Chapter 15
“Mama, Kitty and I shall go to Meryton,” Lydia said after breakfast. “We shall call on Maria Lucas and visit Aunt Phillips.”
“You will not go alone,” Mr Bennet intervened unexpectedly. “I shall approve it only if one of your older sisters accompanies you.”
“But why, Papa? We have been walking to Meryton since we were small, and we are ladies now!” Lydia replied in disbelief.
“Precisely because you are young ladies, and it would not do to wander alone through a town full of officers.” Mr Bennet held firm to his decision, much to his daughters’ annoyance.
Elizabeth knew the argument was the result of Mr Darcy’s confession in regard to Mr Wickham’s character and her own doubts expressed to her father the previous evening.
“I need to go to Meryton too, Papa,” she said conciliatorily. “I need to purchase new gloves and a bonnet for travelling to London. Will you join us, Jane?”
“Yes, I shall, Lizzy.”
“Then it is settled. As long as Lizzy or Jane accompanies you, I have no objections,” Mr Bennet concluded.
“I promised to call at Lucas Lodge too,” Mr Collins interjected. “And, if I may be so bold, I would gladly watch over my fair cousins. Lady Catherine always says that I am trustworthy in regard to proper behaviour.”
“I am sure you are, Mr Collins. If you go with my daughters, I shall certainly be even more at peace,” Mr Bennet declared genuinely. Mr Collins’s face glowed with pride as he completely missed the true meaning of that statement, while the girls all sighed in exasperation.
“Mr Bennet, I also need a private meeting with you,” Mr Collins continued. “Since you and Cousin Elizabeth leave for London soon, the matter has become rather urgent.”
Elizabeth panicked, glancing at her father, who waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal.
“I shall make time for a private meeting either later today or tomorrow morning, Mr Collins. For now, I must review some papers and write some letters. You should go to Meryton, as planned. Mrs Bennet, would you not like to join the girls and visit your sister? I shall gladly ask John to prepare the carriage.”
“That is an excellent idea, Mr Bennet,” the lady accepted joyfully, bringing a smirk to Mr Bennet’s lips.
Even for the short distance to Meryton, the Bennet carriage was small and uncomfortable, and Elizabeth decided to walk back home, accompanied by Jane.
She was appalled by the notion that Mr Collins might speak to Mr Bennet with the intention of asking for her hand. The proposal itself was not worrisome, as it could have only one outcome, but the scandal that her rejection might arouse just before her departure disquieted her.
Their party first stopped at the Phillipses’, and their aunt, alone at home, was happy to welcome them.
“How lovely that you came to visit me, Sister! I see Mary stayed at home again. You should do something with that girl, or else she will remain a spinster with no friends! I am glad to see Mr Collins, though.”
“And I am exceedingly happy to see you again, Mrs Phillips! How could I not be since we are practically family?”
“Indeed, sir. I am sorry my husband is not at home to offer you a drink. I am afraid you will have to be content with the ladies’ company.”
“Is Mr Phillips not at home?” Mrs Bennet interjected before Mr Collins had time for another long reply.
“No, Sister. He went to meet a gentleman who is apparently in search of an estate near Meryton. Another solicitor from London recommended Mr Phillips to assist in the transaction.”
“A gentleman? Where does he come from? Who is he?”
“I do not have knowledge of such things. I shall find out more as soon as Mr Phillips returns.”
“How thrilling! I bet he is young like Mr Bingley. But what if he is married? Or ugly?” Lydia asked until her mother silenced her.
“Hush, silly child! Did you not hear that Mrs Phillips does not know? I am sure she will tell us as soon as she has news.”
“Lady Catherine is always reserved and cautious when someone new arrives in the neighbourhood. Her ladyship is very careful in judging people! Even I needed a while before I gained her trust.”
“We are cautious with strangers too!” Mrs Bennet responded. “My brother Phillips is an excellent solicitor and a good judge of character.”
“I am sure that is true, madam. But my young cousins’ readiness to approve of a man based on his appearance could be dangerous,” Mr Collins continued, his sensible remark surprising Elizabeth.
The conversation continued between Mrs Phillips, Mrs Bennet, and Mr Collins; Lydia and Kitty soon lost their patience.
They drank a cup of tea, then they expressed a wish to take a stroll.
Their intention to look for the officers was transparent, but their mother readily agreed.
Elizabeth, as well as Jane, immediately followed the two girls.
“Lizzy, you said you wanted to buy a new bonnet. Let us go now. I might find something for myself too,” Lydia suggested.
