Thursday January 7, 1813 – Gracechurch street, London
While the Gardiners and their nieces were having breakfast, a short note was received by Mrs. Gardiner from Captain Stovall inviting her and her nieces to view an Art Exhibition that afternoon. Mrs. Gardiner did not feel she could spare the time to attend but saw no reason that her nieces should not go and her reply fixed a time for the Captain to arrive at Gracechurch Street.
Captain Stovall arrived as expected and escorted Jane and Elizabeth to his carriage. It took but a half hour to arrive at the site of the exhibition. The Captain was first out of the carriage and offered his hand to assist each lady as she stepped down from it. Offering an arm to each lady they strolled into the building and began moving from room to room, viewing the art pieces and sculptures on display. The exhibition was quite a popular attraction and a considerable number of people were present and progress was slow.
As they strolled from picture to picture, it became obvious that they shared an affinity for particular subjects. Landscapes were a consistent favourite of them all and the presence of several pictures by John Constable were much appreciated. The Captain was attracted by seascapes but had no kind words for several pictures depicting the battle of Trafalgar. "No, No. That will never do!" He cried, "You would never have seen such!" Pressed by Jane and Elizabeth to explain, he pointed to the fact that the ships involved had all their sails displayed. "This will never do," he stated, "When we enter battle, all sails, but a few, are furled to prevent damage. We carry only enough sail to provide steerage." Shaking his head at such foolishness by the artist, he quickly led two rather amused ladies to less offensive pictures.
The carriage ride back to Gracechurch Street passed quickly as they discussed the merits of the pictures they had seen and they entered the house satisfied with an afternoon spent in enjoyable company. Captain Stovall approached Mrs. Gardiner, while Jane and Elizabeth were refreshing themselves, to ask for a private interview with Jane. She readily agreed and directed him to Mr. Gardiner's study. When Jane came downstairs, she was told that Captain Stovall had requested an interview and awaited her in the study.
Jane entered the study to find Captain Stovall absorbed in gazing out the window and quickly seated herself in the chair facing her uncle's desk. When the Captain seemed oblivious to her presence, her gentle cough startled him and he turned and faced her. That he was nervous and uncertain was obvious. He several times began to speak and then did not. Finally, he shook his head and gave a short laugh, "Miss Bennet, I am as nervous as the day I took command of my first ship. I have never done this before and I am moving in uncharted waters. Please excuse my foolishness." Jane's smile and slight nod of her head gave him encouragement to continue.
"Miss Bennet, I am a plain-speaking man. I have been in your company on several occasions now and find myself drawn to you. Your beauty first caught my attention but it is your good nature, your kindness, your conversation that has drawn me back. I wish to know you better and I wish for you to know me better. To speak very plainly, I wish to court you and, I hope, eventually win your hand in marriage. Will you allow me to court you?"
Jane had trouble controlling the tears that flooded her eyes. Dabbing at them with her handkerchief, she replied, "Captain Stovall, I would very much like to have you court me. What I understand of your character pleases me a great deal and I would like to know you better." She paused, and then, speaking more slowly, continued, "However, before I give you my answer, I must ask my aunt to join us. There is something she must impart to you that bears on this."
Jane rose and quickly left the room, returning within minutes with her aunt. With her voice under tight control, she looked at an obviously puzzled and concerned Captain Stovall and said, "I am going to ask my aunt to explain something that happened to my family. I trust her to tell the story more than I trust my ability to do so. Aunt, would you speak of Lydia, please."
Looking directly at the Captain, Mrs. Gardiner spoke quietly, "Captain Stovall, while I have only known you a short time, you have impressed me with your honesty and frankness. We can do no less than afford you the same courtesy. If you like, our honour demands it."
Captain Stovall looked a little surprised at these words, saying, "I appreciate the compliment, Madam, but that sounds rather ominous."
"There is a particular situation regarding Jane that you should know about. I know Jane finds it difficult to speak of it even now. You may certainly speak with her in private afterwards should you desire to do so."
Pausing for a second, Mrs. Gardiner continued, "Last August, Jane's youngest sister – Lydia – eloped with an officer in the militia. She was but fifteen years old and a wild, unruly child. We have not heard from either since then and our last knowledge of them was that they had reached London. We have given up all hope that they reached Gretna Green and were married. Jane and Elizabeth came to live with us to be removed from the censure that they felt in Hertfordshire. Two more proper young women I have never known, yet they are the ones suffering most from the folly of their sister. I have revealed this to you in confidence. I know that we would all be saddened if this knowledge should cause you to end the courtship, but we would understand your difficulties."
