A Meeting is Arranged

As she followed behind her cousin and Charlotte as they walked to Rosings, she concentrated her thoughts on how best to deal with those two gentlemen. How much of what had transpired with Colonel Fitzwilliam would be vouchsafed to Mr. Darcy? She suspected that the latter gentleman would be in full knowledge of her dealings with Mr. Wickham and that the Colonel had revealed to her Mr. Darcy's dealings with him. How would Mr. Darcy respond to her having such knowledge of his private affairs? If his response at the Netherfield Ball was an indication, he would be most seriously displeased. If he was not prepared to respond to her then, how much less pleased would he be to now have the full particulars revealed to her. At least, in that regard, he would hopefully direct his anger at the Colonel and not herself. Should she acknowledge her error to him? As she thought further, she could find no reason to do so unless he initiated the subject. After all, her charges against him had been made at the ball and he had declined then to respond. That subject must now be dead between them and she would not try to breathe life into it; however, if he chose to do so, she could not, as painful and humiliating as it might be, do other than apologize and seek his forgiveness. That he would grant her absolution, she could not say.

Of more moment however, was the issue of her sister and Mr. Bingley. Could she ignore his involvement in their separation? She felt strongly disinclined to do so and yet, courtesy as Lady Catherine's guest, required her to act with the utmost civility. She could feel her ire rising as she considered the anguish her sister was suffering and, if Mr. Bingley was equally affected, then Mr. Darcy's interference was most grievous indeed. Breathing deeply she allowed her anger to dissipate as she entered the parlour to face Lady Catherine and her visitors. It would, she thought, be a most uncomfortable and trying visit.

The gentlemen rose as Mr. Collins led them into the parlour and their bows were as precise as ever; however, she could not fail to notice that the gaze of both was fixed on her countenance and she thought she detected a slight expression of concern from them both. Her curtsey was equally precise and she felt herself unable to greet either with anything more than the coolest civility; that her manner to Mr. Darcy was unchanged she recognized, but she had generally greeted the Colonel with warmer civility. She could discern nothing from their countenances nor was she inclined to hazard a guess as to their thoughts.

She chose to sit as far from either as possible, hoping that they would respect her desire to avoid their company. Alas, it was not to be, and Colonel Fitzwilliam was soon sitting in the chair beside her and fixing his attentions on her, "I trust, Miss Bennet, that you are feeling better?"

The Colonel had pitched his voice as not to be heard by others and indeed, Lady Catherine had once more claimed Mr. Darcy's attention, although Elizabeth could see him glancing at her occasionally. Turning his attention to the Colonel, she replied, "I am well, sir. Quite well. I also must thank you for imparting the particulars of Mr. Wickham's character to me." As she spoke, she considered that gentleman's character and an errant thought struck her with some force; it was not one she could ignore. "Colonel, I would ask…I wonder…is it likely that Mr. Wickham will impose himself on the people of Meryton?"

The Colonel's response was immediate, "I am positive he would. He left many debts behind when he departed from Cambridge and again from Lambton – a village close to my cousin's estate. I dare say he will do so in Meryton."

Elizabeth felt an immediate concern, "Sir, the shopkeepers of Meryton are not wealthy. They can little afford to have monies owed them and they have daughters also. Can we warn them? Should I warn them?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam surprise at her questions was quickly overtaken by an understanding of her concerns. His response was not long in coming, "Most assuredly they must be warned. Perhaps your father?"

Elizabeth required little time before responding, "My father will wish to learn - no, he will insist on learning – how I came to such knowledge. May I give him your name as an assurance?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam considered all that he had revealed to Elizabeth and nodded in reply, "Indeed you may. I do believe Mr. Wickham has made a grievous error. He joined the Militia. It will not be as easy to escape his debts now. Perhaps I could write to or visit the Colonel of Mr. Wickham's regiment as well. Do you know his name?"

"It is Colonel Forster of the _shire Militia and I thank you, Colonel. You have behaved in a most gentlemanly manner."

The Colonel nodded once more and considered his next words. He had not been able to discover Miss Bennet's involvement with Bingley – having been distracted by the discussion of Wickham – now perhaps he could explore that problem and began by saying, "Earlier today I made mention of Mr. Bingley. Are you well acquainted with that gentleman?"

"Indeed I am sir; Mr. Bingley is leasing an estate not three miles from Longbourn where I live."

However, to the Colonel's dismay but Elizabeth's satisfaction – she was reluctant to talk of Mr. Bingley and her sister at this time – Lady Catherine finally noticed them in conversation and did not scruple to call out, "What is it that you are saying Fitzwilliam? What is it that you and Miss Bennet are talking of? Come, let me hear what it is."

"We are talking of music once again, madam," said he when forced to acknowledge the interruption. Shortly thereafter he begged Elizabeth to play for them, "I beseech you to humour me on this. I have much enjoyment in your playing."

