“Papa! Please tell me! I have already misjudged and misunderstood Mr. Darcy so many times and have accused him of all sorts of horrible flaws that I need to know the whole truth! If he asked you not to tell me, it must be because he did not wish to influence my opinion of him. I am sure of that.”
“Of course that is the reason. It is not hard to guess.”
“So please tell me!”
“I shall fill another glass, so I can blame the brandy. My dear Lizzy, Mr. Darcy claimed it was his fault that Wickham’s character had not been known previously, that he knew of Wickham’s dishonourable habits and should have exposed him long ago. He claimed it was his fault that Wickham deceived an innocent young lady, and he demanded the remedy should be his too. Briefly, Mr. Darcy took care of everything. He paid Wickham’s debts, he purchased the licence — they should marry by the end of this week — and I believe he will purchase the scoundrel a commission in the North. He mentioned that Colonel Fitzwilliam will assist him with that.”
Elizabeth stared at her father in disbelief, listening but not daring to admit the meaning of his narration.
“This cannot be, Papa! You cannot accept that!” she said, breathless from distress.
“Well, my dear, there is little I can do since everything is settled. I was already talking to your uncle and discussing how we could put together a large enough sum to negotiate withWickham. You may imagine how I felt paying a scoundrel to marry my daughter.”
“I cannot imagine something more dreadful, Papa…”
“Then Mr. Darcy — seemingly together with Colonel Fitzwilliam — talked to Wickham, and he informed us when everything was completed. He asked Wickham to sign some papers, so apparently now Wickham is indebted to him for probably his entire life and beyond. I argued with Mr. Darcy for quite a long time, and your uncle supported me. But in the end, since we were in his library and were drinking his fine brandy, we were forced to surrender.”
Elizabeth’s astonishment was now complete, and a claw grasped her heart.
“Whose library, Papa?”
“Mr. Darcy’s, of course!”
“You were at Mr. Darcy’s house?”
“Of course. Did I not just mention that? A fine library that one could only dream of. My brother Gardiner told me that the Pemberley library is larger and richer, but I cannot imagine how that is possible.”
The mention of Pemberley’s library made Elizabeth quiver and her cheeks burn. Recollections of her interlude with Mr. Darcy were painfully vivid, as well as her longing and grief. Her father visiting Mr. Darcy’s townhouse was one more thing that she could never imagine and could hardly believe. But any other feelings faded in comparison to her mortification over Mr. Darcy’s generosity. Paying Mr. Wickham’s debts and purchasing a commission were certainly sums that could reach ten thousand pounds. Her father and uncle together could hardly repay half such a sum. And Mr. Wickham was not worth even a fraction of it, and yet, it would be given to him.
“So, all is done? They will marry? Should we attend the wedding?” she mumbled.
“Dear Lord, no! Your uncle and aunt will be there, unfortunately for them. It is more consideration than Wickham deserves. As for Lydia, I hope she will be miserable enough with him that she will return home to be protected by her family. At least she will be married, which should mend her reputation — and ours. I was reflecting last night that we could save Mr. Darcy all the expense if we paid someone five hundred pounds to murder that low-life Wickham.”
“Papa, please be serious!”
“I am very serious! I hope you do not feel sorry for that man.”
“Not at all, I assure you. But I do not wish you to be exposed to any trouble because of him. Nor Mr. Darcy.”
“Wickham’s luck is that Mr. Darcy’s honour is greater than his anger. Otherwise, Wickham would have been long thrown in debtors’ prison with his legs broken, as he deserves.”
“Mr. Darcy is an excellent man. The best I know, Papa. I hope to have the chance to express my gratitude to him, though I would feel too ashamed to speak to him again.”
“Both of us have every reason to be ashamed, Lizzy. And our entire family. Not only because of the generosity he has shown to us but also because of all the horrible things we said about him.”
“Papa, do you know…did Mr. Darcy happen to mention his plans?” Elizabeth finally dared to ask.
“Not really,” Mr. Bennet answered, looking at her intently. “Of course, I asked for no details, only enquired when I should have the pleasure of meeting him again. He said he was required to travel, as he has much unfinished business to complete urgently.”
“Oh…” she whispered, her spirits quite low. She felt disappointed, though she knew she should feel grateful and content. But her longing to see him again was stronger than her reason.
Her heart told her that everything he had done was mostly for her. Probably for his own conscience and sense of honour too, but also for her. She knew there was no way for her or for her family to repay him. No other way than to love him, even without seeing a glimpse of his return, it if ever happened.
Later that day, at dinner, Mr. Bennet finally told the family that Lydia would marry in a few days and that the couple was expected to move to the North, where Mr. Wickham had a new commission.
“Oh dear, what joy! What happiness!” Mrs. Bennet said with rapture. “My dear Lydia married at fifteen! What could be more wonderful? And poor Mr. Wickham will finally be happily married, despite being so cruelly treated by Mr. Darcy!”
After a brief silent exchange with Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet spoke to his wife in a severe tone.
“Mrs. Bennet, I shall only tell you once. The only reason why your daughter will be married soon is Mr. Darcy’s generosity and support. Without him, your dear Wickham would never marry your dear Lydia. He would abandon her, ruined forever, very likely with child and an eternal burden to our family. So the next time you meet Mr. Darcy, please have the politeness to be silent and considerate and deeply grateful to him, since he saved all of us from misery! As for Mr. Wickham, I honestly believe that Lydia’s only chance of happiness is to become a widow at a very young age.”
The statement was so powerful, so shocking, that Mrs. Bennet choked on her food and could not speak again for a while. Red-faced and struggling to breathe, she tried to respond to her husband but was silenced again.
For the next few days, the news of Lydia’s marriage to Mr. Wickham was widely discussed around Meryton. Some pitied the Bennets, others envied them, but everybody had an opinion.
The newly married couple was expected to come to Longbourn, but at the last minute their plans changed, and they travelled directly to Newcastle, where Mr. Wickham’s new regiment was stationed. A week later, however, Lydia Bennet’s wedding fell in people’s interest, eclipsed by the news that Netherfield Park would be opened again, and Mr. Bingley would return to Hertfordshire soon.
