Chapter 4 #2
“Lizzy, let us be reasonable and not make plans about my marriage just yet. I was wondering…Do you not think that Mr Darcy behaves rather strangely? Yesterday he seemed more amiable than before. But still, I sometimes feel he measures me with his severe gaze. I feel shy and uncomfortable under his scrutiny...I wonder what he tells Mr Bingley about me and our family…”
“I cannot guess what is in Mr Darcy’s mind, but I assume nothing good.
Surely he does not consider us worthy of his interest, but he cannot possibly find anything wanting in you.
You are the most beautiful and sweetest person that ever lived.
And you are a gentleman’s daughter, while Mr Bingley’s roots are not as healthy or as strong…
Mr Darcy surely can judge these circumstances properly.
He will recognise his friend's luck in gaining the genuine affection of the most perfect woman.”
Tears mixed with Jane’s laughter. “Dear Lizzy, forgive me for not trusting your biased and loving appreciation. I cannot hope Mr Darcy’s opinion will be anything similar. I know Mr Bingley trusts him and always counts on his advice. He has mentioned it to me several times.”
“I think we give Mr Darcy too much credit. Let us wonder more of Mr Bingley’s opinion. His heart and admiration are surely stronger than Mr Darcy’s advice.”
∞∞∞
After the visit to Longbourn and their brief discussion on the ride back, the tension between the two friends remained and increased.
And the bad weather keeping everyone inside was not helpful at easing the distressing ambience.
Yet, Darcy did not regret his censure of Bingley, although it pained him to see his friend struggling with distress and uncertainty.
It was necessary to make his younger friend aware of his indecision and lack of self-confidence.
Many times Bingley had changed his mind at his sisters’ insistence, putting others’ opinions ahead of his own.
Even in the situation regarding Miss Bennet, he was angry when his sisters disapproved of the connection, but was not certain, or not brave enough to decide by himself and to act accordingly.
He demanded to be left alone and have his decisions respected, but he actually had not decided on anything.
Constantly trying to validate his feelings with Darcy’s observations proved that his doubts were stronger than his wishes.
And, since he himself seemed to be falling for the second Miss Bennet’s charms, Darcy was unwilling to push his friend in either direction.
He could not assume the responsibility of separating Bingley from Miss Jane Bennet, nor could he in good conscience lie about his observation of Miss Bennet’s indifference.
The only fair and honest thing to do was to encourage Bingley to decide for himself and live with his choice.
In any case, he had to cut the bond between them, as he intended to leave Hertfordshire soon. As long as Bingley remained at Netherfield, they would probably not meet again except on brief occasions.
“What nasty weather! How unfortunate for it to rain today of all days. I am afraid that will prevent Jane from having tea with us,” Caroline said.
Bingley only glanced at her.
“Probably…Surely no reasonable woman would consider calling in such weather. Unless her mother forces her to come anyway,” Louisa commented scornfully.
“I see no reason for mockery. Miss Bennet is a wise young lady. I am sure she will find a better time for a visit,” Bingley answered, obviously displeased with the discussion.
“We will see. What do you think, Mr Darcy? Should we try a wager?” Caroline asked in jest, exchanging amused looks with her sister.
“You are joking, I am sure. It would hardly be proper to put a wager on Miss Bennet,” Darcy replied coldly. “Besides, on the few occasions when I have seen her, she gave me no reason to presume she would do anything either indecorous or reckless.”
He was irritated by the sisters’ rudeness.
Their disapproval of a presumed connection between Bingley and the eldest Miss Bennet did not justify their lack of decorum and the continuous offences against the Bennets.
And judged fairly, the Bingleys were below the Bennets in regard to their origin.
Miss Bennet was a gentleman’s daughter and that compensated for her lack of dowry and connections.
“Miss Bennet’s manners and behaviour are beyond reproach. We cannot possibly put a wager on her actions before we carefully weigh up our own. And it is breakfast time; we should eat,” Bingley ended the debate.
“We were not arguing about that, Charles. Dear Jane is such a sweet person! I am only worried that, with no dowry, a mother who does not know what decorum means, an uncle who is in trade and an aunt married to an attorney, she has no chance of making even a reasonably good marriage.”
