To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too)

In Jane Austen'sPride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet had this to say about Mr. Darcy: "We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man..."Miss Elizabeth Bennet, herself, spoke of Mr. Darcy's arrogance, his conceit, and his selfish disdain of the feelings of othersthe last man in the world whom she could ever be prevailed on to marry. The gentleman's housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, described him as the best landlord and master who ever lived. Such varying accounts as these are exceedingly puzzling, indeed.This amorous, provocative, and at times tumultuous tale, illustrates Mr. Darcy as a wealthy young man of sense and education, as well as considerable worldly experiencenot at all uncommon for Regency-era gentlemen of his social standing. He is his own master. He enjoys his lifestyle and has no particular desire to marry at all. That is until he renews his acquaintance with Miss Elizabeth Bennether own circumstances greatly diminished...