Chapter 4 #2
“It is foolish to compare any estate to Pemberley,” Bingley answered. “Just as it would be ridiculous to compare myself with the Darcys. I am very pleased with Netherfield and even more so with its location.”
“I do not expect you to compare yourself with the Darcys, nor to find an estate like Pemberley. But I just wish you would be more fastidious in judging people and properties,” Miss Bingley said.
“More like Darcy, you mean,” Bingley mocked his sister.
“Yes, more like Mr Darcy. You have the tendency to approve of everything and everyone too easily. Such generosity might induce you to make a decision that will affect your life for the worse,” Miss Bingley insisted.
Darcy watched the arguments with amusement. If the two ladies knew the admiral as well as he did, they would have noticed that he was at the edge of his patience and likely wished to cease the discussion. Yet, they continued, until the gentleman’s politeness was defeated by ire.
“You are rather severe and critical, Miss Bingley. Had I not known better, I would have assumed you had spent your entire life among the most titled families and owned several estates already.”
The admiral’s statement, although calm and civil, silenced the sisters, who seemed to take offence and be angered by it.
Reminding them of their modest origins and scolding their unjustified pretentions was something they both deserved, but nobody — not even Darcy — had the audacity to do it directly.
Bingley looked surprised and sympathetic to his sisters but said nothing to contradict the admiral.
Darcy was aware that the conflict over Bingley’s preference for the Bennets despite his sisters’ disapproval was apparent and tormenting for the young man.
The brief visit to Longbourn had been enough for the admiral to recognise Bingley’s admiration for Miss Jane Bennet and the beautiful lady’s warm regard for him.
Just as it seemed clear to the admiral that he did not support Bingley’s inclination either, Darcy admitted. Furthermore, he feared the admiral would recognise his peculiar interest in Miss Elizabeth — hence his increasing curiosity about her.
“Anyone with even a slight education would easily recognise the lack of manners and faulty behaviour when they saw it,” Miss Bingley said, trying to sound composed behind her anger.
“Caroline, you always see faulty behaviour when it comes to the Bennets,” Bingley said with unconcealed displeasure. “You deliberately judge them too harshly.”
“I pride myself in being fair and realistic in judging people. I do not allow myself to be easily deceived by shallow smiles,” Miss Bingley concluded.
“I confess I saw not many flaws in the Bennets. No more than in any of us. If we are to be fair and realistic, each of us should admit to our own faults and misbehaviour at times,” the admiral said.
“True,” Bingley quickly agreed. “And if we are to be even fairer, Miss Jane Bennet is the most admirable lady I have ever met. Her stunning beauty is completed by gentleness and kindness, and her manners are perfect in every respect. Even Darcy could not find anything to disapprove of in her, except that she smiles too much.”
While his sisters again rolled their eyes with mockery, the admiral looked puzzled.
“Since when did charming smiles become flaws? This is a harsh and ungenerous judgment. And rather ungentlemanlike, Darcy.”
“It was a mere comment made when I first met Miss Bennet. After knowing them better, I find little wanting in the two eldest Miss Bennets. I already declared that,” Darcy replied.
“It is surprising that Mr Darcy changed his opinion on the subject quite drastically in such a short time,” Miss Bingley said with sharp mockery.
“He turned from being Eliza Bennet’s most severe critic to showing admiration for her fine eyes, whatever that means.
It is astonishing. I expect him next to call Mrs Bennet a wit, and I shall never trust men’s judgment again. ”
“Let us be serious,” Mrs Hurst interjected.
“Jane Bennet is a dear, sweet girl, but her family and connections are impossible to overlook. And Charles, your admiration for her is only the latest in a long line of appreciation for many women over the last few years. Just remember the other ladies who have charmed you, and be careful with your behaviour before raising unreasonable expectations. Jane Bennet is nothing like the young ladies of the ton, who are well accustomed to the ways of the world.”
“What if I am careful about my behaviour and if I am aware of the expectations I am raising? Stop mentioning me being charmed by other ladies in the past. I know my heart and my mind!”
“How can you know them, Charles, since you have only known Miss Bennet for two months?” Miss Bingley replied angrily.
