Page 5 of A Tale of Two Suitors

The latter clearly had several aims and was determined to pursue them.

The first was to draw attention to his accomplishments and his situation in life as a clergyman in a good parish in Kent.

The second was to praise his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

And the third was to find a wife, as Lady Catherine had demanded.

This purpose was revealed to only Mr and Mrs Bennet, but the former passed it on to Elizabeth at the first opportunity.

Mr Bennet was highly amused by the news; Elizabeth not so much.

Mr Collins initially suggested he was tempted to pursue the eldest Miss Bennet, but Mrs Bennet explained her daughter was likely to be engaged soon, so he turned his attention to Elizabeth, following her everywhere in and around the house, addressing her all the time, and allowing her not a moment to breathe.

Mr Collins was well read but not educated. He possessed knowledge but not understanding. He quoted sermons and Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s wisdom and gave both equal merit. He spoke much and listened little, with obstinate ignorance of everything that was to his advantage .

Mr Ash disregarded him completely. However, on several occasions when Mr Collins imposed himself too close to Elizabeth, the cat somehow found himself around the clergyman’s feet, causing him to stumble.

“Elizabeth, take that cat out of here,” Mrs Bennet demanded.

“Indeed, my dear cousin Elizabeth, even Lady Catherine says that pets and children must neither be seen nor heard in adult company. She strongly opposes any animal in the house because of Miss Anne de Bourgh’s fragile health.”

“Lady Catherine seems a very wise woman,” Mrs Bennet agreed.

“Wise cannot describe half of her ladyship’s discernment and concern for the wellbeing of others. I have been exceedingly fortunate to gain her trust and benevolence.”

“From what you tell me, Lady Catherine would disapprove of most of my behaviour,” Elizabeth declared, causing Mrs Bennet to choke.

“You should not listen to Lizzy, Mr Collins! She likes to joke, just like her father! Her behaviour is impeccable, I assure you.”

“But, my dear Mrs Bennet, this tendency to speak in jest might also displease Lady Catherine.”

“I assure you, Lizzy will correct her manners once she is married,” the lady said with an angry glare at her daughter, at which Mr Collins shook his head doubtfully.

Mrs Bennet continued to chasten Elizabeth privately several times that day, and she chose not to reply. Her mother’s expectation that she would ever marry someone like Mr Collins was ridiculous, but there was no need to argue unless an unwanted proposal was made.

The next morning, Lydia suggested walking to Meryton, and Elizabeth hoped for some peace; yet, she had no such luck, as Mr Collins immediately offered to accompany them.

Throughout the entire mile, Mr Collins chatted about Lady Catherine and Rosings Park, until Lydia and Kitty lost and patience and ran ahead.

Arriving in the town, they met several other people, who were introduced to Mr Collins. That captured the clergyman’s interest, and he gave Elizabeth a little bit of space.

Charlotte Lucas, with her sister Maria and her father, Sir William, was a pleasant addition, as Mr Collins took the opportunity to express his favourable opinion about Hertfordshire, Longbourn, and Meryton.

The entire group was engaged in conversation in the middle of the street, when suddenly Lydia waved to someone.

“Look, it is Colonel Forster and his wife! And there are two handsome officers with them. Kitty, let us go and greet them.”

Elizabeth’s call for proper manners was disregarded; Lydia and Kitty had already scampered off. Elizabeth and Jane followed them, as did Mr Collins and the Lucases. As the only one acquainted with everybody, Sir William performed the introductions.

“These are two of my officers, Mr Denny and Mr Wickham. Mr Wickham has just joined our regiment.”

“You are most welcome in Meryton, Colonel Forster, Mrs Forster. And your officers too,” Elizabeth said. Mr Denny and Mr Wickham both bowed and smiled at her, and Elizabeth mused that she had rarely seen a man with a more charming smile than Mr Wickham.

“And we are happy to finally meet you, Miss Elizabeth. We have heard much about you and your family. I shall send your father an invitation for a drink soon.”

