“But that could be years away,” Jane said. “Also…” she trailed off.
“What is worrying you, Jane?”
“He does not know that I have no dowry, does he.” It was not a question.
“I imagine not.”
“Can you please tell his parents? For I can hardly raise the subject myself, and he should know that pertinent fact before the relationship progresses to a point where he cannot back out without looking like a cad!” Jane said, words tumbling out in a rush.
“I have been thinking about this myself,” Mrs. Gardiner admitted. “You know what your mother would say.”
“She would say to make him fall in love with me so that my lack of dowry does not deter him.”
“Yes; do you think this good advice?”
“If my only object were to marry as well as possible, it would be excellent advice.”
“But that is not your object,” Mrs. Gardiner said.
“No; I prefer to marry for affection, forlove, if truth be known.”
“And you do not love Mr. Stanford.”
“No, I do not. He is certainly a pleasant gentleman, everything worthy, but – oh, Aunt, my heart does not beat faster when he is near, I do not blush upon hearing his name, my fingers do not tingle when he hands me out of the carriage!”
“In short, none of the expected reactions one expects from a true attachment,” Mrs. Gardiner said.
“Exactly. And then I wonder if such romantic fancies are just the ideas one picks up from novels, and not real, not to be expected!”
“They are real enough.” Mrs. Gardiner looked down at the table and felt her cheeks grow warm.
“Are you blushing, Aunt? You are! You have experienced these things yourself! Oh, I am so sorry; this is certainly none of my business.” Jane was delighted to have this confirmation of her deeply held beliefs about romance, but did not wish to discompose her aunt.
“Itisyour business, Jane. You deserve to know. Yes, I have experienced them with your uncle, when we were courting. They fade away with time, of course, which is just as well, or one’s fingers would be tingling far too often! But I must add that successful marriages have been made without such things. Often, couples learn to love one another after the marriage takes place.”
“But there is no guarantee that this would happen.”
“No, of course not.”
“So what do I do?” Jane looked at her aunt, trustingly.
“In this particular case, I would suggest that you spend a bit more time with him before he learns about your lack of dowry. This will give both of you a chance to know one another better.”
“One more week, and that is all,” Jane said, firmly.
“Very well; one more week.”
Chapter Nineteen
Mr. Collins was punctual as to the time of his arrival at Longbourn. The family stood on the front steps to welcome him; he doffed his black hat and bowed.
“Welcome to Longbourn, Mr. Collins,” Mr. Bennet said, bowing in return.
“I am grateful that you allow me to visit,” Mr. Collins said, gravely. “I am aware that you and my father – well, perhaps best not to speak of it.”
Mr. Bennet shrugged. “The feud died with him; I do not choose to carry it on.”
“I thank you; that is most gracious.”
