Chapter 5 #2
Elizabeth remembered Mr Wickham’s statement about Darcy’s admiration for her and the fact that Darcy had never denied it.
She had never suspected it, but if it was a falsehood, Mr Darcy would have readily dismissed it!
If it was true that Mr Wickham was so well acquainted with Mr Darcy’s nature as to guess his most hidden thoughts, could others have observed it too and taken it as grounds for that scandalous report?
Jane, on her part, secretly feared that the rumours might reach Mr Bingley and become another reason to keep him away. Her generous heart, touched by love, suffered in silence, torn between the man who owned it and her beloved sister.
“Lizzy, I am going to Meryton! It is not fair! Why should we stay in the house? And Maria Lucas said her mother said we will never be able to find honourable husbands since our entire family’s reputation is destroyed!
You said all the rumours are stupid and false—so do something!
We have to attend parties and balls and find husbands!
I am fifteen and Kitty is seventeen! We cannot all remain spinsters like Charlotte Lucas and Jane! ”
“Oh, shut your mouth, Lydia!” cried Mrs Bennet.
“Jane is not a spinster! But Charlotte Lucas was and now she is suddenly treated like a princess! This is so shameful! So embarrassing! So dreadful! Never in my life have I not been invited to any party in Meryton! You will all remain unmarried and Charlotte Lucas will throw us all out of our own home! My sister, Mrs Phillips, visited me yesterday! She said Sir William and Lady Lucas said they must be cautious in connecting with people whose reputation is polluted, since their son-in-law is a respectable clergyman! She said Lady Lucas said she does not want to upset her son-in-law. Son-in-law? Your cousin, Mr Bennet!”
“Yes, my pompous cousin Mr Collins. I received a letter from him today. He instructed me to be more severe with my daughters’ behaviour and insisted that Lady Catherine congratulated him for his prudence in choosing a proper wife for his position.
You see, Lizzy? You are not a proper wife for his position,” Mr Bennet said with mockery and a large grin on his face.
However, instead of sharing his amusement as always, Elizabeth struggled to fight tears of embarrassment and anger.
“This is not laughable, Papa. I shall write to Charlotte now. Lydia, since you are going to Meryton, I am counting on you to give it to her in person.”
With anger in her heart and in her fingers, Elizabeth filled a full page, watched by Jane, who did not dare say a word.
‘Charlotte,
I have never been so hurt and betrayed by anything or anyone.
That the whole of Meryton shares such a poor opinion of me as to believe some ridiculous gossip, I must accept.
It is proof of their unworthiness, not mine!
But that you, my lifelong friend, who was my confidante, who I trusted with my thoughts and my feelings, would believe it too and allow it to affect my family, it is painful and disappointing.
If you were in my place, I would have fought the world for you, Charlotte!
All this will pass soon and the truth will come to light, but my friendship is gone forever.
I still wish you all the best in your future life and much happiness in your marriage. ’
“Lizzy…” Jane whispered as she read the words over her sister’s shoulder. “Should you not wait for a little while before sending it?”
It is done, Jane,” she said, then sealed it and handed it to Lydia.
She felt she was being hasty and perhaps unfair, but her resentment was stronger than her reasoning.
∞∞∞
In the library, Mr Bennet was overcome by similar sentiments.
Despite his attempts to ignore the matter and dismiss it as being ridiculous, he was not oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
A lady’s reputation was a delicate thing, easy to lose and difficult to repair, even if the rumours were proven to be untrue.
Harmful words, once thrown out into the world, could never be brought back nor completely forgotten.
And it was no compensation for Elizabeth’s suffering or for the shadow in her once joyful eyes.
All he could do as a father was to protect his family the best he could.
He had approached Colonel Forster—who apologised for any inconvenience but did not treat the matter with deserved seriousness—and with Sir William and other men of influence in Meryton, he met with no success, as everybody responded with politeness, restraint and suspicions, and things only got worse.
Mr Collins’ letter found him in a state of vexation and anxiety and he replied accordingly.
‘Mr Collins,
From your letter, I understand you have been informed about some rumours regarding a sort of relationship between my daughter Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.
From the very beginning, I have considered this story ridiculous and unworthy of even mentioning.
Elizabeth has also insisted repeatedly that this story is a silly fabrication.
However, based on your conviction that it is true and your blame on Lizzy for improper behaviour and dishonour of the family, I have given the matter a more thorough reflection.
If the reports are true, as you said, Mr Darcy must share Elizabeth’s guilt and flaws.
He has proven to be unworthy of his name and reputation.
Being involved in a relationship with a gentleman’s daughter and then refusing to accomplish his duty—as the reports have indicated—shows ungentlemanlike behaviour, ill-nature and bad character, and he must be exposed to public censure.
I shall take drastic measures and I shall mention your assistance.
I applaud your courage in criticising the nephew of your noble patroness, Lady Catherine, and pointing out his deficiencies and lack of honour.
I am sure Lady Catherine will not hold a grudge against you for the harm your claims might cause to her own family and name. I trust she will further support you in your career, regardless of her nephew’s upset, so you can have a happy marriage.
Yours sincerely,
T. Bennet.’
Mr Bennet read it one more time, the grin broadening on his face. He asked his servant to fetch Elizabeth, then he poured himself a glass of brandy.
“What is it, Papa?” Elizabeth enquired as she entered hesitantly. Her father handed her the letter.
“Read it before I seal it and send it by express. Do you think there is anything else that should be added?”
Elizabeth looked through it with equal distress and amusement. When she had finished, her eyes met her father’s mischievous and satisfied face.
“Papa, I do not wish to cause any harm to Mr Darcy. As much as I dislike him and despite my previous resentment, he has never behaved other than properly to me. This cannot be his fault.”
“I do know that, my child. I assure you nothing will go further than Mr Collins. Mr Darcy will not be affected in any way. You know, I suspect he knows nothing of this. I have only spoken to him for several minutes but he impressed me as a man of honour and character. If he had heard such reports and knew the damage it had caused us, he would have returned and cleared your reputation by testifying to your benefit! Perhaps I should write to him too. Why did I not think of it earlier? I have taken this matter too lightly. Or should I wait for Mr Bingley to return and speak to him first.”
“Papa, I am ashamed to even mention such a story to Mr Darcy! There is also the gossip about Wickham, which is equally untrue! Mr Darcy had witnessed my argument with Mr Wickham in the library.”
“Precisely. We have suffered more than a week of ridiculous distress. It is time to end it. I expect my letter to Mr Collins will also bring a change in the Lucases’ behaviour. That is if he does not suffer a stroke while reading it!”
Elizabeth was finally able to laugh.
“Well, I sent a letter to Charlotte earlier, which might cause her equal distress.”
“You did? What perfect timing. I find it quite appropriate for them to begin their marriage by sharing the result of their own action, for better and for worse. Let me send the letter right away. I hope he will have it by tomorrow at breakfast. By the way, Lizzy, I have just realised—if Mr Collins does suffer a stroke from the letter and dies, we must ask who will inherit Longbourn next.”
“Papa!” Elizabeth scolded him.
Mr Bennet, however, was pleased with himself and happy to see a glimpse of laughter in the eyes of his beloved daughter.