Chapter 1 #2
Mr Bennet opened the library door for him, saying, “I imagine you are accustomed to larger and more impressive libraries, but at least we shall have peace and quiet here.”
The room was indeed small, with not much furniture except a sofa, two chairs, and a desk. The view from the window was of the garden behind the house, and the fire was burning steadily. Darcy immediately noticed a few remarkable volumes.
“In my opinion, the value of a library should be measured not by its physical dimensions but by what is inside it and how often it is used.”
“I could not agree more. Please sit down. May I offer you a drink?”
“Yes, thank you,” Darcy replied after a brief hesitation. In truth, he would rather not stay long, but since he had already intruded, saying a few words and leaving abruptly would be even worse.
His host handed him a glass, then resumed his seat with obvious curiosity.
“Mr Bennet, the reason for my visit might be deemed presumptuous. However, I feel it is my duty to express my concern.”
“That sounds quite serious, sir. Please speak plainly.”
“It is serious. During my ride this morning, I happened upon your youngest daughters, walking on a rather secluded path with two officers. I escorted them back to Longbourn to be sure they arrived safely.”
Mr Bennet frowned. “Did you see anything that induced your concern about my daughters’ safety? Did you notice anything improper?”
“No…but I am better acquainted than I would wish to be with one of the officers, and I know George Wickham is not to be trusted around young, innocent women.”
Darcy gulped from his glass while Mr Bennet looked at him with apparent stupefaction.
“That is quite a statement, sir.”
“I am well aware of that.”
“I do not wish to be impolite, Mr Darcy, but I heard some rumours that you and Mr Wickham are not the best of friends. I requested no details as I usually prefer to remain ignorant of other people’s business.
However, I cannot but wonder whether perhaps your past affairs have influenced your harsh judgment. ”
“I understand you find my opinion biased and have no reason to trust me. I simply consider it my duty to inform a father about the potential danger to his young daughters. What you choose to do next is entirely your decision.”
“Please know your concern is greatly appreciated, Mr Darcy, and I shall treat the matter with increased caution. In truth, my silly, naive fifteen-year-old daughter should not be alone with officers, even if they are the most honourable men. She should not even be out at balls, but I have been too indulgent to forbid it. And Kitty is not much better, even though she is two years older.”
Darcy did not reply. He had fulfilled his responsibility, and expressing his thoughts in regard to Lydia Bennet’s education would be rude and pointless.
“May I offer you another drink? Or perhaps you are in a hurry to return to more pleasant company?”
“I am in no hurry,” Darcy replied. Indeed, he was not. Bingley could not have returned to Netherfield yet, and he felt more comfortable in the library of a stranger than with the Bingley sisters and Mr Hurst.
“I assume Miss Elizabeth inherited her passion for reading from you,” he said, then immediately felt disquieted by the mere mention of her name. “Do any of your other daughters share the preference?”
“Perhaps my middle child, Mary. In truth, Mary does study a lot, but I am not sure whether she is passionate about reading itself. Lizzy, however, puts passion into everything she does. Perhaps too much and too keenly at times.”
Darcy smiled to himself at Mr Bennet’s accurate description.
“My sister, Georgiana, loves to read too. It was a pleasure I began to share with her when she was young, and I am proud to see her progress.”
“You seem very fond of your sister, Mr Darcy. Your voice and countenance changed when you mentioned her.”
“I certainly am. Fond and exceedingly proud of her many accomplishments, as well as of her kind and generous heart.”
“That is admirable. I love my daughters dearly, but in truth, if I put them all together, they have few accomplishments between them.”
Darcy was uncertain whether Mr Bennet was serious or merely jesting.
“I am not well acquainted with your daughters, but during the time I spent with Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet at Netherfield, I saw nothing wanting in either of them. Miss Elizabeth has a lively determination in expressing her opinion, which is rarely seen in ladies her age.”
Mr Bennet laughed. “Is that a compliment…or the opposite? Regardless, please do not repeat it in front of Mrs Bennet — she already despairs of how obstinate Lizzy is.”
“It was certainly a compliment, I assure you,” Darcy uttered.
Mr Bennet’s eyebrow arched. “That is pleasant to hear and slightly surprising, Mr Darcy. From what I have been told, when you met, your first impressions of each other were not favourable.”
Darcy almost choked on his drink and was desperately preparing an excuse when he heard a knock.
The door opened, and a man appeared. Behind him stood Elizabeth and Jane Bennet.
Darcy became uncomfortable the moment he laid eyes on Elizabeth.
The man stepped forwards and bowed, and he remembered having seen him on the day he encountered Wickham in Meryton.
“Mr Darcy, I beg your forgiveness, but I have made the most extraordinary discovery. I have reason to believe that you are the nephew of my noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park.”
“Yes, Lady Catherine is my aunt. And you are…?”
“I am William Collins, sir! I have been the clergyman of Hunsford parish for the last ten months, by the grace of God and Lady Catherine.”
“I see. Congratulations, Mr Collins.”
“I am in a position to inform you that Lady Catherine was in perfect health five days ago.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Darcy was amused, curious, and irritated by the man, but his attention was mostly on Elizabeth.
“Mr Collins is my cousin, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet interjected. “He will inherit Longbourn when I am gone,” his host continued in a jesting tone.
“That is precisely the purpose of my visit,” Mr Collins said.
“To become better acquainted with the family and hopefully to find the companion of my future life amongst my fair cousins.” The man had a large grin on his face.
He then looked at Elizabeth, which puzzled and vexed Darcy.
Surely the ridiculous rector would not dare pursue her.
Such an assumption would be beyond absurd to anyone with a little wit.
“Mr Darcy, making your acquaintance is certainly one of the happiest moments of my life,” Mr Collins declared.
“I sincerely hope that is not the case, Mr Collins. Making a mere acquaintance should not be anyone’s happiest moment. Mr Bennet, it is time for me to leave.”
“As you wish, Mr Darcy. I hope to see you again. Speaking to you was exceedingly pleasant.”
“Likewise, Mr Bennet,” Darcy answered. He bowed to Elizabeth and her elder sister, his eyes locking with Elizabeth’s for an instant, then he left the house.
He imagined Mr Collins would run immediately to his room to put the happy news of their meeting into a letter for Lady Catherine de Bourgh.