I was practising my dancing steps with Mama this afternoon when Papa came in and said that Mr Darcy wanted to see me. Mama said that I must put on my best coat and change my cravat, and once that was done I set out for the great house.
I was shown in at once and Mr Darcy smiled at me and said that I should sit down. Then he said, ‘I understand that you have some thought of going into the church when you are a man.’
‘Yes, sir,’ I said.
‘Do you believe you could deliver good sermons?’ he said.
‘Yes, sir, I do.’
He nodded and said, ‘So do I. You have always had a clear speaking voice, George. It is pleasant to listen to and it carries well. Your masters tell me you have some oratory skills and that you have the ability to sway your listeners. You know, of course, that there is more to being a clergyman than giving sermons?’
‘Yes, sir. A clergyman is responsible for his parish and his parishioners. He must set them a good example and help them with their daily life as well as officiating at the usual ceremonies. I think I could do that, sir.’
He looked at me intently and then he said, ‘I believe you could. I have watched you a great deal lately, George, and what I have seen has pleased me, for I have seen that you care about people. I noticed you trying to please Anne when she was here, and that was good of you, because, as you know, she has been in low spirits since she lost her father. Then, too, you have always been kind to Georgiana. It is not every boy who would take the trouble to speak to a little girl and show an interest in her early attempts at needlework and other accomplishments, as I have seen you do. And I noticed you on the lawn a few weeks ago, helping her to learn to dance.
‘It is early days yet, you are still very young, but if you are of the same mind in a few years time, I will give you the means to train for the church. Once ordained, I will make one of the family livings available to you. The one at Church Cross will probably suit you, and if you do well there, I have other livings in my gift which will be yours in due course.’
I expressed myself surprised and grateful at his interest in my future. He smiled and said that he had always been pleased with my father’s stewardship and that he liked to reward those who served him well.
And there it was again, that word serve.
I hid my feelings, thanked him again for his words, and left his study. I went straight home, where I told my parents what had happened.
Papa was very pleased and so was Mama. In truth, I might do a great deal worse, but then again I might do a great deal better.
Both Anne and Georgiana like and trust me.
Who knows what the future might bring?