Mr. Darcy's Diary

‘Miss Bingley. It has been good of you to have me here.’

To Bingley, she gave a warmer farewell.

‘Thank you for all you have done for Jane,’ she said. ‘It made a great difference to me to see that she was so well cared for. Nothing could have been kinder than your banking up of the fires, or your moving of screens to prevent draughts, or your instructing your housekeeper to make some tasty dishes to tempt Jane to eat.’

‘I was only sorry I could not do more,’ he said. ‘I hope we will soon see you at Netherfield again.’

‘I hope so, too.’

She turned to me.

‘Miss Bennet,’ I said, making her a cold bow.

She looked surprised for a moment, then a smile appeared in her eyes, and she dropped me a curtsy, replying in stately tones: ‘Mr Darcy.’

She almost tempted me to smile. But I schooled my countenance into an expression of severity and turned away.

The party then broke up. Bingley escorted the two young ladies to the carriage and helped them inside. My coldness had not damped Elizabeth’s spirits for one minute. I was glad of it – before reminding myself that Elizabeth’s spirits were not my concern.

We returned to the drawing-room.

‘Well!’ said Caroline. ‘They have gone.’

I made no reply.

She turned to Louisa and immediately began talking of household matters, forgetting all about her supposed friend.

As I write this, I find I am glad that Elizabeth has gone. Now, perhaps I can think of her as Miss Elizabeth Bennet again. I mean to indulge in more rational thoughts, and I will not have to suffer any more of Caroline’s teasing.

Monday 18th November

At last, a rational day. Bingley and I examined the south corner of his land. He seems interested in purchasing the estate, and says he is ready to settle. However, he has not been here very long and I shall not believe his intentions are fixed until he has spent a winter here. If he likes it after that, I believe it might be the place for him.

Caroline was charming this evening. Without Miss Elizabeth Bennet in the house she did not tease me, and we passed a pleasant evening playing at cards. I did not miss Elizabeth at all. I believe I scarcely thought of her half a dozen times all day.

Tuesday 19th November

‘I think we should ride round the rest of the estate today,’

I said to Bingley this morning.

‘Later, perhaps,’ he said. ‘I mean to ride over to Longbourn this morning to ask after Miss Bennet’s health.’

‘You saw her only the day before yesterday,’ I remarked with a smile; Bingley in the grip of one of his flirtations is most amusing.

‘Which means I did not see her yesterday. It is time I made up for my neglect!’ he replied, matching my tone.

‘Will you come with me?’

‘Very well,’ I said.

A moment later I regretted it, but I was then annoyed with myself for my cowardice. I can surely sit with Miss Elizabeth Bennet for ten minutes without falling prey to a certain attraction, and besides, there is no certainty that I will see her. She might very well be from home.

We rode out after breakfast. Our way took us through Meryton, and we saw the object of our ride in the main street. Miss Bennet was taking the air with her sisters. On hearing our horses’ hoofs she looked up.

‘I was riding over to see how you did, but I can see you are much better. I am glad of it,’ said Bingley, touching his hat.

‘Thank you,’ she said, with a charming, easy smile.

‘You have lost your paleness, and have some colour in your cheeks.’

‘The fresh air has done me good,’ she said.

‘You walked into Meryton?’ he asked.

‘Yes.’

‘You have not tired yourself, I hope?’ he added with a frown.

‘No, thank you, the exercise was beneficial. I have spent so much time indoors that I am glad to be outside again.’

‘My feelings are exactly the same. If ever I am ill, I cannot wait to be out of doors as soon as I am well enough.’

Whilst they went on in this manner, with Bingley looking as happy as though Miss Bennet had escaped the clutches of typhus rather than a trifling cold, I studiously avoided looking at Elizabeth. I let my eyes drift over the rest of the group instead. I saw the three younger Bennet girls, one of them carrying a book of sermons and the other two giggling together, and a heavy young man whom I had not seen before. By his dress he was a clergyman, and he appeared to be in attendance on the ladies. I was just reflecting that perhaps his presence explained why Miss Mary Bennet was clutching a book of sermons when I received an unwelcome surprise, nay a terrible shock. At the edge of the group there were two further gentlemen. One was Mr Denny, an officer whom Bingley and I had already met. The other was George Wickham.

George Wickham! That odious man, who betrayed my father’s belief in him and almost ruined my sister! To be forced to meet him again, at such a time and in such a place. …It was abominable.