Chapter 29
From nearly the moment she arrived at the breakfast table Lady Catherine had begun vexing Elizabeth; her sentences were formed solely to add provocation to their discourse. To Elizabeth, it seemed Her Ladyship's revenge for her frankness the evening before. Her lack of rest was reflected in her complexion, it could do nothing to help her attract a suitor. Her dowry was too small, her connections too wanting, she must follow instructions if she was going to make a success of her time in Town.
They were expected to receive callers in Lady Matlock's drawing room, she was informed, and Elizabeth wondered how she had managed to contrive it. Lady Catherine had intended to introduce her own connections today and call upon Elizabeth's new acquaintances from the ball. It did not signify to Elizabeth, aside from Lady Matlock again gaining the upper hand. She expected the activity to be particularly tedious and disliked being paraded around as the poor connection in want of a husband.
"Well shall depart early. My sister informs me that Miss Jane Bennet's attendance is required as well. We are to see to her transportation. Lady Matlock must have someone particularly in mind for her then, as she knows her to reside presently near Cheapside, which could hardly display to her advantage. I have consented to the scheme, as Bingley is only wanting a little competition to come to point. It shall be my victory after all when he is thus provoked."
"But she cannot come! Mr. Bingley is to call today."
"When he finds her to be absent, and for the purpose of being courted by someone of higher rank, that shall surely light a fire under his indecisive derriere. Had he proposed in Hertfordshire, where he ought to have, I should not have had to exert myself thus. I shall condescend to speak with your aunt and inform her on precisely what to relay to bring him to the point."
"I thank you for the compliment on my aunt's behalf," said Elizabeth testily, "but I fear she would be the first one the tell you the only thing they are in need of it time to speak. Mr. Bingley is not indecisive; he had requested a private audience and your nephew interrupted him."
"Darcy has not kept his word then? Is he still intent to ruining his sister's prospects?"
"Indeed not, he called to apologize and so upset my sister she fled the room."
"I will speak with the eldest Miss Bennet then to determine what drawing room her time is best spent in. If it seems it must be done, I'll take her with us and let her hear my mind on matters. As insensible as she is to family, fortune, everything, she may be in need of a reminder of her circumstances."
"As I attempted to impress upon you yesterday, madam, your reminders nearly caused exactly opposite of what you had intended. Your attempts to convince my sister of her lack only makes her hesitant to except him! And for his sake! Pray, let them discuss matters this afternoon on their own terms."
Her ladyship harrumphed and accepted a note from a footman. "It seems your sister's wishes are in accordance with your own. Her health, it seems, will not allow her to leave your aunts for morning calls. As if I am unaware as to why she should wish to remain at home. Her hand, at least, is a prettyish genteel sort of script, as it ought to be, and quite unlike your own. Pray, how can one sister be suitably accomplished in the art and the other so be so lacking?" Lady Catherine asked, examining the letter as through it were some sort of artifact.
"As your Ladyship is aware, I troubled myself to ensure my letter made it to you without Mr. Collins knowing the particulars. Though more attention is typically paid to form, I cannot pretend to have Jane's elegance of hand."
"And what is that in your reticule? Do you mean to run about town with all your correspondence on your person? I shall not be brought to believe that I mistake the shape."
Elizabeth panicked, colored, and intended to angrily protest Her Ladyship's impertinent question—then devious thought struck her. What if Lady Catherine's inclination towards interference might be transferred to one who is in need of it? Elizabeth would by no means allow her to get her hands on Miss Darcy's letter. All of her letters were on her person purely for the purpose of concealing the contents of her new friend's missive. It felt ill advised to allow it to remain unchaperoned, but nor had she expected Her Ladyship's to quite have the audacity to inquire as to the contents of a young lady's reticule. If all else fails I can demand to be taken to Cheapside.
Her Ladyship then interrupted her thoughts, "Well what is it? I demand to know what could be in a young lady's correspondence that needs safeguarded by keeping it on one's person! Hand it here, I must form my own opinion."
"As to that," said Elizabeth, "I had considered asking Your Ladyship's advice on the matter. I was concerned, however, that our disagreement last evening would prevent you from sharing your council."
"I shall certainly not pretend to be used to being addressed in such a manner Miss Bennet, but nor would I be remiss in my duties. A young lady ought to be made to understand the world from her elders and her betters. Heaven and Earth! That young ladies these days might be left to form their own opinions!"
"Well, that is precisely the problem I had hoped you might find remedy for," said Elizabeth, extracting a letter, "My youngest sister you see, thinks of nothing but officers. She has not been made to think seriously on any subject. Indeed, myself and Jane both despair of her lack of understanding but have not the authority to make her neglect her amusements for the sake of her education. My parents, it seems, spent all their energies on the previous four daughters."
