Old Friends and New Fancies (9 page)

"I will try; I will ask Bingley about it; but it is very difficult to help Lydia the way one would like. She does expect the most extraordinary things! What do you think of her inviting Kitty to go to the West Indies with her, my father, of course, paying all expenses?"
"I am past feeling any astonishment at Lydia's demands," Elizabeth said; "but I hope Kitty had too much good sense even to think such a thing possible."
"Oh, no, I think she knew it would not be allowed, though perhaps the idea was tempting to her, poor Kitty! But she had her promised visit here to plead as an excuse; she is coming, you know, towards the end of next month."
"It has been arranged, then? I am so glad to hear it; she must come on to Pemberley, and she and Georgiana will enjoy being together again."
"Yes, indeed; but I hope she will stay with me until the autumn. I wanted her to have come a little earlier; but she has received an invitation from some people called Knightley, in London, which she is very desirous of accepting, and my father sees no objection."
"Yes, I know of whom you mean, I think; they are friend of my Uncle and Aunt Gardiner's, and live in Brunswick Square."
"I fancy it is not those Knightleys, but relations of theirs; still, we shall hear all about it very soon, for I am expecting a letter from Kitty at any moment, to give me her direction in London and to tell me when she will be ready to leave, for Bingley is to go to fetch her."
"Is Bingley going to town? Then I wonder if it could possibly be arranged for him to escort Georgiana? Darcy had thought of going, but he would be very glad not to, if Bingley would not find it any inconvenience."
"I am sure Bingley would be delighted. She is going to the Hursts', is she not? I have heard mention of it."
"Yes, Mrs. Hurst and Caroline have both written, begging for a long visit from her. I do not think it can be for more than a month, as Aunt Catherine is sure to want her to go on to Rosings when she hears she is so near. Georgiana does not like being away from home for long, nor do we like to spare her."
"I can quite understand that. She has such a sweet disposition, such sympathy, and brightness and intelligence, that it is a joy to have her companionship. And you have improved her so much, Elizabeth. At one time I thought her very difficult to approach; but her manners have gained so much ease and elegance that everyone must be charmed with her from the first meeting. I often think Fitzwilliam must regret what he has lost."
"My dear Jane, let me assure you for the twentieth time that he does not regret it, nor can he be said to have lost what he never possessed. Their hearts were never united; but now you will see that each will marry happily, and their old friendship will survive unimpaired. If you had seen Fitzwilliam at Bath, you would have wasted no regrets on him. Now, shall we walk about a little? I want to discover if your lilacs are further advanced than ours."
Three o'clock brought back the remainder of the party, and Mr. Morland was introduced to Mrs. Bingley, and found her a most sympathizing listener to his enthusiasm over his new home. He was full of plans, and was interested in everything, from the beautiful little church down to the honeysuckle growing over the Rectory porch. Darcy had promised him to have certain repairs and renovations made as soon as the Taylor family should have quitted the house; and faulty chimneys and new wallpapers formed topics for a kind of discussion which Bingley thoroughly enjoyed, and he would have presented his young guest with the contents of several rooms at Desborough, and the greater part of the stables, if there had been the slightest chance of his accepting them.
There was not time to do more than begin on these important subjects to-day, for by half-past four the visitors had to be in the carriage again; but the proposal that Bingley should take Georgiana on her journey to London was brought forward and approved of by all concerned. Bingley was also going to his sister's house, and it was immaterial to him what day he arrived there, or how long he had to wait in London for Kitty Bennet. He thought he had heard something about a ball for which Kitty wished to stay, but was uncertain about the date.
It was decided that their next letters from their relations in town should determine the time of their departure.

MORLAND WAS EASILY PERSUADED to prolong his stay at Pemberley until his induction to his new living should take place. This was expected to be not later than the end of June, for Dr. Taylor was anxious to hand over his duties to his successor as soon as possible. Morland was by no means an idler; he spent a considerable part of his time in study, and read and worked with Mr. Ferrars, helping him occasionally in parish duties. The acquaintance of these two men, formed directly after Morland's arrival, promised to ripen into a friendship; there were similarities in their characters that mutually attracted them, and on the tranquil simplicity of the life at the Parsonage Morland hoped to model his own. The Ferrars had so recently arrived at Pemberley, having, as has been said, exchanged livings with the former incumbent, and left Delaford shortly after Colonel Brandon's death, that there had not been time for much intercourse between them and the Darcys, though Elizabeth had been greatly pleased with what she had seen of Mrs. Ferrars. Since the former's return from Bath, and after her experiences there of the other branch of the family, she could appreciate fully the immense superiority of the Edward Ferrars over their relations. Ferrars himself was too quiet, diffident, and reserved a man to recommend himself easily, but in his wife all recognized a woman of a rare and noble nature, distinguished alike by the sweetness of her character and by its strength. The Darcys rejoiced in the increased opportunities of meeting afforded by the presence of their guest, and various walks, drives and out-of-doors excursions were organized, for which the glorious weather of early June afforded every opportunity.

