Overhearings More to the Purpose Chapters 1-3 Chapter 1 Elizabeth was not at all concerned about having to sit out the dance. Truth be told she actually felt a small, smug sense of triumph over managing to avoid a certain potential partner once again - and sitting out the set was a small price to pay for continued freedom from his attentions. She congratulated herself on her successful maneuvering, and allowed herself a smile as she looked across to see her enthusiastic admirer dancing instead with Kitty. Perhaps he was finally getting the hint that his interest was not reciprocated. It then occurred to her that she'd already promised the remaining few dances of the evening, and she relaxed in the satisfaction of knowing she'd successfully side-stepped Mr. Henry Elton for the whole of the assembly. Appreciating the opportunity she now had to sit back and observe, Elizabeth chose to sit in a quieter corner of the hall rather than join the matrons in their gossip, or the other girls who had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit out the two dances. As she cast her eye around the room she was pleasantly surprised to see Mary, who didn't get the opportunity to dance as frequently as her sisters, standing up with one of the Lucas boys. Continuing to run her eye down the couples, her smile broadened as she discerned Jane, again with Mr. Bingley. Her sister's countenance showed a restrained pleasure at being afforded the honour of partnering this amiable and handsome man for a second time that evening. Bingley had requested Elizabeth's hand for the two dances that would follow, but as she could already discern a promising inclination toward her older sister, and she fully intended to make Jane the topic of conversation during her ow dances with Bingley. Bingley's sisters were also both standing up in this set, Mrs. Hurst with her husband, a young foppish looking man, and Miss Bingley with the eldest Witherspoon boy. The look of condescending patience on Miss Bingley's face amused Elizabeth no end. She had already come to the conclusion that the sisters were not nearly as amiable as the brother, and she enjoyed the fact that Miss Bingley looked somewhat discomforted. Actually, it occurred to Elizabeth, she'd not seen Miss Bingley look comfortable once over the whole course of the evening... not even during her dances with the superior looking Mr. Darcy - as it then appeared as though she were trying too hard to be the perfect partner. Mr. Darcy, she thought to herself, was an odd one indeed, and she wondered at him being such good friends with the open and personable Mr. Bingley. Aside from dancing only once with each of the Bingley sisters, he'd spent the evening roaming the room and looking generally unapproachable. It was only upon Bingley's taking a moment from Jane and drawing quite near, that she discerned that Mr. Darcy was, at that moment, actually standing close by - close enough in fact, to enable Elizabeth to clearly overhear the beginnings of their conversation. ``Come, Darcy,'' Bingley began, ``I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.'' ``I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.'' Elizabeth suppressed a smirk at his arrogance, and was pleased to hear Mr. Bingley rejoin with a defense. ``I would not be so fastidious as you are,'' cried Bingley, ``for a kingdom! Upon my honour I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening; and there are several of them, you see, uncommonly pretty.'' Elizabeth, however did not get to hear Mr. Darcy's reply, as Charlotte had discovered her hiding place and approached to claim her attention. "Lizzy! So here you are. When I saw you'd managed to evade this dance with Mr. Elton, I felt sure you'd join our circle for conversation." "I might have Charlotte, but I'm afraid Mother has been too much inspired by the sight of Jane receiving a second invitation to dance with Mr. Bingley, and I decided to maintain my distance in order to escape from her effusions. I'll have enough of it on the way home and sadly, in a carriage there's no means of escape." "I'm surprised he didn't ask you to dance Lizzy - politeness really might have suggested it." "Oh, he has - for the next two - but I think I may have been rather an afterthought," Elizabeth grinned, "...and who can blame him? Jane looks absolutely stunning again this evening, and the animation her pleasure gives her, makes her look more beautiful still, wouldn't you agree?" "She does look lovely," Charlotte replied, "but really Lizzy, I wouldn't undervalue yourself. You might still have a chance if you play your cards right during your dance, as you have both beauty and spirit." The dignified Mr. Darcy turned as he heard laughter from the girl he had just described as 'tolerable' to Bingley. She was obviously enjoying her conversation with a friend. He was momentarily caught by the humour in her countenance and by her laughter's natural ring, before reminding himself of the lack of fashionable decorum that such frivolity displayed, and walked away. "You can be so funny Charlotte," Elizabeth countered. "Why would I want to cut my sister out?" "Well..." Charlotte replied, ever the advocate for the promotion of her pretty young friend, "...if you don't feel comfortable with that course of action, maybe you'll get an opportunity to try for his friend." Elizabeth felt a burst of apprehension, and looked up quickly, fearing that Mr. Darcy might still be close enough to overhear her friend's comment. It was with relief she discerned he had moved to the other end of the room. "I think Charlotte," Elizabeth replied, her cheekiness rising with her relief, "that Mr. Darcy is a little too enamoured with himself , and is unlikely to have time, or inclination, for anyone of our society." "Come now Lizzy, I'm sure you're judging him too quickly. You've not even spoken with the man." "I may have not exchanged words with him Charlotte, but his behaviour and manners speak volumes." "He may just be of a reserved nature," Charlotte countered. "We really have no basis to assume otherwise." "Ah! ...but here I have the advantage over you." Elizabeth smiled triumphantly. "Only minutes ago I overheard him tell his friend it would be a punishment to stand up with anyone outside his party... I kid you not." "Are you certain you heard quite correctly Lizzy?" "Yes quite certain. He hates dancing and 'it would be quite insupportable at an assembly such as this'," Lizzy finished off in a superior clipped tone. Charlotte looked a warning at her friend. "I wouldn't be so eager to judge Lizzy," she said with seriousness a little alien to their conversation so far. "His pride doesn't offend me so much as pride often does, because there's an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, every thing in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud.'' Elizabeth took a moment to reflect on her friend's words, before answering with equal seriousness. "That may be true, but it doesn't necessarily follow that in order to think highly of ones-self, that you have to think meanly of others... No, I reserve my right to think what I will of the man." March 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 The next few weeks gave Elizabeth a number of opportunities to again observe the newcomers, and these only served to confirm her initial assessments of the occupants of Netherfield. She still discerned a superciliousness in the Bingley sisters' treatment of everyone, hardly even excepting Jane, who'd been adopted by them as a particular favourite, and Mr. Darcy remained the man who thought himself above his company, and made himself agreeable no-where. Mr. Bingley though, continued to prove himself pleasant and amiable, and his admiration of Jane only became more evident. Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley's attentions to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. Of this she was perfectly unaware. He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. He even managed to exchange a few words with her before, upon the urgings of Charlotte, she was obliged to leave their circle and move to the instrument. Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display. Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Lucases and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room. Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by his own thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began. ``What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! -- There is nothing like dancing after all. -- I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.'' ``Certainly, Sir -- and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.'' Sir William only smiled. ``Your friend performs delightfully;'' he continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group, ``and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy.'' ``You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, Sir.'' ``Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?'' ``Never, sir.'' ``Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?'' ``It is a compliment which I never pay to any place, if I can avoid it.'' ``You have a house in town, I conclude?'' Mr. Darcy bowed. ``I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself -- for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.'' He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed to make any; and seeing Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the notion of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her, ``My dear Miss Eliza, why are not you dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you.'' And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William, ``Indeed, Sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.'' Mr. Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honour of her hand; and Elizabeth was almost persuaded to take it. She might have had she not recalled anew his disdainful comment about there being 'no woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to stand up with' at the Meryton assembly. ``You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half hour.'' ``Mr. Darcy is all politeness,'' said Elizabeth, smiling. ``He is indeed -- but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object to such a partner?'' Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency when he was, only a few minutes later, accosted by Miss Bingley. Her voice, though conspiratorial, was not low enough to prevent it from being heard by Elizabeth, who was at that moment moving close by at the back of them, as she returned to again seek Charlotte's company. ``I can guess the subject of your reverie.'' ``I should imagine not,'' Darcy replied. ``You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner -- in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! -- What would I give to hear your strictures on them!'' Feeling, despite her indignation, that discretion was the greater part of valour, Elizabeth was about to move away, determining she'd rather not be privy to the derisive or condescending agreement that would doubtless follow from Darcy's lips, but instead she was taken completely by surprise at his assertion that Miss Bingley's conjecture was totally wrong, and that his mind was more agreeably engaged. "I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.'' As Miss Bingley fixed her eyes on his face, desiring him to tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections, Elizabeth began to stealthily remove herself from her awkward and unwanted position as eaves dropper - the idea of being to privy to an intimate moment between these two was almost as offensive as being privy to their condescension. Elizabeth's thoughts thus engaged Mr. Darcy managed to take her completely by surprise for a second time that evening, with his intrepid reply... "Miss Elizabeth Bennet." March 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 Moments of reflection in the days that followed, were insufficient for Elizabeth to reconcile herself with that which she had overheard between Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man, but was unable to deny the testimony of her own ears. Although she had determined to put the matter aside and not think on it again, she found her mind sometimes returning to it in unguarded moments, and was never quite able to make sense of it. She had been in the same company as Mr. Darcy on a number of occasions now, and the Lucas's party was the first occasion on which he had spoken to her. Now that she thought on it, Mr. Darcy had not initiated either of the short exchanges they'd shared; the first she began herself, as an impertinent reaction to his attending to her conversation with Colonel Forster, and the second was only due to Sir William's interference. She had no assurance that he would have even spoken to her had he been left to his own devices. Maybe Elizabeth would have been able to make more sense of that which she'd heard, had she been able to talk it over with someone else - but she dare not. She would keep this one to tight to herself, knowing that her mother would be unbearable if she picked up even the slightest inking that Mr. Darcy might find one of her daughters attractive. Elizabeth couldn't help smiling at the humour of situation though, and she found it amusing on more levels that one. Firstly, she was unable to forget the look between disbelief and disgust that had crossed Caroline's face upon Darcy's disclosure. It was obvious that Caroline had expected to hear her own name, at least quite as much as Elizabeth had expected to hear it, and Lizzy found it hard not to feel a little evil pleasure at the disappointment of such a 'superior' and self-important woman. Her second source of amusement was her own ill luck in regard to the men she seemed to attract. Having just managed to dissuade the persistent and earnest Mr. Henry Elton from his pursuit, it seemed perverse indeed that she had apparently gained the attention of another man whom she could just not like. Doubtless he was good looking, there was no denying of that... actually, he was more than good looking... he was very handsome indeed... his figure was unquestionably tall and striking... he had an easy independence, an