Mr. Gardiner was shocked by the scene he had just witnessed. Watching two persons shouting at each other may have been common in the poorest sides of London, but he was not from there and, therefore was not used to it. As for hearing Jane’s voice so loud or words so hard from her mouth or tears running publicly on her cheeks, he still couldn’t believe it. But the young man in front of him, whose jaw was still firmly clenched, whose complexion was still red from anger, whose eyes were still moist, led him to believe that he had, indeed, been the unwilling witness of a very painful lovers’ fight, but for the fact that they had never been official lovers (and that, it didn’t look like they would ever be). Nevertheless, he had to have some words with the young gentleman. Even though he had heard some honesty at the pivot sentence of their dialog, he couldn’t understand how someone with a good understanding could actually believe that Jane’s attentions could be faked and that she would have toyed with one. And in a curt tone, he startled Mr. Bingley, saying:

“Sir, I know we’ve not been formerly introduced but I have to react to your uncivil and unjust speech towards my niece. I’m too old to send you my witnesses but your behaviour was unacceptable. Jane is the best of the young ladies I know. She always sees the best in everything and everyone and she’s the most forgiving person of my acquaintance. Your reproach was wholly undeserved. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

On hearing this, Mr. Bingley’s lowering temper rose anew and he resumed in the same bitter voice.

“Mr. Gardiner, I presume?”

Edward Gardiner only nodded, as obvious as it was that Charles Bingley hadn’t finished his answer.

“Mr. Gardiner, may I point you that you were not in Hertfordshire last autumn? May I suggest that you may have been told some falsehood? Everything I’ve just told exactly happened. I really thought I had found an angel, the companion I had longed for. And then…”

His voice crackled, the wetness in his eyes very obvious, he stopped abruptly.

The older man understood and thought it wisest to lead the younger in his office and to make him sit. He closed the door and sat by his side.

Since his heart had broken, Mr. Bingley hadn’t been able to express his feelings. His sisters and Mr. Darcy hadn’t been willing to be his confident and he hadn’t felt like talking to them anyway. And he didn’t have anyone closer to him than those three. His Jane would have been the one towards whom he would have turned. But of course, this had been a wild dream. So, when he found himself in that cosy room, in front of that visibly understanding man, he broke down.

“I loved her, you know. I think I love her still. She broke my heart.” His speech was hacked as he was, manly, repressing his sobs.

“How?”

“She toyed with me, she pretended to return my affection, she was so sweet, so caring.”

“But what happened to make you realise she had been toying and pretending?” Mr. Gardiner didn’t think Jane had done any of this things but he was also more and more convinced that there had been a misunderstanding and he wanted to understand which one.

“Nothing happened. The ball was a dream, she was so beautiful. I was determined to propose but I had that meeting with Mr. Corncrop and I wanted to buy something worthy of her. But then, in London, my sisters and my friend came to tell me that she was not what I thought she was, which could be summarised by in love with me.”

“And you did trust them?”

Mr. Bingley was truly amazed. “Of course I did! Caroline is more used to social manners than I and Mr. Darcy is my friend and I totally rely on his judgment.”

“But did your sister seem at ease in the Hertfordshire social gatherings? Did your friend behave normally at that time?”

The younger gentleman was intrigued by the way the older was taking him. Nobody, since Cambridge, had ever asked him so many questions and he didn’t remember this time as a very comfortable one. But there, it was not so uncomfortable. Agreeable was not the word either, but he was rather willing to follow his elder nonetheless.

“Without offence, Caroline found the company tedious and below her. As for Darcy, he was sterner than usual and seemed more and more withdrawn into himself. Each time Jane was around, he seemed to avoid her or her family.” Mr. Bingley paused, thinking. “Tis’ not true. If I remember well, he once danced with Miss Elizabeth at the ball… And he had told me at the Assembly that she was not handsome enough to tempt him… How odd!”

“And did you have any reason to believe that my niece could be how she was, afterwards, described to you?”

“No, never, she had seemed to me the most honest and trustful creature in the world. And everybody in Meryton seemed to think likewise.” His speech was slower and slower.

Mr. Gardiner watched the doubts settling on his face. He waited for him to come to the conclusion by himself. Mr. Bingley opened his mouth several times before actually producing a sound, as if the thoughts he was about to express were too unbelievable to be spoken aloud.

