Chapter 7 #3
“He likes to have his own way very well,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. “But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of having it than many others because he is rich and many others are poor. But he is one of those who uses his wealth and his will in a generous and fair way.”
“You surely are not of those who are too poor to have their own way,” she laughed.
“Not quite. But a younger son, you know, must be inured to self-denial and dependence,” the colonel replied. “I cannot say that I have experienced many hardships, but in matters of greater weight, I may suffer from the want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where they like.”
“Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often do.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to money.”
“And pray, what is the usual price of an earl’s younger son? Unless the elder brother is very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds.”
“You should not mock me, Miss Bennet. Even a younger son is at times hurt when he has to decide between his admiration and his needs,” he replied half in earnest, and Elizabeth knew his remark was meant for her.
She laughed. “I am sure you will find a perfect balance between both, sir.”
“I shall try, but one cannot hope to have his heart touched too often so he can practice. When such a situation arises, one should know what decision to make.”
Elizabeth’s smile narrowed. “Sir, I do hope you speak in jest, and I certainly hope you do not imply anything related to me. I have been flattered by your partiality to me, and I confess I have enjoyed your company exceedingly since we first met. But we both know this is a friendship mostly due to the circumstances. If you had the presence of other enchanting and accomplished young ladies closer to your circle, I doubt you would look at me twice. However, I do hope we shall both be pleased to meet again should that ever happen.”
The colonel was surprised, and his countenance became serious for the first time since she had known him.
He bowed to her and answered, “I cannot either agree or disagree with you, Miss Bennet, since the circumstances are indeed of a peculiar kind. But since I have come to know you quite well, you must allow me to tell you that I have rarely admired a woman so much, and I have rarely seen such a perfect mix of beauty and wit. I shall be happy to meet you again at any opportunity. In fact, if I may be so bold, I would be happy to call on you while you stay in London and perhaps to meet your sister—with no other intention than a friend visiting a friend.”
“I would like that very much, Colonel, very much indeed. My uncle lives in Gracechurch Street, number twelve. My entire family will be honoured to meet you.”
“Good. Excellent.”
They walked a few more steps in silence, and to interrupt a silence that might make him fancy her affected by what had passed, she said:
“I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry to secure a lasting convenience of that kind.”
“I hope he brought me down with him for the pleasure of my company too,” he replied. “As for the subject of marriage, it is a delicate one.”
“Yes, I did hear some discussions,” she replied reluctantly.
“You should not give them much credit. My aunt speaks about an engagement between Darcy and Anne, but she is the only one who believes in it.”
“Miss de Bourgh is a lovely young lady.”
“Indeed. Both Darcy and I are fond of her. We try to visit her as often as we can. But she is mostly alone here in Kent.”
“Are Miss de Bourgh and Miss Darcy your only lady cousins?”
“Yes. Fortunately, unlike Anne, I see Georgiana often. In fact, I am her guardian, together with Darcy.”
“How lovely. I have heard good things about Miss Darcy too. She is a very great favourite with some ladies of my acquaintance—Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. I think I have heard you say that you know them.”
“I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant, gentlemanlike man; he is a great friend of Darcy’s.”
“Mr Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him,” Elizabeth said drily.
“Yes, I really believe Darcy does take care of him in those points where he most wants care. From something that he told me on our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to him.”
“What is it you mean?”
“It is a circumstance that Darcy, of course, would not wish to be generally known because, if it were to get round to the lady’s family, it would be an unpleasant thing.”
“You may depend upon my not mentioning it.”
“What I know is that he congratulated himself on having lately saved Bingley from the inconvenience of a most imprudent marriage.”
“Did Mr Darcy give you his reasons for this interference?”
“I understood that there were some very strong objections against the lady’s family and situation. Of the lady herself, Darcy said nothing ill, only that she did not seem to return Bingley’s affection.”
Elizabeth made no answer and walked on, her heart swelling with indignation.
“I can see you are upset by what I have told you, Miss Bennet,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“I was thinking…your cousin’s conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the judge?”
“You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?”
“I do not see what right Mr Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his friend’s inclination, or why, upon his own judgment alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner that friend was to be happy.”
“You should know that I told him the same thing.”
“I am glad you share my opinion, sir. But, as we know none of the particulars, it is not fair to condemn him. It is not to be supposed that there was much affection in the case,” Elizabeth concluded bitterly.
Having her suspicions now confirmed, she grew angrier with every moment.
She abruptly changed the conversation, talking of indifferent matters till they reached the Parsonage.
There, she shut herself in her own room, thinking without interruption of all she had heard.
That he had been concerned in the measures taken to separate Mr Bingley and Jane, Elizabeth had never doubted, but she had always blamed Miss Bingley and attributed to her the principal design and arrangement of them.
And now, she discovered that he was the main reason, his pride and caprice were the cause of all that Jane had suffered and still continued to suffer.
He had carelessly ruined every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the world, and no one could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted.
“There were some very strong objections against the lady’s family,” were Colonel Fitzwilliam’s words. These strong objections probably were having one uncle who was a country attorney and another who was in business in London.
When she thought of her mother, her confidence gave way a little.
But she rejected it as being a reasonable enough objection.
Mr Darcy alone was to be blamed. She was quite decided that he had been partly governed by the worst kind of pride and partly by the wish of retaining Mr Bingley for his sister.
The agitation and tears brought on a headache, and she felt in no disposition to see anybody.
Therefore, when Charlotte announced that Lady Catherine had unexpectedly asked them to join her for tea, Elizabeth refused.
After some insistence, Mrs Collins, seeing that she was really unwell, did not press her to go.
Even worse, Maria was unwell too, due to the monthly days that kept her to her bed.
Mr Collins could not conceal his apprehension of Lady Catherine’s being displeased and especially blamed Elizabeth for upsetting her ladyship. But in the end, he was forced to go with his wife alone and with great hopes of not raising his patroness’s rage.