A/N:Thank you for reading and commenting. Again kudos to those who review every chapter. You make this new writer very happy by letting me know your thoughts as the story progresses.
Starting next week, I will post one chapter on Tuesdays and one on Fridays -still 2 chapters a week, but less wait between new material. Hope the new posting schedule works better for you.
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The apothecary and Dr. King, the physician from Swanley, were intercepted on their way to the parsonage by the Rosings footman. They were taken directly to see Lady Catherine, who had not only revived, but was impatiently waiting in her throne chair. She berated the doctor for being tardy, and for delaying her trip to London. The doctor earnestly discouraged the lady from traveling so soon after such a severe episode of nerve attack, but she could not be moved, and said with some pride, "I am as robust as a bull. A trifling fainting spell is nothing to me. You, however, will go with me just in case it should happen again when I am on the road. Since a physician is considered a gentleman, you may ride on the box with my driver,"
The doctor replied, "My Lady, I would gladly go with you as soon as I have seen the other patient at the parsonage."
Lady Catherine was incensed and said severely, 'If you ignore my wish, I shall make certain that you will not work again in these parts."
Dr. King talked soothingly to Lady Catherine, "Madam, it will not take me more than a few minutes to confirm the diagnosis of the apothecary. Since I prefer to ride, I shall catch up with your ladyship without any loss of time. Good day."
Lady Catherine could hardly believe that: yet one more lowly creature had defied her. However, she did not feel up to delivering another scathing rebuke toward this country doctor. In addition, her carriage needed to be readied, and it was taking an inordinately long time. She had forced the truth out of the stable hands who had overheard the conversation between their young mistress and John and was impatient to leave for London as soon as possible.
Mrs. Collins and Miss Lucas were sitting with Mr. Collins in the parlor when the doctor arrived. Dr. King was not yet forty but had already developed a sterling reputation as a caring and clever doctor in the short five months since he had moved into the area from London. He examined Mr. Collins' prone form and called Mrs. Collins and her sister back into the parlor.
"Mrs. Collins, your husband's being in a coma is a sign that his brain or spine, or both, have been damaged severely by the trauma to his head, most likely at the junction of his head and his neck from your description of the fall. The bruises around his eyes are indications for brain damage and are consistent with the way he fell. The blood from his mouth is not serious, and the bleeding has stopped. His teeth bit off a little of the inside of his left cheek when his chin hit the banister. I wish I had some instruments to look inside the skull. Unfortunately, these instruments do not exist and may never. As it is, Mr. Hancock and I have at our disposal only external symptoms to help us diagnose. The coma is his body's way to try and heal the nerve and brain injuries. The next few days will be critical. If they heal completely, he should live much as he used to, but I must be frank: he might lose the use of some parts of his body if the recovery is not complete. You should be prepared for this eventuality."
"Dr. King, what have you not told me? There is also a chance that they will not heal at all, is there not?" asked Charlotte meekly.
"Mrs. Collins, you are discerning. It is indeed possible. Keep him comfortable. Try giving him some broth in a rag as he may not be able to swallow. Things are in God's hands now. I am very sorry for being the bearer of such grim news," said Dr. King sympathetically.
"Dr. King, what you just told me only confirmed Mr. Hancock's diagnosis earlier. I am past the first shock of hearing Mr. Collins' unfavorable prognosis. I understand that Lady Catherine had an episode of attack earlier. I am surprised, and grateful, that she allowed you to leave her presence. "
"Mrs. Collins, I am a physician. I do not abandon a patient just because a high and mighty person tells me to do so. I am bound by the oath of ethics of my profession: Primum non nocere, which means 'first do no harm,'" Mr. King looked over to Mrs. Collins then and saw that the lady of the house appeared to understand Latin. He continued, "Do you understand what it means?"
Charlotte replied, "My understanding of Latin is not what it was. I have a very good friend and neighbor who forced me to study Latin with her. We learned of the Hippocratic Oath from the physician in our small town who used to visit my friend's house frequently because of her mother's weak nerves. Eliza being who she was and still is, asked many questions of the doctor, and then tried to study on her own from the books in her father's study. Since I have been her best friend, I got pulled into her many study schemes. When she wanted to read the original Greek text for comparison, I drew the line and refused!"
"Remarkable! You studied Latin with another lady! That is quite rare," exclaimed Dr. King. From there they started talking about other books that they both enjoyed. It turned out that Dr. King enjoyed reading novels. Charlotte told the doctor about Lady Catherine's vehement dislike of these books which might have contributed to the grand lady's succumbing to an attack.
They enjoyed the conversation so much that they were surprised when the footman from Rosings came to fetch the doctor as Lady Catherine's carriage was waiting outside to make sure that the doctor would be riding along to London with her.
