Of course, any dinner hosted by Mrs Bingley was certain to be sumptuous. The family dined on goose, pheasant, and partridge with lavender stuffing, a delicacy Mrs Bingley had brought with her from her mother’s receipt book, and which was the envy of the neighbourhood.The table groaned under the weight of the venison haunch and beef roast, brawn, pies, potatoes, and other root vegetables, in addition to delicacies from the hothouses of the rich, such as creamed spinach, artichoke, and asparagus. Breads of every kind passed around the table.
Just before the pudding, there was a great pounding at the front door, and voices from outdoors. They all rose, and followed Mr and Mrs Bingley into the hall, which was filled with carolers.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
“To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:
The heav’nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song:
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heav’n to men
Begin and never cease!”
The household enjoyed the first song, then joined in for the second, which wasJoy to the World.Mr and Mrs Nicholls brought forth the wassail bowl and a tray of mince pies, and though the carolers of Meryton were more interested in spreading good cheer than begging, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy both made small gifts to each caroler, and each child left with a stick of peppermint from Mrs Bingley. Since there was no family at home at Longbourn, Mr Bennet made gifts to the carolers as well, and Mrs Bennet gifted each child a pair of mittens that she had brought with her for just such an eventuality.
When the carolers moved on, the party returned to the dining room and were in awe at the puddings, molded jellies, fruit cakes, trifles, custards, tarts, and syllabub that awaited them, but applied themselves to the challenge with relish, as more wine was consumed, toasts were offered, and conversation rang out with great energy for another hour or more, before the entire party rose, forgoing the separation of the sexes, and withdrew to the drawing room for a few hours frivolity.
Some of the group exchanged small gifts when they returned to the drawing room. There were gifts for the children, and some of the ladies exchanged small tokens. Mr Darcy gave Elizabeth a ruby and pearl parure to wear at the ball. She had already decided that she wished for no other adornment on her wedding day besides the garnet cross that had been given to her on her debut by her father.
The younger ladies were charmed by the gifts Jane had given them. Lydia felt that she would be very sophisticated, writing to her sister and Miss Darcy on her new stationery. Miss Kitty insisted that her gift, the beaded reticule, was finer than Lydia’s, and vowed to begin using it immediately. Mary loved the hair pins that Jane had found to match the beaded necklace that Georgiana had given to her weeks before. Georgiana was well pleased with her sheet music, and Elizabeth and Jane both laughed out loud when they exchanged small pocket volumes, Elizabeth’s gift a book of Cowper; Jane’s gift was a small volume of Wordsworth that Elizabeth had annotated with her thoughts.