“I need a bonnet also,” Kitty seconded her.
“Dear Lord, shall we ever be free from Mr Collins? If he does not leave soon, I shall leave home so as not to be forced to see or hear him again,” Lydia said.
“He is so dull!” Kitty admitted. “And he always has an opinion about everything! So tedious! Mary is the only one who listens to him — she should marry him!” She laughed.
“Kitty, you should not jest at Mary’s expense!” Jane censured her. “Nor about our cousin.”
“But I only spoke the truth, Jane,” the girl defended herself. “Oh, look Lydia — there is Mr Denny and Mr Pratt! Let us go and greet them.”
“I hope I shall dance with both of them at the ball! And with Mr Wickham! And I wonder what this new gentleman looks like. Oh, I must absolutely ask Mr Bingley to invite him to the ball too!” Lydia said, the impropriety of her words matching her loud, unguarded voice.
“Lydia, please mind your manners before the officers hear you,” Elizabeth tried to temper her. “You will not ask Mr Bingley anything, certainly not in regard to a strange man! What is happening to you? Do not upset Papa further, or you might not attend the ball at all.”
“How could he know unless you tell him? I hope Papa will stay in London and not return for the ball,” Lydia said. “He has been very severe with us lately, and so have you, Lizzy!”
“Severe? That is the last word I would use to describe Papa, Lydia. It is his duty to take care of us all and our reputations. Keep in mind that in other families, the younger daughters come out only after the older are married.”
“Dear Lord, that would be a disaster! To stay at home until you and Jane marry? Do not even mention such a thing to Papa! I would rather die!”
“Lydia!” Elizabeth scolded her, as the officers were approaching.
“Is Mr Wickham not with you?” Kitty asked moments later, much to Elizabeth and Jane’s mortification.
“He should be arriving soon,” Mr Denny replied. “I believe he was talking to Miss Mary King and her uncle. Colonel Forster and Mrs Forster are also with them. Look, they are just coming.”
Indeed, from around the corner, a large group with the colonel and his wife, Mary King and her uncle, as well as Mr Wickham appeared.
“My dear Mrs Forster, I am so happy to see you!” Lydia cried.
“Likewise, dear Lydia. To be honest, I missed you. Life has been rather dull lately. Thank God I have Wickham and Denny and Pratt to amuse me.”
“I have found life dull too! I look forward to seeing you! You are the prettiest and most elegant and joyful woman in the entirety of Hertfordshire!” Lydia declared, not caring that the remark might sound offensive to her sisters as well as to Mary King.
“How nice of you to say so, Lydia. We are about to have a small tea party. Will you join us? And you should call me Harriet. After all, I am only a few years older than you.”
“How funny it sounds to call you that when you are a married lady!” Lydia said. “I would love nothing more than to come to your party. Lizzy, Jane, can we?”
Kitty almost jumped with joy, supporting her sister, but Elizabeth took Lydia’s arm gently, though tightly. “I am afraid that is not possible. We are visiting our aunt, together with my mother and our cousin. We are expected to return soon.”
Lydia and Kitty both argued vehemently, and Mrs Forster kept insisting, creating an embarrassing situation, which was surprisingly interrupted by Mr Wickham.
“Miss Elizabeth, would it not be possible for you all to come for a cup of tea? Perhaps for half an hour, to satisfy your sister and Mrs Forster’s desire for each other’s company?
I shall gladly go and inform your mother of your whereabouts and beg her to pardon the change of plans.
” He was smiling charmingly, his voice low, friendly, and insinuating, and he looked at Elizabeth directly while he pleaded with her.
“To be honest, I would also be delighted to continue the intriguing conversation we started a few days ago. That is if you are still willing to talk to me.”
Elizabeth glared at Mr Wickham, trying to control her ire. He was addressing her with a familiarity that made her cringe, especially since the others immediately enquired about the nature of that intriguing conversation.
“Mr Wickham, since my aunt’s house is only a few steps away, I shall go and ask for my mother’s permission,” Elizabeth said.
“Lizzy, just do not let Mr Collins come too, or else he will ruin everyone’s disposition!” Lydia cried after her, causing a peal of laughter from the group.
Trembling with anger and shame, Elizabeth entered her aunt’s house and, as she feared, Mrs Bennet immediately granted her acceptance. Furthermore, she declared they must stay at the party until she came to fetch them.
Mr Collins, also as anticipated, tried to join her, but Elizabeth had already lost her patience and replied that the invitation was only for the Bennet sisters, and they would not stay more than an hour.