Pride and Prejudice Upside Down ~ Section I

By Ali

Section I, Next Section

Chapter 1

Posted on Friday, 17 December 1999

IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a good, rich and noble husband.

However little known the feelings or views of such a woman may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that she is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of themselves or their sons.

"My dear Mr. Darcy," said Mrs. Darcy to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"

Mr. Darcy replied that he had not.

"But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it."

Mr. Darcy made no answer.

"Do not you want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.

"You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."

This was invitation enough.

"Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young lady of large fortune from Derbyshire."

"What is her name?"

"Bennet."

"Is she married or single?"

"Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single lady of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our family!"

"How so? how can it affect us?"

"My dear Mr. Darcy," replied his wife, "You must know that I am thinking of her marrying William or Charles."

"Is that her design in settling here?"

"Design! nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that she may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit her as soon as she comes."

"I see no occasion for that. I think it is better to send the boys by themselves."

"But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Miss Bennet when she comes into the neighbourhood."

"It is more than I engage for, I assure you."

"But consider your family. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know they visit no new comers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit her, if you do not."

"You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Miss Bennet will be very glad to see the boys; and I will send a few lines with them to assure her of my hearty consent to his marrying which ever she wants of the boys."

"Mr. Darcy, how can you say such nonsense? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves."

"You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least."

"Ah! you do not know what I suffer."

"But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young women of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood."

"It will be no use to us if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them."

"Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty I will visit them all."

Mr. Darcy was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of nine and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her sons and daughters married, since Longbourn was a small estate with a very small income that cannot support her son and three daughters, as well as their cousin Charles.

Chapter 2

Posted on Saturday, 18 December 1999

A week Later ....

Mrs. Darcy was still suffering from nerves from the previous week when her husband refused to visit Miss Bennet at Netherfield. Her case of nerves deteriorated when she heard from Lady Lucas that her husband Sir William intended to visit Miss Bennet the next day.

"OOOOOOOOH my poor nerves! William, please fetch your sisters to sit with me."

"Ok, mother."

"And tell your sister Mary to bring me a cup of tea with her. And let her stop playing music. Her music gets to my nerves these days."

William does not respond, waiting for his mother's next request.

"And let Hill fetch Charles from the grounds. I need him too by my side."

William reluctantly went to fetch his cousin and sisters, while still hearing his mother weeping her poor luck and poor nerves.

"Mary, stop reading this book and come to my side."

Mary does not seem to hear.

"Oh my poor nerves. My children do not obey me, and my husband ignores my wishes. Oh mother, I wish you were here to see what is happening to your daughter."

Mr. Darcy comes to the living room from the library upon hearing his wife's extraordinary cries, and talks to his nephew Charles:

"So Charles, when are you going to marry? I know that there are many young ladies in the area who wish that you will consider them!"

William replies instead, "But you know father, Charles is always in and out of love with women, and he probably considered all the young ladies in the area already."

Charles laughs and says, "But you know that whatever I do, William will criticize!" and in a lower voice, "And you know mother will not approve of any of them. She wants me to marry some rich lady even twice my age!"

Charles was used to refer to his aunt as 'mother' since he came to live with his uncle and aunt's family twenty years ago.

Mr. Darcy laughs and replies (but not in a lower voice), "Of course you know that your mother is concerned about you, and what will happen to you once I die."

William, who did not see a sense of humor in the situation, interferes, "But father, I never wish you to talk like this about yourself. I pray you will have many many more years to live."

Mr. Darcy continues his teasing, "but what will happen to you poor children after I die. You will be at the mercy of the Collins family, who will make sure to throw you all to the streets."

Mrs. Darcy cries, "Oh boys. Did you ever hear such heartless talk before? Your father really enjoys ruining my nerves. He did not even bother to visit Miss Bennet. Now she will not consider any of you a suitor for her and she will think we slighted her. Lady Lucas was very happy today when she told me her husband is going to visit Netherfield. I think she considers her son Charlie is marrying Miss Bennet already. She was much happier when I told her about your father. Oh my nerves! MARY, STOP READING AND LISTEN TO ME."

Mrs. Darcy was concerned about herself and her children. Though Longbourn was not a large estate, her husband's father wrote it in his will to her husband during his life only, and after that it would go to the family of her husband's brother. She was worried for the boys who will have to face the hardships of life without money, and more so for herself and her three daughters.

Mr. Darcy continued, "I hope Miss Bennet will like you, William"

Mrs. Darcy again cried, "How can she like him or even look at him if you did not visit her? I am sick of Miss Bennet!"

"Oh, I am sorry to hear it. If I knew as much this morning, I would not have visited her. But now I did, and there is no way to escape the acquaintance now."

Mrs. Darcy regained her complexion in a second and said, "Oh my dear husband. See boys what a good father you have! And such a joke too, that you visited her this morning and never said anything to any of us. I wish to see the look on the face of Lady Lucas now!"

Charles and William were curious to know more about Miss Bennet, but their father did not wish to satisfy their curiosity.

Lydia, the youngest daughter, entered the room at this moment with her older sister Kitty in an uproar.

"Oh mother, did you hear that. A militia is camped now in Meryton. Imagine that! All those officers in their uniform just twenty minutes walk from here."

William and Charles rolled their eyes and silently begged their father to interfere before their young sisters caused a scandal to the family, but Mr. Darcy chose not to.

Kitty continued, "And did you hear the latest news? The militia is going to attend the annual party next Thursday. And we also heard that the famous Miss Bennet is going too."

They continued in this manner for a few more minutes, before Charles and William excused themselves and went out for a walk.

Chapter 3

Posted on Tuesday, 21 December 1999

Meryton was a small town in Hertfordshire that was surrounded by some estates. The largest of these estates was Netherfield, which explains why the local people were thrilled when they knew it was occupied at last. Most of the local families hoped that their sons will add Netherfield to their property one day by marrying the young Netherfield owner.

Before The Thursday Party

This Thursday was the beginning of the fall in Meryton. The local people usually celebrated the beginning of the fall in a party held at the local club, in which they used to play some in-door games, and socialize with each other. These parties were always boring for the local gentlemen, who saw it as girls gathering! Nothing less than the present occasion would let most of them - with possible pressure from their families of course - come to such parties.

Mrs. Darcy yelled at her children, "Do make haste. I want us to be the first people to go to the assembly to welcome Miss Bennet. Charles, go to William . Fetch him from his room and tell him to get ready at once."

William had enough of his mother's shouts in the past few days that he chose to do like his sister Mary and sit all the time in his room, or like his younger sisters Kitty and Lydia who were seldom in the house.

"Coming, Mama. I know you are eager to attend this party," William shouts back from his room.

"I think your mother is very eager to have you meet the famous Miss Bennet. Perhaps you will be the lucky man who will secure Netherfield to our family," Mr. Darcy interfered, jokingly, as soon as he came out of the library.

William, who was usually harsh in his opinions of people outside his family, replied "I do not think I can connect myself with such a lady who comes to the neighborhood all by herself. Who does she think she is? Perhaps all she is looking for is to secure a noble husband from a well established family like ours. I think she must be a daughter of some tradesman or another."

Mr. Darcy, obviously upset with his son, replied "You should not be so severe on people, dear William. I know you are a good man and you will make some woman a very good husband, but this does not give you the right to talk in such a way about people. And remember that your uncle Gardiner is a tradesman too." He said these words in a lower voice that cannot be heard by Mrs. Darcy.

Charles told his uncle, "But Dad you know what William is like when he is in such a foul mood!"

Mrs. Darcy, irritated by her husband's conversation in which she had no share, yelled again, "Mr. Darcy. It is enough that you are not coming today to introduce us to Miss Bennet. Why should you also distract your sons and make them arrive late for the party? I think we should leave at once, or Lady Lucas is going to be there before us and secure Miss Bennet for her Charlie."

William thought, but the party is still two hours later.....
Aloud he said, "But we cannot leave without our sisters, who are not yet ready."

Mrs. Darcy, who was usually very proud of her younger daughters, especially Lydia, told him, "I do not think you could disappoint your mother as such! Oh my poor nerves.... Forget about these stupid girls. We do not need them today, since Miss Bennet cannot marry them!"

On a second thought she said, "Oh but there is going to be a lot of officers and maybe one of them is a Knight or something and may marry one of them!"

Then on third thought she yelled again, "But Miss Bennet! What will Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long say. Probably they are there already at the club. And all is because of you, foolish girls. Hurry up! Hurry up!" She said while bullying her daughters to the door.

At the local club

The Darcy party were among the first who came to the club, more than an hour before the party was to be held. As soon as Lydia and Kitty saw some officers, they hurried to them making their usual noise.

"Ah Mr. Denny, so here you are. We thought we would not see you today. I was just telling Harriet the other day that ......"

William and Charles were very displeased by the behavior of their younger sisters, but they could not interfere since their father did not want them to.

Mrs. Darcy at that time was talking loudly for all those in the club to hear, "You know Lady Lucas, your son Charlie has no chance at all with Miss Bennet. He is such a short stupid man. What is he in comparison with the tall and handsome William, or the nice cheerful Charles," she boasted.

Lady Lucas was of course not pleased to hear such talk, but she was however more quiet in her reply to Mrs. Darcy.

In the meanwhile, William Darcy and Charles Bingley accompanied their friend Charlie Lucas to a corner of the room to observe the party. They did not participate in the games due to various reasons. William and Charles were trying to take Charlie's mind away from the rude remarks made by their mother.

"So Charlie, what do you think of the famous Miss Bennet?" William started.

"It is too early to think of anything now, let alone say it!"

Charlie Lucas, at 34, was really a short man who could not be described as handsome, but he was by no means stupid. He was a friend of William, 28, and Charles, 26.

"But you know what I mean. Do you think she came here to marry you or me ?"

Charlie smiled, whereas Charles chuckled, "Probably not. She has come here after me of course. I bet I will engage her in the first cards game this evening, and you know the rest."

They continued in that manner until the Bennet party were announced...........

Chapter 4

Posted on Wednesday, 22 December 1999

All eyes in the room fell on the couple of elegant females who entered the room. They were announced as Miss Jane Bennet, new owner of Netherfield, and her sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The two ladies were not alone, however. There was with them another young man, introduced as their cousin, Mr. Caroli de Bourgh. The contrast between the two sisters was obvious (No need to bore you here with description of the sisters you probably know by heart :) But the similarity of their good nature and well breeding was obvious to all. Well, not exactly all:

"Oh my dear boys, hurry up. Go and greet Miss Bennet and her sister." Mrs. Darcy talked in a quiet voice (well, quiet enough for only half the room to hear!).

The faces of William and Charles became red with embarrassment, but they were grateful at least that this remark seemed not to reach the half of the room in which the Bennets were standing.

Gossip was flowing in the room so quickly, that it was only after ten minutes that everyone in Meryton knew the basic facts they needed to know about the Misses Bennet. It was soon known that Jane, at 23, was the owner of Lambton Manor in Derbyshire, in addition to Netherfield, and her income was estimated to be about five to six thousand a year. The Lambton Manor was the Bennet family property for a long time, and since the family has no sons, the property fell on Miss Jane after the death of their father five years ago. The younger sister, Miss Elizabeth, was more of a mystery, however. This did not continue for a long time, since the gossiping servants promptly told their employers about her status. She was less than 21 years of age, and was supposed to be much richer than her older sister. The owner of Pemberley, Derbyshire, was a long time neighbor to the Bennets. His son died four years ago in the war, and since then he neglected his land and properties. His tenants were about to die of hunger due to the lack of management, but the interference of the young (not yet eighteen) Miss Elizabeth Bennet miraculously prevented it. She was very upset by the poor status of her neighboring farmers, that she decided, being the active person she is, to interfere. She voluntarily took upon herself the management of the Pemberley estate and lands. She was loved by all in the area, and with the wives of the tenants she managed to organize the plantation and rescue them all. The owner of Pemberley was very pleased with her that he left her Pemberley two years later when he died. All these facts were not known at the time for the Meryton people, but the basic facts were known: That she is less than 21, single, and with a fortune of more than ten thousand a year.

As soon as these facts were known, many of the local gentlemen tried to present themselves to the Bennets and their cousin Caroli, but the Bennet girls seemed to be reluctant to talk with those gentlemen, and their Cousin Caroli talked for the three of them.

Charles Bingley, however, was in another world. As soon as he set his eyes on Miss Jane Bennet, he knew that this time is going to be much different than before. He waited till the local gentlemen left the Bennet party in peace before introducing himself to Miss Bennet. Soon afterwards, they were lost in conversation and nobody could approach them without seeming as an intruder.

Caroli de Bourgh seemed to attach himself to Miss Elizabeth, who seemed not to enjoy his company that much. William Darcy saw her and thought she was a sensible woman, and started to approach her. Caroli sensed some danger from that quarter, and quickly managed to take William aside from the rest of the party and said, "Pray forgive my cousin, sir. What is your name by the way?"

"William Darcy."

"I am Caroli de Bourgh, and my father Sir Louis de Bourgh wants me to marry Miss Elizabeth. I am glad to oblige my father of course, but Miss Elizabeth is rather irritating at times. She keeps on insulting each and every one she lays her eyes upon to me. She was just telling me that you look like a country no-class nobody who wanted to approach the higher classes to go up the social ladder. I thought you heard her and so I got you here to apologize for my cousin's behavior."

