Page 25 of Obligation and Redemption
“You cannot possibly have come here with any intention of aligning yourself with a family so beneath you, and indeed, unworthy of your attentions. I can see that you have the same admirable qualities as your relation, my patroness, who condescends to guide her humble servant in the manner most befitting a productive member of society. I would have you know, sir, that your unfortunate meeting with Miss Elizabeth will now in no way cause a breach in the alliance which you have long held with your most worthy cousin, Miss De Bourgh. For I have offered to take your place, thus freeing you of a misplaced obligation to consort with the Bennets.” He said this with such a look of satisfaction as he took another low bow, that he missed the distaste covering Darcy’s visage.
“Sir, do you mean to suggest that I should dismiss my duty and allow a man who is decidedly beneath me to fulfil my own obligations? In what manner can you defend the suggestion that I would ignore my conscience and allow you to pay a debt that is my own? ”
“Mr. Darcy, you misunderstand me. I only mean that it would be an honour for me to aid you in escaping a match, which cannot be desirable for you, to a woman of low connections and qualities that cannot compare to those of your lovely and most estimable cousin. I have within my power a way of securing Miss Elizabeth to myself. Her father, just yesterday evening agreed that should you fail to arrive to secure her hand, that he would consent to my offer.”
“You and Mr. Bennet must be forgiven your obvious misunderstanding of my character. I would not and could not fail in doing the duty that has been laid at my own door. Your sense of responsibility is misplaced, sir.”
“But my duty to Lady Catherine demands that I assist…”
He was cut off here, “Sir, you may feel an inclination towards appeasing my aunt, but you have no connection with me. This is a matter which does not concern you in the slightest, so I would thank you to let me by.” Darcy made his way around the obsequious man, and then turned with a parting thought.
“I will inform my own relations about my upcoming nuptials. Do not let me discover you have taken the task upon yourself.”
“But…” Before he could continue, Mr. Darcy had closed the door behind him.
THE BANNS WERE READ as expected on the following Sunday.
Darcy made a point to sit with the Bennets.
If he were locked into his present course, he would make a good show of it.
He sat next to Elizabeth, but as she was looking down, he could not see her eyes as her bonnet obscured his view.
Bingley took advantage of the occasion and sat, along with his sisters, in the pew behind the Bennet family.
Caroline, indignant about the upcoming nuptials and primed to find fault, showed little civility towards Elizabeth, who found Miss Bingley’s behaviour more amusing than offensive.
She could not judge Miss Bingley for her disappointed hopes, no matter how contrary to her own they would seem.
Of course, Elizabeth had not yet heard the story of Caroline’s disgrace, for if she had, she would have found diversion in the highly variable wishes of the two ladies.
Miss Bingley’s lingerie had been desecrated by Darcy when she attempted to secure him, and Elizabeth’s dress when she was attempting to flee the possibility.
But as news of this story had not yet reached Longbourn, due to the scarcity of visitors, she remained in ignorance and instead had to concentrate on disregarding the imposing man sitting beside her.
She attempted to listen to the pastor whom she had known for many years now.
Although kind, his monotonous way of delivering a message often left her mind free to wander.
Today was such an occasion. No matter how hard she tried to attend to his words, she continued to dwell on Mr. Darcy and the upcoming announcement.
When Darcy sat beside her upon entering the church, she could discern whispers of acknowledgement from all around her.
Those in the pews turned this way and that to observe her reception.
She attempted to look serene, as Jane would certainly be, but she was not Jane, and hiding her emotions came difficult for her.
Instead, she just looked down, so as to avoid giving cause for more disapprobation from her neighbours or the gentleman .
After church, Mrs. Bennet, having completely forgotten the dire straights her family had faced upon first hearing of Darcy’s private conference with her husband, merrily invited the party from Netherfield over for tea, which Bingley readily accepted.
That was the last place Darcy wanted to be.
He knew that he would marry Miss Elizabeth soon enough, but he had no desire to spend time with her family.
He figured that after they married, the two of them would spend little time in the presence of the Bennets.
Elizabeth’s demeanour would hopefully improve with time away from her noisome relations.
He planned to limit occasions that would put her in their presence.
Because Bingley hastily accepted the invitation, and as he was Bingley’s guest, he had little choice but to join them; refusing would give too great offence.
Miss Bingley felt her advantage when compared to the Bennets and readily derided their manners while on the way to Longbourn.
Darcy had forgiven her of her misguided attempt at securing him.
Although he had no intention whatsoever of a match with her, he could upon reflection absolve her of miscreant designs.
Had she been successful, she could have saved him from an imprudent marriage.
Yet what Miss Bingley did not realise was that marriage to her would be no less ignoble.
“Mr. Darcy, I hope you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can compass it, to cure the younger girls of running after the officers. And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses.”
“Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?”
