Beginning, Previous Section, Section III
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Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes as she heard the words of Mr. Darcy in his wonderful proposal. She was very happy to hear him confess his love, the love she long feared was nonexistent except on her side. She always knew that his family pride meant a lot to him, but it seems he overcame this pride and asked her to be his wife nonetheless. But, should she take advantage of this? What if it turned out to be a temporary lapse in judgment, and that he will come to regret it later? And does she want to risk this?
All these thoughts passed in her mind within a few moments, and she raised her tear-filled eyes to see the expectant face of her beloved, waiting for her response.
"Mr. Darcy, I do not know what to say. You made me extremely happy with your speech. I know this is not very proper for me to say, but I must tell you that it has been some time now since I felt ...er... strong feelings for you. I know that if I am ever to marry, ... it has to be you. I cannot think of myself married to any other man. But..."
Here Mr. Darcy interfered, "No buts, dear. I am glad that my feelings are returned on your side. Please accept my offer," he pleaded.
Elizabeth was about to waver in her determination, but forced herself to speak in a low soft tone, stopping between sentences and half sentences to recompose herself and gain her breath, "Please Mr. Darcy, hear me out. My feelings are not the most important matter. I know that you regard your family pride highly, and I am afraid you had to overcome it in order to ask for my hand. I cannot blame you, for you are the best of men, and I am sure your family is one of the best. I know that my family will not be a welcome addition to it, and I am afraid you will come to resent me later if I accepted your offer now. I can live with anything but your resentment. You may even question my motives, and whether I am after your money or status like many others..."
Darcy could take this no more. He again interrupted her, "But I do not care. I do not care what your family is. I only care what you are! And you are all I want. Even if you were the daughter of a servant, I would still love you. And I do not even care if you were after my money or status. At least, if you were, my money or status will have a good use."
"Please Mr. Darcy! This is already difficult for me! Please her me till I finish. I know what you feel now, believe me. Those feelings are shared by myself. But my feelings for you are far greater than my concern over myself. Please, let us delay this discussion for some time, say a month. We should try to decrease our meetings during this month to a minimum. You will have a chance to reconsider your feelings and my status. You will have more time for rational thoughts that are not blocked by temporary sentiments. If you change your opinion, I cannot and will not blame you. If your desires are unchanged, then you will have what you want, I can promise you that!"
Darcy's esteem for his beloved rose to new heights, if that was ever possible. Her response can be expected by at most one woman in a million. I will do anything in my power to gain this one woman, he thought. Observing that she was waiting for his response, he forced himself to speak,
"Miss Bennet, I am sorry that you doubt me so, but I assure you my desires cannot be so easily changed. I want to marry you now rather than in a month, but I respect your concern. I promise to try to stay away from you next month, but I want you to promise me something in return."
"And what is that?"
"That when I come to ask for your hand after a month, we should not wait for long before we marry. Three weeks later is the most I can wait. Can you promise me this, dear?"
"I promise," she said in earnest. "Now we should return to the house and try to stay apart. On the twenty seventh of December, we can discuss this again if you still want to."
And they returned to Longbourn in companionable silence.
Bingley and Jane returned later to the house for dinner. Dinner was a noisy event in Longbourn with Mrs. Bennet unable to contain herself in her raptures. "Two daughters married," she was frequently heard to say. She was telling her husband and whoever cared to listen about her visits to Lady Lucas, Mrs. Long and Mrs. Phillips.
"Oh, Mr. Bennet. The look on the face of Lady Lucas was something when I told her about dear Lydia and Mr. Collins. I know what she must be thinking, for her Charlotte is not likely to get married any time soon. But the look on Mrs. Long's face was priceless..."
Bingley was conversing with his fiancee and they could not concentrate on what Mrs. Bennet was saying. Lydia was also trying to hold conversation with her fiancé Mr. Collins, and to ignore the smirks Kitty was sending her way. The only people who were forced to listen to Mrs. Bennet were her husband, Elizabeth, Mary and Darcy. Mr. Bennet ignored her as usual, as if she was talking to thin air. Elizabeth and Mary were ashamed for their mother's apparent vulgarity, and Darcy was disgusted, but he showed no emotions, since he knew this will hurt his wife-to-be, or so he was determined.
After dinner, the men went to the library. Before they returned to join the ladies later, Darcy asked Mr. Bennet to meet with him in private the next morning. The older man agreed, though he was a little surprised at the request.