William was shocked to say the least, but he had no reason to doubt the man, except that he looked like an arrogant jerk himself. He did not assume however that anyone can tell such types of lies about his own relatives, so he replied with the appearance of indifference as if he was not affected and left to talk to Charlie at once.

Elizabeth was watching the scene with interest, and her eyes sparkled as she saw her cousin talk to the stranger, who seemed to be a sensible man in her eyes. However, when she saw the face of that man after her cousin finished with him, she became rather concerned.

Charles and Jane were now in the middle of a game of cards, when he saw William standing in the room and staring blankly.

"William, please, I would rather have you play. There are a lot of other games which you can play."

"And whom shall I play with," William abruptly said, "You are playing with the only sensible woman in the room, and there is no other man or woman in the room with whom it is not a punishment for me to play with. You know I prefer mental games like chess, and I do not see anyone here who can stand up with me."

"I will not be so fastidious as you are, for a kingdom! I assure you there are a lot of other sensible people here. I was just discussing your love of chess with my partner, and she told me that her sister is excellent in the game. May I ask my partner to introduce you?"

William looked with the side of his eyes on Elizabeth, who seemed to be watching him with a sparkle in her eyes. This seemed to be a perfect chance to get even with her.

"She is tolerable enough in the game I assume, since her sister said that about her. But she is not intelligent enough to stand against me in chess," and in a lower voice, though still heard by Elizabeth, "nor even is she beautiful enough to compensate me for her lack of intelligence." "And I am not in the mood now to humble myself by playing against people who are not even good enough to play with Lydia. Go ahead Charles to your partner and enjoy your game. You are only wasting your time with me."

Charles listened to his advice and returned directly to his partner, though making a mental note to talk to William about it later.

Elizabeth heard every single word of this conversation, it seemed to him she was not a bit affected. She left her place at once with a face full of laughter, and looked at him with a side look before going to the other side of the room to talk with other women. She wanted to know more of the people in the area since it was in her nature to make a lot of friends.

Darcy was annoyed, and was even more so when he saw her laughing. What was she laughing at? Was she laughing at him? Impossible! Who could ever have the audacity to laugh at him, William Darcy, whose parents descend from a very noble family, though not that rich. She is really an arrogant spoiled woman who looks down on the country people, and he had to show all the Meryton inhabitants what she really was.

Chapter 5

Posted on Thursday, 23 December 1999

Netherfield, After the Party

Caroli de Bourgh said as soon as he was inside Netherfield, "Oh, what a boring society. I do not know how are we going to spend any amount of time with these people?"

Elizabeth, only out of respect for her uncle and aunt, ignored him, whereas the surprised Jane interrupted, "Cousin, how can you say so? I find them a very nice group of people!"

Elizabeth looked a meaningful look in the direction of her sister, as if to tell her : I know, I have seen how much you enjoyed it!

Caroli continued, as if he had not heard, "They have no propriety at all. Did you see that Mrs. Darcy. She was looking at both of you with predatory eyes, and she was voicing her opinions loud enough for half the room to hear. I heard her once say that her sons should hurry up to marry both of you before any other local men do. Have you ever heard of such nonsense before?"

Elizabeth did not reply this time too, though she thought that at least one of the sons will not have that honor! For the other son, she was not so certain. But he seemed to be a sensible man, and she had no objection of having Jane connected to him. As for the other one, no way! As handsome and good looking as he was, she will not even consider marrying anyone who was that arrogant. That is why she was still evading her cousin Caroli. William Darcy offended her in a way nobody has done before, and for no reason whatsoever. She could not imagine to hear such a thing from a perfect stranger. She talked to the local ladies who told her he was usually nice, but she had seen no evidence of it!

Caroli, unaffected by not receiving any reply from his cousins, continued, "And those local men who seem to share the same view as Mrs. Darcy. I did not see such a group before. They seemed to be a large group of gold-diggers! I have heard some of them being called handsome, but I have seen nothing of it. No style at all, I dare say. Their fashions are insupportable. I guess they are still from the twelfth century, don't you think?"

Elizabeth did not understand how a man, like her cousin, could show such an interest in fashion. This was one of the reasons she held him in contempt. She only let him in her company out of respect for her uncle.

"And the worst of all is that William Darcy. He thinks himself above the rest of mankind. Didn't you see how he looked upon us in contempt? Doesn't he know who we are?"

Elizabeth had enough for one day, and thought of stopping her cousin at once before he continues much longer, "I do not see your point cousin. Why should we care what he thinks of us? At least he was not one of the gold diggers and did not attempt to flatter us because we are rich!" Unlike you, she mentally noted.

Jane interfered before a quarrel starts between her sister and cousin, "I think I am very tired from that evening. I will retire at once. Would you come with me, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth, eager to get out of her cousin's company, said she would. She will fetch a book from the library and retire to her bedroom too.

Caroli thought, I knew this William Darcy was dangerous. I thought his remark earlier will prevent my cousin from falling for him, but obviously I did not succeed. Maybe I will make him next time flatter her so that she will think of him as another gold digger!

He did not know that there was no danger so far from the Darcy quarter, and that his cousin only said such words for him to shut him up! Lizzy, who viewed Darcy as a handsome, and maybe an intelligent, man, did not at all appreciate arrogance from anyone. She could not imagine what reason could have made him so rude to someone who did not do anything to provoke him. She certainly did not think she was above other girls, but at least he should show some respect for her. She did not like to think that her money makes her better than others, but she did not think herself (stupid and ugly) either!

Before she went to sleep, she was thinking, "What could have made him say such remarks about me? I certainly did not do anything wrong to him or to anybody so far in my life. He could not possibly have heard something wrong about me." Then a scene flashed through her mind. William Darcy coming to their party and Caroli taking him aside and talking to him. Caroli? Could it be possible? Could he be that mean? She did not know what to think, but now she had her suspicions and she will not rest unless she knew the truth.

Meanwhile, at Longbourn

"My dear Mr. Darcy. What a success this evening was for us. Charles played a lot with Miss Bennet and she seemed to like him a lot. I am sure that it will not be long before our Charles becomes the master of Netherfield!"

Mr. Darcy, as usual, ignored his wife. He thought that whatever he says will not stop her from talking, so he saved his breath. Charles and William were looking at each other with red faces at their mother's impropriety.

"She came with her sister, a Miss Elizabeth, and her cousin, a Mr. Caroli de Bourgh. Miss Elizabeth seemed to be a very nice young lady, and of a fortune of no less than ten thousand a year. I hope William can marry her."

William thought, "I do not know how would she be described if she was not as rich. Certainly not as very nice ."

"She talked to me for a short while, and said she thought Charles was a nice man. She even complimented me on raising such a son, and did not seem offended when I told her that he and Jane seem to like each other very much! She even asked me about William, and whether he is shy by nature. I told her that he is usually nice, but he is not at ease among strangers. I invited her and her party to dine at Longbourn on Saturday and she accepted. I do not know why she would ask such questions about William unless she had some interest in him."

William thought, "So she really talked to my mother about me? I wonder why. I think she was just making fun of my mother and her silly remarks."

"I even heard her talking to Mary about music, and was much interested in our daughter's musical talents. Oh William, wouldn't you like such a sister for your sister Mary?"

Mr. Darcy, in his surprise that someone talked to his daughter Mary, asked her, "So how was your conversation with Miss Elizabeth? Did you like her?"

Mary, very shy and occupied by her own thoughts normally, was overjoyed. Her face lit up with happiness as she said, "I think she is one of the best good natured ladies I have ever seen. Kindness was obvious from one look at her face, and I did not feel her in the least condescending. She asked me what music I preferred. When I told her about my favorite composers, she was very embarrassed when she asked me to come and visit her tomorrow to play for her. She was embarrassed that I might think her to be proud because of her money, and she said she liked to talk to me and be my friend. I can only imagine she thought many people were thinking of her money when forming a friendship with her, but I assured her I would be very happy indeed to call her a friend."

A long silence followed that speech by Mary. A silence of surprise, since she did not talk for so long before in their company. Mr. Darcy was thrilled to find his daughter had formed a friendship with a sensible girl. Mrs. Darcy was occupied with the dresses of Lydia and Kitty. Charles was thinking that Elizabeth would be a perfect sister for himself, though he did not yet admit to himself he was in love with Jane. William was shocked to say the least at what Mary described as Elizabeth's embarrassment when she asked her to come to Netherfield. This was much in contrast with the arrogant, conceited woman he imagined her to be. Could he have been wrong? But how?

Charles and William excused themselves for the night. Charles remembered he needed to talk to William about his obvious lack of sense when he talked about Elizabeth, and so joined him in his room.

"William, I want to talk to you for a while. Do you mind?"

William said he would be very welcome.

"How can you say such words about Miss Elizabeth? I know you are intimidated of the company of strangers, but this could not be an excuse for your being so rude. I think she overheard what you said, and the very action of her going to talk to mother and Mary after that shows her excellent good nature."

William told Charles what Caroli told him about his cousin. Charles was shocked, to say the least. But he had some sense to tell William, "But you see, William: Her actions are talking about her, and not what her cousin told you. Would you like someone to think you are bad just because I told him so?"

"But you would never do so, Charles. I know you, and I trust you. And I cannot imagine anyone saying a thing like that about their cousin and fiancé!"

"Fiancé? Who gave you such an idea? Jane told me that her sister was unattached. She even told me that her sister wished to marry a sensible man who would love her character and not her money. I think Caroli was misleading you in more than one way?"

"But why would he? I do not see any benefit he can get from lying to me."

"Think about it, cousin. I am sure your good nature will not allow you to judge someone by idle gossip. I will leave you tonight and we can talk about it later."

"Thanks, Charles," William said to the back of his cousin.

Can I be that wrong? I certainly would not like to be in that position. I do not imagine myself to be that wrong. Can Caroli be really misleading me? But why? Obvious, he did not want men to take interest in his cousin, so that he can secure her for himself. Can it really be that simple, and can I really be so wrong? I did not see her personally doing anything wrong. She talked to my mother and did not fly away from her silliness. She even talked to Mary after that. She was kind to my sister Mary, and that alone is something. Nobody in the neighborhood seemed to understand Mary. He knew she had little faith in herself because she was not beautiful like her sisters. She was irritating sometimes, but he could imagine that since she had no female companions. May be Miss Elizabeth was moved by pity for my sister? I certainly would like to know more about that mysterious Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Chapter 6

The next morning, William left early to walk around the grounds. He was so occupied with his thoughts of Miss Elizabeth and whether he was right or wrong in his assessment of her character. He still did not want to be convinced he was that wrong, when something strange caught his sight.

Elizabeth, who was obviously talking a walk too, was at the moment a few yards away. She was sitting on her knees, trying to nurse an injured wild cat. She was so occupied with her job that she did not take notice of the nearby gentleman. She was singing in a very nice voice while trying to stop the blood from bleeding from the poor creature. When she succeeded, she opened her breakfast basket and started to feed the cat from her milk.

William was more surprised this time than he was when he heard about her taking interest in animals. She was really caring for the cat in a way that he did not think any normal lady would. He certainly did not imagine his mother, younger sisters, or anyone in the area showing such tenderness towards wild cats. Can it be really true, and I was so wrong? Darcy knew he wanted to think, and left the area while still hearing Elizabeth singing and feeding the cat.

Mary returned from Netherfield that evening much happier than when she left. She started talking at once to her family about her new friend.

"I did not believe before that someone can be that good, but I am certainly wrong. I am only thinking that it would be too much for me to have such a friend. I certainly do not deserve it."

Mr. Darcy ensured his daughter that she was good-natured herself and that good-natured people certainly will like her. He was worried about his daughter before since no one in the neighborhood was a true friend of her, but now he was pleased to find she is making friends with such a lady.

"When I arrived, I saw her nursing a cat and feeding her. She was reluctant to tell me its story at first but her sister Jane told me. She was having a walk in the morning, as was her habit, when she saw that cat bleeding from a wound in its back. She immediately took care of the matter, and fed the animal with milk to compensate for the loss of blood. She took it back to Netherfield to take care of it while waiting for me."

"And did she tell you she is going to keep the cat?"

"No. She told me she did not like the idea of lock animals in people's homes. It was too selfish in her eyes."

"But what about your music?"

"The two sisters showed me their piano, and I started playing for them, and Elizabeth played for us. Her music is so beautiful, and she plays it with such feeling. I cannot imagine anyone her age who is so accomplished."

William asked, "Did you meet their cousin Caroli?"

"Yes I did. I did not like him at all. He seemed to be an arrogant man who did not like the idea of his cousin making me a friend of hers. At least that is what his looks said."

William had much more to think about that night.

The following day, Saturday

Mrs. Darcy was very busy that day in her dinner preparations. She was trying to make sure nothing went wrong. Miss Jane is going to be in the company of Charles this evening too, and she hoped before long an engagement would be announced. And Miss Elizabeth had to like her son William, too.

The Bennet party arrived, and were received with extra civility by Mrs. Darcy that her sons were extremely embarrassed.

The dinner went very smoothly, much to the delight of Mrs. Darcy. Jane and Charles were much occupied with each other, that they did not hear what anybody else said. And Caroli was talking to Lydia and Kitty. Mr. Darcy, Mary and Elizabeth were lively talking on the other side of the table. But she was very annoyed for the attitude of William. What was he waiting for before talking with Miss Elizabeth?

