Chapter 19 #2
“Miss Bingley, since we first met, you have treated me rudely and disrespectfully beyond the bounds of acceptable manners. For my sister’s sake and the goodness of her heart, I willed myself to overlook that you purposely interfered between Mr Bingley and Jane and then deceived him about my sister’s presence in town last winter.
I also gave no consideration to your disdainful behaviour toward me once you acknowledged my engagement to Mr Darcy, because I imagined you were merely jealous and resentful.
But to offend a woman—a guest in your brother’s home who lies hurt and unconscious with no chance of defending herself—this is too much even for you.
Have you no feelings of remorse or compassion? ”
Caroline Bingley glared at Elizabeth in utter shock, her face red with rage.
“How dare you, Eliza Bennet?” Miss Bingley found a strident voice and, rising from her seat, stepped closer to Elizabeth.
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner? Who do you think you are? You shall leave this house immediately; your presence here is no longer acceptable. Leave now!” she screeched at the exact moment the gentlemen appeared in the doorway.
Jane and Georgiana, livid, lost for words, were unable to react to such a violent confrontation; their eyes remained fixed on the combatants.
Disturbed and attracted by the din, all three gentlemen entered the room. Mr Bingley was about to inquire into the cause of the quarrel when Elizabeth addressed Caroline again.
“Who am I? I am the soon-to-be sister of the master of this house, and I insist upon being treated properly. If Mr Bingley wishes me to leave, I will obey without objection, but I will no longer allow any offense against my family, my friends or me. Now if you will excuse me, I must attend to Lady Cassandra; she may need me.”
Mr Bingley and Jane looked at each other instantly, silently searching each other’s faces. Mr Bennet tried to hide a small smile behind his glass of brandy; Mr Hurst emptied his own glass while Mr and Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Hurst were obviously embarrassed by Caroline’s unseemly behaviour.
“Charles, did you hear that? Did you see the scandalous manner in which Eliza Bennet treated me in my own house?” cried Miss Bingley.
“Caroline, keep your voice down. I really do not have time for your nonsense. I am quite concerned about Lady Cassandra, and I surely do not need more distress.”
“I am not causing any distress. Eliza’s shocking language is the cause of all this. She has been the cause of all my distress these last several days,” she continued, barely able to breathe from agitation.
“Lizzy was only— Jane tried to intervene, but Caroline interrupted her.
“Eliza cannot remain here! There is no room for both of us at Netherfield. If Eliza Bennet is allowed to remain in this house, I shall leave! I cannot endure being under the same roof with her!”
“Caroline, perhaps all these events have been too much for you; you have had to bear so much unexpected news and so many disappointments that perhaps you need some rest and serenity to recover yourself. If you desire to leave, I shall not try to stop you, but neither Miss Elizabeth nor Jane will leave until Lady Cassandra is fully recovered. So you may either stay here with us and soften your manner toward our guests or feel free to prepare your belongings for a journey to wherever you wish to go. Now, please excuse me; I need a generous glass of wine before seeing the doctor.”
∞∞∞
“My examination is complete, Miss Lizzy; however, I am afraid I have nothing much to tell you—
“Not much, sir? But you surely have something to tell us! How is Cassandra? What should we do to help her? Will she get well? Surely you will prescribe some medicine for her present state!”
“Lady Cassandra’s left ankle was hurt—twisted—when she fell from the horse; perhaps her legs became entangled in the stirrups, but she does not appear to have any broken bones.
I cleaned her wounds and bandaged the ankle tightly.
She should not move it for at least three weeks.
Her left shoulder also seems badly hurt, but I dare say it will heal well in time—
“But that is wonderful news, doctor! Why did you say you had nothing to tell us? You practically told us everything we needed to know—
“Not at all, I am afraid, though I would wish to. My examination, though lengthy, was far from satisfactory, as Lady Cassandra never awoke, moved, or made a sound. We cannot know whether there are other injuries I cannot discover or whether she feels any pain. I discovered a few wounds on her head. Also, she spent so many hours on the ground that she has likely developed a severe chill, and I will certainly prescribe you some medicine; laudanum would help her. Some tea would help, too, but I cannot see how she can drink it. In any case, I would strongly advise you to seek a second opinion regarding her ladyship’s state.
I shall confess that—fortunately—in our small town, I am rarely confronted with such a situation.
