Kitty and Lydia spend all their time visiting my aunt Philips and buying new bonnets whenever their allowance makes it possible.
Mary is as studious as ever. Her book of extracts is almost full and she has plans to embark on a second volume.
Give my love to my uncle and my cousins.
Your affectionate
Lizzy
Miss Charlotte Lucas to Miss Susan Sotherton
Lucas Lodge, Hertfordshire,
October 27
Dear Susan,
You have asked for more information about the new tenant of Netherfield Park, and you shall have it. Elizabeth has no doubt told you about the assembly ball, where Mr Bingley was the wonder of the evening, new neighbours being rare in this part of the world. I only wish his presence here were not at your expense, for you are sorely missed.
Mr Bingley is fond of company and prefers to spend time with his neighbours instead of with his horses and his dogs as so many men do. He drinks very little and shows no interest in games of chance, save as a means of being agreeable at parties. I must confess I find it refreshing. After living with so many brothers who can think of little but their hounds and their bottle, it is a relief to find someone who likes conversation and dancing. You will remember Alfred, my youngest brother, of course. He is only twelve but already he shows signs of following my other brothers in their favourite pursuits. His favourite occupation at the moment is bragging about how much wine he would drink and how many hounds he would keep if he were as rich as Mr Darcy. Unfortunately, he embarked on his usual bragging when we visited the Bennets and Mrs Bennet was not wise enough to let it pass. Instead she spent the visit arguing with him and so it went, back and forth, with her saying that she would take the bottle away from him if she saw him with it and he saying that she should not.
But there, I have said nothing of Mr Darcy yet. He is Mr Bingley’s friend, though how two such dissimilar men came to be friends I cannot imagine. Mr Darcy is sullen where his friend is lively; aloof where Mr Bingley is friendly; and superior where Mr Bingley is affable. He gave everyone a disgust of him at the assembly, and half of Meryton wishes he would go back to Derbyshire, where apparently he has a very fine estate. No doubt opinion of him would change if he showed any interest in one of the neighbourhood beauties, but he is far too superior for that. He talks only to Mr Bingley’s sisters, who are handsome and fashionable women. The rest of us are beneath his notice.
Mr Bingley, though, seems ready to fall in love. He is very attentive to Jane Bennet. I am sure I hope it might come to something, for it would be a very good match for her. I am persuaded that she would be as happy as anyone ever is in marriage. I am not romantic, you know, and if a good man showed half as much interest in me as Mr Bingley is showing in Jane, I would have no difficulty in encouraging him. His wife will have a comfortable home, she will be respectable, and in addition she will have a husband who has no flaws for her to be ashamed of.
I have told Elizabeth that she should use her influence with Jane and advise her sister to show more interest in him, but Elizabeth is romantic and thinks that Jane needs more time to truly understand Mr Bingley’s character. I cannot agree with her. Jane and Mr Bingley have spent four evenings together, and if she were married tomorrow, I should think Jane had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character a twelvemonth. But it is no good. Elizabeth is content to let them go on as they are, and Jane has such a composed manner that Mr Bingley will never guess at her feelings unless she does or says something to make him understand.
It is a pity. It is clear that he likes her, and if she would only do something to help him on, I believe he would make her an offer. But otherwise I fear it will come to nothing. He is an unassuming young man, unaware of his own attractions, and he will not have the courage to ask for her hand unless she gives him some sign that it would be welcome.
My own prospects for marriage are no better than they were when you went away. Although I am happy enough at home, I would like my own establishment, rather than having to live my life with Mama and Papa; but unless another young man just happens to arrive in the neighbourhood, I fear my chances are slim.
But what of you? Has Bath cured your father of his unfortunate propensities? Has it brought you any new acquaintance worth having? Write and tell me all your news.
Your friend,
Charlotte
NOVEMBER
Miss Mary Bennet to Miss Lucy Sotherton
Longbourn, Hertfordshire,
November 5
Most noble Friend,
My plans for improvement have already reaped me rich rewards and I hope that your own endeavours have been as well received. As you know—for you, dear Lucy, are of a similar mind—I am not inclined to waste my time in the frivolity of social engagements, but I was compelled by my mother to attend a gathering at Sir William Lucas’s house last night. She swept aside my arguments—for, not being a Learned Woman, she was unable to appreciate their potency—and said irritably, ‘I thought you would want to show off, you have been practising that piece long enough.’
I was much struck, for though her sentiment was badly expressed, it echoed my own feelings that I should indeed be sharing my accomplishments with the world. I therefore condescended to attend the gathering. I was amply rewarded, for when I succeeded my sister Elizabeth at the pianoforte, Mr Darcy listened to my concerto with a look of astonishment. He had obviously not expected such a high degree of excellence from a young woman in such a small town.
Alas! My sisters then demanded a jig and I was forced to accede to their wishes, though as I remarked to Mr Shackleton afterwards, ‘A jig might feed the body but a concerto feeds the soul.’
He was much struck and begged for permission to copy it into his book of extracts.