The conversation on the other side of the table was lively between Lizzy, Mary and Mr. Darcy. They were talking of music, politics, war and peace, and even books. William was surprised by the knowledge of that young woman. Their conversation then changed to chess, and William was alarmed by that by such a flow of conversation. He could not however stop his father from saying,

"So Miss Elizabeth, you too enjoy chess? William here is very proficient in the game. I dare say he would make a very challenging opponent. Would you like to play a game with him after dinner?"

"I do not want to be such a burden. Sure Mr. William has other worthy opponents with whom he can play without being dishonored by."

William knew he had to talk before the matter went out of hand, "I would be really honored to play a game with you, Miss Elizabeth."

"You are all politeness, Mr. William. But I do not want to bore you with my silly and unintelligent game."

Mr. Darcy did not understand what was going on. Why did she refuse to play with William? She was very nice throughout the evening, and what he heard of her made him think highly of her. What was going on between her and his son?

After dinner, conversation went smoothly as before. At the end of it, everyone (except Caroli) was unhappy to see it end. Jane invited Charles to visit her the next day for dinner, which he gladly accepted. William was a bit annoyed that Elizabeth refused to play with him, or even talk to him. But when he remembered what he said to her the other day, he was very ashamed of himself. He had to find a way soon to mend things with her. He was usually so proud to say he was sorry to anyone. His good opinion, once lost, was lost forever. But could this be a first time?

Chapter 7

Posted on Thursday, 6 January 2000

The next day, Sunday

Charles was invited to dine with the Misses Bennet the following day, and Mrs. Darcy was overjoyed about that. She secretly hoped that he might have a chance to spend more time with them. Maybe he should go on horseback, since it was likely to rain? But then the Bennets might offer him their carriage on his way back. Maybe something else?

Charles said goodbye to his family and went on horseback (as his mother suggested) to dine with Jane. He was happy to have an opportunity to spend time with her. He was thinking about her all the way to Netherfield. When he was almost at the door of Netherfield, his horse jumped to avoid a rock and Charles, taken by surprise, fell to the ground. The horse made a lot of noise that caught the attention of the inhabitants of Netherfield. When they came to see what was going on, They were surprised to see Charles on the ground, unconscious, with blood coming from his head.

This scene was too much for poor Jane that she fainted herself while calling for Charles. Caroli moved as far away as appropriate from Charles to avoid spoiling his clothes with blood. But Elizabeth, though terrified for her sister and neighbor, was the one who took the first action.

"Caroli, please go inside and call Miss Jane's maid and two menservants. Quickly please."

Caroli went as told.

"Oh God, please help me." Elizabeth thought as she looked quickly at Jane and Charles. Jane was unconscious but not in any serious danger. But Charles has to be rescued quickly before it is too late. She started by taking off her bonnet and putting it on the wound to stop the bleeding. When Jane's maid and the menservants arrived, she told Jane's maid to take care of her, and instructed the menservants to move Charles gently to the guest room, and to call for a doctor at once.

She stayed with Charles until the doctor arrived. He was better but seemed very pale. She hoped there were no serious injuries other than this wound. The doctor confirmed her thought, but told her that Charles lost a lot of blood and that it will be some time, at least five days, before he is fully recovered. He also should not be moved in that interval. He gave him some medication and told her he will call again the next day.

Elizabeth sent a servant to the Darcys to tell them about the accident, and then she went to stay with Jane.

Jane was just recovering from the shock when her sister entered her room. When she saw her, she yelled, "Oh Lizzy, how is he? Did you get a doctor? Can I see him? I would like to go to him at once."

Elizabeth told her about his condition and told her not to worry.

"But I have to see him at once. You do not know how I felt when I saw him bleeding. It was as if my life was falling apart. Oh Lizzy, I think I have really fallen in love this time. I cannot live without him."

"Take it easy, Jane. He will live and you may have much more time to talk about that! But I do not think you can tell him what you just told me to his face!"

"Of course not Lizzy. You know me better. But I have to see him at once."

So Elizabeth accompanied Jane to see the unconscious Charles, then left her and went out for a walk.

At Longbourn

The house was in uproar when the servant came from Netherfield to tell them about Charles. All were concerned, except Mrs. Darcy. She spoke aloud of her thought.

"I am glad it is not serious, but I am more glad that he has to spend more time in the company of Miss Bennet. This time would be very good for his relationship with her."

Mr. Darcy and William, who listened to this remark, were shocked to say the least that Mrs. Darcy can say that aloud.

"Mother, how can you say so?" William said. "I am greatly worried about Charles, and I think I have to go to see him at once."

Mrs. Darcy was about to suggest that he goes on horseback too, but Mr. Darcy said, "You should take the carriage, William. It is about to rain and I do not want two sick sons!"

William agreed, and went to prepare for the carriage.

On his way to Netherfield, William was thinking about Charles. He liked him very much, since he was more than a brother to him. He was a true friend. At the same time, he was thinking about Elizabeth Bennet, and what he should do when he meets her. He was very close to Netherfield by that time. As he was thinking of her, Elizabeth Bennet abruptly appeared in front of his carriage. He stopped at once and started:

"Miss Bennet," He said with a bow.

"Mr. Darcy," She replied with a curtsy.

"I came to inquire after my cousin Charles."

"You are welcome, sir. Please let me show you the way," She said in cold civility.

He descended from his carriage, and walked with her. He was a bit angry at her cold manner, but he knew he deserved it.

She showed him Charles' room, where Jane was still there. Jane welcomed him to Netherfield and invited him to stay if he wanted to be with his cousin. He agreed to that plan. The ladies left him with his cousin.

At dinner, Caroli was vexed to hear of William's stay at Netherfield.

"Oh we have to bear the company of such man for long! Why did he come? Surely not to stay with his cousin. He must have some other malicious design. How can you invite a stranger to your house, Jane? What will the neighbors say?"

Elizabeth interfered, "But you know cousin that the house is full of servants and that men sleep in a part of the house far away from our part. No one can think such an arrangement inappropriate." Your being in the house is the most inappropriate thing in the world, she thought.

Caroli continued as if not discouraged, "What does he think of coming here? Does he think we like his company? Such arrogance, and no style at all."

Jane told him quietly that he should not talk to him if he did not wish to.

He was going to continue his attack of William when the latter entered the room.

"How is your cousin, Mr. Darcy?" She asked with concern in her voice.

"Not so well, I am afraid. But I think he is getting better. We will have to wait for the doctor tomorrow."

"I hope he recovers soon," Jane said, then blushed as she thought it might be inappropriate for her to say so.

"We all wish him a speedy recovery, Jane," Elizabeth said. "Your cousin, Mr. Darcy, is very popular as you see!" Unlike you, she thought.

"I am glad to hear it," William replied, annoyed as he caught her meaning. This has to stop soon. I will have to confront her sooner than I thought.

With this thought, he left them to retire for the night.

Chapter 8

Posted on Friday, 7 January 2000

Monday Morning

Elizabeth woke up at 6 AM as usual and went out for her morning walk on the Netherfield grounds. She returned back two hours later and went to the kitchen for some time. After that she went to the library to wait for breakfast. Breakfast was usually served at 9 AM in Netherfield, but Caroli managed always to delay it to 9:30 or even later.

Elizabeth was in the library reading one of her favorite books. At about 8:30 she heard steps outside the door and William Darcy entered. She looked out from her book and he was surprised to find her at this early hour, and she was reading one of his favorite books too.

"Excuse me Miss Bennet. I did not wish to intrude. I did not know you woke up so early."

"It is 8:30 Mr. Darcy. That is not what I may consider early. And you are not intruding. You can have a seat and read whichever book you choose," she replied.

William went to the library shelves to look for a book. He did not feel comfortable with the manner she was using to address him. She was civil as usual but it was a kind of cold civility, very different from the way she used when talking to his father, sisters or Charles. However, he did not say that aloud. He reached a decision last night to confront Miss Elizabeth about what he said on the day of the Meryton party. This has to be done sooner. He cannot spend these days in her sister's house without reaching an understanding with her. He was more than a little captivated now by her beauty and manners, which was praised by all those who knew her in the neighborhood.

While he was thinking about a way to open up the subject with Miss Elizabeth, she was thinking of the same. She heard from many of her friends in Meryton (for she has now formed a large set of friends) that William Darcy was a very respectable, polite and kind young man. He was known of helping the poor and, though not rich himself, did whatever he could to help. Many talked of his honesty and integrity. He was known to be reserved by nature, but nobody described him as impolite. There must be another explanation for the arrogant words he said about her. She suspected that Caroli has something to do with it. In her impatience, she did not think much about propriety before she suddenly addressed William,

"Mr. Darcy. I have something to discuss with you if you have no objection," she said while blushing a little.

William found her blush most becoming on her face. Aloud he said, "Not at all Miss Bennet." He wondered if she was going to say what he has on his mind. Probably not.

"I heard what you said to Mr. Bingley about me last Thursday."

He was dumbfounded, to say the least. This is going to be too frank a discussion. He did not know what to say in reply, so he looked at the floor in embarrassment.

"I was a bit annoyed at first by what I heard, though I did not show it at the time," she continued. "However, the information I got from my friends here tells me that you are not rude by nature. If you heard something wrong about me that prompted you to say such, let me know. Otherwise, I will let you know my opinion about your behavior." She said the last sentence in a little louder voice.

William knew now that he had to explain. There was no way he can avoid it after this frank confrontation on her side.

"Miss Bennet, pray forgive me. Whenever I think about what I said, I feel ashamed of myself. I did not know you at that time, and now that I do I find what I said inexcusable. I did not think the same that night after what your cousin told me, but now that I know you and your cousin better, I feel ashamed of being fooled by him."

"And what exactly did my cousin say that made you so angry of me?"

William repeated a part of what Caroli said, about her being his fiancée and about her rude manners, and her insults of himself.

"I was just thinking I am going even with you after your cousin told me you described me in such a manner. I am truly sorry, Miss Bennet. I will do whatever I can to amend my error, if that is possible at all."

Elizabeth relaxed as she replied, "I accept your apology Mr. Darcy. Given the circumstances I may have done the same myself, though not in the same rude language you used," she said teasingly while she smiled.

William relaxed a lot as he saw her smile. Her manners were more than captivating now for him. Was he falling for her? He had better think of something else. What can make a rich lady connect herself with a poor man from the country?

"I am relieved Miss Bennet, though I cannot say I am pleased with myself," he replied.

"It is me who should apologize for my cousin's behavior, Mr. Darcy. I do not want to talk about him in his absence, but I must say I am sorry for what he said to you."

She is apologizing to me ?! And she does not want to talk of someone in his absence? This young lady is full of surprises indeed. Aloud he said,

"I would be honored to play chess with you Miss Bennet, though from what I heard of your skill I confess I am a little bit afraid of such a game."

She was also beginning to feel more than a little liking for him. All her life she had dreamt of a man with his manners (as described by the local people, not as she witnessed herself!), but she still has to know him better.

"Maybe we can play a game after dinner, if you are not otherwise engaged. We can even go with Jane to Charles' room to provide him a little amusement if he is well by that time."

He was about to praise her idea, when his reserved nature interfered and told him it might be felt as flattery.

"I hope Charles gets better soon."

"I hope so too. Oh, it is 9 AM already. I think we have to go now to have some breakfast."

He went after her, still thinking about the wonderful young lady in front of him.

At Breakfast

Jane was waiting in the dining room and was surprised to see William Darcy coming after her sister. Caroli was still not there as usual.

"I hope your cousin is well, Mr. Darcy," Jane started, unable to hide her anxiety.

"He is better, thank you Miss Bennet. He woke up at night and talked to me for a short while before going back to sleep. I hope the doctor can give us a satisfactory report this morning."

"I am glad to hear it." I was not able to sleep well last night, she said to herself while blushing a little. "We are now waiting for Caroli to come down before we have breakfast. Have a seat, Mr. Darcy."

"Thank you."

"Lizzy, I smelt a wonderful scent coming from the kitchen. Please tell me you prepared my favorite apple pie."

She can cook? William wondered.

Elizabeth, embarrassed to talk about that in front of William, said, "I prepared it last night and continued this morning. It is just a small surprise from your little sister!" She was smiling and blushing at the same time.

"Oh Lizzy. You are wonderful. She is the best little sister anyone ever had, Mr. Darcy."

Caroli entered at that moment, earlier than usual, since he felt danger from leaving William with the ladies for a long time. Conversation continued through breakfast, though it was more reserved than it was without Caroli. William was still thinking of Elizabeth, while she was thinking of a way to confront her cousin.

Chapter 9

Posted on Sunday, 9 January 2000

Monday Morning, After Breakfast

The doctor came to check on Charles, and he declared him not to be in any danger. He advised them to continue with the medication, and estimated that Charles is going to be fine in one or two days.

Charles was conscious by that time and William spent almost all the morning in his bedroom. Jane wanted to stay as well but it could hardly be appropriate for a young lady like her, so she just checked on Charles every fifteen minutes or so!

"It seems that you were doing very well with Miss Jane, Charles," William said. "She is always inquiring about you."

