp. Upon the whole, therefore, she found, - what has been sometimes found before, that an event to which she - had looked forward with impatient desire did not, in taking - place, bring all the satisfaction she had promised herself. It - was consequently necessary to name some other period for the - commencement of actual felicity—to have some other point on which - her wishes and hopes might be fixed, and by again enjoying the - pleasure of anticipation, console herself for the present, and - prepare for another disappointment. Her tour to the Lakes was now - the object of her happiest thoughts; it was her best consolation - for all the uncomfortable hours which the discontentedness of her - mother and Kitty made inevitable; and could she have included - Jane in the scheme, every part of it would have been perfect. - - “But it is fortunate,” thought she, “that I have something to - wish for. Were the whole arrangement complete, my disappointment - would be certain. But here, by carrying with me one ceaseless - source of regret in my sister’s absence, I may reasonably hope to - have all my expectations of pleasure realised. A scheme of which - every part promises delight can never be successful; and general - disappointment is only warded off by the defence of some little - peculiar vexation.” - - When Lydia went away she promised to write very often and very - minutely to her mother and Kitty; but her letters were always - long expected, and always very short. Those to her mother - contained little else than that they were just returned from the - library, where such and such officers had attended them, and - where she had seen such beautiful ornaments as made her quite - wild; that she had a new gown, or a new parasol, which she would - have described more fully, but was obliged to leave off in a - violent hurry, as Mrs. Forster called her, and they were going - off to the camp; and from her correspondence with her sister, - there was still less to be learnt—for her letters to Kitty, - though rather longer, were much too full of lines under the words - to be made public. - - After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence, health, - good humour, and cheerfulness began to reappear at Longbourn. - Everything wore a happier aspect. The families who had been in - town for the winter came back again, and summer finery and summer - engagements arose. Mrs. Bennet was restored to her usual - querulous serenity; and, by the middle of June, Kitty was so much - recovered as to be able to enter Meryton without tears; an event - of such happy promise as to make Elizabeth hope that by the - following Christmas she might be so tolerably reasonable as not - to mention an officer above once a day, unless, by some cruel and - malicious arrangement at the War Office, another regiment should - be quartered in Meryton. - - The time fixed for the beginning of their northern tour was now - fast approaching, and a fortnight only was wanting of it, when a - letter arrived from Mrs. Gardiner, which at once delayed its - commencement and curtailed its extent. Mr. Gardiner would be - prevented by business from setting out till a fortnight later in - July, and must be in London again within a month, and as that - left too short a period for them to go so far, and see so much as - they had proposed, or at least to see it with the leisure and - comfort they had built on, they were obliged to give up the - Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour, and, according to - the present plan, were to go no farther northwards than - Derbyshire. In that county there was enough to be seen to occupy - the chief of their three weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner it had a - peculiarly strong attraction. The town where she had formerly - passed some years of her life, and where they were now to spend a - few days, was probably as great an object of her curiosity as all - the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dovedale, or the - Peak. - - Elizabeth was excessively disappointed; she had set her heart on - seeing the Lakes, and still thought there might have been time - enough. But it was her business to be satisfied—and certainly her - temper to be happy; and all was soon right again. - - With the mention of Derbyshire there were many ideas connected. - It was impossible for her to see the word without thinking of - Pemberley and its owner. “But surely,” said she, “I may enter his - county with impunity, and rob it of a few petrified spars without - his perceiving me.” - - The period of expectation was now doubled. Four weeks were to - pass away before her uncle and aunt’s arrival. But they did pass - away, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, with their four children, did at - length appear at Longbourn. The children, two girls of six and - eight years old, and two younger boys, were to be left under the - particular care of their cousin Jane, who was the general - favourite, and whose steady sense and sweetness of temper exactly - adapted her for attending to them in every way—teaching them, - playing with them, and loving them. - - The Gardiners stayed only one night at Longbourn, and set off the - next morning with Elizabeth in pursuit of novelty and amusement. - One enjoyment was certain—that of suitableness of companions; a - suitableness which comprehended health and temper to bear - inconveniences—cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure—and - affection and intelligence, which might supply it among - themselves if there were disappointments abroad. - - It is not the object of this work to give a description of - Derbyshire, nor of any of the remarkable places through which - their route thither lay; Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth, - Birmingham, etc. are sufficiently known. A small part of - Derbyshire is all the present concern. To the little town of - Lambton, the scene of Mrs. Gardiner’s former residence, and where - she had lately learned some acquaintance still remained, they - bent their steps, after having seen all the principal wonders of - the country; and within five miles of Lambton, Elizabeth found - from her aunt that Pemberley was situated. It was not in their - direct road, nor more than a mile or two out of it. In talking - over their route the evening before, Mrs. Gardiner expressed an - inclination to see the place again. Mr. Gardiner declared his - willingness, and Elizabeth was applied to for her approbation. - - “My love, should not you like to see a place of which you have - heard so much?” said her aunt; “a place, too, with which so many - of your acquaintances are connected. Wickham passed all his youth - there, you know.” - - Elizabeth was distressed. She felt that she had no business at - Pemberley, and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing - it. She must own that she was tired of seeing great houses; after - going over so many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or - satin curtains. - - Mrs. Gardiner abused her stupidity. “If it were merely a fine - house richly furnished,” said she, “I should not care about it - myself; but the grounds are delightful. They have some of the - finest woods in the country.” - - Elizabeth said no more—but her mind could not acquiesce. The - possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, - instantly occurred. It would be dreadful! She blushed at the very - idea, and thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt - than to run such a risk. But against this there were objections; - and she finally resolved that it could be the last resource, if - her private enquiries to the absence of the family were - unfavourably answered. - - Accordingly, when she retired at night, she asked the chambermaid - whether Pemberley were not a very fine place? what was the name - of its proprietor? and, with no little alarm, whether the family - were down for the summer? A most welcome negative followed the - last question—and her alarms now being removed, she was at - leisure to feel a great deal of curiosity to see the house - herself; and when the subject was revived the next morning, and - she was again applied to, could readily answer, and with a proper - air of indifference, that she had not really any dislike to the - scheme. To Pemberley, therefore, they were to go. - - - - -Chapter 43 - - Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance - of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length - they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter. - - The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. - They entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some - time through a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent. - - Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and - admired every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually - ascended for half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of - a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was - instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated on the opposite - side of a valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. - It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising - ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, - a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but - without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal - nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen - a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty - had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were - all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt - that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something! - - They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the - door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all - her apprehension of meeting its owner returned. She dreaded lest - the chambermaid had been mistaken. On applying to see the place, - they were admitted into the hall; and Elizabeth, as they waited - for the housekeeper, had leisure to wonder at her being where she - was. - - The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderly woman, much - less fine, and more civil, than she had any notion of finding - her. They followed her into the dining-parlour. It was a large, - well proportioned room, handsomely fitted up. Elizabeth, after - slightly surveying it, went to a window to enjoy its prospect. - The hill, crowned with wood, which they had descended, receiving - increased abruptness from the distance, was a beautiful object. - Every disposition of the ground was good; and she looked on the - whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its banks and the - winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it, with - delight. As they passed into other rooms these objects were - taking different positions; but from every window there were - beauties to be seen. The rooms were lofty and handsome, and their - furniture suitable to the fortune of its proprietor; but - Elizabeth saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither - gaudy nor uselessly fine; with less of splendour, and more real - elegance, than the furniture of Rosings. - - “And of this place,” thought she, “I might have been mistress! - With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! - Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in - them as my own, and welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and - aunt. But no,”—recollecting herself—“that could never be; my - uncle and aunt would have been lost to me; I should not have been - allowed to invite them.” - - This was a lucky recollection—it saved her from something very - like regret. - - She longed to enquire of the housekeeper whether her master was - really absent, but had not the courage for it. At length however, - the question was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with - alarm, while Mrs. Reynolds replied that he was, adding, “But we - expect him to-morrow, with a large party of friends.” How - rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own journey had not by any - circumstance been delayed a day! - - Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached and - saw the likeness of Mr. Wickham, suspended, amongst several other - miniatures, over the mantelpiece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly, - how she liked it. The housekeeper came forward, and told them it - was a picture of a young gentleman, the son of her late master’s - steward, who had been brought up by him at his own expense. “He - is now gone into the army,” she added; “but I am afraid he has - turned out very wild.” - - Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth - could not return it. - - “And that,” said Mrs. Reynolds, pointing to another of the - miniatures, “is my master—and very like him. It was drawn at the - same time as the other—about eight years ago.” - - “I have heard much of your master’s fine person,” said Mrs. - Gardiner, looking at the picture; “it is a handsome face. But, - Lizzy, you can tell us whether it is like or not.” - - Mrs. Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this - intimation of her knowing her master. - - “Does that young lady know Mr. Darcy?” - - Elizabeth coloured, and said: “A little.” - - “And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman, ma’am?” - - “Yes, very handsome.” - - “I am sure _I_ know none so handsome; but in the gallery up - stairs you will see a finer, larger picture of him than this. - This room was my late master’s favourite room, and these - miniatures are just as they used to be then. He was very fond of - them.” - - This accounted to Elizabeth for Mr. Wickham’s being among them. - - Mrs. Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy, - drawn when she was only eight years old. - - “And is Miss Darcy as handsome as her brother?” said Mrs. - Gardiner. - - “Oh! yes—the handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so - accomplished!—She plays and sings all day long. In the next room - is a new instrument just come down for her—a present from my - master; she comes here to-morrow with him.” - - Mr. Gardiner, whose manners were very easy and pleasant, - encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and remarks; - Mrs. Reynolds, either by pride or attachment, had evidently great - pleasure in talking of her master and his sister. - - “Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?” - - “Not so much as I could wish, sir; but I dare say he may spend - half his time here; and Miss Darcy is always down for the summer - months.” - - “Except,” thought Elizabeth, “when she goes to Ramsgate.” - - “If your master would marry, you might see more of him.” - - “Yes, sir; but I do not know when _that_ will be. I do not know - who is good enough for him.” - - Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner smiled. Elizabeth could not help saying, - “It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think - so.” - - “I say no more than the truth, and everybody will say that knows - him,” replied the other. Elizabeth thought this was going pretty - far; and she listened with increasing astonishment as the - housekeeper added, “I have never known a cross word from him in - my life, and I have known him ever since he was four years old.” - - This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most opposite - to her ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man had been her - firmest opinion. Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed - to hear more, and was grateful to her uncle for saying: - - “There are very few people of whom so much can be said. You are - lucky in having such a master.” - - “Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I - could not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that - they who are good-natured when children, are good-natured when - they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most - generous-hearted boy in the world.” - - Elizabeth almost stared at her. “Can this be Mr. Darcy?” thought - she. - - “His father was an excellent man,” said Mrs. Gardiner. - - “Yes, ma’am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like - him—just as affable to the poor.” - - Elizabeth listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for - more. Mrs. Reynolds could interest her on no other point. She - related the subjects of the pictures, the dimensions of the - rooms, and the price of the furniture, in vain. Mr. Gardiner, - highly amused by the kind of family prejudice to which he - attributed her excessive commendation of her master, soon led - again to the subject; and she dwelt with energy on his many - merits as they proceeded together up the great staircase. - - “He is the best landlord, and the best master,” said she, “that - ever lived; not like the wild young men nowadays, who think of - nothing but themselves. There is not one of his tenants or - servants but will give him a good name. Some people call him - proud; but I am sure I never saw anything of it. To my fancy, it - is only because he does not rattle away like other young men.” - - “In what an amiable light does this place him!” thought - Elizabeth. - - “This fine account of him,” whispered her aunt as they walked, - “is not quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend.” - - “Perhaps we might be deceived.” - - “That is not very likely; our authority was too good.” - - On reaching the spacious lobby above they were shown into a very - pretty sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and - lightness than the apartments below; and were informed that it - was but just done to give pleasure to Miss Darcy, who had taken a - liking to the room when last at Pemberley. - - “He is certainly a good brother,” said Elizabeth, as she walked - towards one of the windows. - - Mrs. Reynolds anticipated Miss Darcy’s delight, when she should - enter the room. “And this is always the way with him,” she added. - “Whatever can give his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in - a moment. There is nothing he would not do for her.” - - The picture-gallery, and two or three of the principal bedrooms, - were all that remained to be shown. In the former were many good - paintings; but Elizabeth knew nothing of the art; and from such - as had been already visible below, she had willingly turned to - look at some drawings of Miss Darcy’s, in crayons, whose subjects - were usually more interesting, and also more intelligible. - - In the gallery there were many family portraits, but they could - have little to fix the attention of a stranger. Elizabeth walked - in quest of the only face whose features would be known to her. - At last it arrested her—and she beheld a striking resemblance to - Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over the face as she remembered to - have sometimes seen when he looked at her. She stood several - minutes before the picture, in earnest contemplation, and - returned to it again before they quitted the gallery. Mrs. - Reynolds informed them that it had been taken in his father’s - lifetime. - - There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth’s mind, a more - gentle sensation towards the original than she had ever felt at - the height of their acquaintance. The commendation bestowed on - him by Mrs. Reynolds was of no trifling nature. What praise is - more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant? As a - brother, a landlord, a master, she considered how many people’s - happiness were in his guardianship!—how much of pleasure or pain - was it in his power to bestow!—how much of good or evil must be - done by him! Every idea that had been brought forward by the - housekeeper was favourable to his character, and as she stood - before the canvas on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes - upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment - of gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its - warmth, and softened its impropriety of expression. - - When all of the house that was open to general inspection had - been seen, they returned downstairs, and, taking leave of the - housekeeper, were consigned over to the gardener, who met them at - the hall-door. - - As they walked across the hall towards the river, Elizabeth - turned back to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also, and - while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building, - the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road, - which led behind it to the stables. - - They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was - his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Their - eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of both were overspread with - the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed - immovable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced - towards the party, and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of - perfect composure, at least of perfect civility. - - She had instinctively turned away; but stopping on his approach, - received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be - overcome. Had his first appearance, or his resemblance to the - picture they had just been examining, been insufficient to assure - the other two that they now saw Mr. Darcy, the gardener’s - expression of surprise, on beholding his master, must immediately - have told it. They stood a little aloof while he was talking to - their niece, who, astonished and confused, scarcely dared lift - her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer she returned to - his civil enquiries after her family. Amazed at the alteration of - his manner since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered - was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the - impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the - few minutes in which they continued were some of the most - uncomfortable in her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease; - when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and - he repeated his enquiries as to the time of her having left - Longbourn, and of her stay in Derbyshire, so often, and in so - hurried a way, as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts. - - At length every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a - few moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected - himself, and took leave. - - The others then joined her, and expressed admiration of his - figure; but Elizabeth heard not a word, and wholly engrossed by - her own feelings, followed them in silence. She was overpowered - by shame and vexation. Her coming there was the most unfortunate, - the most ill-judged thing in the world! How strange it must - appear to him! In what a disgraceful light might it not strike so - vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself - in his way again! Oh! why did she come? Or, why did he thus come - a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes - sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his - discrimination; for it was plain that he was that moment - arrived—that moment alighted from his horse or his carriage. She - blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. And - his behaviour, so strikingly altered—what could it mean? That he - should even speak to her was amazing!—but to speak with such - civility, to enquire after her family! Never in her life had she - seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with - such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast - did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park, when he put his - letter into her hand! She knew not what to think, or how to - account for it. - - They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, - and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a - finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching; but it - was some time before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it; and, - though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of her - uncle and aunt, and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as - they pointed out, she distinguished no part of the scene. Her - thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House, - whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then was. She longed to - know what at the moment was passing in his mind—in what manner he - thought of her, and whether, in defiance of everything, she was - still dear to him. Perhaps he had been civil only because he felt - himself at ease; yet there had been _that_ in his voice which was - not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in - seeing her she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her - with composure. - - At length, however, the remarks of her companions on her absence - of mind aroused her, and she felt the necessity of appearing more - like herself. - - They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a - while, ascended some of the higher grounds; when, in spots where - the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander, were many - charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, with the long - range of woods overspreading many, and occasionally part of the - stream. Mr. Gardiner expressed a wish of going round the whole - park, but feared it might be beyond a walk. With a triumphant - smile they were told that it was ten miles round. It settled the - matter; and they pursued the accustomed circuit; which brought - them again, after some time, in a descent among hanging woods, to - the edge of the water, and one of its narrowest parts. They - crossed it by a simple bridge, in character with the general air - of the scene; it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet - visited; and the valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed - room only for the stream, and a narrow walk amidst the rough - coppice-wood which bordered it. Elizabeth longed to explore its - windings; but when they had crossed the bridge, and perceived - their distance from the house, Mrs. Gardiner, who was not a great - walker, could go no farther, and thought only of returning to the - carriage as quickly as possible. Her niece was, therefore, - obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house on - the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction; but - their progress was slow, for Mr. Gardiner, though seldom able to - indulge the taste, was very fond of fishing, and was so much - engaged in watching the occasional appearance of some trout in - the water, and talking to the man about them, that he advanced - but little. Whilst wandering on in this slow manner, they were - again surprised, and Elizabeth’s astonishment was quite equal to - what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy approaching - them, and at no great distance. The walk being here less - sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him before - they met. Elizabeth, however astonished, was at least more - prepared for an interview than before, and resolved to appear and - to speak with calmness, if he really intended to meet them. For a - few moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike into - some other path. The idea lasted while a turning in the walk - concealed him from their view; the turning past, he was - immediately before them. With a glance, she saw that he had lost - none of his recent civility; and, to imitate his politeness, she - began, as they met, to admire the beauty of the place; but she - had not got beyond the words “delightful,” and “charming,” when - some unlucky recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise - of Pemberley from her might be mischievously construed. Her - colour changed, and she said no more. - - Mrs. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, - he asked her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to - her friends. This was a stroke of civility for which she was - quite unprepared; and she could hardly suppress a smile at his - being now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people - against whom his pride had revolted in his offer to herself. - “What will be his surprise,” thought she, “when he knows who they - are? He takes them now for people of fashion.” - - The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named - their relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to - see how he bore it, and was not without the expectation of his - decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions. - That he was _surprised_ by the connection was evident; he - sustained it, however, with fortitude, and so far from going - away, turned back with them, and entered into conversation with - Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth could not but be pleased, could not but - triumph. It was consoling that he should know she had some - relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most - attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every - expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his - intelligence, his taste, or his good manners. - - The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard Mr. - Darcy invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as - often as he chose while he continued in the neighbourhood, - offering at the same time to supply him with fishing tackle, and - pointing out those parts of the stream where there was usually - most sport. Mrs. Gardiner, who was walking arm-in-arm with - Elizabeth, gave her a look expressive of wonder. Elizabeth said - nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment must be - all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme, and - continually was she repeating, “Why is he so altered? From what - can it proceed? It cannot be for _me_—it cannot be for _my_ sake - that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could - not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he should - still love me.” - - After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the - two gentlemen behind, on resuming their places, after descending - to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some - curious water-plant, there chanced to be a little alteration. It - originated in Mrs. Gardiner, who, fatigued by the exercise of the - morning, found Elizabeth’s arm inadequate to her support, and - consequently preferred her husband’s. Mr. Darcy took her place by - her niece, and they walked on together. After a short silence, - the lady first spoke. She wished him to know that she had been - assured of his absence before she came to the place, and - accordingly began by observing, that his arrival had been very - unexpected—“for your housekeeper,” she added, “informed us that - you would certainly not be here till to-morrow; and indeed, - before we left Bakewell, we understood that you were not - immediately expected in the country.” He acknowledged the truth - of it all, and said that business with his steward had occasioned - his coming forward a few hours before the rest of the party with - whom he had been travelling. “They will join me early to-morrow,” - he continued, “and among them are some who will claim an - acquaintance with you—Mr. Bingley and his sisters.” - - Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were - instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley’s name had - been the last mentioned between them; and, if she might judge by - his complexion, _his_ mind was not very differently engaged. - - “There is also one other person in the party,” he continued after - a pause, “who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will - you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to - your acquaintance during your stay at Lambton?” - - The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too - great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it. She - immediately felt that whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of - being acquainted with her must be the work of her brother, and, - without looking farther, it was satisfactory; it was gratifying - to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of - her. - - They now walked on in silence, each of them deep in thought. - Elizabeth was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was - flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her - was a compliment of the highest kind. They soon outstripped the - others, and when they had reached the carriage, Mr. and Mrs. - Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind. - - He then asked her to walk into the house—but she declared herself - not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time - much might have been said, and silence was very awkward. She - wanted to talk, but there seemed to be an embargo on every - subject. At last she recollected that she had been travelling, - and they talked of Matlock and Dove Dale with great perseverance. - Yet time and her aunt moved slowly—and her patience and her ideas - were nearly worn out before the _tête-à-tête_ was over. - - On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s coming up they were all pressed to go - into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, - and they parted on each side with utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy - handed the ladies into the carriage; and when it drove off, - Elizabeth saw him walking slowly towards the house. - - The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each of - them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they - had expected. “He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and - unassuming,” said her uncle. - - “There _is_ something a little stately in him, to be sure,” - replied her aunt, “but it is confined to his air, and is not - unbecoming. I can now say with the housekeeper, that though some - people may call him proud, _I_ have seen nothing of it.” - - “I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was - more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no - necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was - very trifling.” - - “To be sure, Lizzy,” said her aunt, “he is not so handsome as - Wickham; or, rather, he has not Wickham’s countenance, for his - features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell me that he - was so disagreeable?” - - Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said that she had - liked him better when they had met in Kent than before, and that - she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning. - - “But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities,” - replied her uncle. “Your great men often are; and therefore I - shall not take him at his word, as he might change his mind - another day, and warn me off his grounds.” - - Elizabeth felt that they had entirely misunderstood his - character, but said nothing. - - “From what we have seen of him,” continued Mrs. Gardiner, “I - really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so - cruel a way by anybody as he has done by poor Wickham. He has not - an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing - about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity - in his countenance that would not give one an unfavourable idea - of his heart. But, to be sure, the good lady who showed us his - house did give him a most flaming character! I could hardly help - laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal master, I suppose, - and _that_ in the eye of a servant comprehends every virtue.” - - Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something in - vindication of his behaviour to Wickham; and therefore gave them - to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what - she had heard from his relations in Kent, his actions were - capable of a very different