Chapter 12 Mr. Wickham’s creditors become vocal, and he identifies his new adversary. #2
“Is there not another way to get back at Mr. Bennet without damaging her reputation? She has always been kind to me.”
“Damaging Bennet himself would not be as painful to him as ruining one of his daughters.” And that made him revel in his cunning.
Oblivious to the conniving that was occurring elsewhere as they walked through the park, Elizabeth and Darcy enjoyed each other’s company as they once again engaged in a hearty match of wits. Blushing, Elizabeth took the arm Darcy offered to her.
“Mr. Darcy, we once spoke of Mr. Leslie’s experiments with heat theory. Have you studied and revised your opinion on that matter?”
“I must take care in expressing my opinion on this subject,” he said in a teasing manner, “because last time we differed, you quit the room suddenly. Perhaps we can discuss a safer subject, such as balls. I have observed that ladies are very energetic on that topic.”
“If you insist upon diverting the conversation, I have no choice but to believe that you must have concluded my observations were correct and you are preserving your pride by changing the subject. You may well be afraid of humbling yourself because of my perspicacity.”
“I have no need to save face,” he said with a becoming smile on his lips, “but I thought you might enjoy my choice of another theme as it gives you an opportunity to discuss something other than men’s topics.”
“You have conversed with me often enough on scientific topics that I know you get enjoyment from these discussions, especially when I play devil’s advocate.
I also know most men detest speaking about balls and lace, so you must feel that your opinions are so ill-formed on Mr. Leslie’s theories that you would not be pleased to be bested by my knowledge. ”
“Very well. I read the treatises your father lent me, and I found the information to be quite intriguing—that a dark vessel causes water to heat more rapidly than a lighter coloured one.”
“Why is it so?” Elizabeth asked.
“Perhaps because the light-coloured vessel has less caloric properties, while the darker one maintains the caloric flow to the water it contains.”
“As much as I like to disagree with you, that has been my own conjecture, though I would have worded it differently: that the darker-coloured vessel has caloric so the flow of caloric to the colder water takes place, and the lighter vessel has no caloric and thus the temperature of the water remains the same.”
“By most modern definitions, our discussions are not pragmatic,” Darcy countered. “The vessels are not fluid, so they cannot be the means for the flow of caloric, rather it must be the water.”
“Perhaps, but if the water is from the same source, how can it have more caloric in the darker vessel?”
“Miss Bennet, I suspect you are again professing opinions that are not your own.”
She protested, “But is that not the way of the scientific method; that we make a hypothesis and test it?”
“I believe that is what Mr. Leslie was trying to do with his cubes. Count Rumford said that liquids have no caloric so they cannot transfer heat. So there is a conundrum, whether the caloric is a component of the vessel or of the water in the vessel.”
“The cubes were to prove Mr. Leslie’s theories on radiation of metals, and are not the same as the experiment with two vessels filled with water.
They showed that different surfaces—the polished metal, the copper, and the black—had different properties of radiant heat.
What I would like to see is an article that explains why. ”
Darcy was quiet for a moment as he was yet again awestruck by the scientific knowledge that this country maiden had gleaned.
It was through these discussions that he was truly able to admire her mind, and he became more and more in love with her each time they debated.
The discussions on heat theory also reminded him of the heat he felt in his body every time she was near.
“Mr. Leslie also made ice from water using an air pump,” she said, breaking the silence. “He was quite prolific in his experiments on radiant heat.”
“Yes, and he is still writing about his theories on physical science and the laws of nature. In his latest paper, he worked to show how water and air affect meteorology. I admire his tenacity in experimenting and sharing with the scientific community.”
“It is all well that he made observations on such differing topics, but he also stated that he lacks interest in arguing with those who propose philosophical challenges to his theories. Thus, I must criticise him because he has not answered my questions. Where is the radiation created?”
That was a question Darcy could not answer, so instead he reverted to mild flirtation. “You are beginning to sound like a bluestocking again!”
Elizabeth realized that his statement was meant neither to be unkind nor to demonstrate disdain for knowledgeable women; he enjoyed her contrary opinions and meant to tease her.
She blushed as she caught herself admiring his handsome profile and collected her thoughts to continue their flirtatious quarrel.
“I am no such thing!” she protested with a brilliant smile. “I do not attend salons to provide my opinions on literature or mathematics with other ladies; rather I spend my time doing experimentation with my father and Mr. Akuete with the hope that better understanding will come from our findings.”
“You develop your own experiments?”
“No, mostly we perform the same experiments as the scientists. Mr. Akuete builds the apparatus for us, my father makes the observations, and I try to see alternate theories from our efforts.”
“Akuete—is he the African man, the steward?”
She inclined her head in acknowledgement.
“So that is why you are always asking me why this radiation occurs?”
She smiled and responded, “I admit that I am trying to goad you more than I am expecting you to know the answers to my questions. I am quite diverted to see you confounded.”
“I, confounded? Gadzooks!” he cried.
She laughed at his exclamation. “Seeing you confounded is much more entertaining than seeing you proud and reticent.”
“Proud and reticent, also? I am pained!” he said, laughing and holding his free hand to his heart. “Have you other observations on my character to profess?”
She was very tempted to share all the qualities she admired about him; he was certainly one of the most intelligent men she knew, and she loved their spirited discussions on any topic; he showed great diplomacy in dealing with Lady Catherine’s demands; he was a good friend to her father and Mr. Bingley, and was conscientious about his acquaintance in general; and he was very handsome with a fine figure enhanced by impeccable taste in dress without being a dandy.
She chose, instead, to laugh off her portrayal lightly and said, “Your character is therefore complete, Mr. Darcy.”
He laughed and placed his hand over hers on his arm. She enjoyed the intimacy and thought that, if she were not so determined to dislike him, she would be in danger of falling in love with him.
Author’s note: If you didn’t follow the science, don’t be alarmed. The theories discussed are obsolete—for example, the notion of caloric. The treatise they are referring to is John Leslie’s An Experimental Inquiry into the Nature and Propagation of Heat published in 1804.