I only remember the old gardener—Johns—being thrown from his horse ten years ago.
I do not know if you have any recollection of him. ”
Elizabeth shivered and paled. She did indeed recollect old Mr Johns—a kind, gentle man who had died two weeks after the accident. She tried to swallow the sudden lump in her throat.
“Elizabeth, what happened to Mr Johns?” inquired Georgiana weakly.
Elizabeth cast a quick glance toward the girl and then to the doctor.
“Sir, please be so kind as to instruct Janey in detail about anything we must do for the present; in the meantime, if you would be so kind, please join us in the library in a few minutes. Mr Darcy will be informed instantly, and he will surely fetch his personal physician. You are correct, sir; we should seek another opinion—not because we do not trust you but precisely because you advised us to do so.”
Elizabeth’s voice sounded so cold and impersonal in its determination that both Georgiana and the maid looked at her in surprise.
Elizabeth seemed to have lost any warmth, feeling, or emotion; she even avoided looking at the bed where Cassandra was lying.
Only her pallid features and the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her anguish.
Elizabeth exited the room, and Georgiana followed. “Elizabeth, our doctor is Cassandra’s doctor, too. He is the best surgeon…Elizabeth, please, wait for me…” Though she received no answer, Georgiana could not fail to notice Elizabeth’s violent gesture as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“We have no time to lose, Georgiana,” she said as they entered the room where the family, including Miss Bingley, was still gathered. Elizabeth related everything she had heard from the doctor, and nobody interrupted her until she concluded.
“We must inform Mr Darcy immediately.”
“I shall take care of that,” said Mr Bingley, rising from his seat.
“Just a moment, sir.” Mr Bennet drew all eyes toward him. “I…I would like to write to Mr Darcy myself if you would allow me.”
“Of course, sir,” accepted Mr Bingley, not without surprise.
“Papa, we must send the note without delay,” Elizabeth insisted, and her father nodded in agreement. “He must return immediately and bring his surgeon with him.”
“I shall send a servant as soon as I return home, which will be in a few minutes. We will not bother Mr Bingley any longer. We will be home if you need us, Lizzy. And tomorrow morning we will call again,” Mr Bennet said as he prepared to leave, accompanied by the Gardiners.
“Mr Bennet,” Georgiana spoke up, “Mrs Spencer must be informed, too. She has been Cassandra’s companion for years.”
“Miss Darcy, can you give me Lady Cassandra’s direction and perhaps the doctor’s, as well?”
“Of course, Mr Bennet, but William knows them—
“Yes, I imagine,” Mr Bennet replied, avoiding his daughter’s glance. “I was thinking that maybe…just in case…”
“Very well, sir, I shall write them down this instant,” Georgiana said.
∞∞∞
The small carriage moved at a slow pace toward Longbourn. It was a cold, bleak autumn night, yet it was not as bleak as the spirits of its passengers.
“I cannot believe this is happening,” said Mrs Gardiner. “Last night at this hour we were in the midst of a delightful ball, and now…How could this happen? I keep praying that the Lord will have mercy and all will turn out well in the end.”
“We must have faith,” agreed Mr Gardiner. “Lady Cassandra will be well taken care of, especially when Darcy brings his doctor. I am sure—
“I cannot inform Darcy…at least not tonight.” Mr Bennet’s companions looked at him in shock.
“What on earth are you saying, brother?” cried Mrs Gardiner. “This is no time to jest.”
“Thank you for informing me; I am aware of the gravity of the situation,” Mr Bennet replied coldly. “I am surely not jesting, but—
“But? You are surely not acting properly either,” said Mr Gardiner. “I will write to Mr Darcy and will take care of sending the servant as soon as we get home.
“You cannot do that. We cannot inform Mr Darcy until we are certain he has successfully concluded the duel with Markham.” The gentleman seemed almost relieved at his slipped confession.
“What?” cried Mr and Mrs Gardiner so loudly that the driver stopped the carriage to inquire whether something was wrong.
“You must keep this in the strictest confidence,” Mr Bennet continued as soon as they were moving again. “I had promised not to tell a soul, but the situation is so complicated that I need to consult with someone.”
“You are out of your senses,” Mrs Gardiner concluded while her husband urged Mr Bennet to reveal the entire truth.