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A round of social meeting ensued involving the Bingley family and the Bennets. It was as if one family courted another rather than two individuals considering dating. Jane received attention with great pleasure.
Mr Binley's sisters, Louisa and Caroline, were always polite, up to a point. Elizabeth saw haughty arrogance in the sister's treatment of everybody. Elizabeth could not like them; even though they were kind to Jane. Elizabeth felt they were only kind to Jane because she had their brother's admiration.
It was generally evident whenever they met, that Mr. Bingley greatly admired Jane.
To Elizabeth, Jane's increasing interested in the man was equally evident, to the extent that she seemed very much in love. A love that was unlikely to be discovered by the world in general.
With composure and a uniform cheerful manner, Jane concealed her great strength of feeling. Her temperament would guard her against the suspicions of the impertinent.
Elizabeth mentioned this to her friend Charlotte Lucas.
"It may be pleasant to deny the public a glimpse of your heart, but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded," replied Charlotte.
She explained, "If a woman conceals her affection with skill from the man who is the object of her affections, she may lose her opportunity with him. It will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark about her feelings. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, such that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough. But there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly, but he may never do more than like her if she does not help him on."
"But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be aware of it too."
"Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do."
"But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he will find out."
"Yes, he must if he sees enough of her. But, though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together. They always see each other in large mixed parties; it is impossible that every moment is employed in conversing together. Jane should make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses."
"Your plan is a good one where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married," replied Elizabeth. "If I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are not Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design.
She cannot even be certain of her own feelings for him, or whether what feelings she has are reasonable. She has known him only weeks. She danced four dances with him at Meryton. She saw him one morning at his own house and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character."
"Not as you represent it. If she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite. You must remember that they spent four evenings together—and in four evenings a couple may do a great deal."
"Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to find out what they have in common. They both prefer one certain card game over another, but I do not imagine that much has unfolded about any other thing of importance."
"Well, I wish Jane success with all my heart," said Charlotte. "If she married to him tomorrow, I should think she would have as good a chance of matrimonial bliss as any. If she studied his character for a full year, it would not improve her chance at happiness. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the parties are similar and their dispositions known to each other beforehand, it does not advance their joy in the least. They can grow unalike over the years ahead. It is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."
"You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself." For Charlotte's views always seemed too advanced for the time.
A few days later at Sir William Lucas's, a large party assembled.
Sensing Mr. Darcy listening to her conversation with others. She turned her attention to him. "Did you think when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton that I expressed myself well just now?"
"With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady energetic," he replied.
"You are severe on us."
"It will be her turn soon to be teased," said her friend Charlotte Lucas. "I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows."
"You are a very strange creature by way of a friend. Always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable. As it is, I would rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers."
Miss Lucas persevered until Elizabeth relented.
"Very well, if it must be so, it must." She glanced at Mr. Darcy. "There is a fine old saying, which everybody here is familiar with, 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge', and I will keep mine to swell my song."
Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary. Mary seemed always impatient for display.
The girls had joined in dancing at one end of the room with some of the Lucases, and two or three officers. Mr. Darcy stood near them.
When he saw her not dancing, Sir William Lucas said, "My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance; I am sure when so much beauty is before you."
Taking her hand, he obviously would have offered it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, appeared not unwilling to receive it.
She instantly drew back. With some discomposure, she said to Sir William, "Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I did not move in this direction to beg for a partner."
Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined.
Sir William attempted persuasion. "You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you. And though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, to oblige us for one half-hour."
He failed to shake her purpose.
"Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Elizabeth, smiling.
"He is, indeed. My dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his willingness to do things. Consider the inducement, who would object to you as a partner?"
Elizabeth looked archly and turned away.