Chapter five
"Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand
Henceforward in thy shadow. Nevermore
Alone upon the threshold of my door
Of individual life, I shall command
The uses of my soul, nor lift my hand
Serenely in the sunshine as before,
Without the sense of that which I forbore--
Thy touch upon the palm. The widest land
Doom takes to part us, leaves thy heart in mine
With pulses that beat double. What I do
And what I dream include thee, as the wine
Must taste of its own grapes. And when I sue
God for myself, He hears that name of thine,
And sees within my eyes the tears of two."
(Elizabeth Barrett Browning) Charles Bingley enjoyed nothing more than pampering his beloved wife. Ever since he had heard that she was with child again he was determined to look after her with the utmost care. Jane, enjoying herself, spent most of her time with Aurelia. The young woman had become more of a daughter to her than a servant girl. Aurelia wasn't just a pretty girl but also in the middle of her education. The Bingleys had insisted on providing for Bess' daughter, she should have a wonderful future. Bingley had returned from a meeting with his steward and, after entering her room quietly, took delight in watching the women who were part of his life. There was his wife; as usual she was doing some needlework but this time it was for the baby... He smiled at this thought. Then there was his wild daughter Joanna. She had always been more of a tomboy and neither Jane nor he could truly blame their child for wanting to be like her lovely aunt Lizzy. And then there was Aurelia. A shy lovely girl, always ready to help and known for her kindness. As he watched her drawing a picture he noticed how much she had matured in the passed months. Her hair was reddish; it was similar to the colour of copper. This hair truly was unique among blonde and dark haired girls. Her eyes were green, a lovely sea green without a spot of brown or blue. Her features were soft but not strikingly beautiful, even though she could easily find her way into a man's heart with a face as fascinating as hers. He remembered her when she was but a toddler of two summers. As early as then she had showed her compassion and kindness, following her beloved guardian's best example. Jane had always enjoyed looking after Aurelia and over the years a bond had grown between them. Whenever anyone in the Bingley-household was sad they turned to Aurelia whose calm nature and compassionate eyes warmed up every situation. After years of fruitless attempts to conceive another child Jane's only delight except her family was spending time with Aurelia. The girl with the old Roman name had become a treasure beyond price at Tysworth Hall. "Good evening!" Bingley greeted his family liltingly. "Welcome home, Charles!" Jane responded affectionately. Aurelia greeted the man she loved like a father with a delighted smile and handed him her picture. Bingley's eyes widened at her art. What a great talent this precious girl had. And without being taught much! "Why this is Tysworth Hall and the garden! You drew this all by yourself?" He was astonished. Aurelia blushed and avoided his admiring glance. Nodding she smiled awkwardly. "Yes, I did. You think it comes close to the original?" "Aurelia, no master could have drawn this better than you! No, I'm serious, don't look away. We should support your talent further!" Aurelia, who loved her art-lessons more than anything else, was beaming with joy. "Y-You think I may have a talent for painting?" Her words were whispered. No, you definitely have a talent for painting. My girl, do you want me to talk to Mr. Davis to teach you everything he knows? It would be my pleasure!" Bingley was in his element. He and his family were known among the poor as "the angels of Tysworth Hall". Nothing delighted him more than supporting those in need. And to see this precious girl glowing with happiness at his offer was all the thanks he needed. Aurelia gulped with joy. Finally she was able to speak but her words were barely audible for she feared if she spoke them out loud everything would turn out to be a dream. "You would do that for me? I don't deserve it..." She lowered her eyes. "Of course you deserve it, my dear. You've been such a wonderful companion to all of us, Joanna loves you like a sister and the Darcy-boys are all in love with you already!" He smiled a knowing smile. Indeed, ever since Darcy's boys had arrived at Tysworth Hall Aurelia had been adored by them. It just came naturally to love her. Bingley had never seen anything than a second daughter in her and, indeed, had mentioned her and her mother in his will. Forgetting all modesty Aurelia flew into her "father's" arms and thanked him with tears in her eyes. "Now, there is no need to cry. Run off and find the boys. And I'll show this to Jane. I also have several letters from her family for her..." Aurelia smiled once more and after kissing Jane dashed off to find the Darcy-children. For a moment Bingley's eyes remained fixed to the spot where Aurelia had run out of sight but he finally managed to tear himself off this reverie. There were two letters. One from Pemberley and another one from Longbourn, they both seemed to be important. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________