After some time, the gentlemen returned to Netherfield, and many parties had a lot to think about that night.
Next Morning, November 28th, Longbourn
Conflicting emotions went through Darcy's mind as he waited in the library for Mr. Bennet. He got there through a secret passage that Mr. Bennet told him about the previous day, in order to escape the notice of his family, especially Mrs. Bennet. Darcy knew he promised Elizabeth he should wait for a month, but he also thought he had to tell her father to guarantee his approval, so that not much time is to be wasted when the month passed.
Some minutes later, Mr. Bennet entered the library, and he shut the door behind him securely as welcomed the young man.
"Sorry for my tardiness, but my wife wanted my attention in something of utmost importance!" he said lightly, but was shaken by the grave appearance of his guest.
"Thank you for meeting me today, Sir. I want to tell you something that I do not want anybody to know about."
"You can be assured of my secrecy, Mr. Darcy. As you have probably observed, I am not of the talkative type!"
Darcy proceeded to tell Mr. Bennet about his feelings for his daughter, how he loved her, how he held her in high esteem for all her excellent qualities, and how he longed to marry her. He surprised the older man by telling him about his proposal and Elizabeth's response on the previous day.
"As you see, Sir, I promised her to stay away for a month to think and reconsider. But you must know that I will not change my opinion, not in a month, not in ten years. I would like to ask for your consent now, so that when the month ends, there would be nothing in between me and marrying your daughter."
"Mr. Darcy, I would be honored to have you in the family. you have my consent, but I think we should not tell this to Lizzy now, don't you think?"
"No! She will be very angry at me if she knew! But I am thankful I have your consent, Sir. I promise to love and respect your daughter for as long as I live."
Mr. Bennet was touched by the sincerity of the young man, but after thanking him he changed the topic of conversation to lighter subjects. After a short time, Mr. Darcy left, and Mr. Bennet stayed thinking in the library.
Mr. Darcy left, on the same day of his private council with Mr. Bennet, to Pemberley, but promised Bingley to be back for the wedding. When he arrived there, he was met by an anxious Georgiana who was waiting to know who was that woman who captured her brother's heart. Her happiness at knowing the lady's name - and discovering in great relief that she was not Miss Bingley - can be imagined. She was however a little bit disappointed at the lady's reaction to her brother's proposal. She planned to go to the wedding with him and make Miss Elizabeth's acquaintance, for she can see, from his reaction whenever he spoke of her, that her brother was very much in love with her, and thought the world of her. And Georgiana knew that her brother is never wrong!
Mr. Darcy tried to think of what Elizabeth told him about, but he could not bring himself to. He knew she understood his emotions and knew about his family pride, but he had settled this matter in his heart a long time ago. He now, more than ever before, valued Elizabeth much higher than anything else, and promised to give whatever sacrifices it takes to secure her hand in marriage.
Mr. Collins left the next day to Hunsford, and to inform his noble patroness of his great luck and the great charms of his fair cousin, soon to be his fair wife, Lydia. Lady Catherine condescended to congratulate her parson and giving him proper advice on how to treat his wife. She gave him leave to go and get married at the appointed day, though she was displeased at his audacity in setting the wedding date without her prior approval. She, however, insisted that he should return before Christmas to perform his duties at Hunsford, which he promptly agreed to. He did not want to displease his noble patroness at all costs.
Mrs. Bennet spent the next weeks in wedding preparations. She went to London with all her daughters to purchase the wedding dresses for all of them, and they stayed at the Gardiner's house for about a week. Mrs. Bennet was so consumed in her preparations that she forgot to look for husbands for her three unmarried daughters, and even forgot about her poor nerves! Lydia was as excited about this trip as her mother, though it brought her far away from her dear red-coat-wearing officers!
Elizabeth had the pleasure in this visit to talk to her favorite aunt, and to let her know all what was going on at Longbourn. Mrs. Gardiner was pleased for Jane, and was surprised and pleased at the developments in Mary's attitude and life. She was not as pleased about Lydia and Kitty's sensibility, but then that was no surprise. However, the complete surprise came when Elizabeth told her about Mr. Darcy. She had not told anyone else about his proposal, not even Jane. Jane was too happy and Elizabeth did not want to have her concerned so close to her wedding.
"Oh dear aunt! He was the perfect gentleman!"
"And what are your feelings for him, Lizzy?"
