Chapter 10 ~ Superior Dancing
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:4-7, ESV)
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:2, 5, 7, 32-33, ESV)
Bingley brought Elizabeth to Jane when the dance concluded and offered to bring them each a glass of punch. They stood in conversation waiting for Mr. Bingley to return with refreshments when Mr. Darcy joined them, paid Jane a very handsome compliment and said not a word to Elizabeth. Having danced every dance, though the following set was the one preceding supper, Elizabeth was very much in need of a cool drink. Mr. Darcy however observing Mr. Bingley's approach, took Elizabeth's hand. He did not request the dance but smiling a possesive smile he drew her to the set. She did not resist him and on taking her place in the line of dancers she was amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived when standing opposite to Mr. Darcy. She read in her neighbours' looks their equal amazement in beholding it, for he had danced with no-one besides the ladies in his own party the whole of his visit. Though he would smile at and charm every lady when he walked past them he spent a good deal of every evening in conversation or at cards.
"Well my dear what makes you so pensive?"
"I was wondering how I came to let you lead me to the dance without making a request."
"Ah! but that is a very simple puzzle to solve. You wanted to stand up with me. And if, though you did not ask, you also wonder why I made no request you might answer that for yourself, I think."
"Indeed, I cannot. It is unaccountable."
"Can you not? I have asked you to dance twice before and never received a favourable answer."
"I did not think you truly wished–"
"Have I not now made my wishes perfectly clear? I believe your neighbours may begin to whisper. Shall I give them more to natter about tomorrow."
"I beg you will not."
He laughed but he spoke too plainly for her comfort so she could only manage to smile a foolish, weak, missish, smile. Then she scolded herself. Was this not exactly the concern she had at first. That he was unclear in his attentions. Before her stay at Netherfield he had often met her at parties. Charlotte had suggested that he hovered near her at every gathering. He did and though he had spoken to her no more than any other lady he would stand a little too close, brush past her or one of many other harmless, meaningless, touches but they were so frequent with him that she did not know what to think. Whenever he attempted to flatter her in the same manner he used with every other lady she had used her wit to discourage his flirtatious drivel but it seemed only to please him. The dancing began.
"Well is that all the reward I can expect for my troubles?" They stepped towards one another and he spoke his next sentence in her ear before they exchanged places. "Here am I showing off your dancing better than that stiff officer or your buffoon of a cousin," now once again they stood opposite to one another and he continued. "You have no clever observations on the company, no witty remarks to entertain me?"
Feeling more herself, she parried his thrust. "No sir. For clever observations I fear you must rely on Miss Bingley and you have already stood up with her this evening. And my father, though witty, does not dance. I fear you must be satisfied for this set with my own very dull conversation.
"Well Miss Bingley was very entertaining. She spoke of you a good deal."
"Did she? I shall be sure to thank her for her enthusiastic praise."
"She observed that while I danced with her you seemed charmed by my steward's son. He is a clever man to choose you."
"He was an excellent partner."
The effect was immediate. Darcy spoke, and in a constrained manner said, "Will you throw me over for a curate then? You would look charming in homespun. Are you skilled in the kitchen I wonder, for I never imagined you dusted in powder. I always picture you dripping with diamonds"
"You place a great deal of significance on one dance."
"I am a jealous man and I have heard that you were asking some rather pointed questions about me. Has he poisoned your ears with his tales"
"He has merely cautioned me. He said I must not be too trusting."
A deeper shade of hauteur overspread his features,"That is excellent, very pious and very moral guidance. Mr. Wickham is certainly what I would expect him to be. But he is a fool if he had your attention for the length of two dances and had nothing more pleasant to say."
"Is that all you have to accuse him of or is Mr. Wickham also a slanderer? Can I trust that you are sincere?"
"May I ask to what these questions tend?'
"Merely to the illustration of your character," said she, gravely. "I am trying to make it out."
"I can readily believe," answered he gravely, "that reports may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not so easily troubled by the words of another man."
This statement was no answer at all and when her countenance reflected her dissatisfaction he did not wait for her to give it voice before he added,
"You do not admire those women who are always nagging and scolding their husbands do you? I cannot picture your elegant fingers wagging or your perfect brow creased with disfavour." They clasped hands and as he passed her he said devilishly, "Your eyes were made for laughter and your lips for welcome. Is it possible that I am the one deceived?
They were now seperated, clasping hands with other dancers. She attempted to recover from such speech at a ball, emphasizing one word to remind her in front of her neighbours that she had momentarily allowed his kiss. No one could have overheard him and still she felt exposed.
Elizabeth, though blaming herself for her own weakness, would press him no further on the subject. Darcy allowed her to be silent, smiling instead at Miss King as she passed him making her blush enough to match her hair. At that moment Sir William Lucas appeared close by, meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the room; but on perceiving Mr. Darcy he stopped to compliment him on his dancing and his partner.
"I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated," – glancing at her sister and Bingley – "especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Miss Eliza, shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in! – but you will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me." All of this was said as if he were an actor on the stage, seeing what ought to be rather than what was, and having given his performance he bowed exquisitely and exited.
