Chapter 1 ~ Active Benevolence

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22 25, ESV)

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"-when you have it with you. (Proverbs 3:27-28, ESV)

The gleam in her mother's eye had not escaped Elizabeth's notice when the message arrived from Netherfield that morning. Mrs. Bennet was well satisfied that Jane would remain in the care of a wealthy and handsome admirer for a few days. A trifling cold was a small price to pay for the rosy future that would be the likely result of a ride in the rain and she triumphed in arranging it.

Her second daughter was not so sanguine. Lizzy approved of the scheme no more than she liked its result and Jane had all of her sister's pity. There was no reason to expect it to become a serious illness and yet it could not be comforting for Jane to feel she was a burden on her new friends. Affection more than concern motivated Elizabeth to walk to Netherfield to sit with Jane and to do all she could to make her comfortable.

Kitty and Lydia had no such motive when they agreed to join her; they sought amusement in the town that stood between their father's estate and the one where their sister lay ill. Even Mary was willing to go although she had not often been tempted from home in the past, she had joined them more frequently in recent weeks. It would be strange to suppose that she was drawn out to see the gentlemen of the militia as her younger sisters were, and she had never before shown an interest in nursing. Nevertheless she came and Lizzy tried to be happy to have her company though she walked a little more slowly than the rest, very carefully avoiding any dirt.

Elizabeth was even more pleased that she was not to be at home when she saw Longbourn's new curate approach their gate. That gentleman was not a person whose company one would wish to pass a morning with. He made no effort to further conversation and what he said rarely extended beyond commonplaces. His presence was often an irksome interruption of a cosy morning with her sisters. After the first two visits her father usually invited him to his bookroom and spared the ladies from attempting to entertain him. Even so she was pleased to be away for he was in the habit of looking at her in a manner that made her uncomfortable.

When he first entered the neighbourhood, mothers were concerned that their daughters would all fall in love with his handsome features and tall person. There being very few eligible young men in the neighbourhood and none of them half so handsome, it seemed more likely than not. Happily for the peace of mind of the fathers of Hertfordshire the curate's dour, disapproving expression could do little to overcome his small income and he was very soon overlooked by the local ladies. The young man could by no means afford a wife. His clothes were evidence of his poverty and though he appeared old enough for a living of his own he remained a curate. It was not only the young ladies who soon took him in dislike but he was very soon settled in the minds of the general populace as a very disagreeable fellow.

He had one admirer who refused to be moved by his waning popularity. Mary Bennet had never been swayed by other people's opinions. If for example a concerto she performed with technical excellence was not received with as much enthusiastic praise as she knew it to deserve she pitied the poor taste of her audience. When it came to the curate she was no more discouraged by his unpopularity than by his serious mien. Her father appeared to approve of the young man and had allowed his presence in his bookroom for several weeks. Reminded by his appearance at their gate that this was Wednesday, his usual day for a morning visit, Mary turned her steps back towards Longbourn saying:

"I commend the activity of your benevolence, but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required."

In her haste to arrive at the house in time to meet him before he disappeared into the library she speedily retraced her steps now heedless of the dirt. Elizabeth, who had feared that the sun would be well up before they glimpsed Netherfield if she must walk all three miles at Mary's pace, was not sorry to see her go. The company of young ladies walking in the damp autumn weather was now reduced to three. Once they reached Meryton Lizzy was on her own; Catherine and Lydia made their way to the home of one of the officers' wives, hoping for an opportunity to wave at Captain Carter and Denny as the two soldiers left for London.

For the last two miles Elizabeth was free to climb stiles and jump over puddles in her impatience to see Jane. She reached Netherfield before its inhabitants had quit the breakfast-parlour and was taken there to be introduced. Her hair was unkempt, her hems were damp and her face was pink from the exertion of her walk, but she entered unashamed. She was greeted by the ladies with surprise mingled with ill-concealed disapproval. Mr. Hurst took no notice of her at all but the other two gentlemen met her with pleasure. Mr. Bingley admired her devotion to her sister, Mr. Darcy admired the healthy glow of her skin and the added brilliance in her eyes.