“If we are concerned about decorum, this should not be a subject for us to debate. I would rather eat in peace,” Bingley insisted one more time, his ire increasing noticeably.
“I confess I am quite hungry,” Darcy said with cold politeness. He was not as hungry as he was bothered. Besides his wish to support Bingley, the conversation annoyed him too.
For a while, only the sound of rain and wind disturbed the heavy silence.
But it did not last long before the sisters lost their patience.
“Charles, will you be as silent at breakfast as you were at dinner?” Caroline asked.
Lost in his thoughts, Bingley looked at her absently.
“You seem out of spirits,” Louisa observed.
“Mr Darcy, you spend most of the time with our brother. WIll you not tell us what has happened to ruin his disposition?” Caroline continued.
“The only one who might answer regarding his disposition is your brother himself,” Darcy replied, looking at his plate.
“Such secrecy seems even stranger,” Caroline concluded. “You did not even tell us where you spent your afternoon. It must be related to Charles’s unusual silence.”
“I am going to host a ball,” Bingley suddenly declared, utterly unrelated to the conversation. Four pairs of eyes stared at him in disbelief.
“Host a ball? What for? Where on earth did this come from?” Louisa asked reprovingly.
“Charles, this is not something to trifle with. A ball is a daunting and expensive task that requires much planning and preparation. Having one here in Hertfordshire is not worth the effort,” Caroline declared scornfully.
Bingley threw his sister a sharp glare.
“I have the desire as well as the means to plan and to prepare everything needed. The ball will take place on November 26th. After it is done, I shall decide if it was worth the effort or not.”
Bingley’s decisiveness increased his sisters’ astonishment, and his answer only aroused more questions and arguments.
Darcy watched his friend in silence, wondering about the reason for such an impromptu decision. Nothing regarding a ball had ever been mentioned between them.
“This conversation is useless. I am going to inform the staff, then I will start the preparations. How hard can it be? Food, music and some decorations. I do not even have to determine the guest list, since I will invite all my acquaintances.”
Bingley rose from the table and walked towards the door.
His sisters followed, in a failed attempt to temper him.
They glanced at Darcy, begging for support, but he chose to pay attention to his food.
He had no opinion on the matter and would surely not try to change Bingley’s mind.
Yet, he too was intrigued about the sudden decision regarding the ball.
Had he been influenced by their argument from the previous day?
The ball must be related to Miss Bennet, but what did Bingley intend to accomplish?
While wondering about his younger friend, Darcy was well aware the best thing for him would be to return to London as soon as possible. Instead, he suddenly considered that the ball might be his last chance to dance with Elizabeth Bennet.
For the rest of the day the rain did not cease and, as expected, Miss Jane Bennet did not appear. The subject was only briefly mentioned, then dropped at Bingley’s request.
They were all trapped inside the house, but the tension was so heavy at Netherfield that the party separated to avoid other arguments.
The sisters spent their time in the music room, while Bingley and Darcy retired to the library.
One struggled to read, the other only paced the room, changing one book after another. Darcy smiled to himself; Bingley was not fond of reading even when he was calm. In moments of distress, books were the last thing to comfort him.
“So? What is your opinion about the ball?” Bingley eventually burst out.
Darcy looked at him sternly.
“The same as usual, about any ball.”
“So do you not approve of it?”
“Bingley, it is not for me to approve anything. It is your decision and does not need anyone’s blessing. For me, any ball is a waste of time and energy. But this is my flaw. I am sure most of the people in the village will be happy with it.”
“I hope so. There are almost three more weeks until then. I have plenty of time to prepare everything.” Again, he looked towards Darcy for confirmation.
“Bingley, I am by no means proficient in organising balls. But I would assume there is plenty of time. It is not an Almack’s ball, after all. But may I ask, why did you decide to have this ball? Is it a celebration of anything?”
Bingley glanced at him. “No… no celebration. I just thought it would be a nice opportunity for entertainment, and dancing, and conversation.”
“I see…I admit it was quite a surprise.”