Elizabeth shook her head. The clear air of the park had driven off the brandy’s haze, but her father only grew more confusing.
“Let us pick another example. Suppose a parent is indolent about raising his children, and manages to get away with it because his eldest two decide the path to success lies in coddling their parents? You would have to agree that you and Jane have been in the 20-40 range on your scale, would you not? You allow your mother and me to carry on as before because you took up the slack and kept things from utterly falling apart.”
“Perhaps we did, perhaps not,” Elizabeth snapped. “We were children!We did our best, and I will not be criticised for it.”
Bennet remained unperturbed; by Elizabeth’s standards, the outburst was mild. “Do not make assumptions. That was not criticism. It was both praise and an attempt at objectivity. Can we at least agree on the basic facts?”
“I would have to think about it, but since you are obviously working your way up to something, I will provisionally accept your thesis.”
“You know what a Mama Bear does when her cub becomes too lazy and dependent?”
“Of course! She drives it off into the woods.”
“Exactly. Now, let us say that we have a situation where two parents, a new guest, two younger sisters, and Heaven knows who else—all depend on a single Mama Bear to work out all difficulties. Will they grow into their roles, or depend on her forever—or until she tires of the sport or marries?”
Elizabeth's assessment that the brandy had worn off now seemed optimistic, or her father had turned obtuse, for she could not follow him at all.
“What are you saying?”
He stopped and turned to face her.
“I am saying thatMiss de Bourgh, your mother, your sisters, and I all need you to go away for a while. Lydia and Kitty arecoming into their own, so you need not worry about them. Your friend Anne should not be saddled with managingmy wife, yet she should not be coddled into society by depending on you for guidance. I think you should return to the Gardiners until Jane’s wedding, then go on the tour with them straightaway. Letmeensure Jane’s wedding is appropriately elegant and simple, and I, along with Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs Jenkinson, will make sure that your Miss de Bourgh gets a chance to grow. She will lean on you if you are here.”
“So, you want me to drag Anne out of Rosings practically by force and justabandonher?”
“Exactly! I want you to drive both your dependant and your parents off into the woods.”
Elizabeth walked to a bench and sat to think.
Bennet let the silence stand.
Presently, he continued. “It would do you good to spend a few months away from your sisters, your parents, everyone who depends on you, either appropriately or overmuch. The Gardiners have no need of your services. They can take you into society, and you can enjoy some time with no worries about your family embarrassing you or needing you to take care of anybody for anything. I think it would be good for you as well as your cubs. Take the chance tobe a young lady in societywithout fears, responsibilities, or expectations. Dance with young men without watching for your family to embarrass you. Flirt if you like, knowing that youneedno suitors. Enjoy your life for a while.”
Elizabeth laughed, no longer wondering where she had acquired the propensity to use a metaphor once too often.
“Very well, that is sensible,” she said. “Shall you call for the carriage now?”
He laughed, no longer at odds with his most worthy daughter.
“Why not?Let us strike while the iron is hot. While I am at it, I suppose I could give my blessing to Jane’s gentleman and bring her home in a few days. Can you pack in an hour?”
Elizabeth jumped up and started back to the house, full of new energy, as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders.
Plato’s Shadows
“Miss Bennet, might I call on you?”
Elizabeth was not shocked by such a request, but they often surprised her.
The nearly two months before Jane’s wedding had passed in London, and this was the 4thsuch request. Elizabeth was surprised by the society into which her aunt and uncle could introduce her. She had never been much interested in the social side of the season, now drawing towards its end. However, with the brief respite before Jane’s wedding, she decided to enter the fray. Her father financed new gowns, her aunt and uncle were thrilled to escort her about, and she found herself surprisingly popular for a country nobody.
Her first request to call came a fortnight after her entrance into society. She carefully and courteously declined, and the man took it with good grace. The second came from a man whom Mrs Bennet would have been very happy for her to marry, but she discouraged his efforts until he lost interest. He was not anunsuitableman, but not exceptional either; Elizabeth was in no hurry. With two sisters well married, one to the heir of Longbourn, there was no need for her to marry at all, let alone soon.
The gentleman before her—requester, suitor, or whatever he might be—was an entirely different kettle of fish. He waseverything a young man ought to be. He was handsome, amiable, polite, well-read, and a good conversationalist. As heir to a prosperous estate, he was extremely eligible. He did not spend his time in idle pursuits waiting for his father to die. Instead, he helped his younger brothers establish professions and managed many of his father’s affairs. There was not a singlething wrong with him that she could detect over two dances and some conversation in between.
She stalled for time. “Mr Oakley, I would be happy to receive you, except I leave town the day after tomorrow, and I shall be gone for some months.”
“I see. Might I enquire where you are off to, if that is not too impertinent?”
