Mrs. Bennet said to Bingley, “I did not consider it in that light. Of course,youare right. A family thing. And we are not in such a situation that we must worry about a few simple pieces of ornament. Why I shall buy Lydia a piece much like it today in town. You can see that we do take prodigious good care of Lizzy. I have always thought of her as my own daughter. As dear to me as my own children. But come, I must look in on my Jane. I know I shall find her doing very well, due to the fine care you have given her.”
Elizabeth and Mary spent much of the time while Mrs. Bennet talked with Jane and the apothecary who had come at the same time standing in the back of the room.
“A piece from your mother,” Mary said. “I hardly believe that even Mama tried to steal it from you.”
“I should always be grateful to her,” Elizabeth replied faintly.
“In every thing give thanks: For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” Mary quoted in return. “I admire your commitment to those holy words.”
With some difficulty Elizabeth repressed her giggle.
“It is a very pretty piece,” Mary added, “and if you wish to show it off to me, I promise to praise it ever so much as you can ever wish.”
Elizabeth replied quietly, “It has a miniature of my mother within it. That is why I could not bear to let it go.”
“I am glad you made enough of an effort to stop her to convince Mr. Darcy to help you. He was very much the great knight coming to protect the maiden from a dragon—Papa has a joke planned for us. I do wish you were at home to convince him to tell us what he plans. Or to at least to tellyouifweshall find the matter unpleasant. Mama does not even realize yet, butyouknow how Papa is when he has a scheme afoot.”
Elizabeth smiled. “You overestimate my influence with him. Hecertainlycan keep a secret from me. Usually, they are not particularly unpleasant.”
“Have you had a nice time—I cannot imagine it nice to listen to Jane say how nice everything is, and how kind everyone is a thousand times, when she does not mean it at all.”
“I do think she means it,” Elizabeth said. “Which makes it odder.”
Mary made a face. She then elbowed Elizabeth. “I see your smirk. You are no better at hiding it than Papa.”
“I am merely glad that it is not my place to be compared to anyone, so I need not feel how unfavorable the comparison is.”
Mary frowned. “I do not think it is merely a matter of jealousy. There is something essential missing in Jane.”
“Virtue must be a struggle?”
“For it to be real, to be trusted, to be true? Yes.”
Soon Mrs. Bennet finished speaking to her daughter, but as the family descended to rejoin their hosts in the drawing room, Mrs. Bennet put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm to stop her.
When the other girls had passed on, Mrs. Bennet said, “Lord, I am excessively disappointed. I knew her constitution to be excellent, but despite that Jane is much better than I expected. We must make the most of what time we have. How often does Bingley ask of her?”
“Near every time I see him.”
“Not every time. No, this is not good.” Mrs. Bennet shook her head. “Not enough. Do you always tell him that she is exceedingly ill?”
Elizabeth did not reply, as her sense of honesty refused to let her tell Bingley that Jane was particularly ill, and it also did not allow Elizabeth to tell Mrs. Bennet that she didnottell that to Bingley.
“Lord! I shall go distracted,” Mrs. Bennet said without waiting for the reply. “My nerves torment me so. Lizzy, you must arrange for Jane to be left alone, with the door open when Mr. Bingley shall pass through the hall.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened in shock. She felt that unpleasant sensation in her stomach which came from knowing that she would disappoint Mrs. Bennet. And then, after she disappointed her…
“Do not reactthatway,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Heavens, you look quite as scandalized as Mary would. Just leave the door open.”
“Janewould not like such a scheme.”
“Her mother knows best—oh, I see that I cannot count on you in this matter. But at least bring her downstairs tonight when everyone gathers in the drawing room. She is well enoughforthat. I wish her fever was twice as hot as it is. There is barely any warmth left.”
Elizabeth had nothing to say in reply to this expression of maternal concern.
“And I hate Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet added peevishly. “I brought both Mary and Lydia on his account, as you know he has danced with both of them. He did not so much aslook. He thinks himself very much above us.”
“He has been very kind to me,” Elizabeth replied. “He is the one who has ensured that I dine with the family, and he makes sure I have tea and coffee sent up whenever the family takes it in the drawing room.”
