‘True,’said Mr Bennet,‘but it is a comfort to think that whatever of that kind may befall you,you have an affectionate mother who will always make the most of it.’
Mr Wickham's society was of material service in dispelling the gloom which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn family.They saw him often,and to his other recommendations was now added that of general unreserve.The whole of what Elizabeth had already heard,his claims on Mr Darcy,and all that he had suffered from him,was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed;and every body was pleased to think how much they had always disliked Mr Darcy before they had known any thing of the matter.
Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be any extenuating circumstances in the case,unknown to the society of Hertfordshire;her mild and steady candour always pleaded for allowances,and urged the possibility of mistakes-but by every body else Mr Darcy was condemned as the worst of men.
Chapter 25
After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of felicity,Mr Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by the arrival of Saturday.The pain of separation,however,might be alleviated on his side,by preparations for the reception of his bride,as he had reason to hope that shortly after his next return into Hertfordshire,the day would be fixed that was to make him the happiest of men.He took leave of his relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before;wished his fair cousins health and happiness again,and promised their father another letter of thanks.
On the following Monday,Mrs Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife,who came as usual to spend the Christmas at Longbourn.Mr Gardiner was a sensible,gentlemanlike man,greatly superior to his sister,as well by nature as education.The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade,and within view of his own warehouses,could have been so wellbred and agreeable.Mrs Gardiner,who was several years younger than Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips,was an amiable,intelligent,elegant woman,and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces.Between the two eldest and herself especially,there subsisted a very particular regard.They had frequently been staying with her in town.
The first part of Mrs Gardiner's business on her arrival,was to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions.When this was done,she had a less active part to play.It became her turn to listen.Mrs Bennet had many grievances to relate,and much to complain of.They had all been very ill used since she last saw her sister.Two of her girls had been on the point of marriage,and after all there was nothing in it.
‘I do not blame Jane,’she continued,‘for Jane would have got Mr Bingley,if she could.But Lizzy!Oh,sister!It is very hard to think that she might have been Mr Collins's wife by this time,had not it been for her own perverseness.He made her an offer in this very room,and she refused him.The consequence of it is,that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have,and that Longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever.The Lucases are very artful people indeed,sister.They are all for what they can get.I am sorry to say it of them,but so it is.It makes me very nervous and poorly,to be thwarted so in my own family,and to have neighbours who think of themselves before any body else.However,your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts,and I am very glad to hear what you tell us,of long sleeves.’
Mrs Gardiner,to whom the chief of this news had been given before,in the course of Jane and Elizabeth's correspondence with her,made her sister a slight answer,and,in compassion to her nieces,turned the conversation.
When alone with Elizabeth afterwards,she spoke more on the subject.‘It seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane,’said she.‘I am sorry it went off.But these things happen so often!A young man,such as you describe Mr Bingley,so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks,and when accident separates them,so easily forgets her,that these sorts of inconstancies are very frequent.’
‘An excellent consolation in its way,’said Elizabeth,‘but it will not do for us.We do not suffer by accident.It does not often happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man of independent fortune to think no more of a girl,whom he was violently in love with only a few days before.’
‘But that expression of ‘violently in love’is so hackneyed,so doubtful,so indefinite,that it gives me very little idea.It is as often applied to feelings which arise from an half hour's acquaintance,as to a real,strong attachment.Pray,how violent was Mr Bingley's love?’
‘I never saw a more promising inclination.He was growing quite inattentive to other people,and wholly engrossed by her.Every time they met,it was more decided and remarkable.At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies by not asking them to dance,and I spoke to him twice myself without receiving an answer.Could there be finer symptoms?Is not general incivility the very essence of love?’
‘Oh,yes!-of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt.Poor Jane!I am sorry for her,because,with her disposition,she may not get over it immediately.It had better have happened to you,Lizzy;you would have laughed yourself out of it sooner.But do you think she would be prevailed on to go back with us?Change of scene might be of service-and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as any thing.’
Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal,and felt persuaded of her sister's ready acquiescence.