Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange Read Free Book Online

retreated into her game.
    I returned to my room at last, feeling dissatisfied with the day. My usual peace of mind had deserted me. I found myself thinking, not of what I was going to do tomorrow, but of Elizabeth Bennet.
Thursday 14th November
    I have had a timely reminder of the folly of being carried away by a pair of fine eyes. Elizabeth sent a note to her mother this morning, requesting her to come and make her own judgement on Miss Bennet’s state of health. After sitting a little while with her sick daughter, Mrs Bennet and her two younger daughters, who had accompanied her, accepted an invitation to join the rest of the party in the breakfast parlour.
    â€˜I hope Miss Bennet is not worse than you expected,’ said Bingley.
    He has been upset by the whole business, and nothing would comfort him but a constant string of instructions to the housekeeper, with the intention of increasing Miss Bennet’s comfort.
    â€˜Indeed I have, Sir,’ said Mrs Bennet. ‘She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness.’
    â€˜Removed!’ cried Bingley. ‘It must not be thought of.’
    Caroline did not seem pleased with his remark. I think the presence of an invalid in the house is beginning to irk her. She has spent very little time with her guest, and if Elizabeth had not come, her sister would have spent a very lonely time in a house of strangers.
    Caroline replied civilly enough, however, saying that Miss Bennet would receive every attention.
    Mrs Bennet impressed upon us all how ill her daughter was, and then, looking about her, remarked that Bingley had chosen well in renting Netherfield.
    â€˜You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have buta short lease,’ she said.
    â€˜Whatever I do is done in a hurry,’ he said.
    This led to a discussion of character, whereupon Elizabeth confessed herself to be a student of it.
    â€˜The country can in general supply but few subjects for such a study,’ I said.
    â€˜But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever,’ she returned.
    Talking to Elizabeth is like talking to no one else. It is not a commonplace activity, rather it is a stimulating exercise for the mind.
    â€˜Yes, indeed,’ said Mrs Bennet, startling us all. ‘I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in the town. I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr Bingley?’
    Bingley, as easy-going as ever, said that he was equally happy in either.
    â€˜That is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman,’ she said, looking at me, ‘seemed to think the country was nothing at all.’
    Elizabeth had the goodness to blush, and tell her mother she was quite mistaken, but I was forcibly reminded of the fact that no amount of blushes, however pleasing, can overcome the disadvantage of such a mother.
    Mrs Bennet grew worse and worse, praising Sir William Lucas’s manners, and making veiled references to “persons who find themselves very important and never open their mouths” by which, I suppose, she meant me.
    Worse was to come. The youngest girl stepped forward and begged Bingley for a ball. He is so good-humoured that he readily agreed, after which Mrs Bennet and her two youngest daughters departed. Elizabeth returned to her sister’s sick room.
    Caroline was merciless once she had left.
    â€˜They dine with four and twenty families!’ she said. ‘I don’t know how I stopped myself from laughing! And the poor woman thinks that is a varied society.’
    â€˜I never heard anything more ridiculous in all my life,’ said Louisa.
    â€˜Or vulgar,’ said Caroline. ‘And the youngest girl!