by Jane Austen
But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify enquiry.
Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could not be untouched by his politeness, and had they drawn his character22 from their own feelings, and his servant's report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known, would not have recognised it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest, however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible,23 that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily rejected. Neither had any thing occurred in the intelligence24 of their Lambton friends, that could materially lessen its weight. They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town,25 where the family did not visit 26 It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.
With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief27 of his concerns, with the son of his patron, were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.
As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours, endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings;28 and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of good will which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude.29—Gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough, to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner,30 where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride, excited not only astonishment but gratitude31—for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself,32 and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses.33
It had been settled in the evening, between the aunt and niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy's, in coming to them on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley, for she had reached it only to a late breakfast,34 ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled, by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following morning. They were, therefore, to go.—Elizabeth was pleased, though, when she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.
Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Pemberley by noon.
1. Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrived in Lambton, and toured Pemberley, on a Tuesday (see chronology, p. 717 for the reasons for this). Miss Darcy was to arrive the next day, and Elizabeth expected to be visited the day after Miss Darcy's arrival, i.e. Thursday, and thus planned to remain near the inn on that day. But Miss Darcy actually came to visit on the Wednesday, the first day after Elizabeth's arrival.
The significance of this for the story is that Miss Darcy, by coming the day of her own arrival rather than a day later, shows her eagerness, or at least the eagerness of her brother, to call upon Elizabeth.
2. curricle: an open carriage—which makes it good for summer—with two horses. It would closely resemble a gig (see illustration on p. 307).
3. livery: a distinctive uniform or insignia worn by servants that would identify which family they worked for. Thus Darcy and his sister are being driven by a servant.
4. A partiality, or romantic interest, of Darcy's.
5. In other words, she feared that Darcy's partiality to her might have made him praise Elizabeth so much to his sister that the latter would be disappointed when she actually met Elizabeth.
6. Of course, Elizabeth's agitation would only increase their suspicions concerning a romantic attachment.
7. Miss Darcy's extreme shyness has given rise to the speculation that shyness is also the explanation for Darcy's reserved and haughty behavior. It is true that Darcy is uncomfortable, and less friendly, in the presence of strangers, and that does account for some of his behavior. But he also never exhibits any difficulty in speaking out, often forcefully, when he wishes; he certainly never displays the absolute inability to speak, even when surrounded by friendly people, that his sister shows.
8. This passage provides the first glimpse of Miss Darcy, a character about whom many things have already been said. Some commentators have won dered why she has not appeared sooner; in particular, she could have accompanied her brother to Netherfield. From the point of the view of the plot, her absence from Netherfield has several advantages. Her presence would have made Wickham's lies easier for Elizabeth to detect; it might even have spurred Darcy, in order to protect his sister, to step forward and contradict Wickham's story. In addition, her presence would have revealed a more affectionate and admirable side of Darcy, thus undermining some of the basis for Elizabeth's prejudice against him. Finally, an earlier meeting of Elizabeth and Miss Darcy at Netherfield would prevent Darcy from making the significant gesture of introducing his sister to Elizabeth at this point.
The one question is whether it is realistic for Miss Darcy to have stayed away from Netherfield. On the one hand, her coming to Netherfield might have interrupted her education, something Darcy values highly; while she could have brought her governess with her, she would have been separated from any masters who were instructing her in London. On the other hand, Darcy would have good reasons for bringing his sister with him: his concern for her after her recent near-elopement with Wickham should make him wish to keep her with him as much as possible, while his desire for a marriage between his sister and Bingley should make him wish to bring the two together as much as possible. Therefore, one could argue that this is one of the rare occasions when Jane Austen sacrifices, at least to a small degree, plausibility of behavior to the needs of the plot.
9. An indication of the difference between Darcy and his sister. He, even when not speaking, could observe others with a sharp and unembarrassed eye; she is clearly too timid for that.
10. cordiality: warmth, affection.
11. ascertain: figure out with certainty.
12. prepossessed: prejudiced, already inclined.
13. spoke particular regard: indicated any particular affection between them.
14. This line helps date this encoun
ter to the beginning of August; for more on the dates, see chronology, p. 717.
15. complaisance: obligingness, desire to please.
16. accent: tone.
17. self-consequence: self-importance.
18. no importance: nothing of consequence, no advantage.
19. This is a long time, for a normal visit of introduction lasted fifteen minutes. The longer time indicates the interest of the visitors in Elizabeth.
20. country: area.
21. Elizabeth's silence on this occasion contrasts with her earlier outspokenness in delivering her opinion after first meeting someone. There are various reasons for the contrast, but one is that she has learned to be more careful about pronouncing judgments. This tendency will manifest itself in various ways in the later part of the novel.
22. drawn his character: developed or established their opinion of him.
23. sensible: conscious, aware.
24. intelligence: communication of information.
