The next morning sky was much greyer than the previous ones. Nevertheless, the mood in the house was merry during the breakfast. A good night sleep had done wonders for Lizzy and a not so bad night sleep had helped Jane to recover a real serenity. Sleeping on the letter had reinforced her intention to let the events to come - and especially the Bingleys’ call -, evaluate her faith in Charles Bingley. Mr. and Mrs Gardiner were very happy to witness that change of mood and congratulated themselves on their invitation to Lizzy. After breakfast, their uncle’s leave, and their aunt’s going in the kitchen for her daily conference with Cook, the sisters settled in the drawing-room to catch up more precisely on the events in their lives since Jane’s departure to London. Lizzy’s dealing with Mr. Wickham proved to be one of the most discussed topics.

“So you really think he has some mercenary views on Miss King?” Jane could not believe that of a so charming gentleman.

“Yes I do. He really changed his behaviour since you went away. I don’t know if you remember he favoured her with one dance at the party Aunt Philips gave before Christmas…”

“No, I don’t have a lot of memories of what happened at Christmas.” Jane seemed lost and surprised at her loss. Lizzy remembered too clearly the reason for her inattention and, to avoid such remembrances, went on:

“Well, it only increased with each party. Soon after he started to call on her uncle when she was at home.”

“But that is not mercenary. He can be really in love with her, no matter her dowry.”

“Had he not been going on with his attentions towards myself, I would have probably believed so. He seems to have proved himself a worthy gentleman, everyone in Meryton likes him and his fellow officers respect him. Had he not been reduced to his current state of poverty by Mr. Darcy, this flaw in his character would probably not have had to reveal itself. But it has. I didn’t speak with anyone about that but…” Lizzy was adamant to prove her point to Jane but her voice faded away on the last part of her reply.

This brought fear in Jane’s voice. “But what Lizzy?”

Lizzy was concentrating far too much on her stitching to alleviate Jane’s fears. The latter insisted: “Lizzy!”

Without raising her eyes, she answered, hesitating on each word. “He… once we were just strolling in the garden and he… we were alone… my suspicions had already been raised but somehow he managed to get us alone together and he… tried to kiss me.” The last words were mere whispers but Jane didn’t ask her sister to repeat them. She had understood the words and the shame both the tentative kiss and its souvenir had caused Lizzy.

“Oh Lizzy!” As she was sitting across the small table from her, she took her hand to sooth her as Lizzy had done to her the night before. “What did you do? He didn’t succeed, did he? I cannot believe it… I mean, of course I believe you but how could someone who always acts gentlemanly come to that extent?”

By then, her sister had regained her composure. “And when he pretends to be in love with someone else at the same time! Don’t worry Jane, I’m over it. He didn’t succeed as I didn’t allow him and he immediately apologised for his gesture, alleging of his desperate passion for me. That’s the moment where he asked me if I’d mind him proposing to Miss King.”

Jane’s temper, which had very recently been born, proved once again its existence as she forcefully exclaimed: “Desperate passion is no excuse! A gentleman cannot try and get a kiss from a lady he is not, at the very least, engaged to! I shall tell Mr. Wickham my point of view on his behaviour the next time I see him!”

The remaining of Lizzy’s distress vanished on witnessing that outburst. She blinked to check her eyes were still properly working and she was not dreaming. Jane, her sister Jane, condemning someone and threatening to scold him! That could not be… “Jane, please, of course you will do no such thing. As I told you yesterday evening, I made myself clear on my opinion on him and since, have avoided him.”

She was still shocked on her sister’s reaction and her face showed her surprise. Jane only understood her look on feeling her cheeks flush receding. Once again she felt ashamed for such forceful feelings and she downcast her eyes. “I’m sorry Lizzy.”

“Whatever for, dearest? For intending to defend my honour? For expressing normal feelings on such a shameful action? Although I’m surprised to hear you say that a gentleman and a lady may kiss outside of the bounds of marriage…”

When Jane tentatively looked at her sister, she saw the playful smile that was Lizzy’s most efficient weapon against her seriousness. She decided to explain herself nonetheless. “No Lizzy, for not being the good Jane who left you two months ago. I’m not good Lizzy! I’m even worse than you think ‘cause I’ve hidden my dark side for more than twenty years. If you knew how anger has driven my life of late!”

