AN: PLEASE READ:
At one point it looked like Chapt 7 text had been written over with chapter 8 text and I'm not sure if this was only in Doc manager or actually in the story. But if you didn't read a chapter where Georgiana gives Lizzy a rabbit you got the wrong version of Chapter 7 and it's fixed now.
AN: Doing my best to carve out time to write. Many thanks to those who are still with me. And for all who have encouraged me with your reviews. Here you are:
On Monday morning Elizabeth was roused from the contemplation of her visit with Georgiana by her father's announcement of a visitor of a different sort. Their distant cousin, a Mr. Collins, the heir presumptive of Longbourn, had written to Mr. Bennet wishing to "heal the breach" that had existed between his late father and his cousin and was to visit them this very day. Her father had known for a fortnight that the visit was to be paid but had kept his own counsel until now. Her mother was more flustered by the reminder that Mr. Collins, or indeed any male heir, should exist in the first place than she was the short notice of his visit. But his having written of his intention to make "every possible amends" seemed to console her and she prepared to see him with a degree of composure which astonished her husband and daughters.
Mr. Collins arrived at the appointed time, full of compliments to his cousins and his future estate. Elizabeth's father had hoped to find him an oddity and it looked like his wishes would be answered. At dinner, Mr. Bennet encouraged him to speak of his patroness. The topic elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner and he spoke at great length of her affability and gracious condescension toward himself.
"That is all very proper and civil, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, "and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies in general are not more like her. I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?"
"She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property. She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says that, in point of true beauty, Miss De Bourgh is far superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth. "
"Ah!" cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, "Then she is better off than many girls. Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at court."
"She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which health unhappily prevents her being in town. But as Lady Catherine herself assures me, as soon as she is bonded her health can not fail to improve. And thus, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, will she cease to deprive the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea…"
Mr. Collins went on about the delicate compliments which were particularly agreeable to Lady Catherine and her daughter and which he conceived himself particularly bound to pay, but Elizabeth was struck by her ladyship's assurance that her daughter would be bonded. When the topic of delicate flattery had at last been exhausted Mr. Bennet's mind seemed to run in the same direction and he asked, "Is Lady Catherine bonded to a griffin? I had not heard that she was."[i]
Mr. Collins's countenance changed to one of shock. His eyes darted around the room as if afraid of being overheard. He replied in a tone one might expect for a eulogy. "It is a great sorrow that she has not. Unfortunately, there was only one chance for her and her two siblings, and the griffin chose her sister. Which is perhaps not to be wondered at their being equally worthy. Had there been a second Griffin born Lady Catherine would have been chosen, undoubtedly."
Mr. Bennet caught Elizabeth's eye saying, "A grave misfortune indeed. But it must bring her comfort to have the assurance of her daughter's bonding."
"Indeed," was Mr. Collins's only reply and he returned to complimenting the meal with such energy as showed his desire for changing the subject. Mr. Bennet took pity on him and asked no more, with only a slight twitch of an eyebrow directed at Elizabeth, to indicate his amusement. Perhaps later she and her father would divert each other with wild conjectures as to the nefarious means Lady Catherine might employ to assure her daughter's bond.
{0}
After breakfast the next day Mr. Collins followed Mr. Bennet into his library and was introduced to Daskalos.
"A remarkable creature, exquisite plumage, a credit to the estate I am sure. I am glad he finds it large enough to suit his needs." He gave a large sigh. "There is no accounting for how these things go."
Though unprepared to meet with folly and conceit within the sanctuary of his library. Mr. Bennet was loath to resist such an opportunity and replied with the appearance of great solemnity. "The hunting here is nothing to what Rosings Park would provide I am sure. I hope Lady Catherine is not offended by a cousin of yours having bonded when she has not."
Delighted by the worried look on Mr. Collins's face Mr. Bennet continued. "But the sort of gracious lady you describe, such affability, such condescension, would surely understand that my father knew nothing of the matter when Daskalos chose him. She would certainly not blame you for the misstep."