Eventually, he did: ”Could it be possible that their judgment had been clouded by pride or prejudice? Could it be possible that they misunderstood Ja… Miss Bennet’s feelings? Could it be possible that I was right and they were wrong?” And then the most painful disclosure downed on him: “Could it be possible that I unjustly accused Jane?” His face now mirrored his horror and he didn’t bother amending his familiarity.

Very softly, a hand on his young companion’s shoulder, Edward Gardiner answered: ”I’m afraid you did, Sir.”

A lengthy silence followed this answer. Charles Bingley had hidden his face in his hands and, if no sound could be heard, his shoulders were shaking. Mr. Gardiner stood up, went to open a little cupboard, poured one glass of Whiskey and proposed it to his shocked companion. Eventually, the latter wiped his cheeks and his eyes with his handkerchief, took the glass and drained it. The older man hesitated between refilling it and thought better of it. When he had recovered enough, Mr. Bingley resumed the conversation.

“How do you know, sir?”

Mr. Gardiner didn’t know what to do. What was the best for Jane? He was now firmly convinced that the gentleman in front of him had been led to believe the horrible things he had said to Jane; he was also convinced that he wasn’t aware of Jane’s being in town; he was, at last, convinced that his heart was still Jane’s and that there remained hope for those two. But what role was he to play? He was tempted to let them solve their misunderstandings by themselves but the least that could be said was that their last confrontation hadn’t been successful and that, considering Jane’s mindset, it could not be presumed that the next one would be smoother. So he made up his mind and decided to, at least, describe Jane’s sorrow since December and end the revealing of Miss Bingley’s behaviour in London.

Mr. Bingley was now shifting in his seat, waiting for Mr. Gardiner’s answer. “Well, sir?”

“Well? Well, Mrs. Gardiner and I arrived in Meryton a couple of weeks after your leaving and you must be aware that the only talk of the town was the way you deserted Jane after having raised so much hope. Of course, some were more talkative than others…” He smirked thinking about his sister. “But the only one who was silent about it was Jane herself. She was even quieter than usual, as sweet as ever but her smiles were scarce and the light in her eyes had disappeared. We soon knew everything although she never spoke to us about it. You must be aware, Sir, that our two eldest nieces are as daughters to us. They’ve always spent some time with us in London and Mrs. Gardiner, especially, is a favourite of them. They welcomed her very warmly in the family and she’s still very grateful for that. But, their inner qualities would have been enough to recommend them to her, anyway. And I think they have found in her a source of feminine wisdom that might not have always been present in their home. You see, as much as I love my sister, I’m afraid she’s not the kind of example one lady should follow. One should not blame her entirely for that, though. She didn’t benefit from a governess and was raised by a very silly woman who only praised beauty and money. And, as my father wasn’t interested in his daughters, she was left to turn how she is now. Mr. Bennet, whom I like thoroughly, has also his share of the blame, as he never tried to change her behaviour, although, as her husband, she would have listened to him… But, I’m digressing.

“Where was I? … Yes… Our knowledge didn’t only come from gossip but also from Elizabeth who, without revealing her sister’s secrets, told us about your party and the way you had interacted with the neighbourhood. And although Elizabeth tried to protect her sister, the company in Hertfordshire, kindly condoling with Jane’s situation, only reinforced her sorrow by preventing her of burying your memory. Elizabeth, therefore, suggested that Jane came back with us in London. Everyone agreed with the scheme and we settled back in London a week after Christmas.”

Mr. Bingley’s face reflected his own sorrow at learning what sufferings had been caused by his disappearance. But something was missing. Jane had told him that Caroline had called on her. Why would she have seen his sister and not himself? Why hadn’t Caroline told him about this meeting? Obviously, Jane hadn’t believe him when he had said that he didn’t know her to be in London and, now that he knew that she had been honest, he had to know the truth on that matter too. Although he feared the older gentleman wouldn’t answer him, he asked nonetheless.

“And how did it happen that Miss Bennet met my sister and I was not aware of it? ‘Cause you have to believe me, I didn’t have the slightest notion of her being in Town. And if Caroline was indeed aware of it…”

“I believe you, Sir. As for the meeting, I’m afraid I don’t know everything. I wasn’t a witness, only someone to whom the tale was said afterwards, and not even by Jane herself.”

