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“Indeed, Mr. Darcy,” replied Miss Bingley, recovering herself quickly. “It is too often that a lady will focus too much attention on the quantity of her pursuits rather than the quality. A lady should always strive to perfect her talents if she wishes to be truly accomplished.”

“Is it possible to truly perfect any skill?” asked Elizabeth, shaking herself from her confusion.

To this, Miss Bingley replied, “No person can be perfect, but one can strive to become as close as possible.”

“And who is to be the judge of what is perfect, or what comes near enough to it?” Elizabeth countered. “It is not a commission I should desire.”

“Nor I,” said Mr. Bingley. “However, I do know what I enjoy, so perhaps that is enough.”

“Very well, Mr. Bingley!” said Elizabeth. “We shall say that it is enough for something to be pleasant to those observing, instead of looking for perfection.”

Miss Bingley did not seem satisfied, but as she could form no reply equal to the occasion, she allowed the conversation to move on to other things. Soon Elizabeth was summoned to her sister’s room; she rejoined the party again only briefly, to relate that Miss Bennet was worse. It was decided that Mr. Jones would be called in the morning if Miss Bennet was not greatly improved. Such a decision did not please Mr. Bingley’s sisters, who still supposed that a country apothecary could not be superior to a London doctor, but Mr. Darcy’s opinion in favour of Mr. Jones silenced their complaints.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister’s room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the inquiries which she very early received from Mr. Bingley by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from his two elegant sisters. Despite Jane’s improvement, she asked for a note to be sent to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit and give her opinion on her health.

Mrs. Bennet, although not the wisest mother at times, did love her children very much and would have been wretched indeed if she had found Jane in any danger when she arrived at Netherfield. Yet, when she complied with the request for her visit and saw Jane, she found her eldest child miserable, but in no danger. Thus, Mrs. Bennet, finding no cause for alarm, showed little eagerness for a swift recovery that would hasten their removal from Netherfield. She was very pleased when the apothecary concurred with her opinion that the invalid should not be moved, lest there be a relapse in her condition for the worse.

Mr. Jones accompanied Mrs. Bennet to relay this news to Mr. Bingley and his sisters. The gentleman’s countenance lightened considerably at the news that Miss Bennet was not dangerously ill. It brightened further still when Mr. Jones gave his opinion that his patient ought to remain where she was.

“I am quite happy for Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to remain as long as is necessary for Miss Bennet to be fully returned to health. Indeed, had Mr. Jones suggested such a course of action, I would have sent for a physician to give another opinion,” said Mr. Bingley to Mrs. Bennet when she apologised for the imposition of her daughters on his home.

Mrs. Bennet, reassured by his earnestness, expressed her gratitude with all her customary effusiveness. “You are truly too kind, Mr. Bingley. I am most relieved to hear that my daughter has such attentive friends in her present state.”

“Mamma,” said Elizabeth, quickly changing the subject, “how are my younger sisters?”

Mrs. Bennet had appeared at Netherfield with only Mary, which was not at all typical. She harrumphed at the reminder of early vexation. “Mr. Bennet determined that it was best for your sisters to remain at home with Mrs. Ellington and receive lessons.”

Elizabeth stared at her mother in disbelief. “Lessons?” she echoed.

“Indeed. She is to teach them history and French, I believe,” Mrs. Bennet answered in a tone that would have been more fitting had Mrs. Ellington wished to teach the young ladies husbandry and fencing.

Elizabeth did not know what to say in Mrs. Ellington’s defence in front of the Bingleys, for her mother did not always recall where she was when she spoke in frustration. Certainly, it was not the worst use of their time, particularly given recent events.

Elizabeth’s saviour came from an unexpected source, given she had not even noticed he was in the room. “I have long thought French one of the most useful languages for any young person to learn, be they a gentleman or a lady, given the situation our country finds itself in,” said Mr. Darcy. “I have ensured my sister is quite fluent, and I applaud you for ensuring the same for your daughters.”

His statement seemed to ease the tension somewhat, for Mrs. Bennet was pleased with the praise. “Indeed,” she said, “I cannot imagine ever neglecting such an important matter as my children’s education.”

Miss Bingley gave a snort of derision. “I wonder, then, why you did not see fit to provide your daughters with a governess or education at a seminary.”

Mrs. Bennet’s countenance turned into one that would strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest of soldiers before she schooled her expression into something more neutral. “I am aware, Miss Bingley, that you suffered the loss of your dear mother before you were yet old enough to benefit from her knowledge. I do not know how it is done in the circles you moved in, but here in the country, children learn from their mothers and fathers, unless there is something that their parents are unable to teach them. As Mr. Bennet is a gentleman and therefore had a gentleman’s education, he and I were well able to teach our children what was needful for their age. Even once they were older, we have enough genteel neighbours and friends, such as Mrs. Ellington, with a wide enough experience of the world, that we have not had to send our daughters away in order to educate them.”

Miss Bingley’s features tightened at Mrs. Bennet’s address. She opened her mouth to offer a witty response, but no words came.

“Of course, Jane always excelled at languages,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Starting at a young age, she learned both French and Italian from her aunt and uncle. Of all my girls, she had the most precise accent and the best hand.”

Elizabeth glanced at her mother, wondering what she was about. Jane had always struggled with learning languages, although it was quite true that they both had been taught French and Italian while visiting their aunt and uncle.

“She excelled at a great many things, but is far too modest to make a display of them. Dancing, I think, is the only accomplishment of hers that is well-known amongst the neighbourhood. It is just too bad that she has so few opportunities to display her skill.”

In the short pause that followed, Elizabeth perceived the familiar, calculating look in her mother’s eye, although she was as yet unable to discern her goal. Mr. Bingley beamed at the chance to praise Miss Bennet, proclaiming her the finest dancer that he had ever beheld. “Indeed, it is a shame that Meryton society is limited, for all your daughters give great pleasure to others with their dancing.” Mr. Bingley paused, considering. It was but a moment before an uncommon light came into his face, and he said, “I know just the thing! I shall host a ball. I simply must, for I have been received so hospitably by everyone. It would be right to repay them in kind.”

“A ball, Charles?” Miss Bingley asked.

“Indeed, Sister!” He either ignored or did not see her appalled expression. “I do not know why I did not think of it sooner. Of course, it shall have to wait until Miss Bennet is improved. We should not like to be making merry without her. But as soon as she is well, we shall begin preparations.”

The horrified expression did not leave Miss Bingley’s face until after Mrs. Bennet and her middle daughter departed. Taking her sister by the arm, she swept from the room, observing in a low, carrying voice, “Well, Louisa. We have had our share of country civility for one morning, I think.”