A heavy silence fell upon the room. All were touched with sorrow at the colonel’s misfortune, that the woman he loved should be guilty of so grievous a treachery.
Elizabeth took the letter from her aunt’s hand.
It is certain that the young lady is the daughter of Mrs Sophia Henry, and the French gentleman is her father. In consequence of the danger such a family presents to Colonel Fitzwilliam, I enclose every particular I possess respecting them.
Mr Phillips had then added specific dates of birth and the address of the Southampton house.
I sincerely hope, by this means, to save the colonel from any perilous entanglement.
“Your opinion, my dear?” Mr Gardiner asked.
“I believe all the papers we now possess concerning the Henrys ought to be sent to Lord Matlock by express,” Elizabeth said, looking towards Mary and her aunt. They were all in agreement, though each with a heavy heart.
Chapter 12
The dinner at Matlock House was an occasion eagerly anticipated by them all. Even Mary showed an unusual degree of interest, and readily consented to take part in the ample preparations that were conducted in her aunt’s dressing-room. When all was finished, she gazed with curiosity upon the young lady reflected in the glass. Elizabeth had been correct: she seldom employed the mirror for more than a hasty moment in the morning to arrange her hair. Yet the effect produced by her aunt’s maid was striking; the figure in the mirror bore a notable resemblance to Elizabeth. Of all her sisters, she was now persuaded that Elizabeth was the one most like her in appearance. They shared the same colour of hair, and even the outline of their features was akin.
“My God,” exclaimed their uncle, “this is the first time I have seen how strongly Mary resembles Lizzy—and Jane.” It was the best compliment Mary had ever received.
In her almost entire seclusion from the world, Mary had one advantage: to her, the Matlocks’ dinner was simply that—a dinner. She was hardly moved by distinctions of rank orsituation, and cared not for the superior neighbourhood. While admiring the elegance of the house, she conducted herself with such unaffected ease that she won Lady Matlock’s regard at once.
“I am sorry, but Lord Matlock will not be joining us today,” her ladyship announced.
It was rather unpleasant news that could be taken as a sort of disavowal as the dinner invitation was made only by her ladyship. And for a time, it looked like that was the case. But once they were seated at the table, Lady Matlock spoke with sincerity, “There is no need to deceive you. We are concerned and confused at the same time. You already know most of the story. Following your last night message, my husband left this morning for Southampton to find the Barringtons or at least a trace of them.”
Mr Gardiner nodded with understanding. “With all the documents in our possession there can be no doubt now that Miss Emmeline Henry is the daughter of Mrs Sophia and…this French gentleman, who was alive not more than five years past.”
Lady Matlock’s eyes fell to her plate.
“My lady,” said Mrs Gardiner with consideration, “perhaps we ought to withdraw, that you may rest.”
“No,” her ladyship replied almost with vehemence. “I am sorry for being an indifferent hostess, but I entreat you to remain. I dread being alone in such a situation.”
For some minutes, they ate in silence; then Lady Matlock addressed Mary. “Miss Mary, how come you to speak French with such fluency?”
Mary, who was little used to speaking in company, coloured becomingly, and recounted in a manner so diverting how she had learnt her first words, that all were amused. Her ladyship declared that the Miss Bennets were as accomplished as they were handsome.
You should see Lydia and Kitty, my lady,before forming such a generous impression, thought mischievously Elizabeth, but she smiled in concert with the others. In truth, their father had done a good work with Mary and herself, whilst Jane’s few attainments were sufficient to crown her beauty and perfect her manners.
“The letter—” began Lady Matlock.
“I believe the wisest course is to return it to the person to whom it was addressed,” Mr Gardiner firmly said.
“Yes, perhaps we shall return it,” agreed Lady Matlock. “I prefer that your family should not be further involved. We shall permit them to imagine that it reached us from Netherfield via Mr Bingley, as they were ignorant of her direction.
“Alas, it will not be easy to acquaint my son with the truth. Happily, he is at present in the South upon an assignment, which affords us a little time to deliberate. I am concerned, not solely for his disappointment, but for the danger which might arise if we consider the consequences the letter suggests. Our family’s honour might suffer from any public scandal.”
She scarcely touched her meal, and the footmen removed her plates almost untasted. None at the table could lighten the affliction of the countess—and the mother.
“My lady, I beg to assure you that, besides the persons now present, only my brothers-in-law are acquainted with the letter’s existence; and we are all most anxious for Colonel Fitzwilliam’s welfare.”
“I am certain you are, Mr Gardiner; I thank you.”
“But where is Miss Henry?” Mary enquired, and for a moment there was silence. It was a question all had hitherto avoided.
“A disquieting question, Miss Mary. The thought of her is revolting to me. I cannot say whether she is fully party toher parents’ schemes; yet she cannot be wholly innocent, if she consented to—”
They comprehended the rest without words: that Miss Henry had gone to Brighton in search of an officer, in aid of her parents’ designs. She was too far engaged to be thought a mere victim, as the letter had made plain.
