Page 35 of To Love And To Cherish
He looked to Mrs. Hurst. “Louisa, will you accompany our sister and ensure she is well looked after?”
Mrs. Hurst nodded and quietly led Caroline from the room.
When they had gone, Mr. Bingley turned back. “Miss Elizabeth, would you favor us with another ballad?”
Elizabeth gave a slight nod. “Certainly. ‘The Mermaid’ is a local favorite.”
Her voice once again filled the room with melancholy sweetness. When the song was done, she stood, and Georgiana rose beside her.
“Shall we find our book?” Elizabeth asked.
Georgiana smiled and retrieved the first volume ofThe Mysteries of Udolphofrom a side table. Together, they settled onto a small couch in the far corner, and Georgiana began to read aloud.
Mr. Darcy moved to the writing desk and took up his pen. Mr. Bingley returned to Jane’s side, their conversation once again soft and private. Mr. Hurst had fallen asleep.
And so the evening passed in quiet contentment.
Chapter 17: Oaken Mount
It had been three days since Elizabeth and Jane returned to Longbourn. Jane, though no longer feverish, remained pale and weary, rarely leaving her chamber except for supper. The household had returned to its usual rhythm when, at breakfast that morning, Mr. Bennet drew a folded paper from his breast pocket with a theatrical flourish.
"About a month ago," he announced, "I received this letter, and a fortnight past, I replied to it. I deemed it a matter of some delicacy, requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases."
Mrs. Bennet shrieked. "He wrote back to you? Oh, my dear! I cannot bear to hear that odious man mentioned. Pray, do not speak of him! It is the greatest injustice in the world that your own daughters should be denied their rightful inheritance. If I had been in your place, I should have done something long ago to prevent it."
"Nevertheless," Mr. Bennet continued, unperturbed, "I have here his answer, should anyone wish to read it."
Mrs. Bennet snatched the letter from his hand and began reading aloud the choicest parts:
"Having received ordination at Easter, I was most fortunate to be granted the living of Hunsford by the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh... Being next in the entail of Longbourn, I hope that this circumstance will not prejudice me in your eyes, and that you will accept the offered olive branch...I am most desirous of making amends for the injury my inheritance might one day cause your daughters, and should be honored to call upon you and your family, should you be willing to receive me."
At this, Mrs. Bennet grew pensive. "He is prepared to offer for one of our daughters. A man with a valuable living! And he wishes to make amends!"
Elizabeth and Mary exchanged knowing glances. They could wager on whom their mother had in mind, and the matchmaking would be relentless.
"Of course, it must be Elizabeth," Mrs. Bennet declared. "She has been trained these several years in the running of the estate. She knows the fields, the accounts, and the ledgers. Mr. Collins would ruin Longbourn without her guidance."
Elizabeth said nothing. She and Mary had already read the letter when their father first received it the previous month. At the time, she had asked her father about the rector. “He must be an oddity, I think. I cannot make him out. There is something very pompous in his style. And what can he mean by apologizing for being next in the entail? We cannot suppose he could help it, even if he would. Can he be a sensible man, sir?”
“No, my dear, I think not,” Mr. Bennet had replied, amusement dancing in his eyes. “There is a promising mixture of obsequiousness and self-importance in his letter. I have high hopes that he will prove delightfully absurd.”
Her father’s levity had vexed Elizabeth. “Papa, my mother will insist upon my marrying Mr. Collins. From his letter alone, I know we should not suit, and I will not marry him.”
“Do not concern yourself, Elizabeth. You and I have already spoken of this eventuality. Mary is more suited to a rector than any of my daughters. If she wishes to have him, I will do everything I can to help her.”
“Please, may I show this letter to Mary? It is only right that she see it, since she may be pressed into a marriage with the man.”
Mr. Bennet had acquiesced, “Yes, show it to Mary, by all means. I will do everything I can to help her; I have given you my word.”
But Elizabeth had not been convinced.
She knew her father too well; his indolence and aversion to confrontation were long established. If she were to escape such a fate, she must contrive her own rescue. And she had already chosen her course, pursuing the opportunity with Mary King until all was nearly in place for her escape.
Elizabeth roused herself from her reverie and turned to observe how her younger sister received their mother’s plans. Mary sat with her eyes lowered, her expression disheartened. She had often confided to Elizabeth her longing to be a parson’s wife, reminding her how much of her time was spent copying sermons or reading scripture to the tenants.
"Mary," she asked gently, "do you still wish to be wife to Mr. Collins?"
Mary nodded shyly. "I do. I feel a calling to such a life."