The first diminution their party suffered was in the departure of Georgiana for London, which occurred on the seventeenth of the month. The visit had long been talked of, and Georgiana really looked forward with no little pleasure to seeing her old friends, for Caroline Bingley and Louisa took pains not to show to her, of whom they were exceedingly fond, the cold-hearted and worldly aspect of their dispositions; but when she found herself actually in the travelling carriage with Bingley, with her maid seated opposite; she felt, as she did every year, the sensation of leaving all that she cared for behind her, and of entering scenes alarming because unfamiliar. Bingley good-naturedly endeavoured to divert her in every way, talked of the pleasures awaiting her, and of the friends she would see in London, Kitty Bennet and Mrs. Annesley, besides her hostesses, and casually mentioned the possibility of her coming across Colonel Fitzwilliam. Georgiana had been prepared for this by Elizabeth, and had first shrunk from the idea; but afterwards became reconciled to the view put before her, that the first meeting, which must necessarily be painful, must come some time, and it would be best to get it over in a crowd, with a few ordinary words of greeting, which would put them on a comfortable footing for the future. She, therefore, made an effort to reply cheerfully to all Bingley's suggestions, and had not found the journey tedious when they drew up in Grosvenor Street in time for dinner on the third day.

Caroline and Louisa could not make enough of her, and the evening was spent in talking over the plans they had formed for her amusement, and in detailing the engagements they had entered into. It soon appeared that the ball which Bingley had mentioned was on their list; for they were also acquainted with Mrs. George Knightley, whose entertainment it was, and had secured invitations from her for their brother and their young friend. Bingley inquired of the date of the ball, explaining how it affected his movements; and his sisters endeavoured to conceal their surprise on hearing that Miss Kitty Bennet was staying with the Knightleys.

"I thought, when you spoke of coming to fetch her, Charles, that she was with her uncle and aunt in Gracechurch Street," said Miss Bingley.

"To tell the truth, I was not very clear about it myself," returned Bingley. "Jane told me that she was going to stay over this ball, but whether she was with the Gardiners or the Knightleys I did not make out until just before we came away. It does not make a vast deal of difference, to my thinking."

