The lane opened toward Longbourn with little ceremony. Mrs. Bennet, who had come out of the house upon observing their approach, did not wait for formalities.
“My dear Mr. Bingley! And Mr. Darcy as well! You cannot possibly return to Netherfield without taking a little refreshment with us. It would be quite unfriendly after so agreeable an evening.”
“It is very kind of you,” Mr. Bingley began at once.
“We would not intrude,” Mr. Darcy said, with measured civility.
“Intrude? Nonsense. We are quite at home on Sundays. Indeed, we are never so comfortable.”
This, though not strictly accurate, was delivered with such conviction that contradiction would have been churlish.
Quite uncharacteristically, Mr. Bennet came out to meet the group and regarded the gentlemen with mild curiosity. “You will find us tolerably furnished with chairs, at least.”
That settled the matter. And so, the gentlemen were ushered inside. Jane and Elizabeth now walked in before them, whispering to each other.
At Mrs. Bennet’s brisk instructions, two more chairs were brought to the table, and plates and utensils were moved to make space for the valuable guests.
Longbourn on a Sunday did not resemble Netherfield. The table was laid with care but without symmetry; conversation began before everyone was seated; Lydia spoke across plates; Kitty interrupted; Mrs. Bennet issued instructions to servants in a tone that suggested both urgency and optimism.
“We were just waiting for Jane and Lizzy to arrive. Everything is ready. No ceremony, feel free to take whatever you wish. There are roast beef and goose, with turnips, carrots, parsnips, and cabbage, all nicely roasted in goose fat. Mr. Bennet likes his pie. Today, it is steak pie. There is plenty of it, if you like. Oh, and there is cold ham. Please, help yourselves. After that, there will be cheeses, nuts, and apples. And some cake from last night.”
Elizabeth offered the bread from the other side. She encouraged Darcy to take one with a smile. “It is fresh, still warm. Our cook spoils us.”
Darcy, for whom Elizabeth’s unrestrained smile toward him was still a novelty, took two without looking at the breads themselves.
Mr. Bennet decided to be generous. “Gentlemen, we have ale from the inn. Would you care to join me?”
The offer was immediately accepted with relish, and the footman brought two more cups.
Mrs. Bennet was in high spirits. She recounted, with renewed animation, the particulars of the previous evening.
“And Mr. Darcy was so obliging as to endure my enquiries about Derbyshire,” she concluded, turning toward him withevident pride. “I declare I had no notion of such scope and magnificence.”
Darcy inclined his head. “You honoured the county with interest, madam.”
Darcy observed that when Mrs. Bennet began to recount the triumphs of the previous evening, Elizabeth did not contradict her. She even added a compliment regarding the fare. Then she glanced at her father – a look so pointed that he laid down his fork and, with dry composure, offered a praise of his own. The effect was immediate. Mrs. Bennet quieted.
Miss Elizabeth was a strategist, he thought – and a subtle one.
Mr. Collins, however, had assumed an air of particular gravity. He placed himself with evident intention within Elizabeth’s hearing.
“It is a rare felicity,” he began, adjusting his cuffs, “to observe domestic harmony so ably directed. Miss Elizabeth’s discernment last evening – in arranging the table with such propriety – was most admirable.”
Elizabeth looked up, faintly puzzled. “I only ensured everything was in order, Mr. Collins.”
“Particularly the seating,” Darcy observed, his tone carefully neutral.
“Indeed, Mr. Darcy. How good of you to have noticed,” gestured Mr. Collins.
Elizabeth smiled, but the colour in her cheeks deepened, betraying more consciousness of the remark than she would have wished.
“Yet how decisive the effect,” he continued earnestly. “A lady who understands the influence of arrangement understands the foundation of household felicity.”
Darcy’s knife stopped in motion – only for a moment.
Mrs. Bennet beamed. “Indeed!” she cried. “I have always said Lizzy has a turn for management – though I did not expect it to be remarked upon so soon!”
Jane smiled politely. Bingley grinned. “Hear! Hear!”