established estate... and there was a part of her which found pleasure in being able to catch the eye of such a man... Still, Elizabeth reminded herself, pulling her mind from where it had wandered, he was also an incredibly condescending an arrogant man, which rather spoilt the picture. "Well," Elizabeth consoled herself, "it seems rather unlikely that he will lower himself to pay me any particular attention, and if he does, at least I'm forewarned against giving anything that might be construed as encouragement." ~/~ Elizabeth's thoughts on the subject faded however, as days passed with no personal contact at all with the Netherfield party. Jane, who has been claimed as a particular friend by the Bingley sisters, had received an invitation to visit with the women, but as Elizabeth had made no effort to become in anyway intimate with the two, she had not been included in this hospitable request. This created no jealousy for the younger sister, and in fact she found herself rather more than relieved that she was not in Jane's position when Jane became trapped at Netherfield over night due to a heavy fall of rain. Elizabeth found now, that thoughts of Mr. Darcy were easily put aside when considerations of her sister were foremost in her mind, and this was certainly the case upon Elizabeth's reading the note that she received from Jane on the morning following Jane's visit to the Netherfield ladies. My dearest Lizzy, I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones -- therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me -- and excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me. Yours, &c.' She felt resentment anew at Mrs. Bennet's instance, on the preceding day, that Jane not take the carriage in answer to her invitation to Netherfield. The mother's hopes that her daughter might become stranded at Mr. Bingley's home if the weather turned bad, had certainly come to fruition, but in Elizabeth's mind a mild concern had arisen since the rain had indeed arrived, and now this letter confirmed her uneasiness. ``Well, my dear,'' said Mr. Bennet, ``if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.'' ``Oh! I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As long is she stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see her, if I could have the carriage.'' Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. She declared her resolution. ``How can you be so silly,'' cried her mother, ``as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.'' ``I shall be very fit to see Jane -- which is all I want.'' ``Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,'' said her father, ``to send for the horses?'' ``No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner.'' On the way to Netherfield Elizabeth worked off some of her indignation toward her mother, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise. She gave little thought to what the occupants of Netherfield might think until just before she was shown into the breakfast-parlour, and took only a short moment to slightly adjust her dress to cover a little of the mud she had accumulated during her walk. All but Jane were assembled, and she could not fail to notice her appearance created a great deal of surprise. -- That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, but Elizabeth found it impossible not to try to somewhat assess his reaction. That he was looking at her with some interest, she could not deny, but she was unable to read his thoughts from his expression... which was really not surprising, as Mr. Darcy was having difficulty in determining his thoughts himself. He was too divided between an admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and his doubt as to the occasion of Jane's illness justifying her coming so far alone. Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and on her way to Jane's room, only had time to think briefly, that her dishevelled appearance that morning was probably enough to put an end to any of Mr. Darcy's admiration. Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her. When breakfast was over, they were joined by the sisters, and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Jane, whose feverish symptoms increased, and whose head ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had in fact nothing to do elsewhere. When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go; and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern in parting with her that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay, and bring back a supply of clothes. AT five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. She found herself very glad for the clothes her mother had sent, but was a little annoyed at herself at the same time for being so concerned that her appearance that evening should make up somewhat for her state upon her arrival that morning. Despite telling herself that she did not care to impress anyone, she could not help but take special care with her hair, dress, and toilet, before going downstairs. The small surge of triumph she felt upon discerning Darcy's interest as she entered the room, clearly showed her that there had been some dishonesty in denying that she was trying to impress, and she could not help but feel a little hypocritical in knowing that on some level she liked Darcy's attention - despite disliking the man himself. To the civil enquiries which then poured in, and amongst which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of Mr. Bingley's, she could not make a very favourable answer. Jane was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves, and then thought no more of the matter; and their indifference towards Jane, when not immediately before them, restored Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all her original dislike. When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, so was not party to the conversation that immediately took place upon her leaving the room. Miss Bingley wasted no time in beginning her abuse. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thought the same, and added, ``She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.'' ``She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowsy!'' ``Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had been let down to hide it not doing its office.'' ``Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,'' said Bingley; ``but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well, when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.'' ``You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,'' said Miss Bingley, ``and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.'' ``Certainly not.'' ``To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.'' ``It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,'' said Bingley. ``I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,'' observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, ``that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.'' ``Not at all,'' he replied; ``they were brightened by the exercise." Next |
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