Pride and Prejudice Part 12

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In the previous episode, Elizabeth Bennett journeyed to Kent to stay with Charlotte and Mr. Collins in the picturesque rural parish of Huntsford. Though she found her cousin, Mr. Collins, as objectionable as ever, Lizzie was pleased to see that Charlotte at least was happy. And while the personage where they live may be modest, it is clean and comfortable with a beautiful garden that is Mr. Collins, pride and joy. We also became acquainted with a far grander residence, Rosings Park, home of the snobbish Lady Catherine Du Boerg, not only a she, the aristocratic patron of Mr. Collins, but Lady Catherine is also Mr. Darcy's aunt. It is not hard to see from whom he may have inherited his pride and arrogance. Though the dinner at Rosings was superb and the surroundings looked curious, the company was less pleasant. After dinner, Lady Catherine interrogated Elizabeth about her family background. Her sisters and their education never want to back down from a confrontation our heroine put up a spirited defense. But it appears the Lady found her sadly lacking all regards. Now, we return to the past energy's small drawing room as Lizzie settles into the second week of her stay and tries to avoid spending too much time with Mr. Collins. From the Noiser Podcast Network, this is Pride and Prejudice. Chapter 30 Sir William stayed only a week at Hunsford, but his visit was long enough to convince him of his daughters being most comfortably settled and of her possessing such a husband and such a neighbour as were not often met with. While Sir William was with them, Mr. Collins devoted his mornings to driving him out in his gig and showing him the country. But when he went away, the whole family returned to their usual employments, and Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not seem more of her cousin by the alteration for the chief of the time between breakfast and dinner was now passed by him either work in the garden or in reading and writing and looking out of the window in his own book room which fronted the road. The room in which the lady sat was backwards. Elizabeth at first had rather wondered that Charlotte should not prefer the dining-pilot for common use. It was a better-sized room and had a pleasant aspect. But she soon saw that her friend had an excellent reason for what she did. For Mr. Collins who undoubtedly have been much less in his own apartment had they sat in one equally lively and she gave Charlotte credit for the arrangement. From the drawing room they could distinguish nothing in the lane and were indebted to Mr. Collins for the knowledge of what carriages went along and how often especially Miss De Boer drove by in her fetan which she never failed coming to inform them of though it happened almost every day. She not unfrequently stopped at the passenger and had a few minutes conversation with Charlotte but was stessily ever prevailed on to get out. Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins did not walk to Rosings and not many in which his wife did not think it necessary to go likewise and Till Elizabeth recollected that there might be other family livings to be disposed of she could not understand the sacrifice of so many hours. Now and then they were honored with a call from her leadership and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during these visits. She examined into their employments, looked at their work and advised them to do it differently, found fault with the arrangement of the furniture or detected the house made in negligence. And if she accepted any refreshment, it seemed to do it only for the sake of finding out that Mrs. Collins's joints of meat were too large for her family. Elizabeth soon perceived that though this great lady was not in the commission of the piece for the county, she was a most active magistrate in her own parish. The minutest concerns of which were carried to her by Mr. Collins and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented or too poor, she salad forced into the village to settle their differences, silence their complaints and scold them into harmony and plenty. The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a week and allowing for the loss of Sir William and there being only one card table in the evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart of the first. There are other engagements for a few as the style of living in the neighbourhood in general was beyond the Collins's reach. This however was no evil to Elizabeth and upon the whole she spent her time comfortably enough. There were half-hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte and the weather was so fine for the time of year that she had often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk and where she frequently went, while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was along the open grove which edged that side of the park where there was a nice sheltered path which no one seemed to value but herself and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine's curiosity. In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed. Easter was approaching and the week preceding it was to bring an addition to the family at Rosings which in so small a circle must be important. Elizabeth had heard soon after her arrival that Mr. Darcy was expected there in the course of a few weeks and though there were not many of her acquaintance whom she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties and she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley's designs on him were by his behaviour to his cousin, Andeborg, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady Catherine who talked of his coming with a greater satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration and seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by Miss Lucas and herself. His arrival was soon known at the passonage for Mr. Collins was walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Huntsford Lane in order to have the earliest assurance of it and after making his bow as the carriage turned into the park hurried home with the great intelligence. On the following morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects. There were two nephews of Lady Catherine for Mr. Darcy had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of his Uncle Lord Matlock and to the great surprise of all the party when Mr. Collins returned, the two gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte had seen them from her husband's room crossing the road and immediately running into the other told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding, I may thank you Lizzy for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me. Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment before their approach was announced by the doorbell. And shortly afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was about 30, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentlemen. Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been used to look in hearted share, paid his compliments with his usual reserve to Mrs. Collins and whatever might be his feelings towards her friend met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth merely curtsied to him without saying a word. Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into the conversation directly with the readiness and ease of a well-read man and talked very pleasantly. But Mr. Darcy, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody. At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire of Elizabeth after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual way, and after a moment's pause added, my eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there? She was perfectly sensible that he never had, but she wished to see whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed between the Bingles and Jane. And she thought he looked a little confused as he answered that he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennett. The subject was pursued no further, and the two gentlemen soon afterwards went away. This episode is sponsored by Magic Radio. Magic Radio plays the best variety from the eighties to now. The song she loved, the ones you know, and the ones that left your die. From one and Whitney in the eighties to take that and the Spice Girls in the nineties, or Pink and Kelly Clarkson in the Naughties and Adele and Bruno Mars in the Tans. Right through to today with artists like Benson Boone, Teddy Swims and Miles Smith. And with Magic's no repeat workday, you won't hear the same song twice between nine and five. Magic Radio has had a real glow up. It's the home of Magic Radio breakfast with Gokwan and Harriet Scott, and the world's famous mellow Magic is back, hosted by Nikki Chapman. Plus, we can do even more fun with Gabby Roslin, Mel Gedroich and Anna Richardson. Listen to Magic Radio on your digital radio, on the free radio app, or just ask your smart speaker to play Magic Radio. At EDF, we don't just encourage you to use less electricity. We actually reward you for it. That's why, when you use less during peak times on weekdays, we give you free electricity on Sundays. How you use it is up to you. EDF, change is in our power. Households to reduce their weekday peak electricity usage by 50% can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity per week. Full details, eligibility and seasoncies visit EDFenergy.com, forward slash our hype and power. Chapter 31. Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the pass-snage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasure of their engagements at Rosings. It was some days, however, before they received any invitation liver, for while there were visitors in the house, they could not be necessary. And it was not till Easter day, almost a week after the gentleman's arrival, that they were honored by such an attention, and then that they were merely asked on leaving church to come there in the evening. For the last week, there had seen very little of either Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the pass-snage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy, they had only seen at church. The invitation was accepted, of course, and at a proper hour, they joined the party in Lady Catherine's drawing room. Her leadership received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else, and she was in fact almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy much more than to any other person in the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them. Anything was a welcome relief to him at Rosings, and Mrs. Collins' pretty friend had, moreover, caught his fancy very much. He now seated himself by Lizzie, and talked so agreeably of Kent and Hartfordshire, of traveling and staying at home, of new books and music that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before, and they conversed with so much spirit and flow as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself as well as of Mr. Darcy. His eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned towards them with a look of curiosity, and that her leadership after a while shared the feeling was more openly acknowledged, but she did not scrupal to call out. What is it that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennett? Let me hear what it is. We were talking of music, Madame, said he were no longer able to avoid a reply. Of music, then, praise speak aloud, it is of all subjects my delight. I must have my share in the conversation if you are speaking of music. There are few people in England I suppose who have more true enjoyment of music than myself or a better natural taste. If I had ever learned, I should have been a great proficient, and so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. How does Georgiantna get on, Darcy? Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister's proficiency. I am very glad to hear such a good account of her, said Lady Catherine, and pray tell her from me that she cannot expect to itself if she does not practice a great deal. I assure you, Madame, he replied that she does not need such advice. She practices very constantly. So much the better, it cannot be done too much, and when I next write her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice. I have told Miss Bennett several times that she will never play really well, unless she practices more. And though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome as I have often told her to come to Rosings every day and play on the piano 40 in Mrs. Jenkins' room. She would be in nobodies way, you know, in that part of the house. Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding and made no answer. When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having promised to play to him, and she sat down directly to the instrument. