Chapter 18 #4
Whether his aunt had deliberately sent the butler to watch him, he could not say, but he was determined to protect Elizabeth.
He would not expose her to one of Lady Catherine's outbursts.
For that reason, he had resolved to remain in the library for the rest of the day and not seek Elizabeth's company until the following morning.
Presently, he heard a gentle knock at the door. His cousin Anne entered the library, and he immediately grew uneasy. He disliked finding himself alone with her. He had never trusted his aunt and knew her capable of contriving some circumstance that might oblige him to marry her daughter.
"Do not look so alarmed, Darcy. My mother has no idea that I am here."
Her words immediately put him at ease.
"Did you wish to speak with me, Anne?" he asked with some curiosity.
"Yes, and I shall not keep you long. First, I wish to remind you that I have no desire to marry you. I know there are probably many foolish young ladies who do everything in their power to attract your attention. I am not one of them."
A faint smile crossed her face before she continued.
"Recently, however, I discovered that I am not the only lady who belongs to that fortunate category.
But that is not why I came. I merely wished to warn you.
My mother has ordered Hall to follow you and report everything you do throughout the day.
She is exceedingly anxious to discover why you are so eager to spend your time walking through the park. "
Anne suspected that Darcy was meeting Elizabeth there in secret.
So it was true. His aunt had indeed grown suspicious and had set Hall to watch him. Mr Darcy was indignant, but he resolved to settle the matter with Lady Catherine once his engagement to Elizabeth had been formally announced.
"Thank you, Anne, for confirming what I had already suspected."
"Well, now you know. I am going to my room because I should very much like to avoid meeting my mother."
She opened the door and, with a mischievous smile, added, "Good luck, Darcy. I believe you are going to need it."
With that, she left the library laughing quietly to herself.
She could not help imagining her absurd cousin proposing to Miss Bennet.
In her mind, Darcy would solemnly inform Elizabeth how fortunate she was to have attracted his notice and how grateful she ought to be for such an honour.
Anne had never been particularly fond of her cousin.
He was handsome, accomplished, and admired by everyone—but also insufferably serious.
Lady Catherine was greatly pleased that Mr Darcy had spent the whole of the previous day occupied in the library.
She intended to keep him engaged throughout the morning, and for the evening she had invited Mr Collins and his family to dine at Rosings.
In that way, her nephew would have no opportunity to be alone with Elizabeth.
Mr Collins had informed her that Miss Bennet was to leave the following day.
Lady Catherine was determined that nothing should occur while she remained in Kent.
Afterwards, they would almost certainly never meet again.
They did not belong to the same circles, and Lady Catherine did not doubt that, once Elizabeth was no longer before his eyes, Darcy's infatuation would gradually disappear.
Colonel Fitzwilliam had gone out for a walk in the neighbourhood and was pleasantly surprised to encounter Elizabeth.
He knew that Darcy was in love with her and was curious to discover whether she felt anything for his cousin.
After exchanging greetings and speaking for a few moments about trivial matters, he decided to ask the question.
"Miss Bennet, you have known my cousin for several months now. I imagine you must already consider yourselves friends."
Elizabeth answered without hesitation.
"I do not think so, Colonel. Your cousin has very decided opinions about the sort of women—and indeed the sort of people—he believes ought to be admired. I do not happen to belong to that category."
Richard understood perfectly what she meant.
Darcy had doubtless made some proud remark about family, fortune, or connections—advantages the delightful Miss Bennet did not possess.
He regretted that his cousin still allowed himself to be influenced by the prejudices instilled in him from childhood regarding the superiority of great wealth and ancient lineage.
"Darcy is a very good man. Believe me, there is a great deal about him that you do not yet know."
"I am sure there must be. After all, I scarcely know him. You, of all people, should know how reserved he is."
Richard began to relate several instances of Darcy's generosity and loyalty, but Elizabeth could not help thinking that the Colonel's affection for his cousin led him to exaggerate his virtues.
One story, however, particularly caught her attention.
He told her how Darcy had recently rescued one of his closest friends from becoming engaged to a young lady whose family was both vulgar and entirely unsuitable.
