CHAPTER EIGHT

Mr. Bennet stepped out and cleared his throat and raised his voice and he spoke "Ladies and Gentlemen of Meryton, kindly listen to me." All around them the whispers and speech stopped abruptly. There was pin drop silence all around. Mr. Bennet sighed and said, " In view of the incidents that took place today, there is going to be a wedding 4 days from tonight. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire is engaged to be married to my second daughter Miss. Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy has something to say to that effect"

Mr. Darcy came forward and said ," I am just been engaged to marry Miss. Elizabeth Bennet 4 days from today and till then my sister Miss. Darcy will be a guest at Longbourne .And we all have agreed that Pastor Collins, Miss Elizabeth's cousin is an ordained priest. He shall perform the ceremony". He said that and made way to the exit and ordered his carriage. They put the still unconscious Elizabeth into the carriage and Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy got in . All the Bennets and Pastor Collins followed in their carriage and the Bingleys and Hursts came in their carriage to Netherfield Park. Miss Darcy was allowed to collect all articles of use that she might need and clothes etc and her trunk was packed with those items and put into the carriage and the whole party ,excepting the Hursts and Caroline Bingley, arrived at Longbourne.

Elizabeth was taken to her chambers and Mr. Bennet called a meeting of the family and staff. He said, "From this moment onwards, there will be no allusion to the unfortunate circumstance that occurred at the Assembly Ball. Fanny, especially you, he said nodding towards Mrs. Bennet. " I know you are mightily pleased to have a rich so-in-law, but please remember the circumstances. This is a patched up marriage to protect our honour and the futures of our daughters. Also Elizabeth hasn't regained consciousness. Once that happens, I don't know how will things proceed. "

Addressing the housekeeper Mr. Bennet said, "Mrs. Hill, please see to it that Miss Darcy is comfortable in the guest room."

"Pastor Collins , I am very sorry that you have to manage on the bed made up in my study. I deeply regret that the future master of Longbourne has to be accommodated thusly. "

Pastor Collins said it was no trouble and he was happy to be of assistance and as being a member of the family , he didn't mind so long as he had a fire in the fireplace.

Mr. Bennet : "Mr. Darcy, I expect you would also want to go to Netherfield Park to prepare for your upcoming journeys. Do not worry regarding the safety and comfort of your daughter. I assure you, no harm will come to her and she shall be in the company of your betrothed, her future sister."

Mr. Bennet : "Mr. Bingley, now that you are a member of the neighbourhood, I charge you with making sure that your friend returns to perform his duties and marry my daughter. Please make our excuses to your family. Such an incident has never taken place in Meryton. I am very sorry they had to be privy to such scenes on the very eve of their introduction to the neighbourhood".

Mr. Bennet : "lets all retire to our beds now. Jane take care of your sister. Fanny, for the sake of God, don't be too effusive in your congratulations and happiness. This wedding is taking place in order to cover up our humiliation. I am sure my dear daughter Lizzy will have something to say about this arrangement and it wont be pleasant. Mary you have read a lot of books. Maybe some of them taught you to take care of an unconscious person. Anyway you are not a very silly girl. You wont disturb Lizzy by unnecessary giggling or loud conversations. Help your sister Jane take care of Lizzy. Kitty and Lydia, see to it that you girls stop your silly behaviour and attend to your sister Jane, you both are to take care of Miss Darcy. Miss. Darcy you shall not lack for anything and in case you need anything please consult Kitty or Lydia. Now lets get to our rooms. There has been enough excitement for one night. Good Night to all of you."

Darcy and Bingley stepped out into the cold, crisp autumn night. Their carriage was at the entrance having been ordered previously. Darcy and Bingley got into the carriage and Darcy shivered involuntarily .He put his head in his hands and sighed. Bingley put an hand on his shoulder and said, "Darcy, old boy, this is really unexpected. I don't really understand what happened "

D: " I must be honest with you. It's a rather long story. But recounting it to you will help me make sense of it. I was admiring Miss. Elizabeth from a distance. I was thinking her friend Miss. Lucas was also a comely girl. All of a sudden I saw them dart a glance at me and realized they were talking about me and their expressions didn't leave a doubt they were not very impressed. Curious I moved in the background and positioned myself in such a way I could hear each and every word. I was right, they were making most unflattering comments about our party."

"Suddenly I saw none other than Wickham come over and take Miss. Elizabeth to dance. I saw your sister Miss. Caroline approach in the direction of my hideout. I assumed she had spotted me and wanted to make herself agreeable by bitching about the assembly. I moved away and found myself at the entrance of a semi dark room and the entrance was hidden by a heavy curtain. I hid myself in there and had my head on the doorpost, eyes closed. I don't know how long I stood in this attitude, but the open French windows gave off a soothing flow of air and I felt my headache lessen. "

"Abruptly my peace was shattered when I felt someone barrel into me and in an instant, in order to catch my balance and steady the person who crashed into me, I put out my hands and somehow got tangled up. And we both fell with a crash as I didn't find anything to hold onto for support."

Bingley said' "you were not responsible for what happened. You don't have to bind yourself to Miss. Elizabeth. I say this even though I am courting her sister Miss. Jane and am very much in lioe with her. Darcy. I am going to propose to her. I cant live without her. She has occupied my dreams ever since I met her at Mr. Phillips tea party."

Bingley continued," And from what Miss Jane has told me about her sister, Miss. Elizabeth, that lady shares her father's demeanor. She is a very independent lady with a mind of her own. She has never been one to be intimidated. Also she has a sharp tongue and takes a great deal of pleasure in teasing and usually leaves people wondering if she was complimenting or insulting them. In short she has a very sharp mind ."

Darcy was not sure if he had to be pleased or upset about this relationship. The lady in question would be like a breath of fresh air after the simpering, empty minded ladies of the ton. But her family was not the most ideal one. Father was a gentleman, estate is entailed on someone else. That someone is presently staying in the house with the unmarried girls. Mother is the worst shrew he had ever witnessed. And him, who had been dealing with his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh ever since he was old enough to be married. But Elizabeth herself was an enigma. He had heard her converse with her friend and with her family but had never directly spoken to her. Now they were getting married.