Mr. Bingley was come. There was no discussion in Meryton that neglected to canvass either his fortune or his lack of a wife; the former would assuredly assist him in correcting the latter.
'Mr. Bennet!' exhorted his wife several days hence, 'Have you yet called upon Mr. Bingley? Sir William and Lady Lucas have determined to go, for the sake of their girls; you must think of your daughters. It will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.'
There were many more words spoken, by both Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet, whose result was that the Master of Longbourn was required to admit that he had, indeed, done his duty to his offspring, and gone earlier that day to call upon Mr. Bingley.
Later that afternoon, while the ladies were arrayed in the drawing room, each busy in their occupations, a note arrived for Mr. Bennet. It was from Netherfield. Mr. Bingley requested an audience with Mr. Bennet, if he would find it convenient, on the next morning, for the courtesy of the older man's visit must be returned. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were alight with excitement – they should know how the man looked and, perhaps, could invite him to dinner one evening. It was a small step from a dinner invitation to his certainly falling in love with one of the Bennet young ladies.
Sadly, the much awaited call occurred at such an hour that naught but his person were seen from an upper window. Had he been aware of the great disappointment brought by his promptness to five lovely ladies, Mr. Bingley would unquestionably have subscribed for a day to tardiness, as he was equally dispirited by not having viewed these same young women, about whom he had heard quite pleasing reports.
There was nothing better to assuage the grief of having not made his acquaintance than a trip into Meryton, where purchases could be made. Elizabeth had been tasked by Mrs. Bennet with seeing her sister, Mrs. Phillips, and delivering a note; the girls were, therefore, to take refreshments at their aunt's before returning home.
In keeping with her habits, Mrs. Phillips had greeted her nieces effusively, offering some sustenance and, on their leave-taking, handed a small package to be given to Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth knew not the contents of the parcel but was accustomed to acting as a messenger between the two sisters.
As they five walked in the direction of Longbourn, Lydia and Kitty waxed vociferous and long on the scarcity of news – there had been no fresh actions by the Watchmen and their girls' hearts were grieved at the want of excitement. Jane and Mary were conversing about the healing properties of a specific plant that was especially abundant in their environs, as Elizabeth walked slightly ahead, thinking of her next practice session, for one could not become a great proficient without much practice.
On arriving home, the ladies separated to their individual pursuits; Elizabeth heard her name being called.
'Elizabeth! You and your sisters are returned from walking, I see. It appears that today you will not be punished to remain indoors for long - your mother wishes you to accompany her on a few visits, for I believe that Jane went the last time.' Mr. Bennet appeared amused on conveying his message and withdrew directly to his library.
Mrs. Bennet soon found her second eldest and, after receiving and securing the package from Mrs. Phillips, they left. Their destination was not terribly far, but the way was well-guarded by hidden turns and curtains of vines; the building was soon in sight. It was an old, long-abandoned structure that might have been a barn or storage house in years past; trees had encroached on the surrounding clearing and vines had made their home on its walls, but the structure remained sound and had a sufficient expanse of open floor for their purposes.
Elizabeth could hear the sound of metal hitting metal; it was fortunate that the clanging travelled no further than a few yards from the edifice. Mother and daughter entered and were not surprised to note two others already present – they were the source of the metallic noises.
Mrs. Bennet called, 'Charlotte! Eldon! Please cease for a moment and draw near, so that we may speak.'
In a quieter tone, she continued, 'I received today information about a fellow who is bringing trouble to Hemel Hempstead. He is a great danger; your contact will guide you to the person in question. The magistrate has attempted to imprison him but the fellow has escaped several times and done grave damage to both people and property – he must be dispatched. You leave at nightfall.'
Receiving their nods of understanding, the Mistress of Longbourn then inquired as to recent exercises implemented to increase their skills and a demonstration of most excellent swordsmanship followed. Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet shortly resumed their purported journey and re-entered their home, with the older woman loudly calling for Hill and demanding whether dinner was to be served promptly.
Although the two eldest Bennet sisters had always been most intimate friends, two years past Mrs. Bennet had seen fit to exchange Elizabeth for Mary in the girls' bedroom, explaining that Jane's beauty and sweetness of nature could not but influence Mary. As Elizabeth insisted on trying her mother's nerves and disregarding decorum, bringing mud and dirt in at all hours of the day, she was duly installed in a smaller room in close proximity to the servant's stairs. None contradicted this dictate and, as Mrs. Bennet had been in high dudgeon on this very topic, none dared to question her reasoning.
As a result, it was simplicity itself for Elizabeth to, unbeknownst to most of the home's occupants, soundlessly descend the rear steps and exit Longbourn – and to avoid undesirable questions about unexplained absences and odd hours of slumber. Her nonappearance occasionally necessitated a fabrication as to her whereabouts; therefore, her sisters were accustomed to Elizabeth's early morning excursions and, due to her being a great walker, frequent conveyance of necessary messages to others of the neighborhood.
'Mrs. Bennet! Have you yet heard?! There was another sighting last night!' Mrs. Long was sure that her legs could not have moved any faster to ensure her timely arrival at the Bennet's home; she had wanted to be the first to inform the family.