"Stop it William. This time I feel it is different. I have never seen such a wonderful person before. She is very good-natured, kind, and of course very pretty. I think she is an angel who came to rescue me."

William did not comment on that, but he thought there was one other person in the house who was more deserving to be called an angel.

Charles continued, "But William, how are you now with Miss Elizabeth? Did you settle your differences? I hope you apologized to her for your behavior."

William colored a little and replied, "Yes I did. But it was very embarrassing for me. And the fact that she forgave me quickly made me more ashamed of myself. I do not know why I was fooled by that hateful Caroli." And he told Charles of his conversation with Miss Elizabeth.

"You seem to be taken by Miss Elizabeth yourself, William," Charles teased.

"Charles, stop it."

Charles did not continue teasing and after a short while slept again.

Meanwhile, In the drawing Room

Elizabeth, Jane and Caroli were in the drawing room. Elizabeth was reading a book, Jane doing some needle work, and Caroli trying to distract Elizabeth from her book!

"Miss Elizabeth, it is an excellent way to spend a morning, in the company of a book. I think there is nothing in the world better than reading. One can be bored with anything except a book."

If you continue this, then you have brought it on yourself, Elizabeth thought.

"What is your book about? I think it is some kind of a play."

"No you are mistaken, Mr. Debourgh. It is some scientific book about Physics."

"Physics? And what does a young woman like you want to know about Physics? I think walking is enough of a physical exercise for you. For sure you do not want to play some other game?"

Elizabeth fought hard in order not to laugh for her cousin's stupidity.

"I assure you it is not about games, Mr. Debourgh!"

"Then about what?"

You brought it upon yourself, she thought.

"Mr. Debourgh, I think we have to talk. There is something I have to discuss with you."

"Oh of course, whatever you wish. But do you want us to go in the library?" he said in a lower voice, looking at Jane.

"This matter is no secret for my sister. I would like her to hear you out as well. Mr. Debourgh, what was you thinking when you told Mr. Darcy that I am an arrogant lady who despises all around her? Did you think this is some kind of joke?"

"B .. But why.."

"If you think it is a joke, then it is a very ill-mannered one to be sure. If you have some other design on your mind, let me assure you that you are not going to get what you want."

Jane was very surprised by this discussion. She was about to laugh at what her cousin said about Physics when she heard this heated discussion. She did not know what to think or say. Elizabeth was very tough on her cousin this time. It had to be some serious matter.

Elizabeth told Jane what Caroli had told William about her, and was waiting for her cousin's reply.

After a short while when he regained his composure, Caroli said, "Miss Elizabeth, how can you believe such a country poor man? For sure he is telling some lies to you in order to gain your affection. A woman with ten thousand a year is more than a nice prey for a man with no fortune like himself."

"I do not believe you because I know you, cousin. I think enough was said on that subject, unless of course you want to apologize."

Caroli thought for a second before saying, "But I do apologize, Miss Elizabeth. You know I am in love with you and that I will do whatever I can to protect you. My only thought at that time was to protect you against the greedy gentlemen of the area. I do not bear to see you married to someone else." This was as good a time as ever to tell her how I felt. Felt? Am I in love with her, or is it only her money? It doesn't matter, though.

"I accept your apology, cousin. As for what you said about your feelings, let me make this clear for you. I respect you and my uncle a great deal, but I do not feel in my heart what a woman should feel towards someone that she is going to marry. Nor do I feel such a feeling can be ever generated. I am sorry to hurt you, but I hope you can get over it. You are a rich young man yourself, and many beautiful gentlewomen will be more than happy to be connected to you." She was able to stop herself from laughing when she said the word (respect) associated with her cousin.

Caroli's face was red now, and he excused himself from the company of the sisters, saying that he has some business to attend.

Jane said as soon as he was out of the room, "You were too hard on him, Lizzy. Couldn't you have said it to him in a better way?"

"Did you want me to marry him, while I do not love him?"

"No of course not, but at least you could have said what you just said to him in private, not in front of me."

"Maybe you are right Jane, but he provoked me. I could not stand the sight of him much longer after he called me what he did to Mr. Darcy."

"I will go to check on Mr. Bingley now, Lizzy. I will be back in a few minutes."

3 Monday Evening, Netherfield

Jane, Elizabeth and Caroli were staying in the drawing room. Jane was playing a game of cards with her sister, while Charles was doing nothing, still affected from the morning discussion with Elizabeth. At that time, William entered the room.

"How is your cousin, Mr. Darcy?" Jane asked at once.

"He is fine, but he is having some sleep now. He is going to wake up any minute now."

"And did you tell him about our chess game? I told you we are going to play in his room to amuse him a little," Elizabeth said. She was eager to play with William as he was with her.

"No I did not. I thought you might change your mind."

"Well, I did change my mind. I want to play two games instead of one with you this evening. As Jane here can tell you, I usually lose the first game when I play with someone for the first time!"

"And she usually wins all other games with that person after that," Jane joked.

"Oh Jane, do not spoil my scheme."

"I will be happy to play too games with you, Miss Elizabeth. Maybe I can prove the theory of your sister to be wrong?" William teased.

"Some people like to dream a lot," Jane interrupted. They were all enjoying this conversation a lot. Well, almost all, for Caroli was still occupied in his thoughts.

"Jane, remember that I am not even good to play with Lydia?" Elizabeth reminded Darcy of what he said earlier.

"Miss Elizabeth, please do not remind me of that. I am really ashamed of myself and .."

An embarrassed William was interrupted by Elizabeth who said, "I was just joking, Mr. Darcy. I do not bear you a grudge from what you said."

"And she also likes to make her opponents think she is not good, so that they underestimate her and she wins them easier," Jane added.

"Oh Jane, what a sister you are? Do you have to spoil all my schemes? Well, you should go now, Mr. Darcy, to your cousin. See if he is awake, and let him be prepared for the excitement that is coming."

William left to do as told.

Later on Monday Evening, Charles' room

"Checkmate, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said at the end of her second game with that gentleman. She had lost the first game, and was very happy to win the second one. William proved to be a very worthy opponent.

"Do not say I did not warn you, Mr. Darcy," Jane said.

Charles joined, "But William you must be very annoyed of yourself. This is one of the very few times he lost a game to anyone, Miss Elizabeth."

"Are you really annoyed, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not at all. Well, maybe a little bit! But one cannot be too annoyed to lose from a worthy opponent."

"This is one of the rare times William pays a compliment to anyone, Miss Elizabeth," Charles said. "But since I saw your game, I think it is not a compliment after all!"

"You flatter me, both of you! I am not that good, and pay no attention to what Jane will say."

William was more than captivated with the young lady in front of him. Was he in love with her? At the beginning of the day he was just embarrassed from her due to his impolite remarks, but now he was sure he liked every bit of her conversation, as well as her manners. She managed to be lively as well as polite in a strange mixture. She is a joy to listen to her talk, a joy to play with, a joy to look at. In short, she is everything any man can want in the companion of his life. He was very much in love with that lady by now, and he has to think about it over the night.

They continued in that manner of light conversation until Charles was tired and they all retired for the night.

Chapter 10

Posted on Monday, 10 January 2000

Tuesday and Wednesday, Netherfield

The next two days while Charles was recovering passed pleasantly for all the inhabitants of Netherfield except Caroli. Elizabeth and William were enjoying each other's company and intelligent conversation, and Jane and Charles were in the same situation. Caroli was always thoughtful and did not interfere in the conversation between his cousins and the two other men, and he was more absent from the house than he was present.

Jane and Charles developed an understanding between them, that missed nothing except the declaration of love on both of their parts. Jane was a young lady who cannot declare her love to a man unless he does so first. Charles was waiting till he was sure of his family's approval, but intended to ask Jane to marry him as soon as possible. He was sure of her feelings, as she was sure of his. They spoke a lot in their silence while in each other's company. Elizabeth seemed to approve of Charles as a suitor of Jane, which was very important for Jane as she greatly valued her sister's opinions.

The relationship between Elizabeth and William was much more complicated, since they were more complicated characters than Jane and Charles. William knew he loved Elizabeth, and that he could do whatever he can to be with her. However, he was very sensitive to the great difference in wealth between them. She could not possibly think of marrying so beneath her. He was not beneath her in the social ladder, since he was a gentleman and she was a gentlewoman, but the money difference was a big obstacle. And even if she approved of him and wanted him to propose, could he bear having to live out of his wife's money? He had to sort his mind soon, before he loses her forever.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, was beginning to feel more than friendship towards the young man, but she did not confess to herself that she loved him. What she heard of his character endeared him to her, and her appreciation increased with each passing minute in his company. Can he be after her money? She did not know but her heart told her the answer is no. Will she accept a marriage proposal from him? Certainly. Will he propose? She did not know, but her heart told her he loved her and enjoyed being in her company. When will he propose? She cannot tell.

Charles was completely recovered by the end of Wednesday and the doctor declared him to be fit to go back to Longbourn on the next day. William decided with his cousin that it would be more appropriate for them to leave the next day so that they do not seem to be making use of the Bennets' generosity.

Thursday Morning

William and Charles set out to go back to Longbourn that morning after breakfast. They were both disappointed to leave, and they could tell from a look at the ladies' faces that they were disappointed as well. William did not like the smile on Caroli's face, but he had to leave.

When they returned home, they were received by many questions from Mrs. Darcy like: How much time did you spend with the ladies? Do you think they will accept your marriage offers? Exactly how rich they are? ...etc.

Mr. Darcy told them when he had a chance to speak that they should expect an extra addition to their family's circle that day.

"And who is that, father?" William asked.

"It is your cousin Miss Collins, who will inherit this estate and throw you all to the streets as soon as she wishes when I die."

Mrs. Darcy started to weep, "Oh my nerves! What does she want from us? Insufferable woman. And to imagine her in my place! How can she bear to throw us all to the street? I would not have accepted to inherit such a place if it was given to me in such a way. Oh my nerves!"

Mr. Darcy explained later when he had the next chance to speak, "Your cousin hints at her interest in marrying one of our two boys. I will read you her message so that you can understand her character."

The message said:

Dear Mr. Darcy,

It might come as a surprise to you to get a message from me, specially considering the disagreement between you and my dear late respectful father Mr. Collins. However, I feel it is my duty to try to heal the breach and reach an understanding with you and your family. I understand the condition of inheritance of your estate, and I am not unconscious to the misfortune that will occur to your family after your death, but I am willing to make amends.

I have recently been offered a position as the head of school for poor families here in Kent. A very noble gentleman, Sir Louis Debourgh, and his noble wife Lady Catherine offered this position to me. They are both one of the greatest persons that ever lived, and my noble patrons discussed with me the situation of my inheriting Longbourn, and agreed with me on what I plan to do.

Mr. Darcy interfered here: The next are two long paragraphs praising Sir Louis and Lady Catherine to the skies, but I will not bore you with listening to them since I am not that cruel!

My noble patrons agreed with me that a young lady like myself should seek to marry as soon as was appropriate, and I intend to follow their advice as much as I can. I will call on your house on Thursday ..

Yours &c &c

Willia Collins

"What do you say of her characters, sons?"

"I cannot describe her as a sensible woman after you read this," William replied.

"But William, you cannot always be so hard on your acquaintances. Surely you cannot judge her before meeting her." Charles said.

Mr. Darcy teased, "Then you have no objection to marrying your cousin yourself, Charles?"

Charles' face turned red from embarrassment, and William did not make it easy for him when he said, "I think Charles welcomes attentions from another quarter, father."

Mr. Darcy raised his eyebrows in mock astonishment and said, "Is that really so, Charles?"

An red-faced Charles replied, "Yes indeed, father. I feel a great deal towards Miss Jane Bennet. I was about to ask her to marry me yesterday, but I wanted to tell you first and get your and mother's blessing."

Mr. Darcy was very happy, but asked Charles, "Do you think she shares your sentiments?"

"I think so."

"What do you think, William."

William was about to reply when Charles thought it a perfect chance for getting even and said, "I think William was too busy from another quarter to notice the feeling of others."

Mr. Darcy raised his eyebrows in true astonishment this time, but chose not to say anything as his wife overcame her fit of nerves quickly and started her silly remarks about Miss Bennet and her fortune, and that she was extremely happy for Charles. She continued in that manner until Miss Collins was announced.

Chapter 11

Posted on Monday, 10 January 2000

Thursday Afternoon

The whole Darcy family, except Mary, were gathered to receive Miss Collins when she arrived. Mary was invited to spend the evening with Miss Elizabeth, which pleased her father very much. He was glad to have his daughter in the company of another sensible young lady.

Miss Collins entered the house and no sooner was she seated than she started talking at once about her favorite subject, "Mr. Darcy. Please allow me to congratulate you on the elegance of your house. You have a very nice place here, I assure you. Of course it is nothing in comparison with Rosings, the house of my noble patrons Sir Louis and Lady Catherine Debourgh. It is a great place, and it is very elegantly furnished. And the furniture is very expensive. It has so many rooms that I cannot count them at all. I have once commented to Lady Catherine about the number of rooms they have and told her that I do not think the royal palace has more rooms. She was greatly pleased with such a compliment, as she called it. Though I am sure she was just being polite. I also assured Sir Louis that his taste in furniture was excellent. &c &c. "

The Darcys were surprised to hear such a long speech from Miss Collins. Mr. Darcy sensed at once that she was very stupid. Her stupidity was very close to that of Lydia, whom he regarded as the most foolish girl in the whole of England. However, he wanted to have more fun with his relation and asked her whether she lived near her patrons.

