Chapter 2:
"I'd say that was a successful gathering, would you not?" said Mrs. Gardiner, with a knowing smile.
"Are you teasing me, aunt?" asked Jane, laughing.
"Mr. Dalligan is a very charming young man" she said, probing Jane for more information.
"He does seem very charming, aunt, though I only spoke with him for a few minutes, he was not near me during supper and we left soon after the men came back in the drawing room" replied Jane, recounting the events of that night.
"Would you be opposed to developing the acquaintance?" inquired Mrs. Gardiner.
"Not at all" responded Jane.
"Even though he is in trade?"
"Precisely because he is in trade—honestly aunt, I found him quite refreshing. He seems to be a man that works hard and gets what he wants, though he seems to be hiding something" added Jane in a whisper.
"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Gardiner, raising an eyebrow.
"I cannot quite place my finger on it" said Jane, biting her lip, "nor shall I lose sleep over it. I am very tired and still have not properly written to Lizzy. I was hoping to write a more confident letter after my arrival and it seems like after these two weeks, I shall be able to."
"I am sure she will love to hear you in good spirits" said Mrs. Gardiner. "Oh dear, the road is bumpy" she exclaimed, as her carriage went over a bump. The rest of the ride went smoothly and all the members of the carriage arrived ready to retire.
"Thank you for bringing me, aunt" said Jane, as they entered the Gardiners' residence.
"I had not thought of accepting trade invitations, did not think your parents would approve, however, since it seems you have made your own resolution, here we are. And you are very welcome Jane, good night my dear" said Mrs. Gardiner sweetly.
"Good night" said Jane, and quietly humming as she entered her room. The maid scurried in after her, helping her undress and unpin her hair. "Thank you, Jules" said Jane, dismissing the young girl. She must be tired, thought Jane.
Once in bed Jane allowed herself to think once of Mr. Dalligan, his knowing green eyes and his enchanting smile. Oh that smirk. He was a good distraction—even if nothing came from it—and for that, she was grateful.
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Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to announce their safe arrival in London; and when she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys. Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as impatience generally is.
"Dearest Lizzy,
I am afraid you must forgive me for not giving you a more satisfactory letter until now. Caroline paid us a visit yesterday—fortunately, we were out. I was no longer waiting every morning for what I had supposed for be her imminent arrival. I have not decided whether to pay her another call—the first one was very uncomfortable—Caroline did not seem in spirits and was very curt. Four weeks have passed since I saw her and I find myself not regretting the end of our acquaintance.
My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgment, at my expense, when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my dear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate if I still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate with me; but if the same circumstances were to happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again. I pity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can safely say that every advance to intimacy began on her side.
Her brother is an entirely different subject. Though you may hold a grudge against the sister, I have found myself disappointed in the realization that I could not have respect such a man. His regard for me was either ephemeral or not strong enough to overcome the persuasion of those closest to him. I spoke with our aunt, who has been a great comfort, and have decided that I need a man whom I can respect.
Oh Lizzy, do not badger me for what I will confess but I think we were wrong in wanting to marry for love. We do not have the ability to choose—not in our position. I have asked our aunt to introduce me to their acquaintances and I have met some lovely people. You may not recognize your sister now—smiling and meeting new people. I want to make the most of time here. Even if that means meeting someone in trade.
Pray, do not fear that I will give my hand to just anyone. I will only give my heart to one whom I can respect and who can respect me in return. Do not fear, I will endeavour to banish every painful thought, and think only of what will make me happy—your affection, and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very soon. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with Sir William and Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there.—Yours, etc."
Elizabeth Bennet put the letter down and let out a heavy sigh. This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits returned as she considered that Jane would no longer be duped. All expectation from Mr. Bingley was now absolutely over. She would not even wish for a renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on every review of it; she wondered if he knew what he had thrown away.
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It was two days after the evening at the Caresols that Mr. Dalligan paid the Gardiners a visit. He came dressed impeccably and inquired after Miss Bennet, who was out at that moment, taking her nieces and nephews to the park.
"She must be a great help for you, Mrs. Gardiner" he commented.
"Jane is loved and admired wherever she goes, Mr. Dalligan" said Mrs. Gardiner, with a knowing smile. He seemed to ignore what she implied.
"I am sure of that" he responded, sitting down at Mrs. Gardiner's invitation.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked, motioning for the maid to bring some.
"I cannot stay long—I am needed in the factory this afternoon but wanted to say hello to my new friends. I am sorry to miss seeing your lovely niece, please send her my regards" he said, standing up and bowing slightly.
"Most certainly, Mr. Dalligan" said Mrs. Gardiner.
On his way out, he heard the most beautiful laugh he had ever heard. His eyes met with Miss Bennet's blushing face—warm and red from the morning walk—and he could not help staring at the beauty before him. He understood now what she had meant, she deserved to be loved for more than her beauty. For she really was a beauty. He quickly recomposed himself and bowed.
"Miss Bennet, I came unpunctually late to make a morning call" he finished walking down the steps and was now at eye level with her.
"I would not expect you to be punctual, Mr. Dalligan, for you like to be predictably unpredictable" she teased, "Let me introduce you my nieces and nephews" she said, but turned around to see they had run inside the house. "I am afraid they have disappeared—I believe they were thirsty from our walk"
"Well I will not keep you Miss Bennet" he said, bowing his head.
"Mr. Dalligan" said Jane, not knowing where she had gathered the courage to say it, "What are your intentions?" He looked as shocked as she felt for saying it.
"Pardon me?" he said, turning his face from shock to admiration. "Are you proposing to me, Miss Bennet?" Jane smiled brilliantly and shook her head playfully.
"I would never marry someone that I had to propose to Mr. Dalligan. I simply want to be clear about your intentions. You accused me of approaching you for your money and I clarified that assumption" she explained, her manner calm and collected.
"I did not accuse you" he exclaimed, recovering from the shock of her question.
"Your eyes did" she said, smirking.
"So you did not approach me because of my wealth?" asked Mr. Dalligan, buying time by asking another question.
"I did not know of your wealth then" she teased, revealing a dimple on her cheek.
"And what do you know now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, a handsome smirk on his face.
"That you are hiding from something Mr. Dalligan" said Jane.
"How do you know?" said Mr. Dalligan in a soft whisper.
"Because I am too" she said, giving him a weak smile. "If you will excuse me, I should be going" she said, walking past him.
"I have not answered the question—" he said, turning after her.
"Oh?" she said, turning her face towards him. She was standing on one of the steps and was looking down at him.
"I believe I could use a friend" he said, looking at her expectantly.
"I believe I could use one too" she said, after a moment's pause, "I shall see you, Mr. Dalligan"
"I hope so" he said, staring at the creature in front of him. She could clearly be called an angel, for she looked like one. However, there was a depth and perhaps pain about her that drew him. I am not ready, he murmured to himself. I do not even know why I came. Her forwardness had caught him off guard but it had also been refreshing. He had certainly not expected it—not from her.
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Elizabeth traveled with Sir William Lucas and his daughter, Maria.
It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner's door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival; when they entered the passage she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever. On the stairs were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their cousin's appearance would not allow them to wait in the drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theater.
Every object in the next day's journey was new and interesting to Elizabeth; and her spirits were in a state of enjoyment; for she had seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health, and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant source of delight.
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