Although Elizabeth had little desire to do so, the consideration that she might be required to discuss Mr. Bingley and her sister induced her to agree to the request. No sooner had she seated herself at the pianoforte and begun to search the music available, then Mr. Darcy approached and offered to turn the sheets for her. There being no way that she could see to deny the request, she acquiesced and began to play. The presence of Mr. Darcy did not soothe her nerves and she found it hard to concentrate on the music before her. "There were some very strong objections against the lady," she remembered and her fingers struck a very discordant note. Aware that Mr. Darcy had noticed her discomfit, she remonstrated with herself to focus on the music. Finishing the piece with a barely audible sigh of relief and her composure somewhat threadbare, she began a search for another with which to pass the time.

Mr. Darcy aided her in the search, suggesting several that he thought she might know but with no success. As she continued her search, he murmured, "Miss Bennet, I would speak with you on a matter of some importance. Would you meet me on your usual walk in the morning, so that we might converse?"

Elizabeth could not credit that he would have anything to say that she could wish to hear. "There were some very strong objections against the lady," and accordingly responded, "I do not believe, sir, that there are any two people who have less to say to each other."

"I disagree, Miss Bennet! I disagree most vehemently."

Before Elizabeth could respond, Lady Catherine once more interjected a question as to their conversation and after Elizabeth satisfied her that they were but discussing which music she would play, was content to return her attention to the instructions she was imparting to Mrs. Collins about the household budget at the Parsonage. Colonel Fitzwilliam had taken the opportunity to escape his aunt's attention and joined them at the pianoforte thus depriving Elizabeth the opportunity to respond to Mr. Darcy's request.

Her first inclination had been to reject it outright. After all, what could he say to refute his involvement but, as her fingers danced over the instrument keys, she remembered that she had – not a day earlier – thought it impossible that Mr. Darcy could be found blameless in the business with Mr. Wickham. How wrong she had been there. Could she be wrong again? She did not think so since this time the words were those of Mr. Darcy himself. "There were some very strong objections against the lady," Nevertheless, since she had been so grievously wrong on the matter of Mr. Wickham, did it not behoove her to afford Mr. Darcy the opportunity to explain his actions there? She could not see how it was possible for him to do so, but surely he was owed the opportunity. Her sense of justice would not allow her to do less. How then, was she to apprise him of her decision? Both gentlemen were according her their attention at the pianoforte but that would soon cease as the Parsonage party would shortly depart.

As it turned out, no opportunity was afforded her to communicate her intentions to Mr. Darcy until it was time to depart and, as Mr. Darcy assisted her to enter Lady Catherine's carriage, she murmured very softly, "I will be walking in the morning." That he grasped her meaning was apparent from the slight nod of his head. She was uncertain as to what he expected to accomplish or what he might say and she only hoped that her temper would not betray her as it had done on occasion in her past dealings with the gentleman.

After supper Elizabeth excused herself to her room claiming fatigue from the day's exertions and the residue of the previous day's headache. Once there she first resolved to read Jane's letters once more but, after thinking on the matter further, she considered that nothing would be gained by doing so. Of the despondency felt by her sister she was fully aware. Nothing would be gained by the exercise other than to rekindle her ire against Mr. Darcy and that, she realized, would have little value other than to render it more difficult for her to listen to him on the morrow. And listen to him she would. She owed him that after her egregious error in regard of Mr. Wickham. How badly had she sketched his character in this regard! As she was considering the morrow's meeting, she heard a soft knock on her door and Charlotte entered after Elizabeth's answer.

"I would ask if you are well, Eliza? You seemed to have been distracted and even a little despondent today."

"I am well, Charlotte. I have received today a sad, but much deserved, blow to my pride."

Charlotte considered her friend carefully. She knew her well enough to know that should Elizabeth not wish to discuss a subject, she would refuse to do so albeit her refusal would be expressed most pleasantly. She could not discern whether Elizabeth was so inclined on this occasion and asked lightly, "Ah, a most rare event then. Perhaps you can share it with those of us who suffer such with some regularity."

Elizabeth gave a rueful chuckle, "I fear my judgement of Mr. Wickham has been sadly and completely overturned by Colonel Fitzwilliam today."

At Charlotte's questioning look, she briefly outlined the particulars of the situation involving Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy. "As you may see, there is but such a quantity of merit between them – just enough to make one sort of a good man – and of late it has been shifting about pretty much. For myself, I am now inclined to believe it all Mr. Darcy's." She grinned at Charlotte, "But you may choose as you wish."

Charlotte could not have been more surprised. "I do not know when I have been more shocked." said she, "but is it certain?"

"Oh yes, I fear it is. Colonel Fitzwilliam was quite prepared to provide witnesses and documents to support his claims."

"This does appear to place Mr. Darcy in a more favourable light, does it not Lizzy?"

"Perhaps a little, Charlotte, although it does not materially affect my opinion of the gentleman. That he is an honourable man, I will concede but his pride and disagreeable nature, his disdain and contempt for me, my family and my neighbours do not recommend him to me. That he is not as bad as I thought I will admit, but no more."

"Lizzy, I will not try to change your opinion. I think you are wrong but I have learned from experience that you are stubborn in defending your opinions and reluctant to reconsider those opinions even when there is reason to believe you are wrong. I will limit myself to several observations and ask that you not dismiss them as is your usual wont. Will you grant me this – to seriously consider what I say and that I might be right? Will you?"

