The Impulse of the Moment by Jann Rowland

Author:Jann Rowland [Rowland, Jann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989212042
Publisher: One Good Sonnet Publishing
Published: 2019-03-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVII

Caroline was the first of the company to notice the expression of utter horror which spread over Jane’s face. It was so unlike the woman she knew, who could usually be counted on to greet any event in life with calm rationality, that Caroline paused for a moment, unable to speak.

“Jane, dearest, what is wrong?” said Caroline at length, finally finding her tongue.

But Jane did not answer. Her eyes found Caroline’s, full panic and distress revealed in them, such as Caroline had never before seen. By this time, others had become aware of the problem.

“Are you ill, Jane?” asked Mary. Reaching out, Mary grasped one of Jane’s hands and spoke to her softly. “What is it? Has something happened to distress you?”

“I . . .” managed Jane before trailing off. “I do not know.”

Though Caroline was confused at Jane’s reply, others were not. In particular, Thomas regarded his sister, suspicion alive on his countenance.

“It seems to me, Jane, you became distressed upon hearing that Darcy is in London. Why could the gentleman’s movements be of concern to you?”

Appearing as if she were frozen and unable to move, like the deer caught in the sights of the hunter, Jane only gaped at her brother. A cacophony of voices arose, all wishing to be heard, until a loud voice interrupted them. Mr. Bennet stood and scowled at the company.

“Nothing will be discovered of this matter until we allow Jane to speak.” Then turning to his daughter, Mr. Bennet said: “What is this all about, Jane. Thomas’s words suggest you fear for Lizzy and that the object of your fear is Mr. Darcy.”

“But that is absurd!” exclaimed Mrs. Bingley. “It is obvious that she enjoys his company greatly!”

“While I cannot dispute that, Madam,” replied Mr. Bennet, “I do recall some hesitance in Lizzy’s manners soon after Mr. Darcy arrived in the neighborhood. Jane? What can you tell us?”

Though Longbourn’s eldest daughter was silent for several moments, unable to speak, a peculiar shift in her features and a firmness of her jaw suggested she had come to some decision. Then in a halting, though increasingly confident tone of voice, she began to relate the particulars of her fears.

Caroline listened in silence, though others exclaimed at certain parts of the tale, unable to fathom the tale Jane related to them. Was Darcy a dishonorable man who went about compromising young women? There had never been anything in his behavior which suggested he was capable of such acts. In fact, everything Caroline had seen of him informed her he was a good and upright man, one who had the particular intelligence to understand how much of a gem Caroline’s new sister was.

The tale did not take long to relate, concerned as it was with a specific event, but when Jane finished speaking, all was silent for a moment. Thereafter, however, the reactions of the company could not be more disparate. The most vocal among them, however, were her husband and brother, though again, their responses were very different.

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