Three - count them three - what to do? Don't worry - Jane can do it.
Jenny Equals Jane Chapter 38
Three suitors? I was momentarily stunned by the news, but not silenced, "'Uncle' Darcy, surely you are not funning me," I exclaimed.
"No, not at all—I do assure you. Here are the letters—you shall judge for yourself."
I took the proffered notes, I read them over, I thought for a moment. I looked at Mr. Darcy and said,
"You have at one time or another met these gentlemen. Mr. Rivers was present at my Coming Out Ball, Mr. Mason was a guest at Mr. Rochester's recent house party, and of course, you have met Mr. Rochester on several occasions. Do you wish for my opinion at this time?"
"It would be helpful."
"Very well, kindly refuse Mr. Mason's suit—Lady Catherine said that there was something wrong in his background when she met him."
"What was it?"
"She could not recall it at the time, but she said that it was a serious thing and that I should not encourage his attentions."
"My Aunt's judgment is to be respected in these matters—I shall decline him. What about Mr. Rivers?"
"That is more difficult, he is, as you may recall; a cousin of mine, a member of the Clergy, and a very high-minded worthy young man."
"But you have reservations regarding him, do you not?"
"Yes, he has a very cold, reserved personality and his greatest ambition at the time I met him, was to go to India as a Missionary. That is not the sort of life that I wish for."
"That leaves us with Mr. Rochester, if I have not lost count. What shall we do about him?"
"Perhaps you might invite him to Pemberley for the Fete?"
"I shall do so—and we'll take a good long look at him—shall we? Besides, I rather value Lizzy's opinion on these things, let's see what she makes of him."
"Thank you, 'Uncle' Darcy, I know it's a great responsibility for you."
"My Dear, marriage is a long-term thing, one of the greatest commitments a person will make. A good choice is of prime importance."
-xxx-
Mr. Rochester arrived by 'return post' as one might say—had there been any doubt as to his interest in my company, it was erased by his promptness in responding to the invitation. I took the opportunity to twit him about it and received what I, no doubt, deserved—a dose of repartee. He replied with a very straight face and a suspicious twinkle in his eye, that he had long wished to attend the Pemberley Fete and was grateful for the opportunity to experience it. I looked at him sideways as he poured out this piece of nonsense—and caught the merest twitch of a smile on one corner of his mouth.
He had not arrived alone, Mr. Mason accompanied him. Mr. Rochester was apologetic about having brought an unexpected guest; explaining that he could hardly have left him alone at Thornfield. The Darcys were gracious in their welcome to the stranger—although my 'Uncle' was heard to mutter something about "preening popinjays" while my 'Aunt' quickly hushed him with a well-aimed elbow to his ribs.
I was a bit concerned over how to handle this delicate situation—I had not expected to see Mr. Mason again. Now I had two suitors on the premises—even though it had been intended that Mr. Mason's suit be declined. Things would be a bit awkward in the next few days. I little realized how much worse it would get—St. John appeared at Pemberley that afternoon—it seems that he was visiting friends in Lambton and had wished to see me while he was in the area. 'Uncle' Darcy looked to the Heavens with a "why me?" expression on his face—but it was Mr. Rochester's pained expression that took my eye—and I think I heard the words "stilted-up stork" coming from my 'Uncle's' vicinity. I could feel a good caricature coming on—my fingers fairly itched to set it forth on paper!
St. John managed to commandeer my company for a turn about the Park—although I warned him that the distance to circumnavigate it was more than I wished to travel—when he realized that it would be the better part of ten miles—he relented in favor of a shorter route.
After a while, he began to speak of his plans: it seems that he was still enamored of the idea of going to save the souls of India. All that he could talk of were his preparations to go on his Pilgrimage to the other side of the World. I asked him what would his Sisters do with him so far away—he replied that they were gainfully employed. I found myself wondering whether one of them might not rather accompany him to aid in his Mission. He replied that neither one of them wished to make the journey—and that it would better suit him to take a Wife with him—a Sister, he said, might be tempted to marry and abandon the work; while a Wife would, of necessity stay by him, to assist him in his labors for the Lord.
"I had thought at one time that your Cousin, Eliza Reed might do me the honor of becoming my Wife, but I hear that her Engagement to Lord Ingram was announced recently."
"Yes, it seems to be a good match, my Aunt is certain to be pleased by it."
"Are you pleased by it? You do not harbor any jealousy that Lord Ingram preferred your Cousin over you?"
"Lord Ingram is a nice-enough fellow, I am sure, but he is of no interest to me and never has been."
"Then, perhaps your interest lies elsewhere."
"Perhaps it does."
"When I leave for India, I would like to take you with me—as my Wife."
"I am very sorry St. John, but I do not wish to go to India with you."
"I do not ask this for myself, you must realize; I am offering you the keys to Heaven, you would be working for the glory of the Lord."
"I am not at all certain that the only path to Heaven and the Grace of God lies through India—I repeat—I do not wish to go there, whether with you or without you. It is not a salubrious climate for English people. God did not give me my life, for me to casually throw it away on an enterprise that I take no interest in."
"Jane, if you refuse me, then you turn your back on God's work."
"That is nonsense St. John, as you should realize; there are people here in England just as much in need of God's light as those a World away. I am already involved in several of Eliza's charities for the betterment of those who are impoverished both in their goods and in the Spirit of the Lord. You will excuse me now, I am going to return to the house."
"You will not reconsider then, your decision is final?"
"Cousin, at the risk of seeming impertinent—I believe, among other considerations, that it is always wise to establish the young lady's preferences before insisting upon your own. I esteem you highly as a person dedicated to your field of endeavor, but I am convinced that you and I would not suit as a married couple—we would be constantly at odds with each other! You may take it that my decision is absolutely final—and my Guardians will agree with me. Farewell!" I walked rapidly away from him, and upon reaching a bend in the path, discovered Mr. Rochester and Mr. Mason strolling toward me.
"Miss Eyre, you seem a bit flushed—has something disturbed you?" Mr. Rochester inquired, looking beyond me to where St. John could be seen in the distance.
"No, nothing of matter, just a difference of opinion with my Cousin, I am on my way back to the house, I think it must almost be time for Luncheon."
Mr. Mason took his rather ornate pocket-watch out and consulted it, "Indeed, Miss Eyre, I do believe that you are right—Fairfax, shall we accompany her?" I was a bit confused as he had called Mr. Rochester by his middle name—a thing I was not accustomed to associate with his person. Mr. Rochester, however, simply smiled and nodded agreement to Mr. Mason's suggestion while offering his arm to escort me.
When we sat down to Luncheon that day, Mr. Rivers was not present, nor did he reappear. I heard sometime later that he had gone to India . . . alone.
So - one down, two to go!