Page 33 of Obligation and Redemption
He wished to prepare her for measures, which might hereafter be necessary to accomplish the revenge he meditated, and he knew that by flattering her vanity, he was most likely to succeed.
He praised her, therefore, for qualities he wished her to possess, encouraged her to reject general opinions by admiring as the symptoms of a superior understanding, the convenient morality upon which she had occasionally acted; and, calling sternness justice, extolled that for strength of mind, which was only callous insensibility.
Ann Radcliffe
The Italian
Over the course of the following week, there were several engagements planned to celebrate the betrothal subsisting between the afflicted, yet resigned couple.
They each had determined within him and herself to bestow upon the other grace and to attempt to make the best of a trying situation.
Darcy attended social gatherings initiated by the local gentry designed to recognise the couple, but found it beyond his capability to perform a role in which he did not take pleasure.
The local society lacked not just in fortune, but also in manners and decorum.
Their insipid conversation tried his patience beyond anything he had experienced in his life.
This was most keenly felt when in the presence of the Bennet family.
Although he had to concede that Miss Bennet and his betrothed were above the rest in many ways, he still saw them as holding a place in society below that which he would have ever chosen as companions, much less a spouse for him or his friend.
Darcy was not really concerned about an attachment between Miss Bennet and his friend, for Bingley had been in and out of love many times, but he worried that perhaps the family might manoeuvre a situation thus entrapping his friend to misery, as he himself had been.
So although he could not enjoy the celebrations, he could focus on protecting his friend while pretending, without success, to be pleased.
One such gathering took place at Lucas Lodge, the closest neighbours to the Bennet family, the eldest daughter of which family being Elizabeth’s closest friend and confidante.
Elizabeth and Charlotte were talking with one another when the Netherfield party arrived.
The Bingleys and their guests had made a habit of appearing at gatherings past the hour expected, so no one was surprised at the late entrance.
Indeed, Elizabeth was glad for the delay that gave her an opportunity to speak with Charlotte in private for the first time since Darcy’s return.
They were speaking on marriage, specifically focusing on the upcoming weddings within the Bennet family, including those already planned and one that they were hopeful would come, which would be certain to make Jane the happiest of creatures .
It was generally evident whenever Jane and Mr. Bingley met, that he did admire her; and to Elizabeth it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent.
Elizabeth mentioned this to her friend, Miss Lucas.
“It may perhaps be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. We can all begin freely – a slight preference is natural enough – but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. A woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.”
“But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to discover it too.”
“Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.”
“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.”
“Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.”
“Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth, “where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married. But these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not acting by design.”
“Well,” said Charlotte, “I wish Jane success with all my heart, and if she were married to him tomorrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”
“You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself. I would never act in this way given a choice; I never in my life hoped to be in my current situation, where I must marry a stranger, a man with whom I share no commonality, yet hoping for a comfortable marriage.”
“Eliza, forgive me for bringing the conversation too close to home, but I do hope to encourage you. You may not know Mr. Darcy now, and truly may have no fondness for the man, but take heart; many start in the marriage state in such a way and then grow in respect and contentment if not in love.”
During the course of the conversation, Elizabeth had noticed the arrival of the Netherfield party.
Elizabeth saw that Mr. Bingley placed himself next to Jane; however, Mr. Darcy had made no move to greet her.
Instead she found that the man was staring at her and Charlotte with an inscrutable mien.
Charlotte also noticed the stare and saw disapproval.
Although she was trying to encourage Elizabeth as she faced her future with Mr. Darcy, she knew that her friend’s playfulness and whimsy would likely suffer under a severe man.
Elizabeth, attempting to ignore his inspection, said playfully, “I do believe my own chances of happiness in marriage to be rather slim, regardless of our lack of familiarity of dispositions. How do I find contentment with a man who belittles me? No, I will have to find my pleasure in learning the byways and passageways of the Pemberley estate. As grand as I have heard it spoken of by Miss Bingley, I fear that I will become lost more often than not. But I do not foresee that would result in Mr. Darcy’s coming to look for me; he would be certain to send one of his many servants for that pleasure.
Perhaps I could find a tree to climb to sit and enjoy the spectacle.
” At this, Charlotte and Elizabeth gaily laughed.
Elizabeth had always used levity when faced with difficulties; this Charlotte knew well and attempted to appease her through joining in.
“Well, it looks as though he is looking for you now. I am sure you noticed that he was staring at you.”
“He means to frighten me with his harsh looks, but every attempt at intimidation causes my spirit to rise to meet him. Shall I go to make my greetings? I feel I must take courage before I become afraid of him.” She said this with a smile and then went across the room to her intended’s side.
With a curtsy, she began, “Mr. Darcy, a pleasure to see you have made it tonight. I believe that dinner will be called soon, as our hosts were awaiting your arrival in order to begin.”
Darcy understood that in her tease, she was scolding him for their late entry. “Then I must apologise to our host. Unfortunately my usual promptness has been undermined on my visit here, but I can assure you that tardiness is a problem for which I rarely must ask forgiveness.”
“Is that so? This must occur only in Hertfordshire then,” she replied archly.
He tried to decide the most gracious response, while not letting her know that her words had any weight.
“Miss Elizabeth, if you will excuse me. I thank you for reminding me of my need to apologise to our hosts. I will procure my friend, so that we might promptly offer amends.” He then gathered Bingley from Miss Bennet and looked for his host, just before dinner was announced.
Elizabeth found herself seated across the table from Mr. Darcy, with Miss Bingley to his left and Miss Lucas to her own right.
Little conversation was had in that merry group as each attempted to come up with a subject worthwhile to speak upon.
Miss Bingley decided to show her superior communication skills and so began her own monologue about London society and how the current company compared to her esteemed friends there.
After some minutes of acclaiming the quality of the clothing currently worn in London, Miss Bingley moved on to speak of the accomplishments of the ladies of London, so rarely seen in the country.
“You must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman,” said Elizabeth to Miss Bingley, thereby interrupting her soliloquy.