Charlotte was apologetic for keeping the good doctor for so long and having gotten him into trouble with Lady Catherine. Dr. King replied that if the lady was well enough to travel to London at this late hour, that meant that she was on the mend. They said their farewells, and the doctor promised to come again to see Mr. Collins as soon as he returned.
Charlotte, on closing the door behind the doctor, felt a lightness she had not felt for a very long time. There and then she understood that the fear and melancholy she had been feeling for her husband's life since the accident were at least partially caused by pity for herself: her marrying for security to have a roof over her head was in great jeopardy if Mr. Collins died. Now, she felt that there might be other possibilities for security if the unfortunate event did occur. She then chastised herself for thinking such indecorous and downright uncharitable thoughts while her husband's life remained hanging by a thread. Besides, the doctor might be already married with a dozen children.
When she joined her sister Maria in the dining room for tea, she found that her appetite had returned and was glad that she still had the house and the means to have a good repast. She rather looked forward to the doctor's return visit.
Grosvenor Square, London
In the afternoon around tea-time, the Rosings carriage stopped in front of the Earl's house. Anne looked at Elizabeth, her face showing hesitation and even fear. John had already gone to the Earl's stables in the mews to ascertain that Lady Catherine's carriage had not preceded theirs. Elizabeth squeezed her friend's hand like she was a younger sister and said, "Your mother did not pursue us. Your uncle needs to approve your request. You must show him that you are ready to take over Rosings. He is your uncle, not an ogre…."
Miss de Bourgh interjected, "Like my mother…"
"Precisely! Oh, I beg your pardon, Anne, I did not mean that," said Elizabeth apologetically, but Miss de Bourgh did not look offended; instead, she looked rather ashamed. Elizabeth continued encouragingly, "So, stand tall – you are the mistress of Rosings! Give your uncle the respect due him as the head of the family but let him know with no uncertainty that your mind is set, and he should help you achieve your goal of taking charge of your rightful inheritance."
Miss de Bourgh assumed a resolute mien and was handed out of the carriage by John. When she saw Elizabeth remaining inside the carriage, she stamped her foot and said pleadingly, "Lizzy, do not abandon me at this most critical juncture! Would you please, please come with me?"
Elizabeth was not certain whether she should interfere further. After all she had meant only to deliver the letter, and now she had delivered the heiress herself. No one should fault her for breaking her promise. On seeing the imploring look on her new friend's face and thinking that it might be too early to expect Anne to be strong in front of family members who had dismissed her all of her life, she felt compelled to accompany her friend to see her uncle, the lauded Lord Fitzwilliam for moral support at the least.
John the Rosings' stablemaster knocked on the door, which was opened by the butler, who was surprised to see Miss de Bourgh without her mother.
"Good afternoon, Miss de Bourgh," the butler greeted the Earl's niece and looked over to Elizabeth, who introduced herself, "I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
Elizabeth nudged Anne a little at the elbow, but her friend turned to look at her with a small frown, not understanding what Elizabeth wanted her to do. She had always followed behind her mother when she visited here and had never talked to the butler, Mr. Farnum. Elizabeth decided to speak for the heiress, "Miss de Bourgh is here to see Lord Fitzwilliam. Is he in? Also, has Lady Catherine sent a message that she will be visiting as well?"
"His lordship is in conference with Mr. Darcy in the study. Her ladyship is not at home. Please take a seat in the green room while I announce to his lordship that you have come to call. Her ladyship has not notified me that Lady Catherine is to visit," replied the butler with the calm and measured tone that all in his trade assumed.
Elizabeth panicked when she heard that Mr. Darcy was in the house. In her mind, she had been going over many ways to apologize when she saw Mr. Darcy again. But in all honesty, she thought that day would never come. Unconsciously she stayed in the hall when Miss de Bourgh followed the footman. She took two steps toward Anne and urgently pleaded, "Forgive me, Anne, but I have decided to leave you to talk to your uncle yourself after all. An outsider like me has no place in your family business. Besides, Mr. Darcy is here. I am confident that he will help you in your quest. Here is your letter to give to your uncle. If you find yourself tongue-tied, just give him the letter to read. All will be well. I need to go to my uncle's now. It is getting late, and I am a long way from Gracechurch Street. He will worry if the manservant has already come back and told him I was not on the stagecoach."
Before Anne could answer, Elizabeth dashed out of the front door. Fortunately, John was still there with the carriage, awaiting instructions from the two ladies. Elizabeth asked John to take her to her uncle's and then come back to his mistress, who would most likely be staying. Lady Catherine, if she were in pursuit, would arrive soon, but the Earl would have heard Anne's request first.