Portland Square, for one thing," replied Miss Bingley. "Do they? I am glad of that, for it means I shall not have to
drive so far round to pick Kitty up," was Bingley's cheerful
answer, and he moved away to speak to Mr. Hurst, leaving his sisters to their speculations as to how Miss Bennet could have come to know the George Knightleys. Georgiana did not know, but conjectured it was through Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner; and the ladies, though they refrained from showing their perplexity, were even more puzzled to account for the uncle who lived in
Cheapside being acquainted with such people of fashion. "Have you seen anything of Fitzwilliam, Louisa?" inquired
Bingley of his eldest sister, when he came to have his coffee-cup
refilled."
"Really, Charles, what a foolish question to ask," replied
Mrs. Hurst, with affected carelessness. "Of course we see him frequently when he is in town."
"Very good; I hope he will come round while I am here, and,
if not, I shall get you to give me his direction, for I must certainly
look him up before I go back."
Mrs. Hurst made a vague answer, for both she and her sister
were sincerely anxious to spare Georgiana any embarrassment,
and they would not of their own accord have referred to
Fitzwilliam until they knew how she was able to bear the mention of his name in public. Caroline immediately began speaking
of another subject, but Georgiana, divining their intentions, felt
that she must not indulge in a foolish sensibility which might
give her friends a false impression of the state of things; so, summoning all her courage, she said, with a deep blush but a tolerably firm voice: "Yes, I hope my cousin may be in town this
month. Elizabeth and my brother gave me many messages for
him, if I should see him."
She was conscious that the ladies were looking at her in surprise, but that Bingley noticed nothing but the amount of milk Louisa was putting in his coffee was a great help, and Caroline, the next moment, said quietly: "Oh, yes, no doubt he will call," which made it unnecessary for Georgiana to say any more. Bingley, having secured his cup, next produced a notebook and proceeded to write down the address of Fitzwilliam's lodgings and the name of his club, and, as an afterthought, the various engagements to which he had been pledged by his sisters. Georgiana found that Mrs. Hurst and Caroline were anxious she should go with them on the following day to call in Portman
Square and meet Mrs. George Knightley.
Mrs. Knightley, formerly Emma Woodhouse, had, since her
marriage been able to enjoy a larger measure of the social power
and influence in the use of which she had always delighted.
Since Mr. Woodhouse's death she had persuaded her husband to
go into Parliament, and except for short visits to Donwell, they
now lived entirely in London--an arrangement which just
suited Emma, who had long desired some stir and variety in her
life, after having spent so many unbroken years in a country village. Mr. Knightley still took the greatest interest in the farming
of his property, and as soon as he was trustee to his sister-in-law,
Mrs. John Knightley, for the estate of Hartfield, which he passed
to her on her father's death, he found as much to do out of
London as in it; while Emma, though fond of Donwell, had
grown weary of the neighbourhood, and took a keen pleasure in
forming round her in London a large circle of acquaintances,
whom she loved to entertain, and in whose characters and
careers she took the deepest interest.
Mrs. Knightley's ball had become an annual fixture in the
month of June, and this year she had a special incentive for giving it and for making it as gay as possible. At her sister's house she had met Mrs. Gardiner, whose husband had long been a close friend in business of Mr. John Knightley. Mrs. Gardiner was chaperoning a niece, Miss Catherine Bennet, a slender, blooming young girl, and pretty without being very striking; but Mrs. Knightley was impressed with her pleasing manners, and the enthusiasm with which she received the prospect of a theatre party which was being discussed on that occasion. It was the work of a moment for Emma to decide that she must ask her sister to bring Miss Bennet to the ball; but during the remainder of the evening, while she considered and observed, an improvement on the first idea suggested itself; Miss Bennet must be invited to stay in Portman Square for the great occasion. What better arrangement could there be? Isabella would not want to stay late, but young girls liked to dance till the last moment, and she, Emma, would have the benefit of Miss Bennet's help in the preparations, and would be able to introduce her to her partners beforehand. Yes, Miss Bennet was certainly very pretty, prettier than she had appeared at first--such a slim, upright figure, such a profusion of hair, such a delicate fairness of complexion; she would be a great success! It would be as delightful as when last year, the girl who was at the ball as Mrs. Knightley's special friend and protegee had finished the evening triumphantly becoming engaged to the most eligible man present, Sir William Manvers. Emma felt a thrill at the recollection. The event had justified all her admiration for Sophia Lennox, and Mr. Knightley, who had been so sceptical, had been obliged to admit that sometimes people did marry those whom one had destined for them. There was no Sir William Manvers this year, it was true; but Miss Bennet was still young, and there was plenty of time for the right man to appear. In fact, it was really only her due that she should be properly taken out in London, in order that she might have every chance, and this her
aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, was quite evidently not able to give her. What wonder that the upshot of these reflections was a
courteous note to Mrs. Gardiner, begging for the pleasure of a
visit from Miss Bennet as soon as her stay in Gracechurch Street
should be concluded. Kitty was in transports of happiness when
all was arranged and she found herself actually Mrs. George
Knightley's guest, with a ball in prospect, and each day one
round of visits and shopping and other delights, with intervals
only long enough to admit of changing one elegant gown for
another, for her mother and sisters had taken care she should be
provided with an ample wardrobe. She soon ceased to regret not
having been allowed to accompany Lydia to the West Indies,
and before many days were over had discovered a reason to
rejoice that she had not gone.
Among Mrs. Knightley's frequent visitors at this time was a
young naval lieutenant named William Price, whom she had
met a short time previously at the house of the same Mr. Yates
who had paid a visit to Bath in the preceding spring. Mr. Yates
lived in Cavendish Square, and as his wife was a first cousin of
William Price's, they had begged the young man to make their
house his home whenever he happened to be in London. Young
Price had lately been attached to a ship of the line, the
Andromeda,
which he had been obliged to put into Portsmouth
for repairs, and he had been employing some of the period of his
