Chapter 4
Darcy left Colonel Forster’s office discontented. As planned, he had interrupted his journey to London for a conversation which he had tried to keep reasonable. He could not reveal much without sounding like a groundless gossip. Therefore, he only mentioned Wickham’s tendency for spreading falsehoods, tales of his invented misfortunes, and his inclination towards dissipation.
“I hope he will prove me wrong by becoming a reliable army man, loyal to his regiment. If that is the case, I will be the first to admit my error and apologise for it.”
“Your concern is appreciated, Mr Darcy, but we are all men of the army here. None of us is flawless, and some of the traits you put on Wickham’s account are quite common among us. All I expect from Wickham is to behave with honour and to accomplish his duties.”
“Yes, that should be expected of any man. I hope you will not be disappointed, Colonel.”
“I truly thank you for your worries, but I am old enough not to fear disappointment, Mr Darcy,” the colonel responded. “As I said, I am aware I lead a group of men who are far from perfection—just as I am.”
The colonel’s jesting tone only increased Darcy’s preoccupation. He had often seen such an attitude fromWickham’s acquaintances, who tended to excuse his flaws due to his pleasant manners. ‘Yes, he is a rascal, but he is a pleasant fellow,’ people used to say, until Wickham abused their trust and hurt them directly.
With the colonel, Darcy did not insist further. Before leaving Meryton, he was tempted to call at Longbourn and speak to Mr Bennet, hoping that at least that gentleman would take his warning in earnest. But again, he abandoned the intention. Calling on a house with young ladies before taking his leave could also be a sign of a particular inclination, which he wished to avoid.
He was confident enough—from the little he had seen—that Elizabeth had discovered Wickham’s true character and would protect herself and her sisters from him.
With a strange, unexpected weight in his heart, he left Meryton behind with the conviction he would never see it again and hurried on the road to London. The Bingleys were expecting him at the first inn.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth was guarded against Mr Collins approaching her after the ball. However, oddly and fortunately, starting the following morning, he appeared to be less attentive to her. He wrote to Lady Catherine, spoke to Mr Bennet, then went to Meryton where Sir William had invited him.
“Well, that Charlotte Lucas is a slick woman,” Mrs Bennet declared, once their cousin had left. “I am sure she is trying to use her arts to attract Mr Collins. She would like nothing better than to become the mistress of Longbourn one day.”
“I am sure that is not the case, Mama,” Elizabeth replied, rolling her eyes.
“You can have little to say on the matter, young lady,” her mother scolded her. “If you were a well-behaved daughter who knows what is in her best interest, you would already be engaged to him!”
“Mama, I hope you do not entertain hopes in that regard. I do not want you to suffer from disappointment,” Elizabeth replied, exchanging an amused look with her father.
“I do entertain hopes! I am still praying that somehow, Longbourn will belong to our family forever!” Mrs Bennet cried, then called for Hill to bring her smelling salts.
∞∞∞
Mrs Bennet’s hopes and nerves suffered a terrible blow two days later, when the news of Mr Collins’ engagement to Charlotte Lucas was announced with much solemnity. Mrs Bennet’s astonishment was so complete, that she refused to accept it.
“Engaged to Charlotte Lucas? Did you not express your admiration for Lizzy only a week ago? She is so much prettier and more lively than that Charlotte!”
Mr Collins turned pale at the claim. “My dear Mrs Bennet, I assure you...”
“Mama, what are you saying?” Elizabeth interjected. “Mr Collins surely has the liberty of choosing whomsoever he wishes! And if he is so fortunate as to have gained Charlotte’s affection in such a short time, we must congratulate them both!”
“My dear cousin Elizabeth, how generous of you!” the clergyman said with apparent relief. “I assure you that, if not for that disturbing incident in the library, on the night of the ball, my intention would have been elsewhere. But I cannot afford to attach my name to a scandal that might meet Lady Catherine’s disapproval!”
The last statement stunned Elizabeth. While she was surprised and dismayed about Charlotte’s decision to marry a man she barely knew and whose worthiness was questionable, she had attempted to calm things and avoid a ridiculous argument between her mother and her cousin.
However, it seemed that Mr Collins believed she regretted his change of mind and tried to justify himself for it.
“Mr Collins, I cannot possibly imagine what an incident so wholly unconnected has to do with your decision to marry. I trust you have proposed to Charlotte because of your admiration for her and that she accepted you for the same reason.”
“Yes, yes...of course...of course,” the clergyman mumbled.
“Well, this has been a lesson for me,” Mrs Bennet said with vexation. “One must be very careful when trusting a new acquaintance, family or not, in order to avoid disillusion.”
She then left the room, while Mr Collins seemed speechless for the first time in his life.
“Mr Collins, allow me to express one more time my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes,” Elizabeth said with complete seriousness.