Elizabeth looked at her friend with some surprise. She had rarely seen Charlotte so determined and reluctantly assented to her request, "Very well. I will attempt to consider your words carefully."

Charlotte sighed with some relief. She had enough trust in her friend's integrity to believe that Elizabeth would indeed give careful thought to what she was about to be told. "First of all, I know I have said this before but I am not convinced that Mr. Darcy views you with disdain or contempt. Apart from his very first comment it seems to me that he has found your company to be of interest. No! Hear me out!" Charlotte spoke sharply as she could see Elizabeth about to interject a comment.

"Please, let me finish. As I said I thought I could see some signs of interest. He did ask you to dance at the gathering at our home and you were the only lady, apart from those in his own party, with whom he danced during his stay at Netherfield. The only one, Lizzy!" she paused for a moment before saying, "I know his behaviour here has been odd but it certainly is not consistent with a man who disdains you. In fact, if incivility is a sign of a man in love, he may be besotted!"

Charlotte laughed at the expression on her friend's face, "Although I am not claiming such in this case. I would also ask that you answer the following; first, how old is Mr. Darcy?"

"Seven or eight and twenty, I believe."

"How long has he been master of his estate?"

"Five years I think – since his father died. To what do these questions tend?"

"Patience, Lizzy. He has the guardianship of a younger sister I believe, does he not?"

"Yes"

"How old is she now?"

"I believe Miss Bingley said she was about fifteen or sixteen – Lydia's age, in fact."

Charlotte nodded, "So we have a young man of two and twenty years, taking over the management of a large estate and the guardianship of a much younger sister. A serious responsibility was it not? Most young men of his age are playing the fool in town."

Elizabeth could only nod and Charlotte took some satisfaction from the pensive look on her friends face. "Excellent, perhaps she is beginning to think clearly for once."

"Finally, I will repeat something I mentioned before. If two such amiable men as Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam like and esteem Mr. Darcy, is it not possible that your perception of that man may be in error?" Charlotte rose from her seat, "Now, I will plague you no more. I believe you have much to think on and will leave you to that effort."

Alone again with her thoughts Elizabeth knew not what to think. She was not insensible to all that Charlotte had imparted. She recognized that her dislike of Mr. Darcy was founded to a certain extent on a mistaken belief in the goodness of Mr. Wickham and, with a humiliating awareness, she saw that it had been that dislike which allowed her to give credit to Mr. Wickham's tale. It was the cause of her dislike which troubled her. That the man held in her low esteem he had shown by his very first words – she was not handsome enough to tempt him – and the glares he directed her way certainly confirmed his dislike and disdain. No, she thought, she found it difficult to credit Charlotte's words that he was attracted to her. However, she was prepared to concede that he was frequently civil to her particularly when she resided at Netherfield nursing Jane. That he had danced with her, and her only, she could not understand particularly since he had paid her no other attention that evening and had separated from her after the dance in some anger. That, she admitted to herself, was caused mainly by her harsh words with him during the dance. Nevertheless, he had wasted little time in departing Netherfield after the dance - never to return. And his behaviour here in Hunsford was puzzling in the extreme. She could not understand his calling at the Parsonage or his meetings with her on her walks and his discomfort and reluctance to converse. Was she to interpret this as an interest? When she thought about the time they spent a full thirty minutes in company together in the Netherfield library with nary a word exchanged, that seemed more the action of a gentleman with no interest; and of ensuring that a lady perceived his lack of interest.

When she remembered his behaviour at the Assembly and again at the ball, she could detect nothing other than a disdain and contempt for those with whom he was forced to associate. He had made no effort to engage them in conversation and, when such was forced upon him, his words were barely civil and frequently designed to indicate his contempt for the company – 'every savage could dance' he had said - which told much about his view of her friends and neighbours. No, she found little to admire or like in Mr. Darcy.

And yet, when she considered that both Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam, both truly amiable men, considered him to be an honourable man and a good friend, she was confused. That Mr. Bingley avowed him to be amiable among close friends and relations, she was prepared to concede, and he had been civil during her sojourn at Netherfield – certainly much more so than either of Mr. Bingley's sisters. But how, she thought, could one expand one's circle of acquaintances, if one disclaimed any interest in being introduced to and conversing with new acquaintances?

And what, she wondered, did this portend for the morrow? Mr. Darcy's interference in the matter of Mr. Bingley and her sister did not admit of any doubt. He averred his actions and appeared to feel them justified and reasonable. "There were some very strong objections against the lady," Those words could not be denied and she was certain that those objections encompassed an uncle who was a country solicitor and another in trade in London.

Her reflections gave her little respite until at last she resolved to think on them no more and await the morrow with more patience. She would allow Mr. Darcy his chance to explain his actions and, once he had done so, think of him no more. Their paths were not likely to cross in the future and she would attempt to ensure, should she visit Charlotte in the future, that Mr. Darcy was not expected to be of the company at Rosings. Nevertheless, sleep did not find her for some time and her thoughts could not be as ordered as her wishes.