While still in company he had experience a torrid of sensibilities: shock, gratitude, and hesitancy at the appearance of his callers, incredulity and even anger at such a betrayal from Darcy and his entire household, relief at some assurance of Jane Bennet's affection. However, as his guests took his leave Bingley's demeanor changed entirely, settling into one overriding emotion: anger.
Not of a nature to be in a temper, or outwardly show his vexation; he gradually made eye contact with each of them and then slowly sat himself upon a chair facing all of them. Slowly, clearly, and entirely devoid of the good humor that ordinarily marked his character, he said, "Under what presumption would you believe yourselves at liberty to order my affairs?"
Not one of them spoke, not recognizing their brother at all, and unwilling to further incite him. Surely, this shall blow over quickly, they all thought. Each was willing to let one of the others go first, or let Charles take his leave unanswered.
He looked them over again, settling this time on the younger of the sisters. "Caroline, do you care to tell me the extent of your betrayal?"
Miss Bingley scoffed. "Really Charles, it could hardly be called a betrayal. You were well aware of our objections; it could hardly now be called a revelation."
"Very well Caroline," he said while motioning to the footman. "Have a maid search Miss Bingley's room and retrieve her letters."
Her faced turned such an angry shade of red, and so fast, that had Bingley not known her to be of a stout constitution, he would have feared for her health. Too livid to bite her tongue and temper her response, she said, "You have no right! How dare you invade my privacy and read my private letters."
"Had your letters been discussing your private matters, I would quite concur. As it seems though, your letters discuss my business and pretended to convey my sentiments and intentions. If you mean to propagate lies in my name, Caroline, I have every right to discover their content. Your property will be returned to you, once I am finished attempting to discover the extent of your deceptions. If you find you cannot like it, perhaps you'll consider that the next time you presume to order my affairs. As to knowing your sentiments, indeed, I was aware. I listened to your objections and dismissed them. It is hardly license to deceive both parties into believing there to be a lack of sentiment. Nor should callers in my own home be keep from me let alone an entire conspiracy!"
"You act as though we have done you some disservice! Miss Bennet is entirely without merit. She is a sweet girl, I'll give you that, but you can hardly expect her to do anything for our standing in society," Miss Bingley said, exasperated.
"I have never wished for a bride to aid me in society. I am not you; I am happy with what I have, I believe my self quite fortunate."
"And what of your sisters!" she protested. "What of your duty to us? How am I to marry well if you choose to marry so poorly?"
"After what you have done you cannot believe me to owe you anything, as it is quite clear you think very little of my happiness. As to your marriage prospects, I hope for your sake you get your dearest wish. You may conspire together whenever you wish and attempt to yourselves consequence by slighting others at every ball, until the end of time for all I care. You shall find no welcome in my homes from now on."
Miss Bingley's face lite up in triumph. This may yet prove the course for securing her dearest wish. Mr. Darcy had conspired with her, and he could hardly now leave her with all the consequences, even unwelcome in her brother's home. He was as eager as they were to cut the connection. He would surely think her to have the greater claim on his honor than his cousin could. "You will speak to him then?" was all she could say.
"You may be assured of it. I mean to go to him at once. Three quarters of an hour ago, I would have believed his honor to be such that I would at least get the truth from him. Now I cannot be so sure, though you may be certain I will try for it. As to your predicament, I can want none of you under my roof for much longer." He said turning to his other sister, "Louise, I expect you and Hurst to make arrangements to leave at once and take Caroline with you."
Though happy to be merely an observer up until now, Hurst interjected, "You can hardly expect me to take her on! Had I known she would become my responsibility, I would hardly have married her sister. Who knows if she will ever marry. Her demeanor is such it negates the inducement of her dowry."
"Caroline is of age; she is no longer my responsibility. Louisa was happy to conspire with her, she should also be happy to give her a home. I daresay, they wouldn't have bothered themselves to check their tongues in front of you. Perhaps you should have brought the matter to my attention."
"I cannot be made to run around taking my leave while expecting Mr. Darcy to call upon me. Really, Charles, I must protest. This is all very out of the ordinary. When the engagement becomes known, I will naturally begin to expand my society and must be in Town to acquit myself properly."
"On one point we do agree. I would not have you all over Town, spreading gossip and attempting to force my hand with Miss Darcy, or Darcy's hand with you for that matter. Neither of you, will receive any callers or make any calls. Any outgoing correspondence, while you are under my roof will arrive in my study. The housekeeper will be informed neither of you are its current mistress and any orders are to be ignored. If you with to make calls, you may do so once your luggage strapped to Hurst's carriage. If Darcy means to speak with you Caroline, he may find you wherever you stay with the Hursts."
The sisters both gasped, but Louisa spoke, ignoring her sister's plight. "You can't be serious. Calls cannot be made in such a state. Can you imagine the gossip? And to turn callers away on top of it! Half our connections would think we cut them!"
"I imagine it less than the gossip incited about Miss Bennet in Meryton, or that over myself and Miss Darcy." He said, curtly, then continuing with the same incivility, "It doesn't signify. I hardly care who thinks you have cut them. No callers will be received, unless they are for myself anyway. I could hardly give you a chance to spread rumors that would force my hand."
"You can't mean to turn away Mr. Darcy!" Caroline finally blurted; incredulity apparent on her countenance. "What if he means to offer for me?"
"Caroline, if he means to offer for you nothing will keep him from it, I can assure you. Look at the lengths he went to conspiring with you." With that Caroline was satisfied, at least as much as she could be under the present circumstances. I won't long be under the Hurst's care. In short order I'll be about town as Mrs. Darcy.
Bingley got up, entirely dismissive of his guests, spoke to his housekeeper, and retired to his study where he began to peruse Caroline's letters. The last hour had made him numb too nearly everything. He could no longer feel the anger or despair at the untrustworthiness of those he counted his closest connections. His concern was now for Miss Bennet and all that she had suffered on account of his connections. What had she thought and felt at his abandonment? He no longer believed it to be relief.