Chapter 6
The journey from London to Hunsford proved as tedious as Elizabeth had feared.
Sir William, restored to health and in high spirits, discoursed almost without pause upon the excellence of Mr Collins’ situation, the condescension of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and the general superiority of Kentish air.
Maria, still a little pale, listened with a quiet awe; Elizabeth, for her part, allowed her thoughts to wander between Jane’s improved prospects and the peculiar events of the preceding week.
Mr Bingley’s renewed attentions had lightened her heart considerably, yet the memory of Mr Darcy’s restrained silence and Miss Bingley’s barely suppressed fury remained vivid enough to provoke amusement, indignation, and a bit of concern.
Still, Mr Bingley’s admiration for Jane and his determination in pursuing his happiness seemed strong enough to defeat any further opposition.
Elizabeth kept thinking about Miss Darcy, too, as well as at the other characters around her.
Mr Wickham, once her favourite, had lost that place not so much because of Mr King’s disclosure but because of his poor judgment of Miss Darcy’s character.
The more consideration she gave to that matter, the more certain she was there was more behind Mr Wickham’s dealings with Mr Darcy.
Not complying with his father’s last wishes was unpardonable and ungentlemanlike of Mr Darcy.
But Mr Wickham’s tendency to share his problems with new acquaintances deserved no applause either.
As for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth had much to resent, besides Mr Wickham’s stories. His arrogance, his conceited behaviour, his rudeness to her and everyone else in Meryton, and his ungenerous involvement in separating Mr Bingley from Jane were not so easy to forget.
If not for their fortuitous encounter with Mr Bingley — thanks to Miss Darcy — Elizabeth’s resentment might have been much stronger.
However, having a sister as sweet and kind as Miss Darcy, and Mr Bingley being reunited with Jane, had somehow compensated for Mr Darcy’s wrongs and diminished Elizabeth’s resentment, if only a little.
They arrived at the parsonage on a fine late March afternoon.
Mr Collins received them with a flourish of bows and an abundance of compliments that would have been more impressive had they been less formal.
Still, he kept a safe distance from them, while Charlotte stood beside him, her manner calm and composed.
Elizabeth detected a flicker of genuine pleasure in her friend’s eyes at the sight of familiar faces.
“My dear Sir William, Maria, Cousin Elizabeth, welcome to Hunsford!” Mr Collins exclaimed. “I am pleased to see you in apparent good health! Come, let me show you inside our humble abode.”
“And we are delighted to be here, finally!” Sir William answered. “What a handsome home you have, sir!”
“Indeed. My dear Charlotte added more to this house’s modest yet tasteful arrangements, as Lady Catherine declared herself.”
Elizabeth glanced at Charlotte and raised her brows, but her friend kept a serious air while Mr Collins continued, “Lady Catherine has been so gracious as to enquire after the precise hour of your arrival. Her ladyship is still preoccupied with your recovery, and she has appointed her physician to examine you immediately. Dr Linfield should be here any moment now, and if his examination is satisfactory, we should expect an invitation for tea soon.”
The news seemed to disconcert Sir William momentarily, and he mumbled a reply.
“Cousin Elizabeth will benefit from the doctor’s examination too,” Mr Collins added, much to Elizabeth’s surprise.
“There is no need, Cousin. I am in perfect health, I assure you,” Elizabeth said.
“Dear cousin, her ladyship suggested that, since you have been in close proximity with two ill people, you might still be contagious. Prudence is better than regret, as Lady Catherine likes to say.”
“If I am a danger to her ladyship or her daughter, I would be more than happy to keep my distance from them,” Elizabeth declared in jest. But nobody smiled.
“That will not be possible. If Lady Catherine issues an invitation, we always accept it with gratitude,” Mr Collins explained in all seriousness. There was no use in even trying to argue with him, so Elizabeth abandoned any attempt.
They were each shown to their chambers, and Elizabeth took the opportunity for a few minutes alone with Charlotte.
“I am so glad you are here, Eliza!”
“So am I, Charlotte. You look well, I must say, so I assume married life suits you.”
“It does, though I know you are doubtful. Mr Collins is a decent, honourable man, and he struggles to be as good a husband as he can. All in all, I have no reason to complain.”
“I am glad to hear that, Charlotte. Truly glad,” Elizabeth replied. “I did have some doubts, simply because I considered your acquaintance too brief to know each other well enough and to form a strong basis for marriage. If I was wrong, I am only too happy to apologise.”
“Do you remember our conversation about happiness in marriage being a matter of luck? Well, it seems I was fortunate to be a happy case,” Charlotte concluded.
“I congratulate you with all my heart,” Elizabeth answered, hoping her voice sounded confident enough to conceal her doubts. Could it be true that Charlotte’s notion of happiness in marriage required so little?
“So, how is Jane? How did you find her?” Charlotte changed the subject.
“In fact, she is more than well now. Mr Bingley called on her a few days ago, and I expect him to become a regular visitor in the future.”
“Really? What lovely news, indeed! From my mother’s letters — she having been informed by Mrs Bennet and Mrs Phillips — I understood Jane had not met Mr Bingley at all during her stay in town.”
“That was true, until recently,” Elizabeth replied, avoiding providing details about the meeting with Miss Darcy. “A fortunate occurrence helped them to reunite.”
“Very fortunate, indeed! I look forward to hearing more about it.”
“I promise I shall gladly share any news I receive from Jane,” Elizabeth answered.
The conversation was interrupted by the doctor’s arrival, and both Collinses focused their attention upon him, as was proper for someone recommended by Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
***
The doctor’s examination was satisfactory for all three guests, but still, the next three days passed without a formal invitation from Rosings.