The previous day, Lizzy had understood that Jane was blaming herself on that matter. She now understood that this was a real source of unhappiness for her. This one, at least, Lizzy could deal with. She knew her power over her sister’s mind, having experienced it lately on convincing her that Miss Bingley’s departure letter from Hertfordshire was more the latter’s point of view than the truth. She couldn’t help but think that she had eventually proved to be right! She discarded her embroidery and took her sister’s hands in hers, to get all her attention.

“Even worse than I think, Jane? Ooh, that’s really bad indeed!” The small upward stirring of her sister’s lips made her think she was succeeding. “I’m so glad you have a dark side, as you call it! You would be a simpleton if you were not angry against Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy or even Mr. Bingley after what they’ve put you through! Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy’s behaviours have been unforgivable. Mr. Bingley was right in apologising in his letter. Of course he is to blame for trusting them more than you or himself.” Although Lizzy’s tone had been teasing on beginning, it was getting higher and higher. Jane interrupted her, as much to calm her as to reinforce her point of view.

“I don’t know if he is to blame and I’m sure Mr. Darcy has earned some of my forgiveness by his goodness to Mr. Bingley. But even though their behaviour has been faulty, mine didn’t and don’t have to be. I now understand that the world is crueller than I used to think but that doesn’t mean I have to act irrationally. I am a gently bred Lady, and I have to prove myself worthy of my education.”

Coming from Miss Bingley, Lizzy would have laughed at such words but from Jane, she knew they were devoid of any vanity. Pride, yes, pride in her status was probably what made her say that, but as a gentleman of her acquaintance had once tell her ’pride -- where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation’.

She saw the truth in her sister’s statement but insisted in Jane seeing the truth in hers as well. “I do agree with you but you have to see that, had you exercised your right to feel anger before, you would be able to better dominate your temper. You’re not driven by anger, you’re still the best person I know and I’m sure that, as soon as your future is settled, your mind will be relieved and your temper will settle as well.”

Jane had blushed on hearing Lizzy talk about her future settling; both knew what was meant by those words. But she was relieved to have confided in her about that failing and her spirits rose some more. Soon after Mrs. Gardiner joined them and the sight of the peacefully working sisters warmed her heart.

As the clock strung what would be considered the most appropriate hour, a knock was heard at the front door. Even though none had shared one’s thought with the others, the three ladies had been waiting for that sound as Mrs. Gardiner had been informed by her husband that she should expect a call from the Bingleys in the short future. Nevertheless, their reactions to it were quite different. Mrs. Gardiner was happy that the young gentleman was not wasting his time, as too much had already been wasted. Lizzy, although happy for the same reasons was also watching her sister anxiously. She didn’t want her sister to panic as she had the previous evening. She was also fearful of the Bingley sisters’ behaviours. Jane really didn’t need to be bothered by their venom and she was determined to protect her with her own. Fear was not the only thing Jane could feel. Of course it was there predominantly as the last encounters with each of the Bingleys had all been disastrous. But she also felt pride in herself: no cold sweat, no limp body, no raging heart. O, it was beating faster than normally but that was nothing to be compared to the previous evening. She looked at her sister and relieved her by the small smile she was able to present her. She received in return a broad encouraging and reassuring smile and they all raised their head to the entering maid.

“Mrs. Hurst, Miss Bingley and Mr. Bingley, ma’am.”

The ladies rose as the visitors were entering the sitting-room. Mrs. Gardiner welcomed the only person she had been introduced to and Miss Bingley curtsied in return. After a slight hesitation and an insistent look from her brother, the latter then introduced her siblings. Everybody could then salute each other and, after ordering the refreshments, Mrs. Gardiner invited everyone to sit.

Lizzy was highly amused by Miss Bingley’s expression. Obviously she wasn’t happy at all to be there but she also seemed very disagreeably surprised. She had probably been unaware that she would have to bear the presence of two Bennet sisters. Her choosing the most remote seat was a visible proof that she considered her duty done. Why! She had come and she had introduced her brother to the lady of the house. She was not also required to speak to those people, was she? The ironic expression on Lizzy’s face being the last straw, Caroline stared away and ignored everyone.

