Chapter 20
Elizabeth wondered why Mr Darcy had visited so unexpectedly after he had refused to enter the house a couple of hours prior. She was even more curious about his private conference with her uncle.
Her reflections, however, were disturbed by Mr Collins’s relentless chatter. Any attempt to deviate from the subject of Lady Catherine de Bourgh failed, as Mr Collins introduced a quote from his patroness on every occasion.
Even Mr Darcy had looked annoyed, despite being the centre of Mr Collins’s praise.
And she had caught him masking an exasperated sigh a few times when their cousin complimented Lady Catherine’s wisdom and kindness.
In fact, everybody had sighed quite frequently, but Mr Collins had remained unaware of everything around him and droned on regardless.
How could such an insensitive man be a clergyman?
How could such a silly, pompous fool be the one who would inherit Longbourn?
How painful it was to know that for most people, the worst man was still better and more worthy than the best woman.
“Mr Collins, as a doctor, I would recommend you rest a little before dinner,” Dr Gardiner said. “You must be tired from the road, and this time of the year is known for bad colds and fevers.”
“Indeed, my dear sir, Lady Catherine advises everyone to be cautious about colds! She will not allow anyone with the smallest sign of illness anywhere near Rosings since her daughter has fragile health.”
“Then it would not do for you to return to Rosings Park in anything but perfect health. A good rest is absolutely essential for this,” the doctor insisted.
Mr Collins retired to his room, mumbling something; as soon as he left, Mrs Bennet, Lydia, and Kitty resumed the conversation, and Dr Gardiner asked Mr Bennet and Elizabeth to join him in the library.
“Well, Brother, I am sure you regret having to meet Mr Collins,” Mr Bennet said, filling two glasses of brandy. “Lizzy dear, would you like some port or something? You surely look like you need a drink too.”
“No, thank you, Papa. I am already dizzy from Mr Collins’s chatter.”
“We all are! Another drink cannot do any more harm.”
“There might be more reasons for us to drink, besides Mr Collins, Bennet. I just spoke to Mr Darcy.”
Elizabeth sensed his tension, while her father replied, “Yes, I noticed. I assume it is not good news.”
“It is not bad news for us, just a fair warning, Brother. Mr Darcy preferred to speak to me alone, since you were engaged with Mr Collins.”
“I understand that. My first guess was that he was looking for a way to escape Mr Collins, and I envied him. Now let us speak in earnest — what is the warning?”
“Apparently, Mr Darcy is an old acquaintance of one of the officers we met earlier — Mr Wickham. Whilst we approved of the man, Mr Darcy has a different opinion. He did not provide me with many details, but he advised us that Lydia and Kitty — or any other young woman — should not be allowed near Mr Wickham unchaperoned.”
Elizabeth gazed at her uncle, amazed and puzzled. Mr Wickham and his fellow officers had paid a short call, leaving a general favourable impression. He had been nothing but amiable and had expressed his delight with Meryton’s society. Did he truly deserve such a dire warning?
“That is quite a statement from Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet said.
“It is, Brother. But I do not doubt it at all. First, because I know Mr Darcy well enough. Second, why would a man in his situation in life care so much about a simple officer, or about your daughters, as to take the trouble to become involved? In all honesty, neither that officer nor your family is so important as to raise the interest of a man like Mr Darcy, unless that interest is genuine.”
Elizabeth listened to her uncle, restless, anxious, pondering his words. She did not doubt Mr Darcy’s word either, but she still wondered about the reasons behind his warning.
“I cannot argue with you, Brother,” Mr Bennet answered. “But my daughters are too poor and too silly to incite anyone’s interest, even if he is a fortune-hunter. There is nothing for him to hunt here.”
“Mr Darcy mentioned that too, Brother. I must apologise to Lizzy for even saying as much, but apparently, Mr Wickham’s interest in young women is not only in regard to their fortune…if you know what I mean…”
Elizabeth’s cheeks heated, and her father nodded.
“Then he is similar to most of the officers, as we both know, Gardiner. Regardless, I shall impose some rules for Lydia and Kitty about going into Meryton and meeting the officers. Lizzy, since Jane will not be able to leave the house for a while, you must assume the duty of chaperoning your silly sisters. Just be careful not to become charmed by the officers yourself!”
“Papa! I do not think this is a subject of amusement! Uncle is right — Lydia and Kitty must learn to restrain their manners and their behaviour, towards Mr Wickham or any other man.”