“Oh! Yes. –Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Philips be placed in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your great uncle the judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth’s picture, you must not attempt to have it taken, for what painter could give beauty where there is none.
” She laughed heartily as her brother cast her an exasperated look, disbelieving they could have been derived from the same parents.
Darcy was about to respond with irritation, as Miss Bingley had gone too far, but how had he spoken any more graciously? She felt she could speak thus because he did not disabuse her of the idea. He then resolved to show more moderation in his expressions concerning Miss Elizabeth and her family.
The afternoon was spent in uncomfortable and contrived conversation.
Mrs. Bennet had set a fine display of food; however, no one but Mr. Hurst could appreciate the effort, as Mr. Bingley and Jane were too wrapped up in their tête-a-tête, while half of the group either failingly attempted to speak of some commonality while the others looked on in unfeigned discontent.
Lydia, the youngest of the Bennet daughters, was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance, a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age.
She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence.
She was very equal therefore to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of a ball given in honour of Mr. Darcy and her sister, Lizzy.
“Mr. Bingley, it would be the most shameful thing in the world if you do not give a ball to celebrate the occasion.” His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother’s ear, but painful for Elizabeth.
“I am perfectly ready to open my home for a ball, I assure you. How would the Monday prior to the wedding on Tuesday suit?” Mrs. Bennet and Miss Lydia were in perfect accord on the matter, and so the date was set.
“And I would like to claim a dance with all of the Bennet ladies, starting with Miss Bennet for the first set and Miss Elizabeth for the following one, if I may be so bold.”
Jane blushed and readily accepted the request. Darcy, seeing that he could not escape the affair, turned to Elizabeth and applied for her hand for the first set.
He did not go so far as to request another from any of her sisters, however – his discourtesy being noticed by more in the room than just Elizabeth.
She felt this to be another proof of his arrogance and she determined, then, that she would find ways to show him that she could not always admire him as he felt he so deserved.
Miss Bingley and her sister, reaching a new level of astonishment at the display, whispered together in quiet merriment laced with derision; yet when they finally left and were able to be at leisure for sharing their conversation within the confines of the carriage, they expressed their sentiments openly.
“Charles, what could you be thinking? A ball? Surely Mr. Darcy would not want such a spectacle made, seeming to celebrate his union with that uncouth family, would you, sir?”
Considering her own spectacle made at his expense but one week ago, he felt her declarations rather bold and imperceptive of her own position within his forbearance.
“I would not wish to draw attention to the event, beyond what is necessary to give the appearance of propriety. Nevertheless, hopefully the ball will do the task of drawing the gossips away from the methods of our attachment and towards the fulfilment of the marriage with all the usual consequence that accompanies a wedding celebration.”
“Regardless of the prudence of the idea, we will have a ball, and you, Caroline, will have the opportunity to display your excellent hosting skills, as mistress of my household. Personally, I am looking forward to the celebration in my home, to repay the kindnesses shown to me by the locals,” said an optimistic Mr. Bingley.
Miss Bingley, now having a new and enlightened perspective on hosting the event, began planning in her mind how she would demonstrate her skills to Darcy in contrast to Eliza’s. He would regret that he did not allow her to save him.
IN KENT, ON THIS SAME DAY, and about the same time, Mr. Collins completed the Sunday worship service at Hunsford.
He had not seen his patroness since his arrival late the previous day.
Mr. Collins was in an agitated state, knowing that Lady Catherine would be highly incensed with the scandalous occurrences at Longbourn, which put him in the unhappy position of having news to tell her, but not being at liberty to share.
He felt that it was his duty to ensure her wellbeing, and having failed in that endeavour by not securing Miss Elizabeth’s hand, Mr. Collins knew he would face the brunt of her initial wrath, which would only be amplified by her supposing that he withheld the gossip from her in order to achieve his own felicity.
His plans to save Mr. Darcy from the clutches of Miss Elizabeth Bennet did not come to fruition and actually put an embargo on his efforts to serve Lady Catherine through his usual efficient means of communication.
Mr. Darcy had made it clear that he should not inform his patroness of her nephew’s upcoming wedding.
Nevertheless, he did need to share with her his own joy at having offered for – and subsequently been accepted by – the hand of Miss Mary Bennet.
He was quite content in his choice of bride, excepting the anticipated wrath of Lady Catherine at his failure to remedy the scandal to her advantage.
After Mr. Darcy had visited Longbourn and made his declarations to honour his duty, Mr. Collins had decided to continue with his plan to marry the third daughter of Longbourn.
Having a close connection with the Bennet family would now be to his advantage should Lady Catherine’s ire be more than he could manage, since Mr. Darcy might have more to offer by way of patronage in the church.
So the evening before his departure from Longbourn, rather than offering for Miss Elizabeth, he had asked for a private interview with Miss Mary and declared his passionate love towards her, and promised that she would participate in all the benefits that an alliance with him could provide.