The discomposure of spirits, which this extraordinary visit threw Edward into, could not be easily overcome; nor could he for many hours, learn to think of it less than incessantly. Lady Catherine it appeared, had actually taken the trouble of this journey from Rosings, for the sole purpose of breaking off his supposed attachment to Mr. Darcy. It was a rational scheme to be sure! but from what the report of such an attachment could originate, Edward was at a loss to imagine; till he recollected that Darcy’s being the intimate friend of Bingley, and his being the brother of Jane, was perhaps enough to supply the idea. Her ladyship, it appeared, was fully sensible of her nephew’s proclivities; it was probable that she had noted Mr. Darcy’s not uncivil attentions to himself, while at Rosings; and Edward had not himself forgotten to feel that the marriage of his sister must bring them more frequently together.
In revolving lady Catherine's expressions, however, he could not help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence of her persisting in this interference. From what she had said of her resolution to prevent their connection, it occurred to Edward that she must meditate an application to her nephew; and how he might take a similar representation of the evils attached to a connection with him, he dared not pronounce. He knew not the exact degree of Mr. Darcy’s affection for his aunt, or his dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to suppose that he thought much higher of her ladyship than he could do; and it was certain, that in enumerating the miseries of an alliance with one, whose immediate connections were so unequal to his own, his aunt would address him on his weakest side. With his notions of dignity, he would probably feel that the arguments, which to Edward had appeared weak and ridiculous, contained much good sense and solid reasoning.
If the gentleman had been wavering before, as to what he should do, which had often seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a relation might settle every doubt, and determine him at once to be as happy, as dignity unblemished could make him. In that case he would return no more. Lady Catherine might see him in her way through town; and his engagement to Bingley of coming again to Netherfield must give way.
'If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise, should come to his friend within a few days,' he added, 'I shall know how to understand it. I shall then give over every expectation, every wish of his constancy. If he is satisfied with only regretting me, when he might have obtained my affections, I shall soon cease to regret him at all.'
__________
The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who their visitor had been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfied it, with the same kind of supposition, which had appeased Mrs. Bennet's curiosity; and Edward was spared from much teazing on the subject.
The next morning, as he was going down stairs, he was met by his father, who came out of his library with a letter in his hand.
'Edward,' said he, 'I was going to look for you; come into my room.'
He followed him thither; and his curiosity to know what he had to tell him, was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck him that it might be from lady Catherine; and he anticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations.
He followed his father to the fire place, and they both sat down. Mr. Bennet then said,
'I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me exceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought to know its contents. I did not know before, that I had two children on the brink of such connubial felicity. Let me congratulate you, on a very important conquest.'
The colour now rushed into Edward's cheeks in the instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, instead of the aunt; and he was undetermined whether most to be pleased that Mr. Darcy explained himself at all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to himself; when his father continued,
'You look conscious. Young people have great penetration in such matters as these; but I think I may defy even your sagacity, to discover the name of your admirer. This letter is from Mrs. Lucas.'
'From Mrs. Lucas! and what can she have to say?'
'Something very much to the purpose of course. She begins with congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest daughter. I shall not sport with your impatience, by reading what she says on that point. What relates to yourself, is as follows. 'Having thus offered you the sincere congratulations of Mr. Lucas and myself on this happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subject of another; of which I have been advertised by the same authority; to wit, my dear cousin Edward’s recent letter to Mr. Lucas, which I happened upon some days ago.'
Edward blushed deeper from shock and vexation, but said nothing. His father continued,
'On no account did I wish to intrude on the privacy of such a communication; but my eye being immediately caught by mention of one of the most illustrious personages in this land, with whom, I am honoured to say, I myself am also acquainted, you will forgive me for indulging my curiosity.'
'Can you possibly guess, Edward, who is meant by this?' 'This young gentleman is blessed in a peculiar way, with every thing the heart of mortal can most desire,—splendid property, noble kindred, and extensive patronage; with which, it would appear, your son now enjoys a remarkable degree of familiarity. Yet in spite of all these temptations, let me warn my cousin Edward, and yourself, my good Sir, of what evils you may incur, by an association with this gentleman, which, of course, you will be inclined to take immediate advantage of.'
'Have you any idea, Edward, who this gentleman is? But now it comes out.'
'My motive for cautioning you, is as follows. We have reason to imagine that his aunt, lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not look on the connection with a friendly eye.'
'Mr. Darcy, you see, is the man! Now, Edward, I think I have surprised you. Could she have pitched on any man, within the circle of our acquaintance, whose name would have given the lie more effectually to what they related? Mr. Darcy, who never looks at anybody but to see a blemish, and who probably never looked at you in his life! It is admirable!'
Edward tried to join in his father's pleasantry, but could only force one most reluctant smile. His mind was in tumult: aggrieved at the effrontery of Mrs. Lucas, first in her violating the privacy of his correspondence, then in her making its contents known to Lady Catherine; relieved that his cousin had none of the perspicacity, that her patroness demonstrated, and that he was thus spared the worst of her disapprobration; angry with Charles Lucas for his want of care, in allowing his letter to be read by any one other than himself; pleased with himself, that he had been sufficiently guarded in his report, and had not left Mr. Darcy in a more delicate position, as a result of its becoming known; and pained by the awkwardness of hearing the gentleman described in such a way by his father. Never had his wit been directed in a manner so little agreeable to him.
'But Edward, are you not diverted?'
'Oh! yes;' forcing another smile.—'Pray read on.'
'After mentioning the growing amity between Edward and Mr. Darcy to her ladyship last night, she immediately, with her usual condescension, expressed what she felt on the occasion; when it became apparent, that on the score of some family objections on the part of my cousin, she would never approve what she termed so disgraceful a connection. I thought it my duty to give the speediest intelligence of this to my cousin, that he may be aware of what he is about, and not pursue a friendship which has not been properly sanctioned.' 'Mrs. Lucas moreover adds,' 'I am truly rejoiced that my cousin Lydia's sad business has been so well hushed up, and am only concerned that their living together before the marriage took place, should be so generally known. I must, however, declare my amazement at hearing that you received the young couple into your house as soon as they were married. It was an encouragement of vice. You ought certainly to forgive them as a christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing.' 'That is her notion of christian forgiveness! and probably obtained direct from her brother. The rest of her letter is only about her dear Charles's situation, and her expectation of a young olive-branch. But, Edward, you look as if you did not enjoy it. You are not going to be priggish, I hope, and pretend to be affronted at an idle report. For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?'
'Oh!' cried Edward, 'I am excessively diverted. But it is so strange!'
'Yes—that is what makes it amusing. Had our dear cousin fixed on any other man it would have been nothing; but his perfect indifference, and your pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd! Much as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mrs. Lucas's correspondence for any consideration. Nay, when I read a letter of her's, I cannot help giving her the preference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my son-in-law. And pray, Edward, what said Lady Catherine about this report? Did she call to refuse her consent?'
To this question his son replied only with a laugh; and as it had been asked teazingly, without the least suspicion, he was not distressed by his repeating it. Edward had never been more at a loss to make his feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when he would rather have cried. His father had most cruelly mortified him, by what he said of Mr. Darcy's indifference, and he could do nothing but wonder at such a want of penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead of his father seeing too little, he might have fancied too much.
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