“You have heard about us? I hope not all the information was unfavourable,” Elizabeth said.

“Not at all. We had the pleasure of dining with Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley last night, as well as with Sir William and Lady Lucas. Mr Bingley spoke a lot about your family — and only good things.”

“I can confirm that,” Sir William interjected. “There is no young woman prettier than Miss Jane Bennet in the entire neighbourhood, nor a clever or wittier one than Miss Elizabeth.”

“Sir William, you are exceedingly generous with your praise,” Elizabeth replied. “I second your opinion about my sister, but I do not deserve such credit.”

“You do, Miss Eliza. And you are pretty too. I am sorry that some people believed otherwise,” Sir William continued.

Elizabeth was shocked by such a comment; had Sir William lost his sense of decency?

“Papa!” Charlotte cried, but Lydia spoke over her reprimand.

“Oh, you mean that Mr Darcy called Lizzy tolerable? It was very rude of him, but he later came and apologised. He is so proud and unpleasant, but Mama said we must tolerate him because he is a friend of Mr Bingley’s.”

“Lydia!” Elizabeth scolded, grabbing her arm. She felt mortified at being the centre of such a discussion; the two officers watched her curiously, while Mr Wickham’s countenance changed a few times. He was certainly amused at her expense.

“Mr Darcy?” Mr Collins interjected, his eyes wide. “Did I hear correctly? Could he be the master of Pemberley?”

“He certainly is,” Sir William agreed.

“This is most extraordinary! I must introduce myself to him immediately. He is the nephew of my noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. This is the most astonishing coincidence. I would never have expected to meet Mr Darcy here!”

“It is a surprise, indeed,” Mr Wickham mumbled, and Elizabeth gazed at him, curious.

“Are you acquainted with Mr Darcy, Mr Wickham?” Sir William enquired.

“I am, but I am sure neither of us would be pleased to meet again.”

“Well,” Colonel Forster said, “from what I heard, Mr Darcy intends to leave Hertfordshire in a month. I am sure you can bear to meet him once or twice, if such a thing occurs, Wickham.”

“I certainly can, sir. My duty keeps me with the regiment, and that is more important than any unpleasant encounter.”

Mr Wickham’s remarks — as well as his voice and his obviously distracted expression — intrigued Elizabeth.

There had been so many coincidences: the similarity between Miss Darcy’s missing cat and Mr Ash; Mr Collins being Mr Darcy’s aunt’s clergyman; a new officer acquainted with Mr Darcy.

It seemed as if they were all in a play.

Would it turn out to be a comedy or a drama?

Sir William’s indiscretion had begun the conversation, proving he was no cleverer than Mr Collins. And the officer who had so easily expressed an opinion about an acquaintance to some strangers was also uncommonly ill-mannered.

The discussion was still taking place in the middle of the road, so Colonel Forster invited everyone inside for some refreshments. Elizabeth and Jane were the only ones reluctant, while everybody else agreed enthusiastically.

Charlotte took Elizabeth and Jane’s arms, walking behind the rest of the group.

“Your cousin is an interesting man,” Charlotte said. “Papa heard a few things about him from Mr Phillips. He has a pleasant figure.”

“He does, but interesting is not a word I would use to describe him,” Elizabeth said.

“He seems to be partial to you, Eliza.”

“My dear Charlotte, he only met me two days ago. What partiality could he have? The truth is — and I trust you will keep this a secret! — that Lady Catherine has demanded he marry, and he would never disobey her. For two days now, he has been trying to compliment me, and I have been attempting to escape from his attentions — especially since I know they cannot be the result of any true feelings. He cannot like me since he does not even know me.”

“People hardly know each other even after they have lived together for twenty years. So you do not intend to marry him?” Charlotte asked, and Elizabeth gazed at her, laughing.

“My dear Charlotte, I cannot believe you are even asking me that.”

“Why not? He seems to possess more qualities than flaws. He is making a good living as a clergyman, and one day — hopefully in many, many years — he will even inherit Longbourn,” Charlotte insisted.