"Why yes, of course. Their great house, Rosings Park, is just a lane away from my humble little place. I am glad to tell you that I am regularly invited to dinner with them twice a week, and they even come to visit me every now and then."

Mr. Darcy continued his interrogation of the young lady, "Miss Collins, does Sir Louis and Lady Catherine have sons or daughters?"

"They have a son, called Mr. Caroli Debourgh. I think he is in the neighborhood now. Sir Louis himself told me so. He is staying at a place called Netherfield with two of his noble cousins. I assure you Mr. Darcy that I have seen no one like him. So polite. So handsome. And not at all condescending or rude. I am sure that you have witnessed his fine manners yourself."

William could barely hide his laugh at such a statement.

Miss Collins continued, "He is going to marry his cousin Miss Elizabeth Bennet soon. Why, Lady Catherine was just telling me what a darling Miss Elizabeth was. I think he was first going to marry her sister Jane, but Sir Louis assured me that it is Miss Elizabeth whom he is going to marry."

No wonder, thought William. This change of sentiments obviously happened after she inherited Pemberley.

"But I must compliment you of course on your fine sons. After Mr. Debourgh, I have never seen such good breeding. But of course Mr. Debourgh belongs to the highest circles of society so you should not be offended, my dear cousins, by comparing his manners to yours."

They were not offended, of course, since they could barely refrain from laughing.

Miss Collins directed her talk now to Mrs. Darcy, "I want to assure you, Ma'am, that you have done a very nice job in raising your sons. I think Lady Catherine will agree with me when she sees my cousins. She is always so kind and tells me her opinion on every subject. She does not consider any subject beneath her. She was visiting my school one day when she told me to change the color of the curtains to a brighter color and to change the orientation of the desks."

Miss Collins continued in this manner over dinner and afterwards until Mary returned to share the agony of her family. Mary was however too pleased with the evening she spend in Elizabeth's company to be too distressed with Miss Collins. Mr. Darcy was no longer having fun from the silly remarks of his stupid relation, since he has conveniently developed a most serious headache and retired to bed early. Mrs. Darcy was trying to talk about the coming engagement of her Charles with Miss Bennet but did not have a chance to talk since Miss Collins could not be stopped, even by Mrs. Darcy. Lydia and Kitty left to their rooms to talk about the recent arrival of new officers whom they were hopefully going to meet on the next day. William and Charles were bored to death from their silly cousin, but Charles was having more bright thoughts of Miss Jane and his proposal to her on the next day. William was thinking of Miss Elizabeth and how he should approach the subject of his feelings with her. He was too busy thinking of her to notice the look of interest with which Miss Collins looked at him.

Chapter 12

Friday Morning

William, Charles, Lydia, Kitty and Miss Collins set off to Meryton together, but for different purposes. Charles was on his way to call on Miss Bennet, and one look at his face was enough to tell how agitated he was. Lydia and Kitty were going to Meryton to inquire after the new officers who arrived to join the militia. William was there to guard his younger sisters from any inappropriate behavior, though he knew there was not much that he could do to stop them without his father's interference. Miss Collins was pleased to be in William's company since she has set her eyes on him as her future husband and wanted to secure his attentions.

They were all walking in the main street of Meryton when Lydia recognized Denny with another man she has not seen before. She and her sister were struck with the stranger's air, and wondered who he could be. and Kitty and Lydia, determined if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under pretense of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town, and he was happy to say, was one of the new officers who were joining the militia. This was exactly as it should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favor; he had all the best part of beauty - a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation - a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of a carriage drew their notice, and the Miss Bennets were seen riding down the street.

Jane and Elizabeth descended from the carriage and went to greet the party. They were on their way to Longbourn at the pretense of checking on Charles' health. Charles was thrilled to see his beloved, and they were soon lost in each other's company. William was pleased to see his beloved too, and she was just smiling to his face when she noticed the stranger who was standing with his younger sisters. She was not a person to escape from any situation, and so she gravely greeted the new officer,

"Mr. Wickham," she curtseyed reluctantly.

"Miss Bennet," he bowed in mock surprise.

William noticed the cold greeting between them and tried to lighten the mood.

"Miss Bennet. I see that no introduction is necessary. We were just making the acquaintance of Mr. Wickham who is joining the militia," William said.

"I am already acquainted with Mr. Wickham. Mr. Wickham, I hope you will take care this time," Elizabeth gravely said with a warning look.

William was surprised by this strange remark of Miss Elizabeth, but said nothing. Lydia and Kitty now claimed the company of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth was about to talk to William when she was stopped by Miss Collins, "Miss Elizabeth, allow me the liberty to address you. I am very glad to meet you finally. I want to assure you that your uncle and aunt Sir Louis and Lady Catherine were well when I saw them last in Kent three days ago."

Elizabeth was surprised, and looked at William with a question in her eyes. He saw that an introduction was due, "Miss Bennet, this is Miss Willia Collins, my cousin. She has recently been offered a job as the head of a local school by your uncle and aunt."

Elizabeth did not want much to do with Miss Collins, but her polite nature did not allow her to escape. "Miss Collins, I am glad to make your acquaintance."

"Allow me once more to congratulate you on your engagement to Mr. Debourgh. I assure you that you are the envy of all the higher circles since he singled you out. But of course he too is honored to be your fiancé. Your family is such a family that all who know you will be greatly honored."

"Miss Collins, excuse me. Who told you I am engaged to my cousin? This is simply not true," Elizabeth said, more than a little embarrassed.

"But why, I was just calling on Sir Louis and Lady Catherine last Friday when they told me of your engagement. I hope there is no misunderstanding between you and your noble relatives."

William was embarrassed for Miss Elizabeth, and he was more embarrassed for his cousin's behavior. There was little he could say to relieve the situation. However, he was relieved when Jane ventured to invite the whole party to Netherfield to spend the morning with them. Charles readily agreed, thinking how he could get some privacy with Jane to propose. Kitty and Lydia however preferred to go to their aunt Mrs. Philips and invited Mr. Wickham and Denny along with them. William was torn between his desire to go with Elizabeth and his job to protect his younger sisters, but he decided that duty came first, and apologized politely to Jane. Miss Collins was not going to leave William so soon, and so went with him. Elizabeth looked with a warning eye to Wickham before they set off in different directions. Elizabeth went with her sister and Charles to Netherfield, and Wickham went with the rest of the party to the hose of Mrs. Philips.

Later That Day, At The House Of Mrs. Philips

Lydia and Kitty were very attentive to their new acquaintance, while Miss Collins was very attentive to her cousin William. William was suffering a lot that day. He was away from Miss Elizabeth. In addition, he was in the company of a group of the silliest people in the whole world. Miss Collins was getting to his nerves with her silly remarks and boasts about her patrons, and his sisters were overly absurd in their attentions to Mr. Wickham.

He was surprised by the gentleman's familiarity with Miss Elizabeth, and wanted to know more of the subject. What could be possibly the relationship between her and Mr. Wickham? Obviously she was not pleased by his presence. And was that a warning in her words to him? There is more to that matter than what captures the eye, obviously. He was not curious by nature, but anything relating to Elizabeth aroused his curiosity. He should have some chance to talk to that gentleman alone, and soon.

A look at the other man showed him that he too was not comfortable in his situation by the stupid Lydia and Kitty. After about an hour of silly talk by the ladies of the group, Wickham applied for the ladies for a game of cards. When Lydia and Kitty showed their interest, Miss Collins stepped forward to play, assuming that William would do the same. With a pleading look at his aunt, Mrs. Philips said she wanted to play with her relations. Wickham assured the young ladies that he is going to join them soon, and William mumbled something to the same effect.

Having got rid of the silly girls, William and Wickham found themselves seated by each other. The started to talk about the neighborhood, and about the military life. At last, Wickham volunteered to talk about the subject that was most important both in his mind and in William's.

"Mr. Darcy, for how long did you know Miss Elizabeth Bennet?"

"A little more than a week."

"And what do you think of her?"

An inner thought told William to be reserved, "I hardly know her, but I did not see anything wrong about her."

"You were surprised, I guess, when you saw our cold meeting this morning. You would be more surprised when I tell you that I have known her for all my life."

William's look of astonishment and his silence was all Wickham needed to continue, "My father was a steward of Pemberley, and she was a young lady from the neighborhood. Mr. Bennet, her father, was the owner of the neighboring estate, Lambton manor. Her father, my father and Mr. Parrington, the late owner of Pemberley, were among the best of friends. Their children were raised almost together as the rules of society allowed. I was surprised from the beginning at the evil manners of Miss Elizabeth, which she was able to hide from nearly everyone else. She is a great actress, Mr. Darcy, and was able to hide her evil doings from all those who knew her. She was always up to some mischief or another, and I did not discover it was her myself except by mere chance."

William was surprised to hear of that. Could he be talking about the same person? Was she really acting in her kindness and captivating manners?

"She was always doing something wrong and throwing the blame on someone else's door. Many times was I blamed for her evil doings, but so was her sister Jane and I think she did not suspect it a bit. I am still wondering at her possible motives for doing so, but I now can figure out it was a way of making herself the best amongst us for some future benefits.

"Mr. Parrington, the late owner of Pemberley, was my godfather. He provided for me at school, and later at college. And since he has no heir, told me he was going to make me his heir, and leave the whole of Pemberley for me. He liked me a great deal, and I was much grieved by his death, which closely followed the death of my own father and Mr. Bennet.

"As you probably know now, when his will was read, he gave everything he had to Miss Elizabeth. It seemed that while I was away at college, she told him some falsehoods about myself, and managed to change his kind heart in her favor. I cannot think of what she had done to accomplish that, but I can only imagine very bad scenarios. A young lady like herself is not always the subject of kindness of such a man except for some reason."

William was very angry at the last hint, and only the presence of his relations prevented him from hitting Wickham on the face. How dare he accuse Elizabeth of such a great mischief? She was a symbol of nice manners and virtue in his eyes. But did he really know her? He did not know her for long, and he did not have the chance to be with her as Mr. Wickham had. Should he believe this strange story or his own eyes and heart?

"I am sorry that such a story pained you a great deal, Mr. Darcy. I assure you that I could not have told you this story, had I not recognized that look on your face this morning. I saw you look at her with, let's say, admiration. I have seen this look on the faces of many men acquainted with her before. She seems to have a great sport in making men fall in love with her and then leaving them pining for their loss as she moves to another place. She is enjoying this sport very much since she has got what she wanted from Mr. Parrington."

William was at loss for words. Conversation did not continue after this narration by Mr. Wickham as the ladies came back to claim their male companions. William was too much distracted to notice anything Miss Collins said, or to notice the satisfied look which Mr. Wickham directed at him. Their visit did not continue long after that, and the Darcy party returned back to Longbourn.

The Rest Of Friday

William excused himself from the company of his family as soon as he returned home. His excuse was a severe headache, and he went directly to his room, not even waiting to hear the news from Charles. It was a strange story that was narrated by Mr. Wickham. Could it be true? Could his heart be deceiving him? Could Elizabeth be THAT bad? His heart was screaming at him not to believe such weird accusations. His mind, however, was thinking that the story made much more sense. What could really have made Mr. Parrington write all his property in his will to Elizabeth? And what motive does Wickham have to tell such a story? But there was something in this story that did not make much sense. What was it? He has to figure out soon, before getting crazy and certainly before having to meet Miss Elizabeth again. He remained in his room till night when he retired to a restless sleep, oblivious to all the uproar that was going on in the house.

Chapter 13

Posted on Tuesday, 11 January 2000

Saturday Morning

William woke up feeling much better after he thought about the story of Mr. Wickham all night. He reached a decision that made him feel at peace. He had to confront Elizabeth with what he heard and see her reaction. He remembered now how her cousin Caroli had fooled him on the first time he saw her. Caroli managed to convince him she was arrogant and conceited, and made him become very rude to her even before she had a chance to defend herself. This cannot happen again. He must not fall into the same trap twice. Wickham must be grudging her the fact that she inherited Pemberley instead of himself, and wanted to get his revenge.

He still could not believe such actions as those narrated by Wickham to come from her. She was, for him, the perfect woman. She did no wrong in all her actions that he witnessed. Can she be acting? Can someone act to be that good-natured? And was she acting to make him fall in love with her? William was always proud of himself, but what he had seen from her made him less confident in his abilities. She was as honest and as good as he wished to be, in addition to her being rich. Usually he thought women were trying to make him fall in love with them, but what reason does she have to do the same? Can she be that cruel to make a sport of poor men and making them fall in love with her?

William decided that it is better to call on the Bennets that morning, but he remembered that Charles went on the previous day to ask for Miss Jane's hand. He wanted to know first about the success of his cousin, and then set for his own purpose. He went to Charles' room to ask him. Charles was already awake and preparing to get out of the house.

"Charles, how was your day yesterday?" he asked.

Charles' face shined with happiness as he replied, "perfect!"

"Oh Come on. Details please."

"Details of what?" Charles teased.

"Charles... Sometimes you enjoy vexing me!"

"Not sometimes, my dear William. You can say, nearly always!"

"Charles!"