As Diana opened the door leading to Alex's bedchamber she couldn't find him anywhere. Without any sign of fear she went downstairs again for it didn't take much thinking to imagine where he was spending his time. And truly she did find him in the kitchen, calming himself with a sip of brandy. Her movements were so fast that it was over before he noticed that she had entered the room. Snatching the glass from him she let forth a tirade of angry words. "Don't you have anything else on your mind? What good will this do? Do you want your family to see you drunk? It isn't a pleasant sight!" She smashed the glass by throwing it against the wall where it left ugly spots. "Diana!" Alex jumped to his feet. "What?" she flared up. "Nothing..." The stamina was no longer audible in his voice. Her voice barely softened at this sight of torment. "Do you think you can undo the frostbite by drowning in self-pity and gloom? Is that the man who asked me to marry him in front of all the students of the university? Alex, it's time for you to grow up!" There wasn't a hint of affection or kindness in her voice. It was the first time that her presence weighed heavily on his mind, it felt like being dragged down further and he had no need for further pain. Suddenly he felt her shaking him violently. "Alex! Are you listening to me?" Her voice and hands sent bolts of fire through his entire body. Grabbing her by the shoulders he pulled her close and took possession of her full lips. "Now what was that?" Her eyes were fiery slits. "You're driving me insane! Diana! Good God, how much I love you!" Suddenly she smiled a seductive smile. "If you'll excuse me, I'm tired and I want to look pretty tomorrow." She squirmed out of his grasp and patted his cheek. "I'll see you in the morning!" Her hand was holding the doorknob. "No! Wait!" ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ Darcy held on to his wife in despair. What she had told him was like his worst nightmares coming true. But her situation was all the more lamentable. Being forced to decide between her father and her unconscious baby was a burden far too heavy for her slender shoulders. Why does God have to punish her? Her of all people! his mind cried out. "Elizabeth, am I to understand that you'll have to make a choice between Abby and your father?" He could see tears glittering in her eyes. With so much on his mind he had barely noticed how exhausted she looked. Elizabeth turned back to Abby as if her glancing at her baby could wake her up. "I suppose I'll have to make that choice. There is no way out of it... The treatments and watching over her is the duty of her mother...." Her hand finally found his and held it firmly. "And her father, my dear. I'll do anything I can do to bring her back to life. You must believe that Abby will get well. Do not give up!" Elizabeth's face hardened, anger was shaking her voice as she responded. "I shall never give up!" she hissed. "You have many people to help you with everything that needs to be done. Alex, me, Mrs. Reynolds and..." He suddenly hesitated. "And Diana..." Elizabeth finished the sentence. ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________
Meanwhile Bingley had handed the mail to his wife and was about to leave for a cup of wine as he heard her gasp with horror. A few quick steps led him back to his wife whose fingers were clutched in the material covering her abdomen. Her face was distorted terribly. "Fetch Bess! Quickly! And.... and Aurelia! We must save..." With that she fainted quietly. Bingley carried her over to a sofa and without even thinking of the content of the letters ran off to find Bess and her daughter.
Henceforward in thy shadow. Nevermore
Alone upon the threshold of my door
Of individual life, I shall command
The uses of my soul, nor lift my hand
Serenely in the sunshine as before,
Without the sense of that which I forbore--
Thy touch upon the palm. The widest land
Doom takes to part us, leaves thy heart in mine
With pulses that beat double. What I do
And what I dream include thee, as the wine
Must taste of its own grapes. And when I sue
God for myself, He hears that name of thine,
And sees within my eyes the tears of two."
(Elizabeth Barrett Browning) Charles Bingley enjoyed nothing more than pampering his beloved wife. Ever since he had heard that she was with child again he was determined to look after her with the utmost care. Jane, enjoying herself, spent most of her time with Aurelia. The young woman had become more of a daughter to her than a servant girl. Aurelia wasn't just a pretty girl but also in the middle of her education. The Bingleys had insisted on providing for Bess' daughter, she should have a wonderful future. Bingley had returned from a meeting with his steward and, after entering her room quietly, took delight in watching the women who were part of his life. There was his wife; as usual she was doing some needlework but this time it was for the baby... He smiled at this thought. Then there was his wild daughter Joanna. She had always been more of a tomboy and neither Jane nor he could truly blame their child for wanting to be like her lovely aunt Lizzy. And then there was Aurelia. A shy lovely girl, always ready to help and known for her kindness. As he watched her drawing a picture he noticed how much she had matured in the passed months. Her hair was reddish; it was similar to the colour of copper. This hair truly was unique among blonde and dark haired girls. Her eyes were green, a lovely sea green without a spot of brown or blue. Her features were soft but not strikingly beautiful, even though she could easily find her way into a man's heart with a face as fascinating as hers. He remembered her when she was but a toddler of two summers. As early as then she had showed her compassion and kindness, following her beloved guardian's best example. Jane had always enjoyed looking after Aurelia and over the years a bond had grown between them. Whenever anyone in the Bingley-household was sad they turned to Aurelia whose calm nature and compassionate eyes warmed up every situation. After years of fruitless attempts to conceive another child Jane's only delight except her family was spending time with Aurelia. The girl with the old Roman name had become a treasure beyond price at Tysworth Hall. "Good evening!" Bingley greeted his family liltingly. "Welcome home, Charles!" Jane responded affectionately. Aurelia greeted the man she loved like a father with a delighted smile and handed him her picture. Bingley's eyes widened at her art. What a great talent this precious girl had. And