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«I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton».
«Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside».
«That is fine», added her sister, and they both laughed merrily.
«If Cheapside were full of their uncles», cried Bingley «it would not make them one jot less pleasant».
«But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any respectable status in the world», remarked Darcy.
Bingley made no answer to that statement, but his sisters fully agreed with it.
Elizabeth stayed with Jane till late in the evening. When her sister fell asleep, it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go downstairs. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole party at cards and was invited to join them. As she suspected that they were playing high, she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.
«Do you prefer reading to cards?» said he, «that is rather singular».
«Miss Eliza Bennet», said Miss Bingley, «is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else».
«I deserve neither such praise nor such criticism», exclaimed Elizabeth; «I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things».
«In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure», said Bingley; «and I hope the pleasure will soon increase by seeing her quite well».
Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards the table where a few books were lying. He offered to fetch her other books from his library and said he now wished his collection were larger.
«But I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever looked into».
Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room.
«What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!» Miss Bingley said.
«It ought to be good», he replied, «it has been the work of many generations».
«And you are always buying books».
«I cannot understand the neglect of a family library at the time like this».
«Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley»
«I wish it may».
«And I think you should buy an estate in that neighborhood, and take Pemberley as a model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire».
«With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it».
«I am talking of possibilities, Charles».
«Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation».
Elizabeth got so interested in that conversation that she soon put her book aside and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister, to watch the game.
Miss Bingley asked Mr. Darcy about his sister and said that she was a most delightful girl, extremely accomplished for her age. She especially praised her performance on the pianoforte.
Mr. Bingley, with his usual good humor, said that all young ladies were quite accomplished.
«All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?» Miss Bingley exclaimed.
«Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. And whenever a young lady is spoken of for the first time, they always inform you that she is very accomplished».
«Yes, many women are called accomplished for no more than netting a purse or covering a screen», said Darcy, «but I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot say that I know more than half a dozen ladies, who are really accomplished».
«Then», remarked Elizabeth, «there is a great deal more in your idea of an accomplished woman».
«Yes, there is a great deal in it».
«Oh! certainly», cried Miss Bingley, «an accomplished woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her appearance and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her speech and expressions, or the word will be just half-deserved».
«And to all this», added Darcy, «she must also add something more important, she must improve her mind by extensive reading».
«I must say I've never seen such a woman. I've never seen such capacity, and taste, and elegance, so united».
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both started protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst reminded them that they were supposed to play cards. All conversation came to an end, and Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.
«Elizabeth Bennet», said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, «is one of those young ladies who like to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I must say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a shameful manoeuvre, a very mean stratagem».
«Undoubtedly», replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, «there is meanness in all the stratagems which ladies sometimes employ in order to captivate. Whatever resembles cunning is disreputable».
This reply didn't encourage Miss Bingley to continue the subject.
Elizabeth came down to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley wanted to send for the doctor immediately; after some discussion it was decided that the doctor should be sent for early in the morning if Miss Bennet were not much better. Bingley felt great anxiety; his sisters announced that they were sorrowful. They consoled themselves, however, by duets after supper, while their brother's way to ease his anxiety was to give his housekeeper directions that every attention must be paid to the sick lady and her sister.
Chapter 9
In the morning Jane felt better, but Elizabeth asked to send a note to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgement of her condition. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.
Had she found Jane in any real danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very unhappy. But she saw that her illness was not very serious; however, she didn't want Jane to leave Netherfield so soon. The doctor, who arrived about the same time, also thought that it wasn't at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's invitation, the mother and three daughters all followed her into the breakfast room. Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.
«Indeed I have, sir», she answered. «She is a great deal too ill to be moved. The doctor says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness».
Bingley assured her that Jane would stay at Netherfield until she was fit to travel. Miss Bingley, with cold politeness, also said that Miss Bennet would receive every possible attention while she stayed with them.
Mrs. Bennet expressed her gratitude in many words.
«I am sure», she added, «without such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers so much, though with the greatest patience in the world. She has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming view from the windows. No place in the neighborhood is equal to Netherfield. I hope, you will not think of leaving it in a hurry».
«I do everything in a hurry», replied he; «I might leave Netherfield in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here».
«That is just what I've supposed about you», said Elizabeth.
«You begin to understand me, don't you?» cried he, turning towards her.
«Oh! Yes. I understand you perfectly».
«I wish I might take this for a compliment, but to be so easily seen through I am afraid isn't flattering».
«But it does not mean that your character is less admirable than a deep, complex one».
«Lizzy», cried her mother, «remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that we suffer from you at home».
«The study of character must be amusing», Bingley said.
«Yes, but complex characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage».
«In a country neighborhood», said Darcy, «there are not many subjects for such study».
«But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in them».
Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.
Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.
«London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?»
«When l am in the country», he replied, «I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either».
«That is because your nature is so good. But that gentleman», looking at Darcy, «seemed to think the country was nothing at all».
«Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. «You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be true».
«Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families».
For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.
«Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who imagine themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter».
«Did Charlotte dine with you?»
«No, she would go home. I think she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain, but then she is our particular friend».
«She seems a very pleasant young woman».
«Oh, dear, yes; but one must admit she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. Everybody says one does not often see anybody better looking. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some very pretty verses on her».
«And so put an end to his affection», said Elizabeth impatiently. «I think there have been many cases of affection overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the effectiveness of poetry in driving away love!»
«I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love», said Darcy.
«Of a fine, thick, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a slight, thin sort of fondness, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away».
Darcy only smiled. And a general pause followed. Elizabeth was afraid that her mother would say something stupid again. Though the lady wished to speak very much, she was unable to find anything to say. So after a short silence Mrs. Bennet repeated her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy, and ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest reminded Mr. Bingley of his promise to give a ball at Netherfield.
Lydia was a strong, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humored face. She was a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into society at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-importance, which the attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into confidence. She was not afraid, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and not only to remind him of his promise, but to add also, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:
«I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my promise; and when your sister is well again, you can name the day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill».
Lydia was satisfied. «Oh! Yes, it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball», she added, «I'll insist on the regiment's giving one also. I'll tell Colonel Forster it'll be quite a shame if he does not».
Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then left, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own behaviour and that of her relatives to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy. But, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes, Elizabeth was unable to make him join in their critical remarks about her.
Chapter 10
During the day Elizabeth stayed with Jane. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the sick girl, who continued, though slowly, to recover; and in the evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room. Mr. Darcy was writing a letter to his sister. Miss Bingley was watching the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurst was observing their game.
Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was listening to what passed between Darcy and his companion with great amusement. The endless praises of the lady either of his handwriting or the length of his letter, and the absolute indifference of the gentleman to them formed a curious dialogue, which was exactly in agreement with her opinion of each of them.
«Miss Darcy will be delighted to receive such a letter!»
No reaction.
«You write unusually fast».
«You are mistaken. I write rather slowly».
«Pray tell your sister that I long to see her».
«I have already told her so once, by your desire».
«How do you manage to make your lines so even?»
Silence.
«Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her progress on the harp; and please let her know how I admire her beautiful little design for a table».
«Will you let me postpone your admiration till I write again? At present I have no space to put it down».
«Oh! It isn't important. I'll see her in January. But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?»
«They are usually long, but as to always charming it is not for me to say».
«I'm sure that a person, who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write badly».
«That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline», cried her brother, «he does not write with ease. He thinks too much about words of four syllables. Don't you, Darcy?»
«My style of writing is very different from yours».
«Charles writes so carelessly. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest», said Miss Bingley.
«My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them, so my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents».
«Your modesty, Mr. Bingley», said Elizabeth, «must disarm criticism».
