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But only turn the spoon clockwise;
Turn to the left, and the Devil will rise!
On Stir-Up Sunday make the dish,
That brings to all their special wish!
Traditional
Elizabeth and Jane were in Jane’s room, stretched out on her bed beside one another, the excitement of the day having given way to fatigue.
Mr. Collins had returned from the Lucas’s, but only to inform them that he was returning to Hunsford the next day. He would not be prevailed upon to stay for dinner, although he did speak with Elizabeth once more to impress upon her the advantage she would gain from the visit, and to seek her assurance that not even illness would stop her from attending. So long as Elizabeth was well enough to travel, she should make the trip as Lady Catherine’s personal physician would provide better treatment than she could obtain at Longbourn or even London.
Elizabeth had given him her promise that short of death, Christmas would find her at Rosings Park. She didn’t add that her mother was sure to see to that.
Mr. Collins, far from removing her anxiety with his endless refrain of the fantastic opportunity the invitation presented, instead had increased her suspicions.
Lady Catherine was up to something, but what that something was Elizabeth could not even begin to guess. She expressed as much to Jane.
“Lady Catherine has some purpose inviting us to Christmas with her. But I do not know what it could be.”
“Her purpose is to assist some relations of Mr. Collins,” said Jane, placing her hand gently on Elizabeth’s arm. “And also to see you again. The former is very generous of her, and the latter does not surprise me in the least. When you visited Hunsford, you went to Rosings many times at her invitation. Why are you surprised that she wishes to see you again?”
Elizabeth knew that her sister would never see the world except through eyes that only saw the good in it. But she had to try and make her understand that Lady Catherine was not the sort of woman who did things without a purpose, and what was more a purpose which served her interests, that they should also serve those of another would be merely incidental.
“She criticized me, that much is true,” Elizabeth said. “And she gave me a great deal of advice, as she also did to Maria Lucas, and Charlotte. But I did not apprehend any particular regard for me and certainly no fondness in her manner.
“Jane, you must realize that she is a formidable lady, and one used to having her way. There is more behind her invitation than some supposed desire for my company.” Elizabeth turned her head on the pillow to face her sister.
“And why should she wish us all to visit? I do not believe Mr. Collins has such influence over her that he could persuade her to invite us all to Rosings, nor do I believe that he would on his own motion say a single word to her in our favor.”
“You are too harsh on our cousin,” Jane said. Her voice was gentle, and she smiled. “Surely you remember when he first visited us with the intention of choosing a wife? He did that out of thoughtfulness, knowing that he would then be in a position to help the rest when Longbourn was entailed to him.”
Elizabeth said nothing and Jane continued, “And as for wishing to see your family, you told me yourself that Lady Catherine asked you many questions concerning your sisters, how many you had, their ages and accomplishments. She expressed a sincere interest in your family that seems to have grown in your absence.”
“She expressed interest, it is true,” said Elizabeth, “but interest laced with misgivings. She was shocked to learn that we were raised without a governess, for one thing.”
“Well then, she wishes us to have some of the advantages that she thinks would benefit us and we would otherwise miss. It would not require much urging from Mr. Collins—and sister I do believe that he has taken our part in the matter—for her to take the initiative in securing our fortunes.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I will never convince you that Mr. Collins concern for us is confined to his entail. But, Jane, please believe me when I tell you that Lady Catherine is not acting out of mere interest or concern. There is some intrigue at the bottom of this.”
“And I will never convince you, Lizzy, that our cousin has our best interest at heart. But I can remind you that Lady Catherine has made it a habit—and you have told me this yourself—of helping Charlotte and others in the community—”
“Meddling in Charlotte’s affairs, and the affairs of others,” Elizabeth corrected.
“Such that it is entirely consistent with her character that she should endeavor to help us,” Jane concluded.
Elizabeth said nothing further. It was hopeless.
Jane patted her arm and leaned closer to her. “Well then, Lizzy, think of this: we will be there for Twelfth Night. That is the time when the world turns upside down, when kings serve and peasants rule, when the weak become powerful, and the powerful do their bidding—when anything can happen however unexpected or improbable.
“And Lizzy, since we shall be at the bottom of the world of Rosings Park can we not expect some advantage to accrue to us when it turns upside down?”
Elizabeth laughed at this in spite of herself, and Jane soon joined her.
Twelfth Night, indeed.
Chapter 3, Darcy House, London
