Chapter 3: Overheard
It had been a strange morning indeed, and a greater part of the morning had not even passed yet.
Looking back, Elizabeth thought that scampering around fields to get to Jane was perhaps not her brightest idea; even her sister Mary had doubted the sense of it. Her mother had abused her silliness. Of course, the two youngest sisters were always too self-absorbed and selfish to be able to produce a useful opinion on matters not about them, and being her father's favourite, he hardly ever criticised her, which was not always a helpful thing.
Perhaps, such great walks were best undertaken when the starting and end points were one and the same; that is to say, one's own home.
Elizabeth was close to acknowledging this to herself. However, her genuine concern for the health of her sister made the demands of propriety less important, in Elizabeth's eyes. Moreover, given that Jane was unwell due to their mother's harebrained scheme of having Jane fall sick in order to catch a rich husband in Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth felt more settled by being next to Jane, instead of awaiting further machinations by her mother.
Some of this she had thought on her solitary way to Netherfield. However, by the time she arrived at the great house, her mind instead was almost entirely full of the very strange gentleman accompanying her. Mr. Darcy was undoubtedly a very striking man; tall and well-built person, handsome features (even handsomer than Mr. Bingley), noble mien, and with an excellent cut to his clothes. But Elizabeth did not know what to make of his grave, silent manner of walking her to Netherfield. She first assumed him to be proud and disagreeable, and his silence to be the result of a determination that he was above her company. This was very much in line with his open amazement and disapproval to having found her rambling on her own, as well as his insistence over her protests to walk her to Netherfield.
Elizabeth also had to admit that a proud man and conceited man would have left her where he found her; had Mr. Darcy just ridden off leaving her on her own, it would not spoken well at all of his sense of propriety or gentlemanly duty.
Accordingly, Elizabeth arrived at Netherfield unable to determine her opinion of Mr. Darcy. She had, for the sake of being social, tried to engage him in conversation, but his monosyllabic answers made clear his preference for silence.
She was shown into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Jane were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mr. Bingley's sisters - Mrs. Louisa Hurst and Miss Caroline Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. The brother-in-law Mr. Hurst said nothing at all.
Elizabeth also took in the welcome Mr. Darcy received with interest; Caroline Bingley was overcome with a giddy, girlish excitement, and her brother alternately looked sheepish, worried, and relieved.
Her inquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Jane had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.
When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Jane. The apothecary came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment; nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen were apparently busy with a drainage matter on the estate, and the lades had, in fact, nothing to do elsewhere.
When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go, and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern in parting with her, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay and bring back a supply of clothes.
At five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then poured in, she could not make a very favourable answer. Jane was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their indifference towards Jane when not immediately before them restored Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all her former dislike.
Mr. Bingley was pleasing and solicitous towards her, and seemed anxious on behalf of Jane. His attentions to herself was most pleasing, and they prevented her feeling herself so much an intruder as she believed she was considered by the others. She had very little notice from any but him. Mr. Darcy was studiously silent, and could not be engaged in conversation even by Miss Bingley; the sisters were mostly conversing amongst themselves. Mr. Darcy seemed to glance at Elizabeth occasionally, but she could not be certain. As for Mr. Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards; who, when he found her to prefer a plain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her.
When dinner was over, Elizabeth announced her intention to return directly to Jane, and in fact, had almost made her way up to Jane's room when she thought that Jane might appreciate being read to. Not having brought a book herself, Elizabeth made her way to the library at Netherfield to find something appropriate. She soon realised that her childhood memories of being at Netherfield was not as accurate as she would have liked; after a fruitless search for the library, she was about to head back to Jane when she saw Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy deep in conversation, head inside what she presumed to be Mr. Bingley's study. With the intention of asking for directions, Elizabeth approached the room. The door appeared to be closed, but was actually ajar, and Elizabeth could hear the conversation inside.
" – sisters know?" Darcy asked.
"Nothing. They know nothing whatsoever."
"Then why are two of the Bennet sisters here?" Darcy's voice seemed tinged with a slight irritation. "Of course, Miss Elizabeth came here in search of her sister, so the better qustion is how the elder one ended up at Netherfield. Why?"
"It was just harmless innocence, Darce. Not everything has some ulterior motive behind it," Bingley replied. "Hurst and I were dining with the officers, and Caroline and Louisa knew that they would be bored, so they invited Miss Bennet to spend the day with them."
"And they randomly fell upon Miss Bennet as the lady to invite?"
Elizabeth frowned. She could not comprehend Mr. Darcy's concerns at all.
"Well…Ms. Bennet is the most beautiful girl here, and is so very sweet and agreeable…"
"Charles, would I be correct if I assumed that your sisters invited a young lady whom they presumed to be their brother's favourite?" Darcy's tone was even, giving away nothing to Elizabeth about his thoughts. She held her breath, waiting for a response to the question. She held her sister's hopes with it.
There was a long pause. "Darce, you need not worry at all. I have done nothing improper, and I am sure I have given no cause for speculation. I danced with her several times to be true, but that is nothing of significance. I have been friendly, that is all."
Elizabeth's heart dropped to her stomach. She could not believe what she was hearing.
"I think, perhaps, that the answer to my question is something I should better infer for myself."
"Darcy, I am sorry! Truly! Miss Bennet is beautiful and so agreeable, but I promise you that – "
"There is no need to apologise."
"Darcy, I have not done anything to give rise to expectations. Miss Bennet is – "
"Charles, I have no wish for you to suspend your wishes and desires on my behalf. It is not necessary."
Elizabeth knew that what she was doing was wrong, that she should leave, but she was transfixed.
Mr. Bingley's voice was small. "Miss Bennet would be a perfect partner for you." There was no response. "Darcy, she is –"
"She is a woman I have not even met."
"But you shall, very soon."
"I would much prefer to meet the father soon."
"Well, you can go see him tomorrow if you wish."
"I do not know what to make of him, Charles, or his wife for that matter. They have ignored my family. They send a daughter here on horseback in inclement weather, and to check on her welfare, another is sent traipsing over the countryside, instead of either parent arriving here in the proper manner. I cannot fathom such neglect of daughters, especially in their circumstances."
Elizabeth backed away, almost running to Jane's side. She had heard more than enough.