When in the afternoon Darcy was informed that Miss Elizabeth would remain with her sister until her health improved he was not sorry. She was a very comely country girl he was very pleased to acknowledge and he found her company stimulating. The local gentlemen had commented on the beauty of the Bennet sisters and he was in truth expecting much when he was first introduced. The eldest was an unquestionable beauty but her sisters did not immediately strike him as anything out of the common way. They were pretty enough. The middle sister was hopeless but the youngest two might someday grow into something more than tolerable. Miss Elizabeth, however, stood out from the rest and very often her wit and playful manners drew his notice. Having her company at Netherfield would be amusing.

Once Miss Elizabeth left them to attend to her sister, Miss Bingley waited only for the sound of her slippers on the stair to begin abusing her aided by Mrs. Hurst's enthusiastic contributions. The gentlemen at first paid them little attention.

" She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, - - - -excellent walker. - - - - She really looked almost wild."

" - - - - indeed, Louisa. - - - - keep my countenance. Very nonsensical - - - - scampering about the country, - - - - Her hair, so untidy, so blowsy!"

"Yes, - - - - I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches - - - - mud, - - - - and the gown - - - -not doing its office."

"Your picture may be very exact, Louisa," said Bingley, wishing to put an end to his sisters' complaints; "but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice."

"You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure," said Miss Bingley.

He only smiled; he had indeed noticed the petticoat, flushed cheeks, and wild hair. Not one detail had escaped his notice and he felt she could have rivaled Jane Bennet for beauty that morning. He looked at his hostess. Miss Bingley was rather handsome and had been educated as a gentlewoman adding an elegance that enhanced her natural attractions. Nevertheless her allure paled when compared with the two sisters she was so eager to disparage. He raised a mocking brow and looked away.

"To walk - - - - four miles, - - - - or whatever it is, - - - - in dirt, and alone, quite alone! - - - - It seems to me to show - - - - conceited independence, - - - -country-town indifference to decorum."

Dismayed by their perseverance on the topic, Bingley added, "It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing."

"I will not disagree with you there, Bingley," Darcy chose to respond, "but it likewise shows a reckless unconcern for propriety that is very foolish. Were she to encounter the wrong sort of man on her country ramble, she and all her family would be ruined."

Emboldened, Miss Bingley observed, "I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes."

"Certainly," he replied; "for they were brightened by the exercise. Would that I had determined on an early morning tramp through the woods."

Miss Bingley, perceiving the wry twist of his mouth as he spoke, responded with feigned amusement, "You, sir, are a scoundrel."

"If Darcy were the cad he pretends to be I would not let him dangle after my sister and you, Caroline, would not tolerate his presence."

"You cannot get rid of me so easily. She wants me here because I have won a pair of earrings from her which she desires to win back. And I stay because I am determined to complete the set by acquiring the bracelet and pendant."

"Shocking, sir!"

Fearful that the false note in his sister's voice meant she was affronted Bingley tried to appease her. "Caroline, Darcy loves society as much as he loves cards. He would not remain so long if he truly did not prefer our company."

Believing the best of all men Bingley easily excused Darcy's unguarded behaviour. With a social position just outside of his friend's elevated circle, he was unaware that his guest's popularity was beginning to wane. Darcy was at that time exceedingly happy to be out of London.

"That is certainly true but pleased as I am with your society, you have also introduced me to your neighbours. They are undoubtedly rustic but I am learning to appreciate wild roses. They have a charm altogether different from the hothouse blooms we find in town."

As he said this he sent Miss Bingley a quick smile that made her disregard any hint of insult in his words. Mr. Darcy was a charmer and she was unwilling to allow his nonsense to put her in a pet and ruin her chances of fixing him. Her brother's mind had drifted to the lovely Jane Bennet so he missed their exchange as he answered:

"You will hear no argument from me on that point my friend. The eldest Miss Bennets are especially charming"

Mrs. Hurst felt that the gentlemen had entirely missed the point of their previous discussion and she made another attempt.

"Who can object to Jane Bennet; she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish she was well settled, but with such a family – and her mother's low connections – there is no chance of it."

"It is terrible indeed. Poor Jane! to have one uncle an attorney in Meryton and another peddling his wares near Cheapside."

"If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside," cried Bingley, "it would not make them one jot less agreeable."

"But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world," replied Darcy.

Unwilling to argue Bingley made no answer; but his sisters were ready enough to agree, and were quite happy to laugh for some time at their dear friend's vulgar relations.