Chapter 14 #3
But Wilson’s curiosity was not pacified despite the obvious awkwardness of the conversation.
“Surely, we already discussed this matter publicly when I was in Meryton. And I noticed everyone there was aware of your distressing situation and of Darcy’s dishonourable behaviour.
So I am a little surprised by your reluctance to explain it further. ”
Jane and Mrs Gardiner looked distressed, and the youngest Bennet sisters listened with puzzlement while their uncle and father enjoyed their drinks.
Elizabeth felt torn between the satisfaction of seeing Wickham censured and the concern of hearing Darcy’s secrets betrayed.
Mr Wilson, however, would have his own way. “So, what is the truth, Mr Wickham? By the way, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam will join us for dinner tonight, and I intend to ask him as well. He must be held responsible if his behaviour was as faulty as you say.”
Wickham turned so white that Elizabeth feared he would faint. He did not, but his hands trembled when he attempted to sip his wine.
“You are welcome to join us for dinner,” Mr Wilson continued in earnest. “Bingley will be here too, probably with his sisters. The more, the merrier.”
“Oh, yes, you must come, Mr Wickham! Say you will,” Lydia begged.
“I thank you, but I must refuse. I have other fixed engagements. In fact, I should leave immediately; I am already late. It was a pleasure seeing you all,” Wickham said in such haste that his words were barely audible. He rose quickly, bowed to the party, and fairly ran from the room.
Lydia called to him, surprised and upset by his sudden departure, but he did not slow his steps.
“What happened? Why did he leave so soon?” Lydia inquired, tearful with displeasure. “I am sure he was upset because you mentioned Mr Darcy. That man always upsets everybody!”
Her statement disturbed Elizabeth, although Lydia’s reaction was close to what her own would have been only months earlier. But her sister at least had the excuse of a tender age. How could she—at almost one and twenty—have been so silly and gullible?
“Lydia, dear! Be careful with your language, please!” Mrs Gardiner scolded her.
“Mr Darcy will be here tonight as Mr Wilson’s guest. We must be careful with our words and our manners!
As for Mr Wickham, he left because he chose to.
I am afraid he was unwilling to answer the questions and preferred to run from the truth. ”
“Well, I am sure another opportunity to debate this subject will arise soon, although I am certain neither of us has any remaining doubts on the matter.” Mr Wilson concluded.
“By the way, I am curious: What is Wickham doing alone in London? Has he been excused from his regiment? Or does he wish to change his profession—again?”
“Well, he does look like a hard-working man,” Mr Bennet replied with mock seriousness. “It would have been an interesting evening if he dined with us. I wonder whether we shall see him again soon.”
“Papa, what do you mean? Why would we not see him again? Mr Wickham is the most handsome and pleasant man I have ever met! I cannot bear not to see him again!” Lydia cried in great distress.
Kitty supported her sister. “That is true! I cannot bear it either.”
Mr Bennet silenced his younger daughter severely. “My dear Lydia, you are only fifteen years old. How many men have you met so far? Perhaps too many; perhaps you should stay in the house until you turn eighteen. And Kitty will keep you company.”
“Papa!” both girls cried with anger and disbelief. “You cannot be serious! We came to Town for the Season!”
“You came to Town because I brought you! If you read at least two hours a day, I might agree to allow you outside for the same amount of time. And now, you will excuse me; I shall l retire to the library.”
“That is an excellent idea; we shall join you,” said Mr Wilson as he and Mr Gardiner followed him.
“Papa! Papa!” the girls continued to cry after their father.
Elizabeth attempted to calm them. “Lydia, Kitty, mind your manners. Papa is already displeased with your behaviour; let us not upset him further.”
“But, Lizzy, how can you accept this? Mr Wickham was so happy when he arrived, and he was so glad to see you! And now he has left—God knows for what reason! What shall we do? What if he never comes to call on us again?”
“My dear Lydia, we shall learn to survive without Mr Wickham, I promise you—quite comfortably and much more safely,” Elizabeth replied. “Is it not obvious that he left because he was confronted about the falsehoods he spread?”
“No, it is not! You are cruel and unfair to us and to him. I shall go to my room, and I shall not join you for dinner. I do not wish to see Mr Darcy. All this is his fault!”
“I won’t come down to dinner either!” Kitty cried.
“Very well, then,” Mrs Gardiner concluded with calm and kindness. “You still must be tired from the journey anyway, and the company might be too daunting for you. You had best stay in your chamber while I send you a fair share of the dinner courses. It is settled then.”
The girls watched their aunt, dumbfounded; they wished to express their disapproval for their father’s censure but never imagined they might be kept in their room, away from company, for an entire evening.
It was too late for another argument though, so they could do nothing but find a way to amuse themselves and think of Mr Wickham—and his unfair fate.