Lydia, Jane and Kitty danced for the rest of the evening, but I did not indulge in the activity. Elizabeth almost danced, for when Sir William saw that she was without a partner, he begged one for her, but it came to nothing. If Sir William had been a Learned Man, he would not have chosen Mr Darcy to be the object of his solicitations, for Mr Darcy had already said that he did not like to dance.
I believe that Mr Darcy and I have much in common. We share a love of music and, like Mr Darcy, I am not given to dancing. I think he had the right of it when he explained his aversion to the exercise by saying to Sir William, ‘Every savage can dance.’ I was much struck by the truth of it and I have copied it into my book of extracts.
Your friend,
Mary
Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Miss Susan Sotherton
Longbourn, Hertfordshire,
November 5
My dear Susan,
I should not triumph in it, I know, but I had a chance of turning the tables on Mr Darcy when we were at the Lucases’ last night, thereby changing mortification to something far more satisfactory. Sir William, seeing me without a partner, entreated Mr Darcy to dance with me, and before Mr Darcy could refuse I replied coolly that I had no intention of dancing. Mr Darcy was confounded and my feelings were assuaged.
Jane’s evening was even more satisfactory than mine, as Mr Bingley continued to pay her attention of the most particular kind.
I truly believe he is falling in love with her, and he is so agreeable that I think he might even be worthy of her.
Mama is effusive in her praise of him already, and if he offers for Jane, then her joy will know no bounds. Poor Mr Bingley! I fear he does not know what awaits him.
Your friend,
Lizzy
Mrs Louisa Hurst to Mrs Bingley
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,
November 12
Dear Mama,
We are now settled at Netherfield Park for the winter, it seems. Charles is very happy here, though Caroline and I are less so. The town is devoid of fashionable people and we have to make do with a strange assortment of neighbours. Mr Darcy is as bored as we are. He refused to dance at the first assembly and a
lthough he was nearly forced into it a few days ago, for the sake of politeness, it all came to nothing, for when Sir William Lucas tried to encourage him to dance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she refused him. I am not surprised. Sir William had all but begged a partner for her and no one with any spirit would have acquiesced. It did her no harm in Darcy’s opinion—quite the opposite. He was caught by her refusal and remarked later that she had fine eyes. If only Caroline would take a lesson from this, she might have a better chance of catching him, but she can never bear to refuse him anything. She was annoyed when he praised Miss Elizabeth, and she vented her feelings by teasing him about his forthcoming marriage. Mr Darcy said he knew she would be jumping to conclusions and he bore it all with perfect indifference. It made Caroline so jealous that for a week she would not invite Jane Bennet to dine with us, but fortunately she has now relented, though it is more because we are to be alone this evening, the gentlemen dining from home, than any lessening in her jealousy. She is writing a note to Miss Bennet now.
Your daughter,
Louisa
Miss Caroline Bingley to Miss Jane Bennet
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,
November 12
My dear Friend,
If you are not so compassionate as to dine today with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day’s tête-à-tête between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.
Yours ever,
Caroline Bingley
Miss Kitty Bennet to Miss Eleanor Sotherton
Longbourn, Hertfordshire,
November 12
Dear Ellie,
You will never guess! It is the most adorable thing! The town is full of officers! Yes, I know, is it not marvellous? They are all young and handsome and they wear bright red coats with brass buttons and they are so handsome you have never seen anything like it. Lydia and I go to my aunt’s every day and we meet them there all the time. We see them on the way there, too, and on the way back again. I wish you were here, there are so many officers we have enough and to spare. I hate to think of you in Bath with all the old people with gout and corns. Tell your Papa to hurry up and win his fortune back again and then you can come back to Netherfield—although no, not too soon, because Jane is going to marry Mr Bingley or so Mama says, so Mr Bingley must remain at Netherfield until that is accomplished. But once he and Jane are married, then you must come back and meet all the officers. Lydia and I are wild to see them every day. Papa says we are the two silliest girls in the country, and to be sure that put a dampener on my excitement for a minute, but then Mama said that we are very clever and I believe she has the right of it.
The colonel of the regiment is Colonel Forster and Mama says that if a smart young colonel with five or six thousand a year should want one of her daughters she would not say him nay. He used to be always at Miss Watson’s but they quarrelled and he does not go there so often now. Miss Watson does not mind, for she is besotted with Mr Robinson now. Lydia and I cannot understand it, and Lydia and Miss Watson have had a falling out about it. How can anyone like a man if he is not in a red coat? My aunt Philips says that now the colonel does not go to the Watsons’ he is very often to be met with in Clarke’s library. Lydia and I are wondering which of us he will pick, now that he is free again. Lydia thinks it will be her because she is the tallest, but I am the oldest. We are agreed that the other of us can have Captain Carter. We go to the library all the time and we are always changing our books but we never have time to read them. And now the officers are dining with Mr Bingley and we only found out because Jane has been invited to dine with Miss Bingley when the gentlemen are out. Mama thinks that that is unfortunate and I am sure I agree, for who would want to dine with Miss Bingley? But Jane has had to go. Mama sent her on horseback in the hope that it will rain and then Miss Bingley will have to ask her to stay overnight, so that Jane can see Mr Bingley in the morning. I wonder what he will have to say about the officers? I am quite wild to know what they talked about.
