A new neighbor

  Mrs. Bennet at first thought he was planning to return to make an offer to one of the younger girls. But later that day Charlotte came to tell Elizabeth her news, followed a little later by her father. Elizabeth was upset. How could Charlotte accept a man like Mr. Collins? But for Mrs. Bennet it was worse. Now she had to listen to Lady Lucas talking all the time about the coming marriage of her daughter. Even worse was the thought of Charlotte taking her place at Longbourn after the death of Mr. Bennet. However, her husband had a word of comfort for her.

  “Let’s hope for better things, my dear,” he said. “Perhaps you may die before me.” 

  Chapter 8

  Disappointments 

  If Elizabeth was upset by Charlotte’s marriage, Jane was much more upset by events at Netherfield. Soon after the dance, Bingley had to go to London. Then Jane received a letter from Caroline Bingley. She said her brother’s business was taking longer than expected. She and her sister had left Netherfield to join him.

  This was bad news. But the second letter brought worse. The Bingleys would not return that year. She said her brother was sorry he had not had time to see his friends before he left. She also mentioned Darcy’s sister. She clearly hoped Bingley would marry her.

  It was some days before Jane showed this letter to her sister. “I’ll forget him in the end,” she said. “There is nothing to blame him for. If I imagined stronger feelings on his side, the fault is mine.”

  “The fault is not yours,” said Elizabeth angrily.

  “Please, Lizzy,” said Jane. “You only hurt me more by blaming him. You can’t expect a lively young man to be always so careful of other people’s feelings.”

  “I don’t accuse Bingley of trying to deceive you – only of weakness. He’s too much influenced by his sister and Mr. Darcy. She wants him to marry Miss Darcy. Also Miss Bingley wants to marry Mr. Darcy. She thinks one marriage may lead to another. She followed her brother to London to persuade him not to return.”

  Elizabeth did not go on. She knew it was painful. But their mother never stopped talking about it.

  Mr. Bennet treated the matter lightly. “So, Lizzy,” he said, “your sister is disappointed in love, I hear. But she mustn’t sorry. It makes a girl interesting to her friends. Perhaps you could arrange for the same to happen to you. There are enough officers in town to disappoint every girl in the country. Wickham could be your man. He would disappoint you admirably.”

  In fact, Wickham tried to make Jane feel better. Everything he had told Elizabeth about Darcy before, he now told to the others. It was his opinion that Darcy was the real cause of Jane’s disappointment. Help also came from Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife who arrived as usual to spend Christmas with them. Mr. Gardiner, the London merchant, was an educated man, quite different from his sister. His wife, too, was a sensible woman who had always been close to Jane and Elizabeth. After describing the latest London fashions, she had to listen to all their troubles.

  “I don’t blame Jane,” said Mrs. Bennet, “for she would have got Mr. Bingley if she could. But Lizzy! It makes me mad to think she might have been Mrs. Collins by now. The result is that the Lucas’s, who always think of themselves before anybody else, will now have a daughter married before me. But I’m very glad to hear what you say about long sleeves.” 

  Later, alone with Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner said: “I’m sorry for Jane, but these things do happen. Poor girl, she’s easily hurt. Do you think it would help her to come back with us and stay in London for a while? However, she mustn’t think she’s likely to see this young man. We live in a very different part of town, and we don’t know the same people.”

  “So much the better,” said Elizabeth, even though she could not think that Bingley’s love was dead.

  “Miss Bingley will break off their friendship,” Elizabeth replied.

  That week among the daily guests at dinner the most regular was Mr. Wickham. Mrs. Gardiner could not help noticing how much he and Elizabeth were together.

  “You’re too sensible, Lizzy, to fall in love simply because someone warns you against it,” she said. “So I’m not afraid of asking you to be careful. I’ve nothing to say against Mr. Wickham, who seems an interesting young man. And if he had money, I don’t think you could do better. But two people without money would not make a good marriage.”

  “My dear Aunt, you’re being very serious.”

  “Yes, and I hope you’ll be serious too.”

