Chapter 3
Elizabeth, having arrived in her father's library, swiftly corrected her posture and disguised her contempt upon noting Mr. Darcy's appearance. Quite confused about his presence as she had not thought him capable of understanding his error enough to apologize for it, had little expectation of him in her father's office.
"Elizebeth, it seems Mr. Darcy has called to apologize," said Mr. Bennet.
As she turned her raised eyebrows towards Mr. Darcy, he proceeded, though pride, to further his own error. "Miss Bennet, I wish to extend my apologies for my unfortunate words and put an end to the fancies that have stemmed from a lack of understanding of my character. I pride myself on my own behavior, seeking to never expose myself to those defects of character that expose some men to ridicule. Ignorant as you previously were of everything concerning either my good name or my good character, due to my own ill-humored conversation, detection of the truth of the situation could not be in your power, and moderation certainly not in your inclination."
Indeed, moderation certainly wasn't her current inclination. Her temper rapidly increasing at the expense of reason, Elizabeth was no longer able to apply any charity to Mr. Darcy thus replied " Sir I concur that I have faults in plenty, but I do hope that among them is not a lack of understanding. I do hope you can extend enough faith in a woman's ability to reason to believe me capable of understanding an insult." To Elizabeth's ears, it seemed he was not extending an apology but instead so deluded in his arrogance that he came to condescend to forgive her for not understanding his insult.
"Lizzy, aid my own understanding if you will, as I have Mr. Darcy's version, pray explain your own perception of events," Mr. Bennet inquired. Knowing full well he would further incite the situation unfolding in his study. Perfectly willing to increase his own amusement at the expense of both his daughter and Mr. Darcy.
Not unaware of her father's character, thus knowing full well he was sporting with her and amusing himself at her own expense, she told the tale and added her insights as succinctly as possible.
Mr. Dacy, having had quite enough, opened his mouth to add his own arguments declaring "Madam, that is a flight of fancy fit only for a novel. I can assure you…" only to have been interrupted by the lady herself declaring "Indeed Mr. Darcy, I am but a woman, perhaps if my father confiscated my books I wouldn't suffer being troubled with thoughts at all."
"Madam, you willfully misunderstand me, I assure you."
Straight-faced Mr. Bennet held up his hand halting Elizabeth's reply and turned his attention to his daughter. "Lizzy, are there any alternative explanations you can come up with for Mr. Darcy's insult?" Knowing he would have a good chuckle at Mr. Darcy's departure.
Elizabeth, being her father's daughter and now seeing her own opportunity for sport, determined to vex him further having felt all of the sting of his last insult.
"Indeed sir, I suppose Mr. Darcy could wish to attract fortune hunters and social climbers."
This is not to be borne! How was he supposed to hold his tongue while she was being indulged in every flight of fancy, by her father? Indeed, he didn't just indulge her, he encouraged her, thought Darcy. No wonder, she knows not better than to draft a verbal novel out loud at a public function. Mr. Darcy, rarely having to account for himself, let alone to his face, somehow managed to hold his tongue, (and ignore his own hypocrisy) knowing full well it would be beyond the pale to dictate affairs in another man's study.
"Pray tell me" replied Mr. Bennet "Why would he wish to achieve such a thing?"
"Well I suppose sir, there are those who wish to attract a partner in life that would allow their husband's pocketbooks to placate any action or inattention on their husband's part. I can also suppose, sir, that for some temperaments there is a certain sense in a preference for a wife that would not make demands on her husband's behavior. Having both sense and education, I am sure Mr. Darcy understands the consequence of his behaviors in public, that likely only the most mercenary would seek his attention if he were to behave in such a manner. Thus freeing himself of any concerns he may have of securing a wife who suffered from self-respect and would seek to apply standards."
Having had quite enough at this point Darcy interjected "Madam I pray you would allow me a better understanding of my own character and do me the service of allowing me to explain my own actions"
"Very well, Mr. Darcy, I suppose it's your turn." declared Mr. Bennet thus giving the floor to Mr. Darcy, unable to hide the mirth in his own eyes.
"I can assure both yourself and Miss Bennet that my character suffers from nothing more than a want for being left to my own company in a ballroom. I certainly have not that talent which other people possess of conversing easily with new acquaintances, knowing full well their motives. I cannot appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done. I have, from the first, suffered from endless unwanted attention from the day I entered society. What right does society have to expect but cold civility when then they seek to cast their own irritations on me? Must a man engage in endless insipid conversations, allow every daughter, niece, and sister to pay their attentions, feigning admiration where there is only indifference, and then answer every call to raised expectations, even if those expectations are only raised by their own imaginations, in order to be considered a gentleman? "
Mr. Bennet having suffered enough of Mrs. Bennet's conversation on ribbons, lace, dance partners, and her infamous stories of suitors that were sure to marry his daughters, that he quite began to sympathize with the gentleman.
Elizabeth on the other hand lost any and all charity or good humor she was previously willing to extend. "Mr. Darcy, I can not encourage such a selfish disdain for the feelings of others. If I had been of a shyer, more demure temperament, unwilling to take up my own case, can you not fathom the damage you may have caused my ability to engage with society? If I hadn't already been out in society long enough to build my own consequences and earn the respect of my neighbors, can you not imagine how you may have discouraged others from showing me attention? Nay sir, I could have sympathized with you, having been on the receiving end of my mother's machinations quite enough (though not even she would pair one of her daughters with you), but all sympathy was lost sir when you declared that merely for your own comfort you're quite right to humiliate a young woman for the simple comfort of avoiding a dance." Darcy's mind immediately flashed to his shy sister thinking how she would have taken such statements to heart and been quite hurt by such unfeeling words, but quickly turned his attention back to Miss Bennet when she went on to say. "Furthermore, is it truly too far beneath anyone to have a sincere interest in the concerns and wellbeing of others? Kings have on occasion given peasants such attention, as has my father to his tents, and I to the poor. Yet you, Mr. Darcy, can claim it beneath himself to be civil in a ballroom, where, however, you may inflate your own consequence, you are in fact sir, among your peers, not outranking anyone you sought to show destain ."
Dacy, having accomplished nothing more than giving more offense with his apology than he did with his insult, and not yet feeling the sting of shame at the truth in her words, thus prepared to take his leave. "I understand you perfectly madam, I can only apologize for taking up so much of your time."
With as shallow a courtesy as she could complete without being uncivil, she nodded her head to accept the apology and turned to depart.
Thus, they parted at last with mutual civility, and possibly a mutual desire of never meeting again. As one could expect from two people happy to celebrate their own frankness of character, they found little enjoyment of the idea of the same virtue being turned on themselves, and thus proceed to derive the worst interpretation of anything the other said.
Mr. Bennet, on the other hand, feeling the indignity of non of it, thought he witnessed a comedy of errors fit for a London stage without the inconvenience or expense of travel.
Don't worry, I promise a happy ending. Thanks again for all the followers and comments. I'm reading every single one.