Darcy stood very straight, though his tone remained composed. “I hope you will not think it presumptuous if I say that my concern in this matter arises not merely from the circumstances with Mr. Wickham.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him with quiet interest.
Darcy continued, choosing his words with some care. “During my visits to Hertfordshire, I have had the honour of becoming better acquainted with your daughter, Miss Elizabeth. Her judgement in the situation I have just described only confirms an opinion I had already begun to form.”
Mr. Bennet’s expression altered slightly.
“I should wish,” Darcy said, “with your permission, to continue that acquaintance.”
For a moment, Mr. Bennet said nothing.
He had expected many things that morning – his wife complaining about this or that, or his daughters wanting coin for a ribbon – but he had not expected Mr. Darcy of Pemberley to stand before him requesting leave to pay attention to Elizabeth.
At last, he said, with dry composure, “My Lizzy. She is special. I love all my daughters, but she is a delight.”
Darcy inclined his head.
Mr. Bennet studied him for another moment, then allowed himself the faintest smile. “If you mean to court my daughter, Mr. Darcy, I must warn you that she has very little portion.”
Darcy’s answer came quietly. “I am aware of that.”
“You are.” Mr. Bennet gave a short, amused breath. “Well, if you know what you are about, then I see no reason to forbid you the attempt.”
Darcy bowed. “Thank you, sir.” And with that, he left the library.
As he crossed the hall, he again heard the sound of the pianoforte in the adjoining room. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, it seemed, remained entirely unaware that she had just become the object of a very deliberate design.
Chapter 17
A Curious Revelation
Saturday morning, after a hearty breakfast, it was finally time to say goodbye to Mr. Collins. Perhaps only two persons were at all affected by his leaving, Mary and Mrs. Bennet, but the rest of the family bore it with excellent spirits.
However, Elizabeth’s heart actually warmed toward the parson for the manner in which he took his leave of his intended. Though expressed with his usual flourish, he declared that he would miss her very much and promised to return at the earliest opportunity.
By the time the coach left with him, they were all chilled. The sun, as though tired of the proceedings, withdrew at last behind the clouds. It looked like rain.
As they started to walk toward the house, Elizabeth joined her father. She knew he would say something dry but true – something that would make her laugh.
Mr. Bennet glanced at her. “Well, Lizzy,” he said, “I discovered a circumstance yesterday which may amuse you.”
Elizabeth looked at him expectantly.
“Mr. Darcy did me the honour yesterday of asking permission to pay his addresses to one of my daughters.”
Elizabeth looked at her father without understanding. She stopped short, and with her, her father. Her mind could make no sense of what she had just heard.He must know that Jane was already engaged elsewhere, that Mary was promised, and Kitty and Lydia? Impossible.
“Indeed? You must be joking, Papa. It is quite impossible.” She laughed. “And which sister is to be the object of such solemn attentions?”
Mr. Bennet looked at her with perfect calm.
“You, my dear.”
Elizabeth forgot to laugh.
For a moment, she could not move. The gravel path before her seemed suddenly very interesting.
“You cannot mean it, Papa,” she said at last, though her voice had lost its usual lightness. “Mr. Darcy?”
