Bingley blinked, surprised, then smiled, entirely good-humoured. Darcy stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Elizabeth moved at once.
She crossed the room with a speed that left no doubt of intention and placed herself beside her cousin, her smile bright and decisive.
Darcy had not expected her to come to him, and the surprise of it was felt before he could master it. Her approach, so direct andunembarrassed, arrested his attention at once. Her steps were light, and he was conscious of composing himself anew.
“My cousin, Mr. Collins,” she said quickly, “allow me to spare you the difficulty. This is Mr. Bingley, of Netherfield, and this gentleman is Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley. Mr. Collins is our relation,” she added, turning to the gentlemen, “and the clergyman of the parish of Hunsford in Kent.”
Darcy recognised at once the skill of her intervention, and he felt his irritation settle where it properly belonged – upon the officiousness that had forced it.
Mr. Collins bowed deeply to both, quite undeterred. He half turned to Elizabeth, but really, he spoke to the gentlemen. “I am exceedingly obliged to you, cousin. Indeed, exceedingly. I should not have forgiven myself had I failed in my duty to distinguish between gentlemen of such consequence. Mr. Darcy, permit me to express the highest respect for your noble aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whose beneficence toward me…”
Darcy inclined his head; his countenance composed into an expression of grave civility. “I am acquainted with my aunt’s habits,” he said.
Bingley bit his lip to suppress a smile.
Elizabeth saw the restraint it took both gentlemen to listen to Mr. Collins with proper civility. She could not blame them. She, satisfied that disaster had at least beencontained, was about to step back toward Jane and Charlotte, but Mr. Darcy engaged her.
“It was very kind of your parents to invite us,” said Darcy. “Mr. Bingley was particularly happy to accept.”
That he did not seem offended by her cousin’s unsolicited approach, and that he now addressed her with such composure, was proof that, when he chose, he could be perfectly civil.
“I imagine he would be,” Elizabeth replied. “He finds pleasure wherever it may be had.”
Darcy met her look. “I am not in the habit of declaring my enjoyment.”
“I suppose nothing,” said Elizabeth lightly. “I only observe.”
Mr. Darcy bowed to her.
Mr. Collins, who had been watching the exchange with an air of grave attentiveness, now stepped forward again, clearly dissatisfied with having remained so long silent. He clasped his hands once more and inclined his head toward Darcy with solemn eagerness.
“Indeed, Mr. Darcy,” said he, “it gives me the greatest satisfaction to observe the perfect harmony that subsists between all parties present. Such ease and cordiality are the surest signs of a family – and a connection – founded upon mutual esteem.”
Mr. Darcy turned to him, his countenance composed but alert, as one bracing himself against an approaching inconvenience.
Mr. Collins continued, undeterred. “And allow me, sir, to add my congratulations upon your most fortunate prospects. A most beautiful bride, indeed – one universally admired, and so well calculated to grace a gentleman of your consequence. I must say, the alliance reflects equal credit upon both sides.”
There was a moment of silence so complete that it seemed to press upon the room.
“Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates,”Elizabeth recalled the report at once.
She smiled, for the idea accorded perfectly with what she had lately been told, as she thought of poor Miss Bingley again. Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself, if he were already self-destined for another.
But Elizabeth felt it at once. She saw Darcy’s posture stiffen, not violently, but in that unmistakable way which betrayed an effort of restraint. His colour did not change, yet something in his expression sharpened.
“My bride?” he repeated calmly.
Mr. Collins smiled, entirely pleased with himself. “Yes, indeed, sir. The general expectation is most gratifying. Such unanimity of opinion is rare, and therefore all the more to be prized. My noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has often remarked that when matters are properly arranged, there is no reason for uncertainty to intrude.”
Elizabeth stepped forward at once. “Mr. Collins,” said Elizabeth, checking him with a smile that was more decisive than playful, “you mistake the certainty of your information for the propriety of repeating it. Such arrangements, whether real or imagined, are hardly the subject for general discussion.”
Mr. Collins looked momentarily disconcerted but quickly recovered himself.
“My dear cousin, I assure you, I repeat only what is universally understood. Lady Catherine herself…”
“… has made no such declaration,” said Mr. Darcy.
