Pride and Prejudice

CHAPTER XXXIII.

More than once Elizabeth, in her ramble within the park, unexpectedly met Darcy. She informed him at first it was a favourite haunt, yet they met a second and third time, and on these occasions he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. On their third encounter she noticed he asked odd, unconnected questions about her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of solitary walks, and her opinion of the Collinses’ happiness; speaking of Rosings, he seemed to expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying there too. Could he have Colonel Fitzwilliam in his thoughts? She supposed, if he meant anything, it must be an allusion to what might arise in that quarter. It distressed her.

Engaged one day re-perusing Jane’s last letter, she saw Colonel Fitzwilliam meeting her. They walked towards the Parsonage together. He confirmed he was leaving Kent on Saturday, if Darcy did not put it off. Elizabeth said she did not know anybody who seemed more to enjoy the power of doing what he liked than Darcy. The Colonel replied that Darcy liked to have his own way, but so did all; only he had better means because he was rich. He spoke feelingly: a younger son must be inured to self-denial and dependence. Elizabeth said the younger son of an earl could know very little of either; he confessed in matters of greater weight he might suffer from the want of money, for younger sons cannot marry where they like. She asked, colouring, the usual price of an earl’s younger son, unless above fifty thousand pounds; he answered in the same style, and the subject dropped.

She supposed Darcy had brought him down chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal, and wondered he did not marry to secure such a convenience. The Colonel replied no, for that advantage Darcy must divide with him, as they were joined in the guardianship of Miss Darcy. Elizabeth asked what sort of guardian he made; he asked why she supposed Miss Darcy likely to give uneasiness. She replied she had heard no harm of her, and dared say she was a favourite with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. Drily: “Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr. Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.” The Colonel answered yes; he really believed Darcy did take care of him where he most wanted care. From something Darcy told him on their journey, he had reason to think Bingley very much indebted to him. Elizabeth asked what he meant. He said it was a circumstance Darcy could not wish generally known, because if it got round to the lady’s family it would be unpleasant; Darcy had told him only that he congratulated himself on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage, without mentioning names—Fitzwilliam had suspected it was Bingley. Elizabeth asked for his reasons; he understood there were some very strong objections against the lady. She asked what arts he used; he said Darcy did not tell him of his own arts.

Elizabeth made no answer, her heart swelling with indignation. He asked why she was so thoughtful. She said his conduct did not suit her feelings, and recollecting herself, added that, knowing none of the particulars, it was not fair to condemn him. Fitzwilliam said jestingly this was lessening the honour of his cousin’s triumph very sadly. She abruptly changed the conversation. Shut into her own room, she could think without interruption. If his own vanity did not mislead him, he was the cause of all that Jane had suffered; he had ruined for a while every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the world. The strong objections were probably her having one uncle a country attorney and another in business in London. To Jane herself there could be no possibility of objection. The agitation brought on a headache, and she determined not to attend her cousins to Rosings.