Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a young lady endowed with some beauty and a generous dowry can't be in want of a husband. Whenever such a situation occurs, it is promised to be resolved before long by a happy marriage with one of the young eligible gentlemen one can find.
However little known the character or views of such a lady may be on her first entering a modest neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding gentlemen, that they don't expect to achieve any close acquaintance with such a lady. At best, some of them hope to find consolation in the distracting company of some one or other of her brothers.
Therefore, the arrival of Caroline Bingley accompanied by her brother Charles near Longbourn brought no great excitement to the Bennet family.
"My dear Mr. Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is let again?"
Mr. Bennet replied that he had.
"A certain Charles Bingley, a respectable gentleman" he added.
"Netherfield Park is a blessing for us, I must say. Its occupants never fail to provide entertainment to our neighbourhood."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, my dear" Mr. Bennet said, "the man is said to be of a very arrogant nature and most unpleasant temper. Some codescending heir if you want my opinion."
"Well, then how come he settled in the region? For sure, he is most unwelcome I must say. I won't suffer such a gentleman while we have the merriest company in Longbourn. And that's also Mrs. Lucas' opinion, for she told me so just today and I agreed abundantly with her."
"I hear his sister is with him. Apparently, she insisted on leaving London for some time."
"Oh?"
"A pain in the neck in my opinion. She is surely a most amiable and accomplished young lady. But a catch like her can't bring any good to us. The charm of novelty and refinement will turn all the young men of the region into languishing poets, and among them, our sons. The next London season, she will be married to a more eligible one, to whom she was promised since infancy, leaving us with a cohort of gentlemen, fooled and fancying themselves broken-hearted. Although I must admit, this could do some good to Liam and Kenton. And I have good hope that Fitzwilliam won't fall in the trap."
"Oh! My dear Mr. Bennet, how can you say such a thing! Our wealth is not to be ashamed of, and surely I can't believe that there are in London gentlemen half so handsome as John nor half so good humoured as Liam, I must say."
Mrs. Bennet was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. Had she had five daughters, she would have benne desperate for social connexions and an indiscreet flatterer. But God had blessed her with five handsome sons, that she was excessively proud of, and therefore she fancied people desperate for the acquaintance of her family, and in her right place when making them the favor of a compliment. The inward disposition was different, the outward result was very much the same.
Mr. Bennet was an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice such that the events of life appeared to let him quite indifferent. Even something so terrible as having five daughters and no heir wouldn't have changed him a bit. Therefore the reader may as well imagine him father of five daughters, the man would be the same.
Chapter 2
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the reader has understood, had five sons. Will follow Mr. Bennet advice ans only devote some lines to the two eldest. Although the Bennet brothers were reputed for their handsomeness and good company, it must be acknowledged that those characteristics were particularly seen in the eldest. John was a good-tempered gentleman, with jovial though not vulgar features that granted him the first-sight approbation of all. This first good impression was soon confirmed by pleasant conversation and delicate discretion. John was uncommonly sensitive and prompt to be pleased in everyone, so his younger brother feared he would one day encounter great deceptions. He had more judgement than his father knew and all the shyness his mother reproached him to have. Marriage was a very natural institution to him. He longed for a peaceful household full with children and a gentle wife.
That's why Fitzwilliam couldn't have imagined a better elder brother than John. Not only did they have close understanding but the certainty that John would have a happy marriage suited all Fitzwilliam perspectives, for the duty of engendering an heir would therefore not befall on him. Not that he was opposed to romance or marriage: on the contrary, he held these in great esteem, but wouldn't let any kind of pressure from his mother or anyone else rush him into an uncertain marriage.
Chapter 3
A public ball arrived, and therefore chance to be admitted a sight of the young newcomer. Caroline Bingley was all liveliness and openness in manner. Not only did she manifest her intention take an active part in the dance, which was only what civility commanded, but she seemed genuinely pleased in doing so. All the superiority or condescendence she didn't have, her brother had for two. Mr. Charles Bingley was fashionable, fine, and self-important. Although he submitted irreproachably to the exigences of politeness, it was done with bold confidence that suggested little consideration for the people he was talking to. When it came to his sister, his speech was that of the proud and affectionate brother, which would have been fine, hadn't his countenance revealed incomprehension that she received so much more attention than him.
John Bennet spent the most delightful evening. He who had always believed gentleness was all he expected in a woman, was seduced by the lively temper of Miss Bingley. There had always been more spirit in him than he knew, and he was discovering how he enjoyed a lively temper more than kind dreariness. He had two dances with Miss Bingley, and was delicate enough to invite several other young ladies, so that his favour would not be too obvious. In fact Fitzwilliam Bennet was the only person in the room who noticed it.