Skimming the letter, Her Ladyship's countenance easily betrayed her inner workings; her vexation only increased as she continued to read. Her eyes bulged, her color changed, her Ladyship even deigned to begin to stammer a reprimand but then incredulity stopped her. Finally, she set the letter down, and Elizabeth was certain of it having the desired effect. Jane and Georgianna are now safe from her officious interference. Her attentions will be firmly fixed elsewhere.
"Miss Bennet, something must be done at once. No proper young lady would betray such vulgarities, even in private correspondence. That your father and mother would even allow such a character to form in a young lady under their own roof—even if they were entirely indifferent—is not to be borne. This obsession with officers is most disturbing. Is she ignorant of lack of fortune, and prospects? That most of them can only hope to inherit nothing more than a good name? That in a few generations they'll even be ignorant even of their ties to the gentry?"
"I am afraid," said Elizabeth gravely, "that she cannot even be brought to understand how desperate her finances would be if she were to accept a proposal from an officer. She is completely lost to reason, she thinks only of how fine a gentleman might look in a red coat, of dancing every dance, and being the envy of the other young ladies. She knows nothing, I am afraid, of the economies of running a household, or of income and expenditures. If one attempts to bring it up with her, as Jane and I have, she says only that of course she shall have bonnets and lace."
"I shall instruct your mother at once of how to reprimand her, and of what her curriculum shall be. I would not be remiss in sending a governess either, such a young lady should not yet be out. She has no business marrying and attempting the running of a household. She would bring shame and debt to you and your entirely family. That the youngest should think to marry before the elder, and so disgracefully beneath her dignity. No respectable gentleman shall consider the rest of you if they were to be so sure the youngest shall constantly be in need of funds."
"Indeed, but that is part of the problem. My mother insists we must all marry, and soon, and so she will not be brought to put Lydia back in the school room, on account of the entail. I cannot blame her for her fears, but I cannot agree with how she means to address them. And worse still, my second youngest sister follows where Lydia leads, though she is not so silly in her own right. Catherine can speak sensibly on a topic when she is not in Lydia's company."
"Your parents must be brought to see reason, and before the youngest makes the elders all ridiculous!"
"Indeed, but there is not a firmer hand at Longbourn to check her. I fear my father takes little interest in my younger sisters and my mother encourages Lydia's liveliness, hoping it will attract a husband faster than Jane's demure nature. What can be done about it? I know very well nothing can be done. Lydia only complains to our mother, who's nerves cannot take such excursions, every time an attempt is made at curtailing her excesses and managing her deportment."
"Leave it to me Miss Bennet. I shall have her at Rosings where I can supervise her education, where no officers, aside from my nephew, is ever entertained. She shall learn to deport herself properly and acquire the accomplishments expected of a young lady. When I am through with her, your elder sister's charms shall be nothing to hers. I will write your father at once to admonish him and make the arrangements. The second eldest, may be manageable with the youngest's absence, I suppose."
"I am certain we are able to take on the task of Catherine, in the absence of Lydia. It is impossible to properly express my gratitude for your Ladyship's kind condescension and efforts on behalf of my poor sister. You are of precisely the right constitution to check her worst impulses. May I have the privilege of writing? I ought to make myself of some use to you, after all. I will restrict myself to instructing upon the travel arrangements exactly as you would deem proper. I think, perhaps, if the missive were careful to relay the advantages of your attentions, she will be in your power shortly. The well-deserved censure, I am afraid, might make her refuse to come. Though once she is in your care, your Ladyship, will better be able to bring about the deesired result."
"You may be assured I shall not fail in my endeavors! You are very accustomed to ensuring your own way, for someone so young. You may write the letter, but I will see it, before you post it."
Elizabeth hurried to finish her breakfast and began her letter at once, addressing it to her mother. Upon submitting it to Lady Catherine's review, she said, "Miss Bennet, there is an excessive amount of talk of London Balls and parties, and indeed implications that she, your youngest sister shall enjoy such entertainments. I would not take her into society under any inducement, after reading her letter"
"Nor want I want you to. As your ladyship sees, I have only promised you would take her to Rosings to make her suitable for such entertainments. I have agreed to nothing on your behalf, I have only relayed the entertainment her elder sisters enjoy that she does not. I pray it will encourage her in her education."
Her Ladyship eyed Elizabeth suspiciously and finally nodded, saying, "Post your letter today, there is no need to send it express. Furthermore, I see it is addressed to your mother, though I imagine it is she that sees to such things. Father's have little time for daughters you know. We shall depart for Lady Matlock's at once."
"Very well," said Elizabeth, nearly laughing as she departed. She could not keep herself from rejoicing at her success at redirecting Lady Catherine's attentions at where they were most deserved. As they departed, Elizabeth observed a carriage pulling up, and wondered at Lady Catherine's caller. Her Ladyship shouted for her coachman to drive on, and Elizabeth was left to wonder.