“You mean you don’t know if you love him?” asked Kitty. “Why did you accept him, then?”
“I do love him,” said Elizabeth, “though I only realized it just before he proposed, so it hasn’t had enough time to truly sink in. However, I have been certain of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for two days now.”
A few moments passed as Kitty seemed to think over what Elizabeth said. Then she asked, “How can I get someone to fallin love with me the way Mr. Darcy did with you or the way Mr. Bingley did with Jane.”
“Is there someone in particular whose attention you wish for?” asked Elizabeth.
“Not really,” said Kitty. “It is only that you, Jane, and Mary all seem so incredibly happy. I just want to know if it’s even possible that I will feel that way someday.”
Elizabeth wanted to cheer her sister up, but she did not wish to be untruthful, nor did she wish to encourage too much flirting in an effort to attract attention.
“I cannot promise that you will ever have such a thing,” she said. When Kitty’s expression immediately fell, Elizabeth hastened to add, “however, there are some things you can do to make it more likely.”
A little bit of hope returned to Kitty’s eyes, though she still seemed downhearted.
Elizabeth said, “First, you need to understand that, while a man’s affections can sometimes be secured by a pretty face or figure, very few gentlemen choose who to marry based solely on such features. Gentlemen, at least those who can afford to give you a comfortable life, wish for a wife who is pleasant to be around and who can make his home a haven of peace and happiness.”
“But I am pleasant to be around,” said Kitty defensively. “Lydia always demands my company, and we have many friends in the neighborhood. How could that be, if I wasn’t pleasant company.”
“Ah, but what is pleasant to a young lady isn’t always pleasant to a young man,” said Elizabeth. “Think about Jane’s manners as opposed to Lydia’s manners. You must admit thatLydia is far better at gaining attention. However, it is Jane who is the one who is getting married.”
“Are you saying I should learn to act like Jane?” asked Kitty.
“Not at all,” said Elizabeth. “That would be impossible to maintain. You should act like Kitty, the sweet, adorable, supportive sister I know you can be. I would only caution you against trying to imitate Lydia. Her boisterous, overly flirtatious manner will not do her any good in the long run, and it may cause her great harm.”
Kitty looked thoughtful, though her frown gradually returned. Elizabeth wondered if perhaps she had been too critical.
“Kitty,” she said gently. “You will never truly improve while trying to imitate someone else, no matter who they are. Do your best to improve those qualities in you that are most pleasant and to reduce those qualities that are least pleasant. By doing so, you will gradually become the best version of yourself.”
“But I don’t know what my good qualities are,” cried Kitty, loud enough to attract attention from the card players. Fortunately, they turned back to their cards quickly, and Kitty added, “I don’t know what my bad qualities are either.”
“Do you want to know?” asked Elizabeth. “I only ask, because any time either Jane or I have tried to tell you before, you have ignored us.”
Kitty’s expression quickly shifted from sullen frustration to surprise to guilt. “I’m sorry, Lizzy. I thought you were only trying to take away my fun.”
“I would never deliberately do such a thing,” said Elizabeth. “Nor would Jane. We were trying to give you advice to help you improve yourself, so that your manners can show to the world that you are as kind and loyal as I know you to be.”
“Very well, then,” said Kitty, her expression firm and resolved. “I can’t change everything at once, so just tell me one thing I can work on. Just one.”
“You should reduce the amount of complaining you do,” said Elizabeth. “While it is important to tell others when there is a genuine problem, endlessly complaining about things that can’t be changed does no one any good.”
“I suppose I do complain a great deal,” said Kitty. “It is just that there is so seldom anything else to talk about.” She paused and put a hand up to her mouth. “I just did it again, didn’t I?”
Elizabeth smiled. “You did, but I am extremely pleased to see that you noticed it yourself. As for finding things to talk about, it would help if you read more, especially the newspaper, since it provides something new to talk about every single day.”
“But it’s so boring!” said Kitty.
Elizabeth just gave her a meaningful look.
“I did it again, didn’t I?” said Kitty. “This may be more difficult than I expected.”
“Keep trying,” said Elizabeth. “You won’t be perfect right away, but the fact that you are trying is simply wonderful to see.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” said Kitty as she gave her a hug. Then she looked concerned once again. “Are you certain you can be happy with Mr. Darcy?” she asked.
“I am quite certain,” said Elizabeth. “I feel more at home with him already than I do with almost anyone else in the world. He is a very good man, and I am very much looking forward to marrying him.”
“If you are certain, then I will be happy for you,” said Kitty.
