Chapter 5 Empathy
Netherfield (Day of the ball)
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was relieved when her father extended his hand to help her out of the carriage, thwarting Mr. Collins's attempt to do so. Thank you papa!
Mr. Bingley approached with a broad smile on his face.
His sisters followed closely, attempting to feign smiles, though Elizabeth could see that they were not so enamoured of anyone in the Bennet family.
As soon as the pleasantries concluded, Mr. Bingley extended his elbow to Jane, and they strolled towards the entrance.
Elizabeth observed her mother, beaming with delight at her side, while the Bingley sisters wore pained expressions.
Mr. Darcy, positioned nearby at the entrance, cast a disapproving countenance.
It is as clear as day. Mr. Bingley is already smitten with Jane. I am overjoyed for you, Jane. He is a fine gentleman with a kind heart. I fervently hope his sisters and friend won’t tear him away from you.
Darcy
Though Darcy had resolved to steer clear of Bingley family affairs, he chose to quietly observe Bingley and Miss Bennet.
His observations would be kept to himself; if Bingley sought his counsel, he would share only what he had seen, nothing more, nothing less.
He also desired one last glimpse of Miss Elizabeth.
However, he wouldn't seek her for a dance. That was out of the question.
He observed Bingley walking in with Miss Bennet in his elbow with no concern in the world. Mrs. Bennet was beaming like a victorious general celebrating a triumphant conquest.
Grow up, Bingley. You are making yourself look ridiculous.
There was nothing to be done now. He had decided on his course and his decision was to stay clear.
I must shield my heart and keep away from Miss Elizabeth. It is going to be a long day.
Staying true to his usual practice, Darcy abstained from participating in the first dance.
Staying true to her usual practice, Miss Bingley hovered near him for a time, hoping he would relent and request the first dance.
When it became evident that he had no intention of doing so, she accepted the offer from Mr. Wilson, the son of Meryton’s vicar.
Darcy was fully cognizant of Miss Bingley's dilemma.
As the hostess of the ball, she was obliged to accept partners graciously without causing offence to her invited guests.
Consequently, she had no recourse but to accept Mr. Wilson's offer.
Darcy was aware that she would be seething underneath. He did not care.
Let her find someone else for this dance. The officers are here so there is no shortage of gentlemen like the last assembly.
Looking around, he noticed Wickham was still absent.
Darcy initially contemplated advising Bingley against inviting Wickham.
However, he chose to desist, as he wished to avoid explaining his history with Wickham to anyone, even Bingley.
Besides, he did not anticipate that Wickham would possess the audacity to attend the ball in any case. How right I was?
Elizabeth
Upon entering the splendidly adorned hall, Elizabeth endeavoured to locate Mr. Wickham. She observed several officers engaged in conversation; however, Mr. Wickham was not among them. Her heart sank.
Come now, Lizzy. Pull yourself together. Did he not assure you of his presence at the ball?
As Elizabeth endeavoured to rally her spirits, Mr. Collins approached her. It was then she realized that her father was no longer by her side. Oh no!
There was no means of escape. Five minutes later, she found herself on the dance floor with Mr. Collins. The first dance was about to commence. God, may he be a tolerable dancer, at the very least.
He was not. Twenty minutes later, the first dance was still going on.
Elizabeth sat on a nearby chair, adjusting her torn slippers, discreetly massaging her swollen toe, and soothing her humiliated heart.
Mr. Collins was seen walking away from her to the refreshment area.
Elizabeth had grown weary of his apologies, and thus had dispatched him to procure water.
She was dreading her second dance with Mr. Collins, which he was eager to secure.
If I dance with him again, I’ll need to be carried home. I need to find a suitable excuse. What if I inform him that my leg is aching, and I cannot dance?
It was not a viable option. Refusing to dance with Mr. Collins would prevent Elizabeth from dancing with anyone else.
And she certainly did not want to miss out on a dance with Mr. Wickham should he arrive later.
She looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. Wickham coming to her aid.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of him anywhere.
Please God, send someone to rescue me from this predicament.
Out of nowhere, a tall, imposing figure appeared in front of her. She looked up and met the intense gaze of Mr. Darcy.
"Miss Elizabeth, I would be honoured to share the next set with you, if you would grace me with your hand," Mr. Darcy said, extending his hand.
Darcy
Who is he? What is he doing on the dance floor?
