Page 12 of Missing
“Mr. Dalton is a friend of my family, Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth said, hoping to ease the situation. She saw that William was vexed and wished to prevent the conflict between the two gentlemen from escalating.
“I understand, Miss Bennet. I regret that we cannot converse further, but I must go now. It was a pleasure to see you, and I hope that next time we may speak more privately and without interruptions,” Mr. Wickham said, casting a dismissive glance at William.
He had taken an instant dislike to that haughty man and could not understand why he comported himself as though he were of consequence, when it was clear he was nothing more than a tradesman.
“Goodbye, Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth replied coldly. She hoped never to see that man again and resolved to speak with Charles so that he might know how his friend behaved when unobserved.
“Are you well, Miss Bennet?” William asked as soon as Wickham departed. “It seemed to me that this man was importuning you, and that is why I offered my assistance.”
“Mr. Wickham is an acquaintance, and I have not seen him for some time. I was bidding him farewell when you approached.” Elizabeth did not wish to explain further, nor did she care to tell William how Wickham had truly behaved.
“Will you allow me to walk you home?” William asked. Although Elizabeth insisted that nothing untoward had occurred, he remained unconvinced and wished to ensure her safe return.
Elizabeth thanked him and agreed to his escort for the three blocks to the Gardiners’ house.
She thought they might talk and perhaps reconnect, but William hardly spoke a word.
He was intent on shielding her from Wickham, yet had no desire to renew their friendship.
He had resolved to cut her from his life, and nothing would induce him to alter his decision.
“Mr. Dalton, I shall return to Hertfordshire tomorrow,” Elizabeth said, attempting conversation.
“I hope you have a safe journey and that you have enjoyed your stay in London,” William replied—and said no more.
Elizabeth felt wounded by the contemptuous brevity of his words, but still more by his indifference. During the last block, they walked together; he did not so much as look at her, absorbed as he seemed in his own thoughts.
At last, when they reached the Gardiners’ home, Elizabeth paused and offered her farewell. “Thank you for your company, Mr. Dalton.”
“It was a pleasure, Miss Bennet,” William replied. He bowed slightly and began to walk away.
Elizabeth, believing she might not see him again for a long time, resolved to speak her mind. “Mr. Dalton, please wait.”
William grew uneasy, unwilling to prolong their meeting. Though it pained him to think he might not see her again, he knew that distance was the only safeguard for his peace of mind. “Excuse me, Miss Bennet, but I have much work that requires my attention this afternoon.”
“Please, do not be concerned. I shall not detain you long. I only wish to know why you have treated me with such indifference during this past week,” Elizabeth said earnestly. “Before I return home, I want to understand what I have done to deserve such disdain.”
William had not anticipated such a direct question and, at first, knew not how to reply. “I do not know what you mean. Perhaps I have merely been too occupied…”
“I do not think so, for since we have known one another, you have always been busy, yet you were kind, considerate, and seemed to enjoy my company. Please, Mr. Dalton, I beg you to be honest with me, for we may not meet again for a long while. I must know if I said or did anything that offended you. I cannot endure to feel guilty without knowing why.”
Seeing the despair in Elizabeth’s expressive eyes, William was overcome with misery and guilt for having caused her pain. “Miss Bennet, please believe me when I assure you that you have done nothing wrong. You are an excellent friend, whom I admire and respect most sincerely.”
“I am sorry, but I do not believe you. And I am very sorry you cannot be honest with me. I, too, admire and respect you, but I shall not insist further. I know I have lost your friendship and shall never know why. Good afternoon, Mr. Dalton,” Elizabeth said, disappointed and unable to hold back her tears.
“Elizabeth, please do not speak to me so,” William exclaimed impulsively.
“I do not understand you, William. Why can you not be honest and tell me what has made you change so much?”
William knew he could not continue deceiving her. He therefore invited her to the park, where they might speak more privately. Once there, they sat upon the same bench they had occupied a week before.
“You are correct that something altered my conduct towards you, but you have done nothing wrong; pray believe me.” Seeing her look of doubt, William continued.
“From the moment I met you, I felt a strong attraction, which deepened into ardent admiration as I came to know you better. But all the while, I believed you the daughter of a solicitor and not a gentleman’s daughter.
