Pride and Prejudice (The Wild and Wanton Edition) (30 page)

Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley’s name had been the last mentioned between them. If she might judge by his complexion, his mind was not very differently engaged.

“There is also one other person in the party,” he continued after a pause, “who particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow me to introduce my sister during your stay at Lambton? Or do I ask too much?”

The surprise of such a request was great indeed. Elizabeth nodded, barely managing to accede to the wish. “I would be honored.”

Whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of being acquainted with her must be the work of her brother, and, without looking too deeply at his words, it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think ill of her. They walked on in silence, each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth did not know what to say, though she was flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of the highest kind. When they reached the carriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind.

He invited her into the house to rest, but she declared herself not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. The silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but there seemed to be an embargo on every subject. At last she recollected that she had been traveling, and they talked of Matlock and Dovedale with great perseverance. Yet time and her aunt moved slowly — and her patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the tete-a-tete was over. On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s coming up, Mr. Darcy offered refreshment. They declined and parted on each side with utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy handed the ladies into the carriage. When it drove off, Elizabeth saw him walking slowly towards the house.

The observations began almost as once. Her uncle and aunt pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected. “He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming,” said her uncle.

“There is something a little stately in him, to be sure,” replied her aunt, “but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. I can now say with the housekeeper, that though some people may call him proud, I have seen nothing of it.”

“I was never more surprised than by his behavior to us. It was more than civil. It was really attentive and there was no necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was very trifling.”

“To be sure, Lizzy,” said her aunt, “he is not so handsome as Wickham. Rather, he has not Wickham’s countenance, for his features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell me that he was so disagreeable?”

Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could. She said that she had liked him better when they had met in Kent, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning.

“But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities,” replied her uncle. “Your great men often are. Therefore I shall not take him at his word about the fishing, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his grounds.”

Elizabeth felt that they had entirely misunderstood his character, but said nothing.

“From what we have seen of him,” continued Mrs. Gardiner, “I am not sure he could have behaved in so cruel a way by anybody as he has done by poor Wickham. He has not an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance that would not give one an unfavorable idea of his heart. But, to be sure, the good lady who showed us his house did give him a most flattering character, I could hardly help laughing.”

Elizabeth felt herself called on to say something in vindication of his behavior to Wickham. How could she stand by and allow him to be unjustly attacked because of the lies of another? Trusting her aunt and uncle, she therefore gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor Wickham’s so amiable, as they had been considered in Hertfordshire. In confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming her authority, but stating it to be reliable.

E
LIZABETH HAD DETERMINED that Mr. Darcy would most likely bring his sister to visit her the day after her reaching Pemberley, and was consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning. But her conclusion was false. On the very morning after their arrival at Lambton, the visitors came. They were just returning to the inn from a walk to dress themselves for dining with some of their new friends, when the sound of a carriage drew them to a window. They saw a gentleman and a lady in a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth immediately recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honor which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were astonished. Elizabeth was quite amazed at her own discomposure and dreaded the partiality of Mr. Darcy should have said too much in her favor. Anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.

She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen. Walking up and down the room, she endeavored to compose herself. The inquiring looks of her uncle and aunt made everything worse.

Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and with astonishment Elizabeth saw that her new acquaintance was at least as embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud, but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.

Though little more than sixteen, Miss Darcy was taller than Elizabeth and had a womanly, graceful figure. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good humor in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings. She instantly liked the girl.

They had not long been together before Mr. Darcy told her that Bingley was also coming to wait on her. She barely had time to express her satisfaction, and prepare, when Bingley’s quick step was heard on the stairs and he entered the room. All Elizabeth’s anger against him had been long done away, but had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humored ease that he had ever done.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage for they had long wished to see him. Though, suspicions had begun to arise in them of Mr. Darcy and their niece. They directed their observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry, and soon drew the full conviction that one of them knew what it was to be in love. Of the lady’s sensations they remained a little in doubt, but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident.

Elizabeth wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, and she wanted to compose her own to make herself agreeable to all. In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister. Oh, how she longed to know whether his were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she fancied that he talked less than on former occasions, but, though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived in his behavior to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival to Jane. No look appeared on either side that spoke a particular regard, nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister.

It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy. Whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said she heard an accent so removed from hauteur or disdain of his companions. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace — when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage — the difference was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success of his endeavors, when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.

Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour. When they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss Elizabeth, to dinner at Pemberley, before they left the country. Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how
she
, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.

Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth again, having a great many inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth, construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their favorable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.

But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s curiosity. They did not wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.

With respect to Wickham, the travelers soon found that he was not held in much estimation. For though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was a well-known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.

As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards
one
in that mansion. She lay awake two whole hours endeavoring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No, hatred had vanished long ago. She had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feeling. It was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in his favor, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of goodwill which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude — gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. She had convinced herself that he would avoid her as his greatest enemy. But on this accidental meeting, he appeared most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner. He was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride excited not only astonishment but gratitude — for to love, ardent love, such a change must be attributed. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself.

It had been settled in the evening between the aunt and the niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy’s in coming to see them on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley, for she had reached it only to a late breakfast, ought to be imitated, though it could not be equaled, by some exertion of politeness on their side. Consequently, it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following morning. They were, therefore, to go. Elizabeth was pleased. Though, when she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.

Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Pemberley before noon.

Convinced that Miss Bingley’s dislike of her had originated in jealousy, Elizabeth could not help feeling how unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was curious to see how civil she would now be.

On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows opening to the ground admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.

In this house they were received by Miss Darcy, who sat with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom she lived in London. Georgiana’s reception of them was very civil, but attended with all the embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would easily give those who felt themselves inferior the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her.

By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a curtsey. On their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavor to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the others. She spoke chiefly to Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in and sometimes did venture a short sentence when there was least danger of its being heard.

Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an inconvenient distance. She expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room, and she wished, she feared, that the master of the house might be amongst them. Whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing Miss Bingley’s voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from her a cold inquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal indifference and brevity, and the others said no more.

The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the finest fruits in season. This did not take place till after many significant looks and a smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy reminded the latter of her of her post. There was now employment for the whole party — for though they could not all talk, they could all eat. The beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon collected them round the table.

While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy by the feelings which prevailed on his entering the room. She began to regret that he came. He had been some time engaged by the river with Mr. Gardiner and two or three other gentlemen from the house. On learning that the ladies of the family intended a visit to Georgiana that morning, he had left them. No sooner did he appear than Elizabeth wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed — a necessary resolution to be made, but not the most easily kept. There was a wildness about him, from being outdoors. Wind had tousled his hair and ruffled the normally fine press of his clothing. It was not unattractive to say the least, for the look gave him the appearance of vitality and health; and when he walked near her, she smelled the fresh country air on his person.

She saw the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them, and there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behavior. In no curiosity was so strongly marked as in Miss Bingley’s, in spite of the smiles which overspread her face whenever she spoke, for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions to Mr. Darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy, on her brother’s entrance, exerted herself much more to talk. Elizabeth saw he was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded as much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either side.

Likewise, Miss Bingley saw this and, in the imprudence of anger, took the first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility, “Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to
your
family.”

In Darcy’s presence she dared not mention Wickham’s name, but Elizabeth instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in his thoughts. The various recollections connected with him gave her a moment’s distress, but exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she presently answered the question in a tolerably detached tone. While she spoke, an involuntary glance showed her Darcy, with a heightened complexion, earnestly looking at her. Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was giving, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint. She had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in Darcy’s opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected with that corps. Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy’s meditated elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, where secrecy was possible, except to Elizabeth.