Chapter 41
Mrs. Bennet's fears were sensible, but her reactions were not, mused Charlotte Lucas, as she left the Bennet household with a great deal to think on. If the woman only knew how she dashed her own matchmaking schemes, she would likely keep herself in her rooms, at least until her daughters were all wed.
It was unlikely though, that her neighbor would engage in such introspection at all. Especially, on the heels of perceived victory, in the form of her eldest daughter's engagement, little though she had any actual right to claim credit for the match. That result was more likely despite, rather than because of, Mrs. Bennet's matchmaking. Elizabeth certainly may have had a very different outcome, had her suitor not fled the threat of his bride being forced into matrimony. It seemed to Charlotte the man wasn't fleeing Eliza's questions but Eliza's mother. The couple could have done away with any disagreement, she thought, had they been allowed the time and privacy for an argument without interference. Her friend could not have been so discomposed if she had not held him in some affection, affection she knew her romantic friend would not marry without.
She knew Eliza would not have been able to understand why she would have willingly accepted Mr. Collins, had she been able to gain his attention. But in her 28 years, she had seen enough to know that if a woman could find a man who would shield her from the injustices of the world, and treat her fairly, she was far better situated than many.
Poverty was a terrible thing for an insignificant gentlewoman, brought up too high to know anything useful, and too low to have anything for themselves. Unlike a man, they could not make their own way in the world and remain respectable, with the exception of a few gentile professions- such as a governess or a companion, which would put them fully at the mercy of others.
It was a dangerous game, even in a respectable household. One could be impressed upon or ill-used with no consequence to the family's good name. Women in those situations were neither family nor a servant, they had no true allies, no one to protect them - if they did, they would not be employed.
Charlotte knew her own destiny most likely would reveal her to be a burden to her eldest brother, constantly a drain on resources, and unlikely to be welcomed by any future mistress. He was young enough, she had some time before he took a bride. Could she rightly put that burden on her family though, if she could otherwise make her way in the world? Her family would not put her out, nor force her to work, as that would hurt the prospects of her younger sisters, but she knew she would have no real place in the world unless she secured her own household.
Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be the best preservative from want. This preservative she had still hoped to attain at the age of twenty-eight, without having ever been handsome, and with little else to recommend her other than being sensible.
Yes, thought Charlotte, Mr. Collins was far less appalling at 28 than he would have been at 20. She felt the humiliation of wishing to entice a man that so many had just that morning, scorned. Yet, her friend had a far better option, a man of sense and education, whose manners may need a little improvement, but in essentials, he was already in possession of the traits that mattered most, and it certainly did not hurt that he cut a fine figure. Eliza may hold Darcy in contempt for his pride, but it was clear to Charlotte that she had enough of her own.
Rounding the corner, she saw her friend sitting on a log, seeming utterly insensible to the world around her.
"Eliza, I see what you are feeling," said Charlotte. "You must know that I am not surprised, but Lizzy-I believe you may very well live to regret refusing a man who so well suits you and who wished to marry you, in spite of your discrepancy in circumstances. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied that if you have a second chance at happiness, you should take it. Likely you will be in company with him much, as Mr. Bingley's sister. It doesn't do to be too romantic, you know; as it's as likely to prevent happiness as create it. I ask that you consider that he can provide a comfortable home; and give due consideration to his character, connections, and situation in life. I am convinced that your chance of happiness with him is fairer than most people can boast on entering the marriage state."
"It's his character I'm concerned for Charlotte," huffed Elizabeth, "How could I marry a man who would work against the happiness of a most beloved sister?"
"I daresay Bingley may have been giving Jane a suitable explanation before he took his leave, as I saw them conferring. We cannot know what was said until one of them repeats it. I think you would have done much better to insist on an explanation before you refused him," replied Charlotte patiently, knowing her friend's sensibilities on the matter were far different than her own.
"If his deeds were so easily explained, why then would he flee?" argued Elizabeth.
"Likely to escape an unwilling bride. As you heard yourself, your mother demanded that you marry him," replied Charlotte evenly.
"Oh, Charlotte, you know my mother is ridiculous and my father would hardly make me marry."
"But does Mr. Darcy know that? From his perspective, there may have been a real danger of you being forced into matrimony."
Elizabeth huffed but knew she had been bested. Was that the true reason he had left? Though she wished she did have clarity on Mr. Darcy's actions that morning, she may never know and was little inclined to take his goodness on faith.
Charlotte, seeing her advantage, continued on, "I think it likely he was only urging caution, due to your mother's machinations and Jane's ability to conceal her affection. Which you well know I would not advise, leaving a gentleman in any doubt of one's inclinations that is. She does better to show more than she feels. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. If his friend were not sure of her affections, can you truly blame the man for counseling due consideration on the match? Forgive me, but we both know there is much to speak against us as marriage partners, having little enough to recommend us."