Captain Stovall returned Mrs. Gardiner's gaze and looked at Jane's face where distress was evidenced by the tears she was trying to control. Consternation was written on his face as he spoke, "That poor child. How you must worry for her." As he began to consider the implications of Lydia's actions, he understood why Mrs. Gardiner had mentioned the problem at all. A more relaxed look appeared on his face as he continued, "I understand your concerns now. For my part, there is no impediment to the courtship. You must understand that I have lived at sea for twenty years. Society and such rules as these have little impact on me and, besides, the reality is that I will probably be much at sea for several more years until this war with the French is finished. I will not be there to bear society's censure should it occur. My sister is already married so the situation would have no impact on her prospects."
Mrs. Gardiner smiled and replied, "Well said, Captain, well said. I know that Jane is much relieved. Would you like to speak to her in private for a few minutes?"
"Indeed, I would."
After Mrs. Gardiner had left, he turned to Jane.
"Miss Bennet, this is a distressing story. I can only imagine the sorrow you must have experienced with her loss. You and your aunt were obviously concerned that I might wish to withdraw my offer of courtship when I learned of your sister's actions. I do not. I most emphatically do not. Should I withdraw, it will only be because I believe that I have failed to secure your affections."
He considered her for a few seconds before continuing, "I will repeat what I said to your aunt. The censure of society will bother me very little, if at all, and the Admiralty will not be bothered at all. As well, it is my intention to settle in the north, preferable in Yorkshire and well removed from much of society and Hertfordshire. I see no impediment, Miss Bennet, none at all." And then in a teasing tone said, "Now, I believe I am owed an answer."
Jane looked at him with a watery smile and replied, "Indeed, Sir, you are and my answer is Yes, I would be honoured to accept your offer of courtship."
Captain Stovall paused to consider something further, then asked, "Miss Bennet, forgive me if I am too blunt. I suspect that not being exposed to polite society for twenty years has caused me to be less careful of the proprieties than I should be. But I must ask, do you have questions of me?"
Jane shook her head, smiled at him and said, "No, Sir. I appreciate your candour greatly. I can only return the compliment and speak frankly also. You have relieved my mind since I confess that the thought you might end the courtship, distressed me very much. "
"Miss Bennet, I will make this promise to you. I will deal honestly with you and, since the main purpose of a courtship in my opinion is to determine if two people can build a life together, I will attempt to answer truthfully any question you may pose."
Jane rose from her chair and, taking his arm, said, "Sir, I thank you and will attempt to do likewise should you have questions. Now, I believe we should rejoin the others."
With that they returned to the parlour and Jane announced to her aunt and sister that Captain Stovall had asked to court her and that she had accepted. The approbation of both was quickly apparent to the Captain and he delighted in the happiness that was obvious on Jane's face. Sitting next to Jane, he quietly began discussing his plans for the next month or so. His responsibilities as Captain required that he visit Portsmouth every week and he intended to do so from Monday to Wednesday, thus leaving the rest of the week to spend in London. While here he hoped to attend a theatre play, visit a few museums and bookstores and walk in Hyde Park to see the "ton." The latter was spoken with a smile and elicited a most unladylike-like snort from Jane.
Dinner was again a convivial affair and Captain Stovall was prevailed upon to talk, to the particular delight of young Phillip Gardiner, about the West Indies and his duties and his experiences there. After dinner, Mr. Gardiner invited Captain Stovall to join him in his library. Once settled in armchairs, each with a glass of port in hand, they conversed amiably with Mr. Gardiner telling the Captain stories about Jane when she was younger.
When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies, Elizabeth was prevailed upon to entertain them once again on the piano for a half hour. Before he left, Captain Stovall indicated an interest in attending a stage play and wished to know which evenings might be most appropriate. Learning that the Gardiners and their nieces were expecting to dine out Friday evening, they fixed on Saturday or the following Thursday to attend the play. Captain Stovall would make the necessary arrangements.
That evening Mr. Gardiner sent a post to Mr. Bennet, advising him of the courtship and requesting that it be kept secret from Mrs. Bennet for the time being.
[A1]Each also takes a singular.
[A2]This clause would be better at the end of the sentence, so as not to separate 'about' from its subject. Then take out the preceding comma.
