Accordingly, he walked to Longbourn at tea time, thinking this to be the most likely hour to find everyone in the drawing room. His plan succeeded perfectly, and he was shown by Mr. Hill into the Longbourn parlour, where all the Bennets were gathered. They rose to their feet, and polite greetings were exchanged. Mr. Darcy was asked to sit and take tea, which he was happy to do.
After the usual enquiries as to health were covered, Mr. Darcy spoke directly to Miss Elizabeth. “Did you enjoy the ball as much as you expected, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Oh, I enjoyed it very much indeed. Dancing is one of my favourite pastimes.”
Perfect, he thought. “And what other pastimes do you enjoy? I see fashion plates on the table; are these yours, perhaps?”
“They are mine,” Kitty interjected. “No one else here cares for fashion as I do.”
“She is right,” Elizabeth said, smiling over the rim of her cup. “We rely on Kitty to tell us of the latest fashions and colours. She even sketches gowns for us to sew!”
“If the fashion plates are not of interest to you, Miss Elizabeth, what is?”
“Oh, Lord, you had to ask her!” Lydia groaned.
“I am currently studying world geography,” Miss Elizabeth replied, earnestly, setting her cup down and leaning forward.
“Geography?”
“Yes; I began with languages, as one must speak French and preferably German as well, and then from there I became interested in European history and, of course, the important events of our time. But it is difficult to truly understand battles and treaties, whether current or historical, if one does not understand geography, so that is my latest pursuit.”
“And chess,” her father put in.
“Papa will not release me from the chess board, though he has eased up since you arrived, Mr. Darcy. I must thank you for that.”
Mr. Darcy felt a little dazed. “Mathematics?” he ventured.
“Alas, no; I got myself through algebra and that was all that I wanted. Papa hoped I would study geometry with him, but I found history far more interesting. I can keep account books, ofcourse, though Jane is far more proficient than I. She can add a column of numbers so fast that your head would spin just watching her, and she never makes an error!” Miss Elizabeth looked at Miss Bennet with such love and admiration that Mr. Darcy felt himself envious. How would it feel to have such a glance turned upon himself?!
“Oh, I deserve no such praise!” Miss Bennet cried, her cheeks crimsoning.
Mr. Bennet put in, “It really is something to watch Jane with the account books.”
Mr. Darcy had one last arrow in his quiver. “I know Miss Mary plays; does anyone else in the family make use of the instrument?”
“Lizzy here plays. She is every bit as good as Mary,” Kitty offered. “She makes more mistakes than Mary, but her songs seem to have more life in them. I am sorry, Mary, but you know I am right.”
Mr. Darcy was speechless. His plan had not onlynotworked, but he was nowmoreimpressed with Miss Elizabeth than ever.
“Mr. Darcy, you have asked me any number of questions, and I flatter myself that they have been answered in full. Are you prepared to return the favour?”
“What can you mean, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Why, I have questions about you, of course.”
Mr. Darcy shot a quick look at Mr. Bennet; had the man revealed his secret? “Go on, then, Miss Elizabeth.”
“What sort of man would you say you are?”
“What sort? I do not have the pleasure of understanding you.”
“Are you serious? Humorous? Romantic? Given to strong emotion?”
“I understand you now; I am a rational man,” he said, quite firmly.
“Really! To whom do you look for your philosophy?”
“René Descartes.”
