Darcy’s Story

What could the outcome have been if they had only had a little more time together in Derbyshire, perhaps on a drive out into the park at Pemberley? Likewise, the dinner that he had planned would have been another opportunity to try to remove the unfavourable impression she had formed of him.

At least, he might have been able to establish the foundations to take forward their acquaintance. Her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, had appeared cultivated people with whom he would have been happy to spend more time. With Miss Bennet, they had been most pleasant to Georgiana. He had noted that they had not been overborne by Miss Bingley’s manner, and had been courteous to his servants, a habit that lady did not favour. All in all, he was sorry not to have been able to see more of Elizabeth Bennet with her uncle and aunt. Especially in view of his comments to her about her family in April, he would have liked very much for her to have been certain of that.

That thought led him on to speculate about what was at that moment occurring at Longbourn, a house he had never seen. He was sure that Jane Bennet would be grateful for her sister’s return home.

Less pleasing were thoughts of the reception that Elizabeth Bennet might get from her mother; the vulgarity and lack of discretion that Mrs. Bennet had displayed so often in company, and on visiting her daughter Jane at Netherfield. Some months ago, the thought of that lady’s defects would have been enough for him to think no further of Elizabeth Bennet. Now, they were but an irritation, to be regretted, but ignored.

Thoughts of Netherfield brought his mind to Bingley. His delight in encountering Jane Bennet’s sister in Derbyshire had been very evident. If there was to be a successful outcome to the flight of Wickham and the youngest Miss Bennet, then Darcy must address the issue of his friend’s affections, which he had himself disrupted. He now tended to accept Miss Elizabeth’s judgement of the matter, and therefore that Jane Bennet had reciprocated his friend’s affections.

That brought Darcy’s thoughts back to his own affections and wishes.

If Elizabeth Bennet was ever to become the wife of a man of consequence and be able to move with ease in his own circle, without any reproach, the union between Lydia Bennet and Wickham must be accomplished. Otherwise, it would be a source of pain and embarrassment that Darcy would not have Elizabeth Bennet bear. At least he had the means, and perhaps Fitzwilliam had the knowledge, to accomplish a satisfactory outcome to that elopement.

What an irony it was that Wickham had pressed his attentions on such different characters as his sister Georgiana and Lydia Bennet, with equal success. Thus Darcy continued as the miles passed, his mind teasing away both at the problem of the moment, and the affections of many months. He might not relish the task ahead, but it must be done.

As night drew on, the coach reached the next town, and he took accommodation for the night.

Darcy left early the following morning and, by late afternoon, he was in his house in town.

He had no intention of contacting Mr. Bennet until some positive outcome seemed likely, so the next day he made various inquiries as to the whereabouts of Wickham and Miss Lydia Bennet, but to no avail. He concluded that he must await the reply to the letter he had addressed to his cousin. That came by the express two days later.

It was brief:

Dear Darcy,

I have received your note, and send my reply by express as you request.

When I paid Mrs. Younge last year the wages which you said should be given to her (which, as you will recall, I did not agree were due), she had taken a large house in Edward Street, and was then letting to visitors.

I have had no contact with her since. But I have no reason to believe that she should have moved from there.

Whatever the reason for you contacting her, I hope that it has nothing to do with Georgiana.

Yours,

James Fitzwilliam.

Darcy lost no time in calling for his coach, and setting off for Edward Street.

He located the house in question. Mrs. Younge was at home, but she was clearly not pleased to see him. Rather, she was defiant and, to begin with, disclaimed any knowledge of Wickham or where he was to be found.

It took Darcy several visits over the next two days before he could get from her what he wanted. It eventually became clear that she would not reveal where Wickham was without the assistance of a particular sum of money. But she did know where he was to be found, and that the youngest Miss Bennet was with him. Her friend had indeed gone to Mrs. Younge on his first arrival in London, with the intention of staying there, but the house was full. So Wickham had gone to another lodging, only a few streets away.

When he had ascertained what bribe would persuade her to tell him what he sought, and had passed it over, Darcy obtained the address. He went there straightway, and saw Wickham. Their conversation informed Darcy that marriage had never been his design. Wickham told him that he was obliged to leave the regiment, on account of pressing debts of honour but, despite Miss Bennet’s youth, he had no scruples about laying all the ill-consequences of her flight on her own folly.

After their interview, Darcy insisted on speaking to the lady alone. His first object was to discover whether she would quit her present disgraceful situation, and return to her friends and family, offering his assistance in accomplishing this.

But he found Lydia Bennet resolved on remaining where she was. She cared nothing for the peace of mind of her sisters or any of her family at Longbourn, or for the good opinion of any of her friends. She wanted no help from Darcy and would not entertain the possibility of leaving Wickham. She was sure they should be married some time or other, and it did not seem to much signify when.

Darcy therefore resolved to do what was necessary to secure and expedite a marriage. Wickham had told Darcy that he meant to resign his commission immediately. However, it became clear that he had no firm plans for his future; all he knew was that he should have nothing to live on.

Darcy reminded him that, although Mr. Bennet might not be very rich, he would have been able to do something for him.

“I still hope to achieve a much better fortune elsewhere,” Wickham replied. “As you know, I have been unfortunate in my friends and shall not be happily settled without the marriage portion of some wealthy lady to maintain myself.”

Darcy did not answer this point directly, but said instead, “I imagine that you will have left behind you debts in both Meryton and Brighton?”

Wickham had to acknowledge that this was so but said that he was sure that, if he were able to achieve a modest fortune by marriage elsewhere, they could be discharged.

However, persistence on Darcy’s part confirmed that, provided that an adequate provision could be made for his debts, that an opportunity should be found for him as an officer in the regulars, and a further amount were to be available to settle on Lydia, Wickham was prepared to contemplate a marriage with the youngest Miss Bennet.

After further meetings, Wickham was persuaded that, although Darcy might have the means to make greater provision for their future, his aversion to at least one of the recipients would not allow him to do more than what was absolutely necessary. At length, Wickham settled for that.

26

The next day was Friday, and Darcy travelled to Gracechurch Street, and left his carriage a short distance away. An inquiry there established that Mr. Gardiner had arrived from Hertfordshire last Sunday, but was not at that