Chapter 22

Darcy had started his day with every hope his errors could easily enough be remedied. Upon being refused entry at Bingley's house however—he began to suspect that he had failed to truly consider possible obstacles to reconciliation. Having learned that Bingley would not see him, he had inquired after Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. and having been told in no uncertain terms—no one was at home for him—he came quickly to understand Bingley's anger was not to be as fleeting as he had hoped. Every interaction with Bingley, prior to yesterday, had facilitated his hope that it would be otherwise. Miss Bingley would have surely not issued such and order, it must then, have been Bingley himself. There was nothing for it then, but to call upon Miss Bennet, as he had originally planned, and offer his apologies at once for his inference. He could only hope that young lady's kindness was everything it was reported to be. His longest standing friendship could now only be restored to him through her forgiveness. Yet, it is she who was most damaged by my dealings. However true the reports of her goodness, she cannot fail to consider that her happiness may be best aided by refusing to help me.

As his carriage arrived at Gracechurch Street he hesitated to knock upon the door, his courage almost failed him, the events of the last week had done more than all his previous years combined to humble him. For the first time in Darcy's life, he feared failure. He raised his fist to pound upon the door, knowing he must press on, if this matter was ever to be made right between him and Bingley. He was determined to see to the matter at once, but decided at short walk to restore his confidence could only aid his success. His primary motive—a sincere apology—was easier accomplished than his secondary motive: acquiring her assistance. He was unaccustomed to begging the help of anyone and could not know how to go about it.

After a quarter of an hour he returned to the door, handed his card over, was announced, and entered a well-appointed room filled with persons mostly known to him. Bingley and Elizabeth glared. Miss Bennet looked at him as though he meant her some harm. A slightly older woman, who seemed vaguely familiar to him, sat in what was obviously the matriarch's chair.

To Darcy's surprise it was Jane Bennet that spoke first, her serenity of countenance fully restored. She welcomed him with every civility, but no warmth, offering an introduction to their aunt, which he gladly accepted.

Bingley could take it no more, giving Darcy no chance to speak, he said, "Have you come then, to succeed where you failed with me? Have I not made myself plain? Your interference in my endeavors is no longer welcome."

"Indeed, you have, I called only to offer my apologies to Miss Bennet.. I wish you both to know you will have my every assistance in society, should you choose to proceed." He said, in a tone as condescending as anything Lady Catherine had ever said.

"Darcy, you well know I have never wished for more ton. I am content with what I have. You come here as though offering us a place in society is fair recompence for a breach of trust."

"That was certainly not my intent. I had hoped only to remedy to wrong I had done; it was kindly meant."

Bingley stared at him, incredulously. Did he still not understand? "Kindly meant? How could such an insult—an attempt to deceive us both—be kindly meant? Is there anything that better example meanness? It is a credulity far beyond what is ordinary, to so exploit a person's ability to doubt themselves."

It was apparent to Darcy that Elizabeth was squarely in Bingley's corner, even before she spoke. She thinks me to be without proper remorse, even after having lost my friends good opinion. Though Darcy meant to speak next, Elizabeth hurried to say. "Indeed, Mr. Darcy, when we last spoke—when you fully acknowledge the truth of the matter—you were quite clear sir, that you could not repent your inference. I believe your words were, 'it was done, and done for the best.'" She had asked him no question, fully believing there was nothing to answer. It was deliberate. She meant to have him stand there without the convenience of something that could be readily answered. She felt no remorse for it; she meant him to feel the fool.

Darcy indeed felt the sting of her rebuke. He stood silent for a moment, then turning to the eldest Miss Bennet, said, "Please believe my apology to be in earnest, I meant only to back my words with actions." Turning back to Elizabeth, he said, "I have since learned to consider the errors of my endeavors."

"Truly, when you rejoiced so in separating them? Even after you were assured of my sister's affection. Even after her anguish was made apparent to you?" She scoffed, not liking herself, but fully feeling him deserving of it. Then finished, with words that would later haunt him, by saying, "Is it because then, that you were caught?"

As Darcy opened his mouth to speak, Jane Bennet stood up, and barely controlling her countenance, said, "I must beg you to stop, all of you. I do care for him. I care for him far too much to deliver him the misery of a match all of his nearest relations are so set against. I would not have him suffer so." With that, she curtsied and fled. Bingley tried to call after her but knowing he simply could not follow her up the stairs, turned at once to Mrs. Gardiner, when it was clear she was gone and too far to hear him.

"I must beg your leave to call again tomorrow. She must know, please tell her, she means far more to me than any of them. Their opinion is nothing to me, nothing compared to the strength of my regard. Now having the assurance of her affection, nothing but her own wishes, could halt my suit. It would be no kindness to leave me to a life with false friends and grasping family. Please tell her, her opinion is the only one that matters."

"You may call again Mr. Bingley, though I cannot promise you will be received. I think for now it is best you depart and leave Jane to consider her own mind. But I must ask, before you go, have you considered that such a quarrelsome household could not make her happy. She is not practiced in such arts, and could not be expected to become so."

"I have madam, and I have already addressed it. Miss Bingley is to make her home with Mrs. Hurst."

Mrs. Gardiner nodded graciously at Mr. Bingley. Then turned to Darcy, and said, "And you sir, shall I leave any further message for my niece?"

"I only beg that you would tell her that I apologize for importuning her further. I had only meant to remedy my previous actions, of which you both are likely to have already been made aware."

Mrs. Gardiner nodded, confirming both that she was not aware and that she shall relay the message. With those assurances the gentleman left together.

Elizabeth turned to her aunt, just as she raised her eyebrow at the disturbance outside. It was clear the gentlemen were now saying to each other in the street what they could not be said in the drawing room. The business between them was clearly not yet finished, though neither woman thought it necessary to intervene. Elizabeth sighed heavily, and then said, "I hesitant to go to her, but if I do not now, I know there will be no hope of privacy this evening." Upon arriving Jane had mentioned she was = invited to the ball, which Elizabeth could only surmise was Colonel Fitzwilliam's doing. An impertinent and unkind note was added, explaining that her ladyship would impress upon her sister convey Jane in her carriage "in order that she would be properly chaperoned." The insult was implied. Jane would be tolerated as gentry, despite her little fortune, the tradespeople she resided with had no place in her ladyship's circles.

"Leave her be, Lizzy. I will go to her once she has had time to understand her own thoughts." Said Mrs. Gardiner.

"I must thank you then, for providing Jane solace where I cannot."

Before the matter could be further addressed, before Elizabeth could speak candidly with her aunt, Lady Catherines carriage was announced as having come to retrieve her. She made no attempted to conceal her vexation from her aunt, though she took her leave displaying every bit of warmth and affection she knew her aunt to deserve.

As the carriage door shut behind her, Elizabeth allowed herself to feel the bitterness of being separated from Jane, and during what must have been a very trying time for her sister. Having finally escaped Lady Catherine that morning, who had been nearly immoveable in her belief Elizabeth needed her rest and would do better to remain, she arrived only a few moments before Mr. Bingley and then Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley had scarce had the time to request the private audience when Mr. Darcy was announced, thus preventing Jane's answer to even the audience.

Mr. Darcy has again spoiled Jane's hopes. It vexed Elizabeth greatly though she knew it to not be his intent. Though he had called to apologized she believed it but for his own sake; to save his friendship, no doubt only his own advantage was sought. She could not believe him capable of truly lamenting the heartache he had caused; his behavior at Hunsford proved it, in her option. Elizabeth had no doubt he would have continued to rejoice in his success lest she had intervened, making remorse for her own endeavors impossible.