25. market-town: a town in a rural locale whose main function was to provide shopping and trade for the surrounding area.
26. visit: maintain social or friendly intercourse with the inhabitants. The Darcy family likely remained apart because a market town, which would mostly be inhabited by the families of merchants or artisans or manual laborers, would contain few if any people of the Darcy family's social level. Such avoidance of the people of the town could cause resentment and lead to accusations of pride.
27. chief: greater part.
28. A reference to the time when, because of her partiality for Wickham and her belief in the correctness of her judgment regarding Darcy, she found admitting him to have good qualities to be repugnant.
29. This passage, in detailing the step by step development of Elizabeth's feelings toward Darcy, reveals how precise Jane Austen is in presenting the emotional evolution of the heroine. Elizabeth has not reached love yet, but she has already taken a number of steps in that direction. This picture of love developing gradually, and being influenced by such factors as gratitude or esteem, corresponds to the author's generally realistic and down-to-earth view of love (see especially p. 37, note 8).
30. peculiarity of manner: special or particular attention to Elizabeth (to the exclusion of others). This would be considered impolite, even among those in love.
31. In other words, she was especially gratified because she knew that someone so proud would have a harder time overcoming his resentment at being rejected.
32. A reference to a renewed proposal by him, which of course would make his welfare depend very much on her reaction.
33. addresses: courtship attempts or proposals.
34. Since breakfast normally did not take place until around ten (and sometimes after that for those who followed the fashionable trend of later hours), a late breakfast would probably be near mid-day.
Chapter Three
C onvinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley's dislike of her had originated in jealousy1 she could not help feeling how very unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was curious to know with how much civility on that lady's side, the acquaintance would now be renewed.
On reaching the house, they were shewn through the hall into the saloon,2 whose northern aspect3 rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chesnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.4
In this room they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting there with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom she lived in London.5 Georgiana's reception of them was very civil; but attended with all that embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior, the belief of her being proud and reserved.6 Mrs. Gardiner and her niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her.
By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, they were noticed only by a curtsey; and on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley,7 a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse, proved her to be more truly well bred8 than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a short sentence, when there was least danger of its being heard.
Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity of saying much. Her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour, without hearing Miss Bingley's voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from her a cold enquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal indifference and brevity, and the other said no more.
The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the finest fruits in season;9 but this did not take place till after many a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy had been given, to remind her of her post.10 There was now employment for the whole party; for though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches,11 soon collected them round the table.
While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy, by the feelings which prevailed on his entering the room; and then, though but a moment before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she began to regret that he came.
He had been some time with Mr. Gardiner, who, with two or three other gentlemen from the house, was engaged by the river, and had left him only on learning that the ladies of the family intended a visit to Georgiana that morning. No sooner did he appear, than Elizabeth wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; —a resolution the more necessary to be made, but perhaps not the more easily kept, because she saw that the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them,12 and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour when he first came into the room. In no countenance was attentive curiosity so strongly marked as in Miss Bingley's, in spite of the smiles which overspread her face whenever she spoke to one of its objects;13 for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions to Mr. Darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy, on her brother's entrance, exerted herself much more to talk; and Elizabeth saw that he was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded, as much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either side. Miss Bingley saw all this likewise; and, in the imprudence of anger, took the first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility,
“Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the——shire militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family.”
In Darcy's presence she dared not mention Wickham's name; but Elizabeth instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her thoughts; and the various recollections connected with him gave her a moment's distress; but, exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she presently answered the question in a tolerably disengaged tone. While she spoke, an involuntary glance shewed her Darcy with an heightened complexion,14 earnestly looking at her, and his sister overcome with confusion, and unable to lift up her eyes.15 Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was then giving her beloved friend,16 she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth, by bringing forward the idea
of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility17 which might injure her in Darcy's opinion, and perhaps to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities, by which some part of her family were connected with that corps. Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy's meditated elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, where secresy was possible, except to Elizabeth; and from all Bingley's connections her brother was particularly anxious to conceal it, from that very wish which Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming hereafter her own.18 He had certainly formed such a plan, and without meaning that it should affect his endeavour to separate him from Miss Bennet, it is probable that it might add something to his lively concern for the welfare of his friend.19
Elizabeth's collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his emotion;20 and as Miss Bingley, vexed and disappointed,21 dared not approach nearer to Wickham, Georgiana also recovered in time, though not enough to be able to speak any more. Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely recollected her interest in the affair,22 and the very circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth, seemed to have fixed them on her more, and more cheerfully.
Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer above-mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy was attending them to their carriage, Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her. Her brother's recommendation was enough to ensure her favour: his judgment could not err, and he had spoken in such terms of Elizabeth, as to leave Georgiana without the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When Darcy returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley could not help repeating to him some part of what she had been saying to his sister.
“How very ill Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy,” she cried; “I never in my life saw any one so much altered as she is since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing that we should not have known her again.”
