Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.
Song to Celia – Ben Jonson 1616
Notes:Light shining out of Darknessisby William Cowper, 1779.
Most of the poems in the 1798 edition ofLyrical Poems with a Few Other Balladswere written by Wordsworth, with Coleridge contributing only four poems to the collection (although these made about a third of the book in length), including one of his most famous works,The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Darcy House
Tuesday, The Following Day
Late Morning
William and Richard were in the Billiard Room awaiting the arrival of Charles Bingley. The two cousins engaged in light banter as they executed their game of skill and Richard scored his second win.
“Darcy, if you ask me, your game is more than a little off today. Could it be the lovely Miss Elizabeth has stolen your heart and commandeered your attention?” He chuckled at William’s stiff demeanour when he mentioned the possibility. “I saw the way you were watching her at Lady Gwendolyn’s dinner, and believe me, it was not simple curiosity.”
“No,” he sighed, “it was not.”
“So, you do like her?!” Richard continued to prod.
“I do.”
“Capital! It must have been her singing. In my opinion Mrs. Walden was divine, but there was something exceptional about Miss Elizabeth. She interpreted her songs beautifully, and there was a soothing quality to her voice that could not be denied.”
“She was exquisite,” William quietly reflected, halting his shot and staring at some unknown object on the wall.
“Apparently so,” Richard said, giving his cousin a knowing nudge on the shoulder. “Frankly, I have not seen you this taken with a woman, well, since ever. Not even Lady Gwendolyn had this effect on your sensibilities.”
“I must admit Miss Elizabeth does intrigue me and I am looking forward to seeing her again this afternoon.”
“Yes, so I gather. Of course, getting to know a woman with so many about may prove challenging.”
“I am not concerned since I escorted Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner to Ballards yesterday afternoon and stayed on for dinner. Those many hours we spent in each other’s company allowed me the opportunity to learn far more than a whole week of courtesy calls could ever provide.”
“Do you intend to ask for a courtship?”
“Notwithstanding her unfortunate circumstances, that is my inclination. Still, I prefer to wait until after your mother’s charity ball before I make up my mind. After all, I have not known her very long.”
“If you ask me, you are doing admirably well, considering your quarrelsome beginning with the young lady.” He shook his head. “Frankly, it is a wonder she accepted our apologies. Tell me, did you ever speak to Bingley about her sister?”
“By the time Bingley and I met, Gardiner had already spoken with him and conveyed the truth of Miss Bennet’s dowry and Miss Eliza Deming’s rumour. He said it mattered not, for he was in love and fully intended to court Miss Bennet without anyregard to her lack of portion or the possibility of supporting a houseful of women. From what he told me, his sisters are not pleased, but in this instance he has decided to be his own man.”
“Good for Bingley. Having relied on your judgement for so many years, I would not have expected him to take such a stand.”
“My only hope is that it will work out for him. Bingley is an amiable man and deserves to have a good life.”
At that moment, their conversation was interrupted by William’s butler who presented the master with a missive. After a moment William said, “It is from Bingley. Apparently he is detained, but says he will join us later at the entrance to the gardens. Something about doing Caroline’s bidding this morning, if I can decipher his deplorable penmanship.”
“Ah, yes, Miss Bingley.” Richard shuddered. “Now there is one woman I would not wish to be tied to. Her thirty thousand pounds could never compensate for her smug ways. ‘Tis a great pity she is not more like her brother.”
William frowned. “Undeniably. Bingley has invited me to dine tomorrow evening, and I am not looking forward to Miss Bingley’s constant fawning and criticism of society in general. Being invited to many private events this season, I have been fortunate to avoid her as much as I have. Tomorrow, however, is an exception, but I will endure it for Bingley’s sake.”
Richard chuckled. “How interesting: Miss Bingley’s persistence on Wednesday, Mother’s dinner party on Thursday with more eligible women, and then the Charity Ball on Friday where both of us will be required to dance every set.” Again he chuckled. “Cheer up, Cousin; at least you will not have to endure Eliza Deming’s presence at Mother’s dinner party. Much to her disappointment, the Demings are hosting their Bennet relations that evening and will not be able to attend.”
“It is just as well. I cannot abide Eliza Deming and her childish ways. Clearly, she does not take after her elder siblings let alone her parents.”