Mr. Darcy heard the mention of his friend, and his eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and Jane, who were dancing delightfully together. Soon recovering himself, he turned to his partner with a disarming smile and she felt it was safe to say,
"Let us put away all serious subjects, I am not formed for ill-humour, sir."
"That is exactly what I hoped to hear." He replied, very pleased with her; she knew what was expected – acquiescence not inquisitions.
They spoke of inconsequential matters and by the time the dance was over she felt her doubts should be all melted away. It was not so; some lingered in her mind to disturb her peace. She could not be comfortable until he visited her father.
During supper her father placed himself near to Mr. Goulding who was seated at the opposite side of the room from herself and Mr. Darcy. Her mother however was too near for her comfort – only Lady Lucas sat between them. Throughout she was kept busy distracting Mr. Darcy with light conversation and endeavouring to convince her mother to speak of something other than advantageous matches for her daughters or to at least lower her voice. She could observe the twist of contempt on Mr. Darcy's lips and heard her mother's boasts too often to imagine that she had been successful. At last she resorted to some mild flirtation. He made every effort to disguise his unease but her mother's frequent mentions of 'pin money', 'carriages' and most especially 'other rich men' would cause a flash of disgust to cross his features.
At length, however, Mrs. Bennet had no more to say; and Lady Lucas, who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights in which she saw no likelihood of sharing, was left to the comforts of cold ham and chicken. Elizabeth now began to revive. But not long was the interval of tranquillity. Mary, after hearing that Miss Bingley intended to open the instrument had positioned herself very near it and was preparing to oblige the company with a song almost as soon as the request had been made. Looking to distinguish Mr. Wickham from among that crowd she began her song with a weak voice and an affected manner – judging her own abilities rather higher than did her audience for her talents extended no further than technical precision. Elizabeth felt further embarrassment.
Letting her eyes roam across the assembled company, many of her neighbours wore their most resigned smiles. A few of the young men covered their smiles. Mr. Wickham observed her with pity while Mr. Darcy looked at Mary with scorn. Blissfully unaware, Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley. His two sisters however, were making signs of derision at each other. Catching her father's eye once Mary began her second song, she entreated his interference lest she should be singing all night. At its conclusion, preventing any opportunity of thanks or praise he proved how little confidence he had that she would voluntarily desist and openly exposed the folly Elizabeth had hoped to conceal.
He said aloud, "That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit."
Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and Elizabeth, was sorry for her. Others of the party were now applied to.
"If I were so fortunate as to be able to sing," said Mr. Collins loudly enough to be heard by half the room, he began the compliment he composed throughout the length of Mary's two songs. "I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman-- or indeed his wife." And with a bow to Mary he concluded. Many stared, many smiled, but no one looked more amused than Mr. Bennet himself. Mrs. Bennet commended Mr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly, and observed in a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably good kind of young man.
If her family made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or finer success. With this thought she at last began to smile. She looked to share her amusement and her eye caught on Mr. Wickham who offered a very tentative smile. She did not rest long on him but landed on Bingley and her sister and amusement was replaced with contentment that some of the exhibition had escaped their notice. Knowing that Mr. Darcy, saw it all with contemptuous disdain, was bad enough, but to feel certain that when they entered their carriage he would ridicule them along with Miss Bingley. While she was present Mr. Darcy's behaviour towards herself did not change, he continued to divide his attention between herself and Miss Bingley depending on who was nearest him. She considered mocking her rival to him, it would be easy enough to do. The thought of stooping so low repulsed her, and she chose instead to put it from her thoughts. It was his way, he loved to laugh and heaven knows they had been ridiculous.
The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart, and by a manoeuvre of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their carriages a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone, which gave them time to see how heartily they were wished away by some of the family. Mr. Bingley and Jane were standing together, a little detached from the rest, and talked only to each other. Darcy said many empty nothings to either Elizabeth or Miss Bingley and scrutinized their faces for any symptom of envy. Mrs. Hurst scarcely opened her mouth, except to repulse any attempt of Mrs. Bennet at conversation. Lydia was too much fatigued to utter more than the occasional exclamation of 'Lord, how tired I am!' accompanied by a violent yawn.
The languor of the whole party, was very little relieved by the long speeches of Mr. Collins, who was complimenting the backs of Mr. Bingley and his sisters on the elegance of their entertainments, and the hospitality and politeness which had marked their behaviour to their guests. Mr. Bennet, as silent as his heir was loquacious, enjoyed the scene.
When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet was most pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at Longbourn. Taking Bingley a little aside she assured him in what she considered a quiet voice how happy he would make them by eating a family dinner with them at any time, without the ceremony of a formal invitation. Bingley was all grateful pleasure, and he readily engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on her after his return from London.
Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparations of settlements, new carriages, and wedding-clothes, she should undoubtedly see her daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four months. Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins, she thought with equal certainty, and with considerable pleasure. Mary was not certain that she should accept him, however eligible the match, for she considered her heart engaged elsewhere.