Otherwise, I would never have presumed that anything could be possible between us. ”
“And what difference does it make that I am a gentleman’s daughter? I remain the same person,” Elizabeth said in astonishment.
“Elizabeth, you are young, you have lived a sheltered life, and you know little of the world. The differences in our families make it impossible for us to be more than friends. And I feel that I cannot even be your friend.”
“Why, Mr. Dalton? Will you not hear my feelings before deciding?”
“No, because nothing you might say will alter my mind. Any sentiments you may now feel will vanish once youthful dreams give way to reality and social prejudice. I shall not bear the burden of tearing you from your family.”
“William, you do not know how my life is.”
“Miss Bennet, you asked for the truth, and I have told you. I have nothing further to add and no other apology to make. Allow me now to escort you to your uncle’s house—”
“I prefer to walk alone. Goodbye, Mr. Dalton.”
Elizabeth hastened away, unwilling to hear another word. All she wished at that moment was to return to the Gardiners’ house and forget that man. She resolved never to fall in love again.
◆◆◆
“I want to adorn the church with flowers in every possible colour, so that everyone may be impressed by the most important wedding that has taken place in this area in years,” Mrs. Bennet declared happily, as she rearranged various items in Netherfield’s drawing room.
“I am sorry, Mrs. Bennet, but the church will have only white flowers,” Caroline replied, returning the china vase to its former place.
“No, I cannot endure such a thing! Only white flowers will make the wedding look like a funeral,” Mrs. Bennet retorted, annoyed.
“But the wedding shall have only white flowers, whether you like it or not,” Caroline declared firmly.
“Why?” demanded Mrs. Bennet, exasperated.
“Because white flowers are a symbol of distinction and elegance. My brother’s wedding is not a vulgar event, Mrs. Bennet,” Caroline replied, with evident disgust.
“A wedding is a serious occasion. We cannot have a church filled with flowers of many colours; that would be an impropriety we cannot accept,” Louisa added, in support of her sister.
“On my wedding day, the church was decorated with flowers of many colours, and I married the most important gentleman in this area, not a tradesman,” Mrs. Bennet concluded angrily. She then placed the porcelain vase once again near the window.
“Mother, would you mind helping me settle some items in my future chamber?” Jane interposed gently. She wished to prevent her mother from continuing the argument with Louisa and Caroline and preferred to remove her from the drawing room.
Jane was indeed happy to be marrying the man she loved, yet other matters prevented her from fully enjoying her new situation.
Her sisters-in-law were kind only when she complied with their wishes and demands.
Her mother, likewise, continually tried to interfere in her life and impose her will.
Jane loved Mrs. Bennet, yet often wished that her mother were less controlling and more considerate of her feelings.
Moreover, Mrs. Bennet frequently embarrassed her with improper remarks.
Thus, Jane felt torn, not knowing how to manage both sides or how to please everyone to avoid discord.
She was also saddened that Elizabeth remained in London, leaving her alone to manage her own family, her future husband’s family, and the entire preparation for the wedding.
Elizabeth had written to ask whether she required her assistance, but Jane had been too occupied to reply.
Each night, she was so fatigued that she fell asleep at once.
Yet she thought her dear sister ought to have perceived how much she needed her.
Fortunately, Mrs. Bennet returned to Longbourn and did not insist upon staying to dinner at Netherfield. Jane, however, would remain the night, for on the following day she, Louisa, and Caroline were to begin arranging everything for the wedding breakfast.
Caroline and Louisa, meanwhile, were eager to isolate Jane from her family and to create a disagreement with them. They already had a well-devised plan to achieve that.
“Caroline, Louisa, I must apologise… Sometimes my mother can be very intrusive,” Jane said sincerely, having observed how displeased they were with Mrs. Bennet’s behaviour.
“Do not trouble yourself, dear; we understand,” Louisa replied with a smile.
“My dear Jane, we all have relatives who think more of themselves than of our feelings. For instance, my aunt Henrietta, who lives in Scarborough, has always been disrespectful and says whatever comes to her mind, no matter how mortifying her words may be,” Caroline said sympathetically, though she had invented the story.
In truth, aunt Henrietta was thoughtful and considerate.