Mr. Bingley was disappointed, he needed as much information as possible ‘cause he had to affront his sister now. And to face her was never an easy task. He had to be prepared. “I understand, but it is extremely important for me. I beg you, Sir. I swear I will only consider your information as one side of the story.“

“You must understand the reasons of my reluctance. I wouldn’t like to accuse Miss Bingley of anything. The only ones who could provide you with the truth are your sister and my niece.”

“I know, I know…” Mr. Bingley felt his temper rise once again but, knowing that this would lead him nowhere, he got hold on it and went on: “but Miss Bennet doesn’t want to speak to me any longer and I’m afraid Caroline wouldn’t tell the entire truth if I were to ask her without previous knowledge.” He couldn’t recall a time when he had had to be as convincing. “Please, Sir.”

“I will tell you what my wife has told me of what she’s been told. You will conclude what you will with it.

“First, after you left, Jane received a letter from your sister stating that they would follow you to London and that you would remain there. It also said that she was hoping that you would soon be engaged to be married to Mr. Darcy’s sister.”

Charles Bingley was amazed. “Miss Darcy? She’s only sixteen! And I have never shown the least affection for her. Why would Caroline say such a thing?”

“’Tis not my place to tell. I will only try to deal with facts. Shall I go on?”

“Yes, please!”

“The letter also asked Jane to be a trustful correspondent, so, she felt at ease to inform her that she would be in London in a short while. But, when, a day or two after arriving, she called on your sisters in Grosvenor Street, they were very surprised to see her, as it seems that the letter had got lost.” There was a pause in his speech, as much because it was obvious that this news was a shock to his young companion, as because he recalled that his wife had told him about two letters.

“Miss Bennet, in Grosvenor Street, a month ago, and I was not told about it…”

“If I recall properly, she sent two letters and both got lost.”

“Two letters!”

“I was just told that the meeting went well but for the fact that your sister was… ‘out of spirit’, I think that were Jane’s very words, and that it was a short call, your sisters having planned to have an outing this very morning.

“What went less well was the time it took your sister to call back. Something like three or four weeks went by before Miss Bingley came to Gracechurch Street. And Mrs. Gardiner, who was present during your sister’s call, was utterly amazed by her behaviour. She was barely civil, not talkative at all and fled after the shortest call my wife had been paid. Afterwards, we never got any news from your sister and I know that Jane gave up her ‘corresponding’ with her.”

At the end of Mr. Gardiner’s speech, Mr. Bingley remained silent and seemed to let the words sink into his mind. After a while, the older man resumed the conversation.

“Well, Sir. I have nothing else to say. I think you have to ask your sister’s point of view and draw your own conclusions. And, if I recall well, my assistant must be still waiting for you!”

“Yes… yes, Mr. Corncrop. Would you mind informing me that a business of the most urgent nature prevents me from attending our meeting. I shall make a new appointment soon. Do you mind, Sir?”

“Not at all, Sir. I will tell him.”

“Thank you, Sir. I shall leave you now.” He stood up and added:

“Oh… about your niece… what shall you tell her?”

“Would you like me to say something in particular?”

“Oh no! I wouldn’t know what to say. I feel so dreadful about the harsh words I said to her. Had I known… But I’m afraid ‘tis too late, now, anyway…” he started towards the door, his head downcast. As Mr. Gardiner was to open the door, he raised his hand and said:

“I would just like to have a chance to apologise. Sir, is it too much to ask… Dare I… I’d really like to give you a letter for her, would you agree?”

Mr. Gardiner had long been resolved in giving the young gentleman a hand in making his niece happy, so he replied, smiling:

“No, Sir, ‘tis not too much to ask although propriety would forbid it.”

Mr. Bingley bowed, a small smile returning on his features. “I thank you, Sir. Good bye, Sir.”

Mr. Gardiner bowed in return. “Good day to you, sir.”

And as Mr. Bingley was leaving, he thought to himself. It didn’t begin pleasantly to you and I’m afraid it will go on as it started. But I think some future days might happen to be more pleasant than you expected them!

Sow Potatoes, See What you Shall Reap, Chapter 5