Today had been entirely different.
Georgiana spoke.
She possessed opinions on music, on books, and on the relative merits of watercolour and pencil sketching, and defended those opinions with a quiet certainty that suggested she had reflected upon them long before finding anyone with whom she felt comfortable sharing them.
Elizabeth could not help thinking that her father might find himself considerably humbled if Georgiana Darcy were ever to become a member of the Bennet household.
Only Mary approached her in appetite for knowledge, and Mary's learning possessed a degree of display that Georgiana'sentirely lacked. Georgiana simply knew things and spoke of them, without preface and without affectation.
Lydia, who was almost Georgiana's equal in age, had never willingly completed a book that contained fewer officers than chapters. The contrast was not lost upon Elizabeth.
The morning had been spent in the music room, where Georgiana played and Elizabeth listened. She had little to offer by way of criticism. Georgiana's performance was far beyond anything she could creditably evaluate, and so she had listened instead, which proved precisely the correct course. When Georgiana prevailed upon her to play in return, Elizabeth complied without false modesty and without pretending to possess greater skill than she did. Georgiana praised her warmly and with perfect sincerity, which Elizabeth accepted with a laugh and the acknowledgement that she had been very thoroughly surpassed.
After luncheon they walked together about the grounds of Netherfield.
It was there that the conversation truly opened.
They were speaking of London when Georgiana said, "I am to come out next year."
"I know. Do you look forward to it?"
Georgiana considered the question.
"I believe I am afraid of it."
Elizabeth turned to face her fully. The slight droop of her shoulders and the hesitation in her expression told their own story.
"There will be so many people," Georgiana continued. "And so many opinions. I sometimes wonder what they will make of me."
Elizabeth was silent a moment.
She had known for some time, from something Georgiana had mentioned in an earlier conversation, that she had lost hermother very young. Four years old, she had said once, almost casually, as though it were merely a circumstance, she had learned to bear rather than a grief that had shaped her life.
Elizabeth had not pressed her then. She did not do so now, though she could not help thinking that this was precisely the sort of conversation a mother, an aunt, or a sensible elder sister ought long ago to have had with her.
"Most people will make of you whatever you first persuade them to believe," Elizabeth said, taking her hand. "If you enter a room as though you belong there, the greater part of the company will accept it without question. People are seldom paying as much attention as we imagine."
Georgiana looked at her curiously. "You make it sound very easy."
"It is not easy," Elizabeth said. "But it may be learned."
She paused, allowing Georgiana a moment to consider it.
"Confidence is not the absence of fear. It is merely the determination that fear shall not be permitted to speak first."
Georgiana was quiet for a moment, then she smiled. "Did someone tell you that?"
"No." Elizabeth smiled. "I arrived at it myself, after a great many years and a great many assemblies."
That earned one of Georgiana's better smiles. "I think you are a very remarkable person, Miss Elizabeth."
"I think," Elizabeth replied, "that by the time you are grown, Georgiana, you will prove considerably more remarkable than I."
They walked on, the grounds of Netherfield stretching around them as the conversation wandered to lighter subjects. They spoke of friends, of places they had visited, of favourite books and music, and a dozen other matters that required neither seriousness nor reflection.
By the time they returned to the house, the afternoon light was already beginning to fade.
Jane rejoined them from wherever Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had occupied her for the greater part of the day, and the five ladies settled together in the drawing room.