"She is remarkably affable that is true. Indeed, Sir, I think you must have the right of it. For she is…"
Mr. Collins went on at some length in her Ladyships praise and seemed to take courage from every utterance. When he desisted Mr. Bennet said, "And yet, there are some subjects which must necessarily cause pain, which even the most noble character could not help but feel. Perhaps the more so in this case. It might be kinder toward Lady Catherine to say nothing about it."
"Perhaps that would be wise. We would not wish to be the means of causing her ladyship the slightest distress."
"And yet it would not do to have her think we had kept the knowledge from her."
"That is true. It is difficult to discern our best course."
"I leave it to you then to decide. Knowing her as you do, no one can judge the matter so well as you will, I am sure. I leave Lady Catherine's happiness in your capable hands."
With that, Mr. Bennet picked up a volume and sat down to read. After a few moments of looking silly, Mr. Collins followed his example and ten or fifteen minutes of blessed silence followed before Mr. Collins overcame the fear of his predicament and spoke of his house and garden in Hunsford with little cessation until Mr. Bennet heard his daughters in the passage preparing for their walk and took the opportunity of inviting Mr. Collins to escort them.
{0}
Bingley could not be satisfied of Miss Bennet's health without a second visit. On the first, her mother had done most of the talking. Miss Bennet had looked a little pale. Did not Darcy think she had looked a little pale? He was afraid the trip home had tired her, afraid the magic had worn off, that she might have suffered a relapse. He could not be satisfied with naming the day of his ball until he was certain, absolutely certain of Miss Bennet's health.
"If it will put your mind at ease, Bingley, let us call on them again and be done with it. But let us take the horses this time. A three-mile journey is hardly worth taking flight."
"Are you worried that my concern for Miss Bennet is increased by my bond with Eleos and wish for me to see her without his presence?"
Now that Bingley mentioned he did seem to be taking an eager interest in Miss Bennet's health. "It is something one must always be on one's guard for and while three miles is not a great distance even a little can be helpful at times. Do you object to going on horseback?"
"No, not at all."
"Let us be off then." Before one of your sisters notices we are leaving.
Bingley was happy to agree and as soon as their horses could be saddled they headed toward Longbourn but only got as far as Meryton when they saw four of the Miss Bennets talking to some gentlemen. They approached the group and made the usual civilities, Bingley speaking particularly to the eldest Miss Bennet and Darcy determining not to fix his eyes on the younger when… NO!
With only a brief nod of his head in acknowledgement Darcy turned away. What could he be doing here? Had he followed them or could it be a coincidence that…no…he would not consider it. He would not mention the name, even in his own mind. It would not do to risk upsetting Georgiana, even if the only way he could drive the man from his mind was to dwell instead on Miss Elizabeth Bennet. If he must think of the playfulness of her manners, and wonder if she'd walked to Meryton, and how on this occasion she had kept her petticoat from getting muddy; If he must resent that her bonnet had covered so much of her face and wish he'd gotten a better look at her fine eyes, so be it. It was all for Georgiana's sake, and he had not spoken much or fixed his eyes on her, so whatever his thoughts might be his purpose had been served. She need not know he was remembering her laugh as she spoke to.. no. No, no, no. Perhaps it would be better not to think of today's encounter at all. Better to remember the set of her chin as she insisted she could understand a griffin without the benefit of a bond. Better even to remember her arrival at Netherfield. Just this once he would indulge himself with the memory of a pair of fine eyes brightened by exercise, soft hair falling loose from its coiffure, a petticoat six inches deep in mud…
i Mr. Bennet asks if Lady Catherine is bonded because the most likely way to assure her daughter will bond is to make sure she is the only one present at Griffinin's birth. While the absence of any competition would give her daughter the best chance of bonding there would also be the risk of the griffin not bonding at all. As unbonded griffins were considered ferial, few would take such a risk, and even someone of Lady Catherine's wealth would be unlikely to find anyone willing to go along with such a plan, but if he own bonded were giving birth she might convince her.
AN: Next up we will have to hear from Mr. Wickham. But then I can finally get ODC to the Ball and write the scene I've been looking forward to. I hope it won't be long before I can update but… life…