Chapter XVIII
With the rhythm restored to what it had been before Miss Bingley introduced disharmony, the families at Longbourn and Netherfield Park again enjoyed one another’s company with visits and dinners.
As Mr. Hurst had promised, two days after Miss Bingley’s departure, Mrs. Hurst joined her husband in Hertfordshire and took up the reins of the house, managing it in her brother’s absence.
When separated from her sister, Mrs. Hurst proved tolerable—so much so that Elizabeth did not object to her company.
Her return to their company happened the day after she arrived in Hertfordshire.
When she entered Longbourn that morning, she appeared apprehensive but determined.
Mrs. Hurst offered her greetings and said a few words to Mrs. Bennet, as was proper—Mrs. Bennet, who now considered Miss Bingley among the worst of women, responded coldly, which Mrs. Hurst seemed to accept.
Then she turned to Jane, and Elizabeth was close enough to hear what she said.
“Miss Bennet,” said she, holding to formality for the moment, “please allow me to apologize for my actions toward you. It was very wrong of me, and I acknowledge my culpability without disguise.”
Jane regarded her, the confusion obvious in her look. “I have no notion of why you feel you need to apologize, Louisa.”
The use of her given name appeared to reassure Mrs. Hurst, for her smile became warmer and less apprehensive. “The culpability is not all mine, but I did allow Caroline to persuade me it was for the best to mislead my brother and keep him from you.”
Elizabeth watched Mrs. Hurst, understood her need to say this, and reflected on Jane’s growth, which led her to demand respect rather than accept the notion of another’s good intentions without proof.
Elizabeth was proud of her sister, for Jane had learned from how Miss Bingley had behaved and would not be taken in again.
“I know that Caroline’s motivations were not pure,” said Jane at length, “but I was not certain if you agreed with her.”
Mrs. Hurst considered her response for several moments before answering.
“I do not wish to minimize my actions, for I have been guilty of inappropriate pride and thinking too well of myself. Caroline has always been the primary force behind our intrigues, but I never opposed her. I have not been innocent.”
“Louisa,” said Jane, “I do not consider errors of the past. So long as you are sincere now, all is forgiven. My only concern is to have friendly relations for those I hope to one day call family.”
For the first time in Elizabeth’s acquaintance with the woman, she thought Mrs. Hurst’s smile was genuine. “Thank you, Jane. It is more than I deserve, but I shall strive to be worthy of your absolution.”
In what had been two weeks of shocks, the sight of Mr. Hurst regarding his wife with approval and pride was another unexpected sight.
The Mr. Hurst she had known in the autumn had seemed a man who cared for nothing but good food and drink; Elizabeth had learned there was more to the gentleman than she had ever credited.
“Mrs. Hurst also apologized to me,” said Darcy a little later in that visit. “It seems she thinks she should have had more influence over her sister, given her position as the eldest.”
“And what do you think, Mr. Darcy?”
The gentleman paused before responding. “I think that Miss Bingley knew that her brother and sister’s characters were not so forceful as hers, and she used that to her advantage.”
“That is not an unreasonable assumption, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth. “Then what did you tell her?”
“Much the same as your sister,” said Mr. Darcy. The gentleman offered an amused grin. “I consider myself uninjured by Mrs. Hurst, for I know nothing she has done to me that would warrant censure. I know it is common to apologize for the offenses of a close relation, but it is unnecessary.”
“No, I do not suppose it is.” Elizabeth regarded the gentleman with interest. “May I suppose you have heard nothing from Mr. Bingley?”
“We have not, nor do I expect it. But do not despair, Miss Elizabeth; Bingley will return at the first available moment.”
“Oh, I am certain he will. I have never seen a man so in love with a woman as Mr. Bingley is with Jane.”
The way Mr. Darcy regarded her sent a thrill up Elizabeth’s spine. “You do not? Why, Miss Elizabeth, open your eyes a little more, for you might see its like where you least expect it.”
“That is curious, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth, “for I thought you were unmoved when you came in the autumn.”
“That is because I have always been adept at withholding my true feelings.”
Though Elizabeth studied the gentleman, she could see no trace of disguise in his features. “Tell me, Mr. Darcy, are your feelings so developed as this?”
