Longbourn House
Hertfordshire
Dearest Catherine,
Since my last letter, we have experienced some unusual events at Longbourn, but I am sorry to say that I am not able to share any pleasant news with you. I find myself in rather low spirits for a number of reasons. I should begin with the story of a distant cousin, Mr Collins, who will inherit our house after the death of my dear father, as he is his closest male relative. Mr Collins came to pay us a visit here in Hertfordshire; he himself comes from Hunsford in Kent. He is the most aggravating, weary and long-winded man I have ever met in my entire life. I cannot put it in plain words how I detest him. My father was amused by the man's lack of real intelligence, constant grovelling compliments and apologies that lasted for hours on end! At dinner father scarcely spoke at all, but when the servants were withdrawn he thought it would be polite to have some conversation with his guest, but during dinner, he led Mr Collins to converse about Lady Catherine De Bourgh, his patroness. Amidst his glowing descriptions of the great Lady and her home, Rosings, he would be nothing with out the famous Lady Catherine De Bourgh. He decided to read Fordyce’s Sermons to us; the monotonous solemnity went on for three pages! Then Mr Collins participated in a game of backgammon with my father, he was exceptionally hopeless as expected.
The next day, my sisters and I walked over to Meryton with my “dear” cousin, and we encountered the Officers staying in Meryton. We noticed another man standing with them; one we do not know, he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure and a very pleasing address. Mr Denny introduced us to this delightful man, Mr Wickham. Only a few minutes later Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, who were riding on their horses down the street, interrupted us. Mr Bingley was the principal spokesperson and Jane as his object. Mr Darcy was extremely rude and did not even say good day or anything at all. Nevertheless, something strange happened when Mr Darcy’s eyes rested on Mr Wickham, both changed colour, one went red and the other white. Mr Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat in salutation that Mr Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of this? Mr Bingley did not seem to notice anything and cheerfully rode off with the ashen Mr Darcy. Mr Denny and Mr Wickham walked us to our dear Aunt Philips house and then made their bows, in spite of Lydia’s and my aunt’s invitation that they should come in. However, they promised to come in the evening.
Oh Catherine, I could not be more dissatisfied with Mr Collins than I already am. He went all around my aunt’s house praising her furniture and the size of the apartment; he said that he thought he was in a small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings. My aunt was confused on what Rosings was; I explained that it was the home of Great Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Then the officers came in, and Mr Wickham walked in, wearing his regimentals. The other officers were like a set; however, Mr Wickham was far beyond them all in person, countenance, air and walk. Finally, I was able to loose Mr Collins; he decided he wanted to play cards with my aunt, which I was glad of. Mr Wickham and I had the leisure to converse with each other. I had a very interesting tête-à-tête with him. It started by him asking about Netherfield, and how long Mr Darcy was to stay in Meryton. I told him about his grand estate in Derbyshire. He also gave me information about Mr Darcy of a different sort. I told you in my previous letter that Mr Darcy is so full of pride and arrogance, this is the worst yet. Let me tell you the story between poor Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy. The late Mr Darcy was a wonderful person, his godson was Wickham, who he loved and cared for. Wickham was intended to work for the church, which by now he would have been, if not for a certain Mr Darcy to be involved. The late Mr Darcy had promised Wickham a parish at their estate, but after he died, Darcy disregarded his father's promise and refused the parish to Wickham. I was astonished, how could this be overlooked? Why did not he seek legal redress, I enquired? There was informality in the terms of the bequest to give him no hope from the law. Mr Darcy chose this as a conditional recommendation. Mr Darcy was a selfish and spoilt child who grew into a heartless and unjust man. Mr Wickham also exposed that Mr Darcy's younger sister is a proud, unpleasant child. Wickham says that Mr Darcy is going to marry his cousin so that they can combine their two huge estates and have even more wealth all to themselves. How selfish! Then Mr Wickham explained to me that Mr Darcy's aunt is Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Mr. Collins' patron! I then imagined poor Miss Bingley. She wanted Mr Darcy to herself. Despite all the terrible things that Darcy has done to Mr Wickham, however, Mr Wickham vows that he will not ruin Darcy's reputation, out of respect for Mr Darcy's father whom Mr Wickham greatly admired. Mr Wickham additionally says that he will not run away from Mr Darcy since he has no cause to be afraid since Mr Darcy is the one who has done him wrong. I thought that those are both very good ideas and that he is a sensible and noble man.
