Chapter 7
Elizabeth was incensed. Her dismissal of him was so decided, that she hardly took note of his reaction as she departed. She walked on for some time, after storming off as abruptly, without knowing in what direction she went. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects. Her only motive was distance from him, and as the space between them increased with every step, so did her relief.
Incredulity overwhelmed her, he was even now completely without repentance. How could he? Mr. Darcy now knew that what he had conveyed to Mr. Bingley was entirely a work of fiction, yet he persisted in rejoicing, expressing no desire to correct the lie that had so persuaded his friend.
She may not have approved of him previously, but she had expected more of the man who had claimed, at Netherfield, to abhor deceit. But it seemed now that he did not, in fact, abhor deceit, but instead thought it a weapon, reserved for those who, by reason of birth, ought to expect to have their own way. He was certainly happy to rejoice in the employment of it, when it bought him a means to his own ends.
A thought struck her, even as a spring storm was gathering, his aunt, may yet, prove to example why such officious interference was unjustified, cruel even. She looked about, hoping to get some sense of her direction, ascertaining the direction of the parsonage, she now pursued that course as determinately as she intended to address Mr. Darcy's interference.
Arriving at the parsonage, she was immediately greeted by a worried looking Charlotte. Eliza had set off this morning before she had broken her fast. Apparently, her friend had meant to walk the park before she called on Lady Catherine. Thus, Charlotte had missed her chance to endeavor to help her friend cool her heels before she went to the great house. Nothing good could come from her friend pitting her ladyship against her ladyship's nephew, of that, Charlotte was certain.
"Heavens, Eliza, what can you be doing back so soon?" she questioned, now feeling fear that her friend's determination to vex Mr. Darcy had transferred to his aunt. Whatever had her out of spirits, had also seemed to cost her friend, her good sense. She may forget what her husband owed lady Catherine, she may also forgot what she and her sisters would owe their cousin, if they did, indeed, one day become his dependents. The friend that Charlotte had invited, was sensible, level-headed, and unshakable in her resolve not to allow others to dictate her happiness. She was unfamiliar with this version of her friend, and could not like it.
As Elizabeth attempted to reply, her cousin came barreling from his study, making quite a spectacle, as though he had something of great importance to say, and with all due haste. Elizabeth looked at him, thinking him a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man; as she known him to be, and felt, yet again, that the woman who married him could not have a proper way of thinking, as she returned her gaze to Charlotte.
"My dear cousin," he said, inhaling deeply, readying himself for a great speech, "I am not now to learn, that you have already returned? Surely, we were mistaken that you had already departed. You must make haste, if you have not, for Lady Catherine's kind condescension should not be met with such indifference as is exhibited by tardiness. It must be so, as such an affair, and for the jewel of the county, could not have been planned in so little time, in which you were absent. Such an event, uniting two such families could not be planned, with so little effort, and with such indifference, as would naturally be implied by the length of your absence from us. Unless, of course, her ladyship was not in good health when you called."
"Indeed, Mr. Collins, it is a misfortune that returns me to you so soon. Mr. Darcy has impressed upon me the necessity of delaying my call until he may speak with his aunt. I mean to pen her a short note, excusing my absence, incase he himself does not seek her until later today. I would by no means wish to give offense to Lady Catherine."
"My dear cousin, you must be about it at once, for such a note should not arrive later than you yourself were expected. I will, of course, help you demean yourself, as is appropriate. Such verbiage as would be expected of you is surely not within your power, having so little experience in the company of your betters. Fear not, I trust with my kind guidance, it will not be deficient, that even lady Catherine herself will find no fault with it."
"My dear husband, given the hour, perhaps brevity is in order. Her ladyship would surely not appreciate a delay. As Eliza's note will surely be limited to expressing her understanding, that her ladyship's nephew must take presence, whatever her regret," Charlotte said, pausing to give Elizabeth a pointed look. Her guidance was not merely for her husband this time. "Eliza's education has surely equipped her to express it without correction. Perhaps, you will wish to carry it yourself, Mr. Collins, as her ladyship may be in need of your kind counsel."
Charlotte determined her conversation with her friend could wait no longer. She now felt more concern for what her friend may willingly incite, than what her husband may unintentionally provoke. With any luck, thought Charlotte, her ladyship's appointment with her nephew will keep her from seeing you. She looked at her friend, and nodded towards the writing desk, encouraging her to take up the task at once. Turning to her husband, she encouraged him to put on his outwear, even as he insisted his cousin make haste. It took all of her restraint to gently coax him on what ought not be said, hoping to remind him to restrict his activities to the support of Lady Catherine, while leaving him to think such was his own understanding of his occupation.
