Rapid Revelation

DISCLAIMER: "Pride and Prejudice" will forever be beyond my reach, whether it is Ms. Austen's delightful novel or Joe Wright's 2005 film adaptation. This is merely a humble tribute.

NOTE: Whoa. I know it's been a very long while and I owe you an update. I apologize for the delay. I didn't have much planned after the last chapter and it's only now that the rest of the story is beginning to take shape before me. But I don't have a lot of time to spend writing. Nevertheless, I will try my best to update as soon as I can. I don't know if I will manage another chapter next month. I will try. But I can assure you that there will be an update in December because I plan to update most of my incomplete stories by then. That's all I can promise for now.

This isn't a very exciting chapter but I hope it sets the story up sufficiently for what is to come. Hope you aren't bored and that you continue to be interested in the story.

Thanks.

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Darcy and Elizabeth were led to a small house in the village where the children's tearful mother stood at the door expectantly.

"Mama!" cried little Henry as he ran towards her. His sister followed behind.

At the sight of her two children the distraught woman gave a cry of immense relief and gathered them in her arms.

"Oh, thank goodness you're both all right," the lady exclaimed, "I've been worried sick about you."

"I'm sorry, mother," the little boy said earnestly but his mother quickly hushed him since she was simply grateful to see him safe and sound.

"Your father has gone out to search for you," the lady explained, "but he will be back soon, I daresay, and he will be so relieved to see you."

The two strangers watched the family reunion with interest. Elizabeth, in particular, avoided meeting her companion's gaze for fear of initiating another conversation she did not quite feel ready for. For the moment, she welcomed the distraction of the children's family and hoped that they would be sufficiently occupied with this until she was able to determine how she now thought and felt about Mr. Darcy. Her mind was still in quite a state of turmoil and she could not be sure of how she would act.

For his part, Darcy was disappointed and yet also slightly relieved that he would not have to make his proposal at the moment. His recent actions had left him physically exhausted and he was not certain that he would be able to enact his plans properly. Besides, their main concern at the moment was the children's safety and he was ready to set aside all other selfish considerations to ensure that everything was sorted out with their family. Glancing at Elizabeth, the gentleman also noticed that she was rather confused and imposing himself on her was the last thing he intended to do. She was clearly distressed by all that had just occurred and he did not want to add to her apparent discomfiture.

After a few moments of emotional reunion, the mother recollected herself and noticed that two other people had accompanied her children. She looked questioningly at her daughter and the girl promptly explained Darcy and Elizabeth's involvement in what had happened.

The woman listened incredulously to her daughter's account, trying to reconcile her emotions and maintain her countenance. She approached them immediately and introduced herself properly. She longed to make their acquaintance since her son and daughter had not managed to ask the names of their saviors.

"You must allow me, sir, madam," the mother began emotionally, "to express my utmost gratitude for what you have done for my children. Indeed, I owe you both a great debt and I do not know how I shall ever be able to repay your kindness."

Once again, Elizabeth renounced any credit accorded to her and explained that truly, only Mr. Darcy had been the hero.

"I assure you, madam," Elizabeth told the emotional mother, "if there is anyone who deserves all of your thanks, it is Mr. Darcy."

"I pray, do not put yourself down, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy protested, "you also played a very important role in this whole affair. And if it was not for your help, I would not have been able to return safely to the shore."

"I confess I did try to help," Elizabeth said timidly.

"And for that I am truly grateful," Darcy told her earnestly.

To avoid his gaze, Elizabeth turned to the children's mother who was staring at them incredulously.

"Is something the matter, madam?" Darcy asked in concern, seeing the shock that had spread over the woman's face.

"You must excuse me, sir," she said anxiously, "I did not realize that I was addressing the nephew of Lady Catherine. You must forgive me for not greeting you properly just now. I am very sorry. We are tenants of Lady Catherine and we owe our livelihood to your aunt's generosity."

"Oh, that is of no consequence, there is no need to apologize," Mr. Darcy reassured the distressed lady, who continued to express her embarrassment and gratitude in a very incoherent way.

The lady, who introduced herself as Mrs. Smith, tried her best to treat the two as guests of honor. She welcomed them into her family's humble abode and began to fuss and fidget over how to receive them properly. Both Darcy and Elizabeth tried to reassure the distressed lady that there was absolutely no need to stand on ceremony and that they were perfectly content to simply sit near the fire in the small drawing room and warm themselves. But Mrs. Smith could not help but be agitated when she had what she believed as such illustrious company in her humble home. She immediately ordered her daughter, Sarah, to bring towels for the guests while she struggled to prepare something hot to drink.

"You must excuse our humble abode," she said repeatedly, "we are a poor family but we make the most of what little we have."

She continued to apologize profusely but her guests acted very graciously. They both exhibited sincere appreciation for all her efforts and they constantly reassured her that all was well and that she need not get distressed or nervous on their account.

"Oh, but this is the least I can do for the people who have saved the life of my child," Mrs. Smith told them, "and I can promise you that as soon as my husband arrives, he shall also express his gratitude."

Soon, the lady grew slightly more at ease with her guests and she was able to converse with them without too much nervousness. They learned that the Smiths had long been tenants of Lady Catherine and that they were infinitely grateful to her ladyship for having provided for them all these years.

