‘Would you believe that those yokels had the nerve to imply that the manners of our party were not suitable for their benighted town. That impertinent solicitor of the owner of Netherfield claimed that my family is in trade, and he even went so far as to call Mr Darcy an unmannered Cit,’ Caroline exclaimed, confiding the worst offense they had suffered at Netherfield.
Miss Grantly gasped in apparent outrage while inwardly chuckling that those people had immediately taken the measure of herdear friend. Not wishing to lose her source of gossip by asking about Caroline’s obviously atrocious behaviour, she focused on the other accusation. ‘What could have happened that they would accuse a gentleman of Mr Darcy’s status to being a Cit? Surely, they must have confused him with someone else.’
‘You are too generous with your estimation, but they knew exactly who he was. Would you believe their attitude was occasioned by his rightful refusal to give consequence to one of their local so-called beauties.’
‘Indeed? Did this beauty throw herself at Mr Darcy and was upset because she was rebuffed?’
‘She never had a chance to throw herself at him. But you know my brother. He was dancing every dance and urged his friend to do the same. But Mr Darcy had enough sense to reject the lady whom Charles wanted to introduce to him, since he could immediately see that she was merely tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him, and he said so to my brother in no uncertain terms.’
Caroline tittered. ‘I am persuaded that after that comment on her supposed beauty, the chit was under no illusions that Mr Darcy had better taste than to dally with her.’
‘You mean to tell me that Mr Darcy said so in her hearing?’
‘Indeed, he did. He even looked her in the eye when he said it,’ Miss Bingley replied without even trying to hide her gloating.
‘And you say that the community took exception to his comments?’
’They most certainly did.’
‘Imagine that…’
While no one in society would be discourteous to Mr Darcy to his face, he had upset enough people with his dismissive attitude that any number of ladies would be only too pleased to hear that someone had had the audacity to turn the tables on him.
Since unlike Miss Bingley, Miss Grantly was never openly dismissive of members of the gentry, she had not been snubbed to the extentwhich Caroline had just experienced. She could therefore delight in the comeuppance Miss Bingley had received from those delightfulsavages.
Miss Grantly looked forward to spreading these delicious bits of gossip.
~T~
While Darcy was in London recovering from his cousin’s lesson and the Bingley’s were licking their metaphorical wounds, the Bennet sisters were getting ready to travel to London.
On the Monday before they were due to leave, Mr Bennet informed his wife and daughters that they would have a visitor. ‘It is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life.’
After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he explained, ‘About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.’
‘Why would that odious man wish to inflict his presence on us?’ asked Mrs Bennet querulously. ‘I can see no reason why we should receive him. As for his turning us out of the house, you must remember that we have no fear on that score. Aunt Mary’s cottage will be a most pleasant home to occupy as it is so very close to my sister.’
‘It appears that Mr Collins is unaware of your accommodation, he wishes to extend an olive branch towards the family by marrying one of our daughters to keep Longbourn in the family.’
While Mrs Bennet was uncertain about that prospect, she decided that it could not hurt to meet the gentleman. After all, since he wanted to make peace, he might be a pleasant man and appeal to one of her daughters.
~T~
9Collins comes to call
Mrs Bennet’s hopes that Mr Collins would be a suitable suitor for one of her daughters were dashed the moment he stepped out of his hired conveyance.
He was such an odd mixture of pompous and obsequious that she immediately knew none of her daughters would consider him as a husband.
Collins complimented all the ladies as well as the house and every single thing therein. At least he was doing so when he was not singing the praises of his most esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Within half an hour of his arrival the three oldest sisters wished they could leave on the morrow, rather than on Wednesday as previously planned.
Jane in particular found his presence oppressive as his attention was immediately caught by her beauty and his eyes rarely left her form. As soon as dinner was over, while the gentlemen enjoyed their port, she claimed a headache and fled to her room.
Mrs Bennet quietly requested Elizabeth to go and look after her sister.
‘Thank you, mama,’ Elizabeth whispered in gratitude.
