"The Misses Darcy are two extremely handsome young women--sixteen and
fifteen respectively. Miss Darcy is most prepossessing. I feel sure your
Ladyship will agree with me."
"Don't omit the Admiral, Mrs Collins!" said Sir Charles. "I like a pretty
face as well as anyone, as you may judge by my Lady."
The dear man! He expresses himself with bluntness occasionally, but the
heart is gold!
"Are you as good a judge of pigs as of ladies, Mr Collins?" he added; "for
if so, pray accompany me on my first visit to my pigsties, and we will
leave the ladies to their gossip."
Mr Collins went, with a rueful glance at his boots, but bowing and smiling
all the way. I learnt much of the neighbourhood from Mrs Collins, but with
the warm colouring she judged amiable. I must except, however, the poor of
the parish. There she spoke, with a censure no doubt deserved, of
thriftlessness and ingratitude. These indeed are tokens of a spirit of
discontent which we cannot view with composure, especially in the light of
late events in the unhappy country of France--the prey of impiety and
revolution.
The visit was, on the whole, pleasant, though Mr Collins's courtesy is
overstrained, and the Admiral, throwing himself into his chair when they
departed, made use of language which, however suitable for gentlemen, the
female pen declines to record, adding:--
"When Mr Collins's foot slipped, and he fell prone in the muck, he got up
and apologised until I fairly ran for it."
Next day Mr and Mrs Darcy waited upon us, having thoughtfully sent a
mounted messenger to enquire if we felt equal to receiving company after
our journey. On our agreeing, they presented themselves in the most
unostentatious way, having walked through their park and down the lane,
though the weather was showery. All forebodings were instantly banished.
Mr Darcy is a tall well-formed man, in early middle life, distinguished in
bearing and manners, a little haughty, but not more so than is becoming in
his position. Mrs Darcy, some years younger, is veritably charming. You
know, my dear Sophia, that I am not rash and do not use such words
unguardedly. She smiled, disclosing beautiful teeth, and, as I observed,
has the peculiar grace of one whose eyes smile in harmony with her lips.
Nothing could be more obliging than her manners, and I could scarce think
it possible that the tawdry, noisy Mrs Wickham could be her sister. Her
eyes are dark and animated, with long eyelashes which soften their
somewhat alarming brilliance. She is extremely conversible.
"I am glad you were pleased with the village, Lady Sefton. What did you
think of the church? The old one was a venerable structure, dating from
the Plantagenet kings, and I personally should have preferred that; but
Sir Lewis de Bourgh, who had made the grand tour with Mr Horace Walpole
and other notable amateurs, had acquired a passion for Italy, and when
restoring the church, Italianised it. Had he also presented us with
Naples, where the original stands, the gift would have been complete; but
to my mind it stands as ill in little Hunsdon as would the dress of an
Italian Signora on good Mrs Collins."
She smiled so archly that I laughed, and the Admiral joined in.
"Quite right, my dear Madam," he exclaimed. "There can be no greater folly
than sticking the buildings of one country in the surroundings of another.
What the English builders built is good enough for English men and women,
and more suitable than any Greek and Roman temples and such idle gazebos.
They will be having Divine Worship in a Belvedere next!"
I blushed for my dear Admiral's taste, but was unable to check his loud
voice. Mrs Darcy applauded with her gloved hands, and sparkling eyes.
"I make a point of applauding any judgment which agrees with my own," she
said playfully; "and I congratulate you, my dear Sir, on an excellent
taste, and vigour in expressing it. I foresee we shall be always
applauding one another. Am I not fortunate in our new neighbours, my dear
Darcy?"
He agreed, with the utmost kindliness and a graceful touch of formality,
and requested permission to examine the exquisite set of ivory chessmen
presented to the Admiral at Bombay. They are a superb work of art, all the
pieces being mounted on elephants, camels, and horses, elegantly carved.
Having bestowed his meed of admiration, he added:--
"Since you are acquainted with India, Sir Charles, it will give me the
utmost pleasure if you and her Ladyship will do me the honour to inspect
those which Mr Lorenzo Darcy, my uncle, brought from that wonderful
country. The Ivory Shrine is considered a masterpiece, and some have
recommended that it should be in some public collection. But family
associations--"
"Public collections!" interrupted the Admiral (I could wish, Sophia, that
the dear man would not interrupt when persons of consideration are
speaking). "They are an encroachment by the lower orders, on all accounts
to be resisted. What? Are private treasures to be exhibited to their
pawings and ignorance? No, Mr Darcy! Preserve the Ivory Shrine as an
heirloom, and let those who would engage the votes of the vulgar be--"
I will not record the end of the sentence. Mrs Darcy apologised for her
daughters not waiting upon me by mentioning that they had a prior
engagement with Mrs Collins, relative to a treat for the village school in
honour of Mr Darcy's natal day.
"I bespeak your kindness for them, my dear Madam," she was pleased to say.
"My elder, Charlotte, has a strong taste for sketching and music, in both
of which I am aware you excel. Rumour, as you see, has preceded you with
her trumpet! Caroline is more studious. We hope, when your son is here on
leave, that many little pleasure parties and balls may be made up. My
young people and all those of the neighbourhood are excessively fond of
dancing."
I protested this was a taste my Henry shared, and was very sensible of her
attention. Indeed, Sophia, I trust you will not set me down as a Mrs
Busybody (a character I detest) if I say that certain possibilities
flashed across my mind at the moment. No young man can be more attractive
nor stronger in moral principle than Henry, and if these young women--But
I need say no more! Miss Darcy is so great an heiress as to be an object
to many.