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song and then talked as before to her other nephew. Till the latter walked away from her and moving with his usual deliberation towards the piano 40, stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing and that the first convenient pause turned to him with an arch-smile and said, you mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me, but I will not be alarmed just a does place so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened that the will of others, my courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me. I shall not say that you are mistaken, he replied, because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you, and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you will find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions, which in fact are not your own. Elizabeth laughed partly at this picture of herself and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so well able to expose my real character in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in heart for sure and give me leave to say, very imprudent, too, for it is provoking me to retaliate and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear. I am not afraid of you, said Mr. Darcy smiling. Pray, let me hear what you have to accuse him of, cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. I should like to know how he behaves among strangers. You shall hear then, said Lizzie, but prepare for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in heart for sure, you must know as at a ball. And at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances. I am sorry to pay you, but so it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce. And to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in one of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact. I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party replied Mr. Darcy. True, said Lizzie, and nobody can ever be introduced in a ballroom. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers weight your orders. Perhaps, said Darcy, I should have judged better. Had I sought an introduction, but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers. Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this, said Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam? Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education and who has lived in the world is ill-qualified to recommend himself to strangers? I can answer your question, said Fitzwilliam, without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble. I certainly have not the talent which some people possess, said Darcy, of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation or appear interested in their concerns as I often see done. My fingers, said Elizabeth, do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault because I would not take the trouble of practicing. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution. Darcy smiled and said, you are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers. Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine who called out to know what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine approached and, after listening for a few minutes, said to Darcy, Miss Bennet would not play at all a miss if she practiced more and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fingering though her taste is not equal to Anne's and would have been a delightful performer had her health allowed her to learn. Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he ascended to his cousin's praise. But neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love. And from the whole of his behavior to Miss DuBorg, she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley that he might have been just as likely to marry her had she been his relation. Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth's performance, mixing them with many instructions on execution and taste. Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility and at the request of the gentlemen remained at the instrument till her leadership's carriage was ready to take them all home. At EDF, we don't just encourage you to use less electricity. We actually reward you for it. That's why when you use less during peak times on weekdays, we give you free electricity on Sundays. How you use it is up to you. EDF, change is in our power. Households to reduce their weekday peak electricity usage by 50% can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity per week. Full details, eligibility and season seas visit edfenergy.com, forward slash our hype and power. The revolution against wrinkles has begun. Introducing La Roche Pauze's new, High-Eleu B5 Syriment cream. A two-step routine that replumps and repairs your skin faster than ever with an innovative four-highlyuronic acid system. Clinically proven to show a 95% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles in just seven days. Experience the revolution for yourself. Find La Roche Pauze, High-Eleu B5 and Boots, or Boots.co.uk. Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning and writing to Jane, while Mrs. Collins and Maria were gone on business into the village when she was startled by a ring at the door. A certain signal of a visitor. As she had heard no carriage, she thought it not unlikely to be Lady Catherine, and under that apprehension was putting away her half-finished letter that she might escape all impertinent questions when the door opened and to her very great surprise, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Darcy only entered the room. He seemed astonished too on finding her alone and apologized for his intrusion by letting her know that he had understood all the ladies to be within. Then they sat down and when her enquiries after Rosings were made seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. It was absolutely necessary, therefore, to think of something and in this emergency, recollecting when she had seen him last in Hertfordshire and feeling curious to know what he would say on the subject of their hasty departure, she observed. How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield Glass November, Mr. Darcy. It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr. Bingley to see you all after him so soon. For if I recollect right, he went but the day before. He and his sisters were well I hope when you left London. Perfectly so, I thank you. Lizzie found that she was to receive no other answer and after a short pause added, I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley has not much idea of ever returning to Netherfield again. I have never heard him say so, replied Mr. Darcy. But it is probable that he may spend very little of his time there in future. He has many friends and he is at a time of life when friends and engagements are continually increasing. If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better for the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely for then we might possibly get a settled family there. But perhaps Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience of the neighbourhood as for his own and we must expect him to keep or quit it on the same principle. I should not be surprised, said Darcy, if he were to give it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers. Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer of his friend and having nothing else to say was now determined to leave the trouble of finding a subject to him. He took the hint and soon began with, this seems a very comfortable house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal to it when Mr. Collins first came to Huntsford. I believe she did and I'm sure she could not have bestowed a kindness on a more grateful object. Mr. Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife, said Mr. Darcy. Yes, indeed, his friends may well rejoice in his having met with one of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him or have made him happy if they had. My friend has an excellent understanding that I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest thing she ever did. She seems perfectly happy, however, and in a prudential light is certainly a very good match for her. Mr. Darcy replied, it must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a distance of her own family and friends. An easy distance, do you call it? It is nearly 50 miles, replied Lizzie. And what is 50 miles of good road? Little more than half a day's journey. Yes, I call it a very easy distance. I should never have considered the distance as one of the advantages of the match, cried Elizabeth. I should never have said Mrs. Collins was settled near her family. He is a proof, said Mr. Darcy, of your own attachment to Hartfordshire. Anything beyond the very neighbourhood of Longmore, I suppose, would appear far. As he spoke, there was a sort of smile, which Elizabeth fancised she understood. He must be supposing her to be thinking of Jane and Netherfield, and she blushed as she answered. I do not mean to say that a woman may not be settled too near her family. The far and the near must be relative, and depend on many varying circumstances, where there is fortune to make, the expense of travelling unimportant, distance becomes no evil. But that is not the case here. Mr and Mrs. Collins have a comfortable income, but not such a one as will allow of frequent journeys, and I am persuaded my friend would not call herself near her family under less than half the present distance. Mr. Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said, you cannot have a right to such very strong local attachment. You cannot have been always at Longmore. Elizabeth looked surprised. The gentleman experienced some change of feeling. He drew back his chair, took a newspaper from the table, and dancing over it said in the cold voice, I am pleased with Kent. A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued, on either side calm and concise, and soon put an end to by the entrance of Charlotte and her sister just returned from their walk. The teta tet surprised them. Mr. Darcy related the mistake, which had occasioned his intruding on Miss Bennett, and after sitting a few minutes longer, without saying much to anybody, went away. What can be the meaning of this, said Charlotte as soon as he was gone? My dear Lizzie, he must be in love with you, or he would never have called on us in this familiar way. But when Elizabeth told of his silence, it did not seem very likely, even to Charlotte's wishes to be the case, and after various conjectures, they could at last only suppose his visit to proceed from the difficulty of finding anything to do, which is the more probable from the time of year. All field sports were over. Within doors there was Lady Catherine, books and a billiard table, but gentlemen cannot be always within doors, and in the nearness of the parsinage, or the pleasantness of the walk to it, or of the people who lived in it, the two cousins found a temptation from this period of walking liver almost every day. They called it various times of the morning, sometimes separately, sometimes together, and now and then accompanied by their aunt. It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam came, because he had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which, of course, recommended him still more, and Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by his evident admiration of her former favorite, George Wickham, and though in comparing them, she saw that there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners, she believed he might have the best informed mind. But why Mr. Darsie came so often to the parsinage, it was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes, without opening his lips, and when he did speak, it seemed the effect of necessity rather than choice. A sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself. He seldom appeared really animated. Charlotte knew not what to make of him. Colonel Fitzwilliam was occasionally laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was generally different, which her own knowledge of him could not have told her, and as she would have liked to believe this changed the effect of love, and the object of that love, her friend Lizzie, she set herself seriously to work to find it out. She watched him whenever they were at rosings, and whenever he came to Hunsford, but without much success. He certainly looked at her friend a great deal, but the expression of that look was disputable. It was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often doubted whether there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it seemed nothing but absence of mind. She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of his being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the idea, and Charlotte did not think it right to press the subject from the danger of raising expectations which might only end in disappointment. For in her opinion, it admitted not of a doubt that all her friends dislike would vanish if she could suppose him to be in her power. In her kind schemes for Lizzie, she sometimes planned her marrying Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was beyond comparison the pleasantest man. He certainly admired her, and his situation in life was most eligible, but to counterbalance these advantages, Mr. Darsie had considerable patronage in the church, and his cousin could have none at all. In the next episode, Elizabeth's fun with Colonel Fitzwilliam continues, as does her frustration with Mr. Darsie. The Colonel lets slip some important information about Jane and Mr. Bingley. During a heated argument, Lizzie finally tells Darsie how she really feels about him. And late one evening, she receives an unexpected visitor and a shocking proposal is made. That's next time on Jane Austen's stories, Pride and Prejudice. You can listen to the next two episodes of Pride and Prejudice right now without waiting by subscribing to Noiser Plus. Head to www.noiser.com slash subscriptions for more information or click the link in the... Now's the time to make your move. Find out more about moving to New Zealand to teach at workforst.education.govt.nz Open to existing qualified primary-secondary and ECE teachers. Note that this grant is only dispersed after teachers arrive in New Zealand amidst the other accompanying criteria. 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How so to reduce the weekday peak electricity usage by 50% can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity per week, full details, eligibility and season seas visit EDFenergy.com, forward slash, our hype and power. Episode description.