  “Well, then, have no fear. At present I’m not in love with him. But he is by far the most attractive man I’ve ever met. And where there’s love, you know, young people are rarely held back by lack of money. How can I promise to be wiser than the rest? But, yes, I’ll be careful.” 

  Soon after Jane and the Gardiners departed for London, Charlotte and Mr. Collins were married. Before she left, Charlotte asked Elizabeth to come and stay with her in the spring. Elizabeth did not refuse, but she did not expect pleasure from a stay with Mr. Collins.

  Letters came from Jane in London. She had called on Caroline Bingley. But it was four weeks before Miss Bingley called on her. The visit was short, and the visitor’s manner made it clear that their friendship would not be continued. Even Jane could no longer avoid seeing Miss Bingley’s true character. Jane’s unhappiness was plain, and Elizabeth was worried.

  Meanwhile, Wickham’s interest in Elizabeth had become less. He now admired another girl. The reason for his admiration was the £ 10000 that had just come to her from her grandfather. But Elizabeth refused to be upset by this. She knew he would have chosen her if she had had £ 10000. It was natural for a young man like him to marry money and obtain independence, she said. She did not stop to think how different her opinion of Charlotte in the same situation had been.

  March came, and the visit to Hunsford was talked of again. By then Elizabeth felt quite ready to see Charlotte again, even though Sir William and Maria, Charlotte’s sister, would also be going. She would have to listen to their empty conversation in the carriage. But they would spend a night in London at her uncle’s, and so she would see Jane.

  Jane seemed pleased to see them, although their aunt said that she was often very unhappy. Mrs. Gardiner also found time to speak to Elizabeth about Wickham.

  “I’d be sorry if he was only interested in money,” she said. “He paid this girl no attention before.”

  “If she doesn’t mind his attention, why should we? A man without money can’t always behave as we might wish. I’m tired of polite young men. Thank heaven I’m going tomorrow to stay with Mr. Collins! In the end stupid men are only ones worth knowing.”

  “Take care, Lizzy,” said her aunt. “That sounds like disappointment.” But seeing that her niece was upset, she said that Mr. Gardiner was planning a trip to the Lakes in the summer. Would she like to join them? She accepted with delight. To see the Lakes had for long been the dream of her life.

  Next day Hunsford appeared just as it had been described. Mr. Collins immediately took them on a tour of the house. As he spoke, Elizabeth felt he was directing his remarks particularly at her. Perhaps he wished her to feel what she lost refusing him. At dinner, Rosings was the main subject of his talk. “On Sunday you’ll have the honor of seeing Lady Catherine at church,” he said. “I needn’t say that you’ll be delighted with her manners. She behaves quite charmingly to my dear Charlotte.”

  Next morning Elizabeth was in her room when she heard Maria calling excitedly outside the door. “Oh, my dear Eliza, do come to the window! There’s such a sight to be seen.”

  She followed her and saw two ladies in the light carriage talking to the Collinses at the garden gate.

  “Is that all?” cried Elizabeth. “I expected at least that the pigs had got into the garden. Who are they?”

  “Why,” said Maria, “it must be Miss de Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson who looks after her. Just look at her. I didn’t expect her to be so thing and pale.”

  “She’s very rude to keep Charlotte out in this cold wind. Why doesn’t she come in?”

  “Oh, Charlotte says she hardly ever does. It’s a great honor when she comes in,” said Maria.

  Elizabeth began to think about this unhealthy girl with her bad-tempered look. Yes, she would make the perfect wife for Mr. Darcy.

  At last the carriage moved on, and Mr. Collins came in, rubbing his hands delightedly. “We’re all invited to dinner tomorrow,” he said. “Who could have expected such attention as this so soon after your arrival? This is true de Bourgh politeness.” 
 

  Chapter 9

  At Rosings 

  All next day Mr. Collins could talk of nothing but Rosings. “Don’t worry too much about your dress,” he said. “Lady Catherine will not think badly of you for being plainly dressed. She likes to see a difference in clothes between the different ranks of society.” Even when the ladies had all gone to their rooms, he came several times to their doors telling them to hurry. Lady Catherine did not like to be kept waiting. The result was that Maria arrived at the great house in a state of terror, and even her father felt nervous.

