“Lizzie I am delighted to know you accepted my marriage proposals.”
“I am delighted that you have such a high opinion of me. From our last meeting, I gathered you highly respected me, but of your love I was not aware.”
“I fear, I could not make my feelings known, for Mr Darcy thought of you in a similar way.”
“How is Mr Darcy?”
“He is very well indeed, and is soon to be married to Miss Anne de Burgh.”
“He will be pleased then, they are well matched.”
The happy couple walked back to Longbourn together, where Mr Bennet requested that Colonel Fitzwilliam should remain at Longbourn for the night.
“I thank you Sir, for your hospitality, but my work commitments suggest that I should best return tonight, thank you again. God bless you.” He removed his hat, and bowed nobly, then stepped gracefully into his carriage.
“I must congratulate you Lizzie, he is quite a charming young man,” Mr Bennet declared with pride in his voice, as the family walked into the house.
“There is post for you”, announced Mrs Hill, holding out a letter towards Kitty. “It arrived only this morning”. Kitty immediately suspected it as post from Lydia, her only correspondent, so she eagerly ripped open the envelope wondering what delights had come into Lydia’s life.
“My dearest Kitty. I’m so excited, I can barely hold my pen still. I do hope you are able to read this, but if you can’t, then hand it to Jane, as she’ll be able to translate this. My dear husband, Mr Wickham, received this news only a few days ago. At the old camp in Brighton, an enormous fight broke out, involving many officers. Mr Wickham is not sure of the particulars, but several of the officers were seriously injured, and one, Mr Denny, was killed!” Kitty began sobbing uncontrollably, as Mr Denny had been a great favourite of her and Lydia’s.
“My child, what is the matter,” asked Mr Bennet in an unconcerned tone. Kitty passed the letter to Jane, who re-read the passage aloud. Mr Bennet remained unfazed.
“I don’t understand, what Lydia finds so exciting though,” sobbed Kitty.
“Jane read on.” ordered Mr Bennet.
“When Mr Denny’s will was read, it was found that he had entailed his entire estate to myself, the only woman whom he loved, and Mr Wickham. This was on the condition that the money was used to give me a life of luxury, something, my dear sister, which I often dream about, and not to pay off new gambling debts. Oh Kitty, this is so exciting, if you knew how I felt…I’ll be able to afford my own horse, maybe several, and we may buy property in the country…” The list of items, which Lydia intended to buy went on for several pages.
“Never mind, the money will soon be spent, and Lydia will be back in the same situation as she was before. Do not be troubled my dear.” Said Mr Bennet. “And, Jane, you seem rather subdued, what is troubling you?”
“Father, I was just thinking, now that Mr Bingley has left Netherfield, and has no plans on returning. It is likely that he will be married before I next see him. The Phillip’s children are growing up, and reaching an age where they will need a Governess. I just wondered whether they’d be wanting another woman around the house. They do not live far from Longbourn, so I wouldn’t be living far from home. It is, quite a perfect situation.”
“Well, Jane, if you feel that you would lead a happy life, in this unselfish way, then I praise you. The Phillip’s I’m sure would be delighted to have you, I shall write straight away. And Mary, what is it that you would like to do with your life? Do you have any secret admirers who I am not aware of, who are about to whisk you off too?”
“I do not have a passion for seeking a husband, rather my passion lies with studying the scriptures and the church. I would like to serve the church, and live as a nun.”
“Oh goodness, Mary, you’re not serious,” Kitty burst out. But Mary who had never taken an interest in men, balls, and finery, which her sisters enjoyed, looked earnest; so much so that her father gave in.
“Well, Kitty, it looks like you’re the last one left. But don’t look so downcast, my dear,” said Mr Bennet seeing Kitty’s tearful face, “I’m sure a young lover will wend his way to you soon enough, even if it takes one or two years. I shall look forward to the occasion when I must give consent for you too.”
