Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
T he days passed, and the Bennet sisters quite adopted Mr Collins as their brother. He was not present when Mr Bingley delivered his invitation to the Netherfield ball , as he was escorting Mary and the younger girls to the village, which had become an almost daily pastime. Mr Collins came to Elizabeth after he learned about the ball, and confessed to her that he wished to ask Mary for the first and supper sets, but that while he had learnt to dance, he was not proficient, and had no wish to embarrass her. At the same time, he had no wish to hurt her feelings by neglecting to ask her.
Elizabeth recommended that he go and seek out her sister. "You should go to Mary and speak with her. Indeed, you must, if you are to be a good husband, be prepared to humble yourself and bare your shortcomings, and allow her to help you. Indeed she must be able to do the same with you. That is what a true marriage is like. Mary will esteem you all the more, and in her goodness will help you practise before the ball. Indeed, I believe that you will find that you have four more cousins here, who will also lend themselves to the cause!" Elizabeth declared.
Collins considered this to be invaluable advice, and thanking Elizabeth profusely, went in search of Mary, who, as Elizabeth predicted, was all generosity and helpfulness. The family spent days with the furniture pushed back and the carpets rolled up. Even Mr Bennet was induced to help make up a proper set with multiple couples. Cousin Collins practised his steps with all of the ladies in the household, including Mrs Bennet on one merry evening filled with laughter. Collins became more unassuming and good natured than any of the company had expected from him, considering his disposition upon entering Longbourn, and Mr Bennet generously gave his time to assist in the endeavour of helping Mr Collins become more gentlemanly, particularly since it was often such an amusing endeavour. Seeing such behaviour as the Bennets and their friends made Mr Collins understand how different was his usual behaviour from that of other gentlemen.
One afternoon, perhaps a week and a half before the Netherfield Ball, Elizabeth and Jane accompanied Mr Collins to Meryton with their sisters. They separated for a short time, Mary and Mr Collins planning to visit the bookstore, Kitty and Lydia the haberdashery, and Elizabeth and Jane went on an errand for their mother to the butcher. Mr Bingley’s calls had continued daily, but Mr Darcy had not lately accompanied him. Mr Bingley informed them that an issue had come up on Darcy’s estate, and that Darcy had spent some days enclosed in his study, writing letters. Jane was eager to be alone with Elizabeth, so that she might confide the last conversation she had with their neighbour.
Jane liked Mr Bingley very much. She was unsure whether he had any serious intentions, but he called frequently, and paid her very marked attention. She recalled his remarks about difficult relations not needing to present an obstacle to a courting couple, and she wondered if he meant that he wanted to court her , but she certainly hoped that he did. Of course, her mother had not been nearly so difficult lately. Elizabeth had persuaded her that she had trained her girls well, and that she ought to trust them to bring the gentlemen of their choice to heel, and make herself scarce. Young men did not wish to court their future mother-in-law. Mrs Bennet had for years objected to Elizabeth’s cleverness, but suddenly, it was as if she had recently changed her mind, and had decided that Lizzy’s intelligence would save them all. Mrs Bennet consulted her second daughter about practically everything regarding the gentlemen paying attention to her daughters. It was nearly comical.
After the little group parted ways, Elizabeth and Jane fell into deep discussion, for Jane wished for Elizabeth’s advice quite as much as their mother did. Their conversation continued through the little village, and by the time they finished their mother’s errand and looked up from the pavement, there were their youngest sisters, making a scene on the sidewalk like a pair of trollops.
“ LIZZY ! Come and meet Captain Denny!” Lydia screeched.
Jane and Elizabeth hurried towards their younger sisters before the scene became any worse. Lydia conducted the introduction between her sisters and Captain Denny, who then introduced them to Mr Wickham. Elizabeth thought to herself that it could only be to his benefit for this man to join the militia, for even though he was quite obviously older than most of the new officers, most of whom were in their early to mid twenties, his handsome countenance wanted only regimentals to render him completely charming. He had not the type of looks Elizabeth usually preferred in a gentleman. She fancied taller men, usually with dark hair and eyes. This gentleman was an inch or two shorter in stature than was average for a man, but his blonde hair, pulled back in a queue, blue eyes, handsome face, and pleasing address seemed all one could wish for in the countenance of a man, and Elizabeth knew that nearly every girl in Meryton over fourteen would be wild about him.
The gentlemen accompanied them through the village until they met with Mary and Mr Collins. More introductions were made, and a great deal of conversation was had, until Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy came upon them on horseback. Elizabeth was astonished by the gentlemens’ reaction to one another. One turned red, the other white, and after a moment, Mr Wickham inclined his head slightly and touched his hat. Mr Darcy spun his horse about without acknowledging the greeting, and rode abruptly away. It was a splendid exit, it was a shame that no one but she and Mr Wickham had noted it properly. She suspected that Mr Wickham had not appreciated it as she had done. Mr Darcy might despise her, but there was still a part of Elizabeth’s girlish heart that found him exceedingly handsome.