Lady Catherine did call at the parsonage — with her daughter and that lady’s companion, Mrs Jenkinson — but she did not descend from her carriage.
Sir William, Maria, and Elizabeth were all summoned to the front of the house and introduced to her ladyship, who asked them several questions each. The lady showed a moderate interest in Sir William and none in Maria, but she took the trouble to question Elizabeth thoroughly.
“I understand, Sir William, that you and your daughter were detained in town by illness. A cold, I believe?”
Sir William bowed low. “Indeed, your ladyship. Most unfortunate. Dr Green, Mr Gardiner’s doctor, was most attentive, and we are now entirely recovered, I assure you. Dr Linfield agreed.”
“Yes, yes, he already informed me. I must make it clear that a cold is a serious matter when contracted through carelessness. Travelling in damp weather, with insufficient attention to warm clothing and exposure to night air — all these are preventable. One would have thought a man of your years might have shown greater prudence. Young people may be excused a degree of thoughtlessness, but those of mature age ought to set a better example.”
Sir William coloured and stammered assurances of future caution. Mr and Mrs Collins seemed distressed by such scolding, while Elizabeth bit her lip to hide a smile.”
“Regardless, I asked Dr Linfield to examine you again in two days, just to be sure there is no danger remaining.”
“As you wish, ma’am. I must mention that I shall return to Hertfordshire in four days, so—”
“Yes, yes, I know that,” she interrupted, while Mr Collins nodded at her every word. Then, her ladyship turned her attention to Elizabeth. “So, Mr Gardiner is your uncle? And he has a family doctor?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied politely.
“Well, then Mr Gardiner must have achieved some success in his business. More than your father, who, I am told, does not manage Longbourn as well as he could.”
At that, Elizabeth glanced at Mr Collins, without a response. “You are the second sister, I believe? Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Your father’s estate is entailed away from the female line, I understand. A most unfortunate arrangement. And there are five daughters, are there not? All unmarried?”
The conversation became awkward in front of the parsonage, with Lady Catherine and her companions up in the carriage, scrutinising those below while questioning them.
“There are five of us, ma’am, and none of us are married as yet,” Elizabeth replied.
“It is a pity your father did not take better care to provide for you. Five daughters and no son — very improvident. And your mother, I suppose, has no fortune of her own?”
“Very little, ma’am.”
“And yet you were educated? You play and sing, I presume? Draw? Speak French and Italian?”
Elizabeth answered with composure, neither overstating her accomplishments nor offering unnecessary detail. Lady Catherine appeared only half satisfied.
“Your sisters, are they all out in society?”
“Yes, ma’am. All five of us.”
“All five! That is highly unusual and a most improper arrangement. And what of your mother’s family? Connections in trade, I believe? Are there any other brothers or sisters besides Mr Gardiner?”
Elizabeth met her ladyship’s gaze steadily. “My mother has a sister too. Her husband is a solicitor in Meryton. Both my uncles are highly respectable gentlemen.”
Lady Catherine sniffed. “Respectable is important, but so is fortune. Sir William does not possess much fortune either, but Mrs Collins was blessed to find a husband with a good situation in life. Not all young women with no dowry have such luck.”
The entire audience was now uncomfortable, and finally Lady Catherine decided to leave.
“We shall discuss more of this in three days, when you will come to dine at Rosings. That is only if Doctor Linfield certifies that you are all in good health.”
With that, the carriage departed before any response was formed. As they entered the house, Mr Collins could hardly control his anticipation of the notion of dining at Rosings and began to describe the greatness of that manor.
Elizabeth was tempted to joke again, but she refrained; jesting about Lady Catherine was not acceptable at the parsonage.
***
The following day, Elizabeth received a letter from Jane — the second since they separated — all filled with details about Mr Bingley’s visit. To her utter amazement, this letter brought most unexpected news.
Dearest Lizzy,
You will not believe it when I tell you that yesterday, Mr Bingley was accompanied by Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley. Can you imagine?
Miss Darcy was all kindness; she complimented Aunt on the house, she played with the children and was gracious with Uncle Gardiner. What a wonderful young woman she is! And she spoke to me in such a friendly manner, as if she would encourage Mr Bingley… You surely understand my meaning.
How could I have ever imagined Miss Darcy as a rival? And how could I have been so silly as to believe Miss Bingley? Mr Bingley seems very angry with his sisters; he mentioned that Miss Bingley has gone to live with the Hursts.
I am sorry that they are having such disagreements in the family, but Mr Bingley did not deserve to be and deceived.
Miss Darcy said her brother and their cousin — a Colonel Fitzwilliam — has left London again, and she invited me, Uncle, Aunt, and the children to visit her again soon.
Mr Bingley offered to accompany us. Dear Lizzy, I cannot tell you how happy I am!
I wish you were here with me. Would you mind if I say that Miss Darcy is a little bit like a sister to me in these moments when I am joyful but alone?
But of course, you know that nobody could ever replace you in my heart, and I look forward to seeing you again very soon.
With all my love,
Jane.
Elizabeth placed the letter in her lap, smiling. She could feel Jane’s gladness in her words, and her heart filled with equal joy, as well as with gratitude for the lovely, kind Miss Darcy who had been such an important part of it.
She tried to control her emotions when she heard Mr Collins shouting. She folded the letter and left the room, but in the hall she was almost knocked down by a very agitated Charlotte.
“Eliza, my dear, make haste. You will never guess what is happening! Mr Darcy is here, with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Yes, here, at the parsonage, and they are asking about you! This is the most extraordinary thing that has happened since I moved here.”
Elizabeth needed a moment to comprehend her friend’s words. Mr Darcy? There, at the parsonage, asking about her? What could he want from her? Nothing good, for sure, but she had to meet him with all required politeness. If not for him, at least for his sister.