“I was fascinated within days of making your acquaintance, Miss Elizabeth. To own the truth, I had thought that I was nothing less than blatant in my admiration. Did you see nothing of it?”
Elizabeth looked away, a little shy, and said: “Charlotte did observe that you looked at me often. I thought you were looking at me to find fault.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy with mild reproof, “that is nothing less than nonsensical. Tell me, if you find a man unappealing, do you stare at him to catalog his faults? Take Mr. Collins—you have not said so openly, but I had the distinct impression at the ball that you did not care for him. Was he justified in thinking you were in love with him because you looked at him to excess?”
“When you put it that way—”
“I do put it that way,” interjected Mr. Darcy, though not unkindly.
“All I can say is that it made sense at the time.” It was not Elizabeth’s purpose to insist on her interpretation of events, but for whatever reason, she felt it important that this man understood. “Our interactions at the first assembly did not help.”
“And for that, I must blame myself. I hope you do not misunderstand my interest now.”
“If I were to misunderstand now, it would be willful. I am not one to make the same mistake a second time, Mr. Darcy.”
“Then I hope you will allow us to begin again.”
Elizabeth offered the gentleman a warm smile. “We already have, Mr. Darcy.”
With Mrs. Hurst’s coming, the discourse between the two estates became easier.
Georgiana, who was not so confident, relinquished management of the estate to Mrs. Hurst without complaint.
Elizabeth thought she was eager, as it allowed her to spend more time in the company of Elizabeth and her sisters.
Mrs. Hurst proved a welcoming and capable hostess, and the Bennets dined at Netherfield again the day after she arrived from London.
Jane, who had remained a little hesitant in her company, soon lost her inhibitions, and the two ladies became close as befitted future sisters.
With Mrs. Hurst, Elizabeth soon became closer, though she did not suppose she would ever become as comfortable with the woman as Jane was.
Elizabeth was not marrying into the family, so there was no reason to repine the lack of a close association.
Mrs. Hurst even made every effort to tolerate Mrs. Bennet’s ways, though it was clear she found her trying at times.
Elizabeth could not hold that against her, as she had often felt the same for her mother.
Soon the time arrived for Mr. Collins’s return, and the parson came—welcomed by no one.
If the family’s tepid reception displeased him, he said nothing.
The very day of his arrival, he made his excuses and flowery apologies for his incivility and repaired at once to Lucas Lodge to attend his future wife and family, dining there that evening and not returning until late.
No one in the family regretted his going; his incivility was celebrated more than resented.
The wedding was scheduled for only two days later, and preparations moved forward in a frenzy, though those at Longbourn were spared the greater part of the bustle.
As Elizabeth was to stand up with Charlotte as her bridesmaid, she spent more time at Lucas Lodge than anyone in her family.
Elizabeth had reconciled herself to the match by then, and while she still thought Charlotte was making a mistake, she would not say that to her friend, knowing it was not her place.
It could not be supposed that Mr. Collins would fail to learn of Mr. Darcy’s continued residence in the neighborhood from almost the moment he arrived.
Even if Sir William, who was loquacious at the best of times, had not boasted of it, Mr. Darcy and the rest of those at Netherfield were often at Longbourn in those days.
The parson was as ridiculous to Mr. Darcy as he had been from the first moment of their acquaintance, and Elizabeth did not wish to think much about his absurdities.
Mr. Bennet, of course, found it hilarious.
What Elizabeth could not have expected occurred the day before the wedding.
“Mr. Darcy,” said the parson in his usual pompous tones, “I beg your pardon, sir, for I would not intrude upon your notice lightly. I find myself in the most peculiar position of marrying on the morrow but having no one to stand up with me. Might I beg your indulgence in this matter?”
Mr. Darcy regarded Mr. Collins, not hiding his curiosity. “You wish me to stand up with you at your wedding?”
“If you agree, I will be honored to have your support.”
Though the gentleman did not respond at once, and Elizabeth thought he would refuse, she caught the exact moment when his eyes darted in her direction.
Mr. Collins did not seem to catch the significance of his glance, but to Elizabeth it was no less than clear.
For that matter, Charlotte seemed to understand it too, and she did not hesitate to fix Elizabeth with a knowing smile.
“Very well, Mr. Collins,” said the gentleman. “I shall stand up with you.”