Page 30 of Bitterness of Spirit

They walked towards the Parsonage together.

“Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?” said he.

“Yes—my sister is waiting for me in Town. We have some engagements for the next week. And you?”

“Probably on Friday, if Darcy does not put it off again. But I am at his disposal. He arranges the business just as he pleases.”

“Well, I am sure he has great pleasure in the power of choice. I do not know anybody who seems to enjoy the power of doing what he likes more than Mr. Darcy,” she said mockingly.

“He likes to have his own way very well,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. “But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of having it than many others because he is rich and many others are poor. But he is one of those who uses his wealth and his will in a generous and fair way.”

“You surely are not of those who are too poor to have their own way,” she laughed.

“Not quite. But a younger son, you know, must be inured to self-denial and dependence,” the colonel replied. “I cannot say that I have experienced many hardships, but in matters of greater weight, I may suffer from the want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where they like.”

“Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often do.” Elizabeth laughed.

“Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to money.”

“And pray, what is the usual price of an earl’s younger son? Unless the elder brother is very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds.”

“You should not mock me, Miss Bennet. Even a younger son is at times hurt when he has to fight between his admiration and his needs,” he replied half in earnest, and Elizabeth knew his remark was meant for her.

She laughed. “I am sure you will find a perfect balance between both, sir.”

“I shall try, but one cannot hope to have his heart touched too often so he can practice. When such a situation arises, one should know what decision to make.”

Elizabeth’s smile narrowed. “Sir, I do hope you speak in jest, and I certainly hope you do not imply anything related to me. I have been flattered by your partiality to me, and I confess I have enjoyed your company exceedingly since we first met. But we both know this is a friendship mostly due to the circumstances. If you had the presence of other enchanting and accomplished young ladies closer to your circle, I doubt you would look at me twice. However, I do hope we shall both be pleased to meet again should that ever happen.”

The colonel was surprised, and his countenance became serious for the first time since she had known him. He bowed to her and answered, “I cannot either agree or disagree with you, Miss Bennet, since the circumstances are indeed of a peculiar kind. But since I have come to know you quite well, you must allow me to tell you that I have rarely admired a woman so much, and I have rarely seen such a perfect mix of beauty and wit. I shall be happy to meet you again at any opportunity. In fact, if I may be so bold, I would be happy to call on you while you stay in London and perhaps to meet your sister—with no other intention than a friend visiting a friend.”

“I would like that very much, Colonel, very much indeed. My uncle lives in Gracechurch Street, number twelve. My entire family will be honoured to meet you.”

“Good. Excellent.”

They walked a few more steps in silence, and to interrupt a silence that might make him fancy her affected by what had passed, she said:

“I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry to secure a lasting convenience of that kind.”

“I hope he brought me down with him for the pleasure of my company too,” he replied. “As for the subject of marriage, it is a delicate one.”

“Yes, I did hear some discussions,” she replied reluctantly.

“You should not give them much credit. My aunt speaks about an engagement between Darcy and Anne, but she is the only one who believes in it.”

“Miss de Bourgh is a lovely young lady.”

“Indeed. Both Darcy and I are fond of her. We try to visit her as often as we can. But she is mostly alone here in Kent.”

“Are Miss de Bourgh and Miss Darcy your only lady cousins?”

“Yes. Fortunately, unlike Anne, I see Georgiana often. In fact, I am her guardian, together with Darcy.”

“How lovely. I have heard good things about Miss Darcy too. She is a very great favourite with some ladies of my acquaintance—Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. I think I have heard you say that you know them.”

“I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant, gentlemanlike man—he is a great friend of Darcy’s.”

“Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr. Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him,” Elizabeth said drily.