Chapter 7 In which Mr. Bennet seeks to know Mr. Darcy’s intentions towards his daughter. #2
Realising she had best break the trance she seemed to have fallen under, Elizabeth made an effort to engage her partner in conversation.
“Mr. Darcy, you dance very well for one who dislikes the activity,” Elizabeth said in an arch manner. He smiled at her reference to Sir William’s entreaties to have him dance with her at Lucas Lodge.
“I am fortunate to have you agree to it this time.”
Several more turns in the dance occurred before Elizabeth resolved to continue the conversation in an effort to distract herself from her partner’s brooding gaze.
To summon her courage, she reflected on his insult at the assembly ball and the accusations of Mr. Wickham, and began the conversation with a challenge.
“Come, Mr. Darcy, we must have some conversation. A little will suffice.”
“Do you talk as a rule then, while you dance?”
“Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together, and yet for the advantage of some, conversation ought to be so arranged that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible.”
“Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?”
“Both,” replied Elizabeth archly, “for I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room and be handed down to posterity with all the éclat of a proverb.”
“This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure,” said he. “How near it may be to mine, I cannot pretend to say. You think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly.”
“Although it seems an argument bent on a certain type of flattery, your contradiction is perhaps intended to make me out as ill-qualified to perform such an assessment, or at least not as qualified as you. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous of you to disagree with me on this point—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock you.”
“I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly.
For a moment she was lost in the sight of his dimples but then recollected her intention to dislike him and said, “You have knowledge enough of my intellect to withstand a challenging discussion.”
“I have.”
“Very well,” she said brusquely. “Tell me, Mr. Darcy; you once stated that you hardly ever forgave—that your resentment once created was implacable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its being created.”
“I am,” said he, with a firm voice.
“And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?” Elizabeth asked in an accusing tone, shocking herself at her impertinence.
“I hope not.”
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion to be secure of judging properly at first.”
“May I ask to what these questions tend?”
“Your character, by all accounts,” said she, “is perplexing. I know you to be a stubborn person in an intellectual debate, and my father feels you to be a trustworthy friend, yet I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly. I hope you will not be hasty in assessing my character.”
“No one admitted to the privilege of knowing you can think anything wanting.”
The dance ended and Darcy returned Elizabeth to her family and retreated to a quiet corner of the ballroom to think about their odd conversation. Elizabeth seemed displeased, and Darcy sensed he was being castigated for something, but he knew not what offence had earned her censure.
As the evening went on, he restlessly stalked about the ballroom hiding behind an affectation of detached aloofness while jealously watching as Elizabeth gaily enjoyed the company of the young bucks who clamoured to ask her for a dance.
He mentally reviewed the conversation. It was not like the discussions they had shared at the Bennet home; she seemed to be judging his character and not his opinions, and he was unnerved by it.
He was unable to think of any response he had made that was less than civil and did not feel he deserved her reproach.
Perhaps she was angry at the antics of Mr. Collins, who was bent upon displaying his officious nonsense to anyone who would care to listen.
Darcy considered asking Miss Elizabeth for the supper dance to assure another opportunity to speak with her in order to determine the cause of her displeasure.
He tried to convince himself it was unimportant, but the effort was in vain.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not see Mr. Bennet approach and was startled when he spoke.
“Well, Darcy, all of Meryton is now quite convinced of your particular interest in my second eldest daughter. No doubt you felt it your duty to excite such speculation regarding your inevitable declaration and nuptials. I admit surprise because her disapproval of you surely had little influence on your choice of dance partners from among Meryton’s eligible young ladies. ”
Darcy scowled at the inference his friend was making and jumped to defend himself from what he interpreted as a slight towards his honour.
“I assure you, if that is the case, then it was most unintentionally done. I do see it as my duty to show I am not above Meryton society and country manners. My discomfort with strangers naturally influenced my decision to request a dance with Miss Elizabeth over other young ladies, as our discussions in your home have allowed me to feel more at ease in her company.”
“You could have danced with Jane, Mary or any other young lady in the room, but you singled out Elizabeth for one dance. You may have raised expectations. You certainly have raised eyebrows.”
“But Miss Elizabeth gave no indication she had any expectation beyond the one dance, and I have no desire to renounce our friendship for the imaginations of a few small-town gossips. I proudly admit I enjoy Miss Elizabeth’s company above most, as I do yours, for we have mutual interests.
I most certainly relish the intellectual discussions I have with your daughter, and it is my particular wish to continue our debates whenever I am fortunate enough to be in her company.
Your comment about her disapproval surprises me somewhat, but she did seem to find me lacking during our dance.
Although I am not certain of the reason, it is of little concern to me since I readily acknowledge that most of my discussions with Miss Elizabeth are comprised of verbal challenges, and she enjoys taking opposing opinions to test my mind.
“However, as to any meaning inferred by my selection of dance partner, you must know I have a duty to my family to improve my position within the first circles, which would preclude me from showing preference to any young lady from the country. I reproach myself for any displays that were seen as romantic intentions towards Miss Elizabeth. It was not my objective to expose myself to such speculation as could never be possible but merely to enjoy a harmless dance with an intelligent partner whom I have always regarded, in the most honourable manner, as a good friend.”
Darcy would have been better able to convince the listener of his impartiality were it a time more distant from his obsessive ruminations about the dance with Elizabeth.
But Darcy’s sense was affected. As his breast was filled with powerful feelings towards her, he was less guarded than intended and seemed to feel the need to repeatedly refute arguments that had not been made.
He carefully held a stern countenance to convince Bennet of his sincerity.
However, he was betrayed by his eyes, which gave away the feelings blossoming in his heart even as he was determined to deny them.
Bennet was sensible to the young man’s conflict but also felt compelled to give Darcy cause to ponder his reasons for such a vehement denial of his partiality, particularly when Darcy had underlined his friendship with Elizabeth too often for one to not be suspicious of deeper sentiments.
Although Bennet’s characteristic impatience was urging him to ask Darcy more pointed questions, his greater sense prevailed.
So Bennet chose his words carefully while hoping to inspire Darcy to reconsider his position.
“Darcy, I must protest this little speech of yours by two points you cannot deny. Had you always regarded Lizzy in such a favourable manner, my daughter would not have reported overhearing you admit to Mr. Bingley that she was ‘tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me.’ Obviously that opinion no longer holds true.” Darcy’s lips compressed into a line, but he made no comment.
Bennet continued more sternly, “But the second point challenges your honesty with yourself. Be assured, Darcy, your regard towards my daughter has been displayed all these weeks. I am not blind, sir; I have seen the way you look upon her when you think no one is watching. I hardly think you see my Elizabeth as merely a friend, or I would expect to see you dancing with Bingley and giving him longing gazes from across the room.”
Darcy looked away without protest. Bennet paused and crossed his arms before making his next point.
“I have not spoken before because I esteem you, sir, and I do not see the connection as unwelcome.
Were you to apologise and gain her approbation, I would be agreeable to a request to pay her court, and in fact, I would disclose information that would clearly demonstrate she has everything necessary to attract an offer from a man of your station.