If You Have Nothing Nice to Say

by mishadoll48

What if Mr. Bennet was not entirely negligent of his fatherly duties? What if he believed in the saying, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all" and applied it in his own family?

2. Chapter 2

The Lucas Dinner Party

"What can Mr. Darcy mean," Lizzie asked Charlotte, "by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?"

"I do not know. But it might be a good thing he does. You could take the chance to get to know him."

"I suppose I must. I have already used his looks, his dancing, and his clothes. I can not think of any more qualities without applying to the man himself."

On his approaching them soon afterwards, Lizzie turned to him and said,

"Mr. Darcy, do you not think I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teazing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"

"With great energy; - but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic."

Lizzie smiled and tried to think of a way to turn the conversation towards something that might help her determine the man's qualities.

"If you do not enjoy dancing sir, what do you enjoy?"

"I prefer to stay home with my family."

"You are much like my father then. He also does not like dancing. He stays in his book room with his books."

"I can think of nothing better than to spend an evening with a good book. Nothing is more important than developing the mind by reading."

There, Lizzie thought to herself. Something I can use.

The Next Day

"Well, Lizzie? Do you have another quality to admire in Mr. Darcy today? Or do you prefer to stay inside again?"

"Mr. Darcy is well-read and discusses books he has read very eloquently."

"High praise indeed. I always appreciate a well-read acquaintance."

"Yes, Papa. We spoke of Shakespeare and Milton. He seems to prefer Shakespeare's histories to his tragedies and dislikes Milton's irreverence towards Satan."

"Hmm. So still not your favorite person then."

"I do not dislike him because we have different tastes. You and I have different tastes and you are my favorite person. I dislike him because while I am trying to find things to appreciate in him, he seems to be trying to find things to criticize in me."

"Are you sure that he is looking to criticize. Maybe that is just his face."

"No, I am not certain. But it is hard to speak with him when he looks so unhappy to be talking with me."

"Well, a challenge will be good for you. Perhaps this time, you will finally learn your lesson."

"Yes, Papa."

"Well off with you then. You have satisfied me for today and you are free to spend your time as you choose."

"Thank you, Papa."