enforced leisure in taking up a course of signalling and gunnery, as he was extremely anxious to gain promotion as speedily as possible; but he had found that it was necessary to use other means than those of mere hard work, and at the present time he was living in London, keeping in touch with the Admiralty and endeavouring to recommend himself to every high official and person of influence with whom he could contrive to become acquainted. In the intervals he paid hasty visits to his sisters, who were settled in Northamptonshire, and to his mother at Portsmouth; and being a young man of excellent address, great charm of manner and marked abilities, he had gained a deserved popularity, and could not help enjoying the gaiety of London life, available to him through the hospitality of numerous friends. Mrs. Knightley was extremely pleased with him, and with his next brother, David, who was a clerk in the India Office, and both young men found it a very agreeable house to come to, especially when to the welcome of their hostess was added that of a pretty girl who, warm-hearted and impulsive, did
not attempt to conceal her pleasure in their company. David Price was two or three years her junior, and in him
Kitty Bennet found only a merry and boyish companion; but the
manliness of the young sailor aroused different feelings, and it
was not long before she realized that the visits of William Price
were becoming the most important thing in her life. She dreamt
of him before he came, she had no eyes for anyone else when he
was present, and she treasured his words when he had gone; and
although she could not honestly read into those words more
than a passing friendliness, yet she allowed herself to cherish
hopes that each
next
time there might be something warmer.
Poor Kitty had secretly longed to be married ever since she was sixteen; and now at last it seemed as if Destiny itself was working for her, in placing her with so kind a hostess, who was always giving invitations and affording opportunities, and in sending her such a splendid hero of romance to fall in love with, for a hero he was, of a campaign at sea, when he had distinguished himself as much by bravery as he had on shore by industry; a hero with good looks, an assured position, and prize-money saved, and at the present moment with nothing particular to do but fall in love with Miss Kitty Bennet! It was impossible not to feel, under the circumstances, that the course of events was plainly marked out. Mrs. Knightley certainly thought so too, and although she refrained from definite statements, her sympathetic attitude
encouraged Kitty to talk herself into hope and self-confidence. The importance of the ball itself in the great scheme of
things was not overlooked, and Emma even dreamt now of a
brilliant denouement like last year's. She had invited a large
number of people, and was anxious to have as many dancing
couples as possible, so Mrs. Hurst's request for permission to
bring her brother and Miss Darcy was warmly acceded to, and it
was only a matter of regret that their friend Colonel Fitzwilliam
could not be induced to go to any balls this season. Kitty was
delighted at the prospect of meeting Georgiana again, and when
the call spoken of by Mrs. Hurst was being paid, on the day following Georgiana's arrival, she availed herself of a pause in the
conversation, and a nod and a smile from Mrs. Knightley, to ask
her friend to come to another room for a few moments, on the
plea of showing her some new possessions.
Georgiana duly admired the bonnets and pelisses, and the gold
chain which was Mrs. Knightley's present, and the rose-coloured ball dress which was to make its first appearance on the much-talkedof occasion. Kitty's head was evidently full of this event; she dwelt on it constantly, and from her quick nervous manner Georgiana
guessed at some kind of special preoccupation with the subject. "And so you are very happy here, Kitty? Perhaps I need not ask
that," she said, as Kitty turned to unfold another new muslin gown. "Oh, very, very happy, perfectly happy," exclaimed Kitty with
eagerness. "Mrs. Knightley is so kind, and such nice people come
here, you have no idea, Georgiana. Now, do look; is not that beautiful? A real India muslin, and the colour just suits me. You ought
to like it, for I bought it with some money Elizabeth gave me." "Yes, dear, I do like it, of course," returned Georgiana; "but
tell me some more about yourself. How long were you with the
Gardiners?"
"I forget just how long, but I came here on the first of June.
Oh, I do not know how ever I shall be able to leave! Georgiana,
I must tell you! I have been longing to do so, and yet I do not
know how I can, after all, for it has not really happened yet. "Of course you have guessed," she went on, in answer to
Georgiana's affectionately inquiring glance; "it can only be one
thing: but pray do not mention it to anyone, for no one has any
idea of it except Mrs. Knightley. It is so wonderful! Georgiana,
do you believe in love at first sight?"
"I have never thought about it," answered Georgiana honestly, "but I should think it might be possible."
"Indeed, indeed, it is possible! It does happen. When you see
him, you will know how easily. You will see him on Tuesday
night; I do wonder what you will think of him. You must be sure
to tell me quite truthfully."
"Dear Kitty, you cannot think how glad I am. You mean you
are engaged, or just about to be?"
"Oh, no, no, no!" exclaimed Kitty, "you do not understand.
I think--I hope--but I do not even know if he cares. Sometimes
I feel sure he does, and then, again, he seems to be perfectly
indifferent, and it is so terrible then, more terrible than you can
imagine. But you will see--you will judge for yourself; I shall
depend so much upon you for comfort and counsel, especially if
Bingley asks him to come down and stay at Desborough, as I
mean to persuade him to do."
Georgiana was not much enlightened, and her shyness and
natural reserve made her hesitate to ask questions on such a subject, which, had she been Kitty, she could not have mentioned
to any living creature. But Kitty was evidently longing for sympathy, and poured out her hopes and fears and her reasons for
both, mingling with them a description of William Price,
painted in the most vivid colours and emphasizing his courage
and distinction as an officer, his amiability as a man, his perfection as a ball-room partner, and the high opinion Mr. Knightley
and all sensible men had formed of him. Georgiana listened, and
was interested almost against her will; she had known Kitty to
take fancies several times before for persons who had not
returned her regard or thought of doing so; but in this case, from
what she could gather, the young man seemed really to deserve
Kitty's enthusiasm; they had met under Mrs. Knightley's auspices, he had been very often at the house, and certainly, everything considered, it was much more likely that he should fall in
love with Kitty than not. Nevertheless, she hardly knew how to
answer her; to encourage her in hopes which might prove false would be the cruellest kindness, so, while, murmuring her wishes for her friend's happiness, she agreed that she must wait for the evening of the ball before she could really tell how far Kitty's