Page 13 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

Mrs Bennet’s deep and endless irritation about Netherfield and its master, which started the moment Jane shared the news with the family, made the situation worse and increased Jane’s sadness. She confessed it to Elizabeth in a moment of solitude.

“Oh, my dear mother has no idea of the pain she gives me by her continual reflections on him. But it cannot last long. He will be forgotten, and we shall all be as we were before. He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my acquaintance, but that is all. I have this comfort at least: that it has not been more than an error of fancy on my side, nor has it done harm to anyone but me. I shall certainly try to improve my spirits.”

“My dear Jane, you are too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic. I do not know what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice or loved you as you deserve. And I feel that I had bestowed my appreciation on a man who does not deserve you and has proven unworthy of our admiration.”

“Dear Lizzy, do not pain me by thinking Mr Bingley is to blame and saying your opinion of him is sunk. We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.”

“You cannot stop me from judging him, because your happiness is more precious to me than my own. A man should not allow himself to be so easily persuaded against his heart.”

“You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him. But why should they try to influence him? They can only wish his happiness, and if he is attached to me, no other woman can secure it.”

“Your position is false. They may wish many things besides his happiness. They may wish his increase of wealth and consequence. They may wish him to marry into a family that will bring more advantages to them than to him. I do not doubt Miss Darcy’s merits, but I am certain they cannot be better than yours.

She cannot be better than you in any way. ”

“Beyond a doubt, they do wish him to choose Miss Darcy,” replied Jane, “but this may be from better feelings than you are supposing, and she may well be better than I am in many ways. They have known her much longer than they have known me. No wonder if they love her better. Lizzy, please let us not speak of this any further. My present pain is nothing in comparison of what I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters. Let me take it in the best light—in the light in which it may be understood.”

Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish, as she could not bear to see her sister’s suffering increased by her words, and from that time, Mr Bingley’s name was scarcely ever mentioned between them.

“Lizzy,” Mr Bennet said he one day, “your sister is crossed in love I find. I congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. When is your turn to come? Here are officers enough at Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham be your man. He is a pleasant looking fellow, and he possesses such a great talent of sharing tragic stories from his past and blaming the whole world for his misfortune. He should jilt you creditably.”

“Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. And I believe we should not be so eager to make fun of Mr Wickham’s past misfortunes, Papa.”

“Perhaps not, my dear, but then he should be less eager to narrate them to anyone who is willing to listen,” said Mr Bennet.

Elizabeth could not deny that her father‘s opinion of Mr Wickham was possibly correct.

They saw him often, and to his usual amiable manners was now added a general unreserve.

His claims on Mr Darcy and all that he had suffered from him were openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed.

Everybody was pleased to think how much they had always disliked Mr Darcy before they had known anything of the matter.

Everyone seemed to forget Mr Darcy’s involvement in saving Elizabeth and the help he offered by sending his doctor—except Mr Bennet, Jane, and Elizabeth herself.

Hearing Mr Wickham’s assertions made Elizabeth uneasy.

She remembered that Mr Wickham declared he would never say a word against Mr Darcy in public.

How quickly that changed once Mr Darcy left Hertfordshire!

She did not blame or disbelieve Mr Wickham, but she could not remain insensible to the evidence of Mr Darcy’s kindness and generosity, which proved his good nature.

From time to time, it crossed Elizabeth’s mind that Mr Darcy himself could have had an influence on Mr Bingley’s decision to stay in London for the winter.

If there was indeed a connection between Mr Bingley and Miss Darcy, it was only natural—though deeply unfair—that he do everything in his power to separate Mr Bingley from Jane.

Such ungenerous interference—if real—did not speak highly of Mr Darcy’s character, but Elizabeth did not hesitate to split the burden of guilt between him and Mr Bingley himself.

What kind of man allows himself to be convinced by his friend against his own feelings?

Four days before Christmas, the entire house was preparing for receiving Mrs Bennet’s brother and his wife at Longbourn. Mr Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister by nature as well as education.

The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade within view of his own warehouses could have been so well bred and agreeable.

Mrs Gardiner was an amiable, intelligent, elegant woman and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces.

Between the two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted a very particular regard, and both Jane and Elizabeth were eagerly awaiting their dearest aunt’s visit.

Mr Wickham and Mr Denny called on Longbourn that day, and the former was received with joy by the ladies as he had been away for several days.

Mr Wickham cheerfully related that he had been in London, visiting some old friends, and he amused the ladies with lovely details about the Season in Town. Mr Bennet did not leave his library.

***

London, 18 December

Lady and Lord Matlock were enjoying refreshments and conversation when they received their daughter-in-law’s unexpected visit, her manners far from her usual calm.

“Mother, I had a terrible morning! I met that woman at Madame Claudette’s, and it was the most horrible meeting I have ever had! I could hardly bear the shame while Louise finished my measurements. I must find another modiste. I cannot risk meeting that woman again.”

“Woman? Of whom are you talking, Maryanne?”

“Of that Lady Stafford! Darcy’s old acquaintance!

I did not know her, but we met three days ago at the theatre when we went with Darcy and Georgiana.

I had no idea who she was—Thomas told me afterwards.

I was shocked by her manners. She was with James and a few others in her box, and during the interval she approached Darcy, right in front of Georgiana.

He put an end to the conversation immediately, but even when the play started, she kept looking towards us and speaking quite loudly with her companions.

And this morning, while I was trying on my new ball gowns, she just entered and inquired after Darcy!

She suggested that… She mentioned that she hoped Darcy was well, as when she last saw him at his house, he seemed pale and tired! ”

The ladies stared at each other, their faces changing from flushed to pale, while the earl was stunned into silence. With great difficulty, the ladies continued the conversation in a calmer manner. An hour later Lady Maryanne left, and the Matlocks discussed the matter themselves.

“The situation is growing worse with every day that passes, and there are rumours around Town that cannot be stopped. I believe you should talk to Darcy again, husband. He might be upset, but he will understand our concern eventually.”

“But what should I say to him? Surely, I cannot ask him if he met that woman again!”

“No indeed, but you can warn him about the increasing rumours and their influence on our family—especially Georgiana. You know that nothing is more important to Darcy.”

“What truly astonishes me is this woman’s behaviour.

If she is determined to have Darcy, how can she imagine that she might convince him by offending his family?

She should know that such actions only push him away.

Women in her situation are usually more discreet.

She is either impertinent or desperate. In either case, she should be treated with caution. ”

“Women in her situation are often not in the possession of such name and fortune. And yes, she should be treated with great caution, husband. Darcy should know how to do that.”

“Darcy has not been himself since he returned to Town. Have you noticed? That worries me too. He has spent little time either with us or with Georgiana, as if he tries to avoid us. Something has happened to him, and I am afraid to discover what. I am afraid this woman may continue to pursue him and catch him in a moment of weakness. Just imagine what would happen if she were to carry his child. I do not believe she will rest until Darcy either leaves Town or marries or something—and maybe not even then…”

“I noticed the same, husband. I feel sorry for him. He has had so much on his mind and now that… And that tale about the girl in Hertfordshire… Did you hear about that?”