Judging from the awe and humility with which Mrs. Smith acted, Elizabeth noted that perhaps Mr. Collins was not the only beneficiary of Lady Catherine who expressed such unwavering devotion and gratitude towards her. For all her haughtiness and condescension, Lady Catherine was still a greatly revered figure in her society. Elizabeth reflected that perhaps all these people were so overwhelmed by their indebtedness to Lady Catherine that they could easily overlook her ill-mannered nature.

And since thinking of the aunt led to a comparison with the nephew, Elizabeth began to realize that there seemed to be a greater difference in character between the two than she had initially expected. From the latest developments of Mr. Darcy's character that she had seen earlier that day, she knew that it would be doing him an injustice to equate his behavior with that of his aunt's. Elizabeth also remembered that on certain visits to Rosings, Mr. Darcy had made some attempts to compensate for his aunt's ill manners, especially towards her.

What reinforced this growing new impression of Darcy was likewise his behavior to Mrs. Smith. Elizabeth observed the gentleman carefully as he interacted with the poor woman and she noticed a pleasing change in his demeanor that she had not expected of him. Knowing how much he looked down on country folk as he did the society in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth had fully expected him to act more aloof and taciturn in the presence of someone of such humble origins as Mrs. Smith. But to Miss Bennet's surprise, Mr. Darcy exhibited a gentleness of manner that did him much credit.

He was not in the least bit condescending or rude to Mrs. Smith and he seemed to be showing a genuine concern for her welfare and that of her children. Though he was not very expressive, the few words that he spoke were enough to put the older woman at ease and to lessen her fear of him and his position.

"Most extraordinary," Elizabeth thought as she watched and listened to Mr. Darcy speaking to Mrs. Smith, "I would have never imagined him to be so amiable, especially in such simple company."

At length, Mr. Smith arrived home and was immediately informed of all that had transpired. The children's father was a tall, tired-looking man who nevertheless had a warmth and friendliness in his manner that made him easily recommendable. Like his wife, he was initially in awe of Mr. Darcy and so expressed his gratitude in a very subdued manner.

But, once more to Elizabeth's astonishment, Darcy immediately approached the man and shook his hand companionably, reassuring him that all was well. Mr. Smith was clearly surprised at such kindness from someone of Darcy's position but he quickly recovered and was able to converse with the man with greater ease and confidence.

The couple continued to voice their thanks to Darcy and Elizabeth and offered them the little they had to give. Darcy gently declined and reassured them that they owed him nothing.

"Seeing your boy safe and sound and seeing the relief on your faces is reward enough for me," the gentleman said in earnest, astonishing both the parents as well as Elizabeth with his generosity.

To make some conversation, Darcy asked Mr. Smith politely how his work was progressing and whether Lady Catherine was treating the family well.

"Oh, we have absolutely no reason to complain about Lady Catherine, I am sure," Mr. Smith declared, slightly too eagerly.

"Oh, yes, of course, she has been very kind to us, very kind indeed," Mrs. Smith added quickly.

But there was a hesitation in their tones that was slightly suspicious. Both Darcy and Elizabeth immediately surmised that there was something wrong and that the poor couple was just too embarrassed to admit it.

"Forgive my intrusion, but something seems to be troubling you," Elizabeth ventured gently, hoping that she was not prying too much. She was genuinely concerned for them seeing that they seemed like honest and hardworking people.

Husband and wife gave each other uneasy glances but neither said a word about their problems. They quickly denied that anything was wrong and they assured their guests that there was nothing to worry about.

Darcy, however, took the cue from Elizabeth and once again, questioned them in a firm but not unkind way on their current state of affairs. To ease the blow, he also declared that he would do anything in his power to help them whatever the predicament may be.

"That is very, very kind of you, sir, and we already owe you so much," Mrs. Smith said earnestly.

"We assure you that we are perfectly content with our circumstances," Mr. Smith added, "and whatever troubles we may be facing, we shall be able to overcome. But we thank you for your offer. It was very generous, indeed."

Seeing that the couple was clearly reluctant to divulge any more information, Darcy decided not to press the issue. Elizabeth decided to do so as well but she and Darcy shared a glance that said that neither of them would let this matter rest. It surprised Elizabeth how concerned Darcy was about a poor family like the Smith's but she also admired him for it. He had no reason to get involved in their plight and yet he was eager to offer his help if they needed it. Truly this was a side of him that she had never expected to see.

After more calm conversation, the visitors took their leave. The parents continued to express their gratitude and wished their guests well.

Darcy escorted Elizabeth back to Hunsford. But all through the walk back, the gentleman seemed very distracted and Elizabeth surmised that he was still thinking about the problems the Smiths were reluctant to admit. She was likewise bothered by what they had witnessed.

"Surely, you must have noticed something amiss, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth dared to suggest, "they seemed very worried about their livelihood, and they seemed to think their future quite uncertain."

"You are absolutely right, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy agreed, speaking in a grave tone, "I have a suspicion that they may have been mistreated to some degree but they are too humble and afraid to protest. This will not do. I shall speak to my aunt about this at once."

Elizabeth looked at him curiously. The serious expression on his face was one that she was familiar with but again she was surprised that he would worry so much about a family whose condition in life was well below his own. He was genuinely concerned about them and was even determined to ask his imperious aunt about the circumstances of some of her tenants. Elizabeth could understand his motives because she too felt that some injustice was being done. But she never dreamed that Mr. Darcy, of all people, would be championing the plight of the poor.

"Have I been blind to his true character all this time?" she thought.

And at that moment, Elizabeth felt that she was seeing Mr. Darcy for the very first time.