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A Walk in the
Woods
In the weeks to
come the Bennet women were often in the company of the gentlemen
from Derbyshire. Elizabeth grew perturbed that she could not
walk the groves of Rosings Park without encountering either Mr.
Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam; usually both. Jane was more sanguine;
she had no objection to conversing with two well-informed men.
At least she thought Mr. Darcy well-informed. He was at most
times silent and reserved to almost a painful extent.
Mary observed these
actions with a close eye. She was a little concerned over Colonel
Fitzwilliam and his attentions to her sisters, particularly Jane.
She was aware of Miss de Bough's partiality to that gentleman;
and as mush as she wished that her sister Jane would find her
joy, Mary's heart hurt for the ill heiress. She might have been
relieved had Jane shared her opinion of the officer. She found
him handsome and charming, but she was in no danger of attaching
herself to him - her heart still belonged to another.
Mr. Darcy was the
main mystery. Had not Elizabeth made her decided dislike of the
gentleman clear to Mrs. Collins, Mary might have thought that
her sister could become mistress of Pemberley. Anne had shared
much with her friend from the parsonage, and Mary knew that no
matter what Lady Catherine proclaimed, her daughter had no intention
of marrying her cousin. At least, that cousin.
But Mr. Darcy's
unusual behavior puzzled Mrs. Collins. His actions were those
of a besotted man; but his words - or rather, lack of words -
put the lie to that supposition. To discuss it with her sisters
was useless; Jane saw only the good in everyone and Lizzy dismissed
the gentleman out of hand. There was only one person she could
talk about this with - and it was not her husband.
~~~~}+{~~~~
Anne de Bourgh frowned
as Jane sounded the final note. "That was certainly melancholy,
Miss Bennet. (sniff) Are you well?"
Jane started at
the comment. "Oh, no. I am perfectly happy, Miss de Bourgh.
Who could not be, with your uncommon kindness?"
The heiress accepted
Jane's explanation with a slight narrowing of her eyes, but held
her tongue. Elizabeth sensed the tension building in the room
and spoke up. "Jane! It is such a lovely day. Shall we go
for a walk?"
Jane looked at her
sister. "It shall be as you wish. Please excuse us, Miss
de Bourgh; Mary."
As the door closed
behind the pair, leaving Anne and Mary alone in Mrs. Parks' room,
Anne spoke to her friend. "(cough) Mary, is there something
amiss with Jane?"
Mary considered
what to say. What she knew was between the Bennet sisters, but
Anne had grown so much in her heart that she saw her as another
sister. "Indeed there is, Anne. Jane is unhappy, and for
the oldest reason in the world."
"Impossible!
(cough) Jane Bennet disappointed in love? What cad could break
such a lovely and tender heart? (cough)"
"I should not
say, but I know you will keep my confidence. Last autumn a most
eligible and agreeable gentleman took possession of a manner
near Longbourn. Mr. Bingley impressed us all with his open manners,
and his attentions to Jane seemed very marked to many in the
neighborhood. It was a common expectation that Jane would be
Mistress of Netherfield before Easter; yet within a week of a
most wonderful ball held by Mr. Bingley, his whole party departed
to London with hardly a word."
"Bingley? Are
you speaking of Mr. Charles Bingley?"
"Yes. He is
a great friend of your cousin. We made his acquaintance while
he was Mr. Bingley's guest."
"I have heard
of the gentleman, although I have not met him. (sniff) Darcy
has spoken of him; and Richard too. This is strange! From what
I have been told, Mr. Bingley would be the last man to lead on
and disappoint a young lady, (cough) especially one such as Miss
Bennet."
"That was our
belief, but the letters Jane has received from Mr. Bingley's
sisters have not been those that give one any hope of a future
meeting."
"Hmmm…Richard
has told me of Mr. Bingley's sisters. Grasping social climbers,
the both of them. (cough) I would not put much book into any
sincerity from that corner. Oh, Mary, I am so sorry. Does Jane
suffer much?"
"It is hard
to tell, as it is against Jane's character to wear her feelings
as it they were a hat. But it is my opinion that she feels it
deeply."