  They passed through the entrance hall, where Mr. Collins unnecessarily pointed out the high ceiling and several large statues. They then followed the servants through a smaller room to an enormous sitting room, where Lady de Bourgh, her daughter and Mrs. Jenkison were sitting.

  Their hostess was a tall, large woman with a face of strong character. She did little to make their visitors feel at home or to forget their lower place in society. She spoke as someone who knew she was right. And every remark showed a strong belief in her own importance. Wickham’s description had been just right. Her daughter was quite different. She seemed without character. She spoke little, and when she did, had nothing interesting to say.

  Dinner was very grand with all the servants and silver plates that Mr. Collins had promised. He sat at the end of the table opposite Lady Catherine, and loudly praised every dish as soon as it appeared.  Elizabeth wondered how Lady Catherine could bear so much praise. But this was something she never got tired of. There was little real conversation. Mrs. Jenkinson spent all her time trying to make Miss de Bourgh eat, Maria was still too frightened to speak, and Sir William only repeated Mr. Collins’s praises.

  When the ladies left the gentlemen and went back to the sitting room, there was nothing to do but listen to Lady Catherine talk. This she did without stopping, giving her opinions and advice about everything. At last she turned her attention to Elizabeth. How many sisters did she have? How old are they? Were they likely to get married? Were they good-looking? Where had they been educated? What carriage did their father keep? Elizabeth felt the impoliteness of her questions, but answered without showing her feelings.

  Lady Catherine was not at all satisfied with the education of the Bennet girls. “No teacher? How was that possible? Four daughters brought up at home without a teacher? I never heard of such a thing. Who taught you, then? Who attended to you?”

  “We were always encouraged to read,” replied Elizabeth, “and those who chose to be lazy were lazy.”

  “Yes, no doubt, that’s what a teacher is meant to prevent. If I’d known your mother, I would have strongly advised her to get one. It’s remarkable how many families I have helped in this way. I’ve placed four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson in good families. Mr. Collins, did I tell you Lady Metcalf called yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. ‘Lady Catherine,’ she said, ‘you’ve given me a treasure.’

  When the gentlemen joined the ladies again, the company sat down to play cards. At Elizabeth’s table little was said. But at the other table their hostess was again talking most of the time – mainly about the other player’s mistakes. Mr. Collins was talking for the rest of the time – agreeing with Lady Catherine, thanking her for every point he won, and apologizing if he won too many. Sir William still said little. He was too busy storing his mind with things to remember about life at Rosings, so he could tell his family. When the de Bourghs were tired of playing cards, a carriage was ordered, and their guests were sent away.

  In the carriage Elizabeth was asked by Mr. Collins about their evening. For Charlotte’s sake she tried to make it appear more enjoyable than it had really been. But even this did not satisfy him, and he continued to talk about Lady Catherine’s politeness until bedtime. 

  Sir William left after a week, and the Collinses and their remaining guests settled down to the quiet country life of Hunsford. Mr. Collins spent much of his time gardening, and when Miss de Bourgh drove by, he would call out excitedly to the others.

  Sometimes Lady Catherine herself called. During these visits she would ask what they were doing, advise them to do it differently, try to rearrange the furniture or scold the maid. Rosings gave Elizabeth little pleasure, but she found life otherwise quite pleasant.

  Just before Easter she learnt that Lady Catherine was expecting guests – her nephews, Mr. Darcy and a Colonel Fitzwilliam. It would be interesting to see Darcy with Miss de Bourgh. It would show if Wickham was right about the plan for them to marry. The visitors’ arrival was reported by Mr. Collins, who had spent all morning walking in the lane in order to bow to their carriage when it appeared. The next day he hurried off to Rosings, eager to show his respect.