It was all Elizabeth could do to just smile instead of grimace as he explained Darcy’s 'noble' act, which had caused Mr Bingley to reject her dear sister, Jane. 'The colonel means well,' she kept telling herself. 'Mr Darcy, on the other hand, is just an arrogant fool.'
Elizabeth had no wish to continue discussing Mr Darcy, so she made an excuse and turned back towards the parsonage.
"I am sorry, Colonel, but I believe I have walked enough for one morning. Thank you for your company."
"The pleasure has been entirely mine."
Colonel Fitzwilliam was pleased to think that he had done his cousin a service and had perhaps encouraged Elizabeth to think a little more favourably of him.
Elizabeth, however, was indignant. The Colonel had just confirmed what she had long suspected: Mr Darcy had been responsible for separating Mr Bingley from her sister.
She knew that Jane no longer cared for him.
What offended her was that Mr Darcy had presumed to judge Jane without even taking the trouble actually to know her well.
He had made all his judgments based on her family and her family’s land, money, and connections.
Fortunately, two letters awaiting her at the parsonage soon lifted her spirits and drove the unpleasant encounter from her mind. One was from her aunt, the other from Jane.
Lady Campbell informed her that the carriage would arrive the following day, that Mrs Taylor would come early to accompany her to London, and that she had some wonderful news she wished to share with her.
Elizabeth was puzzled, but as soon as she opened Jane's letter, she understood exactly what her aunt had meant.
Jane was engaged to Mr Andrews de la Garza, and the news delighted her beyond measure.
She immediately shared it with Charlotte, asking only that she should not mention it to Mr Collins before her departure the next day.
She had no desire to endure another round of his impertinent questions.
"I am so happy for Jane. More than anyone, she deserves a life filled with love," Charlotte said sincerely.
"I could not agree more. Mr Andrews de la Garza adores her. If you could only see the way he looks at her, you would understand. Besides, I shall become the aunt of the loveliest children in all England," Elizabeth replied with a laugh.
Charlotte smiled to herself.
‘If he looks at Jane the way Mr Darcy looks at you, I believe I understand perfectly.’
Naturally, she kept that thought to herself. Instead, she merely asked,
"Is he truly that handsome? Is he as handsome as Mr Darcy?"
"Much handsomer—and he is kind as well, a quality Mr Darcy unfortunately lacks."
At that moment, Mr Collins entered the room, interrupting their conversation.
"My dear Charlotte," said Mr Collins, "Lady Catherine has done us the great honour of inviting us to dine at Rosings this evening. Her ladyship expects us within the hour, and, as you well know, she does not care to be kept waiting."
"Very well, Mr Collins. I shall go and inform Maria that we must get ready at once."
Elizabeth remained silent for a moment before saying, "I hope you will both forgive me, but I do not believe I shall be able to accompany you this evening. I have had a headache ever since I returned from my walk, and I still have much to do before my departure tomorrow."
"My dear cousin," Mr Collins exclaimed, "Lady Catherine will be greatly disappointed by your absence."
"I am truly sorry, Mr Collins, but I do not feel equal to the visit. Please present my apologies to Lady Catherine and thank her for her kind invitation."
Mr Collins looked disappointed but could hardly insist when Miss Bennet appeared so unwell.
"Very well, Cousin Elizabeth. I shall convey your apologies to her ladyship and trust that you will soon be quite recovered."
Mr Darcy was impatiently awaiting Elizabeth's arrival.
He intended to speak with her and discreetly ask whether she would grant him a private meeting in the park the following day.
When the Collinses arrived without Elizabeth, he immediately concluded that she had found a way for them to meet in private.
Unnoticed by his aunt, he slipped quietly out of the drawing room and left Rosings by the back entrance.
After satisfying himself that no one had followed him, he made his way to the parsonage.
He was only minutes away from changing the course of his life forever, and his heart was filled with hope.
Elizabeth was rereading the letters from her family, reflecting that her aunt would no doubt be disappointed to discover that she already knew of Jane's engagement.
Suddenly, the maid opened the door, and Mr Darcy entered the room in great agitation.
He was so nervous that he paced restlessly from one end of the room to the other while the words poured out of him.