CHAPTER FIVE.
Next morning dawned sunny and crisply bright, Charles Bingley had a restless night. He had been dreaming very inappropriate dreams about Miss. Jane Bennet. He remembered , he had promised to call on her and so got dressed with care. His valet was made to tie his cravat twice before it was deemed satisfactory. He started towards the dining room, recollecting the scene last night and really not wishing to see Caroline this morning. He didn't want to spoil his sunny mood with his sister's barbs. But he couldn't avoid her forever. So he steeled himself and entered the room, expecting to see his sister looking like a thundercloud.
But nothing had prepared him for what lay there. Caroline was been so sweet, it was sickly as everyone knew that was not her real disposition. Her effusive greeting made Charles instantly wary. He became suspicious about Caroline eavesdropping on him and Darcy last night and Darcy's declaration about Caroline. But he let it pass and accepted his plate from Caroline. He quickly finished his breakfast. Reminded his sisters about the ball and asked them both to prepare for that and let him know a suitable date and left to see Jane Bennet.
Longbourne was in uproar. Mrs. Bennet's effusions about Jane's wedding was getting on everybody's nerves. Jane and Elizabeth reminded their mother constantly that Mr. Bingley was just calling on them. For the first time, no less. He might run away if Mrs. Bennet did not let go of her effusive attentions. He might think it improper and never return to attend to Jane. This threat worked. Mrs. Bennet encouraged the young couple to sit In the garden. Mr. Bingley stayed for half of an hour and while leaving, he kissed Jane's knuckles and blushed as he stammered his goodbyes.
The very next day, Mr. Bingley was back and spent the whole morning there and even took all 5 sisters shopping at Meryton. He was seated next to Miss Jane all throughout the ride and was holding her hand and their joined hands were covered by her dress. Charles Bingley knew he was in love an wanted to court Miss. Jane. He applied to her father that very day and requested his permission to court his daughter. He was optimistic that it would soon lead to an engagement, but for now they would start with a courtship and get to know each other better.
On the third morning, he went home in a happy mood, dreaming of courting Miss Jane Bennet, when he heard his sister shouting like the shrew she was. Her ire was directed at her lady's maid, who had let her know through the local gossips that her brother was seeing, nay, was courting a local girl, daughter of one of their neighbours. When Caroline saw Charles, she rushed at him, took his hands in her own and said. "Please Charles. Please tell me this is not true. That you are not courting a country miss. No dowry. No connections. No title. Please Charles, don't be hoodwinked thus. That girl and her family have terrible reputations. The mother is a shrew and the younger daughters the most ill mannered and promiscuous flirts in the county. The father is least bothered and the estate is entailed on that Pastor cousin who is currently residing in the house. You cannot do this to yourself, to your family, to Louiza, TO ME " she screamed.
Charles Bingley was stunned to hear his sister scream at him about his respectably courting a fine lady when she practically threw herself at Darcy or any other eligible bachelor. He disengaged their hands and said coldly, "Caroline, it appears you have forgotten what I said the previous time you shouted at me and questioned my decision in my own house. Well, here's my decision. You will attend the Assembly tonight as I don't want the local gentry to know that my sister is a shrew. But they may already know that considering you have been screaming at the staff and our neighbours can hear you. Tomorrow morning you will pack your things and go to Ireland. I shall be giving a sealed letter for our Aunt. You shall remain there till you learn to behave in decent society".
Caroline stood with her mouth hanging open. She flew into a fury and smashed a mirror and few other china articles. Charles went down and called the housekeeper Mrs. Readings and requested her to send a maid to his sister's room. But told her to warn the maid to check his sister's state of mind before entering the room. Mrs. Readings called Sally and told her to go over and attend to Miss. Bingley and also let her know about the warning given by the master.
Mr. Wickham had also been calling at the Bennet house for the past week and was very amiable and attended to all sisters, especially Elizabeth. Wickham had not been aware of Darcy's being in the neighbourhood nor he was aware of Mr. Bingley's acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. He was blissfully unaware of any of the happenings in the neighbourhood. He spent so much time and money drinking, whoring, gambling that he was cut out of the news of the world.