Happily, she was the only one to be unpleasant and Jane could witness a very pleasing scene. Her own sister had resolved on ignoring Mr. Bingley’s sister to concentrate her attention on him. The gentleman, although somewhat reserved in his attitude towards herself was very willing to prove himself even more pleasant than usually and was achieving that goal by his friendly smiles towards Lizzy. Jane was too overwhelmed to speak to him but her face reflected a content peace that showed she was neither distraught nor displeased by his call.

At least, Charles hoped he understood it correctly. He was seriously displeased by Caroline’s behaviour but was not surprised by it. On the other hand, he was very glad to see that Louisa’s changed conduct seemed to be a long term one. She had been pleasant enough to counter-balance Caroline’s glare during the trip to Cheapside and was at the moment engaged in a civil conversation with Mrs. Gardiner.

Soon after, the four articulate of the party joined in an animated discussion about the current most interesting attractions in Town, Lizzy asking which play she ought to see, the three others comparing their views on the several ones they had attended to. The formal half an hour was then completed and the callers rose to take their leave. Mrs. Gardiner saw them to the door.

“Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Bingley, it has been a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bingley, I hope to see you again soon.”

“Indeed it has been a pleasure, and to see your nieces also. I’d like to invite you and your nieces for tea in Grosvenor Street. Would tomorrow be convenient?“

“Mrs. Hurst, thank you very much but I’m afraid it will not be possible. We have a previous engagement.”

Mr. Bingley was very distraught by this answer. I hadn’t understood it well. Mrs. Gardiner tries and makes me understand Jane doesn’t want me as a suitor… What shall I do? His sisters saw him get anxious, one smirking, the other one surprised. After all, that was a very short notice for an invitation and it would be probably possible one or two days after. Louisa decided to prove her point immediately and, smiling, said: “It was sure a very short notice. I didn’t think this properly… When would you be available?”

“I think Friday would be perfect.”

Charles, who had been dreading Mrs. Gardiner ‘s reply, voiced his relief. “Then Friday it shall be! I’m sure Louisa will look forward your call.”

Mrs. Gardiner’s smile showed her pleased witnessing of such an unaffected gentleman. “’Till Friday then!” And the callers disappeared in their coach.

Back in the sitting-room, Lizzy was trying to get her sister’s point of view on the call. “What a pleasing visit!”

“Indeed.” Was Jane’s non-committed reply.

“Indeed? Is that all I’m going to get as an answer? Don’t you want to comment on Miss Bingley’s nice choice of a dress? Or on Mrs. Hurst’s nice carriage? Or on Mr. Bingley’s easiness and friendliness?” She added, smiling to her aunt who had just come back: “ Aunt, would you please tell us how Mrs. Hurst’s horses suit with her livery?”

“Very well indeed. I must say that everything about this lady was quite charming. I know she is not one of your favourite, Lizzy, but I cannot see what flaw you see in her!”

Seriously, her niece answered: “I’ve been very surprised by her behaviour today. I’ve seen nothing of the Louisa Hurst I met in Hertfordshire, have you Jane?”

“Well she was nice enough in Netherfield but, here, she was charming. I must say she must really have been out of spirits when I called in Grosvenor Street…”

“Or something has made her understand she wasn’t acting properly towards us and you especially, Jane. I may have a name to quote, should I be asked! Nevertheless, the understanding didn’t reach Caroline Bingley. She was barely civil during the whole call…” Lizzy had turned towards her aunt to comment on the lady, as she didn’t want to provoke her sister’s anger.

“She was pretty much the same as the last time she came to call here. Unfortunately, last time she was alone and her coldness was much more obvious.”

“Maybe she was just feeling awkward, she knows she didn’t behave properly, whether it is the last times I saw her or when she concealed my presence to her brother. She must feel shame and, at the same time, her pride prevents her from apologising. Her situation is really not enviable!”

“I think it is as long as you are concerned… Having treated you so abominably and still getting your compassion!” Lizzy couldn’t prevent her outburst. But as Jane’s reaction remained very mild, she didn’t regret it afterwards.

“Remember what I told you a while ago, I’ll try to improve by taking my own advice!”