The admiral sipped some wine, watching his companions.
“Forgive me. I am lost regarding the reason for your debate. I fully understand Bingley admiring Miss Bennet. She is truly one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever met — and I have met so many that I barely remember all of them.”
He gulped some more wine, then continued.
“I have listened to you criticising the Bennet family, but is Mr Bennet not a gentleman? Is Miss Bennet not a gentleman’s daughter?
If you were to ask me, a gentleman’s daughter with such beauty and sweet nature has every reason to hope she would make an excellent marriage.
She only needs to go out more, to attend a few parties and balls during the Season, and she would easily find several eligible men to fight for her attention. ”
“Yes, but who would take her to those parties, since she has such poor connections? Her father might be a gentleman, but her mother? Her other relatives? One of her uncles is an attorney, and the other one is in trade and lives near Cheapside!” Miss Bingley said maliciously.
Her spiteful tone clearly annoyed the admiral as much as it did Darcy.
“There are many worthy men in trade, such as your father,” Darcy replied.
Miss Bingley paled. “Yes, but he made a fortune and fought to improve his family’s wealth and situation in life.
He was acquainted with some titled families in town, and he provided us with the best education.
He did not succeed in purchasing an estate, but he did leave Charles a generous fortune to buy one.
Surely he cannot be compared to a country gentleman who cannot ensure a decent dowry for his daughters and whose estate is entailed to a distant cousin!
What will happen to them once Mr Bennet dies? ”
Miss Bingley’s wounded pride seemed to have defeated her reasoning, and her tone, her expression, even her words towards the distinguished guest were unacceptably impolite.
Bingley attempted to stop her with no success, while Darcy gazed at the admiral, wondering why he would allow such a conversation to continue, why he carried on a debate with Miss Bingley on a subject of such little significance to him.
Darcy himself had had his share of sharp exchanges with Miss Bingley regarding Elizabeth, but he had done so in complete consciousness.
He had expressed his admiration for Elizabeth on more than one occasion, although he knew it would increase Bingley’s sister’s resentment.
But the admiral was not a man to contradict, especially when he was right, and even less so to deliver offensive replies.
And Miss Bingley appeared to have lost her composure and manners, proving she lacked dignity just as much as the people she loathed and rebuked.
The admiral, however, continued unruffled.
“My dear Miss Bingley, please believe me that I have the highest appreciation for your father. He has done nothing but admirable things for his family, and nobody could question his merits. However, the comparison with Mr Bennet’s situation is a puzzle difficult to solve.
If we are to speak in general, with no reference to any acquaintance, who is in a more advantageous position in society?
A gentleman with a poor financial situation, or a man making a living in trade who possesses a good sum of money? ”
With that, the admiral glanced at Hurst, then back to the Bingley sisters, ruining the last trace of their calmness.
“What is your opinion, if I may ask?” Mrs Hurst asked.
The admiral shrugged with a genuine smile.
“I truly do not know! Most arranged marriages are based on one spouse belonging to an old or titled family with little money and the other being in possession of a considerable fortune but with fewer connections. I have no children, but if I had, I am sure I would have encouraged them to marry following both their hearts and their minds. I do encourage Darcy and my other single nephew, Richard, to do so, but I see not much progress in either case, though for different reasons.”
Miss Bingley appeared doubtful, while Mrs Hurst stole a glance at her husband, then paid attention to her plate.
“Would you not have influenced your children’s choices of spouses, Admiral?
” Miss Bingley enquired. “Not even with some advice, leading them in the right direction? Young people are often deceived by shallow feelings and mistake a mere infatuation for deep love. In such cases, is it not the family and friends’ duty to pull them back onto the proper track before making a decision they will regret their entire lives? ”
“If that were the case, I might intervene with a bit of advice. But no more.”
Miss Bingley appeared more and more anxious; even her face changed under her distress.
“Sir…do you mean that you would have allowed your daughter or son to marry someone beneath them? Someone unworthy of your name and position? Someone who met with people’s rejection and criticism?
Someone with no education but a handsome appearance? Even a peasant, a servant?”