Chapter 15 #4
When Elizabeth watched her uncle's carriage disappear down the drive, she made her way to her father's study. She wished to give him the book Mary had sent and knew that she also needed to review the accounts and several other matters relating to the estate.
She had been away for almost a month, and a considerable amount of work had accumulated in her absence.
"Excuse me, Papa."
"Come in, Lizzy."
Mr Bennet looked up with a smile.
"I was just thinking of you. As a matter of fact, I hoped you might examine these papers as soon as possible."
He handed her a bundle of documents.
"I have decided to renovate my study. I have already commissioned new furniture and additional bookcases, and I have spoken to the carpenter. He intends to begin work next week."
Mr Bennet's enthusiasm contrasted sharply with Elizabeth's growing alarm as she examined the estimates. The project involved not only new furniture but extensive alterations to the room itself.
"Papa, we cannot afford this."
She looked at him anxiously.
"You must speak to the carpenter and the masons and ask them to postpone the work."
"No, Lizzy."
His tone became noticeably colder.
"I have been planning this for months, and we have sufficient savings."
Elizabeth looked at him in disbelief.
"Papa, those savings were intended to repair the drainage ditches and several of the tenants' cottages. We have been setting that money aside for nearly two years..."
She got no further.
"I do not wish to discuss the matter any longer." Mr Bennet's voice was firm.
"In this house, I make the decisions."
Elizabeth lowered her eyes.
Only then did she notice a large box filled with newly purchased books.
She knew Longbourn could become far more prosperous if its income were invested wisely, but experience had taught her that arguing with her father accomplished nothing.
Deciding to abandon the subject, she picked up the volume Mary had sent.
"Papa, Mary asked me to give you this."
Mr Bennet accepted the book with mild curiosity and opened it.
After reading the dedication on the first page, he tossed it carelessly onto the desk.
"Foolish Mary," he muttered. "She is nothing but a silly girl."
With that, he rose to his feet.
"I am going to pay Sir William a visit."
As he reached the door, he added, "Please go through those letters and answer the urgent ones before dinner."
"I shall, Papa."
"I shall see you this evening."
"I shall see you then."
Once he had gone, Elizabeth remained standing in the silent study.
She had often heard her father speak dismissively of her younger sisters.
Yet never before had his words struck her with such force.
She even noticed how readily he took her time for granted, treating her as though she were merely another servant whose sole purpose was to make his life as easy as possible.
During the weeks she had spent with Aunt Eleanor, she had come to know Mary in a way she never had before. She had discovered a thoughtful, intelligent, and remarkably perceptive young woman.
How, then, could her own father fail to see it?
Elizabeth bent to retrieve the book from the floor and glanced curiously at its title: The Character of the English Gentleman, by the Reverend Nathaniel Ashcroft. Then she turned to the first page and quietly read Mary's dedication.
To Mr Bennet,
As you have so often taken pleasure in pointing out the faults and follies of those around you, I thought you might, for once, devote your attention to your own.
I sincerely hope you will find this volume both instructive and profitable.
Mary Bennett
After reading the dedication, a gentle smile spread across Elizabeth’s face.
‘Oh, Mary... I never realised how perceptive you truly are.’
Still holding the book, Elizabeth sat down at the desk and began working her way through the growing pile of documents.
Elizabeth could not help comparing her father with Aunt Eleanor.
With patience, kindness, and quiet perseverance, her aunt had encouraged Mary to try new things and, more importantly, to believe in herself.
Her father, by contrast, had never seemed interested in knowing the remarkable young woman Mary truly was.
Nearly three hours later, Elizabeth had finished dealing with the most pressing matters.
As she reviewed the household accounts, however, her indignation grew.
Mr Bennet had spent a considerable portion of their savings on books for himself and new clothes for Lydia.
Tired, Elizabeth suddenly remembered something Eleanor had told her.
Longbourn could easily afford to employ a steward if her father were willing to spend less on books and other unnecessary indulgences.
For the first time, Elizabeth allowed herself to admit a painful truth.
