Page 12 of The Mistress of All & Torn

She possessed not enough strength to confront them and chose to withdraw in silence, devastated by worry for her entire family. If their situation had been difficult before, a single ill-advised action of her father and uncle seemed to have darkened their future forever.

That particular evening, Mr. Bennet refused to speak to anyone or to join them for dinner. He demanded to be allowed to rest with such severity that not even Elizabeth dared to disobey his request. The decision had haunted Elizabeth ever since and marked the beginning of her ordeal.

The next morning, when Mr. Bennet did not appear for breakfast and they eventually entered his chamber, they found him lying on the floor at the side of his bed, in his nightgown, still and cold. It was too much for Elizabeth and, with a desperate cry, she knelt down next to him, sobbing.

For several dreadful moments, they feared he had passed away until they noticed his feeble breath and weak heartbeat.

Dumbfounded and desperate, in great haste, yet with careful movements, they placed him on the bed but their efforts to awaken him failed.

“We need a doctor! Do you know a doctor, Aunt?” Elizabeth cried.

“I … there is not… We do know a doctor but he lives very far away. Your uncle must fetch our apothecary, Mr. Gibb. And then the doctor…”

“Uncle, I will come with you and will bring Mr. Gibb here while you go for the doctor,” Jane insisted, while Elizabeth remained next to her father, stroking his hand and calling his name.

From that moment, things were unclear to Elizabeth. She remembered little, so strong was her fear for her father’s life.

Jane returned shortly, with the apothecary. But Gibb declared himself overwhelmed. He presumed Mr. Bennet had suffered a stroke, but he could offer no advice. He recommended a doctor with more experience, while he suggested they should be strong and prepare for the worst.

Elizabeth’s heart almost broke in pain, while Jane and Mrs. Gardiner were lost in despair, helpless and hopeless.

For the next few hours, the three of them remained by Mr. Bennet’s side. None of them spoke much, but each was frightened by the disaster that threatened to further darken their future.

In the afternoon, Mr. Gardiner eventually returned. With him, there was a Dr. Clarke, to whom they were all introduced.

“Dr. Lewis is out of town. His wife kindly recommended Dr. Clarke, who was so generous as to offer his immediate assistance.”

“Ladies, please wait outside and allow me to examine the patient. I will speak to you shortly,” the doctor said.

They left, waiting outside the door.

Mr. Gardiner began to explain his efforts to them, more agitated than ever before.

“When I heard Dr. Lewis was absent, I became desperate. I took Mrs. Lewis’s advice and called on Dr. Clarke, but he was visiting a patient. I was anxious and impatient and in my despair I called on Lady Augusta, to enquire about Dr. Linfield. Unfortunately he was not available, as Lady Sedgewick’s health had worsened and he did not wish to leave her side. Fortunately when I returned to Dr. Clarke’s residence he had arrived home and eventually here we are. Thank God! Let us hope for good news.”

He spoke hastily, barely coherent, as the girls had never seen him before. The gravity of the circumstances seemed to have defeated him too.

“Dear Uncle, I wish you had not spoken with Lady Augusta. I fear she might believe we are abusing her kindness,” Jane whispered, leaning against the wall, pale and distressed.

“I do not believe she considered it so. She appeared genuinely interested and concerned.”

“Jane, I am more worried about you. You look really ill. And feverish,” Elizabeth said, touching her forehead. “You are warm! I will ask Dr. Clarke to examine you too.”

“There is no need, Lizzy. I am just a little tired. I will be fine. We cannot afford to waste money on useless consultations. Do not worry.”

“Nonsense! We cannot afford for you to be ill,” Mrs. Gardiner interjected. “And we do worry, so please let the doctor assure us you are well, so we can put aside this one concern. I am sorry I was oblivious to your illness before.”

“Very well...I will speak with Dr. Clarke, as I do not want to distress you even more,” Jane reluctantly accepted.

∞∞∞

An hour later, the doctor appeared and his dark countenance betrayed the news before he had time to sit and gulp some wine, searching for the appropriate words.

“I am now able to provide you with a full report. Miss Bennet seems to have caught a cold. It is not unusual at this time of the year, despite the warm weather. I assume she has neglected it for a while, and most likely the recent distress and tiredness have exacerbated it. I am concerned about her breathing. She must remain inside and rest for the next few days. She should stay in a separate room, and especially away from Mr. Bennet, as she could be contagious. I will give her three sorts of medicine and some herbals.”

“Oh, dear Lord… So—is her life in danger?” Elizabeth enquired.

“I have no reason to suspect that—if she follows my advice. I imagine she has struggled to be courageous and not worry you, but such bravery is always unwise. She has agreed to remain in her room for now. She must rest and be properly fed.”