Love and kisses forever and ever,
Kitty
Miss Jane Bennet to Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,
November 13
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 affectionately,
Jane
Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Gardiner
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,
November 13
My dear Aunt Gardiner,
You will be surprised to see from the letter heading that I am writing to you from Netherfield Park, and I am very much afraid that the reason is not a happy one. Jane was invited to dine with Miss Bingley and it came on to rain as she rode over to Netherfield. She took cold and was invited to stay the night. Mama was delighted, for it meant that Jane would be thrown together with Mr Bingley, though why she wanted that to happen I cannot imagine, since a red nose and red eyes are hardly conducive to courtship.
Poor Jane was very poorly this morning and sent a note to Longbourn to inform us of her indisposition. I walked to Netherfield at once to keep her company. My appearance caused a great deal of surprise. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst found it incredible that I should have walked so far, though it is only three miles, and I am convinced they held me in contempt for it. Mr Darcy and Mr Hurst said nothing, but Mr Darcy looked down his nose at me, no doubt censuring me as much as the ladies. But Mr Bingley was all warmth. I like him better and better each day. He was concerned for Jane and he welcomed me openly, saying he was glad I had come and, I am persuaded, meaning it.
Jane was feverish and the apothecary was sent for. He promised her some draughts and advised her to return to bed, which she did, and she has remained there ever since. When it was time for me to go, Jane was so upset that Miss Bingley invited me to stay the night, and a servant has been dispatched to Longbourn to give them the news and to bring back a supply of clothes.
Jane was too ill to leave her room at dinnertime and I declared that I would not go downstairs, but she pressed me, saying that I must eat. I saw the sense of it but I would much rather have stayed with Jane, for I spent an uncomfortable evening. Miss Bingley and her sister made a few enquiries as to Jane’s health but soon forgot her. Mr Hurst asked me a few questions about my favourite food and when he discovered that I preferred a plain dish to a ragout he had nothing more to say. Mr Darcy was engrossed by Miss Bingley, who evidently has designs on him, for she flattered his library, his house, his sister and indeed anything else she could think of that was connected with him. She echoed all his sentiments and enlarged them wonderfully. Where Mr Bingley can see nothing but good in everyone and everything, his sister and Mr Darcy can see nothing but what needs criticising: Mr Bingley is amazed that young ladies—all of them!—can be so accomplished, netting purses and painting tables and covering screens. Mr Darcy, on the other hand, knows only half a dozen accomplished young ladies, and his faithful assistant was quick to agree, saying that a lady must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages, as well as possessing something in her tone of voice, her way of walking and her expressions, to deserve the word. Mr Darcy was not even satisfied with this, but added that she must also improve her mind by extensive reading. When I remarked that I wondered he knew any accomplished young ladies, he regarded me with a look of contempt, and Miss Bingley did likewise. They make a delightful pair, both of them puffed up with their own importance and conceit. I am sure I hope they marry quickly, for two people who are better suited to each other
would be hard to imagine. They can then indulge their love of criticising everyone else until the end of their days.
Mr Bingley was genuinely concerned about Jane and asked about her repeatedly. He did everything in his power to make the time pass pleasantly for me and I left the room in the end feeling that I would be very happy to have him as a brother-in-law.
Jane is sleeping now and I, too, will soon be going to bed, so for now, adieu.
Your affectionate niece,
Lizzy
Mr Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire,
November 13
Henry, I hear you are in London and so I will send you this in the hope it reaches you before you return to your regiment. I am staying with Bingley in Hertfordshire and I have met a friend of yours, a Colonel Forster, who is stationed nearby. He asks to be remembered to you. He is good company and seems resigned to spending his time with the militia in Meryton rather than fighting abroad, but perhaps this is because there seems to be a lady in the case, a Miss Watson who lives in Meryton. Whether it is a serious thing or not I cannot tell, but for the time being, at least, it makes him glad to be here.
If not for the military presence, our stay would be dull and boring. Like every other country neighbourhood, Meryton offers a confined and unvarying society. Bingleys’ sisters occupy themselves as best they can with Miss Bennet, one of Bingley’s neighbours, but they have little choice since she is the only tolerable young lady in the neighbourhood. At present she is indisposed, having taken cold when she rode over here to dine, and so they are deprived of even that small companionship; for although Miss Bennet is still at Netherfield, being too ill to remove, she remains confined to her room.
Miss Bennet’s sister is here, also, but Miss Elizabeth is not a favourite with Caroline and Louisa. They find her pert, and they amuse themselves at her expense by mocking her country habits. Miss Elizabeth, however, is not downcast; indeed, she seems to go out of her way to be different to the common herd. When she learnt of her sister’s illness, she walked three miles to see her and arrived here with muddy petticoats. What is more, she did not seem to be the least bit ashamed of them. You may imagine what a torrent of ridicule this brought forth from Caroline as soon as Miss Elizabeth left the room, although I could not help noticing that, despite the state of her petticoat, Miss Elizabeth’s eyes had been brightened by the exercise.
Dear Mr. Darcy: A Retelling of Pride and Prejudice Page 12
