Chapter 1.13 #4
“However, in one respect you have been utterly wrong: never, not for a second were my intentions toward Miss Elizabeth anything but honourable! I assure you, sir, that more than anything I was bewitched by the liveliness of her mind, her wit and her uncommon understanding. I knew her behaviour was beyond reproach, and I could not have dared to think otherwise. Anything dishonourable regarding Miss Elizabeth was far from my mind at that time or at any time. Since I was not considering making her an offer, I was certain that my admiration would remain without an object as soon as I left Hertfordshire and that I would never see her again.”
Mr Bennet listened with equal attention and astonishment. Seeing a man so private, so restrained making such a declaration involving his most secret thoughts was difficult to fathom.
“I must have been too rushed in judging you in this regard, Mr Darcy. However, since we have reached this point, I cannot help but wonder how it happened that your opinion about marriage and the necessary wealth of your future wife changed so dramatically?”
“Well, it happened one day last April when I was properly humbled and shown how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.”
Mr Bennet’s quizzical look made Darcy smile bitterly as the memory of those moments and the mortifications of sharing them with his future father-in-law caused greater distress.
“It was the day I presented myself to Miss Elizabeth and asked her to accept my offer of marriage. I came to her without a doubt of my reception, and her answer was a most painful yet well-deserved punishment.”
Mr Bennet’s shock made him abruptly stand as he frowned, staring at his visitor in utter disbelief. “You made Lizzy an offer last April? But last April she was in Kent.”
“You are correct, sir; I was visiting my aunt at Rosings Park.”
“And she refused you?”
“She did, sir, and she was correct to do so.”
“And…you asked her again?”
“I did, sir, but not before I was certain I would succeed in improving her opinion of me. You see, sir, I unexpectedly met Miss Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner in London in June and…”
For more than half an hour Darcy revealed their entire history to a deeply shocked and utterly astonished Mr Bennet.
When he reached the part of the narrative concerning Lydia’s elopement, he tried nonchalantly to pass over those moments, but Mr Bennet did not allow him to escape so easily.
At that point, Darcy refused to debate the subject further, abruptly continuing with the reasons he returned to Hertfordshire.
Mr Bennet’s eyebrows remained arched in wonder.
“So you see, sir,” concluded Darcy, “I am certain, after all these months and our particular history, that Miss Elizabeth did not accept my second proposal for the wrong reasons.”
Mr Bennet remained speechless for a time.
The man in front of him was someone he was just beginning to know and understand, someone who surely deserved more consideration than he, the father of the bride, had given him so far.
He realised he owed Mr Darcy an apology.
In fact, he was fairly certain he owed Mr Darcy far more than he would ever be able to repay.
“Mr Darcy, I thank you for your generosity in confessing all these things to me. I imagine how difficult it must have been for you, and I know you did it to put my worries aside. Your effort is not unappreciated, sir.”
“If I have managed to clarify your misunderstandings and make it easier for us to collaborate for Elizabeth’s peace and happiness, then that is all the reward I need, sir.”
“Then you may consider yourself rewarded. I have no misunderstandings left, sir, and feel I need to apologise again for my harsh words.”
Darcy insisted there was no reason to apologise, and Mr Bennet ceased to offer them any longer; instead, he said Mr Gardiner expressed great admiration for Pemberley’s library and for its streams and lakes, and that became the next subject of conversation.
Of course, Darcy assured him there would be no need for formal invitations and he would be more than welcome there at any time.
When Elizabeth returned, bringing a tray of food for them, she could sense things had changed. The expression on both gentlemen’s faces softened when she entered, and she smiled at them—the two men who were dearest to her heart.
“Lizzy, have you informed your mother about your engagement?” asked Mr Bennet. “Considering the silence in the house, I should guess not.”
“No, I have not,” Elizabeth answered as she served them tea and coffee. Darcy hurried to help her with the cups. Mr Bennet smiled with satisfaction.
“In fact, Papa, I was thinking—considering Jane and Mr Bingley’s engagement—that we should keep ours secret a few more days. I mean, now that you have given us your consent.”
“Ah, I see,” smiled Mr Bennet. “So you want to keep your intended away from your mother’s enthusiasm a little longer; now that I have given you my consent, you could feel engaged without sharing it with the others for some time.
Hmm, Lizzy, that is not fair of you—to let only poor Jane and Mr Bingley be the recipients of your mother’s loudly expressed satisfaction. ”
Elizabeth blushed, and Darcy smiled to hide his embarrassment.