construction; and that his character - was by no means so faulty, nor Wickham’s so amiable, as they had - been considered in Hertfordshire. In confirmation of this, she - related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in - which they had been connected, without actually naming her - authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on. - - Mrs. Gardiner was surprised and concerned; but as they were now - approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave - way to the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in - pointing out to her husband all the interesting spots in its - environs to think of anything else. Fatigued as she had been by - the morning’s walk they had no sooner dined than she set off - again in quest of her former acquaintance, and the evening was - spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many - years’ discontinuance. - - The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave - Elizabeth much attention for any of these new friends; and she - could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy’s - civility, and, above all, of his wishing her to be acquainted - with his sister. - - - - -Chapter 44 - - Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister to - visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was - consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole - of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very - morning after their arrival at Lambton, these visitors came. They - had been walking about the place with some of their new friends, - and were just returning to the inn to dress themselves for dining - with the same family, when the sound of a carriage drew them to a - window, and they saw a gentleman and a lady in a curricle driving - up the street. Elizabeth immediately recognizing the livery, - guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her - surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour - which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and - the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke, joined to the - circumstance itself, and many of the circumstances of the - preceding day, opened to them a new idea on the business. Nothing - had ever suggested it before, but they felt that there was no - other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter - than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these - newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation - of Elizabeth’s feelings was at every moment increasing. She was - quite amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of - disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should - have said too much in her favour; and, more than commonly anxious - to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing - would fail her. - - She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she - walked up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw - such looks of enquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made - everything worse. - - Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable - introduction took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that - her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. - Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was - exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes - convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it - difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable. - - Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, - though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her - appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her - brother; but there was sense and good humour in her face, and her - manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had - expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as - ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such - different feelings. - - They had not long been together before Mr. Darcy told her that - Bingley was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time - to express her satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when - Bingley’s quick step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he - entered the room. All Elizabeth’s anger against him had been long - done away; but had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood - its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he - expressed himself on seeing her again. He enquired in a friendly, - though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with - the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done. - - To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting - personage than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The - whole party before them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The - suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece - directed their observation towards each with an earnest though - guarded enquiry; and they soon drew from those enquiries the full - conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of - the lady’s sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that - the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough. - - Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain - the feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her - own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter - object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of - success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were - prepossessed in her favour. Bingley was ready, Georgiana was - eager, and Darcy determined, to be pleased. - - In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; - and, oh! how ardently did she long to know whether any of his - were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he - talked less than on former occasions, and once or twice pleased - herself with the notion that, as he looked at her, he was trying - to trace a resemblance. But, though this might be imaginary, she - could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy, who had - been set up as a rival to Jane. No look appeared on either side - that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that - could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point she was soon - satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred ere - they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a - recollection of Jane not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of - saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. - He observed to her, at a moment when the others were talking - together, and in a tone which had something of real regret, that - it “was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing - her;” and, before she could reply, he added, “It is above eight - months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were - all dancing together at Netherfield.” - - Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he - afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of - the rest, whether _all_ her sisters were at Longbourn. There was - not much in the question, nor in the preceding remark; but there - was a look and a manner which gave them meaning. - - It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy - himself; but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an - expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said she - heard an accent so removed from _hauteur_ or disdain of his - companions, as convinced her that the improvement of manners - which she had yesterday witnessed however temporary its existence - might prove, had at least outlived one day. When she saw him thus - seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people - with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a - disgrace—when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to - the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected - their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage—the difference, the - change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she - could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, - even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his - dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to - please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as - now, when no importance could result from the success of his - endeavours, and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his - attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and - censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings. - - Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour; and when they - arose to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in - expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss - Bennet, to dinner at Pemberley, before they left the country. - Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in - the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner - looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how _she_, whom the - invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, - but Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming however, that - this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment - than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who - was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she - ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next - was fixed on. - - Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing - Elizabeth again, having still a great deal to say to her, and - many enquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. - Elizabeth, construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak - of her sister, was pleased, and on this account, as well as some - others, found herself, when their visitors left them, capable of - considering the last half-hour with some satisfaction, though - while it was passing, the enjoyment of it had been little. Eager - to be alone, and fearful of enquiries or hints from her uncle and - aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their - favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress. - - But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s curiosity; - it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident - that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had - before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love - with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify - enquiry. - - Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, - as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. - They could not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn - his character from their own feelings and his servant’s report, - without any reference to any other account, the circle in - Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognized it - for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest, however, in believing - the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible that the authority - of a servant who had known him since he was four years old, and - whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily - rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of - their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight. - They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably - had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants - of a small market-town where the family did not visit. It was - acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much - good among the poor. - - With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was - not held there in much estimation; for though the chief of his - concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, - it was yet a well-known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he - had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards - discharged. - - As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening - more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it - seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings - towards _one_ in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours - endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. - No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been - ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so - called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable - qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some - time ceased to be repugnant to her feeling; and it was now - heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony - so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in - so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, - above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of - goodwill which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude; - gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving - her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony - of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations - accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would - avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental - meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any - indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where - their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good - opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his - sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride exciting not only - astonishment but gratitude—for to love, ardent love, it must be - attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a sort to be - encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be - exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to - him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted - to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, - and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should - employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, - of bringing on her the renewal of his addresses. - - It had been settled in the evening between the aunt and the - niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy’s in coming to - see them on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley, for she had - reached it only to a late breakfast, ought to be imitated, though - it could not be equalled, by some exertion of politeness on their - side; and, consequently, that it would be highly expedient to - wait on her at Pemberley the following morning. They were, - therefore, to go. Elizabeth was pleased; though when she asked - herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply. - - Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme - had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made - of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Pemberley before noon. - - - - -Chapter 45 - - Convinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley’s dislike of her - had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how - unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was - curious to know with how much civility on that lady’s side the - acquaintance would now be renewed. - - On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the - saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. - Its windows opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing - view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the - beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over - the intermediate lawn. - - In this house they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting - there with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom - she lived in London. Georgiana’s reception of them was very - civil, but attended with all the embarrassment which, though - proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would easily - give to those who felt themselves inferior the belief of her - being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece, however, - did her justice, and pitied her. - - By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a - curtsey; and, on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such - pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first - broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, - whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to - be more truly well-bred than either of the others; and between - her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the - conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she wished - for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a - short sentence when there was least danger of its being heard. - - Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss - Bingley, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss - Darcy, without calling her attention. This observation would not - have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they - not been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not - sorry to be spared the necessity of saying much. Her own thoughts - were employing her. She expected every moment that some of the - gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she feared that the - master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished - or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After sitting in - this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing Miss Bingley’s - voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from her a cold enquiry - after the health of her family. She answered with equal - indifference and brevity, and the other said no more. - - The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the - entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all - the finest fruits in season; but this did not take place till - after many a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to - Miss Darcy had been given, to remind her of her post. There was - now employment for the whole party—for though they could not all - talk, they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes, - nectarines, and peaches soon collected them round the table. - - While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding - whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. - Darcy, by the feelings which prevailed on his entering the room; - and then, though but a moment before she had believed her wishes - to predominate, she began to regret that he came. - - He had been some time with Mr. Gardiner, who, with two or three - other gentlemen from the house, was engaged by the river, and had - left him only on learning that the ladies of the family intended - a visit to Georgiana that morning. No sooner did he appear than - Elizabeth wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; - a resolution the more necessary to be made, but perhaps not the - more easily kept, because she saw that the suspicions of the - whole party were awakened against them, and that there was - scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour when he first - came into the room. In no countenance was attentive curiosity so - strongly marked as in Miss Bingley’s, in spite of the smiles - which overspread her face whenever she spoke to one of its - objects; for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her - attentions to Mr. Darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy, on her - brother’s entrance, exerted herself much more to talk, and - Elizabeth saw that he was anxious for his sister and herself to - get acquainted, and forwarded as much as possible, every attempt - at conversation on either side. Miss Bingley saw all this - likewise; and, in the imprudence of anger, took the first - opportunity of saying, with sneering civility: - - “Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the ——shire Militia removed from - Meryton? They must be a great loss to _your_ family.” - - In Darcy’s presence she dared not mention Wickham’s name; but - Elizabeth instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her - thoughts; and the various recollections connected with him gave - her a moment’s distress; but exerting herself vigorously to repel - the ill-natured attack, she presently answered the question in a - tolerably detached tone. While she spoke, an involuntary glance - showed her Darcy, with a heightened complexion, earnestly looking - at her, and his sister overcome with confusion, and unable to - lift up her eyes. Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was then - giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained - from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose - Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she - believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which - might injure her in Darcy’s opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the - latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of - her family were connected with that corps. Not a syllable had - ever reached her of Miss Darcy’s meditated elopement. To no - creature had it been revealed, where secrecy was possible, except - to Elizabeth; and from all Bingley’s connections her brother was - particularly anxious to conceal it, from the very wish which - Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming - hereafter her own. He had certainly formed such a plan, and - without meaning that it should affect his endeavour to separate - him from Miss Bennet, it is probable that it might add something - to his lively concern for the welfare of his friend. - - Elizabeth’s collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his - emotion; and as Miss Bingley, vexed and disappointed, dared not - approach nearer to Wickham, Georgiana also recovered in time, - though not enough to be able to speak any more. Her brother, - whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely recollected her interest - in the affair, and the very circumstance which had been designed - to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth seemed to have fixed them on - her more and more cheerfully. - - Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer - above mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy was attending them to their - carriage Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on - Elizabeth’s person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not - join her. Her brother’s recommendation was enough to ensure her - favour; his judgement could not err. And he had spoken in such - terms of Elizabeth as to leave Georgiana without the power of - finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When Darcy - returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley could not help repeating to - him some part of what she had been saying to his sister. - - “How very ill Miss Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy,” - she cried; “I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she - is since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and - I were agreeing that we should not have known her again.” - - However little Mr. Darcy might have liked such an address, he - contented himself with coolly replying that he perceived no other - alteration than her being rather tanned, no miraculous - consequence of travelling in the summer. - - “For my own part,” she rejoined, “I must confess that I never - could see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion - has no brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her - nose wants character—there is nothing marked in its lines. Her - teeth are tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for - her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fine, I could never - see anything extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish - look, which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether there - is a self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable.” - - Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this - was not the best method of recommending herself; but angry people - are not always wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat - nettled, she had all the success she expected. He was resolutely - silent, however, and, from a determination of making him speak, - she continued: - - “I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed - we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I - particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been - dining at Netherfield, ‘_She_ a beauty!—I should as soon call her - mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I - believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.” - - “Yes,” replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, “but - _that_ was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since - I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my - acquaintance.” - - He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the - satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any - pain but herself. - - Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred - during their visit, as they returned, except what had - particularly interested them both. The look and behaviour of - everybody they had seen were discussed, except of the person who - had mostly engaged their attention. They talked of his sister, - his friends, his house, his fruit—of everything but himself; yet - Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of him, - and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece’s - beginning the subject. - - - - -Chapter 46 - - Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a - letter from Jane on their first arrival at Lambton; and this - disappointment had been renewed on each of the mornings that had - now been spent there; but on the third her repining was over, and - her sister justified, by the receipt of two letters from her at - once, on one of which was marked that it had been missent - elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as Jane had written - the direction remarkably ill. - - They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and - her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off - by themselves. The one missent must first be attended to; it had - been written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of - all their little parties and engagements, with such news as the - country afforded; but the latter half, which was dated a day - later, and written in evident agitation, gave more important - intelligence. It was to this effect: - - “Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred - of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of - alarming you—be assured that we are all well. What I have to say - relates to poor Lydia. An express came at twelve last night, just - as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us - that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to - own the truth, with Wickham! Imagine our surprise. To Kitty, - however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very - sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! But I am willing to - hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. - Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this - step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His - choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can - give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father - bears it better. How thankful am I that we never let them know - what has been said against him; we must forget it ourselves. They - were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were - not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent - off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must have passed within ten - miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here - soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of their - intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor - mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I - hardly know what I have written.” - - Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely - knowing what she felt, Elizabeth on finishing this letter - instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost - impatience, read as follows: it had been written a day later than - the conclusion of the first. - - “By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my hurried - letter; I wish this may be more intelligible, but though not - confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer - for being coherent. Dearest Lizzy, I hardly know what I would - write, but I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. - Imprudent as the marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia - would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, - for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to - Scotland. Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton - the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia’s - short letter to Mrs. F. gave them to understand that they were - going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing - his belief that W. never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia - at all, which was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking - the alarm, set off from B. intending to trace their route. He did - trace them easily to Clapham, but no further; for on entering - that place, they removed into a hackney coach, and dismissed the - chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that is known after this - is, that they were seen to continue the London road. I know not - what to think. After making every possible enquiry on that side - London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing - them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and - Hatfield, but without any success—no such people had been seen to - pass through. With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn, - and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to - his heart. I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs. F., but no one - can throw any blame on them. Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very - great. My father and mother believe the worst, but I cannot think - so ill of him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for - them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first - plan; and even if _he_ could form such a design against a young - woman of Lydia’s connections, which is not likely, can I suppose - her so lost to everything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, - that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he - shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. - was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and - keeps her room. Could she exert herself, it would be better; but - this is not to be expected. And as to my father, I never in my - life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has anger for having - concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence, - one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have - been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as - the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? - I am not so selfish, however, as to press for it, if - inconvenient. Adieu! I take up my pen again to do what I have - just told you I would not; but circumstances are such that I - cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon as - possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well, that I am not - afraid of requesting it, though I have still something more to - ask of the former. My father is going to London with Colonel - Forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do I - am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him - to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel - Forster is obliged to be at Brighton again to-morrow evening. In - such an exigence, my uncle’s advice and assistance would be - everything in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I - must feel, and I rely upon his goodness.” - - “Oh! where, where is my uncle?” cried Elizabeth, darting from her - seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him, - without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she - reached the door it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy - appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and - before he could recover himself to speak, she, in whose mind - every idea was superseded by Lydia’s situation, hastily - exclaimed, “I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find - Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I - have not an instant to lose.” - - “Good God! what is the matter?” cried he, with more feeling than - politeness; then recollecting himself, “I will not detain you a - minute; but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. and Mrs. - Gardiner. You are not well enough; you cannot go yourself.” - - Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she - felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. - Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though - in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to - fetch his master and mistress home instantly. - - On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to support herself, - and looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Darcy to - leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and - commiseration, “Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could - take to give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you - one? You are very ill.” - - “No, I thank you,” she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. - “There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only - distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from - Longbourn.” - - She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes - could not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could - only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her - in compassionate silence. At length she spoke again. “I have just - had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It cannot be - concealed from anyone. My younger sister has left all her - friends—has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of—of Mr. - Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. _You_ know him - too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, - nothing that can tempt him to—she is lost for ever.” - - Darcy was fixed in astonishment. “When I consider,” she added in - a yet more agitated voice, “that _I_ might have prevented it! _I_ - who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it - only—some part of what I learnt, to my own family! Had his - character been known, this could not have happened. But it is - all—all too late now.” - - “I am grieved indeed,” cried Darcy; “grieved—shocked. But is it - certain—absolutely certain?” - - “Oh, yes! They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were - traced almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not - gone to Scotland.” - - “And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover - her?” - - “My father is gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my - uncle’s immediate assistance; and we shall be off, I hope, in - half-an-hour. But nothing can be done—I know very well that - nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are - they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is - every way horrible!” - - Darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence. - - “When _my_ eyes were opened to his real character—Oh! had I known - what I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not—I was afraid of - doing too much. Wretched, wretched mistake!” - - Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was - walking up and down the room in earnest meditation, his brow - contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed, and - instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; everything _must_ - sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of - the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn, but - the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to - her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the - contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own - wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have - loved him, as now, when all love must be vain. - - But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. - Lydia—the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, - soon swallowed up every private care; and covering her face with - her handkerchief, Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else; - and, after a pause of several minutes, was only recalled to a - sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a - manner which, though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise - restraint, said, “I am afraid you have been long desiring my - absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but - real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything - could be either said or done on my part that might offer - consolation to such distress! But I will not torment you with - vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. - This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister’s having - the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley to-day.” - - “Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy. Say - that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the - unhappy truth as long as it is possible, I know it cannot be - long.” - - He readily assured her of his secrecy; again expressed his sorrow - for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was - at present reason to hope, and leaving his compliments for her - relations, with only one serious, parting look, went away. - - As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that - they should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality - as had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire; and as she - threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their - acquaintance, so full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at - the perverseness of those feelings which would now have promoted - its continuance, and would formerly have rejoiced in its - termination. - - If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, - Elizabeth’s change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor - faulty. But if otherwise—if regard springing from such sources is - unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often - described as arising on a first interview with its object, and - even before two words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in - her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the - latter method in her partiality for Wickham, and that its ill - success might, perhaps, authorise her to seek the other less - interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him go - with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia’s infamy - must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that - wretched business. Never, since reading Jane’s second letter, had - she entertained a hope of Wickham’s meaning to marry her. No one - but Jane, she thought, could flatter herself with such an - expectation. Surprise was the least of her feelings on this - development. While the contents of the first letter remained in - her mind, she was all surprise—all astonishment that Wickham - should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry for - money; and how Lydia could ever have attached him had appeared - incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural. For such an - attachment as this she might have sufficient charms; and though - she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an - elopement without the intention of marriage, she had no - difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her - understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey. - - She had never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertfordshire, - that Lydia had any partiality for him; but she was convinced that - Lydia wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody. - Sometimes one officer, sometimes another, had been her favourite, - as their attentions raised them in her opinion. Her affections - had continually been fluctuating but never without an object. The - mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a - girl—oh! how acutely did she now feel it! - - She was wild to be at home—to hear, to see, to be upon the spot - to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly upon - her, in a family so deranged, a father absent, a mother incapable - of exertion, and requiring constant attendance; and though almost - persuaded that nothing could be done for Lydia, her uncle’s - interference seemed of the utmost importance, and till he entered - the room her impatience was severe. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had - hurried back in alarm, supposing by the servant’s account that - their niece was taken suddenly ill; but satisfying them instantly - on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their - summons, reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the - postscript of the last with trembling energy.— Though Lydia had - never been a favourite with them, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner could not - but be deeply afflicted. Not Lydia only, but all were concerned - in it; and after the first exclamations of surprise and horror, - Mr. Gardiner promised every assistance in his power. Elizabeth, - though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of gratitude; - and all three being actuated by one spirit, everything relating - to their journey was speedily settled. They were to be off as - soon as possible. “But what is to be done about Pemberley?” cried - Mrs. Gardiner. “John told us Mr. Darcy was here when you sent for - us; was it so?” - - “Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our - engagement. _That_ is all settled.” - - “That is all settled;” repeated the other, as she ran into her - room to prepare. “And are they upon such terms as for her to - disclose the real truth? Oh, that I knew how it was!” - - But wishes were vain, or at least could only serve to amuse her - in the hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth - been at leisure to be idle, she would have remained certain that - all employment was impossible to one so wretched as herself; but - she had her share of business as well as her aunt, and amongst - the rest there were notes to be written to all their friends at - Lambton, with false excuses for their sudden departure. An hour, - however, saw the whole completed; and Mr. Gardiner meanwhile - having settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to be - done but to go; and Elizabeth, after all the misery of the - morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could - have supposed, seated in the carriage, and on the road to - Longbourn. - - - - -Chapter 47 - - “I have been thinking it over again, Elizabeth,” said her uncle, - as they drove from the town; “and really, upon serious - consideration, I am much more inclined than I was to judge as - your eldest sister does on the matter. It appears to me so very - unlikely that any young man should form such a design against a - girl who is by no means unprotected or friendless, and who was - actually staying in his colonel’s family, that I am strongly - inclined to hope the best. Could he expect that her friends would - not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the - regiment, after such an affront to Colonel Forster? His - temptation is not adequate to the risk!” - - “Do you really think so?” cried Elizabeth, brightening up for a - moment. - - “Upon my word,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “I begin to be of your - uncle’s opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, - honour, and interest, for him to be guilty of. I cannot think so - very ill of Wickham. Can you yourself, Lizzy, so wholly give him - up, as to believe him capable of it?” - - “Not, perhaps, of neglecting his own interest; but of every other - neglect I can believe him capable. If, indeed, it should be so! - But I dare not hope it. Why should they not go on to Scotland if - that had been the case?” - - “In the first place,” replied Mr. Gardiner, “there is no absolute - proof that they are not gone to Scotland.” - - “Oh! but their removing from the chaise into a hackney coach is - such a presumption! And, besides, no traces of them were to be - found on the Barnet road.” - - “Well, then—supposing them to be in London. They may be there, - though for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptional - purpose. It is not likely that money should be very abundant on - either side; and it might strike them that they could be more - economically, though less expeditiously, married in London than - in Scotland.” - - “But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must - their marriage be private? Oh, no, no—this is not likely. His - most particular friend, you see by Jane’s account, was persuaded - of his never intending to marry her. Wickham will never marry a - woman without some money. He cannot afford it. And what claims - has Lydia—what attraction has she beyond youth, health, and good - humour that could make him, for her sake, forego every chance of - benefiting himself by marrying well? As to what restraint the - apprehensions of disgrace in the corps might throw on a - dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge; for I - know nothing of the effects that such a step might produce. But - as to your other objection, I am afraid it will hardly hold good. - Lydia has no brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from - my father’s behaviour, from his indolence and the little - attention he has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in - his family, that _he_ would do as little, and think as little - about it, as any father could do, in such a matter.” - - “But can you think that Lydia is so lost to everything but love - of him as to consent to live with him on any terms other than - marriage?” - - “It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed,” replied - Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes, “that a sister’s sense of - decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt. But, - really, I know not what to say. Perhaps I am not doing her - justice. But she is very young; she has never been taught to - think on serious subjects; and for the last half-year, nay, for a - twelvemonth—she has been given up to nothing but amusement and - vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most - idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in - her way. Since the ——shire were first quartered in Meryton, - nothing but love, flirtation, and officers have been in her head. - She has been doing everything in her power by thinking and - talking on the subject, to give greater—what shall I call it? - susceptibility to her feelings; which are naturally lively - enough. And we all know that Wickham has every charm of person - and address that can captivate a woman.” - - “But you see that Jane,” said her aunt, “does not think so very - ill of Wickham as to believe him capable of the attempt.” - - “Of whom does Jane ever think ill? And who is there, whatever - might be their former conduct, that she would think capable of - such an attempt, till it were proved against them? But Jane - knows, as well as I do, what Wickham really is. We both know that - he has been profligate in every sense of the word; that he has - neither integrity nor honour; that he is as false and deceitful - as he is insinuating.” - - “And do you really know all this?” cried Mrs. Gardiner, whose - curiosity as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive. - - “I do indeed,” replied Elizabeth, colouring. “I told you, the - other day, of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy; and you - yourself, when last at Longbourn, heard in what manner he spoke - of the man who had behaved with such forbearance and liberality - towards him. And there are other circumstances which I am not at - liberty—which it is not worth while to relate; but his lies about - the whole Pemberley family are endless. From what he said of Miss - Darcy I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud, reserved, - disagreeable girl. Yet he knew to the contrary himself. He must - know that she was as amiable and unpretending as we have found - her.” - - “But does Lydia know nothing of this? can she be ignorant of what - you and Jane seem so well to understand?” - - “Oh, yes!—that, that is the worst of all. Till I was in Kent, and - saw so much both of Mr. Darcy and his relation Colonel - Fitzwilliam, I was ignorant of the truth myself. And when I - returned home, the ——shire was to leave Meryton in a week or - fortnight’s time. As that was the case, neither Jane, to whom I - related the whole, nor I, thought it necessary to make our - knowledge public; for of what use could it apparently be to any - one, that the good opinion which all the neighbourhood had of him - should then be overthrown? And even when it was settled that - Lydia should go with Mrs. Forster, the necessity of opening her - eyes to his character never occurred to me. That _she_ could be - in any danger from the deception never entered my head. That such - a consequence as _this_ could ensue, you may easily believe, was - far enough from my thoughts.” - - “When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you had no reason, - I suppose, to believe them fond of each other?” - - “Not the slightest. I can remember no symptom of affection on - either side; and had anything of the kind been perceptible, you - must be aware that ours is not a family on which it could be - thrown away. When first he entered the corps, she was ready - enough to admire him; but so we all were. Every girl in or near - Meryton was out of her senses about him for the first two months; - but he never distinguished _her_ by any particular attention; - and, consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and - wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others of the - regiment, who treated her with more distinction, again became her - favourites.” - - It may be easily believed, that however little of novelty could - be added to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this - interesting subject, by its repeated discussion, no other could - detain them from it long, during the whole of the journey. From - Elizabeth’s thoughts it was never absent. Fixed there by the - keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find no interval - of ease or forgetfulness. - - They travelled as expeditiously as possible, and, sleeping one - night on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner time the next day. - It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not - have been wearied by long expectations. - - The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were - standing on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock; - and, when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise - that lighted up their faces, and displayed itself over their - whole bodies, in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first - pleasing earnest of their welcome. - - Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them a hasty - kiss, hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running - down from her mother’s apartment, immediately met her. - - Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears - filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether - anything had been heard of the fugitives. - - “Not yet,” replied Jane. “But now that my dear uncle is come, I - hope everything will be well.” - - “Is my father in town?” - - “Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word.” - - “And have you heard from him often?” - - “We have heard only twice. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday - to say that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his - directions, which I particularly begged him to do. He merely - added that he should not write again till he had something of - importance to mention.” - - “And my mother—how is she? How are you all?” - - “My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her spirits are - greatly shaken. She is up stairs and will have great satisfaction - in seeing you all. She does not yet leave her dressing-room. Mary - and Kitty, thank Heaven, are quite well.” - - “But you—how are you?” cried Elizabeth. “You look pale. How much - you must have gone through!” - - Her sister, however, assured her of her being perfectly well; and - their conversation, which had been passing while Mr. and Mrs. - Gardiner were engaged with their children, was now put an end to - by the approach of the whole party. Jane ran to her uncle and - aunt, and welcomed and thanked them both, with alternate smiles - and tears. - - When they were all in the drawing-room, the questions which - Elizabeth had already asked were of course repeated by the - others, and they soon found that Jane had no intelligence to - give. The sanguine hope of good, however, which the benevolence - of her heart suggested had not yet deserted her; she still - expected that it would all end well, and that every morning would - bring some letter, either from Lydia or her father, to explain - their proceedings, and, perhaps, announce their marriage. - - Mrs. Bennet, to whose apartment they all repaired, after a few - minutes’ conversation together, received them exactly as might be - expected; with tears and lamentations of regret, invectives - against the villainous conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her - own sufferings and ill-usage; blaming everybody but the person to - whose ill-judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must - principally be owing. - - “If I had been able,” said she, “to carry my point in going to - Brighton, with all my family, _this_ would not have happened; but - poor dear Lydia had nobody to take care of her. Why did the - Forsters ever let her go out of their sight? I am sure there was - some great neglect or other on their side, for she is not the - kind of girl to do such a thing if she had been well looked - after. I always thought they were very unfit to have the charge - of her; but I was overruled, as I always am. Poor dear child! And - now here’s Mr. Bennet gone away, and I know he will fight - Wickham, wherever he meets him and then he will be killed, and - what is to become of us all? The Collinses will turn us out - before he is cold in his grave, and if you are not kind to us, - brother, I do not know what we shall do.” - - They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner, - after general assurances of his affection for her and all her - family, told her that he meant to be in London the very next day, - and would assist Mr. Bennet in every endeavour for recovering - Lydia. - - “Do not give way to useless alarm,” added he; “though it is right - to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it - as certain. It is not quite a week since they left Brighton. In a - few days more we may gain some news of them; and till we know - that they are not married, and have no design of marrying, do not - let us give the matter over as lost. As soon as I get to town I - shall go to my brother, and make him come home with me to - Gracechurch Street; and then we may consult together as to what - is to be done.” - - “Oh! my dear brother,” replied Mrs. Bennet, “that is exactly what - I could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find - them out, wherever they may be; and if they are not married - already, _make_ them marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not - let them wait for that, but tell Lydia she shall have as much - money as she chooses to buy them, after they are married. And, - above all, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting. Tell him what a - dreadful state I am in, that I am frighted out of my wits—and - have such tremblings, such flutterings, all over me—such spasms - in my side and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that - I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia not - to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, - for she does not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, - how kind you are! I know you will contrive it all.” - - But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest - endeavours in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation - to her, as well in her hopes as her fear; and after talking with - her in this manner till dinner was on the table, they all left - her to vent all her feelings on the housekeeper, who attended in - the absence of her daughters. - - Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no - real occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not - attempt to oppose it, for they knew that she had not prudence - enough to hold her tongue before the servants, while they waited - at table, and judged it better that _one_ only of the household, - and the one whom they could most trust should comprehend all her - fears and solicitude on the subject. - - In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and Kitty, who - had been too busily engaged in their separate apartments to make - their appearance before. One came from her books, and the other - from her toilette. The faces of both, however, were tolerably - calm; and no change was visible in either, except that the loss - of her favourite sister, or the anger which she had herself - incurred in this business, had given more of fretfulness than - usual to the accents of Kitty. As for Mary, she was mistress - enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth, with a countenance of - grave reflection, soon after they were seated at table: - - “This is a most unfortunate affair, and will probably be much - talked of. But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the - wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation.” - - Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she - added, “Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from - it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is - irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; - that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and - that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the - undeserving of the other sex.” - - Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much - oppressed to make any reply. Mary, however, continued to console - herself with such kind of moral extractions from the evil before - them. - - In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for - half-an-hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed - herself of the opportunity of making many enquiries, which Jane - was equally eager to satisfy. After joining in general - lamentations over the dreadful sequel of this event, which - Elizabeth considered as all but certain, and Miss Bennet could - not assert to be wholly impossible, the former continued the - subject, by saying, “But tell me all and everything about it - which I have not already heard. Give me further particulars. What - did Colonel Forster say? Had they no apprehension of anything - before the elopement took place? They must have seen them - together for ever.” - - “Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some - partiality, especially on Lydia’s side, but nothing to give him - any alarm. I am so grieved for him! His behaviour was attentive - and kind to the utmost. He _was_ coming to us, in order to assure - us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not being gone - to Scotland: when that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened - his journey.” - - “And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he - know of their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny - himself?” - - “Yes; but, when questioned by _him_, Denny denied knowing - anything of their plans, and would not give his real opinion - about it. He did not repeat his persuasion of their not - marrying—and from _that_, I am inclined to hope, he might have - been misunderstood before.” - - “And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you - entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?” - - “How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains? I - felt a little uneasy—a little fearful of my sister’s happiness - with him in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not - been always quite right. My father and mother knew nothing of - that; they only felt how imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then - owned, with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the rest - of us, that in Lydia’s last letter she had prepared her for such - a step. She had known, it seems, of their being in love with each - other, many weeks.” - - “But not before they went to Brighton?” - - “No, I believe not.” - - “And did Colonel Forster appear to think well of Wickham himself? - Does he know his real character?” - - “I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he - formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. - And since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he - left Meryton greatly in debt; but I hope this may be false.” - - “Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of - him, this could not have happened!” - - “Perhaps it would have been better,” replied her sister. “But to - expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their - present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the - best intentions.” - - “Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia’s note to - his wife?” - - “He brought it with him for us to see.” - - Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. - These were the contents: - - “My dear Harriet, - “You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help - laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I - am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess - with who, I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man - in the world I love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy - without him, so think it no harm to be off. You need not send - them word at Longbourn of my going, if you do not like it, for it - will make the surprise the greater, when I write to them and sign - my name ‘Lydia Wickham.’ What a good joke it will be! I can - hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to Pratt for not - keeping my engagement, and dancing with him to-night. Tell him I - hope he will excuse me when he knows all; and tell him I will - dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great pleasure. I - shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish you - would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown - before they are packed up. Good-bye. Give my love to Colonel - Forster. I hope you will drink to our good journey. - - “Your affectionate friend, - “LYDIA BENNET.” - - “Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!” cried Elizabeth when she - had finished it. “What a letter is this, to be written at such a - moment! But at least it shows that _she_ was serious on the - subject of their journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade - her to, it was not on her side a _scheme_ of infamy. My poor - father! how he must have felt it!” - - “I never saw anyone so shocked. He could not speak a word for - full ten minutes. My mother was taken ill immediately, and the - whole house in such confusion!” - - “Oh! Jane,” cried Elizabeth, “was there a servant belonging to it - who did not know the whole story before the end of the day?” - - “I do not know. I hope there was. But to be guarded at such a - time is very difficult. My mother was in hysterics, and though I - endeavoured to give her every assistance in my power, I am afraid - I did not do so much as I might have done! But the horror of what - might possibly happen almost took from me my faculties.” - - “Your attendance upon her has been too much for you. You do not - look well. Oh that I had been with you! you have had every care - and anxiety upon yourself alone.” - - “Mary and Kitty have been very kind, and would have shared in - every fatigue, I am sure; but I did not think it right for either - of them. Kitty is slight and delicate; and Mary studies so much, - that her hours of repose should not be broken in on. My aunt - Phillips came to Longbourn on Tuesday, after my father went away; - and was so good as to stay till Thursday with me. She was of - great use and comfort to us all. And Lady Lucas has been very - kind; she walked here on Wednesday morning to condole with us, - and offered her services, or any of her daughters’, if they - should be of use to us.” - - “She had better have stayed at home,” cried Elizabeth; “perhaps - she _meant_ well, but, under such a misfortune as this, one - cannot see too little of one’s neighbours. Assistance is - impossible; condolence insufferable. Let them triumph over us at - a distance, and be satisfied.” - - She then proceeded to enquire into the measures which her father - had intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his - daughter. - - “He meant I believe,” replied Jane, “to go to Epsom, the place - where they last changed horses, see the postilions and try if - anything could be made out from them. His principal object must - be to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them - from Clapham. It had come with a fare from London; and as he - thought that the circumstance of a gentleman and lady’s removing - from one carriage into another might be remarked he meant to make - enquiries at Clapham. If he could anyhow discover at what house - the coachman had before set down his fare, he determined to make - enquiries there, and hoped it might not be impossible to find out - the stand and number of the coach. I do not know of any other - designs that he had formed; but he was in such a hurry to be - gone, and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had - difficulty in finding out even so much as this.” - - - - -Chapter 48 - - The whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr. Bennet the - next morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line - from him. His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a - most negligent and dilatory correspondent; but at such a time - they had hoped for exertion. They were forced to conclude that he - had no pleasing intelligence to send; but even of _that_ they - would have been glad to be certain. Mr. Gardiner had waited only - for the letters before he set off. - - When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving - constant information of what was going on, and their uncle - promised, at parting, to prevail on Mr. Bennet to return to - Longbourn, as soon as he could, to the great consolation of his - sister, who considered it as the only security for her husband’s - not being killed in a duel. - - Mrs. Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a - few days longer, as the former thought her presence might be - serviceable to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. - Bennet, and was a great comfort to them in their hours of - freedom. Their other aunt also visited them frequently, and - always, as she said, with the design of cheering and heartening - them up—though, as she never came without reporting some fresh - instance of Wickham’s extravagance or irregularity, she seldom - went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found - them. - - All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man who, but three - months before, had been almost an angel of light. He was declared - to be in debt to every tradesman in the place, and his intrigues, - all honoured with the title of seduction, had been extended into - every tradesman’s family. Everybody declared that he was the - wickedest young man in the world; and everybody began to find out - that they had always distrusted the appearance of his goodness. - Elizabeth, though she did not credit above half of what was said, - believed enough to make her former assurance of her sister’s ruin - more certain; and even Jane, who believed still less of it, - became almost hopeless, more especially as the time was now come - when, if they had gone to Scotland, which she had never before - entirely despaired of, they must in all probability have gained - some news of them. - - Mr. Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday his wife - received a letter from him; it told them that, on his arrival, he - had immediately found out his brother, and persuaded him to come - to Gracechurch Street; that Mr. Bennet had been to Epsom and - Clapham, before his arrival, but without gaining any satisfactory - information; and that he was now determined to enquire at all the - principal hotels in town, as Mr. Bennet thought it possible they - might have gone to one of them, on their first coming to London, - before they procured lodgings. Mr. Gardiner himself did not - expect any success from this measure, but as his brother was - eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He added that - Mr. Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present to leave London - and promised to write again very soon. There was also a - postscript to this effect: - - “I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find out, if - possible, from some of the young man’s intimates in the regiment, - whether Wickham has any relations or connections who would be - likely to know in what part of town he has now concealed himself. - If there were anyone that one could apply to with a probability - of gaining such a clue as that, it might be of essential - consequence. At present we have nothing to guide us. Colonel - Forster will, I dare say, do everything in his power to satisfy - us on this head. But, on second thoughts, perhaps, Lizzy could - tell us what relations he has now living, better than any other - person.” - - Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this deference - to her authority proceeded; but it was not in her power to give - any information of so satisfactory a nature as the compliment - deserved. She had never heard of his having had any relations, - except a father and mother, both of whom had been dead many - years. It was possible, however, that some of his companions in - the ——shire might be able to give more information; and though - she was not very sanguine in expecting it, the application was a - something to look forward to. - - Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety; but the most - anxious part of each was when the post was expected. The arrival - of letters was the grand object of every morning’s impatience. - Through letters, whatever of good or bad was to be told would be - communicated, and every succeeding day was expected to bring some - news of importance. - - But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner, a letter arrived - for their father, from a different quarter, from Mr. Collins; - which, as Jane had received directions to open all that came for - him in his absence, she accordingly read; and Elizabeth, who knew - what curiosities his letters always were, looked over her, and - read it likewise. It was as follows: - - “My dear Sir, - “I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and my situation - in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are - now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a - letter from Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs. - Collins and myself sincerely sympathise with you and all your - respectable family, in your present distress, which must be of - the bitterest kind, because proceeding from a cause which no time - can remove. No arguments shall be wanting on my part that can - alleviate so severe a misfortune—or that may comfort you, under a - circumstance that must be of all others the most afflicting to a - parent’s mind. The death of your daughter would have been a - blessing in comparison of this. And it is the more to be - lamented, because there is reason to suppose as my dear Charlotte - informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your - daughter has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence; - though, at the same time, for the consolation of yourself and - Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think that her own disposition must - be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity, - at so early an age. Howsoever that may be, you are grievously to - be pitied; in which opinion I am not only joined by Mrs. Collins, - but likewise by Lady Catherine and her daughter, to whom I have - related the affair. They agree with me in apprehending that this - false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of - all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself - condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family? - And this consideration leads me moreover to reflect, with - augmented satisfaction, on a certain event of last November; for - had it been otherwise, I must have been involved in all your - sorrow and disgrace. Let me then advise you, dear sir, to console - yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child - from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of - her own heinous offense. - - “I am, dear sir, etc., etc.” - - Mr. Gardiner did not write again till he had received an answer - from Colonel Forster; and then he had nothing of a pleasant - nature to send. It was not known that Wickham had a single - relationship with whom he kept up any connection, and it was - certain that he had no near one living. His former acquaintances - had been numerous; but since he had been in the militia, it did - not appear that he was on terms of particular friendship with any - of them. There was no one, therefore, who could be pointed out as - likely to give any news of him. And in the wretched state of his - own finances, there was a very powerful motive for secrecy, in - addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia’s relations, for it - had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him to a - very considerable amount. Colonel Forster believed that more than - a thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expenses at - Brighton. He owed a good deal in town, but his debts of honour - were still more formidable. Mr. Gardiner did not attempt to - conceal these particulars from the Longbourn family. Jane heard - them with horror. “A gamester!” she cried. “This is wholly - unexpected. I had not an idea of it.” - - Mr. Gardiner added in his letter, that they might expect to see - their father at home on the following day, which was Saturday. - Rendered spiritless by the ill-success of all their endeavours, - he had yielded to his brother-in-law’s entreaty that he would - return to his family, and leave it to him to do whatever occasion - might suggest to be advisable for continuing their pursuit. When - Mrs. Bennet was told of this, she did not express so much - satisfaction as her children expected, considering what her - anxiety for his life had been before. - - “What, is he coming home, and without poor Lydia?” she cried. - “Sure he will not leave London before he has found them. Who is - to fight Wickham, and make him marry her, if he comes away?” - - As Mrs. Gardiner began to wish to be at home, it was settled that - she and the children should go to London, at the same time that - Mr. Bennet came from it. The coach, therefore, took them the - first stage of their journey, and brought its master back to - Longbourn. - - Mrs. Gardiner went away in all the perplexity about Elizabeth and - her Derbyshire friend that had attended her from that part of the - world. His name had never been voluntarily mentioned before them - by her niece; and the kind of half-expectation which Mrs. - Gardiner had formed, of their being followed by a letter from - him, had ended in nothing. Elizabeth had received none since her - return that could come from Pemberley. - - The present unhappy state of the family rendered any other excuse - for the lowness of her spirits unnecessary; nothing, therefore, - could be fairly conjectured from _that_, though Elizabeth, who - was by this time tolerably well acquainted with her own feelings, - was perfectly aware that, had she known nothing of Darcy, she - could have borne the dread of Lydia’s infamy somewhat better. It - would have spared her, she thought, one sleepless night out of - two. - - When Mr. Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual - philosophic composure. He said as little as he had ever been in - the habit of saying; made no mention of the business that had - taken him away, and it was some time before his daughters had - courage to speak of it. - - It was not till the afternoon, when he had joined them at tea, - that Elizabeth ventured to introduce the subject; and then, on - her briefly expressing her sorrow for what he must have endured, - he replied, “Say nothing of that. Who should suffer but myself? - It has been my own doing, and I ought to feel it.” - - “You must not be too severe upon yourself,” replied Elizabeth. - - “You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so - prone to fall into it! No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how - much I have been to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered - by the impression. It will pass away soon enough.” - - “Do you suppose them to be in London?” - - “Yes; where else can they be so well concealed?” - - “And Lydia used to want to go to London,” added Kitty. - - “She is happy then,” said her father drily; “and her residence - there will probably be of some duration.” - - Then after a short silence he continued: - - “Lizzy, I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice - to me last May, which, considering the event, shows some - greatness of mind.” - - They were interrupted by Miss Bennet, who came to fetch her - mother’s tea. - - “This is a parade,” he cried, “which does one good; it gives such - an elegance to misfortune! Another day I will do the same; I will - sit in my library, in my nightcap and powdering gown, and give as - much trouble as I can; or, perhaps, I may defer it till Kitty - runs away.” - - “I am not going to run away, papa,” said Kitty fretfully. “If _I_ - should ever go to Brighton, I would behave better than Lydia.” - - “_You_ go to Brighton. I would not trust you so near it as - Eastbourne for fifty pounds! No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to - be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it. No officer is - ever to enter into my house again, nor even to pass through the - village. Balls will be absolutely prohibited, unless you stand up - with one of your sisters. And you are never to stir out of doors - till you can prove that you have spent ten minutes of every day - in a rational manner.” - - Kitty, who took all these threats in a serious light, began to - cry. - - “Well, well,” said he, “do not make yourself unhappy. If you are - a good girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review - at the end of them.” - - - - -Chapter 49 - - Two days after Mr. Bennet’s return, as Jane and Elizabeth were - walking together in the shrubbery behind the house, they saw the - housekeeper coming towards them, and, concluding that she came to - call them to their mother, went forward to meet her; but, instead - of the expected summons, when they approached her, she said to - Miss Bennet, “I beg your pardon, madam, for interrupting you, but - I was in hopes you might have got some good news from town, so I - took the liberty of coming to ask.” - - “What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town.” - - “Dear madam,” cried Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, “don’t you - know there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner? He - has been here this half-hour, and master has had a letter.” - - Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for speech. - They ran through the vestibule into the breakfast-room; from - thence to the library; their father was in neither; and they were - on the point of seeking him up stairs with their mother, when - they were met by the butler, who said: - - “If you are looking for my master, ma’am, he is walking towards - the little copse.” - - Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall - once more, and ran across the lawn after their father, who was - deliberately pursuing his way towards a small wood on one side of - the paddock. - - Jane, who was not so light nor so much in the habit of running as - Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for - breath, came up with him, and eagerly cried out: - - “Oh, papa, what news—what news? Have you heard from my uncle?” - - “Yes I have had a letter from him by express.” - - “Well, and what news does it bring—good or bad?” - - “What is there of good to be expected?” said he, taking the - letter from his pocket. “But perhaps you would like to read it.” - - Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now came up. - - “Read it aloud,” said their father, “for I hardly know myself - what it is about.” - - “Gracechurch Street, _Monday, August_ 2. - - “My dear Brother, - “At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such - as, upon the whole, I hope it will give you satisfaction. Soon - after you left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out - in what part of London they were. The particulars I reserve till - we meet; it is enough to know they are discovered. I have seen - them both—” - “Then it is as I always hoped,” cried Jane; “they are - married!” - - Elizabeth read on: - - “I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find - there was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to - perform the engagements which I have ventured to make on your - side, I hope it will not be long before they are. All that is - required of you is, to assure to your daughter, by settlement, - her equal share of the five thousand pounds secured among your - children after the decease of yourself and my sister; and, - moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her, during - your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions - which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying - with, as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall - send this by express, that no time may be lost in bringing me - your answer. You will easily comprehend, from these particulars, - that Mr. Wickham’s circumstances are not so hopeless as they are - generally believed to be. The world has been deceived in that - respect; and I am happy to say there will be some little money, - even when all his debts are discharged, to settle on my niece, in - addition to her own fortune. If, as I conclude will be the case, - you send me full powers to act in your name throughout the whole - of this business, I will immediately give directions to - Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement. There will not be - the smallest occasion for your coming to town again; therefore - stay quiet at Longbourn, and depend on my diligence and care. - Send back your answer as fast as you can, and be careful to write - explicitly. We have judged it best that my niece should be - married from this house, of which I hope you will approve. She - comes to us to-day. I shall write again as soon as anything more - is determined on. Yours, etc., - - “EDW. GARDINER.” - - “Is it possible?” cried Elizabeth, when she had finished. “Can it - be possible that he will marry her?” - - “Wickham is not so undeserving, then, as we thought him,” said - her sister. “My dear father, I congratulate you.” - - “And have you answered the letter?” cried Elizabeth. - - “No; but it must be done soon.” - - Most earnestly did she then entreat him to lose no more time - before he wrote. - - “Oh! my dear father,” she cried, “come back and write - immediately. Consider how important every moment is in such a - case.” - - “Let me write for you,” said Jane, “if you dislike the trouble - yourself.” - - “I dislike it very much,” he replied; “but it must be done.” - - And so saying, he turned back with them, and walked towards the - house. - - “And may I ask—” said Elizabeth; “but the terms, I suppose, must - be complied with.” - - “Complied with! I am only ashamed of his asking so little.” - - “And they _must_ marry! Yet he is _such_ a man!” - - “Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But - there are two things that I want very much to know; one is, how - much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the - other, how am I ever to pay him.” - - “Money! My uncle!” cried Jane, “what do you mean, sir?” - - “I mean, that no man in his senses would marry Lydia on so slight - a temptation as one hundred a year during my life, and fifty - after I am gone.” - - “That is very true,” said Elizabeth; “though it had not occurred - to me before. His debts to be discharged, and something still to - remain! Oh! it must be my uncle’s doings! Generous, good man, I - am afraid he has distressed himself. A small sum could not do all - this.” - - “No,” said her father; “Wickham’s a fool if he takes her with a - farthing less than ten thousand pounds. I should be sorry to - think so ill of him, in the very beginning of our relationship.” - - “Ten thousand pounds! Heaven forbid! How is half such a sum to be - repaid?” - - Mr. Bennet made no answer, and each of them, deep in thought, - continued silent till they reached the house. Their father then - went on to the library to write, and the girls walked into the - breakfast-room. - - “And they are really to be married!” cried Elizabeth, as soon as - they were by themselves. “How strange this is! And for _this_ we - are to be thankful. That they should marry, small as is their - chance of happiness, and wretched as is his character, we are - forced to rejoice. Oh, Lydia!” - - “I comfort myself with thinking,” replied Jane, “that he - certainly would not marry Lydia if he had not a real regard for - her. Though our kind uncle has done something towards clearing - him, I cannot believe that ten thousand pounds, or anything like - it, has been advanced. He has children of his own, and may have - more. How could he spare half ten thousand pounds?” - - “If he were ever able to learn what Wickham’s debts have been,” - said Elizabeth, “and how much is settled on his side on our - sister, we shall exactly know what Mr. Gardiner has done for - them, because Wickham has not sixpence of his own. The kindness - of my uncle and aunt can never be requited. Their taking her - home, and affording her their personal protection and - countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as years of - gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. By this time she is actually - with them! If such goodness does not make her miserable now, she - will never deserve to be happy! What a meeting for her, when she - first sees my aunt!” - - “We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either side,” - said Jane: “I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His - consenting to marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is - come to a right way of thinking. Their mutual affection will - steady them; and I flatter myself they will settle so quietly, - and live in so rational a manner, as may in time make their past - imprudence forgotten.” - - “Their conduct has been such,” replied Elizabeth, “as neither - you, nor I, nor anybody can ever forget. It is useless to talk of - it.” - - It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all - likelihood perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They went to - the library, therefore, and asked their father whether he would - not wish them to make it known to her. He was writing and, - without raising his head, coolly replied: - - “Just as you please.” - - “May we take my uncle’s letter to read to her?” - - “Take whatever you like, and get away.” - - Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table, and they went - up stairs together. Mary and Kitty were both with Mrs. Bennet: - one communication would, therefore, do for all. After a slight - preparation for good news, the letter was read aloud. Mrs. Bennet - could hardly contain herself. As soon as Jane had read Mr. - Gardiner’s hope of Lydia’s being soon married, her joy burst - forth, and every following sentence added to its exuberance. She - was now in an irritation as violent from delight, as she had ever - been fidgety from alarm and vexation. To know that her daughter - would be married was enough. She was disturbed by no fear for her - felicity, nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct. - - “My dear, dear Lydia!” she cried. “This is delightful indeed! She - will be married! I shall see her again! She will be married at - sixteen! My good, kind brother! I knew how it would be. I knew he - would manage everything! How I long to see her! and to see dear - Wickham too! But the clothes, the wedding clothes! I will write - to my sister Gardiner about them directly. Lizzy, my dear, run - down to your father, and ask him how much he will give her. Stay, - stay, I will go myself. Ring the bell, Kitty, for Hill. I will - put on my things in a moment. My dear, dear Lydia! How merry we - shall be together when we meet!” - - Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the - violence of these transports, by leading her thoughts to the - obligations which Mr. Gardiner’s behaviour laid them all under. - - “For we must attribute this happy conclusion,” she added, “in a - great measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that he has - pledged himself to assist Mr. Wickham with money.” - - “Well,” cried her mother, “it is all very right; who should do it - but her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and - my children must have had all his money, you know; and it is the - first time we have ever had anything from him, except a few - presents. Well! I am so happy! In a short time I shall have a - daughter married. Mrs. Wickham! How well it sounds! And she was - only sixteen last June. My dear Jane, I am in such a flutter, - that I am sure I can’t write; so I will dictate, and you write - for me. We will settle with your father about the money - afterwards; but the things should be ordered immediately.” - - She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico, muslin, - and cambric, and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful - orders, had not Jane, though with some difficulty, persuaded her - to wait till her father was at leisure to be consulted. One day’s - delay, she observed, would be of small importance; and her mother - was too happy to be quite so obstinate as usual. Other schemes, - too, came into her head. - - “I will go to Meryton,” said she, “as soon as I am dressed, and - tell the good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I come - back, I can call on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty, run down and - order the carriage. An airing would do me a great deal of good, I - am sure. Girls, can I do anything for you in Meryton? Oh! Here - comes Hill! My dear Hill, have you heard the good news? Miss - Lydia is going to be married; and you shall all have a bowl of - punch to make merry at her wedding.” - - Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth received - her congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this - folly, took refuge in her own room, that she might think with - freedom. - - Poor Lydia’s situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that it - was no worse, she had need to be thankful. She felt it so; and - though, in looking forward, neither rational happiness nor - worldly prosperity could be justly expected for her sister, in - looking back to what they had feared, only two hours ago, she - felt all the advantages of what they had gained. - - - - -Chapter 50 - - Mr. Bennet had very often wished before this period of his life - that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an - annual sum for the better provision of his children, and of his - wife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever. Had - he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have been - indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit could now - be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of - the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband - might then have rested in its proper place. - - He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to - anyone should be forwarded at the sole expense of his - brother-in-law, and he was determined, if possible, to find out - the extent of his assistance, and to discharge the obligation as - soon as he could. - - When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be - perfectly useless, for, of course, they were to have a son. The - son was to join in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should - be of age, and the widow and younger children would by that means - be provided for. Five daughters successively entered the world, - but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for many years - after Lydia’s birth, had been certain that he would. This event - had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be - saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her husband’s - love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their - income. - - Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. - Bennet and the children. But in what proportions it should be - divided amongst the latter depended on the will of the parents. - This was one point, with regard to Lydia, at least, which was now - to be settled, and Mr. Bennet could have no hesitation in - acceding to the proposal before him. In terms of grateful - acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother, though expressed - most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect - approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil - the engagements that had been made for him. He had never before - supposed that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his - daughter, it would be done with so little inconvenience to - himself as by the present arrangement. He would scarcely be ten - pounds a year the loser by the hundred that was to be paid them; - for, what with her board and pocket allowance, and the continual - presents in money which passed to her through her mother’s hands, - Lydia’s expenses had been very little within that sum. - - That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, - too, was another very welcome surprise; for his wish at present - was to have as little trouble in the business as possible. When - the first transports of rage which had produced his activity in - seeking her were over, he naturally returned to all his former - indolence. His letter was soon dispatched; for, though dilatory - in undertaking business, he was quick in its execution. He begged - to know further particulars of what he was indebted to his - brother, but was too angry with Lydia to send any message to her. - - The good news spread quickly through the house, and with - proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in - the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure, it would have been - more for the advantage of conversation had Miss Lydia Bennet come - upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded - from the world, in some distant farmhouse. But there was much to - be talked of in marrying her; and the good-natured wishes for her - well-doing which had proceeded before from all the spiteful old - ladies in Meryton lost but a little of their spirit in this - change of circumstances, because with such an husband her misery - was considered certain. - - It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been downstairs; but on - this happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, - and in spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a - damp to her triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had been - the first object of her wishes since Jane was sixteen, was now on - the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and her words ran - wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new - carriages, and servants. She was busily searching through the - neighbourhood for a proper situation for her daughter, and, - without knowing or considering what their income might be, - rejected many as deficient in size and importance. - - “Haye Park might do,” said she, “if the Gouldings could quit - it—or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; - but Ashworth is too far off! I could not bear to have her ten - miles from me; and as for Pulvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful.” - - Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the - servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her: - “Mrs. Bennet, before you take any or all of these houses for your - son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into - _one_ house in this neighbourhood they shall never have - admittance. I will not encourage the impudence of either, by - receiving them at Longbourn.” - - A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet was - firm. It soon led to another; and Mrs. Bennet found, with - amazement and horror, that her husband would not advance a guinea - to buy clothes for his daughter. He protested that she should - receive from him no mark of affection whatever on the occasion. - Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. That his anger could be - carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment as to refuse - his daughter a privilege without which her marriage would - scarcely seem valid, exceeded all she could believe possible. She - was more alive to the disgrace which her want of new clothes must - reflect on her daughter’s nuptials, than to any sense of shame at - her eloping and living with Wickham a fortnight before they took - place. - - Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the - distress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted - with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so - shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, they might - hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who - were not immediately on the spot. - - She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There - were few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently - depended; but, at the same time, there was no one whose knowledge - of a sister’s frailty would have mortified her so much—not, - however, from any fear of disadvantage from it individually to - herself, for, at any rate, there seemed a gulf impassable between - them. Had Lydia’s marriage been concluded on the most honourable - terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would connect - himself with a family where, to every other objection, would now - be added an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with a - man whom he so justly scorned. - - From such a connection she could not wonder that he would shrink. - The wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself - of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation - survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, she was grieved; - she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became jealous - of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by - it. She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance - of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have - been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should - meet. - - What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that - the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, - would now have been most gladly and gratefully received! He was - as generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his sex; - but while he was mortal, there must be a triumph. - - She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in - disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding - and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her - wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of - both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been - softened, his manners improved; and from his judgement, - information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received - benefit of greater importance. - - But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude - what connubial felicity really was. An union of a different - tendency, and precluding the possibility of the other, was soon - to be formed in their family. - - How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable - independence, she could not imagine. But how little of permanent - happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together - because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could - easily conjecture. - - Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet’s - acknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurance of his - eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family; and - concluded with entreaties that the subject might never be - mentioned to him again. The principal purport of his letter was - to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved on quitting the - militia. - - “It was greatly my wish that he should do so,” he added, “as soon - as his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me, - in considering the removal from that corps as highly advisable, - both on his account and my niece’s. It is Mr. Wickham’s intention - to go into the regulars; and among his former friends, there are - still some who are able and willing to assist him in the army. He - has the promise of an ensigncy in General ——’s regiment, now - quartered in the North. It is an advantage to have it so far from - this part of the kingdom. He promises fairly; and I hope among - different people, where they may each have a character to - preserve, they will both be more prudent. I have written to - Colonel Forster, to inform him of our present arrangements, and - to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. - Wickham in and near Brighton, with assurances of speedy payment, - for which I have pledged myself. And will you give yourself the - trouble of carrying similar assurances to his creditors in - Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin a list according to his - information? He has given in all his debts; I hope at least he - has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions, and all will - be completed in a week. They will then join his regiment, unless - they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand from Mrs. - Gardiner, that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all before - she leaves the South. She is well, and begs to be dutifully - remembered to you and her mother.