"I love him, utterly and completely!"
"So why did you tell him to wait for a month?"
Elizabeth then told her aunt of her reasons.
"Elizabeth, I do not know what to say! I think you were mistaken in this, but I trust your sense. I wish you all the happiness you very much deserve!" and she proceeded to hug her favorite niece.
December 18th, 1811
This was one of the happiest days in Mrs. Bennet's life. She got to marry off two of her daughters, and to boast in front of Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas of her dear Mrs. Bingley and her dear Mrs. Collins. The two weddings passed smoothly, and no major incidents happened to affect the happiness of the two couples. All their friends and acquaintances were present, with few noticeable absences. Of those who were not present, Miss Caroline Bingley was the least missed.
Elizabeth was extremely happy for her dear Jane. She never saw her sister more radiant or beautiful than on that day, and in her heart she knew that Jane deserved all this happiness. Mr. Bingley will be a good husband, of that she was sure. Although she wanted very much to be with Mr. Darcy, she did not come near him, and he did not approach her as well. You have only yourself to blame, girl! she reminded herself. She was content however with observing the happiness of her dear Jane, as well as the relative contentment of Mary as she spoke animatedly with Mr. Carter, and Kitty as she danced with Mr. Denny. It seems my mother will soon get rid of two other daughters! she thought in amusement. I only wish she gets rid of all three!
When she was not thus occupied in her thoughts, she was pleased to get to know Miss Darcy. At first, the girl seemed too shy that she could not speak two complete sentences. But Elizabeth managed to draw her into easy conversation about many subjects, and they both grew fond of each other in a short time. This greatly pleased the girl's brother who was observing them.
Mr. Darcy was happy for his friend, and though he could not understand the relationship between Lydia and his aunt's parson, he was pleased for them too. The past few weeks went slowly for him, and he only had nine more days to go before asking his Elizabeth to marry him. She promised to accept, right? he thought. He had to return to Pemberley with his sister that day to give the married couple some privacy, but he secured an invitation from his friend to come to the empty house after Christmas day, when the married couple where to be traveling to Europe for an extended honeymoon. He did not tell Bingley why he wanted to be there, but Bingley did not need much intelligence to guess the reason. Only nine days.... he thought.
December 26, 1811
It was the day after Christmas in Longbourn. Elizabeth woke up early in the morning, worried about what the next two days hold for her. She decided to take a walk to relieve her worries. Today was the last day of the month she gave her beloved, and tomorrow she was going to know her fate. She wished from all her heart that he would return and propose again. She knew, however, that she made the right choice in giving him a month to rethink his proposal. She would never bear it if he resented her later. She was now left with her worries, and with no Jane to comfort her. Jane had left for Europe the day before.
Elizabeth did not know that Darcy had requested from his friend to use Netherfield starting the next day, and she did not know that he was on his way. All she knew was that she loved him so much and that she wished he would come back to her. She continued her walk, thinking of him and of their previous meetings together.
Three hours later, she returned home to find her mother in raptures.
"Lizzy, where have you been! I was just reading to your father the first letter my Lydia sent! Your father has been horrible, as if she is not his own daughter too! I will get it for you to read now! Oh, I wish you would marry as well as your sisters, but you do not seem able to secure that amiable Mr. Darcy! You must have made him angry with that temper of yours. I know it! Here, here is your sister's letter. Read it quickly! I need to take it with me to your Aunt Philips!"
Elizabeth was amazed for the millionth time in her life at the speed with which her mother speaks. She took the letter and prepared herself to be amused. It was to that effect:
Hunsford, Dec. 22, 1811Dear Mother!