Himself was having a busy evening, for unlike Liam and Kenton he didn't devote it to dance only, but also engaged conversation with neighbours, among which Mr. and Mrs Lucas, whose company he appreciated particularly, and invited their nieces for a dance. Like every gentleman, his attention had been caught at the beginning if the evening by the delicate beauty and noble air of Miss Elizabeth Darcy, a friend of Miss Bingley. Despite the rumour that her dowry was twice that of her friend, she soon lost the general attention by obstinate mutism and unconcealed lack of enjoyment in dancing. So much so that she found herself sitting down for two dances in a party where ladies were missing.
"Miss Elizabeth Darcy, may I have the honour of the next dance?" Fitzwilliam Bennet asked her, out of sincere will to pull her out of an embarrassing situation.
"You may" she answered with a voice expressing nothing and eyes saying "don't think too high of yourself just because you're a decent man. It's not enough to tempt me, when I'm promised to a decent man anyway, with many other great qualities that you haven't proved to have yet." At least that's what he thought.
We won't relate how Mr. Fitzwilliam Bennet became friend to a certain Mr. Whickam, soldier in the infantry, who had been unfortunate to have his heart broken by Miss Darcy.
Chapter 4
"Miss Bingley is an agreeable young lady" was the euphemistic comment of John Bennet to his brother on a ride the next morning.
"That you found her agreeable is no surprise to me. I even think you found her the most charming creature you ever beheld." his brother answered.
"Indeed she is marvellous! Only you can make me say these words, you know I wouldn't dare in larger company."
"Would a face to face with the lady in question count as larger company?"
"What do you mean Fitzwilliam?" John replied, losing his countenance.
"Maybe I'm getting the wrong ideas, but I'd say you're close to falling in love seriously. It is true that you've just met her once, but I know you, and if you're not already in love you will soon be."
"Please Fitzwilliam, don't play smart on me. Why must you reveal to me my own feelings even before I'm sure they exist?"
"Dear brother," Fitzwilliam replied "I take no pleasure in doing that, and I wouldn't have talked to you this way if it were another lady. But Miss Bingley is a catch to be conquered. Our respective positions in society are such that there are more desirable matches for her than you. Think of that, fifteen thousand as a dowry! I'm not the one to say whether you love her or not, but if you do, I am surely the only one to have suspected it. By fear of being too obvious you are being too soft John, and not obvious at all. A lady can't stay unmarried long, and if you don't give her proof of your admiration, she will have to seek someone else's regard."
"I hear your advice, but you know it's not in my nature to be so pushy. Surely conquering a woman can't mean courting her before one has had the time to get to know each other and to form a strong attachment? Anyway, that's enough about me. What about you? Was there a young lady fortunate enough to catch your attention?"
"Please don't talk like that! It makes me sound so high although you know well I have no personal objection to marrying. In fact I did think a great deal about marriage throughout the evening. I realised more precisely than ever before what qualities I value most in a woman."
"How come? Which lady inspired you such thoughts?"
"Miss Darcy if you must know! For she represents the very antipode of what a wife should be. Whoever my wife will be shall have nothing in common with that Miss Darcy. The one thing worse than a dull spiritless lady is a dull spiritless lady with great beauty, or fortune. Because of the second, no one would ever dare to reproach the first to her, so that she goes through life, pale and dreary, with no reason to make any effort, to participate to social life or to care for anything because she knows she is promised to a marriage satisfying to everyone: to her father and brothers, and most of all to her husband. I can already tell you he will be a self-important person, happy to marry the comfort of a large dowry, and to avoid the discomfort of challenging conversation".
Chapter 5
A ball was given at Netherfield, giving to John an opportunity to follow his brother's advice. The tranquil man gathered all the courage there was in him to dare showing attention to Caroline Bingley. Giving an arm, providing a tissue and enquiring about whether she liked the music was all that it was, but these gestures cost him all the strength he had. Such attentions were not painful for him to provide, on the contrary, they were all that he wished to do, his feelings dictated him to do so. But by surrendering to his desires, he also exposed them, and exposed himself to rejection by Miss Bingley. That would have been torture to him and he sincerely wished the rule wasn't always for the gentleman to make the first step. But it was, and since he was no revolutionary, he displayed a lot of effort that resulted in the most enchanting evening he ever had. Caroline Bingley took visible pleasure in his company and encouraged the endeavours of the young man to make himself agreeable.
"At least someone is enjoying this evening" his brother thought, despaired at the poor manners of his mother bragging about her sons, Liam and Kenton laughing loudly, confident as they were that they were the centre of the attention, and Marlow claiming loud and clear that he didn't care for balls, that he didn't have any enjoyment in being there, although he was at moments in front of his hosts.