Dancing is a difficult skill to master, especially when one lacks a sense of rhythm.
To begin with, it requires thirty minutes of strenuous effort and good stamina.
Other attributes distinguish a proficient dancer from an average one, such as fluidity, flexibility, graceful movements, spatial awareness of one's partner and other nearby dancers, and more.
Not everyone is blessed with all these qualities.
It is not a crime to be a poor dancer. Darcy himself had witnessed many subpar dancers before.
But he had never seen someone as inept as the man who was dancing with Miss Elizabeth.
As he observed Miss Elizabeth enduring humiliation, he couldn't help but overhear Mrs. Bennet's voice rising above the noise of the crowd.
Darcy was not someone prone to eavesdrop, but Mrs. Bennet talked so loudly that it was difficult not to overhear.
He froze as he comprehended the significance of what he was hearing.
Mrs. Goulding
Mrs. Jemima Goulding has two sons. The elder, Mathew, the heir, is away at Eton and is expected to finish his formal education this year. The younger, Augustus, is currently dancing with Miss Mary King. He is awaiting his father's permission to travel to London for trade.
If there is one lady in Meryton whom she would like either of her sons to marry, it would be Elizabeth Bennet.
Elizabeth reminded her of her younger self.
Mrs. Goulding had spent her youthful days as Miss Jemima Thompson, a lively and spirited girl with boundless energy, always eager for exploration.
While listening to her friend Fanny reprimanding Elizabeth for her perceived lack of effort in winning Mr. Collins's affections, a surge of anger rose within her. In Fanny's view, Jane was adaptable and easily influenced, whereas Elizabeth was quite the opposite.
Dear God, Elizabeth and that fool? How could she ever force Elizabeth to marry that man? They are as different as night and day. Poor Elizabeth! God, may she have the good sense to decline his proposal.
Glancing around, she noticed everyone staring at them. It wasn't surprising, given how loudly Fanny spoke. Mr. Darcy stood there with a stern expression, and she was sure he had heard Fanny's comment about Jane being easily influenced.
Fanny, lower your voice, lest you frighten away Mr. Bingley as well. Poor Jane will be utterly distraught.
Darcy
Darcy was shaken to the core upon learning that Miss Elizabeth was the object of another gentleman's attention. His gaze remained fixed on the dancing couple. The gentleman in question was making quite the spectacle of himself.
Who is he? Is he from Meryton? How did I not notice him before?
Darcy watched as the man made a wrong turn, collided with a nearby dancer, and then inadvertently stepped on Miss Elizabeth's foot. Ouch!
Two minutes later, Miss Elizabeth sat in a chair, delicately tending to her toes. Darcy tried to look away but found himself unable to. Then, she said something to the man, who promptly headed in Darcy's direction. Oh no! Why is he coming towards me?
His concern was in vain. The man casually passed by, murmuring about his next dance with Miss Elizabeth. Darcy, as if in a trance, approached Miss Elizabeth and extended an invitation to dance, his awareness of his own actions coming after the fact.
Oh no! What have I done? Dear God, don't let her refuse me again.
Elizabeth
When she prayed to the Almighty for someone to come to her rescue, the last person she expected to fill that role was Mr. Darcy. She suddenly found herself with a decision to make.
Mr. Wickham had already informed her that Mr. Collins’s esteemed patroness is Mr. Darcy’s aunt.
However, Mr. Collins remained oblivious to the fact that the gentleman he just walked past is his patroness's nephew.
Elizabeth saw no need to disclose this connection, as she never wanted Mr. Collins to embarrass herself and her family in front of Mr. Darcy with his obsequious and servile mannerism.
Mr. Collins had secured her first two dances, and the subsequent ones were already promised to others, assuming Mr. Wickham arrived to claim his dances. If she could manage to evade dancing with Mr. Collins for the second dance, she would no longer be obligated to dance with him tonight.
Mr. Collins will hardly berate me if I break my promise to him in order to dance with his patroness’s nephew. In fact, he would be delighted once he learns of their connection.
But, I also have the option to use Mr. Collins's prior request as an excuse to decline Mr. Darcy's invitation. After all, I have already promised to not dance with him ever.
God! What should I do? Dance with Mr. Darcy or dance with Mr. Collins?
She saw Mr. Collins approaching her with a tumbler and her decision was made. My toes over my pride then.