Anne's emotions
battled: her joy that Jane's heart was quite attached away from
Richard was tempered by her true concern for the sister of her
dearest friend. Ultimately she felt disgusted with herself. She
decided to drop the subject. "It is my hope that all will
be well and that Jane will be reunited with her young man."
And leave Richard for me! she could not help but think.
"(sniff) Shall we practice more, Mary?"
"Of course."
Mary began playing. "Mr. Bingley is fortunate in his friendship
with Mr. Darcy."
"Yes,"
answered Anne. "Bingley is his particular friend."
"That is well;
everyone should have such a close friend." The smile she
gave the heiress gave no doubt who her closest friend was. "But
their difference in temperament! It is astonishing!"
"Indeed?"
"Yes, Anne.
Mr. Bingley, while in Herefordshire, charmed us all with his
open countenance and happy, polite manner. While Mr. Darcy…well,
he did not make the same impression."
Anne frowned. "Darcy
is uncomfortable (cough) among those he does not know."
"That is unfortunate.
Mr. Bingley is an open book; all can see what a fine gentleman
he is. But Mr. Darcy's demeanor serves him ill. He appears cold
and aloof. No one knows what he is thinking…"
"Mary?"
"Yes?"
"(cough) Please
do not play me like your husband. Do you have a question about
my cousin?"
Mary gulped. "Anne!
Forgive me; I…I did not know how to ask…"
"If we are
truly friends, then come right out and ask."
"Does Mr. Darcy
admire my sister Elizabeth?"
~~~~}+{~~~~
A junior groundskeeper
entered the kitchen of Rosings for a bite to eat. The cook was
a bit sweet on him and slipped the man a bit of the roast beef
intended for her Ladyship's dinner table.
"Thankee, Maggie.
This is fine, indeed."
"Oh, go on
with you!" she teased. "What have you been up to today,
Mickey?"
He looked around.
Seeing Mrs. Parks nowhere in sight, he said, "I think the
two young men who are visiting have gone mad, Maggie."
"Really?"
she breathed. Gossip was her favorite sport.
"Aye. Did I
not see them with me own eyes strikin' a wee rock or ball or
somethin' with a strange bent stick?"
"Now that don't
sound so odd."
"And that's
not all. They gave the sticks names: Driver, Cleek, Mashie, Niblick.
They're walking all over the East pasture, pretty as you please,
hittin' and chasing those little…featheries, as they called
'em."
"Names for
sticks? 'Featheries'? Ooh…but that don't sound good. Why
on earth would they be doin' something like that?"
Mickey lowered his
voice. "You can never tell about the upper classes, lass.
It's my firm belief that half of 'em is touched in the head."
She giggled. Working
at Rosings Park had certainly taught her that.
~~~~}+{~~~~
"Here you go,
sirs," said the footman as he handed Darcy and Richard their
featheries. At four shillings apiece, the hand-made golf balls
cost almost as much as a golf club; they were certainly not wasted.
"Thank you,
my man," responded Richard.
"I'll just
take your clubs in now, sirs?" the footman asked.
"Yes, we are
finished for today," said Darcy.
"Very good,
sir." The footman picked up the golf bags and followed the
two gentlemen in.
"Have you played
St. Andrews yet, Richard?"
"No. I do have
an Army career, you know. But Father and the Viscount are wild
about it."
"They say it's
the birthplace of golf. I cannot say if that is true, but it
is a magnificent place."
"Even the seventeenth
hole?" (*)
"Well…perhaps
not that hole…"
The men continued
to walk to the manor when they intercepted the two Miss Bennets,
returned from a walk in the woods. Richard was his usual charming
self, while Darcy could hardly think of anything to say other
than to blurt out his admiration for Elizabeth Bennet. As that
certainly would not do, he retreated into his mask of self-protection.
Anne could observe
the meeting from a window in her private apartments, Mary having
left for the Parsonage some time ago. She had been taken aback
at Mary's question. She had noticed no marked attentions paid
to Miss Elizabeth by Darcy, she had assured her friend. But now,
as she thought more upon it, she had noticed that Darcy always
seemed aware of Miss Elizabeth and took pains in conversing with
her.
