Page 25 of He Insulted My Entire Family Before Proposing

"Then I shall save my curtsy for an occasion that deserves it."

Lady Catherine departed in a storm of silk, rank, and unsatisfied command. The carriage rolled away with such force that every stone in the drive seemed indignant.

Elizabeth returned to the house.

Her family attempted innocence and failed in five different styles.

Mrs. Bennet was flushed with curiosity. Kitty looked frightened. Lydia looked delighted. Mary looked ready to moralize. Mr. Bennet looked as if he had been given a private theatrical and found the ticket underpriced.

"Well, Lizzy," he said, "I hope you have not offended our distinguished visitor."

"I am afraid I did."

"Excellent. I have always thought our shrubbery wanted consequence."

Mrs. Bennet seized Elizabeth's hands. "What did she want? Is Mr. Darcy to marry Anne de Bourgh? Are you to marry Mr. Darcy? Is anyone to marry anyone? Mr. Bennet, do not sit there smiling while I am in suspense."

"My dear, suspense is the only exercise I enjoy."

Elizabeth escaped as soon as she could, but not before Jane drew her aside.

"Lizzy," Jane whispered, "what did Lady Catherine mean?"

Elizabeth looked toward the drive, where the last dust of the carriage had settled.

"She meant to frighten me."

"Did she?"

"No."

Jane's eyes softened. "And Mr. Darcy?"

Elizabeth did not answer at once.

The truth was impossible and simple: Lady Catherine had done what Darcy's letter, apologies, and public corrections had not fully managed. She had shown Elizabeth the old contempt stripped of his struggle against it. She had shown what he had been taught to value and what he was trying, painfully, to unlearn.

If Darcy still chose pride, he would have an army ready to welcome him.

If he chose respect, he would have to choose it against them.

"I think," Elizabeth said slowly, "he is about to receive a very unpleasant report."

Jane squeezed her hand. "And are you sorry?"

Elizabeth thought of Lady Catherine's fury, Caroline's shock, Darcy's bowed head in the shrubbery, and the first insult at Meryton that had somehow led them all here.

"No," she said. "But I am interested."

CHAPTER 9

Mr. Bingley came early the next morning to call on Jane, properly visible from the parlor windows and radiant enough to alarm the furniture.

Darcy arrived half an hour later, alone, which suggested that Lady Catherine had wasted no time carrying her outrage the three miles to Netherfield.

Mrs. Bennet, who had not known what to make of him when he was merely rich and proud, now regarded him as rich, proud, and possibly matrimonial. This improved him beyond measure.

"Mr. Darcy," she cried, "how very good of you to call. Mr. Bennet is in the library, naturally. Jane is in the garden with Mr. Bingley, where anyone may see them, which is quite proper. Lizzy is somewhere. Lizzy!"