Her father thought first of his own comfort.
That evening, during dinner, Lydia bombarded Elizabeth with questions about Lady Campbell's house and everything she had done while in London.
"I have enjoyed every moment since you left," Lydia declared cheerfully. "Papa bought me several new gowns, and all the officers are quite in love with me. Is that not so, Mama?"
"Indeed they are," Mrs Bennet replied proudly. "You are the prettiest girl in all of Meryton."
She then turned to Elizabeth.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Lizzy. Your younger sister will be married before you, and you have not even found yourself a suitor."
"Have you never considered, Lydia, that perhaps not all of us are as eager to marry as you are?" Elizabeth asked, even though she knew her sister cared very little for her opinion.
Lydia continued talking, making one vulgar and inappropriate remark after another.
When Elizabeth glanced at her father, she saw that he was smiling.
Lydia's foolish behaviour amused him.
Once again, Elizabeth remembered the countless hours Aunt Eleanor had devoted to helping Kitty improve her manners.
Kitty still had much to learn, but in only a few weeks she had changed remarkably.
"Lizzy, when is Kitty coming home?" Lydia asked. "Not that I miss her, but I cannot dance with all the officers by myself."
She laughed.
"Papa, you must make Kitty come back. She has been with that lady long enough."
"I quite agree," Mrs Bennet added. "Mr Bennet, you must write and tell her to return immediately." She continued pressing the matter until Mr Bennet finally lost patience.
"If the two of you will leave me in peace, I shall send for Kitty."
He looked first at his wife and then at Lydia.
"But if either of you says another word, I shall change my mind."
After a brief pause, he added with a mocking smile,
"As for Mary, I have no wish to see her return. She may remain with Eleanor forever. I always knew she would end up as the companion of some lonely old woman."
"Oh, Papa, you are so amusing," Lydia said, laughing.
Elizabeth watched the exchange in silence.
A deep sadness settled over her.
How different dinner had been at Aunt Eleanor's house.
There, every conversation had encouraged her and her sisters to become better versions of themselves.
Elizabeth still did not know what had happened between her father and her aunt all those years ago.
But she no longer believed her father was the injured party.
More than ever, she wanted to uncover the truth.
Before that, however, she resolved to do whatever she could to help her sisters.
"Papa, I do not think Kitty should return just yet."
Everyone looked at Elizabeth in surprise.
"Aunt Eleanor has engaged a governess for her. Kitty has already learned a great deal, and I believe she still has much more to learn."
"Nonsense, Lizzy." Mr Bennet laughed dismissively.
"Kitty is nothing more than a vulgar, foolish girl. Not even the finest governess in England could alter that."
"That is true," Lydia added between giggles. "Kitty is even sillier than I am."
Elizabeth preferred to say nothing more. She simply observed her family's interactions, unable to help comparing them with the atmosphere Mary and Kitty had discovered at Lady Campbell's house.
That night, Elizabeth wept.
For the first time in her life, she realised that she had been the most foolish of all her sisters.
She had defended her father unquestioningly, refusing to see how selfish he truly was.
Fortunately, when Mr Bennet wrote to Eleanor requesting that Kitty be sent home, Lady Campbell replied that it would not be proper for a young lady to travel alone. If he wished Kitty to return to Longbourn, he was welcome to come to London and escort her himself.
That was enough to keep Kitty safely in London.
By then, Elizabeth had already made up her mind.
She wrote to Eleanor, explaining the plans she had formed.
The following day, she would travel to Kent to visit Charlotte. Upon her return, she intended to go to London and remain with Aunt Eleanor for as long as her aunt was willing to have her.
Before Elizabeth set off for Kent, her father approached her with something he considered of the utmost importance.
"Lizzy, do not stay away for more than a month. There will be a great deal to do at Longbourn once the weather improves, and I dislike seeing the work accumulate."
"Do not worry, Papa," Elizabeth replied quietly. "Everything will be taken care of."
With that, she left Longbourn, hopeful that better days lay ahead and without knowing whether she wanted to return.