Elizabeth had no response to that. “I liked her very much, and she was a healthy growing creature. In only the two months I knew her, she began to run more easily and became taller.”
“Yes,” Lady Catherine responded in a tone of grumpiness. “She is likely to be very tall. It is the Darcy blood.”
“Mr. Darcy is one of the tallest gentlemen I have met,” Elizabeth agreed. “But he is very well proportioned.”
“That,” Lady Catherine insisted, “is the salutary effect of hisFitzwilliamblood.”
“The blending of two such fine families,” Elizabeth said in a tone of complete seriousness, “must have been a cause for much rejoicing.”
“Oh, we were happy when the boy was born. When his sister was born as well, though time proved that our pleasure atthatwas a mistake. But I have sworn to never have her name mentioned in my presence.”
Mr. Collins said, “Lady Catherine is punctilious on all such matters. She provides an example of Christian charity and probity to all within the scope of her patronage.”
With difficulty Elizabeth suppressed her urge to agree that never having the girl’s name be mentioned was incontrovertibly highly charitable. “It must have been a severe shock.”
“My nephew Darcy has proven to be a disappointment. The Fitzwilliam blood must be thin in him. He has too much of Darcy’s arrogance. And he continues to keepthatgirl with him, and I believe he demands the neighbourhood recognize her, even when all know about the crimes and sins she committed. And he did not kill Mr. Wickham. He did not even fight that man. It shows a lack of virility and vigour.” Lady Catherine spoke passionately. “And despite the evident failures of his educational methods, as proven by the permanent lossof his sister’s virtue, he insists that he shall not placemy granddaughterinto my hands so that she might be educated properly — tell me, how did my dear child behave when you saw her?”
“She was… a child? She enjoyed running about, shouting, playing with animals and looking at books. She likes prints very much,” Elizabeth replied slowly.
There was something rather pathetic about the old woman who clearly was eager for such information, though it was second hand and out of date.
“Running about! Children should be made to stand in place. It teaches them their place. She ought to be trained to appear stately, and to act as a Fitzwilliam ought. If only my nephew wouldlisten. But he never does.”
“I would agree,” Elizabeth said, without smiling, “that Mr. Darcy always strongly hewed to his own course.”
“You say she likes prints? Has he yet taught her to read?”
“I believe not, but then the girl was not beyond a year of age. Is that not proper early?”
“Not for a girl with Fitzwilliam blood. Her accomplishments ought to astonish and impress the crowds. My daughter Anne would have been like that, if only her health had permitted. But everyone who has seen her says that my granddaughter’s health is excellent. There is no excuse for her to not exceed ordinary children in every way.”
The stately woman’s eyes had a sort of menacing light to them as she said this. If nothing else, Elizabeth now could confidently think that Mr. Darcy had been very much correct to not permit his aunt to have much business with educating the girl. Such a mix of extreme attitudes, Elizabeth did not think that a girl raised in such a way would be a sensible, happy creature when she reached her majority.
After having interrogated Elizabeth, Lady Catherine turned her questioning tone to Mary, and asked about all ofheraccomplishments, abilities, and preferences. It seemed to Elizabeth that though what Marysaidsatisfied her more than Elizabeth’s responses to similar questions, that Lady Catherine had somehow enjoyed the conversation with Elizabeth to a greater extent.
Both of them were then given leave to practice their piano upon the instrument in the housekeeper’s quarters, as neither of them would be in anyone’s way there. Though it was possible for Elizabeth to feel that the manner of the offer was rude, both Mary and Elizabeth promised to take her up on the offer. Mary because her practice was essential to her view of herself as the most accomplished of the Bennet daughters, and Elizabeth because she found little joy in the practice, and she was frightened that if she allowed it to be interrupted for any great length of time, she would constantly make excuses tonotresume it.
They were made to play the grand piano in the drawing room that evening before they played at cards, though it was not a real game as neither Elizabeth nor Mary were possessed by enough money to meet the low stakes that Lady Catherine played with Mr. Collins and Jane at.
This prompted an approving speech from Lady Catherine upon how girls in a dependent position, such as Elizabeth and Mary, ought to learn to do very well with a highly limited allowance. Mr. Collins was roundly praised for having followed, once more, Lady Catherine’s advice. The grand lady then interrogated Mr. Collins at length with detailed questions about how much money he had put aside, and in what form it was put aside — mostly government stock, but he had also purchased a few shares in the EIC.
Over the next few days Elizabeth settled into a pleasant routine. She spent the majority of each day with Jane, sitting in the same room, reading books — even though all of the books were approved by Mr. Collins, there were enough of interest that Elizabeth could avoid tearing the pages and her hair out in boredom during the two or three months that she expected to spend with Jane.
She talked a great deal with her sister, and they took a half hour turn through the park every morning, especially enjoying a grove that soon became a favourite of Elizabeth’s. Jane’s pregnancy had not made her sister enjoy walking more than before however, quite the opposite, and her sister gratefully returned to the house, and settled herself onto the Chesterfield next to the collection of clothes she had taken from the poor box to sew up. She laughingly showed Elizabeth how swollen her feet had become, and gratefully took the barley water or tea that Elizabeth had made up for her.
The two talked a great deal, and with Mary as well when she was not busy copying out extracts. Mary was delighted by Mr. Collins’s library, and usually their conversation with her focused upon the dour delights of a fine collection of sermons.
Elizabeth embarked upon a private long walk several times each day. The budding of the leaves was delightful to see, the air still had a piquant chill. The whole neighbourhood was novel to Elizabeth and made appealing by the contrast from crowded and loud London streets, filled with men and women hurrying to and fro, and shouting at all times of the day.
The absence ofCitysmells of human waste, piled trash, and dying dogs was an additional reason for Elizabeth to rejoice in her current countryside abode.
Despite this preference for the country, Elizabeth's intention was to return to London and the Gardiners after spending a few weeks in Longbourn following Jane’s recoveryfrom her confinement. The simple fact was that she was happier with her aunt and uncle. Their situation was wholly superior from the standpoint of society.Butshe would leave behind the countryside with sadness.
Nothing perfect in life.
Twice a week they dined with her Ladyship. Elizabeth found less of interest after her first visit. She had already met the old woman and sketched out her character and foibles. Each occasion was an evening of absolute statements, Mr. Collins’s hearty agreement, Jane’s smiled and ambiguous agreement, and her own need to frequently keep her high spirits from flying into a speech that might make difficulty for herself with both Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine.
Despite her inclinations, Elizabeth found features to admire in Lady Catherine. She was an intelligent woman — small minded, but clever within those constraints. Active, eager to help — though again, a help that must match her notions of how things ought to be done. She dedicated herself to the benefit of others. Though, Lady Catherine’s help was such that the benefited others would frequently prefer to have not been aided.