You may be surprised when you get my letter so soon. You know I was angry at you for forcing me to marry Mr. Collins. I am not so angry anymore. I wanted you and my dear sisters to know that I am very happy indeed! Mr. Collins is very funny. I could barely hold myself from laughter as soon as we came here, when he bowed till his head almost reached the floor and welcomed me to his 'humble abode'! I did not know anyone who refers to his home as an 'abode' any more! As soon as we set our feet in the house, he hurried to meet his 'noble patroness' Kitty. Oh, did I just write that? I mean of course Lady Catherine! Well, it doesn't matter. I will call her Kitty soon when we become friends! Where have I been? Oh yes, he went directly to Kitty, and almost half an hour later, he returned with her, preaching me about the great honor I have, since 'her ladyship' does not visit just anyone! Well, I guess she doesn't. She is so big and I think she will find it too difficult to move, wearing as much clothes as her body's weight! Anyway, Kitty came and looked at me for a brief moment before saying in the most formidable tone:
"So, you are Mrs. Collins? Welcome to Hunsford, young lady." I could barely contain my laughter, but she continued giving me advice on how to manage a household for the next two hours straight. Can you imagine it? She was standing in front of me for two hours telling me how to manage the servants and the kitchen, and whether to serve fruits or eggs for breakfast. It was so funny at first, but I almost cried by the time she was done. Well, she invited us to dine with her on the same day. She is so stupid that she reminds me of you - I mean my sister Kitty! Doesn't she know that we have just married? Anyway, we went to eat with her and the food was so fine, and there were many courses that you cannot imagine! I felt so stuffed by the time we finished! But her daughter Anne did not eat much. She was so sickly and pale! And she barely spoke to me, though I was telling her about officers and balls! She does not seem to get interested in anything interesting, if that was a sentence! And her ladyship - I do not know why they call her a lady 'ship', she doesn't seem to like the sea! Where have I been? Oh, Kitty told us that Anne was going to marry her nephew! You cannot guess who that nephew was! Poor Lizzy will be sad when she hears about it, since I know she wanted that man to marry her. Yes, mother, he is Mr. Darcy! I do not know how he can marry this sickly creature, but that is what Kitty told us! Poor Lizzy! Anyway, I asked Kitty about officers in the area, and she told me a new regiment will be installed in Hunsford in two months. Oh, mother, imagine that? Two months and we will be able to enjoy the company of officers again! I will stop here, since Willy is calling me! I will tell you about other details of my marriage later! Willy is so silly and funny!
Yours &c
Lydia
Elizabeth was greatly amused by the letter until she reached the part about Darcy and Anne, but then she remembered the time when he told her he is not engaged to anybody, and his own proposal to herself. 'I should not pay attention to what she says! I have to believe my man!' She thought.
Her mother came back to retrieve the letter, and talked to her for some time about her misfortune and about Darcy's engagement to Anne De Bourgh. Elizabeth knew that any explanation was useless with her irrational parent, so she stopped any attempt of that sort altogether. She was hoping that her Darcy was now on his way, and that he was going to call on her the next day. She asked Hill to inquire from the servants at Netherfield whether Mr. Darcy was there or not. When she received a negative answer, she did not give up hope that he will come, but she slept that day with a heavy heart.
Meanwhile, on the road
It was a rainy day and the roads were difficult and muddy, but Darcy moved on in his carriage towards Netherfield. He had every hope to meet his Elizabeth, and to be assured of her acceptance. The muddy roads were making it difficult for him to get there on time, but he will try his best to be there!
December 27, 1811
It was two in the afternoon and there were no news from Netherfield. Elizabeth was beside herself, and was going out to the garden to get any news early, but it seems there were no news at all from Netherfield. She sent a servant to inquire about its current occupants, and she got a discouraging answer. Nobody came that day or the day before. She was about to lose all hope, but she felt a movement in the garden behind her back. When she turned, she saw a muddy Darcy who was saying, "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth was too happy when she heard his voice to notice his appearance. She was too worried that he may have chosen not to come back. After all, she was the one who gave him this opportunity when she told him to wait and think more after his first proposal. She knew she was not a good enough match for him and his family, and she could not help but think that she had ruined her chances with him forever. Had she accepted his first proposal, nobody would have blamed her. But she chose not to and had to live with her choice. When he indeed showed up, and called her his "dearest", she could not help but to be extremely pleased.
Darcy was thrilled to see the look of pure joy on her face when she heard his voice. This left little doubt in his mind that his cause will be successful this time. But he did not want to waste any time to put the last bit of doubt to rest forever. He prepared for a long speech to say during his trip, but he found himself unable to remember much of it, so he began speaking from his heart.
"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! This last month I spent without you was pure torture. I was continuously thinking of you, and hoping you will not change your mind or break your promise. I did think of what you said last time, and the more I thought, the more I knew I would not want to marry anyone but you. I told you how I felt last time, and my feelings are unchanged. I came here today to ask you again. Dearest Elizabeth, will you take me as your husband?"
Elizabeth's joy filled her eyes with tears as she gave him the response he was hoping for.
"Mr. Darcy, nothing could make me happier. I also did some thinking of my own, and I am now sure that is what I want to do."
