Chapter 2 #2
Fortunately, Lady Campbell had proved agreeable in the little time they had spent together, and Mr Bingley had always been kind to her and her family. At least within the party, Elizabeth could count on two friendly companions.
She knew she could not remain shut up in Jane's chamber indefinitely and was expected to spend some time with the family.
Upon entering the drawing-room, Elizabeth found Lady Campbell absent and therefore she resolved to read.
Though she endeavoured not to disturb anyone, Caroline did not hesitate to direct several hostile remarks towards her, and Mr Darcy joined in after his own fashion.
Both seemed determined to convince her that she was not accomplished.
Fortunately, she cared very little for their opinions.
At that moment, Lady Campbell entered the room. Though she caught only part of the conversation, she suspected that Miss Bingley was once again attempting to disparage Elizabeth in order to secure the attention of the gentleman from Derbyshire.
Eleanor seized the opportunity to seat herself beside her niece and begin a subtle interrogation. After enquiring after Jane's health, she asked about the rest of the family.
“Do you have any other siblings, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, I have four sisters. Jane is the eldest, and I am the second daughter.”
“You are fortunate to have so many sisters.”
Eleanor felt overwhelmed. Her irresponsible brother and the nervous, foolish Fanny had produced five daughters and yet no heir.
Presumably, the poor girls possessed neither substantial dowries nor the advantages of a thorough education.
At least Elizabeth was beautiful and seemingly intelligent, but her prospects of making an advantageous marriage remained limited.
For the first time, Eleanor wondered whether her return to England might allow her to assist her nieces in some meaningful way.
“Miss Elizabeth, I should like to meet your sister before I depart tomorrow. Do you think it would be possible?”
“Of course. It is tiresome to lie in bed all day, and your visit will provide Jane with a welcome distraction.”
Elizabeth felt both pleased and grateful that Lady Campbell had taken the trouble to converse with her when the rest of the party seemed determined to ignore her.
Eleanor observed that, throughout their conversation, Mr Darcy scarcely removed his eyes from Elizabeth, though she appeared entirely unaware of his regard.
Indeed, she seemed rather uncomfortable beneath his attention.
Eleanor felt relieved, perceiving that the attraction was not mutual.
At least Elizabeth was safe. She would not wish any of her nieces to make the same mistake she herself had made so many years before.
After conversing with Eleanor, Elizabeth excused herself and returned to Jane's chamber. Eleanor likewise withdrew, exhausted, whilst Mr Bingley and his family continued their card game and Mr Darcy composed a long letter to his sister.
The following morning, as the company gathered for breakfast, Mr Bingley approached Lady Campbell with an apologetic expression.
“My lady, I am afraid I bring unfortunate news.”
“Has something happened, Mr Bingley?” Eleanor asked.
“The rain continued throughout the night, and several of the roads are now nearly impassable. Under the circumstances, I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to travel today.”
“Are the conditions truly so bad?” asked Eleanor.
“I am afraid they are,” replied Mr Bingley. “Indeed, I would strongly recommend that you remain at Netherfield for at least another day.”
Eleanor exchanged a glance with Mr Taylor.
“In that case, I suppose I have little choice,” she said with a smile. “Thank you for your concern, Mr Bingley, and for your continued hospitality.”
“The pleasure is entirely ours, my lady,” said Mr Bingley warmly. “We shall be delighted to have you remain with us.”
“You are most kind, sir.”
Although Eleanor regretted the delay, she could not deny that the circumstance had its advantages. Another day at Netherfield would afford her more time with Jane and Elizabeth.
After breakfast, Lady Campbell accompanied Elizabeth to Jane's chamber. The moment she beheld her beautiful niece, she felt a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. They had once been very close, before Eleanor had left Longbourn.
“Jane, this is Lady Campbell,” Elizabeth told her sister.
She was surprised by the intensity with which the lady regarded Jane and even thought, for a moment, that Lady Campbell was struggling to restrain her tears.
Eleanor took a steadying breath and stepped nearer for a better look.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet. Your sister has spoken so highly of you that I could not help wishing to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, my lady. Thank you for taking the trouble to visit me,” replied Jane shyly.
After a few minutes, the three ladies fell into easy conversation.
Eleanor was pleasantly surprised by her nieces.
They were beautiful, intelligent, cultivated, and refined.
For the first time, she wondered whether her brother had perhaps done something right.
Perhaps, after she left Hertfordshire, circumstances had forced him to mature and change.
Eleanor remained with Jane for almost two hours before taking her leave, for she needed to rest. She could not wait to meet the rest of her nieces and intended to speak with her brother before returning to London. They would need to agree upon the proper time to reveal her identity to the family.
An hour later, Mr Darcy stood at the window watching Elizabeth walk through the garden. Had he been free to follow his own inclinations, he would have joined her. He could have strolled beside her for hours, listening to her witty remarks and impertinent opinions.
So absorbed was Mr Darcy in watching Elizabeth that he scarcely noticed the arrival of a carriage carrying Mrs Bennet and her two younger daughters.
After resting for an hour, Eleanor joined her hosts in the drawing-room and was once again forced to listen to Caroline and Louisa's ridiculous observations.
She could not recall ever having met two women so vain and frivolous as Mr Bingley's sisters.
Mr Bingley himself appeared somewhat superficial, but unlike his sisters, he compensated for any deficiency in intellect with genuine kindness and a generous disposition.
Louisa and Caroline's conversation was abruptly interrupted when Mrs Bennet and her two younger daughters entered the room with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth introduced Eleanor to her mother and sisters, but Fanny seemed far more interested in flattering Mr Bingley and admiring the house than in making Lady Campbell's acquaintance. Indeed, she scarcely appeared to notice her at all.
Lady Campbell, for her part, was astonished. Fanny proved even sillier and more vulgar than she remembered, whilst the two youngest daughters conducted themselves in much the same manner as their mother. The youngest was even bolder than Fanny had been at the same age.
Eleanor reflected that her two youngest nieces behaved exactly as might be expected of the daughters of Thomas and Fanny, and she wondered what miracle had made the two elder sisters so different.
She felt sorry for Elizabeth, who was constantly mortified by the behaviour of her mother, Kitty, and Lydia, especially when Caroline and Louisa could scarcely restrain their laughter at Fanny's absurd remarks.
“Mr Bingley, you must organise a ball for all your neighbours and invite all the officers,” said Lydia.