—Yours, etc., - - “E. GARDINER.” - - Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham’s - removal from the ——shire as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. But - Mrs. Bennet was not so well pleased with it. Lydia’s being - settled in the North, just when she had expected most pleasure - and pride in her company, for she had by no means given up her - plan of their residing in Hertfordshire, was a severe - disappointment; and, besides, it was such a pity that Lydia - should be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with - everybody, and had so many favourites. - - “She is so fond of Mrs. Forster,” said she, “it will be quite - shocking to send her away! And there are several of the young - men, too, that she likes very much. The officers may not be so - pleasant in General ——’s regiment.” - - His daughter’s request, for such it might be considered, of being - admitted into her family again before she set off for the North, - received at first an absolute negative. But Jane and Elizabeth, - who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister’s feelings - and consequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by - her parents, urged him so earnestly yet so rationally and so - mildly, to receive her and her husband at Longbourn, as soon as - they were married, that he was prevailed on to think as they - thought, and act as they wished. And their mother had the - satisfaction of knowing that she would be able to show her - married daughter in the neighbourhood before she was banished to - the North. When Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore, - he sent his permission for them to come; and it was settled, that - as soon as the ceremony was over, they should proceed to - Longbourn. Elizabeth was surprised, however, that Wickham should - consent to such a scheme, and had she consulted only her own - inclination, any meeting with him would have been the last object - of her wishes. - - - - -Chapter 51 - - Their sister’s wedding day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt - for her probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was - sent to meet them at ——, and they were to return in it by - dinner-time. Their arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss Bennets, - and Jane more especially, who gave Lydia the feelings which would - have attended herself, had _she_ been the culprit, and was - wretched in the thought of what her sister must endure. - - They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast room to - receive them. Smiles decked the face of Mrs. Bennet as the - carriage drove up to the door; her husband looked impenetrably - grave; her daughters, alarmed, anxious, uneasy. - - Lydia’s voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown - open, and she ran into the room. Her mother stepped forwards, - embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand, with - an affectionate smile, to Wickham, who followed his lady; and - wished them both joy with an alacrity which shewed no doubt of - their happiness. - - Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then turned, was - not quite so cordial. His countenance rather gained in austerity; - and he scarcely opened his lips. The easy assurance of the young - couple, indeed, was enough to provoke him. Elizabeth was - disgusted, and even Miss Bennet was shocked. Lydia was Lydia - still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless. She turned - from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations; and when - at length they all sat down, looked eagerly round the room, took - notice of some little alteration in it, and observed, with a - laugh, that it was a great while since she had been there. - - Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself, but his - manners were always so pleasing, that had his character and his - marriage been exactly what they ought, his smiles and his easy - address, while he claimed their relationship, would have - delighted them all. Elizabeth had not before believed him quite - equal to such assurance; but she sat down, resolving within - herself to draw no limits in future to the impudence of an - impudent man. _She_ blushed, and Jane blushed; but the cheeks of - the two who caused their confusion suffered no variation of - colour. - - There was no want of discourse. The bride and her mother could - neither of them talk fast enough; and Wickham, who happened to - sit near Elizabeth, began enquiring after his acquaintance in - that neighbourhood, with a good humoured ease which she felt very - unable to equal in her replies. They seemed each of them to have - the happiest memories in the world. Nothing of the past was - recollected with pain; and Lydia led voluntarily to subjects - which her sisters would not have alluded to for the world. - - “Only think of its being three months,” she cried, “since I went - away; it seems but a fortnight I declare; and yet there have been - things enough happened in the time. Good gracious! when I went - away, I am sure I had no more idea of being married till I came - back again! though I thought it would be very good fun if I was.” - - Her father lifted up his eyes. Jane was distressed. Elizabeth - looked expressively at Lydia; but she, who never heard nor saw - anything of which she chose to be insensible, gaily continued, - “Oh! mamma, do the people hereabouts know I am married to-day? I - was afraid they might not; and we overtook William Goulding in - his curricle, so I was determined he should know it, and so I let - down the side-glass next to him, and took off my glove, and let - my hand just rest upon the window frame, so that he might see the - ring, and then I bowed and smiled like anything.” - - Elizabeth could bear it no longer. She got up, and ran out of the - room; and returned no more, till she heard them passing through - the hall to the dining parlour. She then joined them soon enough - to see Lydia, with anxious parade, walk up to her mother’s right - hand, and hear her say to her eldest sister, “Ah! Jane, I take - your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married - woman.” - - It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that - embarrassment from which she had been so wholly free at first. - Her ease and good spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs. - Phillips, the Lucases, and all their other neighbours, and to - hear herself called “Mrs. Wickham” by each of them; and in the - mean time, she went after dinner to show her ring, and boast of - being married, to Mrs. Hill and the two housemaids. - - “Well, mamma,” said she, when they were all returned to the - breakfast room, “and what do you think of my husband? Is not he a - charming man? I am sure my sisters must all envy me. I only hope - they may have half my good luck. They must all go to Brighton. - That is the place to get husbands. What a pity it is, mamma, we - did not all go.” - - “Very true; and if I had my will, we should. But my dear Lydia, I - don’t at all like your going such a way off. Must it be so?” - - “Oh, lord! yes;—there is nothing in that. I shall like it of all - things. You and papa, and my sisters, must come down and see us. - We shall be at Newcastle all the winter, and I dare say there - will be some balls, and I will take care to get good partners for - them all.” - - “I should like it beyond anything!” said her mother. - - “And then when you go away, you may leave one or two of my - sisters behind you; and I dare say I shall get husbands for them - before the winter is over.” - - “I thank you for my share of the favour,” said Elizabeth; “but I - do not particularly like your way of getting husbands.” - - Their visitors were not to remain above ten days with them. Mr. - Wickham had received his commission before he left London, and he - was to join his regiment at the end of a fortnight. - - No one but Mrs. Bennet regretted that their stay would be so - short; and she made the most of the time by visiting about with - her daughter, and having very frequent parties at home. These - parties were acceptable to all; to avoid a family circle was even - more desirable to such as did think, than such as did not. - - Wickham’s affection for Lydia was just what Elizabeth had - expected to find it; not equal to Lydia’s for him. She had - scarcely needed her present observation to be satisfied, from the - reason of things, that their elopement had been brought on by the - strength of her love, rather than by his; and she would have - wondered why, without violently caring for her, he chose to elope - with her at all, had she not felt certain that his flight was - rendered necessary by distress of circumstances; and if that were - the case, he was not the young man to resist an opportunity of - having a companion. - - Lydia was exceedingly fond of him. He was her dear Wickham on - every occasion; no one was to be put in competition with him. He - did every thing best in the world; and she was sure he would kill - more birds on the first of September, than any body else in the - country. - - One morning, soon after their arrival, as she was sitting with - her two elder sisters, she said to Elizabeth: - - “Lizzy, I never gave _you_ an account of my wedding, I believe. - You were not by, when I told mamma and the others all about it. - Are not you curious to hear how it was managed?” - - “No really,” replied Elizabeth; “I think there cannot be too - little said on the subject.” - - “La! You are so strange! But I must tell you how it went off. We - were married, you know, at St. Clement’s, because Wickham’s - lodgings were in that parish. And it was settled that we should - all be there by eleven o’clock. My uncle and aunt and I were to - go together; and the others were to meet us at the church. Well, - Monday morning came, and I was in such a fuss! I was so afraid, - you know, that something would happen to put it off, and then I - should have gone quite distracted. And there was my aunt, all the - time I was dressing, preaching and talking away just as if she - was reading a sermon. However, I did not hear above one word in - ten, for I was thinking, you may suppose, of my dear Wickham. I - longed to know whether he would be married in his blue coat.” - - “Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual; I thought it would - never be over; for, by the bye, you are to understand, that my - uncle and aunt were horrid unpleasant all the time I was with - them. If you’ll believe me, I did not once put my foot out of - doors, though I was there a fortnight. Not one party, or scheme, - or anything. To be sure London was rather thin, but, however, the - Little Theatre was open. Well, and so just as the carriage came - to the door, my uncle was called away upon business to that - horrid man Mr. Stone. And then, you know, when once they get - together, there is no end of it. Well, I was so frightened I did - not know what to do, for my uncle was to give me away; and if we - were beyond the hour, we could not be married all day. But, - luckily, he came back again in ten minutes’ time, and then we all - set out. However, I recollected afterwards that if he _had_ been - prevented going, the wedding need not be put off, for Mr. Darcy - might have done as well.” - - “Mr. Darcy!” repeated Elizabeth, in utter amazement. - - “Oh, yes!—he was to come there with Wickham, you know. But - gracious me! I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word - about it. I promised them so faithfully! What will Wickham say? - It was to be such a secret!” - - “If it was to be secret,” said Jane, “say not another word on the - subject. You may depend upon my seeking no further.” - - “Oh! certainly,” said Elizabeth, though burning with curiosity; - “we will ask you no questions.” - - “Thank you,” said Lydia, “for if you did, I should certainly tell - you all, and then Wickham would be angry.” - - On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced to put it out - of her power, by running away. - - But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible; or at - least it was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcy had - been at her sister’s wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly - among people, where he had apparently least to do, and least - temptation to go. Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and - wild, hurried into her brain; but she was satisfied with none. - Those that best pleased her, as placing his conduct in the - noblest light, seemed most improbable. She could not bear such - suspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of paper, wrote a short - letter to her aunt, to request an explanation of what Lydia had - dropt, if it were compatible with the secrecy which had been - intended. - - “You may readily comprehend,” she added, “what my curiosity must - be to know how a person unconnected with any of us, and - (comparatively speaking) a stranger to our family, should have - been amongst you at such a time. Pray write instantly, and let me - understand it—unless it is, for very cogent reasons, to remain in - the secrecy which Lydia seems to think necessary; and then I must - endeavour to be satisfied with ignorance.” - - “Not that I _shall_, though,” she added to herself, as she - finished the letter; “and my dear aunt, if you do not tell me in - an honourable manner, I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and - stratagems to find it out.” - - Jane’s delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to - Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall; Elizabeth was - glad of it;—till it appeared whether her enquiries would receive - any satisfaction, she had rather be without a confidante. - - - - -Chapter 52 - - Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving an answer to her - letter as soon as she possibly could. She was no sooner in - possession of it than, hurrying into the little copse, where she - was least likely to be interrupted, she sat down on one of the - benches and prepared to be happy; for the length of the letter - convinced her that it did not contain a denial. - - “Gracechurch Street, _Sept_. 6. - - “My dear Niece, - - “I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole - morning to answering it, as I foresee that a _little_ writing - will not comprise what I have to tell you. I must confess myself - surprised by your application; I did not expect it from _you_. - Don’t think me angry, however, for I only mean to let you know - that I had not imagined such enquiries to be necessary on _your_ - side. If you do not choose to understand me, forgive my - impertinence. Your uncle is as much surprised as I am—and nothing - but the belief of your being a party concerned would have allowed - him to act as he has done. But if you are really innocent and - ignorant, I must be more explicit. - - “On the very day of my coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had - a most unexpected visitor. Mr. Darcy called, and was shut up with - him several hours. It was all over before I arrived; so my - curiosity was not so dreadfully racked as _yours_ seems to have - been. He came to tell Mr. Gardiner that he had found out where - your sister and Mr. Wickham were, and that he had seen and talked - with them both; Wickham repeatedly, Lydia once. From what I can - collect, he left Derbyshire only one day after ourselves, and - came to town with the resolution of hunting for them. The motive - professed was his conviction of its being owing to himself that - Wickham’s worthlessness had not been so well known as to make it - impossible for any young woman of character to love or confide in - him. He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride, and - confessed that he had before thought it beneath him to lay his - private actions open to the world. His character was to speak for - itself. He called it, therefore, his duty to step forward, and - endeavour to remedy an evil which had been brought on by himself. - If he _had another_ motive, I am sure it would never disgrace - him. He had been some days in town, before he was able to - discover them; but he had something to direct his search, which - was more than _we_ had; and the consciousness of this was another - reason for his resolving to follow us. - - “There is a lady, it seems, a Mrs. Younge, who was some time ago - governess to Miss Darcy, and was dismissed from her charge on - some cause of disapprobation, though he did not say what. She - then took a large house in Edward-street, and has since - maintained herself by letting lodgings. This Mrs. Younge was, he - knew, intimately acquainted with Wickham; and he went to her for - intelligence of him as soon as he got to town. But it was two or - three days before he could get from her what he wanted. She would - not betray her trust, I suppose, without bribery and corruption, - for she really did know where her friend was to be found. Wickham - indeed had gone to her on their first arrival in London, and had - she been able to receive them into her house, they would have - taken up their abode with her. At length, however, our kind - friend procured the wished-for direction. They were in —— street. - He saw Wickham, and afterwards insisted on seeing Lydia. His - first object with her, he acknowledged, had been to persuade her - to quit her present disgraceful situation, and return to her - friends as soon as they could be prevailed on to receive her, - offering his assistance, as far as it would go. But he found - Lydia absolutely resolved on remaining where she was. She cared - for none of her friends; she wanted no help of his; she would not - hear of leaving Wickham. She was sure they should be married some - time or other, and it did not much signify when. Since such were - her feelings, it only remained, he thought, to secure and - expedite a marriage, which, in his very first conversation with - Wickham, he easily learnt had never been _his_ design. He - confessed himself obliged to leave the regiment, on account of - some debts of honour, which were very pressing; and scrupled not - to lay all the ill-consequences of Lydia’s flight on her own - folly alone. He meant to resign his commission immediately; and - as to his future situation, he could conjecture very little about - it. He must go somewhere, but he did not know where, and he knew - he should have nothing to live on. - - “Mr. Darcy asked him why he had not married your sister at once. - Though Mr. Bennet was not imagined to be very rich, he would have - been able to do something for him, and his situation must have - been benefited by marriage. But he found, in reply to this - question, that Wickham still cherished the hope of more - effectually making his fortune by marriage in some other country. - Under such circumstances, however, he was not likely to be proof - against the temptation of immediate relief. - - “They met several times, for there was much to be discussed. - Wickham of course wanted more than he could get; but at length - was reduced to be reasonable. - - “Everything being settled between _them_, Mr. Darcy’s next step - was to make your uncle acquainted with it, and he first called in - Gracechurch street the evening before I came home. But Mr. - Gardiner could not be seen, and Mr. Darcy found, on further - enquiry, that your father was still with him, but would quit town - the next morning. He did not judge your father to be a person - whom he could so properly consult as your uncle, and therefore - readily postponed seeing him till after the departure of the - former. He did not leave his name, and till the next day it was - only known that a gentleman had called on business. - - “On Saturday he came again. Your father was gone, your uncle at - home, and, as I said before, they had a great deal of talk - together. - - “They met again on Sunday, and then _I_ saw him too. It was not - all settled before Monday: as soon as it was, the express was - sent off to Longbourn. But our visitor was very obstinate. I - fancy, Lizzy, that obstinacy is the real defect of his character, - after all. He has been accused of many faults at different times, - but _this_ is the true one. Nothing was to be done that he did - not do himself; though I am sure (and I do not speak it to be - thanked, therefore say nothing about it), your uncle would most - readily have settled the whole. - - “They battled it together for a long time, which was more than - either the gentleman or lady concerned in it deserved. But at - last your uncle was forced to yield, and instead of being allowed - to be of use to his niece, was forced to put up with only having - the probable credit of it, which went sorely against the grain; - and I really believe your letter this morning gave him great - pleasure, because it required an explanation that would rob him - of his borrowed feathers, and give the praise where it was due. - But, Lizzy, this must go no farther than yourself, or Jane at - most. - - “You know pretty well, I suppose, what has been done for the - young people. His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to - considerably more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in - addition to her own settled upon _her_, and his commission - purchased. The reason why all this was to be done by him alone, - was such as I have given above. It was owing to him, to his - reserve and want of proper consideration, that Wickham’s - character had been so misunderstood, and consequently that he had - been received and noticed as he was. Perhaps there was some truth - in _this_; though I doubt whether _his_ reserve, or _anybody’s_ - reserve, can be answerable for the event. But in spite of all - this fine talking, my dear Lizzy, you may rest perfectly assured - that your uncle would never have yielded, if we had not given him - credit for _another interest_ in the affair. - - “When all this was resolved on, he returned again to his friends, - who were still staying at Pemberley; but it was agreed that he - should be in London once more when the wedding took place, and - all money matters were then to receive the last finish. - - “I believe I have now told you every thing. It is a relation - which you tell me is to give you great surprise; I hope at least - it will not afford you any displeasure. Lydia came to us; and - Wickham had constant admission to the house. _He_ was exactly - what he had been, when I knew him in Hertfordshire; but I would - not tell you how little I was satisfied with _her_ behaviour - while she staid with us, if I had not perceived, by Jane’s letter - last Wednesday, that her conduct on coming home was exactly of a - piece with it, and therefore what I now tell you can give you no - fresh pain. I talked to her repeatedly in the most serious - manner, representing to her all the wickedness of what she had - done, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family. If - she heard me, it was by good luck, for I am sure she did not - listen. I was sometimes quite provoked, but then I recollected my - dear Elizabeth and Jane, and for their sakes had patience with - her. - - “Mr. Darcy was punctual in his return, and as Lydia informed you, - attended the wedding. He dined with us the next day, and was to - leave town again on Wednesday or Thursday. Will you be very angry - with me, my dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying - (what I was never bold enough to say before) how much I like him. - His behaviour to us has, in every respect, been as pleasing as - when we were in Derbyshire. His understanding and opinions all - please me; he wants nothing but a little more liveliness, and - _that_, if he marry _prudently_, his wife may teach him. I - thought him very sly;—he hardly ever mentioned your name. But - slyness seems the fashion. - - “Pray forgive me if I have been very presuming, or at least do - not punish me so far as to exclude me from P. I shall never be - quite happy till I have been all round the park. A low phaeton, - with a nice little pair of ponies, would be the very thing. - - “But I must write no more. The children have been wanting me this - half hour. - - “Yours, very sincerely, - “M. GARDINER.” - - The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth into a flutter of - spirits, in which it was difficult to determine whether pleasure - or pain bore the greatest share. The vague and unsettled - suspicions which uncertainty had produced of what Mr. Darcy might - have been doing to forward her sister’s match, which she had - feared to encourage as an exertion of goodness too great to be - probable, and at the same time dreaded to be just, from the pain - of obligation, were proved beyond their greatest extent to be - true! He had followed them purposely to town, he had taken on - himself all the trouble and mortification attendant on such a - research; in which supplication had been necessary to a woman - whom he must abominate and despise, and where he was reduced to - meet, frequently meet, reason with, persuade, and finally bribe, - the man whom he always most wished to avoid, and whose very name - it was punishment to him to pronounce. He had done all this for a - girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem. Her heart did - whisper that he had done it for her. But it was a hope shortly - checked by other considerations, and she soon felt that even her - vanity was insufficient, when required to depend on his affection - for her—for a woman who had already refused him—as able to - overcome a sentiment so natural as abhorrence against - relationship with Wickham. Brother-in-law of Wickham! Every kind - of pride must revolt from the connection. He had, to be sure, - done much. She was ashamed to think how much. But he had given a - reason for his interference, which asked no extraordinary stretch - of belief. It was reasonable that he should feel he had been - wrong; he had liberality, and he had the means of exercising it; - and though she would not place herself as his principal - inducement, she could, perhaps, believe that remaining partiality - for her might assist his endeavours in a cause where her peace of - mind must be materially concerned. It was painful, exceedingly - painful, to know that they were under obligations to a person who - could never receive a return. They owed the restoration of Lydia, - her character, every thing, to him. Oh! how heartily did she - grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, - every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him. For herself - she was humbled; but she was proud of him. Proud that in a cause - of compassion and honour, he had been able to get the better of - himself. She read over her aunt’s commendation of him again and - again. It was hardly enough; but it pleased her. She was even - sensible of some pleasure, though mixed with regret, on finding - how steadfastly both she and her uncle had been persuaded that - affection and confidence subsisted between Mr. Darcy and herself. - - She was roused from her seat, and her reflections, by some one’s - approach; and before she could strike into another path, she was - overtaken by Wickham. - - “I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear sister?” - said he, as he joined her. - - “You certainly do,” she replied with a smile; “but it does not - follow that the interruption must be unwelcome.” - - “I should be sorry indeed, if it were. _We_ were always good - friends; and now we are better.” - - “True. Are the others coming out?” - - “I do not know. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are going in the carriage - to Meryton. And so, my dear sister, I find, from our uncle and - aunt, that you have actually seen Pemberley.” - - She replied in the affirmative. - - “I almost envy you the pleasure, and yet I believe it would be - too much for me, or else I could take it in my way to Newcastle. - And you saw the old housekeeper, I suppose? Poor Reynolds, she - was always very fond of me. But of course she did not mention my - name to you.” - - “Yes, she did.” - - “And what did she say?” - - “That you were gone into the army, and she was afraid had—not - turned out well. At such a distance as _that_, you know, things - are strangely misrepresented.” - - “Certainly,” he replied, biting his lips. Elizabeth hoped she had - silenced him; but he soon afterwards said: - - “I was surprised to see Darcy in town last month. We passed each - other several times. I wonder what he can be doing there.” - - “Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss de Bourgh,” said - Elizabeth. “It must be something particular, to take him there at - this time of year.” - - “Undoubtedly. Did you see him while you were at Lambton? I - thought I understood from the Gardiners that you had.” - - “Yes; he introduced us to his sister.” - - “And do you like her?” - - “Very much.” - - “I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved within - this year or two. When I last saw her, she was not very - promising. I am very glad you liked her. I hope she will turn out - well.” - - “I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age.” - - “Did you go by the village of Kympton?” - - “I do not recollect that we did.” - - “I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have - had. A most delightful place!—Excellent Parsonage House! It would - have suited me in every respect.” - - “How should you have liked making sermons?” - - “Exceedingly well. I should have considered it as part of my - duty, and the exertion would soon have been nothing. One ought - not to repine;—but, to be sure, it would have been such a thing - for me! The quiet, the retirement of such a life would have - answered all my ideas of happiness! But it was not to be. Did you - ever hear Darcy mention the circumstance, when you were in Kent?” - - “I _have_ heard from authority, which I thought _as good_, that - it was left you conditionally only, and at the will of the - present patron.” - - “You have. Yes, there was something in _that_; I told you so from - the first, you may remember.” - - “I _did_ hear, too, that there was a time, when sermon-making was - not so palatable to you as it seems to be at present; that you - actually declared your resolution of never taking orders, and - that the business had been compromised accordingly.” - - “You did! and it was not wholly without foundation. You may - remember what I told you on that point, when first we talked of - it.” - - They were now almost at the door of the house, for she had walked - fast to get rid of him; and unwilling, for her sister’s sake, to - provoke him, she only said in reply, with a good-humoured smile: - - “Come, Mr. Wickham, we are brother and sister, you know. Do not - let us quarrel about the past. In future, I hope we shall be - always of one mind.” - - She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, - though he hardly knew how to look, and they entered the house. - - - - -Chapter 53 - - Mr. Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation - that he never again distressed himself, or provoked his dear - sister Elizabeth, by introducing the subject of it; and she was - pleased to find that she had said enough to keep him quiet. - - The day of his and Lydia’s departure soon came, and Mrs. Bennet - was forced to submit to a separation, which, as her husband by no - means entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle, - was likely to continue at least a twelvemonth. - - “Oh! my dear Lydia,” she cried, “when shall we meet again?” - - “Oh, lord! I don’t know. Not these two or three years, perhaps.” - - “Write to me very often, my dear.” - - “As often as I can. But you know married women have never much - time for writing. My sisters may write to _me_. They will have - nothing else to do.” - - Mr. Wickham’s adieus were much more affectionate than his wife’s. - He smiled, looked handsome, and said many pretty things. - - “He is as fine a fellow,” said Mr. Bennet, as soon as they were - out of the house, “as ever I saw. He simpers, and smirks, and - makes love to us all. I am prodigiously proud of him. I defy even - Sir William Lucas himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law.” - - The loss of her daughter made Mrs. Bennet very dull for several - days. - - “I often think,” said she, “that there is nothing so bad as - parting with one’s friends. One seems so forlorn without them.” - - “This is the consequence, you see, Madam, of marrying a - daughter,” said Elizabeth. “It must make you better satisfied - that your other four are single.” - - “It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is - married, but only because her husband’s regiment happens to be so - far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone so - soon.” - - But the spiritless condition which this event threw her into was - shortly relieved, and her mind opened again to the agitation of - hope, by an article of news which then began to be in - circulation. The housekeeper at Netherfield had received orders - to prepare for the arrival of her master, who was coming down in - a day or two, to shoot there for several weeks. Mrs. Bennet was - quite in the fidgets. She looked at Jane, and smiled and shook - her head by turns. - - “Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley is coming down, sister,” (for - Mrs. Phillips first brought her the news). “Well, so much the - better. Not that I care about it, though. He is nothing to us, - you know, and I am sure I never want to see him again. But, - however, he is very welcome to come to Netherfield, if he likes - it. And who knows what _may_ happen? But that is nothing to us. - You know, sister, we agreed long ago never to mention a word - about it. And so, is it quite certain he is coming?” - - “You may depend on it,” replied the other, “for Mrs. Nicholls was - in Meryton last night; I saw her passing by, and went out myself - on purpose to know the truth of it; and she told me that it was - certain true. He comes down on Thursday at the latest, very - likely on Wednesday. She was going to the butcher’s, she told me, - on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday, and she has got - three couple of ducks just fit to be killed.” - - Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without - changing colour. It was many months since she had mentioned his - name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon as they were alone together, - she said: - - “I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of the - present report; and I know I appeared distressed. But don’t - imagine it was from any silly cause. I was only confused for the - moment, because I felt that I _should_ be looked at. I do assure - you that the news does not affect me either with pleasure or - pain. I am glad of one thing, that he comes alone; because we - shall see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of _myself_, but - I dread other people’s remarks.” - - Elizabeth did not know what to make of it. Had she not seen him - in Derbyshire, she might have supposed him capable of coming - there with no other view than what was acknowledged; but she - still thought him partial to Jane, and she wavered as to the - greater probability of his coming there _with_ his friend’s - permission, or being bold enough to come without it. - - “Yet it is hard,” she sometimes thought, “that this poor man - cannot come to a house which he has legally hired, without - raising all this speculation! I _will_ leave him to himself.” - - In spite of what her sister declared, and really believed to be - her feelings in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth could - easily perceive that her spirits were affected by it. They were - more disturbed, more unequal, than she had often seen them. - - The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their - parents, about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again. - - “As soon as ever Mr. Bingley comes, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet, - “you will wait on him of course.” - - “No, no. You forced me into visiting him last year, and promised, - if I went to see him, he should marry one of my daughters. But it - ended in nothing, and I will not be sent on a fool’s errand - again.” - - His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary such an - attention would be from all the neighbouring gentlemen, on his - returning to Netherfield. - - “’Tis an _etiquette_ I despise,” said he. “If he wants our - society, let him seek it. He knows where we live. I will not - spend _my_ hours in running after my neighbours every time they - go away and come back again.” - - “Well, all I know is, that it will be abominably rude if you do - not wait on him. But, however, that shan’t prevent my asking him - to dine here, I am determined. We must have Mrs. Long and the - Gouldings soon. That will make thirteen with ourselves, so there - will be just room at table for him.” - - Consoled by this resolution, she was the better able to bear her - husband’s incivility; though it was very mortifying to know that - her neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, - before _they_ did. As the day of his arrival drew near,— - - “I begin to be sorry that he comes at all,” said Jane to her - sister. “It would be nothing; I could see him with perfect - indifference, but I can hardly bear to hear it thus perpetually - talked of. My mother means well; but she does not know, no one - can know, how much I suffer from what she says. Happy shall I be, - when his stay at Netherfield is over!” - - “I wish I could say anything to comfort you,” replied Elizabeth; - “but it is wholly out of my power. You must feel it; and the - usual satisfaction of preaching patience to a sufferer is denied - me, because you have always so much.” - - Mr. Bingley arrived. Mrs. Bennet, through the assistance of - servants, contrived to have the earliest tidings of it, that the - period of anxiety and fretfulness on her side might be as long as - it could. She counted the days that must intervene before their - invitation could be sent; hopeless of seeing him before. But on - the third morning after his arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw - him, from her dressing-room window, enter the paddock and ride - towards the house. - - Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane - resolutely kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth, to satisfy - her mother, went to the window—she looked,—she saw Mr. Darcy with - him, and sat down again by her sister. - - “There is a gentleman with him, mamma,” said Kitty; “who can it - be?” - - “Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose; I am sure I do - not know.” - - “La!” replied Kitty, “it looks just like that man that used to be - with him before. Mr. what’s-his-name. That tall, proud man.” - - “Good gracious! Mr. Darcy!