After that, the conference ended and all prepared for dinner. That evening, Dr Gardiner had another meeting with Mr Jones, then handed Elizabeth a list of instructions, and the next morning, he took his farewell.
∞∞∞
Three more days passed, with Jane slowly but steadily recovering and Felton showing signs of daily improvement. He was still confined to his bed, his wife and two sons taking care of him and the apothecary, as well as Elizabeth, visiting him.
Mr Bingley called every day and was delighted when, during his last visit, Jane joined them and they spent half an hour together. Mr Darcy did not accompany his friend; he only visited briefly one day, for a few minutes, on his way to Meryton to meet Colonel Forster.
His sudden change of behaviour puzzled and worried Elizabeth, who was trapped in a net of thoughts and speculations.
There was no doubt that Mr Wickham’s appearance had affected Mr Darcy, as there was no doubt about the gravity of their past dealings.
Her feelings seemed to grow more powerful, while she struggled to understand his.
He had confessed his sentiments to her, in his own restrained, ambiguous manner, but his actions over the last few days spoke otherwise.
She prayed for the chance to meet him again, to talk to him, and to question him.
They had agreed to be honest, even beyond the bounds of decorum, and that could not have changed in three days.
Whilst accompanying her sisters into Meryton, Elizabeth met Mr Wickham again at her aunt Phillips’s house.
Despite her increased prudence, and as carefully as she scrutinised him, Elizabeth noticed nothing concerning in his words, in his manners, or in his smiles.
The man was handsome and amiable, though he probably possessed some faults of character.
Furthermore, in Meryton, he quickly became everyone’s favourite, and every family competed for his presence at their parties.
Unlike Mr Wickham, Mr Collins became a constant burden on everyone’s nerves at Longbourn. He overwhelmed all his cousins with compliments, fought for Mrs Bennet’s approval, and disturbed Mr Bennet’s peace several times a day.
While her nights were tormented with thoughts, hopes, and fears and spiced with dreams she did not dare remember the next morning, her days were busy with her younger sisters and with bearing Mr Collins’s growing attentions.
The clergyman even mentioned that Lady Catherine had advised him to marry as soon as possible, and to choose a woman worthy of him and his situation in life, even if that woman had little fortune or few connections, a statement to which Mrs Bennet readily agreed, Mr Bennet smiled into his napkin, and Elizabeth chose to remain silent.
The only good thing for Elizabeth during those trying days was her growing certainty regarding Mr Bingley and Jane’s affection for each other, which seemed to endure and grow.
The gentleman’s visits, Jane’s constant enquiries about him, and their reunion — so heartfelt for both — left no reason for mistrust. If their admiration and affection had been born in haste — as Mr Darcy had suggested — it was surely lasting, despite his apprehension.
If Mr Darcy was wrong about Mr Bingley and Jane, could he also be wrong about Mr Wickham? He had declared he was ready to admit his errors if he was proved wrong — did this apply to Mr Wickham too?
On the fourth evening after Mr Gardiner’s departure, Sir William and Lady Lucas invited them to dinner.
Mr Bennet immediately declined but encouraged Mr Collins to go and meet the only titled gentleman in Meryton.
Mary declined too, so Mrs Bennet, desirous for company and curious about the latest rumours, urged Lydia, Kitty, and Elizabeth to accompany her.
Not even the pretence of taking care of Jane was enough for Elizabeth to escape the engagement, but she feared she could hardly enjoy herself while being so confused and concerned about Mr Darcy.
Lucas Lodge was filled with the most important people in the neighbourhood, including Mr Bingley. As Elizabeth assumed, there was no sign of Mr Darcy, but amidst the other officers and in the close proximity of Colonel Forster and his wife was Mr Wickham, at whom all the ladies smiled.
Sir William greeted them, and Mrs Bennet introduced Mr Collins. Lydia and Kitty ran to join the officers, but Elizabeth chose to sit in a corner, observing the party.
“My dear Eliza, what are you doing here, all alone? I hope you are not ill?”
Charlotte Lucas’s friendliness made Elizabeth smile.
“Charlotte, I am so glad to see you. I am just a little tired, and I have a slight headache. I have not slept well since I can remember.” Her cheeks warmed, and she averted her eyes, praying Charlotte would not guess the true reason that kept her awake.
“I can imagine! Everybody in Meryton has spoken of your courage and determination! We heard you saved Jane and your servant. Mr Jones said that without you, neither of them might have survived that nasty storm.”