However, the night wasn't lost for him either for he was curious to see how Miss Darcy would react to Mr. Whickam's being there. "Magnificent, one must acknowledge she is magnificent! Poor creature, to have all the outwards looks of a romantic figure and none of its inwards dispositions! Here comes Mr. Whickam. Of the two, he is the one to be pitied. For the first time in two years he gets a chance to catch a glimpse of the childhood friend who became the woman he adored and then who rejected him coldly, regardless of their former harmony. No surprise that there is so much animation in his looks as he comes in the same room as her. What a contrast with her graceful but motionless and sullen face. I didn't expect that, even from her: to keep an untroubled countenance in a circumstance like this! I wonder from where this unflappable expression issues, it is too introverted to be coldness, too controlled to be indifference and too grave to be disdain. I bet it is silence. Miss Darcy is so accustomed to remaining silent wherever she goes _and why would she speak? For her beauty and wealth already satisfy everyone_ that she has quelled all opinions and emotions of hers. If she ever had any sparkle, she has lost it all to the altar of conventions. This woman will be unhappy her whole life, out of having no proper life."
Chapter 6
Fitzwilliam had always been attached to his cousin Charlotte, regardless of his mother calling her plain. Her common sense provided him with certainties when people went mad, and her humour with freshness whenever they became too sure of themselves. So when she had the misfortune of marrying a clergyman who went mad around aristocrats, and was too sure of himself about all the rest, he resolved to visit her in her new home, a parsonage on the lands of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The clergyman in question, a certain Mr. Collins, probably the most ridiculous man that was ever witnessed on earth insisted upon their paying a visit to the most gracious, dignified and eloquent Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She was eloquent indeed for it was fifteen minutes before anyone else could say a word, and it would have been much longer, hadn't it been for Miss Darcy's entering the room.
"Miss Darcy" the three guests greeted on her entrance.
For a while she was troubled Fitzwilliam Bennet noticed, wondering whether it was out of surprise to see them there, unexpected.
"I ignored you would be there" he told to her after supper. "Now that I know that lady Catherine de Bourgh is your aunt, I understand it is not so surprising. Do you visit her often?"
"I do. My brother sends me here regularly, to keep her company. He is of the opinion that loneliness is never of any good to anyone, especially to a widow like my aunt."
"Well, she is not alone, she has her son with her" Mr. Bennet said looking at the fat flabby son of the great lady, half asleep on his armchair.
"Well, but surely a son can't replace feminine company" Elizabeth answered, in a manner that let understood that he would not have her say anything displeasing about Sir de Bourgh, which Mr Bennet found very decent.
"And you, what's your opinion about solitude. Do you abhor it or seek it?" He was glad to have this occasion to know her mind about some subject. Her reluctance to say anything on her own account was exasperating to him.
"Solitude likes me, and I like it better than exuberant talk or endless chattering."
When coming back to the parsonage, Mr Bennet was very satisfied of his evening. "Well, I was right, silence it is, mingled with excessive sense of propriety. I am done making out her character, from now on, anything Elizabeth Darcy will do can't surprise me."
Chapter 7
Judging by his surprise, saying "I love you, Mr. Bennet" was not one of the things Mr Fitzwilliam Bennet considered Elizabeth Darcy likely to do. He got a terrible headache afterwards, trying to make out how it had happened, how he could have been so wrong about her from the beginning, and most of all how he had found himself speechless in front of a lady he had judged being too silent.
She had come down to the parsonage as the Collinses were out for a walk, and Mr Bennet offered some tea.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Collins is out for the moment, as I guess you have come to see her. She's a very agreeable person, as you must have noticed too."
As she said nothing and kept looking at him with an air more grave than usual, he figured she was extremely disappointed to have to take tea with him when she expected to take it with someone able to provide some feminine company, as she said.
"I guess you must enjoy having some feminine and younger company down here at the parsonage. My cousin assured me that she was delighted in your acquaintance."
"In fact it is you I have come to see" she said.
He had already lost his rejoinder.
"I have come to tell you that I love you ardently. From the first time I saw you, your honesty, all your manners so pleasant in every way, the brightness of your eyes and delight of your conversation touched my heart and troubled me beyond understanding. I am aware that I am not in my place in talking to you thus, when I haven't been given any sign of attachment on your side, but my heart is set on you and as you have unwillingly conquered it, please let me a chance to conquer yours."
Mr Bennet found himself unable to answer anything. How could it be that this woman, so beautiful and noble was there begging for his love when he had always thought her too high in rank, beauty, and fortune to have any desire! And what answer could he give! How unsuitable it was for a lady, of her rank too, to declare her flame. And was there anything suitable he could do? He wasn't going to marry her, but what reason could give to her? Saying simply that he didn't love her would hurt her, finding another reason was impossible since she was handsome, rich and well-born. How reject such a woman? For an instant he wished all was reversed, wished he was a lady and her a gentleman. He wouldn't have to care too much for courtesy, could invoke some profound disgust at the idea of marrying her, and most of all she could have made him some sort of court before coming up with this impromptu declaration. "If I were the lady and she, the gentleman, we might have had a chance" he thought.