Unresolved Ending
“Mrs Bennet, Mrs Bennet, I have just received news of Mr Bingley returning at long last to Netherfield.”
“Oh! This is good news; he is here to see my dear Jane at long last! I must tell Mr Bennet to call upon him. Well Hill, what are you waiting for? We must have Jane ready, make haste! Mr Bennet! Mr Bennet!”
“I have already told you, that I will not wait on Mr Bingley!” Said Mr Bennet, turning his back on her in an exasperated manner. “Last time, you promised me that if I did, one of my daughters would be married off, but still I see, Jane, Lizzie and three of the silliest girls ever born, living here at Longbourn!”
“Well, suit yourself! But it will be all your fault when the Collins’ turn us out of our own house when you are gone. Then you’ll be wishing you’d called on Mr Bingley…” cried Mrs Bennet.
Mr Bennet sighed. “My dear, how is it I should know, if I am safe in my grave?”
Despite this conflict, Mr Bennet did indeed pay Mr Bingley a visit the following day, and handed an invitation to dine at Longbourn the following evening, though Mrs Bennet was wholly unaware of it.
“My dear, I do hope you have ordered a good dinner tonight, for we shall have an extra guest.”
“Who?” cried Lydia and Kitty in unison.
“He is a polite man, well mannered, with good humour. I dare say you might recognise him.”
The gong for dinner sounded, and the visitor was shown in.
“Oh Mr Bingley! You have come at last. We were expecting you. Mr Bennet is so cruel; he wouldn’t go to see you, but now you’ve come. Come and sit by our dear Jane”
Elizabeth caught Jane’s eye, and the pair smiled. These embarrassing scenes from their mother were a regular occurrence.
“Well! We were beginning to think you would never return to Netherfield, you’ve been away for so long. We’ve all missed you terribly, Jane especially!” Mrs Bennet winked at Jane. Jane looked away.
“Were you not aware of my sister’s being in Gracechurch Street?” Lizzie questioned, in a puzzled voice. “Surely you must have received her letters? We were indeed, anticipating a reply.”
“I’m sorry Miss Bennet, but I knew nothing of this, and letters I did not receive. Perhaps they were delivered to the wrong address,” Mr Bingley sounded shocked. Elizabeth said no more.
To cover the awkward silence, Lydia cried,
“Mr Bingley! Will you be hosting another ball? The last one was so merry, and it would be a great scandal if you did not host another!”
“I certainly will be hosting a ball, though the date I have not yet decided.” Mr Bingley had indeed already planned to host a ball, but he felt that the company of the Bennets would be not be approved of by many of his friends and relatives. The news of Wickham’s affair with Lydia and the family’s disgrace at not being able to finance the marriage was an infamous subject of gossip in the neighbourhood. Nevertheless, it would have been impolite to not invite the Bennets, or so Mr Bingley felt.
On the day of Netherfield Ball the Longbourn household was in a state of confusion. Lydia was running about in her petticoat. In all the chaos, Kitty had carelessly torn her ballgown.
“Well, what are you fussing over my child? You may wear one of Lydia’s, make haste, the carriage will arrive any moment!” panted Mrs Bennet. “Hill! Hill! Oh where is she? Hill…oh there you are. Leave Lizzie; she is quite capable of dressing herself. Come and help Jane, she must be ready!”
At last Mrs Bennet was satisfied that all her girls could not make themselves anymore beautiful, except of course Mary who took no interest in her appearance and consequently Mrs Bennet took no interest in her. Mr Bennet had, after some persuasion, allowed them to use the carriage, and all the way Mrs Bennet and Lydia prattled on about who should dance with whom. Lydia had assumed a role of confidante with her mother on such matters since her affair with Wickham and instead of being contrite about the situation, she was even more outrageous, much to Jane, Lizzie, Mary, and their father’s indignation.
“Ah, I see Netherfield looks just as good as before; in fact it even looks better. And to think that I’ll have one of my daughters settled there soon!”
