“But madam,” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked his aunt, speaking across the table to her. “What is your view of Darcy’s notion thathe can do anything that a woman can, and that a woman has no sphere of superiority in which to shine.”
“I am certain,” Lady Catherine replied, “that you do not truly portray Mr. Darcy’s views.”
Elizabeth laughed, and patted Colonel Fitzwilliam on the hand. “As you just observed, I too have on occasion been accused of being in jest.”
She was certain that Darcy watched her as she made such a flirtatious gesture towards his cousin, and she thought that the gesture had likely been prompted by the awareness that Darcy watched her.
Settle yourself. You are the wholly sensible woman who has wholly recovered from the heartbreak which Mr. Darcy delivered last Autumn.
Darcy stared at her.
“Mr. Darcy, explain your views, so we can know whether to tease you upon the matter. When we spoke last upon the subject, I believe you defended the claim that women were inferior to men in all respects, and beyond that, low creatures always scheming for the favour of gentlemen.”
Darcy laughed. “You know that is not a wholly accurate depiction of my views.”
Elizabeth examined the statement, attempting to find something in it to offend her. She replied at last, “Men never care so much for their children as women.”
Rather than replying, Darcy looked at her quietly. He did not seem offended, but rather thoughtful.
“With the obvious exception of Darcy,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “You must admit that. It is the woman in him.”
“He is an odd fellow,” Elizabeth replied. “He makes such odd decisions, ones that hardly work towards his happiness. But I see nothingwomanlyin Mr. Darcy. You must confess that I am a greater expert onbeingwomanly than you.”
“But you must confess thatIam a greater admirer of the female form and character.” Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned. “It, along with the battlefield, has been my chief study.”
“Oh, my!” Elizabeth fluttered and gasped, she theatrically mimed fainting to the side. “You say such shocking things!”
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy said to her, “I confess that I do not hold my own happiness as worth nearly as much as my honour, or my sense of right.”
“Oh, that would be nothing if you did not insist on remaining in society,” Elizabeth replied.
“Would you have me withdraw from society simply because of my resolutions? I always have attempted to act as an honourable gentleman.”
“What hasthatto do with anything?” Elizabeth replied.
“Is not honour, and keeping to one’s resolutions, is that not always of importance?” Darcy replied.
“What about the care and concern for others? Avoidance of causing harm — but I know, I know you will say you have never caused harm to anyone intentionally.”
“Yet I have made mistakes. And I regret them.”
“And I disagree with you. Men cannot be equal to women in the care of a child. They are careless, they do not have an awareness of the emotions of others. They lack… the ability to understand what it is like to be small, to be weak, to be helpless and in need of constant aid. A woman… we are weak, we are often helpless. We understand better — that is why a man can never be a mother.”
“You mean to say that Emily needs a mother, and that I should remarry?” Darcy looked at Elizabeth pointedly. “I wish… that is to say, perhaps you are right.”
“No! You misread what I say entirely. I—” Elizabeth waved her hand about. She saw how most of the table watched their discussion. She hoped it was quite opaque. As she only halfunderstood it herself, she had a good hope that no one else could understand more than a third. “He is a fine gentleman, is he not? Wholly sure of himself.”
“I am not sure of myself,” Darcy replied.
“You ought to be, you are a Fitzwilliam,” Lady Catherine said.
“Youare not sure of yourself?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked. “Miracles have happened.”
“To return to the earlier subject, and I am certain that Lady Catherine will agree with me,” Elizabeth said nodding towards that lady, “I am confident that there is no point of mental abilities in which men have a true superiority, and many in which they are wholly inferior.”
Lady Catherine’s expression was rather odd, as though she had never thought on the point, but now that she was confronted with the question, she was delighted by the possibility that Elizabeth was correct.
“Cousin Elizabeth, that is fallacious,” Mr. Collins exclaimed, his colour high. “And you must cease to bother her ladyship with such notions. Heaven has ordained that the man be the superior of the woman.”
