Chapter 4
The rest of the day passed with significant torment for Elizabeth and Jane. Once they arrived home, Mrs Gardiner attended to her children, and the sisters withdrew to their chamber to discuss the unexpected turn of events.
“I cannot believe Mr Bingley said he would call!” Jane kept repeating, her eyes filled with tears. “You were right, Lizzy, he did not seem to have any particular interest in Miss Darcy, did he?”
“Of course I was right. Miss Darcy treated Mr Bingley no differently from you or me. The suggestions about some sort of special connection between them were nothing but gross deception planned by Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. I hope Mr Bingley will confront them for lying to him.”
“Do you think he will call, Lizzy?”
“Why else would he say it, dearest? He seemed eager and determined. I doubt he will change his mind.”
Jane seemed touched by a new hope, and her spirits grew higher than they had been in many months. The chance encounter with Mr Bingley had left her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright with cautious belief.
“His surprise seemed so genuine when he saw me… And all this time I was certain he was purposely avoiding me, that he had no interest in seeing me again.”
“I shall never forgive his sisters for tormenting you deliberately, Jane. So many months of pain caused by their selfish plan that failed in the end. You should not expect me to show much civility when we next see them!”
“Lizzy!”
“They deserve a proper set-down for your suffering — you cannot convince me otherwise, Jane. And if Mr Bingley is as determined as he appeared today, the sisters will soon beg for your forgiveness.”
Jane’s smile was tentative but radiant. “I dare not hope too much, nor imagine things that might never happen. But if he calls, I should be so happy to see him again.”
“We would all be happy to see him. Before today, I was quite angry and disappointed in him. But I now realise he was deceived. His heart is in the right place, after all, and I am ready to think highly of him again,” Elizabeth concluded.
She comforted her sister, her own heart heavy with the secrets she longed to share but did not dare. Perhaps if the situation with Mr Bingley would finally settle, if Jane’s distress would be relieved, Elizabeth might reveal some of her burden. But which parts of it might she share? Mr Darcy’s ardent proposal, her rejection, the letter — all were painful and delicate subjects that needed proper consideration. When would she find the time and privacy for reflection?
Until then, she turned the conversation to lighter matters, then the children came and occupied them, distracting them both from their tangled emotions.
In the evening, Elizabeth’s reflections returned to Mr Darcy. He had arrived home during their visit; if he had not wanted to see her, he could have easily avoided her. Even Miss Darcy had seemed surprised by his appearance — was it possiblehe had left his club early to catch her in his house? Certainly not; that was an assumption as dangerous as it was improbable. It was kind enough of him to be amiable towards her aunt and sister, and he had admitted to Mr Bingley that he had known about Jane’s presence in town. Aside from that, being polite to her, greeting her, and allowing her to visit his sister was more than she could expect from him — from a man she had rejected and upbraided in an abominable way.
In his letter, he had admitted to plotting to separate his friend from Jane. Would he repeat the attempt? Was he as unprincipled as the Bingley sisters? In truth, she knew little about his true nature; she believed his narration about Mr Wickham, but being flawless in his dealings with that man did not mean he would be fair and honest in regard to Mr Bingley. Mr Darcy probably still maintained his objections against Jane. Or perhaps not. How could she trust her assumptions when she had misjudged him so completely?
The next day, however, some of Elizabeth’s concerns diminished when, around noon, Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam called. This time, the awkwardness from the previous encounter seemed to have dissipated, and Jane and Mr Bingley smiled at each other with more ease. Mrs Gardiner invited the gentlemen to sit and ordered some refreshments.
“How lovely of you to come,” their aunt said. “I shall send a note to my husband — his office is nearby, and he would like to come and greet you.”
“I must apologise again for not calling sooner,” Mr Bingley replied. “As I mentioned, I was unaware of your nieces’ presence in town.” He glanced at Jane.
“Your apologies are unnecessary since we have already accepted them. We are happy to see you here, sir,” their aunt offered gracefully.
“Mrs Gardiner, I must say you made quite an impression on my cousin Georgiana. She was thrilled to meet someone so familiar with Pemberley and her family. She even told my parents about you. I have never before seen my cousin so thrilled about making a new acquaintance.”
“We were delighted and honoured to make her acquaintance too. She is beautiful and as charming as her mother. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing her again at some time.”
“Well, you might have the opportunity sooner rather than later,” Mr Bingley interjected. “I spoke to Darcy last night, and I would like to host a dinner at my house in three days’ time. Only close friends. I mean…would you like to attend? Darcy and his sister will be there, and I hope the colonel too. And perhaps his brother…”
“We shall try to attend, Bingley, but I might have to return to my regiment,” the colonel replied. “If I am in town, you may count on me. If not, I am sure you will have a pleasant time regardless. After all, I know you are not hosting the dinner for me.”
The colonel was highly amused. Mr Bingley’s face turned red, and he glanced at Jane, who blushed. Mrs Gardiner smiled warmly and replied, “We would be delighted to attend, Mr Bingley. It will be lovely to see your sisters again.”
“Oh well, that is still uncertain,” Mr Bingley said with apparent uneasiness. “I am very upset with my sisters at present, and I am not even sure they will join our little party. I wasupset with Darcy, too, but at least he admitted his error and apologised.”
Despite the lack of details, the reason behind Mr Bingley’s upset was obvious, as was conveyed in his apologetic gaze towards Jane.
“There is no need to be upset about the past, Mr Bingley,” Jane uttered kindly. “My sister Lizzy has a good philosophy — to remember the past only if its recollection brings you pleasure.”
“You are too generous, Miss Bennet. The last five months have given me little pleasure, but I must think of them so I might learn from my mistakes.”