'Oh!' cried Lydia, 'Where were they seen? What happened? You must tell us!'
Mrs. Bennet rushed over to learn more, exclaiming, 'Oh my! I just knew that it would be soon. Such brave men! What have you heard?'
'It happened in Hemel Hempstead. The night was full dark but people say they could hear the galloping from afar; it sounded like a thunderstorm approaching. I was told there was a man named Mr. Peale and he had been responsible for destroying merchandise from several store keepers', along with – ah, bothering some of the girls of the town. They even,' and here Mrs. Long lowered her tone, 'they even hint that he might have killed a person!'
The gasps from her attentive audience were all that she might have hoped, but she had one last point to impart.
'This Peale was found dead – stabbed to death! The magistrate wishes to meet these men and thank them for their assistance. To thank them! Oh, I must go – Mrs. Cheetham had asked me to call this morning.' With that pretense, Mrs. Long hastened to take her leave and further disseminate her knowledge, allowing the Bennets to assimilate that which had been so rapidly told.
To his chagrin, Mr. Bingley had been required to decline an invitation to dine at Longbourn, citing a need to travel to London on the morrow; however, most residents of Meryton expected him to return shortly. There was to be an assembly and, if rumors were true, Mr. Bingley was to bring with him a large party, though none was certain of the precise number of ladies and gentlemen. On his party's entering the assembly room, there were many who sighed in relief at the sight of Mr. Bingley and only four who accompanied him.
The young man was quite amiable and pleased to become acquainted with the principal people in the room. He was introduced to the Bennets and straightaway requested a dance with Miss Bennet, thus winning the rather vocal good favor of the lady's mother, before remembering himself and presenting his sisters, his brother and his friend.
The taller gentleman, Mr. Darcy, had a look of shock upon his countenance but for a moment, before bowing and taking his leave. He asked not one of Mrs. Bennet's daughters to dance and withdrew to a corner, silently observing the room's other occupants.
Before moving on, Mr. Bingley exclaimed, 'Mrs. Bennet, I am very pleased to have met you and your family. A friend had recommended the name of Bennet to me as a family with whom to become acquainted. It has been my pleasure and, as we are now neighbors, we shall assuredly be in company. An enjoyable evening to you!' Off he moved to meet further individuals.
Elizabeth had taken note of Mr. Darcy's surprise and Mr. Bingley's words; she determined that, for a reason unfathomable to her, Mr. Darcy had been the friend to suggest Mr. Bingley's connection with her family. She also recognized that her mother had likely perceived the same and Mrs. Bennet would be puzzling over the occurrence.
As there was a scarcity of gentlemen, Elizabeth was obliged to sit out for two dances, which she did without rancor for those who were partnered. Mr. Darcy had moved during the course of the evening and migrated about the edge of the venue; he was currently standing not ten feet from Elizabeth, facing the dancers. Mr. Bingley advanced toward his friend during a lull, in order that he should persuade the taller fellow to join the dance.
'Darcy, you must dance. It would look entirely odd for you to avoid the exercise, aside from my sisters, for the whole assembly. There are such a great many lovely ladies present; why, there is one of the Bennet sisters. You had desired to encounter them and here is an excellent opportunity to have discussion with one of them.' Mr. Darcy patently was uncomfortable with the younger man's speech, as he immediately moved to silence his friend.
'Bingley, I cannot. It appears that my information was inaccurate with regards to the family and it would be a punishment to entertain such insipidity. I plan to investigate more thoroughly in the morning. For the moment, leave me to my solitude.'
For Elizabeth to say that she was diverted would be untrue – she was not; she was, however, exceedingly vexed. The insult to self was ignored, for now, in her indignation at his presumption. He had so rudely dismissed one that he willingly called friend, what condescension should she expect, as one wholly unconnected to him? Elizabeth was in need of her mother's counsel, but that could not be in a venue as public as this. She, therefore, took what comfort was possible and exited the busy room in favor of a dark and quiet balcony, for calm was not to be found amongst the dancers.
She stood motionless, considering what had been said, as well as that which had not, and consequently, was unaware that she was no longer the sole occupant of the balcony. Her companion had noticed her stillness of attitude but would not credit it to intelligence; he preferred to interpret her manner as simplicity of mind.
'Miss Bennet? May I help you regain the assembly room?' inquired he. She must surely be lost to persist out of doors.
Elizabeth was agitated at his presence and replied, 'I thank you for your concern but have no desire yet to go inside. I would not wish to be a cause of distress for your party, if you were to remain here for my sake. Please do not delay your return on my account.'
She turned from him to continue her meditations, hoping that he would withdraw. Her wishes were not to be fulfilled. He gently took her arm and endeavored to steer her toward the balcony doors; she began to pull her arm from him, preparing to undertake action of more consequence, should he not release her.
The doors to the balcony opened and just as rapidly shut. A low voice, frightening in its command and coldness, forced him to step away from the young woman. It was Mrs. Bennet and her ire was impossible to be missed.
'Mr. Darcy! You may call at Longbourn tomorrow, as early in the morn as you are able. Do not neglect this appointment, else you be labeled a man who disturbs the peace of ladies – and you would not wish to be called such in this neighborhood.'