"Ok, I will tell you at once! I went yesterday with Miss Bennet and her sister back to Netherfield. Their cousin Caroli was not there obviously. He was on some business they did not know about. Only servants were in the house. We went to the drawing room, and I was just thinking of a way to speak to Miss Jane alone, when Miss Elizabeth suggested to go and prepare some refreshments for us. I remember her smile to her sister now as she left the room.

"Miss Bennet asked me about my health, and we spent some time in cheerful conversation, before I could not take it any longer. I told her I loved her and wanted her to be my wife. Her smile lit my heart as she told me she had to ask for her sister's consent first. She valued her sister's opinions highly on all matters, and she told me that since she had no living father, I had to ask for the consent of her nearest relation, Miss Elizabeth.

"As soon as I was thinking how to approach the subject with her, Miss Elizabeth herself entered the room carrying another pie which Miss Jane seemed to prefer. Oh. I had to drop that formal address now. I think I can call her Jane after all!

"It is as if Miss Elizabeth knew what was going on, for she asked me directly with a smile if I wanted anything from her sister. I told her what I wanted and she went on to hug Jane before heartily shaking hands with me. She congratulated me and told me to take care of her sister. Your Miss Elizabeth is an angel, William. Oh William, I am so happy! I agreed with the two sisters on a wedding date a month from yesterday."

"Congratulations, Charles. I think you and Miss Jane are very well suited to each other," William said, ignoring the remark about his Miss Elizabeth. "You are the perfect couple in my eyes! And I must congratulate you on your new relations as well."

"Exactly who of my relations do you mean?" Charles said with a grin.

William's face showed some uneasiness as he thought of telling his cousin of Wickham's story. He thought for a moment before deciding against it. He did not want Charles to worry, and it could come to nothing if it was a falsehood after all. So, he changed the subject, "Are you going now to call at Netherfield?"

"Yes! Do you like to join me?"

"No, not now. But I might come later in the morning to call on your new fiancée."

" Only on my fiancée?" Charles grinned.

"Stop it Charles. Why do you enjoy my uneasiness so much?" He said, smiling, while he left the room to prepare for his errand to Netherfield.

Later on Saturday Morning

William managed to escape from his mother's silly remarks about Miss Jane and her fortune and from Miss Collins and her endless talk about the Debourghs. He told them he was going out for a walk, and left before Miss Collins had a chance to suggest joining him.

He was on his way, still thinking of Wickham's strange story. He was passing some bushes when he heard the voice of that gentleman talking with someone else. They were both hiding behind the bushes, but their conversation could be heard from where he stood. He stopped in his place in shock as he heard Wickham's last sentence:

"Of course I fooled him all right! I wish you had a chance to look at his face as I told him my tale!"

"Ok, Mr. Wickham. You deserve your money. But remember, if one word about me reached anyone, you are going to lose your commission."

"Do not worry, sir. It was my pleasure to say such a story about her! She deserves it after what she always does to my plans."

William retreated quickly before being noticed by these two persons. The first was Mr. Wickham, but who was the second? He heard that voice before. Could it be? ... Mr. Debourgh?

Chapter 14

Posted on Tuesday, 11 January 2000

Saturday Morning, Cont.

William was both greatly shocked and greatly relieved at the same time when he overheard the conversation between George Wickham and Caroli Debourgh. It was now clear to him that Wickham was not a man to be trusted, and that he conspired with Caroli against Elizabeth and himself. He was shocked that Caroli could do something that low. He was also shocked that he was about to be fooled by him for the second time. However, the greatest sensation he felt was relief. He did not believe these stories about Elizabeth in the first place, but now that he knew them to be utterly wrong, he was exceedingly glad that her good name and good morals were not stained by even one bit.

He was now thinking of what he should do about what he knew now. Should he tell Elizabeth? What if she did not believe him? She would think him as bad as Caroli and Wickham and imagine he is after her money. And what if she believed him? What benefit will anyone get from that? Probably nothing. But nonetheless, he has to call on Miss Jane to congratulate her, and he has to meet Miss Elizabeth on that occasion. He had better do it now than later.

He confessed to himself that he missed her, though he did not know what to do concerning his feelings towards her. He loved her. About that he was certain. But what should he do next? Should he propose to her? He could not bear to live one day, nay one moment, away from her. But what about her? Did she feel towards him a fraction of what he felt towards her? He had to know soon before he gets crazy.

When he arrived at Netherfield, he found the household in uproar. As soon as he entered, he met Charles who was alone in the drawing room and asked him about what caused such anxiety around.

"William, it is terrible. The scene here just before you came was terrible."

"Charles, tell me immediately. I have no time for your little games now."

Charles was really upset when he said, "I was just going to tell you. A terrible scene now happened between Miss Elizabeth and Caroli, and their voice could be heard from the other end of the house. Caroli just left after that, and told her he is going to relate what she did to his father and mother, and that they would never know her again."

"Charles, please tell me everything from the beginning."

"I cannot understand all the details, but it seems that Miss Elizabeth was following Caroli this morning when he went for his errand, and saw him speaking with the gentleman we saw yesterday. Wickham is his name, I guess. According to Miss Elizabeth, they were conspiring against her. I did not know the details of this conspiracy but obviously she was upset and made no secret of it. She told her cousin to pack his bags and go away at once. He applied to Jane as the owner of the house, but she took the side of her sister and told him she would never disobey Miss Elizabeth. What he said or did then I could not imagine, since they shut the door to the dining room in which that confrontation took place, but I heard him as he was leaving. He threatened Miss Elizabeth to cut all ties between her and his family."

"And where is your fiancée and her sister now?"

"My Jane is in her bedroom. She told me she would join me after about half an hour. She was very agitated when she spoke to me. Obviously she wanted to recover from the shock caused by her cousin."

"And Miss Elizabeth?"

"Jane told me she left Netherfield in the direction of Meryton to talk with the other gentleman, Mr. Wickham."

William was greatly worried about Elizabeth.

"How could you leave her do that? And all alone? The man is dangerous. Didn't she know that?"

Charles was surprised by this reaction from William.

"I have to go after her. Excuse me, Charles, and convey my regards to your fiancée."

"William. Wait. What do you think you are doing?" Charles said to William's back as he left the house.

Actually William did not think much about what he was doing. The thought of Elizabeth in danger was too much for him to think of anything else. His idea of women was that they are always weak and vulnerable, and so he was afraid that any harm might occur to her. He could never forgive himself if anything happened to her, though till this moment they were totally unrelated.

Saturday noon, Meryton

Elizabeth was on her way to the place where the militia was camped. She was fairly acquainted with Colonel Forester, the head of the regiment, and thought that she should talk to him first.

She went directly to the Colonel's house, and the Colonel readily received her along with his wife, Harriet.

"Colonel Forester, please forgive me for my unexpected visit."

"You are always welcome, Miss Bennet. And please allow me and my wife to congratulate you. Everyone here in Meryton is pleased at the news of the engagement of your sister and Mr. Bingley."

"Thank you, Colonel, ma'am." She was quiet for a moment before going directly to her point, "Colonel, I am here to warn you against one of your new officers. His name is Mr. Wickham, and I have first-hand knowledge of his ways."

The Colonel and his wife were all attentive to her as she continued, "Mr. Wickham is one of those dangerous men who make a sport of seducing young ladies. As soon as he enters a neighborhood, he sets two or three targets for his attentions. Each of the poor girls thinks he is in love with her, and does not know anything about other girls. Not before long, he leaves the neighborhood and the families of his victims are left to suffer the consequences. I was able to stop him more than once before his evil was incorrigible, but I am afraid he might do the same here in this neighborhood."

The Colonel was surprised to hear such a report about one of his officers, who was quickly becoming one of his favorites. But he could not doubt Miss Elizabeth. She was one of the best ladies he had ever known, and all the neighborhood was singing her praises and was quite taken by her excellent personality. He thought about it for a moment before saying, "But for sure you cannot expect him to do that here. He is now an officer and you cannot expect him to do the same in his current position as he used to do before."

"I am sorry, Colonel, but I know him too well to believe him capable of refraining."

"So what should I do, Miss Bennet?"

"I think that Mr. Wickham can be trapped this time. The military rules are tougher and if he is trapped while disobeying them, he could be severely punished. If he chooses to do as he always does, I think we have a chance to catch him in his guilt and get rid of him forever."

"Do you have a plan, Miss Bennet?"

"Indeed I have, Colonel," she said and told him her plan.

Elizabeth was on her way back to Netherfield when she saw William moving in the opposite direction. His face showed extreme anxiety. He did not even notice as her figure approached him until she called him, "Mr. Darcy!"

A startled William replied after a short silence, "Miss Bennet!"

Chapter 15

Posted on Wednesday, 12 January 2000

Saturday Noon, Continued

On her way back to Netherfield, Elizabeth was thinking of William. She was disgusted by the plan of her cousin and Wickham, but the goal of that plan did not escape her mind. They wished to make her look bad in William's eyes. Did he believe Wickham? She did not know up to that moment that he too have overheard a part of the villains' conversation and knew the truth. She was worried that he might have believed Wickham's lies. "But why I am worried about that?" She thought. "Why do I want to look good in his eyes? Do I have some feelings for him that I am still unaware of? He is honest and kind to be sure, and he is also sensible and with a great knowledge of the world. Knowledge I would like certainly to benefit from. Not to mention very handsome. But what exactly do I feel towards that gentleman?" Another thought came over her mind. "And Why did Caroli want to blacken my image in William's eyes? Why William and not anyone else? Did he suspect some feelings on that gentleman's part?" She did not know why she was happy when she thought of William having some feeling more than just friendship towards her. She continued in that line of thought until she met him.

William was overjoyed when he met Miss Elizabeth on his way to Meryton. He was so worried about her, afraid that Wickham might do something to harm her. But now as he saw her safe and sound in front of his eyes, he was extremely happy.

He knew he had to talk before the silence became too awkward. Thinking of that, he said, "I must congratulate you, Miss Bennet, on the engagement of your sister. I am extremely happy to have Miss Jane in my family, and ..." he was about to tell her that he would be more happy to have her too in the family but was too embarrassed to say it aloud.

"I am happy for Jane too, Mr. Darcy. Your cousin has one of the best tempers I have ever witnessed, which exactly matches Jane's. I think, and I hope, that they will be extremely happy." She was still thinking about whether or not he believed Wickham's lies. His face while he talked to her did not betray his feelings on that subject.

"I just came from Netherfield. I wanted to congratulate your sister in person, but I found the house in uproar, and could not meet her or you."

"Would you like to go back with me, Mr. Darcy, to congratulate Jane?" She shyly asked.

"It would be my pleasure, Miss Bennet," he smiled

Unable to keep on walking with William without knowing his feelings towards what Wickham said, Elizabeth opened the subject with him, with a little uneasiness. "Mr. Darcy, it came to my knowledge that a certain gentleman here told you some stories about me ..."

She was unable to finish as he interrupted, "Do not make yourself uneasy, Miss Bennet. I did not give much credit to his stories, nor would anyone do who knew you, even a little. I do not think Mr. Wickham is going to gain anything by voicing his opinions aloud in the neighborhood. You have managed in less than two weeks to make nearly everyone here your friend."

Elizabeth was relieved to hear what he said, and was about to hint at her feelings (for she, as a lady, could not do more than a hint), when a very unwelcome voice was heard from the direction of Meryton.

"Ah, here you are, Cousin William!" Miss Collins was heard to shout. "We were greatly worried for your whereabouts, and I took the liberty of going out with your sisters to Meryton to find you. But I could not find you there, and your sisters left me to call on the officers. Then I thought of looking for you here. We were all worried and ..." Miss Collins continued for five more minutes in an absurd speech about what her noble patrons would say in such a situation and what their opinion would be on seeing the wonderful grounds of Meryton, when she noticed Elizabeth's presence.

"Excuse me, Miss Bennet. I am extremely sorry to have caused you any trouble. I am extremely sensitive towards any of the noble relations of my noble patrons..." And two more minutes of that nonsense. When she stopped to take her breath, William was about to tell her he was going to Netherfield with Miss Bennet.

"Miss Collins, I ... "

"My dear cousin, do not distress yourself too much. But I must say that your mother is very worried about you and I promised her I would get you back before long. Excuse us, Miss Bennet."

William could not do anything but oblige his stupid relation, though his eyes told Elizabeth how sorry he was to leave her. Elizabeth was sorry as well, but she was at least pleased that William did not believe Wickham's lies. They would have another chance to talk later, for he was sure to call on her sister.

On their way back to Longbourn, Miss Collins was more than hinting at her interest in William.

"My dear cousin, of course you know that your estate will be mine once your father dies." She was not someone who could be described as tactful. "I always felt sorry for the situation in which my dear cousins will find themselves once that sad event occurs. I was more than sensitive towards your misfortunes, and I was thinking always of making amends.

"It has been my design to marry since I was offered that position in Kent, and this design was enhanced when my noble patrons suggested to me that it is more proper for a school head to be married. They strongly suggested that I should marry one of my cousins so as to be the means of alleviating their misery."

"Excuse me, Miss Collins?" William was stunned. Was that lady trying to tell him that she wanted him to marry her? A lady proposing to a man to his face?

"Mr. Darcy, you know that your family is not rich and that I will inherit your estate sooner or later. What do you have to say to that?"