“Mother!” exclaimed Jane.
“Well, so you shall, once Bingley sets his eyes on you. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you at dinner, until Lizzie went and spoilt things by telling him of your being in London. He was embarrassed you see, I know it!”
“Mother, I do not think Lizzie intended to make him feel awkward”.
Lizzie’s eyes strayed from the elegant entrance to the two tall ladies standing just inside the hallway.
“Good Lord, I cannot believe that the Bennet family have arrived. How do they have the nerve to set foot in this place, when they are so despised amongst us?” Miss Bingley said to Mrs Hurst. “I do not understand their ignorance”.
Indeed, Miss Bingley was not the only guest to observe the Bennet’s arrival. Many others had noticed, and the conversation quickly turned to Mr Wickham’s dealings with Lydia. There was not a person in the room who was unfamiliar with their story.
After drinks had been served, Mr Darcy stood up. Everyone’s eyes turned towards him. He looked at the Bennet’s, then looked away. Lizzie sensed that he once more thought only ill of their family, and she prepared herself for the worst.
“May I use this occasion to send my warmest congratulations to Mr Bingley on his recent engagement to my own dear sister, Miss Darcy? I wish them many happy years together.”
The room applauded, but the Bennet family looked horrified.
“Mr Bingley. Engaged to Miss Darcy. Impossible!” whispered Elizabeth to her elder sister who stared blankly into the distance not wishing to meet the eyes of her family. The two young ladies withdrew quietly from the company and Jane in her usual calm disposition shared her thoughts with her dear sister.
“Then Mr Darcy will be a happy man. I felt something was wrong when Mr Bingley was at Longbourn with us. His manners, so polite, but his affection towards me was somewhat different from the last time I met with him.”
“The hateful man! Darcy used his ill feelings for our family, to deliberately destroy your hopes, Jane”.
Elizabeth was suddenly aware of a commotion in the dining room.
“Oh my Lord! Mother! She has fainted!”
Mrs Bennet had been staring into space as though she was dreaming. However, when it hit her that the events were actually real, it was like a bullet from a gun being fired at her. The shot had struck her right at the heart.
The carriage was immediately summoned for. Mr Bingley had said that she may remain at Netherfield, but Jane thought it best for her mother to be taken to the comfort of her own home. On arriving back at Longbourn, a doctor was sent for. The house was in a state of chaos but in the midst of it all Hill announced the arrival of an unexpected visitor.
“Miss Elizabeth, Mr Darcy is here to see you.”
“What more could that man want?” said Elizabeth, disgusted.
“Miss Bennet, I have come to apologise for arranging the marriage between Mr Bingley and Miss Darcy, but with the history of your family, I felt it was for the best.”
“I cannot forgive…” Mr Darcy held up his hand. “I have also come to tell you, that despite of all this, I still love you, and that you are the sole woman who will make my life happy, so will you do me the honour…”
“Mr Darcy, I cannot, and will not forgive you. You say that I am the only woman who will make your life pleasurable, but at the same time you have shattered my dearest sister’s hopes, you have publicly humiliated my family, and amongst that paid nothing but insults to my family. Until this evening, my love for you had been steadily growing. I felt sure that should you ask me again, I would readily accept, but you have now destroyed my feelings for you. All I can say is, I want nothing more to do with you! Good day!” Elizabeth stormed off; she did not see Hill running towards her,
“Miss Elizabeth, your mother wishes to see you. She is very ill indeed; I fear she won’t make the night!” Elizabeth hurried to her mother.
Mrs Bennet died later that day, and even Mr Bennet withdrew from his library to comfort the grieving family. “There there. There’s no need to cry; after all, she got what she wanted.”
“What do you mean?” asked Elizabeth, in between Lydia’s huge sobs.
“Well at least she need not worry about the Collins’ turning her out when I am gone!”