—and so it does, I vow. Well, any - friend of Mr. Bingley’s will always be welcome here, to be sure; - but else I must say that I hate the very sight of him.” - - Jane looked at Elizabeth with surprise and concern. She knew but - little of their meeting in Derbyshire, and therefore felt for the - awkwardness which must attend her sister, in seeing him almost - for the first time after receiving his explanatory letter. Both - sisters were uncomfortable enough. Each felt for the other, and - of course for themselves; and their mother talked on, of her - dislike of Mr. Darcy, and her resolution to be civil to him only - as Mr. Bingley’s friend, without being heard by either of them. - But Elizabeth had sources of uneasiness which could not be - suspected by Jane, to whom she had never yet had courage to shew - Mrs. Gardiner’s letter, or to relate her own change of sentiment - towards him. To Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she - had refused, and whose merit she had undervalued; but to her own - more extensive information, he was the person to whom the whole - family were indebted for the first of benefits, and whom she - regarded herself with an interest, if not quite so tender, at - least as reasonable and just as what Jane felt for Bingley. Her - astonishment at his coming—at his coming to Netherfield, to - Longbourn, and voluntarily seeking her again, was almost equal to - what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in - Derbyshire. - - The colour which had been driven from her face, returned for half - a minute with an additional glow, and a smile of delight added - lustre to her eyes, as she thought for that space of time that - his affection and wishes must still be unshaken. But she would - not be secure. - - “Let me first see how he behaves,” said she; “it will then be - early enough for expectation.” - - She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and without - daring to lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity carried them - to the face of her sister as the servant was approaching the - door. Jane looked a little paler than usual, but more sedate than - Elizabeth had expected. On the gentlemen’s appearing, her colour - increased; yet she received them with tolerable ease, and with a - propriety of behaviour equally free from any symptom of - resentment or any unnecessary complaisance. - - Elizabeth said as little to either as civility would allow, and - sat down again to her work, with an eagerness which it did not - often command. She had ventured only one glance at Darcy. He - looked serious, as usual; and, she thought, more as he had been - used to look in Hertfordshire, than as she had seen him at - Pemberley. But, perhaps he could not in her mother’s presence be - what he was before her uncle and aunt. It was a painful, but not - an improbable, conjecture. - - Bingley, she had likewise seen for an instant, and in that short - period saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed. He was - received by Mrs. Bennet with a degree of civility which made her - two daughters ashamed, especially when contrasted with the cold - and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address to his - friend. - - Elizabeth, particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the - latter the preservation of her favourite daughter from - irremediable infamy, was hurt and distressed to a most painful - degree by a distinction so ill applied. - - Darcy, after enquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a - question which she could not answer without confusion, said - scarcely anything. He was not seated by her; perhaps that was the - reason of his silence; but it had not been so in Derbyshire. - There he had talked to her friends, when he could not to herself. - But now several minutes elapsed without bringing the sound of his - voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist the impulse of - curiosity, she raised her eyes to his face, she as often found - him looking at Jane as at herself, and frequently on no object - but the ground. More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, - than when they last met, were plainly expressed. She was - disappointed, and angry with herself for being so. - - “Could I expect it to be otherwise!” said she. “Yet why did he - come?” - - She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself; - and to him she had hardly courage to speak. - - She enquired after his sister, but could do no more. - - “It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away,” said Mrs. - Bennet. - - He readily agreed to it. - - “I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People - _did_ say you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; - but, however, I hope it is not true. A great many changes have - happened in the neighbourhood, since you went away. Miss Lucas is - married and settled. And one of my own daughters. I suppose you - have heard of it; indeed, you must have seen it in the papers. It - was in The Times and The Courier, I know; though it was not put - in as it ought to be. It was only said, ‘Lately, George Wickham, - Esq. to Miss Lydia Bennet,’ without there being a syllable said - of her father, or the place where she lived, or anything. It was - my brother Gardiner’s drawing up too, and I wonder how he came to - make such an awkward business of it. Did you see it?” - - Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. - Elizabeth dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, - therefore, she could not tell. - - “It is a delightful thing, to be sure, to have a daughter well - married,” continued her mother, “but at the same time, Mr. - Bingley, it is very hard to have her taken such a way from me. - They are gone down to Newcastle, a place quite northward, it - seems, and there they are to stay I do not know how long. His - regiment is there; for I suppose you have heard of his leaving - the ——shire, and of his being gone into the regulars. Thank - Heaven! he has _some_ friends, though perhaps not so many as he - deserves.” - - Elizabeth, who knew this to be levelled at Mr. Darcy, was in such - misery of shame, that she could hardly keep her seat. It drew - from her, however, the exertion of speaking, which nothing else - had so effectually done before; and she asked Bingley whether he - meant to make any stay in the country at present. A few weeks, he - believed. - - “When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley,” said her - mother, “I beg you will come here, and shoot as many as you - please on Mr. Bennet’s manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy - to oblige you, and will save all the best of the covies for you.” - - Elizabeth’s misery increased, at such unnecessary, such officious - attention! Were the same fair prospect to arise at present as had - flattered them a year ago, every thing, she was persuaded, would - be hastening to the same vexatious conclusion. At that instant, - she felt that years of happiness could not make Jane or herself - amends for moments of such painful confusion. - - “The first wish of my heart,” said she to herself, “is never more - to be in company with either of them. Their society can afford no - pleasure that will atone for such wretchedness as this! Let me - never see either one or the other again!” - - Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no - compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from - observing how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the - admiration of her former lover. When first he came in, he had - spoken to her but little; but every five minutes seemed to be - giving her more of his attention. He found her as handsome as she - had been last year; as good natured, and as unaffected, though - not quite so chatty. Jane was anxious that no difference should - be perceived in her at all, and was really persuaded that she - talked as much as ever. But her mind was so busily engaged, that - she did not always know when she was silent. - - When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs. Bennet was mindful of - her intended civility, and they were invited and engaged to dine - at Longbourn in a few days time. - - “You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr. Bingley,” she added, “for - when you went to town last winter, you promised to take a family - dinner with us, as soon as you returned. I have not forgot, you - see; and I assure you, I was very much disappointed that you did - not come back and keep your engagement.” - - Bingley looked a little silly at this reflection, and said - something of his concern at having been prevented by business. - They then went away. - - Mrs. Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and - dine there that day; but, though she always kept a very good - table, she did not think anything less than two courses could be - good enough for a man on whom she had such anxious designs, or - satisfy the appetite and pride of one who had ten thousand a - year. - - - - -Chapter 54 - - As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to recover her - spirits; or in other words, to dwell without interruption on - those subjects that must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy’s behaviour - astonished and vexed her. - - “Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,” said - she, “did he come at all?” - - She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure. - - “He could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my uncle and aunt, - when he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me, why come - hither? If he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teasing, - teasing, man! I will think no more about him.” - - Her resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept by the - approach of her sister, who joined her with a cheerful look, - which showed her better satisfied with their visitors, than - Elizabeth. - - “Now,” said she, “that this first meeting is over, I feel - perfectly easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be - embarrassed again by his coming. I am glad he dines here on - Tuesday. It will then be publicly seen that, on both sides, we - meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance.” - - “Yes, very indifferent indeed,” said Elizabeth, laughingly. “Oh, - Jane, take care.” - - “My dear Lizzy, you cannot think me so weak, as to be in danger - now?” - - “I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in - love with you as ever.” - - They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday; and Mrs. - Bennet, in the meanwhile, was giving way to all the happy - schemes, which the good humour and common politeness of Bingley, - in half an hour’s visit, had revived. - - On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at Longbourn; and - the two who were most anxiously expected, to the credit of their - punctuality as sportsmen, were in very good time. When they - repaired to the dining-room, Elizabeth eagerly watched to see - whether Bingley would take the place, which, in all their former - parties, had belonged to him, by her sister. Her prudent mother, - occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite him to sit by - herself. On entering the room, he seemed to hesitate; but Jane - happened to look round, and happened to smile: it was decided. He - placed himself by her. - - Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his - friend. He bore it with noble indifference, and she would have - imagined that Bingley had received his sanction to be happy, had - she not seen his eyes likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy, with an - expression of half-laughing alarm. - - His behaviour to her sister was such, during dinner time, as - showed an admiration of her, which, though more guarded than - formerly, persuaded Elizabeth, that if left wholly to himself, - Jane’s happiness, and his own, would be speedily secured. Though - she dared not depend upon the consequence, she yet received - pleasure from observing his behaviour. It gave her all the - animation that her spirits could boast; for she was in no - cheerful humour. Mr. Darcy was almost as far from her as the - table could divide them. He was on one side of her mother. She - knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to either, - or make either appear to advantage. She was not near enough to - hear any of their discourse, but she could see how seldom they - spoke to each other, and how formal and cold was their manner - whenever they did. Her mother’s ungraciousness, made the sense of - what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth’s mind; and she - would, at times, have given anything to be privileged to tell him - that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of - the family. - - She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity - of bringing them together; that the whole of the visit would not - pass away without enabling them to enter into something more of - conversation than the mere ceremonious salutation attending his - entrance. Anxious and uneasy, the period which passed in the - drawing-room, before the gentlemen came, was wearisome and dull - to a degree that almost made her uncivil. She looked forward to - their entrance as the point on which all her chance of pleasure - for the evening must depend. - - “If he does not come to me, _then_,” said she, “I shall give him - up for ever.” - - The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as if he would have - answered her hopes; but, alas! the ladies had crowded round the - table, where Miss Bennet was making tea, and Elizabeth pouring - out the coffee, in so close a confederacy that there was not a - single vacancy near her which would admit of a chair. And on the - gentlemen’s approaching, one of the girls moved closer to her - than ever, and said, in a whisper: - - “The men shan’t come and part us, I am determined. We want none - of them; do we?” - - Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed - him with her eyes, envied everyone to whom he spoke, had scarcely - patience enough to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged - against herself for being so silly! - - “A man who has once been refused! How could I ever be foolish - enough to expect a renewal of his love? Is there one among the - sex, who would not protest against such a weakness as a second - proposal to the same woman? There is no indignity so abhorrent to - their feelings!” - - She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back his - coffee cup himself; and she seized the opportunity of saying: - - “Is your sister at Pemberley still?” - - “Yes, she will remain there till Christmas.” - - “And quite alone? Have all her friends left her?” - - “Mrs. Annesley is with her. The others have been gone on to - Scarborough, these three weeks.” - - She could think of nothing more to say; but if he wished to - converse with her, he might have better success. He stood by her, - however, for some minutes, in silence; and, at last, on the young - lady’s whispering to Elizabeth again, he walked away. - - When the tea-things were removed, and the card-tables placed, the - ladies all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping to be soon joined - by him, when all her views were overthrown by seeing him fall a - victim to her mother’s rapacity for whist players, and in a few - moments after seated with the rest of the party. She now lost - every expectation of pleasure. They were confined for the evening - at different tables, and she had nothing to hope, but that his - eyes were so often turned towards her side of the room, as to - make him play as unsuccessfully as herself. - - Mrs. Bennet had designed to keep the two Netherfield gentlemen to - supper; but their carriage was unluckily ordered before any of - the others, and she had no opportunity of detaining them. - - “Well girls,” said she, as soon as they were left to themselves, - “What say you to the day? I think every thing has passed off - uncommonly well, I assure you. The dinner was as well dressed as - any I ever saw. The venison was roasted to a turn—and everybody - said they never saw so fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times - better than what we had at the Lucases’ last week; and even Mr. - Darcy acknowledged, that the partridges were remarkably well - done; and I suppose he has two or three French cooks at least. - And, my dear Jane, I never saw you look in greater beauty. Mrs. - Long said so too, for I asked her whether you did not. And what - do you think she said besides? ‘Ah! Mrs. Bennet, we shall have - her at Netherfield at last.’ She did indeed. I do think Mrs. Long - is as good a creature as ever lived—and her nieces are very - pretty behaved girls, and not at all handsome: I like them - prodigiously.” - - Mrs. Bennet, in short, was in very great spirits; she had seen - enough of Bingley’s behaviour to Jane, to be convinced that she - would get him at last; and her expectations of advantage to her - family, when in a happy humour, were so far beyond reason, that - she was quite disappointed at not seeing him there again the next - day, to make his proposals. - - “It has been a very agreeable day,” said Miss Bennet to - Elizabeth. “The party seemed so well selected, so suitable one - with the other. I hope we may often meet again.” - - Elizabeth smiled. - - “Lizzy, you must not do so. You must not suspect me. It mortifies - me. I assure you that I have now learnt to enjoy his conversation - as an agreeable and sensible young man, without having a wish - beyond it. I am perfectly satisfied, from what his manners now - are, that he never had any design of engaging my affection. It is - only that he is blessed with greater sweetness of address, and a - stronger desire of generally pleasing, than any other man.” - - “You are very cruel,” said her sister, “you will not let me - smile, and are provoking me to it every moment.” - - “How hard it is in some cases to be believed!” - - “And how impossible in others!” - - “But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I - acknowledge?” - - “That is a question which I hardly know how to answer. We all - love to instruct, though we can teach only what is not worth - knowing. Forgive me; and if you persist in indifference, do not - make _me_ your confidante.” - - - - -Chapter 55 - - A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley called again, and alone. - His friend had left him that morning for London, but was to - return home in ten days time. He sat with them above an hour, and - was in remarkably good spirits. Mrs. Bennet invited him to dine - with them; but, with many expressions of concern, he confessed - himself engaged elsewhere. - - “Next time you call,” said she, “I hope we shall be more lucky.” - - He should be particularly happy at any time, etc. etc.; and if - she would give him leave, would take an early opportunity of - waiting on them. - - “Can you come to-morrow?” - - Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her - invitation was accepted with alacrity. - - He came, and in such very good time that the ladies were none of - them dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennet to her daughter’s room, in her - dressing gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out: - - “My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down. He is come—Mr. Bingley - is come. He is, indeed. Make haste, make haste. Here, Sarah, come - to Miss Bennet this moment, and help her on with her gown. Never - mind Miss Lizzy’s hair.” - - “We will be down as soon as we can,” said Jane; “but I dare say - Kitty is forwarder than either of us, for she went up stairs half - an hour ago.” - - “Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it? Come be quick, be - quick! Where is your sash, my dear?” - - But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be prevailed on to - go down without one of her sisters. - - The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again in - the evening. After tea, Mr. Bennet retired to the library, as was - his custom, and Mary went up stairs to her instrument. Two - obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet sat looking - and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, - without making any impression on them. Elizabeth would not - observe her; and when at last Kitty did, she very innocently - said, “What is the matter mamma? What do you keep winking at me - for? What am I to do?” - - “Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you.” She then sat - still five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious - occasion, she suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty, “Come here, - my love, I want to speak to you,” took her out of the room. Jane - instantly gave a look at Elizabeth which spoke her distress at - such premeditation, and her entreaty that _she_ would not give in - to it. In a few minutes, Mrs. Bennet half-opened the door and - called out: - - “Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you.” - - Elizabeth was forced to go. - - “We may as well leave them by themselves you know;” said her - mother, as soon as she was in the hall. “Kitty and I are going up - stairs to sit in my dressing-room.” - - Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother, but remained - quietly in the hall, till she and Kitty were out of sight, then - returned into the drawing-room. - - Mrs. Bennet’s schemes for this day were ineffectual. Bingley was - every thing that was charming, except the professed lover of her - daughter. His ease and cheerfulness rendered him a most agreeable - addition to their evening party; and he bore with the ill-judged - officiousness of the mother, and heard all her silly remarks with - a forbearance and command of countenance particularly grateful to - the daughter. - - He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and before he - went away, an engagement was formed, chiefly through his own and - Mrs. Bennet’s means, for his coming next morning to shoot with - her husband. - - After this day, Jane said no more of her indifference. Not a word - passed between the sisters concerning Bingley; but Elizabeth went - to bed in the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded, - unless Mr. Darcy returned within the stated time. Seriously, - however, she felt tolerably persuaded that all this must have - taken place with that gentleman’s concurrence. - - Bingley was punctual to his appointment; and he and Mr. Bennet - spent the morning together, as had been agreed on. The latter was - much more agreeable than his companion expected. There was - nothing of presumption or folly in Bingley that could provoke his - ridicule, or disgust him into silence; and he was more - communicative, and less eccentric, than the other had ever seen - him. Bingley of course returned with him to dinner; and in the - evening Mrs. Bennet’s invention was again at work to get every - body away from him and her daughter. Elizabeth, who had a letter - to write, went into the breakfast room for that purpose soon - after tea; for as the others were all going to sit down to cards, - she could not be wanted to counteract her mother’s schemes. - - But on returning to the drawing-room, when her letter was - finished, she saw, to her infinite surprise, there was reason to - fear that her mother had been too ingenious for her. On opening - the door, she perceived her sister and Bingley standing together - over the hearth, as if engaged in earnest conversation; and had - this led to no suspicion, the faces of both, as they hastily - turned round and moved away from each other, would have told it - all. _Their_ situation was awkward enough; but _hers_ she thought - was still worse. Not a syllable was uttered by either; and - Elizabeth was on the point of going away again, when Bingley, who - as well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose, and whispering - a few words to her sister, ran out of the room. - - Jane could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where confidence - would give pleasure; and instantly embracing her, acknowledged, - with the liveliest emotion, that she was the happiest creature in - the world. - - “’Tis too much!” she added, “by far too much. I do not deserve - it. Oh! why is not everybody as happy?” - - Elizabeth’s congratulations were given with a sincerity, a - warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every - sentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane. But - she would not allow herself to stay with her sister, or say half - that remained to be said for the present. - - “I must go instantly to my mother;” she cried. “I would not on - any account trifle with her affectionate solicitude; or allow her - to hear it from anyone but myself. He is gone to my father - already. Oh! Lizzy, to know that what I have to relate will give - such pleasure to all my dear family! how shall I bear so much - happiness!” - - She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely broken up - the card party, and was sitting up stairs with Kitty. - - Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity - and ease with which an affair was finally settled, that had given - them so many previous months of suspense and vexation. - - “And this,” said she, “is the end of all his friend’s anxious - circumspection! of all his sister’s falsehood and contrivance! - the happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!” - - In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley, whose conference with - her father had been short and to the purpose. - - “Where is your sister?” said he hastily, as he opened the door. - - “With my mother up stairs. She will be down in a moment, I dare - say.” - - He then shut the door, and, coming up to her, claimed the good - wishes and affection of a sister. Elizabeth honestly and heartily - expressed her delight in the prospect of their relationship. They - shook hands with great cordiality; and then, till her sister came - down, she had to listen to all he had to say of his own - happiness, and of Jane’s perfections; and in spite of his being a - lover, Elizabeth really believed all his expectations of felicity - to be rationally founded, because they had for basis the - excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition of Jane, - and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and - himself. - - It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the - satisfaction of Miss Bennet’s mind gave a glow of such sweet - animation to her face, as made her look handsomer than ever. - Kitty simpered and smiled, and hoped her turn was coming soon. - Mrs. Bennet could not give her consent or speak her approbation - in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings, though she talked - to Bingley of nothing else for half an hour; and when Mr. Bennet - joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed how - really happy he was. - - Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it, till - their visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was - gone, he turned to his daughter, and said: - - “Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.” - - Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his - goodness. - - “You are a good girl;” he replied, “and I have great pleasure in - thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of - your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means - unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever - be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and - so generous, that you will always exceed your income.” - - “I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters - would be unpardonable in _me_.” - - “Exceed their income! My dear Mr. Bennet,” cried his wife, “what - are you talking of? Why, he has four or five thousand a year, and - very likely more.” Then addressing her daughter, “Oh! my dear, - dear Jane, I am so happy! I am sure I shan’t get a wink of sleep - all night. I knew how it would be. I always said it must be so, - at last. I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing! I - remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when he first came into - Hertfordshire last year, I thought how likely it was that you - should come together. Oh! he is the handsomest young man that - ever was seen!” - - Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond competition - her favourite child. At that moment, she cared for no other. Her - younger sisters soon began to make interest with her for objects - of happiness which she might in future be able to dispense. - - Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield; and - Kitty begged very hard for a few balls there every winter. - - Bingley, from this time, was of course a daily visitor at - Longbourn; coming frequently before breakfast, and always - remaining till after supper; unless when some barbarous - neighbour, who could not be enough detested, had given him an - invitation to dinner which he thought himself obliged to accept. - - Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her - sister; for while he was present, Jane had no attention to bestow - on anyone else; but she found herself considerably useful to both - of them in those hours of separation that must sometimes occur. - In the absence of Jane, he always attached himself to Elizabeth, - for the pleasure of talking of her; and when Bingley was gone, - Jane constantly sought the same means of relief. - - “He has made me so happy,” said she, one evening, “by telling me - that he was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring! I - had not believed it possible.” - - “I suspected as much,” replied Elizabeth. “But how did he account - for it?” - - “It must have been his sister’s doing. They were certainly no - friends to his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, - since he might have chosen so much more advantageously in many - respects. But when they see, as I trust they will, that their - brother is happy with me, they will learn to be contented, and we - shall be on good terms again; though we can never be what we once - were to each other.” - - “That is the most unforgiving speech,” said Elizabeth, “that I - ever heard you utter. Good girl! It would vex me, indeed, to see - you again the dupe of Miss Bingley’s pretended regard.” - - “Would you believe it, Lizzy, that when he went to town last - November, he really loved me, and nothing but a persuasion of - _my_ being indifferent would have prevented his coming down - again!” - - “He made a little mistake to be sure; but it is to the credit of - his modesty.” - - This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his - diffidence, and the little value he put on his own good - qualities. Elizabeth was pleased to find that he had not betrayed - the interference of his friend; for, though Jane had the most - generous and forgiving heart in the world, she knew it was a - circumstance which must prejudice her against him. - - “I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!” - cried Jane. “Oh! Lizzy, why am I thus singled from my family, and - blessed above them all! If I could but see you as happy! If there - were but such another man for you!” - - “If you were to give me forty such men, I never could be so happy - as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can - have your happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself; and, - perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr. - Collins in time.” - - The situation of affairs in the Longbourn family could not be - long a secret. Mrs. Bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. - Phillips, and she ventured, without any permission, to do the - same by all her neighbours in Meryton. - - The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in - the world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first - run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for - misfortune. - - - - -Chapter 56 - - One morning, about a week after Bingley’s engagement with Jane - had been formed, as he and the females of the family were sitting - together in the dining-room, their attention was suddenly drawn - to the window, by the sound of a carriage; and they perceived a - chaise and four driving up the lawn. It was too early in the - morning for visitors, and besides, the equipage did not answer to - that of any of their neighbours. The horses were post; and - neither the carriage, nor the livery of the servant who preceded - it, were familiar to them. As it was certain, however, that - somebody was coming, Bingley instantly prevailed on Miss Bennet - to avoid the confinement of such an intrusion, and walk away with - him into the shrubbery. They both set off, and the conjectures of - the remaining three continued, though with little satisfaction, - till the door was thrown open and their visitor entered. It was - Lady Catherine de Bourgh. - - They were of course all intending to be surprised; but their - astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on the part of - Mrs. Bennet and Kitty, though she was perfectly unknown to them, - even inferior to what Elizabeth felt. - - She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, - made no other reply to Elizabeth’s salutation than a slight - inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word. - Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother on her ladyship’s - entrance, though no request of introduction had been made. - - Mrs. Bennet, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of - such high importance, received her with the utmost politeness. - After sitting for a moment in silence, she said very stiffly to - Elizabeth, - - “I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your - mother.” - - Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was. - - “And _that_ I suppose is one of your sisters.” - - “Yes, madam,” said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to Lady - Catherine. “She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all - is lately married, and my eldest is somewhere about the grounds, - walking with a young man who, I believe, will soon become a part - of the family.” - - “You have a very small park here,” returned Lady Catherine after - a short silence. - - “It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady, I dare say; but - I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas’s.” - - “This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, - in summer; the windows are full west.” - - Mrs. Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner, - and then added: - - “May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left - Mr. and Mrs. Collins well.” - - “Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last.” - - Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her - from Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable motive for her - calling. But no letter appeared, and she was completely puzzled. - - Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her ladyship to take - some refreshment; but Lady Catherine very resolutely, and not - very politely, declined eating anything; and then, rising up, - said to Elizabeth, - - “Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little - wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a - turn in it, if you will favour me with your company.” - - “Go, my dear,” cried her mother, “and show her ladyship about the - different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage.” - - Elizabeth obeyed, and running into her own room for her parasol, - attended her noble guest downstairs. As they passed through the - hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining-parlour and - drawing-room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be - decent looking rooms, walked on. - - Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw that her - waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded in silence along the - gravel walk that led to the copse; Elizabeth was determined to - make no effort for conversation with a woman who was now more - than usually insolent and disagreeable. - - “How could I ever think her like her nephew?” said she, as she - looked in her face. - - As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the - following manner:— - - “You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason of - my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell - you why I come.” - - Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment. - - “Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to - account for the honour of seeing you here.” - - “Miss Bennet,” replied her ladyship, in an angry tone, “you ought - to know, that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere - _you_ may choose to be, you shall not find _me_ so. My character - has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in - a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from - it. A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I - was told that not only your sister was on the point of being most - advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, - would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, - my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. Though I _know_ it must be a scandalous - falsehood, though I would not injure him so much as to suppose - the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved on setting off for - this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you.” - - “If you believed it impossible to be true,” said Elizabeth, - colouring with astonishment and disdain, “I wonder you took the - trouble of coming so far. What could your ladyship propose by - it?” - - “At once to insist upon having such a report universally - contradicted.” - - “Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,” said - Elizabeth coolly, “will be rather a confirmation of it; if, - indeed, such a report is in existence.” - - “If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been - industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such - a report is spread abroad?” - - “I never heard that it was.” - - “And can you likewise declare, that there is no _foundation_ for - it?” - - “I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. - _You_ may ask questions which _I_ shall not choose to answer.” - - “This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being - satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?” - - “Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.” - - “It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of - his reason. But _your_ arts and allurements may, in a moment of - infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and to - all his family. You may have drawn him in.” - - “If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.” - - “Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to - such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in - the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns.” - - “But you are not entitled to know _mine;_ nor will such behaviour - as this, ever induce me to be explicit.” - - “Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the - presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy - is engaged to _my daughter_. Now what have you to say?” - - “Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose - he will make an offer to me.” - - Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment, and then replied: - - “The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their - infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the - favourite wish of _his_ mother, as well as of hers. While in - their cradles, we planned the union: and now, at the moment when - the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished in their - marriage, to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth, of - no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family! Do - you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends? To his tacit - engagement with Miss de Bourgh? Are you lost to every feeling of - propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say that from his - earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?” - - “Yes, and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there - is no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall - certainly not be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt - wished him to marry Miss de Bourgh. You both did as much as you - could in planning the marriage. Its completion depended on - others. If Mr. Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination - confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And - if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?” - - “Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. - Yes, Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by - his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the - inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and - despised, by everyone connected with him. Your alliance will be a - disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.” - - “These are heavy misfortunes,” replied Elizabeth. “But the wife - of Mr. Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness - necessarily attached to her situation, that she could, upon the - whole, have no cause to repine.” - - “Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you! Is this your - gratitude for my attentions to you last spring? Is nothing due to - me on that score? Let us sit down. You are to understand, Miss - Bennet, that I came here with the determined resolution of - carrying my purpose; nor will I be dissuaded from it. I have not - been used to submit to any person’s whims. I have not been in the - habit of brooking disappointment.” - - “_That_ will make your ladyship’s situation at present more - pitiable; but it will have no effect on _me_.” - - “I will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence. My daughter and - my nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the - maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father’s, - from respectable, honourable, and ancient—though - untitled—families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. They - are destined for each other by the voice of every member of their - respective houses; and what is to divide them? The upstart - pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or - fortune. Is this to be endured! But it must not, shall not be. If - you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit - the sphere in which you have been brought up.” - - “In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as - quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s - daughter; so far we are equal.” - - “True. You _are_ a gentleman’s daughter. But who was your mother? - Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of - their condition.” - - “Whatever my connections may be,” said Elizabeth, “if your nephew - does not object to them, they can be nothing to _you_.” - - “Tell me once for all, are you engaged to him?” - - Though Elizabeth would not, for the mere purpose of obliging Lady - Catherine, have answered this question, she could not but say, - after a moment’s deliberation: - - “I am not.” - - Lady Catherine seemed pleased. - - “And will you promise me, never to enter into such an - engagement?” - - “I will make no promise of the kind.” - - “Miss Bennet I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a - more reasonable young woman. But do not deceive yourself into a - belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have - given me the assurance I require.” - - “And I certainly _never_ shall give it. I am not to be - intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable. Your ladyship - wants Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter; but would my giving you - the wished-for promise make _their_ marriage at all more - probable? Supposing him to be attached to me, would _my_ refusing - to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin? - Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which - you have supported this extraordinary application have been as - frivolous as the application was ill-judged. You have widely - mistaken my character, if you think I can be worked on by such - persuasions as these. How far your nephew might approve of your - interference in _his_ affairs, I cannot tell; but you have - certainly no right to concern yourself in mine. I must beg, - therefore, to be importuned no farther on the subject.” - - “Not so hasty, if you please. I have by no means done. To all the - objections I have already urged, I have still another to add. I - am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister’s - infamous elopement. I know it all; that the young man’s marrying - her was a patched-up business, at the expence of your father and - uncles. And is _such_ a girl to be my nephew’s sister? Is _her_ - husband, who is the son of his late father’s steward, to be his - brother? Heaven and earth!—of what are you thinking? Are the - shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?” - - “You can _now_ have nothing further to say,” she resentfully - answered. “You have insulted me in every possible method. I must - beg to return to the house.” - - And she rose as she spoke. Lady Catherine rose also, and they - turned back. Her ladyship was highly incensed. - - “You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of my - nephew! Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not consider that a - connection with you must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody?” - - “Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say. You know my - sentiments.” - - “You are then resolved to have him?” - - “I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that - manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, - without reference to _you_, or to any person so wholly - unconnected with me.” - - “It is well. You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to obey - the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude. You are determined to - ruin him in the opinion of all his friends, and make him the - contempt of the world.” - - “Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude,” replied Elizabeth, - “have any possible claim on me, in the present instance. No - principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr. - Darcy. And with regard to the resentment of his family, or the - indignation of the world, if the former _were_ excited by his - marrying me, it would not give me one moment’s concern—and the - world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn.” - - “And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very - well. I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, - that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I - hoped to find you reasonable; but, depend upon it, I will carry - my point.” - - In this manner Lady Catherine talked on, till they were at the - door of the carriage, when, turning hastily round, she added, “I - take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your - mother. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously - displeased.” - - Elizabeth made no answer; and without attempting to persuade her - ladyship to return into the house, walked quietly into it - herself. She heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up - stairs. Her mother impatiently met her at the door of the - dressing-room, to ask why Lady Catherine would not come in again - and rest herself. - - “She did not choose it,” said her daughter, “she would go.” - - “She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling here was - prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the - Collinses were well. She is on her road somewhere, I dare say, - and so, passing through Meryton, thought she might as well call - on you. I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you, - Lizzy?” - - Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here; for to - acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible. - - - - -Chapter 57 - - The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw - Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor could she, for - many hours, learn to think of it less than incessantly. Lady - Catherine, it appeared, had actually taken the trouble of this - journey from Rosings, for the sole purpose of breaking off her - supposed engagement with Mr. Darcy. It was a rational scheme, to - be sure! but from what the report of their engagement could - originate, Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine; till she - recollected that _his_ being the intimate friend of Bingley, and - _her_ being the sister of Jane, was enough, at a time when the - expectation of one wedding made everybody eager for another, to - supply the idea. She had not herself forgotten to feel that the - marriage of her sister must bring them more frequently together. - And her neighbours at Lucas Lodge, therefore (for through their - communication with the Collinses, the report, she concluded, had - reached Lady Catherine), had only set _that_ down as almost - certain and immediate, which _she_ had looked forward to as - possible at some future time. - - In revolving Lady Catherine’s expressions, however, she could not - help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence of - her persisting in this interference. From what she had said of - her resolution to prevent their marriage, it occurred to - Elizabeth that she must meditate an application to her nephew; - and how he might take a similar representation of the evils - attached to a connection with her, she dared not pronounce. She - knew not the exact degree of his affection for his aunt, or his - dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to suppose that he - thought much higher of her ladyship than _she_ could do; and it - was certain that, in enumerating the miseries of a marriage with - _one_, whose immediate connections were so unequal to his own, - his aunt would address him on his weakest side. With his notions - of dignity, he would probably feel that the arguments, which to - Elizabeth had appeared weak and ridiculous, contained much good - sense and solid reasoning. - - If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, which had - often seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a - relation might settle every doubt, and determine him at once to - be as happy as dignity unblemished could make him. In that case - he would return no more. Lady Catherine might see him in her way - through town; and his engagement to Bingley of coming again to - Netherfield must give way. - - “If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come - to his friend within a few days,” she added, “I shall know how to - understand it. I shall then give over every expectation, every - wish of his constancy. If he is satisfied with only regretting - me, when he might have obtained my affections and hand, I shall - soon cease to regret him at all.” - - The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who their - visitor had been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfied - it, with the same kind of supposition which had appeased Mrs. - Bennet’s curiosity; and Elizabeth was spared from much teasing on - the subject. - - The next morning, as she was going downstairs, she was met by her - father, who came out of his library with a letter in his hand. - - “Lizzy,” said he, “I was going to look for you; come into my - room.” - - She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what he had - to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in - some manner connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck - her that it might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated - with dismay all the consequent explanations. - - She followed her father to the fire place, and they both sat - down. He then said, - - “I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me - exceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought to - know its contents. I did not know before, that I had _two_ - daughters on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a - very important conquest.” - - The colour now rushed into Elizabeth’s cheeks in the - instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, - instead of the aunt; and she was undetermined whether most to be - pleased that he explained himself at all, or offended that his - letter was not rather addressed to herself; when her father - continued: - - “You look conscious. Young ladies have great penetration in such - matters as these; but I think I may defy even _your_ sagacity, to - discover the name of your admirer. This letter is from Mr. - Collins.” - - “From Mr. Collins! and what can _he_ have to say?” - - “Something very much to the purpose of course. He begins with - congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest - daughter, of which, it seems, he has been told by some of the - good-natured, gossiping Lucases. I shall not sport with your - impatience, by reading what he says on that point. What relates - to yourself, is as follows: ‘Having thus offered you the sincere - congratulations of Mrs. Collins and myself on this happy event, - let me now add a short hint on the subject of another; of which - we have been advertised by the same authority. Your daughter - Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the name of Bennet, - after her elder sister has resigned it, and the chosen partner of - her fate may be reasonably looked up to as one of the most - illustrious personages in this land.’ - - “Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this? ‘This young - gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with every thing the - heart of mortal can most desire,—splendid property, noble - kindred, and extensive patronage. Yet in spite of all these - temptations, let me warn my cousin Elizabeth, and yourself, of - what evils you may incur by a precipitate closure with this - gentleman’s proposals, which, of course, you will be inclined to - take immediate advantage of.’ - - “Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now it - comes out: - - “‘My motive for cautioning you is as follows. We have reason to - imagine that his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not look on - the match with a friendly eye.’ - - “_Mr. Darcy_, you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I _have_ - surprised you. Could he, or the Lucases, have pitched on any man - within the circle of our acquaintance, whose name would have - given the lie more effectually to what they related? Mr. Darcy, - who never looks at any woman but to see a blemish, and who - probably never looked at _you_ in his life! It is admirable!” - - Elizabeth tried to join in her father’s pleasantry, but could - only force one most reluctant smile. Never had his wit been - directed in a manner so little agreeable to her. - - “Are you not diverted?” - - “Oh! yes. Pray read on.” - - “‘After mentioning the likelihood of this marriage to her - ladyship last night, she immediately, with her usual - condescension, expressed what she felt on the occasion; when it - became apparent, that on the score of some family objections on - the part of my cousin, she would never give her consent to what - she termed so disgraceful a match. I thought it my duty to give - the speediest intelligence of this to my cousin, that she and her - noble admirer may be aware of what they are about, and not run - hastily into a marriage which has not been properly sanctioned.’ - Mr. Collins moreover adds, ‘I am truly rejoiced that my cousin - Lydia’s sad business has been so well hushed up, and am only - concerned that their living together before the marriage took - place should be so generally known. I must not, however, neglect - the duties of my station, or refrain from declaring my amazement - at hearing that you received the young couple into your house as - soon as they were married. It was an encouragement of vice; and - had I been the rector of Longbourn, I should very strenuously - have opposed it. You ought certainly to forgive them, as a - Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their - names to be mentioned in your hearing.’ _That_ is his notion of - Christian forgiveness! The rest of his letter is only about his - dear Charlotte’s situation, and his expectation of a young - olive-branch. But, Lizzy, you look as if you did not enjoy it. - You are not going to be _missish_, I hope, and pretend to be - affronted at an idle report. For what do we live, but to make - sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?” - - “Oh!” cried Elizabeth, “I am excessively diverted. But it is so - strange!” - - “Yes—_that_ is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed on any other - man it would have been nothing; but _his_ perfect indifference, - and _your_ pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd! Much - as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins’s - correspondence for any consideration. Nay, when I read a letter - of his, I cannot help giving him the preference even over - Wickham, much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my - son-in-law. And pray, Lizzy, what said Lady Catherine about this - report? Did she call to refuse her consent?” - - To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh; and as - it had been asked without the least suspicion, she was not - distressed by his repeating it. Elizabeth had never been more at - a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was - necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried. Her father - had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said of Mr. Darcy’s - indifference, and she could do nothing but wonder at such a want - of penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead of his seeing too - _little_, she might have fancied too _much_. - - - - -Chapter 58 - - Instead of receiving any such letter of excuse from his friend, - as Elizabeth half expected Mr. Bingley to do, he was able to - bring Darcy with him to Longbourn before many days had passed - after Lady Catherine’s visit. The gentlemen arrived early; and, - before Mrs. Bennet had time to tell him of their having seen his - aunt, of which her daughter sat in momentary dread, Bingley, who - wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed their all walking out. It - was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the habit of walking; Mary - could never spare time; but the remaining five set off together. - Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the others to outstrip - them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy were - to entertain each other. Very little was said by either; Kitty - was too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly - forming a desperate resolution; and perhaps he might be doing the - same. - - They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished to call - upon Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion for making it a - general concern, when Kitty left them she went boldly on with him - alone. Now was the moment for her resolution to be executed, and, - while her courage was high, she immediately said: - - “Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of - giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be - wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your - unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known - it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully - I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not - have merely my own gratitude to express.” - - “I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,” replied Darcy, in a tone of - surprise and emotion, “that you have ever been informed of what - may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not - think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.” - - “You must not blame my aunt. Lydia’s thoughtlessness first - betrayed to me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of - course, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me - thank you again and again, in the name of all my family, for that - generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble, - and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering - them.” - - “If you _will_ thank me,” he replied, “let it be for yourself - alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force - to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to - deny. But your _family_ owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I - believe I thought only of _you_.” - - Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short - pause, her companion added, “You are too generous to trifle with - me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me - so at once. _My_ affections and wishes are unchanged, but one - word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.” - - Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and - anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and - immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand - that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the - period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude - and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this - reply produced, was such as he had probably never felt before; - and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as - warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had - Elizabeth been able to encounter his eye, she might have seen how - well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, - became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and - he told her of feelings, which, in proving of what importance she - was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable. - - They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too - much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any - other objects. She soon learnt that they were indebted for their - present good understanding to the efforts of his aunt, who _did_ - call on him in her return through London, and there relate her - journey to Longbourn, its motive, and the substance of her - conversation with Elizabeth; dwelling emphatically on every - expression of the latter which, in her ladyship’s apprehension, - peculiarly denoted her perverseness and assurance; in the belief - that such a relation must assist her endeavours to obtain that - promise from her nephew which _she_ had refused to give. But, - unluckily for her ladyship, its effect had been exactly - contrariwise. - - “It taught me to hope,” said he, “as I had scarcely ever allowed - myself to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be - certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided - against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, - frankly and openly.” - - Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, “Yes, you know - enough of my _frankness_ to believe me capable of _that_. After - abusing you so abominably to your face, I could have no scruple - in abusing you to all your relations.” - - “What did you say of me, that I did not deserve? For, though your - accusations were ill-founded, formed on mistaken premises, my - behaviour to you at the time had merited the severest reproof. It - was unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence.” - - “We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame annexed to - that evening,” said Elizabeth. “The conduct of neither, if - strictly examined, will be irreproachable; but since then, we - have both, I hope, improved in civility.” - - “I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself. The recollection of - what I then said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions - during the whole of it, is now, and has been many months, - inexpressibly painful to me. Your reproof, so well applied, I - shall never forget: ‘had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike - manner.’ Those were your words. You know not, you can scarcely - conceive, how they have tortured me;—though it was some time, I - confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice.” - - “I was certainly very far from expecting them to make so strong - an impression. I had not the smallest idea of their being ever - felt in such a way.” - - “I can easily believe it. You thought me then devoid of every - proper feeling, I am sure you did. The turn of your countenance I - shall never forget, as you said that I could not have addressed - you in any possible way that would induce you to accept me.” - - “Oh! do not repeat what I then said. These recollections will not - do at all. I assure you that I have long been most heartily - ashamed of it.” - - Darcy mentioned his letter. “Did it,” said he, “did it soon make - you think better of me? Did you, on reading it, give any credit - to its contents?” - - She explained what its effect on her had been, and how gradually - all her former prejudices had been removed. - - “I knew,” said he, “that what I wrote must give you pain, but it - was necessary. I hope you have destroyed the letter. There was - one part especially, the opening of it, which I should dread your - having the power of reading again. I can remember some - expressions which might justly make you hate me.” - - “The letter shall certainly be burnt, if you believe it essential - to the preservation of my regard; but, though we have both reason - to think my opinions not entirely unalterable, they are not, I - hope, quite so easily changed as that implies.” - - “When I wrote that letter,” replied Darcy, “I believed myself - perfectly calm and cool, but I am since convinced that it was - written in a dreadful bitterness of spirit.” - - “The letter, perhaps, began in bitterness, but it did not end so. - The adieu is charity itself. But think no more of the letter. The - feelings of the person who wrote, and the person who received it, - are now so widely different from what they were then, that every - unpleasant circumstance attending it ought to be forgotten. You - must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its - remembrance gives you pleasure.” - - “I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the kind. _Your_ - retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the - contentment arising from them is not of philosophy, but, what is - much better, of innocence. But with _me_, it is not so. Painful - recollections will intrude which cannot, which ought not, to be - repelled. I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, - though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was - _right_, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given - good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. - Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only _child_), I was - spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, - particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, - encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to - care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all - the rest of the world; to _wish_ at least to think meanly of - their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from - eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but - for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You - taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. - By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of - my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my - pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.” - - “Had you then persuaded yourself that I should?” - - “Indeed I had. What will you think of my vanity? I believed you - to be wishing, expecting my addresses.” - - “My manners must have been in fault, but not intentionally, I - assure you. I never meant to deceive you, but my spirits might - often lead me wrong. How you must have hated me after _that_ - evening?” - - “Hate you! I was angry perhaps at first, but my anger soon began - to take a proper direction.” - - “I am almost afraid of asking what you thought of me, when we met - at Pemberley. You blamed me for coming?” - - “No indeed; I felt nothing but surprise.” - - “Your surprise could not be greater than _mine_ in being noticed - by you. My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary - politeness, and I confess that I did not expect to receive _more_ - than my due.” - - “My object _then_,” replied Darcy, “was to show you, by every - civility in my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the - past; and I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lessen your ill - opinion, by letting you see that your reproofs had been attended - to. How soon any other wishes introduced themselves I can hardly - tell, but I believe in about half an hour after I had seen you.” - - He then told her of Georgiana’s delight in her acquaintance, and - of her disappointment at its sudden interruption; which naturally - leading to the cause of that interruption, she soon learnt that - his resolution of following her from Derbyshire in quest of her - sister had been formed before he quitted the inn, and that his - gravity and thoughtfulness there had arisen from no other - struggles than what such a purpose must comprehend. - - She expressed her gratitude again, but it was too painful a - subject to each, to be dwelt on farther. - - After walking several miles in a leisurely manner, and too busy - to know anything about it, they found at last, on examining their - watches, that it was time to be at home. - - “What could become of Mr. Bingley and Jane!” was a wonder which - introduced the discussion of _their_ affairs. Darcy was delighted - with their engagement; his friend had given him the earliest - information of it. - - “I must ask whether you were surprised?” said Elizabeth. - - “Not at all. When I went away, I felt that it would soon happen.” - - “That is to say, you had given your permission. I guessed as - much.” And though he exclaimed at the term, she found that it had - been pretty much the case. - - “On the evening before my going to London,” said he, “I made a - confession to him, which I believe I ought to have made long ago. - I told him of all that had occurred to make my former - interference in his affairs absurd and impertinent. His surprise - was great. He had never had the slightest suspicion. I told him, - moreover, that I believed myself mistaken in supposing, as I had - done, that your sister was indifferent to him; and as I could - easily perceive that his attachment to her was unabated, I felt - no doubt of their happiness together.” - - Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of directing - his friend. - - “Did you speak from your own observation,” said she, “when you - told him that my sister loved him, or merely from my information - last spring?” - - “From the former. I had narrowly observed her during the two - visits which I had lately made here; and I was convinced of her - affection.” - - “And your assurance of it, I suppose, carried immediate - conviction to him.” - - “It did. Bingley is most unaffectedly modest. His diffidence had - prevented his depending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, - but his reliance on mine made every thing easy. I was obliged to - confess one thing, which for a time, and not unjustly, offended - him. I could not allow myself to conceal that your sister had - been in town three months last winter, that I had known it, and - purposely kept it from him. He was angry. But his anger, I am - persuaded, lasted no longer than he remained in any doubt of your - sister’s sentiments. He has heartily forgiven me now.” - - Elizabeth longed to observe that Mr. Bingley had been a most - delightful friend; so easily guided that his worth was - invaluable; but she checked herself. She remembered that he had - yet to learn to be laughed at, and it was rather too early to - begin. In anticipating the happiness of Bingley, which of course - was to be inferior only to his own, he continued the conversation - till they reached the house. In the hall they parted. - - - - -Chapter 59 - - “My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking to?” was a - question which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she - entered their room, and from all the others when they sat down to - table. She had only to say in reply, that they had wandered - about, till she was beyond her own knowledge. She coloured as she - spoke; but neither that, nor anything else, awakened a suspicion - of the truth. - - The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extraordinary. - The acknowledged lovers talked and laughed, the unacknowledged - were silent. Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness - overflows in mirth; and Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather - _knew_ that she was happy than _felt_ herself to be so; for, - besides the immediate embarrassment, there were other evils - before her. She anticipated what would be felt in the family when - her situation became known; she was aware that no one liked him - but Jane; and even feared that with the others it was a _dislike_ - which not all his fortune and consequence might do away. - - At night she opened her heart to Jane. Though suspicion was very - far from Miss Bennet’s general habits, she was absolutely - incredulous here. - - “You are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be!—engaged to Mr. Darcy! No, - no, you shall not deceive me. I know it to be impossible.” - - “This is a wretched beginning indeed! My sole dependence was on - you; and I am sure nobody else will believe me, if you do not. - Yet, indeed, I am in earnest. I speak nothing but the truth. He - still loves me, and we are engaged.” - - Jane looked at her doubtingly. “Oh, Lizzy! it cannot be. I know - how much you dislike him.” - - “You know nothing of the matter. _That_ is all to be forgot. - Perhaps I did not always love him so well as I do now. But in - such cases as these, a good memory is unpardonable. This is the - last time I shall ever remember it myself.” - - Miss Bennet still looked all amazement. Elizabeth again, and more - seriously assured her of its truth. - - “Good Heaven! can it be really so! Yet now I must believe you,” - cried Jane. “My dear, dear Lizzy, I would—I do congratulate - you—but are you certain? forgive the question—are you quite - certain that you can be happy with him?” - - “There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already, - that we are to be the happiest couple in the world. But are you - pleased, Jane? Shall you like to have such a brother?” - - “Very, very much. Nothing could give either Bingley or myself - more delight. But we considered it, we talked of it as - impossible. And do you really love him quite well enough? Oh, - Lizzy! do anything rather than marry without affection. Are you - quite sure that you feel what you ought to do?” - - “Oh, yes! You will only think I feel _more_ than I ought to do, - when I tell you all.” - - “What do you mean?” - - “Why, I must confess that I love him better than I do Bingley. I - am afraid you will be angry.” - - “My dearest sister, now _be_ serious. I want to talk very - seriously. Let me know every thing that I am to know, without - delay. Will you tell me how long you have loved him?” - - “It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it - began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his - beautiful grounds at Pemberley.” - - Another entreaty that she would be serious, however, produced the - desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn - assurances of attachment. When convinced on that article, Miss - Bennet had nothing further to wish. - - “Now I am quite happy,” said she, “for you will be as happy as - myself. I always had a value for him. Were it for nothing but his - love of you, I must always have esteemed him; but now, as - Bingley’s friend and your husband, there can be only Bingley and - yourself more dear to me. But Lizzy, you have been very sly, very - reserved with me. How little did you tell me of what passed at - Pemberley and Lambton! I owe all that I know of it to another, - not to you.” - - Elizabeth told her the motives of her secrecy. She had been - unwilling to mention Bingley; and the unsettled state of her own - feelings had made her equally avoid the name of his friend. But - now she would no longer conceal from her his share in Lydia’s - marriage. All was acknowledged, and half the night spent in - conversation. - - “Good gracious!” cried Mrs. Bennet, as she stood at a window the - next morning, “if that disagreeable Mr. Darcy is not coming here - again with our dear Bingley! What can he mean by being so - tiresome as to be always coming here? I had no notion but he - would go a-shooting, or something or other, and not disturb us - with his company. What shall we do with him? Lizzy, you must walk - out with him again, that he may not be in Bingley’s way.” - - Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient a proposal; - yet was really vexed that her mother should be always giving him - such an epithet. - - As soon as they entered, Bingley looked at her so expressively, - and shook hands with such warmth, as left no doubt of his good - information; and he soon afterwards said aloud, “Mrs. Bennet, - have you no more lanes hereabouts in which Lizzy may lose her way - again to-day?” - - “I advise Mr. Darcy, and Lizzy, and Kitty,” said Mrs. Bennet, “to - walk to Oakham Mount this morning. It is a nice long walk, and - Mr. Darcy has never seen the view.” - - “It may do very well for the others,” replied Mr. Bingley; “but I - am sure it will be too much for Kitty. Won’t it, Kitty?” Kitty - owned that she had rather stay at home. Darcy professed a great - curiosity to see the view from the Mount, and Elizabeth silently - consented. As she went up stairs to get ready, Mrs. Bennet - followed her, saying: - - “I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that - disagreeable man all to yourself. But I hope you will not mind - it: it is all for Jane’s sake, you know; and there is no occasion - for talking to him, except just now and then. So, do not put - yourself to inconvenience.” - - During their walk, it was resolved that Mr. Bennet’s consent - should be asked in the course of the evening. Elizabeth reserved - to herself the application for her mother’s. She could not - determine how her mother would take it; sometimes doubting - whether all his wealth and grandeur would be enough to overcome - her abhorrence of the man. But whether she were violently set - against the match, or violently delighted with it, it was certain - that her manner would be equally ill adapted to do credit to her - sense; and she could no more bear that Mr. Darcy should hear the - first raptures of her joy, than the first vehemence of her - disapprobation. - - In the evening, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to the library, - she saw Mr. Darcy rise also and follow him, and her agitation on - seeing it was extreme. She did not fear her father’s opposition, - but he was going to be made unhappy; and that it should be - through her means—that _she_, his favourite child, should be - distressing him by her choice, should be filling him with fears - and regrets in disposing of her—was a wretched reflection, and - she sat in misery till Mr. Darcy appeared again, when, looking at - him, she was a little relieved by his smile. In a few minutes he - approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty; and, while - pretending to admire her work said in a whisper, “Go to your - father, he wants you in the library.” She was gone directly. - - Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious. - “Lizzy,” said he, “what are you doing? Are you out of your - senses, to be accepting this man? Have not you always hated him?” - - How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been - more reasonable, her expressions more moderate! It would have - spared her from explanations and professions which it was - exceedingly awkward to give; but they were now necessary, and she - assured him, with some confusion, of her attachment to Mr. Darcy. - - “Or, in other words, you are determined to have him. He is rich, - to be sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages - than Jane. But will they make you happy?” - - “Have you any other objection,” said Elizabeth, “than your belief - of my indifference?” - - “None at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of - man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.” - - “I do, I do like him,” she replied, with tears in her eyes, “I - love him. Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly - amiable. You do not know what he really is; then pray do not pain - me by speaking of him in such terms.” - - “Lizzy,” said her father, “I have given him my consent. He is the - kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse anything, - which he condescended to ask. I now give it to _you_, if you are - resolved on having him. But let me advise you to think better of - it. I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be - neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your - husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively - talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal - marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery. My - child, let me not have the grief of seeing _you_ unable to - respect your partner in life. You know not what you are about.” - - Elizabeth, still more affected, was earnest and solemn in her - reply; and at length, by repeated assurances that Mr. Darcy was - really the object of her choice, by explaining the gradual change - which her estimation of him had undergone, relating her absolute - certainty that his affection was not the work of a day, but had - stood the test of many months’ suspense, and enumerating with - energy all his good qualities, she did conquer her father’s - incredulity, and reconcile him to the match. - - “Well, my dear,” said he, when she ceased speaking, “I have no - more to say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not - have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.” - - To complete the favourable impression, she then told him what Mr. - Darcy had voluntarily done for Lydia. He heard her with - astonishment. - - “This is an evening of wonders, indeed! And so, Darcy did every - thing; made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow’s - debts, and got him his commission! So much the better. It will - save me a world of trouble and economy. Had it been your uncle’s - doing, I must and _would_ have paid him; but these violent young - lovers carry every thing their own way. I shall offer to pay him - to-morrow; he will rant and storm about his love for you, and - there will be an end of the matter.” - - He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before, on his - reading Mr. Collins’s letter; and after laughing at her some - time, allowed her at last to go—saying, as she quitted the room, - “If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am - quite at leisure.” - - Elizabeth’s mind was now relieved from a very heavy weight; and, - after half an hour’s quiet reflection in her own room, she was - able to join the others with tolerable composure. Every thing was - too recent for gaiety, but the evening passed tranquilly away; - there was no longer anything material to be dreaded, and the - comfort of ease and familiarity would come in time. - - When her mother went up to her dressing-room at night, she - followed her, and made the important communication. Its effect - was most extraordinary; for on first hearing it, Mrs. Bennet sat - quite still, and unable to utter a syllable. Nor was it under - many, many minutes that she could comprehend what she heard; - though not in general backward to credit what was for the - advantage of her family, or that came in the shape of a lover to - any of them. She began at length to recover, to fidget about in - her chair, get up, sit down again, wonder, and bless herself. - - “Good gracious! Lord bless me! only think! dear me! Mr. Darcy! - Who would have thought it! And is it really true? Oh! my sweetest - Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what - jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane’s is nothing to - it—nothing at all. I am so pleased—so happy. Such a charming - man!—so handsome! so tall!—Oh, my dear Lizzy! pray apologise for - my having disliked him so much before. I hope he will overlook - it. Dear, dear Lizzy. A house in town! Every thing that is - charming! Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord! - What will become of me. I shall go distracted.” - - This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be - doubted: and Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an effusion was heard - only by herself, soon went away. But before she had been three - minutes in her own room, her mother followed her. - - “My dearest child,” she cried, “I can think of nothing else! Ten - thousand a year, and very likely more! ’Tis as good as a Lord! - And a special licence. You must and shall be married by a special - licence. But my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is - particularly fond of, that I may have it to-morrow.” - - This was a sad omen of what her mother’s behaviour to the - gentleman himself might be; and Elizabeth found that, though in - the certain possession of his warmest affection, and secure of - her relations’ consent, there was still something to be wished - for. But the morrow passed off much better than she expected; for - Mrs. Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended son-in-law - that she ventured not to speak to him, unless it was in her power - to offer him any attention, or mark her deference for his - opinion. - - Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father taking pains - to get acquainted with him; and Mr. Bennet soon assured her that - he was rising every hour in his esteem. - - “I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,” said he. “Wickham, - perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like _your_ husband - quite as well as Jane’s.” - - - - -Chapter 60 - - Elizabeth’s spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted - Mr. Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her. - “How could you begin?” said she. “I can comprehend your going on - charmingly, when you had once made a beginning; but what could - set you off in the first place?” - - “I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the - words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in - the middle before I knew that I _had_ begun.” - - “My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners—my - behaviour to _you_ was at least always bordering on the uncivil, - and I never spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain - than not. Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?” - - “For the liveliness of your mind, I did.” - - “You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little - less. The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, - of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who - were always speaking, and looking, and thinking for _your_ - approbation alone. I roused, and interested you, because I was so - unlike _them_. Had you not been really amiable, you would have - hated me for it; but in spite of the pains you took to disguise - yourself, your feelings were always noble and just; and in your - heart, you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously - courted you. There—I have saved you the trouble of accounting for - it; and really, all things considered, I begin to think it - perfectly reasonable. To be sure, you knew no actual good of - me—but nobody thinks of _that_ when they fall in love.” - - “Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while - she was ill at Netherfield?” - - “Dearest Jane! who could have done less for her? But make a - virtue of it by all means. My good qualities are under your - protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; - and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing - and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin - directly by asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the - point at last. What made you so shy of me, when you first called, - and afterwards dined here? Why, especially, when you called, did - you look as if you did not care about me?” - - “Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no - encouragement.” - - “But I was embarrassed.” - - “And so was I.” - - “You might have talked to me more when you came to dinner.” - - “A man who had felt less, might.” - - “How unlucky that you should have a reasonable answer to give, - and that I should be so reasonable as to admit it! But I wonder - how long you _would_ have gone on, if you had been left to - yourself. I wonder when you _would_ have spoken, if I had not - asked you! My resolution of thanking you for your kindness to - Lydia had certainly great effect. _Too much_, I am afraid; for - what becomes of the moral, if our comfort springs from a breach - of promise? for I ought not to have mentioned the subject. This - will never do.” - - “You need not distress yourself. The moral will be perfectly - fair. Lady Catherine’s unjustifiable endeavours to separate us - were the means of removing all my doubts. I am not indebted for - my present happiness to your eager desire of expressing your - gratitude. I was not in a humour to wait for any opening of - yours. My aunt’s intelligence had given me hope, and I was - determined at once to know every thing.” - - “Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her - happy, for she loves to be of use. But tell me, what did you come - down to Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and - be embarrassed? or had you intended any more serious - consequence?” - - “My real purpose was to see _you_, and to judge, if I could, - whether I might ever hope to make you love me. My avowed one, or - what I avowed to myself, was to see whether your sister were - still partial to Bingley, and if she were, to make the confession - to him which I have since made.” - - “Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady Catherine what - is to befall her?” - - “I am more likely to want time than courage, Elizabeth. But it - ought to be done, and if you will give me a sheet of paper, it - shall be done directly.” - - “And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you - and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady - once did. But I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer - neglected.” - - From an unwillingness to confess how much her intimacy with Mr. - Darcy had been over-rated, Elizabeth had never yet answered Mrs. - Gardiner’s long letter; but now, having _that_ to communicate - which she knew would be most welcome, she was almost ashamed to - find that her uncle and aunt had already lost three days of - happiness, and immediately wrote as follows: - - “I would have thanked you before, my dear aunt, as I ought to - have done, for your long, kind, satisfactory, detail of - particulars; but to say the truth, I was too cross to write. You - supposed more than really existed. But _now_ suppose as much as - you choose; give a loose rein to your fancy, indulge your - imagination in every possible flight which the subject will - afford, and unless you believe me actually married, you cannot - greatly err. You must write again very soon, and praise him a - great deal more than you did in your last. I thank you, again and - again, for not going to the Lakes. How could I be so silly as to - wish it! Your idea of the ponies is delightful. We will go round - the Park every day. I am the happiest creature in the world. - Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such - justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh. - Mr. Darcy sends you all the love in the world that he can spare - from me. You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas. Yours, - etc.” - - Mr. Darcy’s letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style; - and still different from either was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. - Collins, in reply to his last. - - “Dear Sir, - “I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will - soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as - you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has - more to give. - - “Yours sincerely, etc.” - - Miss Bingley’s congratulations to her brother, on his approaching - marriage, were all that was affectionate and insincere. She wrote - even to Jane on the occasion, to express her delight, and repeat - all her former professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but - she was affected; and though feeling no reliance on her, could - not help writing her a much kinder answer than she knew was - deserved. - - The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar - information, was as sincere as her brother’s in sending it. Four - sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her delight, and - all her earnest desire of being loved by her sister. - - Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any - congratulations to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn family - heard that the Collinses were come themselves to Lucas Lodge. The - reason of this sudden removal was soon evident. Lady Catherine - had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the contents of her - nephew’s letter, that Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, - was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over. At such a - moment, the arrival of her friend was a sincere pleasure to - Elizabeth, though in the course of their meetings she must - sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought, when she saw Mr. - Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of her - husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness. He could - even listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on - carrying away the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed - his hopes of their all meeting frequently at St. James’s, with - very decent composure. If he did shrug his shoulders, it was not - till Sir William was out of sight. - - Mrs. Phillips’s vulgarity was another, and perhaps a greater, tax - on his forbearance; and though Mrs. Phillips, as well as her - sister, stood in too much awe of him to speak with the - familiarity which Bingley’s good humour encouraged, yet, whenever - she _did_ speak, she must be vulgar. Nor was her respect for him, - though it made her more quiet, at all likely to make her more - elegant. Elizabeth did all she could to shield him from the - frequent notice of either, and was ever anxious to keep him to - herself, and to those of her family with whom he might converse - without mortification; and though the uncomfortable feelings - arising from all this took from the season of courtship much of - its pleasure, it added to the hope of the future; and she looked - forward with delight to the time when they should be removed from - society so little pleasing to either, to all the comfort and - elegance of their family party at Pemberley. - - - - -Chapter 61 - - Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. - Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. With what - delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley, and talked - of Mrs. Darcy, may be guessed. I wish I could say, for the sake - of her family, that the accomplishment of her earnest desire in - the establishment of so many of her children produced so happy an - effect as to make her a sensible, amiable, well-informed woman - for the rest of her life; though perhaps it was lucky for her - husband, who might not have relished domestic felicity in so - unusual a form, that she still was occasionally nervous and - invariably silly. - - Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly; his affection - for her drew him oftener from home than anything else could do. - He delighted in going to Pemberley, especially when he was least - expected. - - Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth. - So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not - desirable even to _his_ easy temper, or _her_ affectionate heart. - The darling wish of his sisters was then gratified; he bought an - estate in a neighbouring county to Derbyshire, and Jane and - Elizabeth, in addition to every other source of happiness, were - within thirty miles of each other. - - Kitty, to her very material advantage, spent the chief of her - time with her two elder sisters. In society so superior to what - she had generally known, her improvement was great. She was not - of so ungovernable a temper as Lydia; and, removed from the - influence of Lydia’s example, she became, by proper attention and - management, less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid. From - the further disadvantage of Lydia’s society she was of course - carefully kept, and though Mrs. Wickham frequently invited her to - come and stay with her, with the promise of balls and young men, - her father would never consent to her going. - - Mary was the only daughter who remained at home; and she was - necessarily drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments by Mrs. - Bennet’s being quite unable to sit alone. Mary was obliged to mix - more with the world, but she could still moralize over every - morning visit; and as she was no longer mortified by comparisons - between her sisters’ beauty and her own, it was suspected by her - father that she submitted to the change without much reluctance. - - As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution - from the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the - conviction that Elizabeth must now become acquainted with - whatever of his ingratitude and falsehood had before been unknown - to her; and in spite of every thing, was not wholly without hope - that Darcy might yet be prevailed on to make his fortune. The - congratulatory letter which Elizabeth received from Lydia on her - marriage, explained to her that, by his wife at least, if not by - himself, such a hope was cherished. The letter was to this - effect: - - “My dear Lizzy, - “I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my - dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to - have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope - you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at - court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite money - enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of - about three or four hundred a year; but however, do not speak to - Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not. - - “Yours, etc.” - - As it happened that Elizabeth had much rather not, she - endeavoured in her answer to put an end to every entreaty and - expectation of the kind. Such relief, however, as it was in her - power to afford, by the practice of what might be called economy - in her own private expences, she frequently sent them. It had - always been evident to her that such an income as theirs, under - the direction of two persons so extravagant in their wants, and - heedless of the future, must be very insufficient to their - support; and whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane or - herself were sure of being applied to for some little assistance - towards discharging their bills. Their manner of living, even - when the restoration of peace dismissed them to a home, was - unsettled in the extreme. They were always moving from place to - place in quest of a cheap situation, and always spending more - than they ought. His affection for her soon sunk into - indifference; hers lasted a little longer; and in spite of her - youth and her manners, she retained all the claims to reputation - which her marriage had given her. - - Though Darcy could never receive _him_ at Pemberley, yet, for - Elizabeth’s sake, he assisted him further in his profession. - Lydia was occasionally a visitor there, when her husband was gone - to enjoy himself in London or Bath; and with the Bingleys they - both of them frequently staid so long, that even Bingley’s good - humour was overcome, and he proceeded so far as to _talk_ of - giving them a hint to be gone. - - Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage; but - as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at - Pemberley, she dropt all her resentment; was fonder than ever of - Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid - off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth. - - Pemberley was now Georgiana’s home; and the attachment of the - sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able - to love each other even as well as they intended. Georgiana had - the highest opinion in the world of Elizabeth; though at first - she often listened with an astonishment bordering on alarm at her - lively, sportive, manner of talking to her brother. He, who had - always inspired in herself a respect which almost overcame her - affection, she now saw the object of open pleasantry. Her mind - received knowledge which had never before fallen in her way. By - Elizabeth’s instructions, she began to comprehend that a woman - may take liberties with her husband which a brother will not - always allow in a sister more than ten years younger than - himself. - - Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her - nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her - character in her reply to the letter which announced its - arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of - Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end. But - at length, by Elizabeth’s persuasion, he was prevailed on to - overlook the offence, and seek a reconciliation; and, after a - little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment - gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to - see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait - on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods - had received, not merely from the presence of such a mistress, - but the visits of her uncle and aunt from the city. - - With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms. - Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were - both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons - who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of - uniting them. - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIDE AND PREJUDICE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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metaData(fileId:"2") { - fileName - } -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-request.json b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-request.json deleted file mode 100644 index 9c71a8923..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-request.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4 +0,0 @@ -{ - "query":"{\n metaData(fileId:\"2\") {\n fileName\nfileType }\n}", - "variables":null -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-response.json b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-response.json deleted file mode 100644 index 8ac44e650..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/multiple-fields-metadata-response.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11 +0,0 @@ -{ - "errors":[], - "data": { - "metaData": { - "fileName": "Moby Dick", - "fileType": "PDF" - } - }, - "extensions":null, - "dataPresent":true -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-request.json b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-request.json deleted file mode 100644 index 8d0b900f0..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-request.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4 +0,0 @@ -{ - "query":"{\n metaData(fileId:\"2\") {\n fileName\n }\n}", - "variables":null -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-response.json b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-response.json deleted file mode 100644 index 2878ee8b0..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/single-field-metadata-response.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10 +0,0 @@ -{ - "errors":[], - "data": { - "metaData": { - "fileName": "Moby Dick" - } - }, - "extensions":null, - "dataPresent":true -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-request.json b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-request.json deleted file mode 100644 index d62d68080..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-request.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4 +0,0 @@ -{ - "query":"{\n metaData(fileId:\"%s\") {\n fileName\nfileType }\n}", - "variables":null -} diff --git a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-response.json b/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-response.json deleted file mode 100644 index f2d6c72db..000000000 --- a/athena-examples/athena-examples-acceptance-tests/src/test/resources/payload/uploaded-file-metadata-response.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11 +0,0 @@ -{ - "errors":[], - "data": { - "metaData": { - "fileName": "pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen.txt", - "fileType": "TXT" - } - }, - "extensions":null, - "dataPresent":true -} diff --git a/athena-examples/pom.xml b/athena-examples/pom.xml index ae27e2ac2..fe993b3dd 100644 --- a/athena-examples/pom.xml +++ b/athena-examples/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-parent-pom - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-examples @@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ athena-example-books - athena-examples-acceptance-tests diff --git a/athena-filestore/athena-filestore-swift/pom.xml b/athena-filestore/athena-filestore-swift/pom.xml index 817a04a5d..02ce3bbf5 100644 --- a/athena-filestore/athena-filestore-swift/pom.xml +++ b/athena-filestore/athena-filestore-swift/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-filestore - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-filestore-swift diff --git a/athena-filestore/pom.xml b/athena-filestore/pom.xml index 4f06acfaf..2dc3904e2 100644 --- a/athena-filestore/pom.xml +++ b/athena-filestore/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-parent-pom - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-filestore diff --git a/athena-metastore/athena-metastore-graphql/pom.xml b/athena-metastore/athena-metastore-graphql/pom.xml index 02719c54a..1a74107e6 100644 --- a/athena-metastore/athena-metastore-graphql/pom.xml +++ b/athena-metastore/athena-metastore-graphql/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-metastore - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-metastore-graphql diff --git a/athena-metastore/pom.xml b/athena-metastore/pom.xml index 4e649957a..d2191a125 100644 --- a/athena-metastore/pom.xml +++ b/athena-metastore/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-parent-pom - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-metastore diff --git a/athena-system-config/pom.xml b/athena-system-config/pom.xml index a3eed1744..74e112b1f 100644 --- a/athena-system-config/pom.xml +++ b/athena-system-config/pom.xml @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-parent-pom - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 athena-system-config diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml index ff1171bb1..ca8a8d451 100644 --- a/pom.xml +++ b/pom.xml @@ -6,11 +6,12 @@ com.paiondata.athena athena-parent-pom - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 pom Athena: Parent POM https://github.com/paiondata/athena + Athena: Parent POM athena-core @@ -43,12 +44,18 @@ + + scm:git:ssh://git@github.com/paion-data/athena.git + https://github.com/paion-data/athena.git + HEAD + + UTF-8 17 17 - 1.0-SNAPSHOT + 1.0.0 3.0.1 1.0 1.7.25 @@ -454,6 +461,20 @@ + + org.apache.maven.plugins + maven-source-plugin + 3.1.0 + + + attach-sources + verify + + jar-no-fork + + + + @@ -544,6 +565,20 @@ org.apache.maven.plugins maven-jar-plugin ${version.maven.jar.plugin} + + + **/userConfig.properties + **/applicationConfig.properties + **/testApplicationConfig.properties + + + + + + test-jar + + + @@ -572,6 +607,10 @@ org.apache.maven.plugins maven-javadoc-plugin + + org.apache.maven.plugins + maven-source-plugin + @@ -644,4 +683,47 @@ + + + + release + + + + org.sonatype.central + central-publishing-maven-plugin + 0.4.0 + true + + true + true + paion-data + + + + org.apache.maven.plugins + maven-gpg-plugin + 3.1.0 + + + sign-artifacts + verify + + sign + + + + --pinentry-mode + loopback + + ${gpg.keyname} + ${gpg.keyname} + + + + + + + +