Mrs. Gardiner didn’t understand all of the conversation but she knew one subject still had to be dealt with. She didn’t want Jane to ponder alone on Mr. Bingley’s attitude during the call, in case she’d go to wrong conclusions. “I did like very much Mrs. Hurst’s brother. He was exactly as you had described him to me.”

Jane had blushed and seemed determined to remain mute. Lizzy tried the teasing approach to break her sister’s shell. “Not exactly, Aunt. Otherwise you wouldn’t have spoken to him…”

Her public was waiting for the sarcasm, she concluded: “He would have been to much engaged in a passionate conversation with Jane!”

Jane’s blush became even deeper but she steadily held her sister’s look while Mrs. Gardiner chuckled: “He’d probably have preferred that to chatting with the old aunt but unfortunately the said lady was not inclined to converse.”

Even meant in a jest, Jane couldn’t let her aunt depreciate herself. “Dear Aunt! I’m sure I’d like to be someday an ‘old aunt’ as young, good and beautiful as you are… As for the lady not inclined to converse, I didn’t feel at ease. The last time I saw him, I said so unjust things, I behave so terribly and I couldn’t apologise, not in front of you… I’ll do it some other time and then I’ll feel better around him.”

“Speaking of some other time, I’ve agreed to go and have tea at the Hursts’ day after tomorrow. You may see him there… in fact I understood he plans to be there.”

Lizzy smiled broadly at the news. “Does he, really?”

Jane’s complexion got back to a bright shade of pink but took the conversation on safer subjects, at least for her tranquillity.

Meanwhile, in the carriage on its way to Mayfair, Louisa Hurst decided to acknowledge the justice of her brother’s lack of prejudice. “Charles, I’m very happy you obliged us to call on Jane Bennet. Even though she didn’t participate in the conversation…”

“That’s for sure! She didn’t open her mouth! Not seeing anyone but trade people for over a month truly got her quiet…” smirked Caroline.

The scolding she received from her brother came, immediate and fierce. “Caroline, I don’t think you’re well situated to say such a thing. You didn’t speak either if I remember well… Even for the introduction, I had to prompt you! I remind you that if she didn’t see anyone but trade people, it’s partly your fault. Had you returned her call earlier and invited her to some of the events you dragged me into, she would have seen more Londoners. Not that in seeing us she would not have seen ‘trade people’.

“At least she was agreeable if mute. I don’t think Mrs. Gardiner can say the same of you!”

Caroline could not help but downcast her eyes. Louisa tried and changed the subject by discussing the other ladies they had seen. “What a charming lady! She knew so much about the best plays in Town. And her house, if not in the best part of London is very comfortable.”

“I understand why Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth like to come and see her and her husband. Miss Elizabeth is very lately arrived. I understood from her uncle yesterday morning that she was to arrive in the evening.” He abruptly stopped, as if caught in a memory.

“Charles?”

“I’m sorry Louisa, I was remembering Darcy’s strange reaction when Mr. Gardiner told us that.”

This definitely caught his youngest sister’s attention. “Mr. Darcy? What does he have to do with it?”

Charles found there another opportunity to teach her a lesson. “I’ll have you know that Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley has understood that he didn’t act as a true friend should have and that he’s sorry for that. To prove his point, he even came with me to see Mr. Gardiner so that I could deliver my letter of apologies for Miss Bennet.”

As this had rendered Caroline mute once again, Louisa took the opportunity to express her regrets. “I’ve seen my errors too and I apologise once again, Charles.”

“I know you do Louisa, don’t make yourself uneasy. I’ve witnessed your efforts today and I must say it has warmed my heart.”

“Thank you, Charles. You’re too good. If Miss Bennet has not become too sour because of our behaviour towards her, if she’s still as good as she used to be, you deserve each other!”

“I hope you’re right. I’m sure she’s still far better than I will ever be but I don’t think I can live without her. Have you seen how beautiful, how angelic, how perfect she is?”

Even Caroline’s disgusted snort could not cloud his enthusiasm. Louisa only took and squeezed his hand. The carriage soon reached Grosvenor Street and the party broke on entering the town-house.

Sow Potatoes, See What you Shall Reap, Chapter 13