She was relieved
at the apparent friendly indifference by which Jane greeted the
gentlemen. She could also see that Elizabeth was not as unresponsive
as her sister; whether from approbation or aggravation she could
not say. She enjoyed Richard's company - that was obvious - but
she seemed to spend much of the time regarding Darcy.
He she also watched.
Knowing Darcy as well as she knew herself, she felt a thrill
course through her. Perhaps Mary was right. If so, her salvation
was in the offing.
She would have to
speak privately to Richard as soon as could be.
~~~~}+{~~~~
Colonel Fitzwilliam
could not believe his ears. "You are serious, Anne?"
"Yes, Richard,
(sniff)" said his cousin, "Darcy is in love."
"With one of
the Miss Bennets?"
"With Miss
Elizabeth Bennet, to be exact."
Colonel Fitzwilliam
paced about the room. This information promised to be a foundation
for diversion, something he always looked for during his visits
to Rosings. "And how do you know this? What is the source
of your information?"
She snorted. "Just
behold the man himself, Richard! He is stiffer than ever. (cough)
You know how he is when he is affected. It is as if a fireplace
poker has been inserted up his…"
"ANNE!"
"Bah! (cough,
cough) You have said the same about him many a time before."
"Yes, but I
am a crude soldier. You must not repeat the campfire terms I
use. You are a lady highborn and beautiful."
"Stop it, Richard.
Do not tease me."
"I do not tease
you, Annie. One day you will bewitch some young gentleman who
will take you away from all this…"
"Humph."
"…and
you will make his life miserable." He ducked the thrown
pillow.
"Richard, I
am full earnest!" About more than Darcy's affections
- oh, Richard, why can you not see what is before you? "What
shall we do?"
"'We', Anne?"
"Yes. (sniff)
You know Darcy. We must help him along."
Fitzwilliam looked
thoughtfully at his cousin. "Does the lady feel the same?"
"Well…she
certainly is not indifferent to our cousin, but she may
harbor some misgivings about him."
"Misgivings?
About Darcy? The Church should make him a saint!"
Anne giggled, a
sound that gave much pleasure to Richard. "He is not so
bad, Richard. But if Miss Elizabeth was apprised of his true
character, she might see him in a more favorable light. (cough)
All Darcy needs is a bit of encouragement."
"It is important
to you to see Darcy happy?"
"Richard, you
know only Darcy's marriage to someone else would end Mother's
schemes."
"I still do
not see why you two are so stubborn about the whole thing. Why
not marry? You like each other. Many have married with less regard."
He did not know
how his words pained his favorite cousin. "Richard, Darcy
and I…we would not suit each other. We both know this; we
agreed long ago. (sniff) Our characters are too similar. We would
not be happy - believe me." Only one man could make me
happy; and he is blind! "But Mother…we have tried
to tell her, but…it is useless."
"I can image."
He thought for a moment. "So, Darcy marrying Miss Elizabeth
would make you happy?"
"It would make
Darcy happy; and that pleases me."
"Very well,
my girl. Leave it to me. I know some things that should help
charge the lady's mind. I will take the first opportunity to
fill her head with Darcy's goodness - though I may need a stiff
drink afterwards."
"Brandy or
sherry?" She opened a cabinet near her desk.
"Anne, you
naughty girl! How long have you had you own personal bar?"
Anne giggled again.
"Mrs. Jenkinson likes a nip in the evenings now and again.
I personally prefer the port. (cough)"
"Ah! A girl
after my own heart!"
Yes - I am indeed
after your heart, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
~~~~}+{~~~~
A week later Elizabeth
found herself alone in the cottage - Jane was accompanying Mary
on her rounds in the village. She tried to write a letter to
Kitty, but her mind was unsettled. A bit of fresh air was what
she needed, she thought. So, bonnet on head, she walked out into
the fine Kent spring day.
Almost immediately
she espied her cousin working diligently in his garden. The day
was not warm, but a sheen of perspiration sat upon his brow as
the tall man bent to his weeding. It was not Elizabeth's intention
to spend her time in conversation with Mr. Collins, and she tried
to walk away as quietly as she could, but the evil gravel underneath
her foot gave her away.
"Elizabeth!
