Chapter Fifty-Three
Mrs. Gardiner felt tears gathering in her eyes as she read Jane’s latest letter.
Dear Aunt Madeline,
We have very deliberately withheld the truth of our situation here at Longbourn, but since you are about to come visit with us, it is best that you be prepared.
It is quite, quite bad. We have the vegetables and eggs from the home farm, and pheasant and fish from Papa’s hunting efforts, but anything that must be purchased is now quite beyond us.
We must be careful not to kill our own animals, as the cows provide milk and the chickens lay eggs.
The last sheep and pig were slaughtered some time ago.
Tea is reserved for guests, and I know Mama is concerned that there is insufficient to serve to you during your visit. We do not waste flour and sugar on nonessentials such as cake; it is reserved for breads. I do not know that there can be a cake for Mary’s wedding.
Mr. Bingley, upon whom we had pinned such hopes, seems to be simultaneously courting Lizzy and myself, and until he makes up his mind, we can do nothing but wait.
Papa did not tell Mr. Collins about the state of things at Longbourn; doubtless, he was concerned that such information might put him off marrying Mary. So we must keep up the facade, somehow, until after their wedding.
Aunt, I am reduced to begging. Might you not bring with you some tea and sugar?
I write this with tears in my eyes, as you have always been so very generous to us, and to have to ask you to give us more is utterly repugnant to me.
But I know not what else to do. There must be a wedding breakfast for Mary; there must be tea and cake.
Mama knows nothing of this letter, so I beg you not to tell her of it.
With desperation and love,
Jane
“Henry, read this.” She thrust the letter under his nose.
“May I not finish my breakfast, Madeleine?”
“No. Read it.”
Raising his brows at his wife’s insistence, Mr. Gardiner complied. Upon finishing it, he declared, “Why this is – this is dreadful! I should like very much to punch that Mr. Bingley!”
“Better you should punch Thomas Bennet,” she retorted. “In any case, I will bring a hamper full of food when we visit.”
“Two hampers,” her husband suggested. “We usually bring gifts for the girls; I think they would much prefer that we spend those coins on food.”
***
A full two days before the wedding, the Gardiners arrived at Longbourn with their two small boys. The Gardiners could see at once that the Bennets had made every effort to disguise their growing poverty, but sharp, knowing eyes could not be deceived.
Kitty had grown a full inch in the last six months, but her hems had already been let down as much as the material would allow, so she had stitched a broad band of ribbon around the hem in order to lengthen the gown.
Lydia’s bodice was far too tight; it looked as if the gown would split open if she took a deep breath.
None of her sisters were quite so well-endowed, so she would soon be wearing her mother’s dresses.
Mrs. Gardiner had a footman carry in the two hampers she had brought.
Upon opening them, Mrs. Bennet burst into tears.
“Oh, sister! Cold meats and cheeses and tea and candles and candies and cakes and every good thing!
You have no idea –“ And Mrs. Gardiner took the sobbing Fanny Bennet into her arms; she managed to comfort her and glare at Thomas Bennet at the same time.
“Come,” Mr. Bennet muttered to Mr. Gardiner, and the two were soon ensconced in the study. The room was cold, as there was no fire.
“How bad is it?” Mr. Gardiner asked at once.
“As bad as can be. We had all pinned such hopes on Mr. Bingley, but it seems he cannot be brought to the point.”
“What of this Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Gardiner enquired. “He escorted Jane home; we hoped an attachment might form. He is extremely eligible, Madeleine tells me.”
“He may be eligible, but he has not come courting. And now there is a Viscount, if you can credit it, one who is Mr. Darcy’s cousin, and he evidently has formed an interest in Charlotte Lucas, of all people!
Not that I begrudge Charlotte her good fortune, far from it; but I do wish he had cast his eye on Jane or Lizzy. ”
Mr. Gardiner winced. “Thomas, I wish I could help you. The firm is waiting on a ship to come in from India, and if all goes well, then –“
“No, Henry. The Bennets have taken enough from you. After Christmastide, I will speak with Philips about leasing out the estate. I believe we may live in a small house quite easily with the rent from such a lease.”
“I cannot believe you would leave Longbourn,” Mr. Gardiner said, shaking his head.
“I wish I did not have to,” Mr. Bennet replied. “But needs must when the devil drives. At least Mary will have a good home.”
“This Mr. Collins – he is a decent man?”
“He is, which is most surprising, given his father. Mary will be happy with him.”
“I am glad of it; Mary has not had an easy time of it.”
“With me as her father and Fanny as her mother? No, she has not.”
“Thomas, I did not mean –“
“No matter.” Mr. Bennet spoke softly. “I have done a good deal of thinking of late, and I am not proud of myself.”
Mr. Gardiner had no ready response for this. The two men sat in silence in the cold room.