Page 77 of Dear Friend

Elizabeth withdrew her hand from Jane's and rose with as much dignity as she could summon. “I begin to regret having entrusted you with this.”

“No, you do not.”

Elizabeth reached the door before looking back at her sister. Jane was still smiling at her, and, annoyingly, Elizabeth discovered that she could not prevent herself from doing the same.

“No,” she admitted. “I do not.”

~

Later that afternoon, Mr. Collins complained of having seen very little of Meryton since his arrival, and the Bennet ladies therefore agreed to show him something of the town on their way to visit their aunt, Mrs. Phillips.

Jane declined the expedition upon the excuse of feeling somewhat fatigued, though Elizabeth suspected that avoiding another hour of Mr. Collins's company contributed considerably to her indisposition. Kitty and Lydia required no persuasion at all, while Mary was strongly encouraged to join them by Mrs. Bennet, who remained convinced that no two people could be better suited than a clergyman and a daughter who read sermons voluntarily.

Elizabeth went partly because she thought Mary might require rescuing before the afternoon was over, and partly because remaining indoors had become impossible while she was still so full of the happiness produced by her conversation with Mr. Darcy that morning.

Kitty and Lydia walked ahead, their attention divided between the shops and every red coat which appeared in the distance, while Mr. Collins had fallen into step beside Mary and was explaining, with great particularity, Lady Catherine's opinion upon some matter Elizabeth could no longer hear. Left largely to herself, Elizabeth allowed her thoughts to wander in a direction they had returned to with alarming frequency since breakfast.

She thought of Pemberley, which Darcy had described to her on more than one occasion, and found herself attempting to form some picture of a place she had never seen. More dangerously still, she thought of Georgiana Darcy. She knew very little of Darcy's sister beyond her age, that she was presently in London, that she was accomplished upon several instruments, and that her brother considered her exceedingly shy.

Darcy had never spoken of Georgiana at any great length. Elizabeth had wondered at it before, but now the omission seemed more curious, for if she permitted his courtship, she would naturally come to know his sister in time. And if that courtship should lead where Mr. Darcy plainly hoped it might...

Mrs. Darcy.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes to conceal the smile which appeared at the thought. It was a ridiculous liberty to take when she had not yet given the gentleman permission to court her, much less promised to marry him, but for once she allowed herself the indulgence. If she were one day to become Mrs. Darcy, Georgiana would be her sister, and the prospect pleased her despite knowing so little of the girl. Perhaps affection for the brother had already disposed her towards affection for the sister.

Once their courtship began openly, Elizabeth decided, she might acquire some right to question Darcy more closely upon the subject. He would undoubtedly answer with that grave reserve of his until she teased sufficient information out of him, but she found herself rather looking forward to the attempt.

They had just passed the market when Lydia gave a sudden exclamation.

“There is Denny! Oh, Kitty, who is that gentleman?”

Elizabeth looked up.

An officer was approaching from the opposite direction, accompanied by a gentleman whom Elizabeth had never seen before. He was perhaps eight-and-twenty, with a handsome countenance, an easy figure, and an air so immediately agreeable that Lydia's interest required no explanation. His dress was respectable without being remarkable, and there was something in the openness of his expression which seemed calculated to make acquaintance easy.

Mr. Denny greeted the Bennet sisters with evident pleasure and was scarcely allowed the customary civilities before Lydia demanded an introduction to his companion.

“Miss Lydia, you allow a fellow no mysteries at all,” he said, laughing. “Mr. Wickham has only lately joined us. Wickham, may I present Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet, and...” His voice faltered as he looked towards the gentleman standing behind them.

“Our cousin, Mr. Collins,” Kitty supplied, without appearing to think the omission of much consequence.

Mr. Collins, perhaps gratified to have been noticed at all, immediately offered his civilities and lost very little time in informing the gentlemen of his patroness's opinion of a respectable militia, together with several observations she had made upon the conduct proper to officers.

Mr. Denny and his companions could do little more than stare while Mr. Collins continued, apparently unconscious that none of them had asked for his patroness’s opinion upon the subject. Lydia, possessing neither their patience nor their civility, interrupted him before he could proceed much further and demanded that Mr. Denny continue his introduction.

Wickham bowed to the ladies with considerable grace. His gaze passed over the sisters and returned, Elizabeth thought, with a moment's particular attention to her when her name was spoken.

“Mr. Wickham is newly come from London,” Denny continued, “and has been foolish enough to exchange its pleasures for our humble society.”

“I have seen enough of London to believe the exchange may be very much in my favour,” Wickham replied. “Though I confess I had not expected Meryton to recommend itself quite so quickly.”

Lydia laughed at once. Kitty followed her example, and even Elizabeth smiled. Mr. Wickham possessed that ease of manner which made his compliments appear less studied than they probably were.

“You must not praise Meryton too soon, Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth said. “We shall expect you to maintain the opinion after you have been here a fortnight.”

“Then I must take care to discover sufficient reasons for doing so.”

His answer was accompanied by a smile directed towards her, and Elizabeth acknowledged it with good humour. He was certainly agreeable, and she could readily understand why Lydia had already begun regarding Mr. Denny's new acquaintance as the most interesting object in Meryton.