"Can you be a bit more clear, Miss Collins?"

"I would be extremely happy if I was joined in holy matrimony to my cousin," she said, pretending to be a bit shy and modest. But shyness and modesty did not suit her at all. William could not help but compare her face with the face of his Elizabeth.

"Miss Collins, let me make this matter clear for you. I appreciate your kind heart in trying to relieve our suffering," he was about to laugh as he talked about her kind heart. "But it is impossible for me to comply with your wishes."

Miss Collins tried to convince him of her argument until they reached Longbourn, but he did not shift from his solid position. He was disgusted to think of himself marrying this fool of a woman, especially after he saw her and Elizabeth at the same time. Nothing can persuade him to settle for Miss Collins and give up all hope on the woman that he loved. But did he really have any hope?

Meanwhile, in Meryton

Wickham was feeling extremely happy with himself. Not only had he got his revenge on Elizabeth and received a significant sum of money from her cousin, but also he was very successful with the local ladies. Till now he secured the attentions of Miss Lydia Darcy and Miss Mary King. He was sure they would not object to any of his advances after that. He was now talking to Miss Lydia who was visiting the militia camp with her sister Kitty. He was barely listening to her absurd speech while he was planning how to get what he wanted from her. He did not know that he was closely watched by two of his fellow officers by the orders of Colonel Forester.

Chapter 16

Posted on Thursday, 13 January 2000

Saturday Evening

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young gentleman in love with a woman must want her for a wife. However little known of the feelings of that gentleman concerning other matters, it is well known that matrimony comes always topmost in his mind. William was no exception to that rule. He has now fully acknowledged the depth of his feelings concerning Elizabeth. He could not imagine himself linked by marriage to any other woman. She has succeeded in ruining him for other women, and since he had seen her, he could not possibly settle for anything less. However, there were two small problems that were worrying him too much. First, did she feel the same for him? And second, if she did, can he bear to live with his wife on her money?

The answer of the first question can be obtained easier, in comparison to the second. He could ask her, and from what he had already witnessed of her frankness, he was sure to get an answer. Or if he could not face her, he could ask Charles to get an answer from his fiancée. His heart told him that she has some feelings for him. The extent of those feelings he did not know, but he hoped she was thinking of him as often as he was of her.

For the second question, he was not so sure. If he proposes and she accepts, can he live on her money? He was a very proud man who did not imagine himself the dependent party in a marriage. She might depend on him to manage her estate, and some gentlemen do not feel awkward by that, but he was not one of those. He aspired for a career of his own, and he took part in some trade transactions in London in an attempt to raise his own fortune. He could not be as rich as she was soon, to be sure, but he would try at least not to be dependent monetarily on his wife.

His mind was reeling with those thoughts when he heard the noise of his mother crying from downstairs. Her voice was now louder than it ever was, which made him worry more. He went to the living room to see his mother hugging his sister Lydia and both crying uncontrollably.

His father was nowhere to be seen, and his sisters Kitty and Mary were standing silently in the corner of the room, and so his only chance of getting any sensible information depended on his cousin Charles, who was now standing with his mother and sister, trying to comfort them.

As soon as their tears subsided, Mrs. Darcy and Lydia retired to their respective rooms. The first to relax her poor nerves, and the second to hide her mortification. William accompanied Charles to his room and asked him about what happened.

"Oh William, it is terrible. But at least they rescued her."

William was silent and anxious, waiting for more.

"It seems that Colonel Forester had some suspicions about the behavior of Mr. Wickham, and so he told two of his officers to keep an eye on him. He was caught two hours ago, Mr. Wickham I mean, with Lydia, in a shameful position. He confessed he was trying to seduce her. He was about to do incorrigible damage to her when he was caught. He tried to fight the two officers, but they defeated him and took him to the militia jail."

"And what exactly was he trying to do with Lydia?"

"You can imagine that of course, William."

"And what did father do or say about that?" William asked, more than a little angry from his father who could not protect his daughter. More than once he advised his father to restrict Lydia's behavior, but all his pleadings fell on deaf ears.

"I think he is in the library. I think he is very angry with himself. Probably he is going to restrict Lydia's behavior from now on."

William remembered another matter. "And what is to become of Wickham?"

"He is charged with two crimes: Seducing a child, and fighting against his fellow officers. I just talked with the Colonel and he told me they will probably send him to France to be in the front row in the next battle."

"I hope he gets what he deserves, either here or at the French's hands," William said, with anger in his voice.

Charles remembered another matter that he wanted to tell William.

"You did not ask me how Colonel Forester got his suspicions about Wickham in the first place?"

"Well, you could as well tell me."

"It seems that he got a call this morning by a gentlewoman. He did not tell me her name, but of course you can figure out who she was! She told him about Wickham's behavior, and suggested that he should be watched closely until caught in his guilt. I think we owe that lady too much," Charles said, winking at his cousin.

William was not at loss to figure out who the lady was. Who else went to Meryton that day, and went to the militia camp? So now he owed his Elizabeth the rescue of his own sister. His feelings were now too strong for her to be repressed, and every passing moment seemed to increase his love and regard for her. Every time he felt his love reached its peak, he was proved wrong by some action or another from her. How could he have ever said she was not intelligent or beautiful? He could not hide his feelings from his cousin any longer.

"Charles, I love her more than life," he said, with something like tears in his eyes.

"What?" A surprised Charles said. He was not used to such revelations from his reserved cousin.

"I said that I love her. I love her more than anyone or anything in this world. And I cannot imagine my life without her. I never thought such a love existed. I never thought of a woman as an equal. But now I do not think of her as an equal, but as a superior. If it was not that, I would have asked her to marry me this very moment."

"William," Charles kindly said. "You are an excellent man yourself, and your many good qualities recommend you to a lot of women. You may find out that she might feel something for you as well. Do not belittle yourself, cousin. Remember that last week you thought yourself too good for any woman whoever she was!"

The last statement did little to raise William's spirit. How much has changed in this last week. Before that he thought Elizabeth was a spoiled rich girl without anything to recommend her except her money. But now, money was the least item on her recommendation list. She was gentle, kind, intelligent, virtuous, clever, and more. He could not think of a good quality that was not associated with her. And what was he in comparison?

It would do him no good to dwell on the last point, but nevertheless he had to be worthy of her. He would do his best to be a better man, and he prayed that he would meet her approval.

Meanwhile, at Netherfield

Elizabeth lay in her bed thinking of William. She was thinking of him more often that not. She was dwelling on each of his good qualities, and now she admitted to herself that she loved him. Seeing him with Miss Collins created a strange sensation in her heart, and she soon discovered that sensation to be jealousy. Jealous of Miss Collins? Was that true? She had not ever imagined herself to be jealous of such a woman, but it seems that it was the only sensation that can describe her feelings. The only explanation for it was that she was in love with William. But what could she do? He may be too proud to ask her for her hand, though she felt in her heart that he loved her. She sensed that he was not comfortable with her money, and wished that she were less rich so as not to make him uneasy. But what else can she do? What if he indeed did not propose? She cannot propose to him of course, since it was most improper for a lady to propose to a gentleman. But was there another way?

Chapter 17

Posted on Friday, 14 January 2000

Sunday

William left for Netherfield by noon, at the pretense of congratulating Jane on her engagement to Charles. If he had another motive, he kept it to himself. Charles was there before him, and when William entered the drawing room at Netherfield, he saw Charles, Jane and the owner of his heart. He looked at her in admiration before remembering the supposed reason his errand.

"Miss Bennet, allow me to congratulate you on the occasion of your engagement. I am very glad indeed to call you a relation."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Darcy," Jane said while blushing a little.

Charles had a suggestion.

"William, would you like to entertain us with a game of chess, you and Miss Elizabeth? Jane and I were discussing who would win the next game between both of you, and we did not agree. We would like you both to satisfy our curiosity."

"I would like to, if Miss Elizabeth has no objection," William declared. He was glad to spend any amount of time in the company of his beloved.

"And whom did you think will win this game, Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth sweetly asked.

"Well, Jane thought you will win, and I thought my cousin will win. I have not seen William lose many times before. And he never lost to the same person twice."

Jane added, "I can declare the same for my sister here, though she will try with false modesty to convince you she is not a good player!"

"Oh Jane, what a sister you are!" Elizabeth said while laughing.

"Do not escape, Lizzy. Go and play with Mr. Darcy at once," Jane ordered.

"At your service, ma'am!" Lizzy replied in what she wanted to be a smile. She was trying to hide her distress at having to spend much time with the man she loved without declaring her feelings.

Elizabeth and William went to the other end of the room where the chess set was located, and placed their pieces in order. Jane and Charles were left to talk intimately. The silence between Elizabeth and William was awkward for both of them, since both were trying to hide their feelings.

The game continued for long ten minutes in silence before Elizabeth decided she has to break it.

"I think we must have some kind of conversation while we play."

"Do you talk by rule then, while you are playing?" He teased.

"Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for such a long time together," she said while blushing.

He gathered his courage, and before he changed his mind, he said, "Please Miss Bennet, let me express my deepest thanks for what you have done for my sister Lydia. Had it not been for you, she would have been ruined forever. Please let me express my deepest gratitude, on my behalf and on the behalf of all my family."

She was uneasy as she discovered that he knew her role in that matter.

"Do not distress yourself, Mr. Darcy. I only had to do it to stop Mr. Wickham from doing any wrong as he always does. I would have never forgiven myself if he succeeded in that. I did not mean your sister in particular, sir, so you and your family owe me nothing," she shyly said.

Her shyness and modesty was most becoming on her face that he could not concentrate in his next move. It was too late as he discovered that the bewitching girl in front of him has captured his queen.

"But that is unfair," he said. You are at a great advantage, Miss Elizabeth. I cannot think properly when you look at me like that, he thought.

"What is so unfair, Mr. Darcy? Do you so much object to losing?" Elizabeth teased.

"I have not lost yet, Miss Bennet!"

You'd better lose soon, before I can think no more, she thought. His presence was also distracting for her. It took her less than five minutes after that to win the game. Jane was overjoyed as she told her fiancé, "I told you, she does not lose more than once from anyone!"

Now I know why, William thought. Aloud he said, "I must ask for another game, Miss Bennet. I cannot leave here before getting even."

"You are welcome to stay here for the rest of your life, Mr. Darcy!" A laughing Jane said.

Darcy raised his brows and replied, "I hope I am not that hopeless, Miss Bennet! For sure I can get even before this night is over!"

And they continued this lively conversation while Elizabeth obliged William by preparing another game. When they started, William soon discovered that the effect of Elizabeth's nearness on him was not so easy to overcome.

"Checkmate, Mr. Darcy."

"Ok, I give up! It seems that today is not my day!"

"No Indeed!" Jane said.

Jane said she wanted to show Charles something in the garden, and so Charles and Jane excused themselves from the company of their two relations. They said they would not be out for more than ten minutes. An awkward silence followed their departure. It was such moments that Elizabeth dreaded the most. William decided to make her at ease by talking about a safe subject.

"Miss Bennet, you did not tell me what is your story with Mr. Wickham. He seemed to hate you a great deal. What exactly started that hatred?"

Elizabeth was uncomfortable with that subject. Her face told William it was a poor choice he made for a subject of conversation. "I prefer not to talk about people in their absence, Mr. Darcy. Even if those people were the likes of Mr. Wickham."

A woman who can hold her tongue without abusing even one of her enemies? She was more amazing for him by every passing moment.

William however was not to be stopped. "But you must tell me or I will ask your sister! I do not think you will like that better!"

"Ok, but I will try to be very brief. Mr. Wickham was the son of the steward of Pemberley. His father, my father, and Mr. Parrington, the late owner of Pemberley, were the best of friends. Their children were almost raised together, Jane and I, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Thomas Parrington, the son of the late Mr. Parrington. Our relationship remained intimate until we were older and it was no longer appropriate for us to be so intimate.

"His manners were not... let me say, they were not what they should be, and he had a bad influence on poor Mr. Thomas. They were doing to the local girls what he was trying to do to your poor sister. It was discovered soon by Mr. Parrington, and thus he forced his son to go to the war, hoping he will return a better man.

"Unfortunately he did not, and he died in the war. Mr. Parrington was so upset that he fell ill and lasted a little more than two years after his son. In that period he left Pemberley in his will for me after I... well, I do not want to talk about myself...

"Mr. Wickham in the meanwhile continued his deeds and I more than once warned the families before incorrigible damages happened to their girls. I think that is why he felt that hatred towards myself. He continued his practice in two more places he went to, and I did my best to warn the wiser inhabitants of any place he went to of his nature, as I did with Colonel Forester. I hope though that he will repent and not end like poor Mr. Thomas...

"I cannot talk more about the subject, but I hope I have satisfied your curiosity," She said the last sentence while blushing furiously.

William thought to himself, If it was anyone else talking about the likes of Wickham, he or she could not possibly be more gracious. That woman exceeds by far what I ever thought possible in anyone. Aloud he said,

"I cannot hope so, not after what he did to my sister."

"Mr. Darcy, you have to be more forgiving. I wish him good luck, though he had tried to do the same to my young sister Georgiana too," she said before she discovered her mistake. She was very sad that she let out the secret of her young sister, but she tried to display an outward composure as she said, "Excuse me, Mr. Darcy. I feel a little tired."

