The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice by Paynter Jennifer

Author:Paynter, Jennifer [Paynter, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2014-01-13T16:00:00+00:00

4.

So much did Peter’s “impertinence” engross me that I failed to observe certain developments at Longbourn (of which more later) and forgot about Mrs. Knowles’s letter until the crackle of paper in my cloak pocket reminded me. I then read it a little impatiently for it seemed to be all about her poor health (her rheumatism had returned but Colonel Pitt had discouraged her from going into the warm bath and quacking herself).

But there was also a postscript announcing her son’s betrothal—Mr. Knowles was to marry a parson’s daughter from Taunton in March—and this was followed by a quotation from Montaigne about marriage being like a cage with the birds outside desperate to get in and those inside desperate to get out. I wondered then whether she was alluding to her son’s marriage or to her own.

I prayed for her that night, for her health and happiness, and I also prayed for Mr. Knowles, although perhaps not as fervently as I should have—or as I once would have. The prayer I offered up on Helen’s behalf was pretty perfunctory too—though I had at least remembered to consult Elizabeth about including her in our weekly singing classes. I also made a point in the days that followed of inviting Helen to accompany me to Clarke’s Library. I had my own selfish motive for visiting the library of course, but at the same time I did sincerely wish to be of use to her.

Fortunately, we did not encounter Wickham on any of our walks. During this period he was as often as not at Longbourn, ingratiating himself with the rest of my family (my father now deemed him a “very pleasant fellow”) and telling anyone who would listen how shockingly he had been treated by Mr. Darcy.

But I am not relating this at all methodically. Far too many things happened in the days immediately following the Netherfield ball for me to give a precise account of them all—and I have neglected to mention Mr. Collins’s second matrimonial essay. Three days after his offer to Elizabeth, he proposed to Charlotte Lucas—and was accepted.

Like everybody else, I was amazed when the news was made known. I was also relieved—my mother would now stop bothering me, for she had begun to entertain hopes that I might be prevailed upon to accept Mr. Collins.

I must now touch on a more painful subject: the continuing absence of Mr. Bingley. Two days after the ball, a letter came for Jane from Caroline Bingley. It was delivered when we were all in the drawing room (my sisters having just returned from Meryton with Wickham and another officer) and I was beside Jane when she opened it. I saw her countenance change as she read it. But I had thought no more about it, and when Jane later announced that the whole Netherfield party—Miss Bingley, the Hursts, and Mr. Darcy—had gone to join Mr. Bingley in London, she appeared quite calm and matter-of-fact. It was Mama who expressed dismay.

But Jane, as I afterwards learned, had not quite told us the whole.

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