Good day to you, my dear sister!" Mr. Collins cried.
Trapped, Elizabeth
returned the greeting and walked towards him. "Your garden
is looking very fine, sir." It was no idle complement. The
garden was an explosion of flowers and greenery, and the roses
were as fine as any Elizabeth had ever seen. She must own that
her cousin was the excellent and diligent gardener of the world.
The vain clergyman's
pride was agreeably stroked. "It is most kind of you to
say so, Eliza. Before you are the results of many hours of honest
labor. Of course, my little bit of greenery is nothing compared
to the incredible delights of Rosings Park; or at least it should
be, but the Master Gardener has taken ill, I understand."
Elizabeth had to
acknowledge that Rosings gardens were not what they should be.
Collins frowned
at the thought that his patron would be so ill-served as to have
an ill gardener. "Indeed; it is my belief that the under-gardener
does not know his business. Oh, it is not to say that the vegetable
gardens are anything but delightful. Such bounty! If I could
grow such melons! And the peas! Have you ever had anything as
wonderful as a Rosings pea?"
Elizabeth had to
say she had not.
"That
is what a pea should taste like! But being the expert vegetable
gardener does not guarantee success in the flower garden."
"You certainly
have a green thumb, brother. Your roses are exquisite."
Elizabeth's honest
observation was poorly repaid, as Mr. Collins launched into a
full discussion of methods and techniques. A full quarter hour
was spent on the proper usage of manure. Lizzy bore it with tolerable
humor, and soon the subject was exhausted.
"My sister
is fortunate that she is the recipient of your diligence and
expertise, brother."
"Indeed, Mrs.
Collins is very happy with her lot in life. I know not, Miss
Elizabeth, whether she has yet expressed her sense of your and
Jane's kindness in coming to us; but I am very certain you will
not leave the house without receiving her thanks for it. The
favor of your company and that of your sister has been much felt,
I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt any one to
our humble abode. Our plain manner of living, our small rooms
and few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make
Hunsford extremely dull to young ladies like yourselves; but
I hope both of you will believe us grateful for the condescension,
and that we have done everything in our power to prevent your
spending your time unpleasantly."
Elizabeth was eager
with her thanks and assurances of happiness. She had spent four
weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with Mary,
and the kind attentions she had received, must make her and Jane
feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified, and with a more
smiling solemnity replied, "Our situation with regard to
Lady Catherine's family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage
and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we
are. You see how continually we are engaged there. In truth,
I must acknowledge that, with all the disadvantages of this humble
parsonage, I should not think any one abiding in it an object
of compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings."
Words were insufficient
for the elevation of his feelings; and he was obliged to walk
about the garden, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility and
truth in a few short sentences.
"You may, in
fact, carry a very favorable report of us into Hertfordshire,
my dear sister. I flatter myself at least that you will be able
to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs. Collins you
have been a daily witness of - and Miss de Bough's, too. Let
me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that I can from my heart
most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Mary
and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in
everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas
between us." He paused and in the same voice she had overheard
in a more intimate setting said, "We seem to have been designed
for each other."
This was a thought
that could not give any reassurance to Elizabeth. I believe
I will be ill now.
"It gives me
the greatest pleasure to hear that you and dear Jane have passed
your time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best;
and most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you
to very superior society, and, from our connections with Rosings,
the frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think
we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have
been entirely irksome."
"It has been
all delightful," she managed to utter.
"Perhaps…"
he thought aloud - a mighty undertaking. "Perhaps Lady Catherine
might be persuaded to introducing you to some worthy young men
- of your own station, naturally."
"Naturally."
"A barrister…or
a…" He almost said clergyman, but switched and said,
"…an officer. Colonel Fitzwilliam knows many good men
of the lower gentry, I have no doubt." It was then he saw
Elizabeth's appalled face. "Now, now, sister. We must be
frank. It would not do to look too high; we must not disrupt
the social order!"
"I…I have
no intention to committing such a crime, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth
finally managed to say. "I thank you for the consideration,
but for my part I do not like your way of getting husbands."
"Excuse me?"
