Janet Aylmer - Darcy’s Story

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.

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 moment at home. Mr. Bennet was there, but the servant said that he was to leave early the following morning.

Darcy decided not to leave his name but, after breakfast on the Saturday, he called again hoping to see Mr. Gardiner. He was greeted pleasantly, although with considerable surprise.

Darcy told him that, having some private intelligence not known to others, he had determined to travel to town from Derbyshire. This information had enabled him to find out where Wickham and Lydia were staying.

He went on, “My motive has been that it is my own fault that Wickham’s worthlessness had not been so well known, as to make it impossible for any young woman of character, to love or confide in him. My mistaken pride prevented me from laying my private actions open to the world. It is therefore my duty now to endeavour to remedy the evil I have myself brought on.”

Mr. Gardiner appeared to be surprised at this, but did not intervene, so Darcy continued. “I had been some days in town, before I was able to discover them.”

And he went on to explain the course of his discussions with Wickham, and that matters might be concluded if Mr. Gardiner was willing to agree to them. Wickham’s debts in Meryton and in Brighton were to be paid, amounting to considerably more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in addition to her own settled upon Lydia, and his commission purchased in the regulars. The discussion continued for several hours.

They met again on Sunday, Mr. Gardiner seeking this time to persuade Darcy that the cost of the arrangements should fall only on him. But Darcy was adamant that he would bear the expense, with the credit to go to Mr. Gar-diner despite his wishes to the contrary.

Finally it was agreed that the attorney should be called upon the following day to draft the necessary papers. At the end of their discussion, Mr. Gardiner told Darcy that Mrs. Gardiner had returned from Longbourn with their children. He had no secrets from his wife, and could rely on her discretion. He therefore would like Darcy to tell her what had transpired. He indicated his agreement, and his host took Darcy into the drawing room.

There, Mrs. Gardiner was sitting with their two little girls, aged about eight and six years.

“My dear,” said Mr. Gardiner, “here is a pleasant surprise! Mr. Darcy has come to assist us in this wretched business about Lydia. He will tell you about it.”

And Darcy related the progress of his search and his discussions with Wickham.

Mrs. Gardiner’s discourse and deportment endorsed Darcy’s impression of her as an amiable, intelligent woman. Indeed, the discussion confirmed Darcy’s opinion that both the Gardiners were as pleasant as he had found them in Derbyshire only a few days before.

When he had finished his account, Mrs. Gardiner said to him, “Mr. Darcy, we are so very obliged to you for all the trouble you have taken. It would seem best for Lydia to come here for the two weeks until the wedding, especially as her father may not be willing to receive them at Longbourn after the marriage.”

And Mrs. Gardiner added, “And may I suggest that the priest at St. Clements may be willing to marry them, as Wickham is living in that parish?”

Darcy told them that he was happy to agree to this plan, and would communicate it to Lydia and Wickham the very next day.

“I will undertake to bring Wickham to the church if the arrangements are made as you suggest. Tomorrow, I will ask my attorney, Stone, to discuss the financial settlement with your man. Did you say that his name is Mr. Haggerston?”

Mr. Gardiner confirmed this. At that moment, the young daughters, who had been playing quietly in a corner of the room, came over to their mother. She smiled at them, and said, “This is Mr. Darcy, who we met in Derbyshire last week with your cousin.”

The elder girl, who reminded Darcy a little of Jane Bennet, said to him shyly, “Do you like Elizabeth? She is always very kind and reads so many books to us.”

Darcy was conscious that her mother was observing him carefully as he replied, “Miss Elizabeth is a very thoughtful person. She is someone on whom I know I can rely. I too like reading, and hope you do also.”

The little girl smiled at him, as her father said to their guest, “Mr. Darcy, we have detained you for a long time on our affairs. Forgive our discourtesy. May we offer you any refreshments?”

“There is no cause for you to apologise, Mr. Gardiner— as I said earlier, this matter is my responsibility rather than yours. I have no particular demands on my time at present. I am on my own in town, and am happy to be of assistance. I must not, however, intrude further into your day of rest. May I call again tomorrow?”

This having been agreed, Darcy went on his way. 

The following morning, on Monday, Darcy saw Wickham again, and it was arranged that Lydia should go to Gracechurch Street later that day.

Having received their instructions, the two attorneys met, and agreed the principles of the agreements to be drawn up: as soon as that was done, an express was sent off to Mr. Bennet at Longbourn. Darcy took leave of the Gardiners, and promised to be in town again in advance of the wedding in two weeks’ time.

He then returned to Derbyshire, to Georgiana and his friends. His short absence did not cause any remark on this occasion, and he told only Georgiana that he would need to return to London for another short stay in due course. She made no comment, although she looked at him thoughtfully. Until he needed to travel again, Darcy exerted himself to be pleasant to Bingley’s sisters as well as to his friend, and even to find Mr. Hurst some favourite fishing places to occupy himself. Only in his few opportunities for privacy during the day, and in his room at night, did he allow his thoughts to stray to memories of Elizabeth Bennet and the visit to Pemberley that had given him such pleasure and, for a few days only, such hopes for the future.

When the time came to return to town, he told the assembled company only as they were about to retire the previous night. Bingley was unconcerned, but his sister Caroline appeared to be put out, and remarked sharply to her host, “The Derbyshire air does not seem to agree with you at present, Mr. Darcy!”

Georgiana looked startled at this, and her brother gave her a reassuring smile as he replied to Miss Bingley, “The Derbyshire air agrees with me at any time of year, especially when the company is good. I shall leave Georgiana here again to console you for my absence.”

That was not the reply Miss Bingley had been seeking, but she thought it wise not to pursue the matter.

Darcy had considered taking his sister south with him. He could manage to slip away to see Wickham safely married to Lydia Bennet without Georgiana’s knowledge, if he had to. However, the possibility that some word might reach her that he had been doing some business with the man who had so cruelly deceived her only the previous year was too great a risk to run.