Again, Elizabeth stared at him, trying to comprehend his words.
“What could you possibly mean, sir.”
“Miss Bennet, we both know that, while my young friend fell in love immediately, your sister’s heart is not easily touched. Anyone who saw them together, especially at the Netherfield ball, could observe that he was deeply enamoured while your sister received his attention with pleasure but no particular interest. I do not doubt that she would have been a loyal wife to Bingley, but in the end, both of them would have suffered, even if secretly. A marriage with unequal affection is worse than one with no affection at all.”
“So you separated your friend from my sister because you thought her indifferent to him?” Elizabeth enquired, almost suffocated by repressed anger and grief.
“I tried to protect him. I did not induce him to go to London, but when we were there, he asked my opinion about his situation. I honestly told him the result of my observation. Bingley left my house that day, and I have barely seen him again after that.”
She stood still, breathing hard and fighting to keep her composure.
“Have you been in love many times in your life, Mr Darcy? And perhaps betrayed many times?”
At this question, his astonishment seemed complete.
“Excuse me?”
“I am only asking because apparently, you claim equal expertise in matters of the heart as in business and estate management. You must have quite a lot of practice in both areas.”
“You are wrong, I assure you. I claim no expertise. I am not the sort of man to easily fall in love.”
“I assumed as much. But then you must be the sort of man who is ready to ruin other’s felicity based on assumptions that he does not even take the trouble to verify. If your friend was ready to propose to my sister, you should know that you have destroyed the happiness of both. My sister’s affection for Mr Bingley was not as openly displayed as his for her, but it was at least equally strong. And her suffering is so deep that she cannot overcome it even after four months of grief.”
Her tone was sharp, cutting, and she did not regret it, nor did she try to amend it. If she had every reason to regret her accusations in regard to Wickham, his selfish intervention and his arrogant assumption deserved the worst.
“Miss Bennet…”
“Mr Darcy, please allow me to leave, sir, while I can still restrain myself from being as rude as my anger demands me to be. Having the chance to see you in a different light lately, to recognise your kindness and generosity, has only made me more furious with you and proved to me how little consideration you have shown to my family since we met. It is your prerogative, ofcourse, but I have the right to condemn it, even if it will turn me into your enemy.”
“I trust I am a better man than to consider you an enemy for the mere reason that we disagreed. I have no reason to doubt you — you certainly know your sister better than I do, so if you are right, I must have been wrong. But I did everything for the benefit of my friend.”
“Your purpose might have been noble, but the result is dreadful. My sister will put her heart together eventually, but Mr Bingley will certainly not find a woman better suited to him, nor one who cares for him more deeply. And if he is unhappy in his marriage, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is the result of your doing everything to his benefit.”
Her last sentences affected him so deeply that his expression was transfigured.
“Now please excuse me. I shall leave you,” she said, then hurried back to the Parsonage. She was tempted to look back and see whether he was following her but overcame the impulse. She entered, told Charlotte she still had a headache and retired to her room. Her heart was heavy, her head clouded, and she released all her tension by beginning to sob, as she had not done in many years.
Knowing that Mr Bingley had intended to propose to Jane but had reconsidered only because he believed her indifferent — at his friend’s suggestion — was heartbreaking. It surely took most of the blame from Mr Bingley’s shoulders and moved it to Mr Darcy, who, in only a few words — could cause misery with much ease.
That day, Elizabeth did not leave her room. She was in no disposition to see anyone, especially Mr Collins. She counted the days till her departure — nine. As she lay in her bed, shewondered whether she could find a way to leave earlier. Despite being angry with Mr Darcy, she felt a strange desire to see him again and talk to him more — which was an even stronger reason for her to shorten her stay in his proximity.
She only gathered herself enough to write to her father and warn him about Mr Wickham. She insisted that Lydia and Kitty should not be allowed unchaperoned in that man’s company, nor should his presence at Longbourn be encouraged.
The following day, the weather was fine, but Elizabeth refused to accompany Charlotte to Hunsford.
Home alone, she wrote to her aunt, enquiring about the possibility of changing her plans, which depended on Mr Gardiner’s carriage.
In the afternoon, an invitation for tea came from Lady Catherine, mentioning her nephews were away on business and she needed company. Elizabeth declined, expressing her desire to obey Lady Catherine’s request and not go to Rosings as long as she felt any sort of illness. Mr Collins was perfectly content.
Two more days passed in which Elizabeth did not leave the Parsonage at all. She would have enjoyed a walk, but she feared she would meet Mr Darcy, and she could not bear seeing him again.
Later in the afternoon on the second day, just before dinner, Colonel Fitzwilliam called unexpectedly, enquiring about Elizabeth’s health. She was in the drawing room with Charlotte and had the chance to assure him she was well enough.
“I shall only stay a moment as Lady Catherine is expecting me for dinner. Miss Bennet, I am glad to see you. We were truly worried for you.”
“I thank you, sir. There is no need for concern — it is only a silly headache.”
“I hoped that was the case. Darcy insisted on me advising you to send for the doctor if your pain persists, but obviously, it is not necessary.”