without being taught much! "Why this is Tysworth Hall and the garden! You drew this all by yourself?" He was astonished. Aurelia blushed and avoided his admiring glance. Nodding she smiled awkwardly. "Yes, I did. You think it comes close to the original?" "Aurelia, no master could have drawn this better than you! No, I'm serious, don't look away. We should support your talent further!" Aurelia, who loved her art-lessons more than anything else, was beaming with joy. "Y-You think I may have a talent for painting?" Her words were whispered. No, you definitely have a talent for painting. My girl, do you want me to talk to Mr. Davis to teach you everything he knows? It would be my pleasure!" Bingley was in his element. He and his family were known among the poor as "the angels of Tysworth Hall". Nothing delighted him more than supporting those in need. And to see this precious girl glowing with happiness at his offer was all the thanks he needed. Aurelia gulped with joy. Finally she was able to speak but her words were barely audible for she feared if she spoke them out loud everything would turn out to be a dream. "You would do that for me? I don't deserve it..." She lowered her eyes. "Of course you deserve it, my dear. You've been such a wonderful companion to all of us, Joanna loves you like a sister and the Darcy-boys are all in love with you already!" He smiled a knowing smile. Indeed, ever since Darcy's boys had arrived at Tysworth Hall Aurelia had been adored by them. It just came naturally to love her. Bingley had never seen anything than a second daughter in her and, indeed, had mentioned her and her mother in his will. Forgetting all modesty Aurelia flew into her "father's" arms and thanked him with tears in her eyes. "Now, there is no need to cry. Run off and find the boys. And I'll show this to Jane. I also have several letters from her family for her..." Aurelia smiled once more and after kissing Jane dashed off to find the Darcy-children. For a moment Bingley's eyes remained fixed to the spot where Aurelia had run out of sight but he finally managed to tear himself off this reverie. There were two letters. One from Pemberley and another one from Longbourn, they both seemed to be important. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________
As Diana opened the door leading to Alex's bedchamber she couldn't find him anywhere. Without any sign of fear she went downstairs again for it didn't take much thinking to imagine where he was spending his time. And truly she did find him in the kitchen, calming himself with a sip of brandy. Her movements were so fast that it was over before he noticed that she had entered the room. Snatching the glass from him she let forth a tirade of angry words. "Don't you have anything else on your mind? What good will this do? Do you want your family to see you drunk? It isn't a pleasant sight!" She smashed the glass by throwing it against the wall where it left ugly spots. "Diana!" Alex jumped to his feet. "What?" she flared up. "Nothing..." The stamina was no longer audible in his voice. Her voice barely softened at this sight of torment. "Do you think you can undo the frostbite by drowning in self-pity and gloom? Is that the man who asked me to marry him in front of all the students of the university? Alex, it's time for you to grow up!" There wasn't a hint of affection or kindness in her voice. It was the first time that her presence weighed heavily on his mind, it felt like being dragged down further and he had no need for further pain. Suddenly he felt her shaking him violently. "Alex! Are you listening to me?" Her voice and hands sent bolts of fire through his entire body. Grabbing her by the shoulders he pulled her close and took possession of her full lips. "Now what was that?" Her eyes were fiery slits. "You're driving me insane! Diana! Good God, how much I love you!" Suddenly she smiled a seductive smile. "If you'll excuse me, I'm tired and I want to look pretty tomorrow." She squirmed out of his grasp and patted his cheek. "I'll see you in the morning!" Her hand was holding the doorknob. "No! Wait!" ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ Darcy held on to his wife in despair. What she had told him was like his worst nightmares coming true. But her situation was all the more lamentable. Being forced to decide between her father and her unconscious baby was a burden far too heavy for her slender shoulders. Why does God have to punish her? Her of all people! his mind cried out. "Elizabeth, am I to understand that you'll have to make a choice between Abby and your father?" He could see tears glittering in her eyes. With so much on his mind he had barely noticed how exhausted she looked. Elizabeth turned back to Abby as if her glancing at her baby could wake her up. "I suppose I'll have to make that choice. There is no way out of it... The treatments and watching over her is the duty of her mother...." Her hand finally found his and held it firmly. "And her father, my dear. I'll do anything I can do to bring her back to life. You must believe that Abby will get well. Do not give up!" Elizabeth's face hardened, anger was shaking her voice as she responded. "I shall never give up!" she hissed. "You have many people to help you with everything that needs to be done. Alex, me, Mrs. Reynolds and..." He suddenly hesitated. "And Diana..." Elizabeth finished the sentence. ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________
Meanwhile Bingley had handed the mail to his wife and was about to leave for a cup of wine as he heard her gasp with horror. A few quick steps led him back to his wife whose fingers were clutched in the material covering her abdomen. Her face was distorted terribly. "Fetch Bess! Quickly! And.... and Aurelia! We must save..." With that she fainted quietly. Bingley carried her over to a sofa and without even thinking of the content of the letters ran off to find Bess and her daughter.