William felt her distress when she told him about her sister, and stopped her before she left the room.

"Miss Bennet, I am extremely sorry for your distress. I feel I pressured you with my questions for long. But you can depend on my secrecy, that I will not repeat anything of what you just told me to anyone."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," she whispered. He was about to die then, but the entrance of his cousin and Jane stopped his flow of emotions. He and his cousin stayed for a very short while after that, before leaving for Longbourn.

Sunday Evening

Charles and William returned home to hear that Miss Collins has left the area. Charlie Lucas was at Longbourn and told them what happened. Obviously Miss Collins tried to talk him into matrimony after she failed with William, but she failed with him as well.

"But I thought you would think of it as a very good match, Charlie," William teased.

"I am sorry, William, but who can live with such a fool! I am not so hopeless to settle for Miss Collins!" Charlie replied in jest. William was about to add another joke at the expense of Miss Collins, when he remembered the behavior of Elizabeth and that she restrained from abusing Wickham. Miss Collins was stupid, to be sure, but she was by no means worse than Wickham.

"Oh Charlie. Do not be so cruel towards the woman," he said. Charlie was astonished that William refrained for once from making ridicule of such a stupid creature. He turned to Charles, and they talked of different matters until he departed.

Chapter 18

Monday Morning

The Darcys were barely done with their breakfast when a carriage was heard. A little while later, Lady Catherine Debourgh was announced. She stayed a little while with William, Mary and Mrs. Darcy.

Mrs. Darcy, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of such high importance, received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in silence, she said very stiffly to William,

"You are Mr. William Darcy, I suppose."

"Yes I am, ma'am," he politely replied.

"That lady, I suppose, is your mother."

William replied very concisely that she was.

"And that I suppose is one of your sisters."

"Yes, madam," said Mrs. Darcy, delighted to speak to a Lady Catherine.

"You have a very small park here," returned Lady Catherine after a short silence.

"It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady, I dare say; but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas's."

"Mr. William, there seemed to be a pretty kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you will favor me with your company."

"Go, my dear," cried his mother, "and show her ladyship about the different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage."

William obeyed. As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following manner:

"You can be at no loss, Mr. Darcy, to understand the reason of my journey here. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come."

William looked with unaffected astonishment.

"Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to account for the honor of seeing you here."

"A report of a most alarming nature reached me yesterday. I have just known, from my own son Caroli, that you are spreading a malicious rumor which I must have negated at once."

William waited to hear the rest.

"I know that your cousin Charles is now engaged to my niece Jane. Of course I do not approve of any connection with such a family as yours, with no money or connections. In short, nothing at all to recommend them."

William was stunned to hear such insults from a perfect stranger. He was about to reply when she continued,

"My son told me that, not only your cousin Charles is to be married to my niece Jane, but that you are spreading a rumor that you will soon be engaged to my other niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I came here to have this rumor universally contradicted."

"I do not know of any rumor of that kind," was all what William managed to say. He was being polite only because she was Elizabeth's aunt.

"Do not try to evade me, Mr. Darcy. You may choose not to be frank with me, but I cannot but be myself. You should answer me this very moment. Are you engaged to my niece?"

"No, but ..."

"And would you promise me not to enter such an engagement?"

"I do not see why I should answer that, madam. I can tell you now that I love your niece very much, and had I been sure of a positive reply, I would have asked for her hand long ago."

"But that cannot be. She is engaged to my own son, and she cannot be engaged to you. It was the wish of her late mother as well as myself since they were babies that they marry. I cannot bear to have my wishes so abandoned. Tell me, Mr. Darcy. How much money do you want to stay away from her?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Ten thousand? Twenty thousand? Name your number, and I will give it to you at once."

"Do you think I want to marry your niece for her money?" William shouted. "You are absolutely mistaken, madam. Your niece is worth more than money. If you will excuse me, I want to go to my mother."

"I am not to be trifled with, Mr. Darcy. If I cannot have my way with you, I will go to my niece and let her see you as you are. I take no leave of you, and I send no regards to your mother. You deserve no such attention from me. I am most seriously displeased," she said to the back of a retreating William, who left her before he was forced to do or say something he regrets to that woman.

Later On Monday Morning, At Netherfield

Elizabeth was surprised to receive her aunt, and much more to know the goal of her errand. Lady Catherine told her while she insulting William in all possible ways, "Oh, the insolence of that man. You know of course those types of gold-diggers, my dear niece. You cannot be fooled by him, though he might declare he wants you because he loves you."

"Did he tell you that himself?"

"He was trying to fool me, and told me that he loves you very much, and that he would have proposed if he was sure of a positive reply. Of course he should not be so sure, since my niece is not to be connected to such a family."

Elizabeth was ecstatic to hear what William said, but knew she had to get rid of the rude Lady Catherine first before thinking of her next step.

"My dear aunt, I do not know what has come over you and your son. Your son first tried to spread lies about me, and then you speak in such language of another noble family. It is not their fault that they are not rich, and I dare say, it is not our virtue that we are. Being rich or poor is not our own doing. It is by the will of God that we are what we are, and God did not make us rich to look down on those whom he made poor," Elizabeth said in a tone that was a little louder than her normal tone.

"Are you preaching me, my niece? This is not to be borne!"

"I am sorry to offend you, my dear aunt. But your son did me a great wrong, and what you are saying is not going to help his cause at all."

"So you refuse to oblige me? You refuse to listen to the voice of wisdom? You will regret it, young lady, when you discover the true nature of that Mr. Darcy." And with that she left.

"What was all that about," Jane asked her a couple of minutes later. She was waiting for the arrival of her fiancé.

Elizabeth told her the important part of the conversation with her aunt, and then before thinking much, she said, "Oh Jane, he loves me! He loves me! He said so to our aunt."

"And what do you feel towards him?"

Elizabeth blushed a little before she said, "Oh Jane, I... I love him too! But he is too proud to ask me. And I cannot possibly ask him to marry me. It would be most improper. What can I do?"

Jane did not have a useful suggestion. She did not know what to say to relieve her sister.

"Jane, you must help me. If you ask Charles to tell William, well, that I am interested in him, and would welcome it if he proposed!"

"You cannot possibly be serious?"

"Oh I am. I have never been more serious in my life. I am not going to waste so long of my life while knowing that the man I love loves me as well. I am not going to stay here doing nothing while he is pondering whether or not to ask me."

"Lizzy, try to think about it before you rush and do anything you might regret."

"Jane, I perfectly know what I am doing. I know that he is too proud to ask. If he were the rich party, he would have asked me. My heart tells me as much. But I do not think he would be comfortable with asking a wealthier lady," she said. She was thinking of some of William's own words, which he told her while Charles was ill at Netherfield.

Jane could not refuse anything her sister asked her. She was the perfect younger sister and she was most helpful for her in many situations. So , she promised her that she would talk to Charles when he arrives. Content with that declaration from Jane, Elizabeth told her sister she was leaving to call on some neighbors.

Monday Evening

William could not contain his happiness when Charles told him about Elizabeth. "It seems that my wonderful sister-to-be is falling for you so hard, for I could not imagine the shy Miss Elizabeth would ever suggest such a thing! It is as if she is proposing to you!"

William was surprised to the same extent, but he was too happy to dwell for long on that subject. "I think her aunt told her how I feel, else she could not have made that suggestion to her sister."

"And what exactly do you feel, dear William? And what does Lady Catherine has to do with that?"

William explained to Charles what happened between him and her ladyship. They spent a considerable portion of the night in conversation, and William left for bed later, thinking of his beloved and what he was going to tell her the next day.

Conclusion

Tuesday Morning

It was a bright and sunny day, which was strange for that time of November. The wonderful weather and the wonderful grounds matched perfectly the feelings of William as he set with Charles for Netherfield. Jane and her sister met them at the front door. Before long, Charles suggested that they all should take advantage of the wonderful weather outside and have a walk. All of them agreed, and they set off after a short while. William found himself a couple of minutes later alone with his Elizabeth, as Jane and Charles walked much faster. William knew after the message Elizabeth sent him the previous day that he had to speak. Elizabeth watched him with great anxiety as he started,

"Miss Bennet, I have to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. From the first moment I knew you, your excellent manners and your beauty have captivated me to an unexplainable extent. It was not before long that I discovered, that life without you will be pure agony. I would be extremely happy if you will do me the great honor of agreeing to be me wife," he concluded, anxiously awaiting her reply.

Her face showed her great happiness as she replied, "Mr. Darcy, I would be most happy to become your wife. It has been some time now since I discovered the extent of my lo... my feelings for you. I value your character a great deal, and I would be honored to be your wife."

He stood on one knee as he placed a ring on her finger, and their happiness was so obvious on their faces that there was no need for words.

They spent some time in nice conversation, telling each other what they felt in their hearts. William then decided he had to tell Elizabeth about his worries. They were addressing each other on first name basis now.

"Elizabeth dearest, I fear I have some subject to discuss with you which you may not feel comfortable with."

"Go on William. I hope I will never disappoint you," she replied, glad to hear her given name from his mouth.

"You know that I am an extremely proud man. No please, do not stop me. I am proud and I know it. I cannot bear to think I will be living on my wife's fortune. That was the reason I did not propose earlier."

Though Elizabeth had guessed as much, she was relieved to hear it from him.

He continued, "I have a small house in London and I work in trade there, with my Uncle Gardiner. Since I cannot live all the time in your house, I must entreat you to spend most of your time with me in my house in London. It is a humble house of course, and I know I am asking too much, but I hope I will someday will be more wealthy to buy you a grander house. It will be a great blow to my pride if I could not provide for my wife."

Elizabeth's face was shining with pride herself at her fiancé and his integrity. She knew in her heart that he was not after her money, but what he said now raised her esteem for him a great deal. She replied, "Any place with you will be like heaven, William. I will be your wife and I must follow you wherever you go. But you will allow me to follow my estate affairs while I am in your house?"

After such a reply, William found tears coming to his eyes, as there were no words to express his joy at the modesty of his wife-to-be. He knew that his marriage is going to be perfect, and wished the wedding to come very soon.

Later that morning, Jane and Charles met them and were informed of their news. The happiness of Jane and Charles was obvious as they congratulated their relations, and they spent the rest of the day in happy conversation.

Mrs. Darcy was extremely happy to hear the news from her son, and though she liked Elizabeth already, her enthusiasm now found no bounds.

Mr. Darcy was glad as well that his son found such an excellent woman as a wife, and he gave his blessings readily.

Mary's joy could not be described since she would have Elizabeth, not only as a friend, but as her sister as well. She liked Elizabeth very much, and knew that Elizabeth liked her as well.

The wedding of Elizabeth and William was decided to be on the same day as that of Jane and Charles, and all their relations came from various places to attend.

Georgiana, the youngest sister of Jane and Elizabeth, arrived from her private school to attend the wedding of her sister. She was fifteen, nearly the same age as Lydia, and William was delighted to see that Georgiana had a pleasant effect on his younger sisters.

William's Aunt and Uncle Gardiner arrived and were extremely pleased to find that their relations have chosen such wonderful ladies as their spouses. Elizabeth and Jane liked the company of the Gardiner couple very much.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, a cousin of Elizabeth and Jane, attended the wedding too, and he conveyed the congratulations of his parents, Lord and Lady Matlock. He and William were soon becoming fast friends.

It was with great pride that Mr. and Mrs. Darcy witnessed their sons getting married to Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. The wedding was simple but elegant, and the happy couples left for Netherfield and London to spend their wedding nights.

Lady Catherine and Sir Louis Debourgh were very angry with their relations that they did not attend the wedding and sent a most impolite letter to their two nieces. All communications between the Bennets (now Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy) and the Debourghs were now at an end. Caroli was vexed to hear of William's success, but there was nothing left for him to do.

Miss Collins was surprised to hear the news of William's marriage, but she was not greatly affected. She did not love William in the first place. In time she was able to find herself a local man to marry her, and she continued to run the local school at Kent, to the great dismay of many of the poor local children.

Wickham was sent to France, and not long after that he was killed in the battle of Waterloo. Elizabeth was very sad as she heard the news of his death, and William tried his best to convince her it was not her fault. She was content, however, with the hope that Wickham has repented from his sins before he died, and that he died as a good man.

Charles and Jane divided their time between Netherfield and Lambton Manor, but they soon settled in Lambton Manor when Jane got pregnant with their first child. They had two boys and three girls in their successful marriage. Their tempers were too suited for each other that they did not have except a handful of quarrels during their long marriage.

William and Elizabeth spent some time at Pemberley, but most of their time was spent in the small house William owned in London. There were no servants in that house, and Elizabeth enjoyed the privacy with her husband. She spent a part of her time following the Pemberley affairs, and another part in cooking delicious meals for her beloved husband. Her favorite time was the time she spent with him, and he too enjoyed her company very much. She was the light of his heart, and he was pleased with everything she did. He even tried to express his gratitude by cooking some meals for her, and after the first few failures he mastered the art.

His trade flourished, and he was able to purchase a larger house before their second son was born. The young couple was blessed with two sons who resembled their father, and two beautiful daughters that looked a great deal like their mother. The love between William and Elizabeth grew with each passing day, and they were declared by their many relations and acquaintances as the happiest couple in the whole of England

The End!

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