"What I meant
to say was that such arrangements are best left to one's own
family. I do not wish to inconvenience either Lady Catherine
or Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"Hmmm…you
are right, but it is a pity. You are not getting any younger,
you know."
"What is this?
I am not one-and-twenty!"
"A ripe age.
But every flower that blooms eventfully wilts, my dear sister.
Do not wait too long."
~~~~}+{~~~~
It would be several
days before Richard could put his plan to work. It seemed he
could not escape the fellowship of his cousin. Darcy insisted
on accompanying the colonel every time he even thought about
visiting the Parsonage. As mush as he valued his friend and cousin,
for once in his life, Richard would have been happy if Darcy
had broken his leg - or at least sprained it.
Ten days thus passed
before his opportunity presented itself. Darcy was to go riding
the plantation with the steward. Colonel Fitzwilliam waited patiently
for Darcy to leave - begging off the inescapable joy of riding
through croplands, discussing drainage - before hurrying to the
Parsonage. There he found that the ladies had already left to
walk the woods of Rosings. Undeterred, he left as soon as he
politely could and went in look of the Miss Bennets.
It took time - Who
knew what great walkers those girls were! - when he finally
came upon them.
Jane and Elizabeth
were enjoying the fresh spring air. At least they were trying
to. Lizzy kept making subtle comments about either Mr. Bingley
or Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Jane was having none of it.
"Why, look
- there is the colonel, Jane!" The officer in question waved;
and soon his long legs caught them up.
Jane put away her
thoughts and forcing a smile said, "I did not know before
that you ever walked this way."
"(huff) I have
been making the tour of the park," he replied, "as
I (huff) generally do every year, and intend to close it with
a (huff) call at the Parsonage. Are you going much farther?"
"No, we should
have turned in a moment. Shall we, Lizzy?"
"It shall be
as you wish." Jane gave Elizabeth a look of consternation
- was her sister gently mocking her tendency to utter that phrase?
Perhaps - Lizzy failed to keep a small smile off her lips.
Accordingly they
did turn, and walked towards the Parsonage together.
Richard was pleased
that he had found the Bennet sisters alone, but was at a loss
on how to begin his mission of extolling the virtues of one Fitzwilliam
Darcy. While he engaged in coming up with a strategy, the ladies
took it upon themselves to carry on the discourse. "Do you
certainly leave Kent on Saturday?'" asked Jane.
"Yes - if Darcy
does not put it off again. But I am at his disposal. He arranges
the business just as he pleases.''
"And if not
able to please himself in the arrangement, he has at least great
pleasure in the power of choice," replied Elizabeth. "I
do not know anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing
what he likes than Mr. Darcy.''
"He likes to
have his own way very well,'' replied Colonel Fitzwilliam carefully.
"But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of
having it than many others, because he is rich, and many others
are poor. I speak feelingly. A younger son, you know, must be
inured to self-denial and dependence.''
Lizzy laughed. "The
younger son of an Earl? Now, seriously, what have you ever known
of self-denial and dependence? When have you been prevented by
want of money from going wherever you chose, or procuring anything
you had a fancy for?''
"Younger sons
cannot marry where they like.'' And Darcy can; do you not
see?
"Unless where
they like women of fortune, which I think they very often do.''
"Our habits
of expense make us too dependant, and there are not many in my
rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to
money.''
Is this meant
for me? thought Jane,
and she colored at the idea.
Elizabeth said in
a lively tone, "And pray, what is the usual price of an
Earl's younger son? Unless the elder brother is very sickly,
I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds.'' He
answered her in the same style, and the subject dropped.
"I imagine
your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of
having somebody at his disposal." Elizabeth said next. "I
wonder he does not marry, to secure a lasting convenience of
that kind. But, perhaps his sister does as well for the present,
and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he likes with
her.''
"No,'' said
Colonel Fitzwilliam, "that is an advantage which he must
divide with me. I am joined with him in the guardianship of Miss
Darcy.''
"Are you, indeed?
And pray what sort of guardians do you make? Does your charge
give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age are sometimes
a little difficult to manage, and if she has the true Darcy spirit,
she may like to have her own way.'' As she spoke, she observed
him looking at her earnestly, and the manner in which he immediately
asked her why she supposed Miss Darcy likely to give them any
uneasiness, convinced her that she had somehow or other got pretty
near the truth.