After the first moments of joy were over, Elizabeth returned once again to her playful disposition.
"I am surprised, sir, at your appearance today. I heard many proposal stories before, and none of these stories had someone proposing with that much mud!"
Darcy was glad to see her playfulness again, and though he was not known for being lively, he thought he could start learning at this moment.
"How unfair! Is this my reward for getting here as fast as I could?! I wonder what would you have done if I have chosen to wait today on the road and come here tomorrow!"
Even though Elizabeth knew she would have been dead with worry, let alone broken-hearted, she did not want to give him the upper hand in this lively conversation.
"I think I would have changed my mind about your proposal, sir!"
"Miss Bennet, you are too cruel for words!"
"Mr. Darcy, you should not be speaking to a respectable young lady with the kind of clothes you are wearing! If you were a beggar, I would have given you money to get clean clothes!"
After a long conversation in which Darcy was amazed at the ability of his fiancee to find an answer to each statement he said (something which most men discover much later in their relationships!), they continued to talk about more serious issues. It was agreed between them that Mr. Darcy should seek the approval of her father on the following morning, and that their wedding should take place within three weeks. Darcy soon left for Netherfield to get rid of his untidy clothes and prepare for the next day. Elizabeth spent some time alone to reflect upon her new-found happiness, and then headed back to Longbourn.
When Elizabeth entered the house, she found another letter from Lydia, sent by express this time. It was addressed to her and not to her mother.
Hunsford, December 26, 1811Dear Lizzy,
I know Willy will be mad at me if he knew I wrote this to you, so please do not tell anybody I did. I want to warn you of a huge storm that will hit Longbourn. The wicked witch of Rosings is coming. Yes, you heard it right. Kitty the witch is coming to visit you. I would have told you the whole story, but Willy will then notice my absence after he returns from playing with the bees in the garden, the silly man! Anyway, I was talking to Willy about my sisters, and I mentioned that everybody at Longbourn had hopes for you and Mr. Darcy to get married. I do not know why we were talking about such boring topics, but I guess it is the effect of the cheap food we were eating.
Anyway, as soon as I said that, Willy was on the run to his noble witch Kitty. I had to run after him to see what was that all about. And I could not but be surprised as he interrupted the Rosings dinner with his entrance. Kitty told him she was "seriously displeased" at his coming uninvited, but he proceeded to tell her of what I have just told him. Kitty was more "displeased", if that was ever possible. She gave me a nasty look and then went on and on about 'how can these low creatures think they can take my nephew away from my daughter... I will show them who they are. They need to be disciplined at once. And you Mrs. Collins, I did not expect such behavior from your family. I am most seriously displeased.'
Dear Willy tried to appease her, but she could hear none of it. I looked at Anne and she did not seem to care about this particular piece of information, though I think she did not care about anything at all in her life. Imagine she did not care for officers!
Anyway, I heard the witch telling her servants to prepare for her trip to Longbourn, to 'teach those lowly Bennets a lesson in manners'. Since you are my sister, I thought you would like to know this unhappy event before it happens.
As for me, I am eagerly waiting for this regiment to be located here. I am having fun at the expense of poor Willy at the moment, but I think I will get tired of him soon. I do not think however I will ever tire of laughing at her ladyship the witch! Can you do me a favor and break her leg when she comes to Longbourn?!
With all my love,
Lydia
Elizabeth was amused at the contents of the letter. She felt sorry for her sister, and wished she had taken enough time to teach her some sense earlier. But it was too late now, as she was stuck with her "dear Willy" and "her ladyship the witch". She went to her father to tell him about her good news, and about the unwelcome visitor they were about to receive.
In the Meanwhile
Lady Catherine was shouting throughout much of the distance between Rosings and Longbourn. She was shouting at the servants, the horses, the trees and farms on the way, ...etc. She was, however, sure that she could intimidate those Bennets and put them out of the picture forever. Nobody should dare to take Pemberley away from her. She would tell them what she thinks, and that would be the end of it.
It was late in the evening when the grand carriage arrived at Longbourn. The Bennets were having dinner, and Elizabeth was thinking that Lady Catherine could not come and visit them this late in the evening. It was not an acceptable time for social visits, and she was sure that the grand lady will pay enough respect to decorum and wait till the next morning. It did come as a surprise to her when Mrs. Hill came in and announced,
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh!"