Elizabeth sat down and hastily began penning her letter. The urgency of the matter leaving her insufficient time to scruple what she ought not do. Her indignation fueled her haste, and her reason failed to temper her anger. Angry people are not always wise, as Elizabeth proved composing her missive.
Your Ladyship,
It is with great regret that I failed to call upon you this morning, as you can imagine, I looked forward to aiding you with much excitement. I met your nephew, Mr. Darcy, on my way to call upon you this morning and he expressly forbid my visit to Rosing's. I therefore, must apologize not only for my absence, but indeed, his ire towards you. I was unaware your ladyship required his permission to receive my call, as he has since implied, and so I must now beg your pardon. I will of course be ready to assist you again at your convenience, once you have secured your nephews permission to entertain me.
I would be remiss in not congratulating you further, on your niece, Miss Darcy's, anticipated felicity, as your nephew also informed me this morning of his intended match for his sister. Although a tradesman, Mr. Bingley is a fine man. Though I cannot but regret his abandonment of my eldest sister, but who could fault him, with such an alliance to be made. As it is a great step up for his family, we can only rejoice with him, as Mr. Darcy himself has expressed his approval, even this morning.
Forgive me, but I feel it would be wrong to keep Miss Bingley's other assertions from you, given Mr. Darcy's reaction last evening. This past winter, she wrote my eldest sister, not only asserting the match between her brother and Miss Darcy, but also alluding to one between herself and Mr. Darcy. At the time, I insisted it must be a falsehood, but given that your nephew, just this morning, confirmed the former assertion, I thought you should be apprised of the latter as well. Your ladyship surely understands, better than a young man of eight and twenty, the sorts of arts and allurements that can cause a man to forget what he owes himself and all his family.
I beg your pardon, if I have overstepped, but I did not believe it to be right to keep such matters from you – given the severity of your nephew's reaction to concluding his engagement with your daughter at the altar.
Ever grateful for your attentions to me, I mean only to endeavor to deserve your kind condescension. Your ladyship may be assured of my discretion.
Yours,
Elizabeth Bennet
As Charlotte approached, Elizabeth hastily sealed her letter, and called Mr. Collins, insisting that he not forget to carry it with him. There now, it was done. If Mr. Darcy would not cease his interference with her sister, correct his lies, nor would she cease her interference. Let us now see, she thought, if he would now find his own relations as objectionable as he found hers. Who was he, to tell a widowed what to do in her own home? Surely lady Catherine would have something to say on the matter of him attempting to engage his sister to a tradesman, however much she may like him. As to Miss Bingley's other assertions, Elizabeth hoped with all her heart those two would make a match. Never, had two souls been so deserving of one another, she thought. If Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy thought relations had such a right to interfere- they could now hear Lady Catherine de Bourgh's mind on these matters, she was, after all, one of Darcy's nearest relations. Elizabeth felt a brief pang of conscious, but swiftly dismissed it; she had told no lies, nor did she persist in them.
Dutifully, Mr. Collins took the note, exiting in flurry of excitement, sweeping out the door while mumbling, and so swiftly that Charlotte could nary bid him a good day.
"Maria," said Charlotte, turning to her sister and handing her coin, "I believe the shop in town has serval ribbons which would suit you quite well. Do fetch the maid, I believe she has well earned a brief reprieve. We can postpone tea until you return." Whatever Eliza had to say for herself, Charlotte was certain neither a spying maid, nor her verbally incontinent husband should hear of it. Surely, Elizabeth would shortly be brought around to reason. Knowing her friend, Charlotte thought it likely that three quarters an hour, no further vexation, and a few gentle, but wise words should suffice in restoring Eliza to her previous temperament.
As the ladies waited for the others to depart, there was a great deal of discomfort between them. In all their years of friendship, neither could recall such an awkwardness; polite, meaningless discourse could not now take place, not when such a conversation was waiting to be had. Maria's enthusiasm, her informing the maid, putting on her pelisse, even her pause to again thank Charlotte, felt like a vexing delay to the two woman waiting for the privacy required to proceed.
When finally the door shut with their departure, no reprieve from such awkwardness was yet to be found. Though both had spent the last quarter of an hour in silence, working on that which they wished to express, both found they could not be the first to break the silence. It was as though neither knew what to say.
Finally, it was Charlotte that first spoke. "I can only think there must have been some great provocation for you to behave as such, and as a guest in my home, putting even my husband's welcome at Rosings at risk."
"Charlotte, I can assure you I've done nothing to risk Mr. Collin's position, you cannot believe it of me."