Mr Bingley noticed that his friend had disappeared, and left to find him. Then, before their party had travelled more than a few steps, they were hallooed by their Aunt Phillips, who extracted their promise, yet again, that they would attend her card party that night. Their aunt was assured, and she extended the invitation to Mr Wickham and Captain Denny as well. Lydia wheedled the gentlemen into returning to Longbourn with them for tea, and the party started back for Longbourn.
As they made their way home, Wickham spoke. “How long has Mr Darcy been in the area?”
“About a month, perhaps. He was not very well received when he arrived, but he seems to have made more of an effort, presumably for the sake of his friend Mr Bingley. Are you acquainted with the gentleman?”
"Indeed, I have been acquainted with his family since infancy. In fact, you could say that I have Mr Darcy to thank for my present circumstances," Mr Wickham answered.
"In what manner, may I ask?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
He smiled at her charmingly. "I was brought up for the church. The church ought to have been my profession, and would have been, if Mr Darcy had not defied his father's last wishes, and given the living that was intended for me to another man."
"How terrible! What could induce him to do such a wicked thing?" Elizabeth cried in shock.
"Jealousy, of course. The late Mr Darcy was my godfather, and he was excessively attached to me. Hoping to be of assistance to me, he sponsored my education, and made an effort to provide for me by bequeathing the best living in his gift. But his son could have borne me better had his father loved me less. When the living fell available, it was given elsewhere."
"Why did you not seek redress through the court? Was there no legal method to help you?" Elizabeth asked in horror. How could Mr Darcy do such a thing?
"There was an informality in the terms that was enough to throw doubt, and give me no hope of assistance from the law.” Mr Wickham shrugged his shoulders and smiled sadly. “A man of honour could not have doubted the intent, but Darcy chose to ignore it. I am sure if the matter became known, he would be publicly disgraced. Still, until I can forget my love for the father, I can never expose the son," Wickham answered sadly.
“I never imagined Mr Darcy could be so cruel. He is regarded as a proud man among the village. I am surprised that his pride did not prevent such dishonesty, as dishonesty it must be called," Elizabeth thought aloud.
"Indeed, he is a proud man," agreed Mr Wickham cordially, "but his filial pride would not allow him to admit his father had such a regard for the son of his steward. He has a great fraternal pride as well, which makes him a very careful guardian of his sister, and you will hear him generally cried up as the most attentive and best of brothers, but I fear he has ruined the poor girl."
"What sort of girl is young Miss Darcy?" Elizabeth inquired.
“I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me pain to speak ill of my godfather's children," answered Mr Wickham sadly. "But she is too much like her brother—very, very proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of me; I 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. I made her acquaintance again last summer at Ramsgate and I was saddened at her arrogance. Her father would have been so disappointed."
At this, the conversation ended, for they had arrived at Longbourn. As expected, Mrs Bennet was delighted with Mr Wickham, and the officers were invited for dinner the following day. That night, the young ladies attended their aunt’s card party, as promised, and then four days later, the party at Lucas Lodge.
The house was full of cheerful activity in the final days leading up to the ball. Mary and Mr Collins continued to spend time on their own while being discreetly chaperoned. Elizabeth was vigilant in ensuring that their time together was not interfered with, especially by their mother. She observed that the more time Cousin Collins spent with the Bennets, and the more welcoming and affectionate they were to him, the less ridiculous he became. Mr Bennet noticed as well, and made a point to talk to the young man, welcome him to the family, and then discreetly point out to his young cousin that he had not been raised as a proper gentleman, and ought to learn a bit before his time to become one came, so that he would be as successful as possible.
Mr Bennet made a point to visit Mr Babcock, the Longbourn rector, with Mr Collins a number of times, and Mary did as well. Between the influence of the older clergyman and his curate who was an estimable young man, and also Mr Bennet and a few of his gentleman friends, Mr Collins began to see how gentlemen of respectable yet modest estates behaved in company, and also how differently other clergymen managed their interactions with others.
Mary did pay a visit to the dressmaker for new gowns just before the Netherfield ball. She had resigned herself to be more open to becoming colours, and modest yet flattering styles, and agreed that it was necessary to return her sister's wardrobes to them. Because she had spent so little on her wardrobe since coming out, Mr Bennet was happy to give her an ample amount to spend on her attire, and assured her that when she married, that she could also be assured of a generous trousseau.
The entire plan nearly came to naught when Mary, overset with Mrs Bennet's nerves, fluttering, and exclamations of lace, and Kitty and Lydia's endless chatter about cuts and styles, became overwhelmed, and declared she had changed her mind. Mr Bennet intervened and told Mary that too many fashionable opinions would spoil not only her gowns, but her nerves as well, and to select any two of the ladies in their family that she wished to go with her, and that the rest of the household would no longer interfere in the matter.
Mary deliberated, spoke to Cousin Collins about the matter, and then asked Elizabeth, Lydia, and her mother to join her. "Mama, Lydia understands what I like, and is very good at helping me find fashions that are flattering and suit my tastes. Lizzy gives me the courage to make my wishes known. So I am going to ask them to assist me in selecting my wardrobe, but I hope you will accompany us, just to enjoy the outing with me." Mrs Bennet wept a little, then ceased her moaning about lace, and focused upon being pleased to be spending the day with Mary.