"Charlotte, I have no objection to anyone urging caution in a match, I myself could not consider a match where I was not sure of proper affection. But he did more than that, I know he must have, for I heard the echo of my own words in Mr. Bingley's speech. I had explained to him Jane's reticent nature, and it seems he counseled it as a mark against her, as opposed to a character trait of a woman who deserved patience. What could he have been about? Other than causing my sister unhappiness?"
"Eliza, I'm only advising you to get the story from the man himself, if the opportunity presents itself. For who could speak to the man's motives better than he? It's perfectly possible that Mr. Bingley could have misunderstood him, as changeable as he is."
"I'll agree to hear him if he does condescend to explain himself to me, but Charlotte, this is not something I could easily overlook. It would be stifling indeed, if one had to be cautious of the words they used with their partner in life, never knowing how said words would be manipulated to their partner's advantage."
"I think you give him credit for too much foresight Eliza. I daresay whatever was said was said without too much thought, and Mr. Bingley, trusting Mr. Darcy's opinion too much, grasped at the words that echoed his fears, instead of employing his own sense as he ought."
"That won't do Charlotte, you know it won't. Mr. Darcy knows well how much Mr. Bingley relies on his judgment. He has to know the weight of what was said."
"In that, the fault lies with Mr. Bingley alone. It's certainly not to his credit that he leans so heavily on others to make decisions of material importance for him -thinking little of his own judgment in the matter."
Charlotte rose to take her leave, and Elizabeth began to walk towards home with no great haste, knowing full well what awaited her there. Her father would find it all to be a fine joke, her mother would be in hysterics.
As she rounded a curve she saw Jane, shouting out in greeting, "Jane, I'm so sorry that I was not there to share your joy. It felt, at the time, that the only option was to absent myself."
"Oh, Lizzy, do not worry, for the whole household is in an uproar, and I daresay it would be far worse if you were present. Mama cannot settle her mind between joy at my engagement and vexation about your refusal. Father has quit the parlor, and mother has finally taken to her rooms, where Kitty and Lydia are provoking her further. Had she not called for her tincture and salts, while insisting that I keep Mr. Bingley company, I would not have been free to search for you."
Elizabeth sighed in exasperation. Jane should hardly have to share her joy with such histrionics from her mother. She could well imagine the vulgar exclamations, as well as the embarrassment and distress her sister must have felt at Mr. Bingley witnessing such an epic scene. Thankfully, the man was generous enough, she was sure, to pretend to be insensible of the impropriety of that morning. For Jane's sake, she wished their mother had the presence of mind to voice her vexations in private.
"It seems I should absent myself a little longer, it wouldn't do to provoke mama again so soon. I pray Mr. Bingley left before the worst of it?"
"He remained for some time to share with me how he had come to such confusion. He had hoped that I would speak with you so that there was no ill will between the two of you. We both think this must all be some dreadful misunderstanding. We find ourselves grieved for the unhappiness which your refusal must have given you both, especially since it seemed it was solely on our account, though we have now found our own happiness. It makes it especially unhappy that we seem to stand between the two of you. "
"Indeed not," replied Elizabeth, "I am heartily sorry for him; but he has other feelings, it seems, which will probably soon drive away his regard for me. I half expected him to list my disadvantages as Mr. Collins did. You do not blame me, however, for refusing him?"
"Not if you did not wish for his hand, but Lizzy, I would hate for you to surrender your own happiness because you felt you owed too much loyalty to mine. What do you feel for Mr. Darcy? You could not be so unhappy now if it were nothing."
"I hardly know what I feel Jane, I have been here trying to determine it myself. I suppose I could not feel so betrayed if I hadn't learned to trust him. Beyond that, I can't truly know. I did not yet know my own mind when he called this morning. Though I'm sure that I at least began to admire him. But with such a betrayal how could I ever trust him?"
"Oh but Lizzy, it seems that he only advised Charles to think carefully through the match, as any ought to do before they make a promise to marry," explained Jane. She was certain this was all some terrible misunderstanding that would surely be reconciled.
"I think that Mr. Darcy alone can explain his motives, Jane, and he is gone. I doubt he will be induced to make an appearance at Longbourne in the near future, if ever. If I'm not reason enough to flee, it seems our mother is."
They both laughed a sad laugh, feeling the weight of their mother's interference, and Elizabeth added, "I suppose I can only say whatever I feel, I feel more than I would wish at present, as I have no certainty of his character."
The sisters walked home, at a slow enough pace as to allow Mrs. Bennet's tinctures to take effect. Hoping by the time they returned their mother would have retired. They began speaking on the benefits of London to remove them from Mr. Bennet's vexations.
Sorry, it's been a few days since I've posted. I've been a little distracted.