Elizabeth wondered whether her friend was serious or not.

“You are right, of course, but Mr Collins is not the sort of man who could make me happy, and I would certainly not make him so. Besides, I am quite certain Lady Catherine would despise my stubbornness and frankness, and she would disapprove of everything I do or say. Just like Mama does.”

“That, I cannot argue with,” Charlotte replied, laughing too.

They entered the colonel’s house, and refreshments were ordered. Mrs Forster seemed close to Lydia and Kitty in age as well as manners, so the three found a subject of conversation to amuse themselves. The colonel spoke with Sir William and Mr Collins, and at some point, even Charlotte joined them.

Jane was talking to Mary and Maria Lucas on a sofa next to Elizabeth’s.

“Miss Elizabeth, may I sit with you, if I am not imposing?”

She lifted her eyes to see Mr Wickham smiling at her most charmingly.

“Of course, sir!”

“Thank you. It is a real pleasure to meet you and so many other lovely people here in Meryton. I am grateful that I decided to join the regiment, if only for that reason.”

“I hope you will enjoy your career in the militia for many other reasons, Mr Wickham. But we are pleased to have you here too.”

“I hope you will not find me too blunt or impolite, but I noticed your unease when Darcy’s impoliteness to you was mentioned.

I just wanted to assure you that you have nothing to be embarrassed about.

Darcy takes great pleasure in treating others with a lack of civility and consideration.

I know that better than anyone since I have known him my entire life. ”

“Really? That is quite astonishing!”

“I would prefer this not to be widely known, but I grew up at Pemberley. Mr George Darcy was my godfather, and he loved me exceedingly. I was even named after him.”

“Truly?” Elizabeth tried to temper her curiosity with little success. “You may be assured of my secrecy, Mr Wickham. In fact, perhaps it would be better if we did not discuss this subject further, as I assume you and Mr Darcy are not on friendly terms.”

“We are not. Darcy did me a great injustice and refused to give me what my godfather left me in his will. He never liked me and never showed me any friendship, probably because his father loved me so much. Darcy has a jealous and resentful nature.”

Elizabeth took a minute to understand the man’s assertions.

“So, Mr Darcy disregarded his father’s will? How is that possible? I assume inheritance is protected by laws.”

“Yes, but there was such an informality in the terms as to give me no hope from law. My godfather recommended Darcy give me the living of the parish of Kympton as soon as it fell vacant. The recommendation was clear and beyond a doubt, but Darcy chose to dismiss it and give the living to someone else.”

“That is strange, indeed… I know Mr Darcy only a little, but he seems to cherish his family. Disregarding his father’s wish is inconceivable.”

“And yet, that is Darcy — the one who always wishes to have his own way. I shall not trouble you with my problems any longer, Miss Elizabeth. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in suffering from Darcy’s rudeness.”

“The situations can hardly compare, Mr Wickham. The remark you heard — due to my sister and others’ indiscretion — was said to his friend. After all, he is entitled to like and dislike whomever he wishes, and to refuse to dance at a ball. He later apologised, so I cannot hold a grudge for that.”

“You are more generous than I am, Miss Elizabeth.”

“I doubt it… From what you said, he did you a great injustice and sullied his father’s memory. I would hardly forgive him for something like that. You, Mr Wickham, are calmer than I would be.”

“Time has healed my wounds, Miss Elizabeth. This happened more than three years ago, so I have had time to become accustomed to his actions and my situation.”

“Wickham, what have you been talking about with Miss Eliza for so long?” Mrs Forster called to him. “Come here and hear the news. Lydia said Mr Bingley is hosting a ball, and I shall ask my husband to make him invite all the officers.”

Mr Wickham smiled, then bowed to Elizabeth and walked away, joining the other group, leaving her thoughtful and perplexed.

Mr Wickham’s story confused her even more in regard to Mr Darcy. The officer’s accusations were serious. How could a man who had shown so much grief and tenderness for his parents and his sister, and who loved animals, act so dishonourably, even cruelly?