Jane saw that the
colonel was uncomfortable and said, "You need not be frightened.
My sister and I have never heard any harm of her; and I dare
say she is one of the most tractable creatures in the world."
"Yes,"
agreed Lizzy. "She is a very great favorite with the Bingley
family."
"I know them
a little. Their brother is a pleasant gentleman-like man - he
is a great friend of Darcy's.''
"Oh! yes,''
said Elizabeth dryly, "Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr.
Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.''
I am glad you
brought that up. "Yes,
I really believe Darcy does take care of him in those points
where he most wants care. From something that he told me in our
journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted
to him.''
"What is it
you mean?'' asked Jane.
"What he told
me was merely this; that he congratulated himself on having lately
saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage."
Jane felt a dagger
in her heart.
Lizzy darkened.
"Did Mr. Darcy give you his reasons for this interference?''
"I understood
that there were some very strong objections against the lady.''
"Oh!"
cried Jane.
"Miss Bennet!
Are you unwell?"
"N…no,
I am fine. It…it is only a headache coming on. I am well,
I assure you."
"And what arts
did he use to separate them?" continued Elizabeth.
"You are rather
disposed to call his interference officious?" replied the
colonel, keeping one eye on an ill-feeling Jane.
Elizabeth answered,
"I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the
propriety of his friend's inclination, or why, upon his own judgment
alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner that friend
was to be happy. But," she continued, recollecting herself
and Jane, "as we know none of the particulars, it is not
fair to condemn him. It is not to be supposed that there was
much affection in the case."
"That is not
an unnatural surmise," said Fitzwilliam stupidly, "but
it is lessening the honor of my cousin's triumph very sadly."
This was spoken
jestingly, but it appeared to Elizabeth so just a picture of
Mr. Darcy that she would not trust herself with an answer.
"Please,"
asked Jane, "can we talk of something else?" Her nerves
were at the breaking point.
"Jane; surely
you wish to return to the parsonage?" asked Lizzy.
"Yes, please."
Changing the conversation,
Lizzy and Richard talked on indifferent matters - Jane remaining
silent - till the party reached the parsonage. "There -
I return you safe to your relations," said Richard. "I
hope that you will feel better later, Miss Bennet. Mustn't miss
tea at Rosings, you know!"
The colonel's weak
jest fell on indifferent ears, and he soon went away, to the
ladies relief.
Once the door was
closed, Jane's tears finally burst forth. Elizabeth tried to
give were words of sympathy, but Jane would not listen and fled
to their bedroom. Elizabeth gave her the privacy she desired
and went into the sitting room. There she could think without
interruption of all that she had heard.
That Darcy had been
concerned in the measures taken to separate Mr. Bingley and Jane,
she had never doubted; but she had always attributed to Miss
Bingley the principal design and arrangement of them. But now
it seeded that he was the cause - his pride and caprice were
the cause - of all that Jane had suffered, and still continued
to suffer. He had ruined for a while every hope of happiness
for the most affectionate, generous heart in the world; and no
one could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted.
"There were
some very strong objections against the lady," were Colonel Fitzwilliam's words.
Oh, yes, objections indeed! Her having one uncle a country
attorney and another in business in London, I am sure! For no
one could say anything untoward about Jane! All loveliness and
goodness as she is! Her understanding excellent, her mind improved,
and her manners captivating!
Neither could
anything be urged against my father, who, though with some peculiarities,
has abilities which Mr. Darcy himself need not disdain, and respectability
which he will probably never reach.
When she thought
of her mother, indeed, her confidence gave way a little; but
she would not allow that any objections there had material weight
with Mr. Darcy, whose pride, she was convinced, would receive
a deeper wound from the want of importance in his friend's connections,
than from their want of sense. She was quite decided at last
that he had been partly governed by this worst kind of pride,
and partly by the wish of retaining Mr. Bingley for his sister.
And for Colonel
Fitzwilliam to report it so cavalierly - he was sent to deliver
a message. A message Mr. Darcy was too cowardly to deliver himself!
How could there be such a man?
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