The talk, as it always seemed to lately, turned to the new and astonishing subscription matchmaking business. Her aunt looked at Elizabeth, who subtly shook her head. While she felt no shame in her letter writing, there was no reason to open herself to the criticism of Bingley’s sisters and Mr Darcy.
“I see nothing wrong with it, in theory,” Bingley said. “However, I would prefer to pay notice to a lady already acquainted with me. How could one get to know a lady without ever having the pleasure of hearing her voice?” His eyes strayed to Jane, and a smile crossed his lips. Elizabeth watched her sister blush and look away.
The silence that followed stretched until Mr Darcy said, “Do you think that a respectable man could take unto himself a wife through such a medium?”
Elizabeth was not sure if he was speaking to her, since she sat nearest to him, or if it was a question posed to the entire room, but it was Miss Bingley who answered. “Oh no! And no woman of refinement, or who has the self-respect she ought to have, would begin a correspondence with a stranger.”
Elizabeth felt she ought to be looked at, and her aunt and sister avoided looking at her.
“And,” added Mrs Hurst, “we should chasten these men for putting their desires into print.”
“But matches are made by meddling friends or a desperate mother,” Elizabeth said. “I think this gives the subscriber more choice.”
“Yes, and it is no worse than a woman wearing cosmetics and dancing with an eligible man,” said Mr Darcy, “or a man who puts an advertisement in the second column of the front page ofThe Times.”
His agreement surprised her, and she looked at him for a long moment. The idea of Mr Darcy subscribing to find a spouse amused her. He was so haughty and proud he would probably expect his correspondent to accept his proposal after one letter, if he even found a woman he could deign to write. No, Mr Darcy would never subscribe. He might be more progressive than she imagined, but he was still a man who thought meanly of those outside his circle.
“It is more respectable than that,” Elizabeth finally said. “Besides, what if one has exhausted all other means that are usually employed to find a spouse? Are they then to remain single for the rest of their life?”
“Well, it may be a viable option,” said Miss Bingley firmly before Mr Darcy could answer, “but not a respectable one. Mydear Jane,” she said loudly, “are you in town for the rest of the season? You must have told me, but I quite forgot.”
Jane answered she was to stay until May, and then Bingley questioned her about all the things she might like to do while in town.
As she watched Jane and Bingley talk, her with blushes and him with great animation, Elizabeth hoped they might reconcile. She then turned to see how Mr Darcy thought of their talking together. He seemed to look at their conversation with noble indifference, and she longed to know what his real opinion was.
As they rose to part and to put on hats and gloves, since they were still a little apart on the far side of the room, Elizabeth asked him quietly, “What think you on the matter of our mutual friends?”
“Have you an opinion on it?”
His affected unconcern angered her after the disappointment Jane had suffered. “You want to know what I think?” she whispered.
“You seem inclined to tell me,” he murmured, reluctance in his tone as he set his hat atop his head.
“You seem a direct man, and that trait is frowned upon in women, but I will tell you exactly what I think.” She glanced at the others to be certain they could not hear. “I think Mr Bingley is a slave to his designing friends, and unaware of the depth of Jane’s attachment.” Mr Darcy started, and Elizabeth knew she had been right. “Jane admired him last year, enough to love him and marry him if he asked. I think you and Miss Bingley disapproved of Jane’s connexions, and you want him to marry Miss Darcy instead, so you conspired to separate them. You have been a selfish friend.”
Mr Darcy went pale, and he avoided her eyes and slowly put on his gloves. “Whatever else may be said, no man should marrya woman who is indifferent to him,” he whispered. “It would be a lifelong punishment.”
They could say no more without being overheard, and it forced Elizabeth to hold back her reply. She wanted to say who was he to decide that Jane had never loved his friend, but they stepped apart as everyone gathered near. Bingley encouraged Mrs Hurst to give a dinner invitation for two days hence that Mrs Gardiner accepted after a quick look for Jane’s approval.
When they were gone, Mrs Gardiner sat next to Jane on the sofa, put an arm around her, and asked, “Well, my dear? How are you feeling about all of this?”
“I enjoy his conversation, but how do I wish beyond that? He cannot have any designs on me now.”
“He did last autumn,” Elizabeth cried, “but was put off by his sisters and friend. Now he has thrown off their disapproval and is pursuing you as he ought to have done.”
“But should I want to be with a man who is so persuadable, or with one whose friends are against us?”
“They did all come today,” said her aunt, “and whatever they thought before, it seems they will give the public appearance of approval, and that ought to satisfy a woman in love. But Bingley must prove his constancy—if you will give him the opportunity.”
“Yes,” Jane agreed, “but I must meet him calmly, with no other expectations.” She then changed the subject, and her aunt obliged.
Elizabeth still thought Bingley partial to Jane, and she wavered as to the greater probability of his coming todaywithhis friends’ permission, or being bold enough to come without it. She supposed since Mr Darcy called, he must not disapprove, but after what he said, there was no doubt in her mind that he had been the principal means of separating them.
Mr Darcy was totally unsuspicious of Jane’s attachment; and Elizabeth remembered what Charlotte’s opinion aboutJane’s manner had always been. She supposed that Jane’s feelings, though fervent, were little displayed. Whatever other oppositions Mr Darcy had regarding fortune or connexions, he did not want his friend to marry a woman who did not love him.
Despite what her sister declared, Elizabeth could perceive that Bingley’s calling affected her spirits. Jane seemed reluctant to believe that he cared for her, but unwilling to give up all hope. If she reunited with Bingley, there was no reason for Elizabeth to continue to write to F to prove the scheme was a good way to find a husband.
She would miss F if they stopped writing. It was disappointing to think there would never be another letter from her friend. Elizabeth would keep writing in case it all came to nothing with Bingley. Besides, she very much enjoyed her straightforward correspondent.