"You have met Mr Collins as well as his wife, I conclude?" she added
smiling.
"We have had that distinction!" I said, and could not forbear smiling
also.
"A worthy man! But there are peculiarities of manner. His discourses are
always adapted to the occasion, and his allusions--He will, no doubt,
tomorrow refer to your arrival in his sermon."
"My dear Mrs Darcy," said I, much alarmed, "have you any real reason to
suppose this? I have never been the object of public comment. And the
Admiral! I trust you are mistaken."
"I may be," she replied archly; "but can only say that the Sunday after we
settled at Rosings, Mr Collins preached from the text, 'Who is this that
cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah,' and made it very clear
that Mr Darcy was that individual."
I could only gaze at her in dismay, but was obliged to check my impulse of
consulting the Admiral, lest he should take some compromising step as
regards Mr Collins, who might be entirely innocent of such an intention.
When our visitors rose to take leave, and Sir Charles and I attended them
to the gate, I felt a friendship was commenced which might have the
happiest results for both families. At the gate we were joined by the
young ladies, who had walked up the lane from the Parsonage, and the
introductions were made. They curtseyed with the prettiest air of good
breeding. Charlotte, the elder, is a glowing brunette. Her purity of
expression and correct features positively charmed me. The younger, not so
unusual in beauty, is still extremely attractive, and has her mother's
penetrating and sparkling eyes.
The next day brought us a visit from my old friend, Marianne Brandon, who
settled here with her Colonel Brandon after Delaford was sold to Mr Edward
Ferrars on his second marriage. Her chief inducement at Delaford being
thus removed by the death of her sister, Mrs Edward Ferrars, they decided
to fix nearer London.
I need not describe to you, who know her, the warmth of her greeting. Her
feelings are always strong and strongly expressed.
"It adds delight to delight itself," she cried, embracing me, "that you
should be settled here, my dear Anne. What happy days are in store for us!
With our pencils we will seek the beech woods of White-thorn, and
transcribe the various moods of nature."
"Beechmast," said the Admiral, "is one of the most fattening things I know
for swine, and if you will not object to their presence, Mrs Brandon, I
doubt not they will allow of yours. What say you, Colonel Brandon?"
Their old friendship makes this permissible, however unromantic, and he
has always rallied her thus. She continued with ardour:--
"I look forward to the most delightful _al fresco_ meals in the green
shades. We will make up little parties to recline on the moss--"
"In that case, my dear, I fear I must ask you to leave me out!" said dear
Colonel Brandon, smiling mischievously. "You forget my rheumatism and
flannel waistcoats!"
She bit her lip. It is a point on which she is sensitive, for she would
not have him thought much older than she, though there is twenty years'
disparity.
"Let us leave them to their own dullness, my dear Marianne, and tell me
all your news," said I.
She drew her chair to mine and talked with all her old animation. Pity
they have no children! Her excellent qualities and his deserve repetition.
One of her items, I own, surprised me. They are expecting a visit in
August from--whom do you think? You cannot guess, nor could I. Young
Willoughby, now twenty-one years old, son of her ancient flame, John
Willoughby! She speaks of him now without any consciousness, and there is
evidently no painful feeling. Spending his wife's large fortune, Mr
Willoughby, senior, on her death accepted an appointment at Calcutta,
where he has since resided. This is his only son, landed in England after
the Cape voyage, and he has written them with a very proper letter of
introduction, begging that the young man may present himself and
bespeaking the patronage and civility for him of Colonel and Mrs Brandon.
Her kindly heart gives her a peculiar pleasure in this opportunity, for
you will remember Mr Willoughby, senior, made explanations which removed
much of the seeming heartlessness of his treatment of her. I might be
mistaken in supposing that Colonel Brandon was less eager for the visit;
but such was my impression. He is not impulsive as she. Their visit was in
all respects a delightful one.
We attended Divine Service next day, and naturally there was a little
curiosity, especially among the white-headed village children, as we
approached our pew, a handsome enclosure with armchairs, which I feared
but too truly would soon invite Sir Charles to the arms of Morpheus. I
think, Sophia, it were to be desired that there should be a certain rigour
in the design of church furniture. I myself sometimes--but today my
senses were on the alert, especially when Mr Collins ascended the pulpit,
and pompously announced his text: "A mighty man of valour."
The beginning was harmless, and my thoughts became a little indistinct,
when suddenly I was aware that the allusion was to the Admiral, and to his
services in our actions with the French. Special allusion was made to his
victory in the Arrogant off Ushant! I sat in such apprehension as cannot
be expressed in words. You are as well aware as I that the modesty of a
hero will admit of no encomiums, and the prayer formed itself on my lips
(I hope without impiety) that his sleep might continue, as I could not be
answerable for the consequences. I sat on tenterhooks, and meanwhile the
Admiral slumbered placidly, his gentle snores punctuating Mr Collins's
discourse, his mouth open, nor dared I push him with my foot as is my
custom. Fortunate indeed was I that the height of the pew prevented my
catching Mrs Darcy's eye. I cannot but think all this was in deplorable
taste. What think you? As we left the sacred building, the Admiral said:--
"An excellent discourse! I know not when I have heard a better. Pointed
and instructive. I shall offer a word of commendation to his Reverence."