“But…” she tried to say again.
“I will add,” said Mr. Bennet, “that you need no longer fear for your future. No matter what happens, you will have fifteen thousand pounds to support yourself and any remaining daughters in the event of my passing. And if that is far enough in the future, that amount may be significantly more.”
Mrs. Bennet’s eyes grew wide. “Mr. Bennet, where did you come by such a sum? My jointure is only five thousand. How did you increase it so quickly?”
“I cannot tell you that at the moment, though I will have more information for you next year,” he said. “Nevertheless, I swear on my own mother’s grave that it is true. Since your own future is secure, you must give Elizabeth the freedom to decide on her future.”
“Is that why you allowed Elizabeth to decline Mr. Collins even though you promised you would force her to accept him?” asked Mrs. Bennet.
“Yes, that is it exactly,” said Mr. Bennet. “Since I could not tell you where your new fortune came from, I did not explain at the time. Now, however, since it seems as though you are heading down the same incorrect path once again, I find it necessary to intervene.”
“So, you wish me to not say anything on the subject?” asked Mrs. Bennet. “Am I supposed to just sit back and pretend that nothing is happening right under my very nose?”
“That is exactly what you are supposed to do,” said Mr. Bennet. “Let Elizabeth make her own decision.”
Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth as if to say something, but she closed it again without uttering a word. It was as if she was attempting to understand a very confusing concept. Darcy supposed that wasn’t far from the truth. The lady didn’t seem to understand the idea that she was not the center of her daughters’ lives.
“Let me also be rightly understood,” said Mr. Bennet. “If Elizabeth declines Mr. Darcy’s proposal when he does make it, you are not to say a single word about it. You will not complain for days, weeks, or years on end about how Elizabeth could have saved you all if she had only accepted him.”
“I don’t understand,” said Mrs. Bennet. “You want me to ignore their courtship. Then if it doesn’t go to plan simply because Lizzy is stubborn and hardheaded, you want me to refrain from correcting her? Isn’t it the role of a mother to teach her daughters how to behave?”
Mr. Darcy decided to intervene. “Mrs. Bennet, it is clear to me that you love your daughters and want what is best for them.You are an excellent mother in that way. However, if Elizabeth thought that you would berate her for years on end should she decide against me, she would not even give me a chance to change her mind. She would send me on my way simply to prevent you from having the chance to berate her.”
Mrs. Bennet looked confused again. “I don’t understand,” she said.
Mr. Bennet took up the explanation. “You know how you have treated Elizabeth ever since she declined Mr. Collins’ proposal, berating her multiple times every day and blaming her for every little discomfort and nervous fit you experience. Do you expect her to be willing to risk the possibility that such treatment will last for years on end?
“She has told Mr. Darcy directly that if you cannot promise to allow her freedom of choice, she will no longer allow him to court her. Therefore, Mrs. Bennet, I must have your solemn promise that, no matter what nervous fits you might suffer, you will stay out of this both now and in whatever future comes to pass.”
Mrs. Bennet looked back and forth between the gentlemen. “Are you absolutely certain, even if none of my girls ever get married, that we will all be provided for?”
“I am certain,” said Mr. Bennet.
“Then I will leave well enough alone,” said Mrs. Bennet. “I promise.” She turned to Mr. Darcy. “I do hope you can convince Lizzy, though. I know it sounds as if I am being mercenary, but I don’t think Elizabeth will be happy without some attention to fortune.”
“I will do my best, Madam,” said Darcy with a bow. “It is my dearest wish that Miss Elizabeth be as happy as she can be for all her days.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said.
~~~~~
A few nights later, at a card party at Purvis Lodge, Elizabeth was sitting on the sidelines, resting from the hectic game of lottery tickets she had just finished. As she did, she felt a rather odd sensation.
She missed Mr. Darcy.
Though the officers were at this party, it was not the kind of thing Mr. Darcy would be invited to. It was too informal for anyone to believe he would wish to attend.
Elizabeth had become so used to his presence as he visited her at home every day, that she wished he were here as well.
The feeling nearly shocked her. It wasn’t so long ago that she disliked the man intensely. In fact, even after she thought he was gone for good, her dislike for him kept him in her mind, making her grateful for his absence.
As she thought about it, she realized that her feelings had not altered all that much after all. Mr. Darcy had always drawn her attention. From the moment she first laid eyes on him, she thought him one of the handsomest men she had ever seen. His strong, upright bearing was just as appealing as his trim figure and his handsome face.
It was only after his insult and his subsequent critical staring at her that she came to dislike him so. His upright bearing became proud in her mind. His handsome features were labeled as stony.
Even so, she was never able to put him from her mind completely. Whenever he was nearby, he drew her attention,though she was not so gauche as he was, since she refused to stare at him.
Now, since she had been convinced that his staring was out of admiration for her, her opinion had gradually begun to shift back to its original form. He was fascinating.
