“No. I shall not. Thank you for your candor, and I apologize for my complaint.”
Chapter 21: Convalescence
Dinner passed in a subdued manner. When the party withdrew to the drawing room, Miss Anne offered to read aloud from her novel, and all agreed to hear her. The gentlemen drew their chairs nearer to the ladies, and the party settled to listen, while Lady Catherine remained apart, her attention fixed upon a volume of Fordyce’s sermons.
After nearly half an hour, Mrs. Collins was shown in.
“Come, sit with me, Mary, and tell us of our friend. Pray, say she has improved.”
Mary took a seat beside Miss Anne. “She does not improve as yet. I have bathed her face and limbs to lower the fever, and I trust she will rest with greater ease once the physician arrives with the willow bark.”
Darcy asked, “Mrs. Collins, do the herbal tinctures afford her any relief?”
“No, sir. She is much fatigued and a little disordered. I cannot prevail upon her to drink. I have administered a little of the tincture into the side of her cheek.”
“Perhaps the use of a toddy lifter will help you administer the willow bark tea with greater effect,” Darcy said.
“I shall bring you a toddy lifter, Mrs. Collins.” Georgiana left to find the vessel.
Darcy offered what encouragement he could. “Do not fear, Mrs. Collins. Your sister is young and strong. She will recover soon.” He pressed her hand in sympathy. “You have endured much anxiety, but all will be well. Is there anything more we may do to assist you?”
“You have already done so much for us, yet though I feel shame in asking, I should like to send for my elder sister. Jane possesses greater skill in the use of medicinal herbs and more experience in tending the sick. She and Lizzy attend to our tenants and the indigent of our neighborhood. I feel my own want of skill, and…” She turned to Anne. “Mr. Collins was not pleased when I told him I must leave him to care for my sister. If Jane could come…”
“Mary, Rosings Park stands open to your elder sister. You need not fear you presume upon our kindness. If you wish to send for your mother as well, please know that she is also welcome.”
“Thank you, Miss Anne. You are very kind, but my mother is not suited to the sick room. I shall send an express, and Jane will come to me by the mail coach.”
“Write to your father and request that he send your sister. I shall dispatch my carriage with the letter and have her brought here. You shall have her soon. It is only fifty miles of good road,” Mr. Darcy said.
“Sir, I do not know how to thank you. As for the expense…”
“You must not concern yourself with it, ma’am. As I have said, the fault lies with us, and we must answer for it. I shall send the carriage in the morning with your letter.”
Mary pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. Miss Anne served her tea and cake, and Darcy took up the book. They prevailed upon Mary to remain with them for half an hour, that she might rest and be diverted, for as Anne said, “I trust Sarah with my life, Mary. She will send for you if Lizzy worsens.”
Mary remained with the Rosings family for a full hour before Dr. Miller arrived. At Darcy’s request, Anne joined Mary and the physician. After he examined Elizabeth, Dr. Miller instructed Mary in the proper measure of willow bark.
“Your sister will require twenty minutes of percussion to the back at least three times each day, and, if she can bear it, more frequent treatments would be preferable.”
Mary looked at him with uncertainty.
“You have not performed percussion?”
“No, sir, but if you will instruct me, I shall carry out the treatment.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
He returned to the bed. “Miss Bennet, we shall perform a treatment that will work to clear your lungs.” He directed Mary. “We shall turn Miss Bennet upon her side. Pray, hold her in this position.”
He moved to the opposite side and, with cupped hands, struck along the length of Elizabeth’s back, which brought on a spasm of cough.
He regarded the result with approval. “With the herbs you administer, the benefit of fluids, and the percussion, her lungs should soon clear of phlegm.”
Mary’s eyes brightened. “Thank you, Dr. Miller. I shall see that Lizzy receives this treatment at least three times each day.”
“Very well, my dear. Do not distress yourself. Your sister’s illness is severe, as you can see from the blue tinge of her lips. The chest is inflamed, and she labors for air. But she is young and strong. Mark my words, she will recover quickly.”
The physician departed, but both Miss Anne and Mary remained with Elizabeth to perform the percussion. Unaccustomed to such exertion, Mary’s arms soon tired. The treatment did not bring on the cough that the physician had deemed necessary. Anne took a turn with the treatment, but her efforts were also unsuccessful.