  An hour later Charlotte looked out of the window and was astonished to see him returned with both Lady Catherine’s visitors. “I must thank you for this, Eliza,” she said. “Mr. Darcy would not have come so soon to visit me.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam was the younger son of a lord: a man of about thirty, not good-looking, but in every way a gentleman. He talked easily and pleasantly, and so made up for the silence of his cousin, though Darcy did ask Elizabeth about her family. In answering she mentioned that her sister was in London, and asked if he had seen her. She noticed that he had looked a little confused as he said he had not.

  Two days later they were invited to Rosings. It was noticeable that they were not as welcome as before, when they were the only company; and Lady Catherine talked most of the time to Darcy. Fitzwilliam, though, was glad to see them. Life at Rosings was dull for him. He much preferred to talk to Mrs. Collins’s pretty friend. Indeed, they talked with such spirit that at last his aunt turned round.

  “What’s that you’re saying, Fitzwilliam?” she said. “What are you talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is?”

  “We are talking of music, Madam,” the Colonel said.

  “Of music! Then speak louder. It’s my greatest delight. I must share in the talk if you are speaking of music. There can be few people who enjoy music more than me. How is Georgiana getting on, Darcy?”

  Darcy replied that his sister was making progress.

  “Tell her from me, she cannot hope to be good unless she practices a great deal. I’ve told Miss Bennet this several times. She’s welcome to come here every day and play on the piano in Mrs. Jenkinson’s room. She would be in no one’s way in that part of the house.”

  Darcy looked ashamed at this remark, and his aunt went on to other subjects. But when later Elizabeth began to play, he drew away from the others and sat down behind her.

  “You’re trying to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming over to hear to my play,” she said.

  “Frighten you? I think you sometimes enjoy stating opinions that you don’t hold,” he said.

  Elizabeth laughed, and said to Fitzwilliam: “Your cousin means that you shouldn’t believe a word I say. How unlucky to meet someone who uncovers my real character here, where I hoped to be believed. But it’s unwise of you to do so, Mr. Darcy. I may say things about you that will shock your relatives.”

  “Tell me more,” said Fitzwilliam. “I’d like to know how he behaves among strangers.”

  “You shall, then. But be prepared for something bad. I first met your cousin at a dance. And at this dance do you know what he did? He only danced twice, although there were more ladies than men.”

  “I didn’t know any ladies there,” said Darcy.

  “Of course, nobody can be introduced at a dance.”

  “I don’t find it easy to talk to strangers.”

  “Shall we ask the reason for this?” said Elizabeth.

  Fitzwilliam smiled. “We won’t try,” he said.

  Elizabeth went on: “If I don’t play the piano well isn’t because I don’t practice enough?”

  “All right,” said Darcy, laughing. “I understand. Bring me young ladies and I’ll practice to please you.”

  During the evening Elizabeth several times observed Darcy’s manner towards Miss de Bourgh. He gave no sign of any loving interest in her. She began to think that Miss Bingley did not yet need to give up hope. 

  Next morning Elizabeth was alone in the house writing a letter when the door-bell rang. Thinking it might be Lady Catherine, she put the letter away to avoid her questions. But it was Darcy, alone, who appeared. He seemed as surprised as her, saying he thought the other ladies were also in. He then sat down, and there was a short conversation followed by silence. At last he began to talk about the Collinses, and said how lucky Charlotte was to be so near her family.

  “Near?” said Elizabeth. “It’s almost fifty miles.”

  “What’s fifty miles of good road? Only half a day’s journey.”

  “I still wouldn’t say that Charlotte was settled near her family.”

  “I suppose,” continued Darcy, “that you wouldn’t like to live so far from Longbourn.”

  Elizabeth could not understand where this conversation was leading, but was saved from making a reply by the return of Charlotte and Maria. Darcy stayed a few more minutes then left.

  “What does this mean?” asked Charlotte as soon as he had gone. “My dear Eliza, he must be in love with you, or he would never have called like this.”

  But when Elizabeth told her of his silences, she agreed that it was not very likely. However, Darcy continued to make visits, though always with his cousin. Fitzwilliam, attracted by Elizabeth, clearly enjoyed these occasions. But why did Darcy come?