"You must understand my fear, that his loyalty to Lady Catherine may very well loose him his welcome. I need not tell you Lizzy, his desire to please her outweighs his sense, and he may very well take the wrong side of this. You know Lady Catherine will never admit fault, her nephew may do as he wishes, and Mr. Collins may be the only person with so little consequence as to be assigned all of the blame."
"I had not considered, but surely she could not have him removed for failing to make such an alliance come to pass."
"Certainly not, but Lady Catherine's displeasure would surely affect our welcome, and our income."
"Forgive me Charlotte, truly, such had not crossed my mind, that Mr. Collins may be blamed by Lady Catherine that is."
"I must know, Eliza, please tell me. What is this about?"
Elizabeth, now feeling shame for not considering the position she had put her hostess in, relayed the matter in it's entirety, as succinctly as possible, given the convoluted nature of the affair.
"Surely Mr. Darcy's interference was not so officious. Indeed, is it possible that his interference was no worse, and no more unkindly meant than your own reaction when I shared my engagement to Mr. Collins."
Elizabeth looked taken aback, she could not consider it so. "Nay Charlotte, according to Mr. Darcy's own admission Mr. Bingley stood up to every objection, excepting Jane's lack of affection- which was also assured of by his sister. Mr. Darcy attributed it to Mr. Bingley's natural modesty, but I cannot help but to believe that it is worse still than what Mr. Darcy openly confesses. He seems to take a great deal of pleasure in ordering the affairs of his friends. When he could not do so within the ordinary means, by stating his objections, so then began his deceptions. Even now, knowing it was fully a falsehood, he means to persist in his deceit, the ends fully justifying such means. He couldn't countenance not having his own way, he is too use to arranging things as he wishes. Forgive me, but I only expressed my objections to your match, then left the matter be. Had Mr. Darcy done the same, though I could not have like it, nor could I have found fault with his actions."
"Surely. he must have some purpose; the unhappiness of his friend can not be his aim."
"Indeed, his designs for his sister outweighed his decency, honor, an even his integrity. I beg your pardon, but there is not an honest comparison to be made. Had I expressed my displeasure in such a way as he did, I could deserve such censure, but Charlotte, I have done nothing of the sort. When I failed to find satisfaction with you, I did not race to Mr. Collins and insist you could not find happiness in anything other than a love match and claim you would not see him again. I did not then go to you and claim he had departed, thinking twice about two proposals in such short order, and that you should have not expectation of seeing him again. Do you not see the difference in what they did? They, all of them, conspired behind Bingley's back and Jane's while claiming friendship and familial affection, exploiting their trusting nature, kindness and insecurities, and using it against them both as a weakness. A flurry of lies were sent to Jane, and Bingley was deceived, not only as to her affection, but as to callers in his own home. Who could stand against such machinations, every honest attempt at his attention was met with more deceit."
"I see your point, Eliza, but I can only say you know my mind on the matter. In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more affection than she feels."
"That will never do, Charlotte, you know it won't. Not when such deceit is at play, had Jane expressed her affection in a way that was inconsistent with her character, they would have rightly called her out for it. It doesn't signify, Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley had their own designs, whatever Jane's actions, she could not have stood against such lies, having no opportunity to acquit herself - and more so, even having no suspicion of their deceit. More than that, Mr. Bingley's closest connections, knowing what would make him happy, continue to conspire to their own gain, elevating their own consequence, and without regard to his own happiness. The way Mr. Darcy spoke assured me Mr. Bingley still felt the strength of the attachment."
"But what can be done about it? There is no way for Jane to reach him, Eliza, I must say, whatever their feelings, it is a lost cause. When there is a sister in the home, she is the means of communication for an unmarried couple, there is no way around it. If she tells her brother her friend has not asked after him, what could contradict such intelligence, unless he begins to suspect the lie, but what could provoke that between a brother and sister? Surely, even knowing her nature who would suspect them of such audacity, as it is well beyond the normal measure. You may very well succeed in vexing Mr. Darcy, but I can't see how it may benefit Jane, unless he repents, and we, both of us see that as unlikely, do we not? "
Elizabeth huffed, and now they had come to it – the letter- she had not yet relayed that bit to Charlotte, concerned that if given to time to catch her husband she may very well take it.
"I do believe Lady Catherine may, though unwittingly, be my delivery method. As we both know she has motive, and as to that, if it also influences Jane's felicity, I shall not protest."
Charlotte's eyes widened as Elizabeth's word sank in. She now relayed the entirety of the message to Lady Catherine.
"Oh Eliza, that it quite the gamble you have taken. I am now quite certain that I am right to be concerned that Mr. Collins is at Rosings."
Elizabeth shared a sympathetic look, and opened her mouth to express an apology, but even as she began to speak-struggling to find the proper words to express sympathy but not regret- she was interrupted by a great rapping open the door.