Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton Page A

Bennet replied, “Well, I am a little surprised by the timing, but I understand your eagerness to meet my daughter. It reflects well on you that you are so interested in your nephew’s concerns. Your visit is quite a compliment to her.”
    â€œMrs. Bennet,” replied her ladyship, in an angry tone, “a report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that, in all likelihood, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy, was soon to be united with your daughter, Miss Jane Bennet. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure him so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you. I insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.”
    Before Elizabeth could reassure Lady Catherine that no union was anticipated or desired by Jane, she heard her mother respond in a cold voice, “Lady Catherine, I am unsure how you came to hear such a thing, but it is certainly not my place to contradict such a report, nor would I want to.”
    â€œThen you do not pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?”
    Elizabeth sat in stunned silence. Her mother must be responsible for the rumor. In the last few days, she had visited nearly every family in the countryside and talked of nothing else. She knew from John Lucas that her mother had discussed Mr. Darcy’s intention with his mother five days prior. Lady Catherine had said she had visited the Collinses the previous evening, and the news must have spread to Lady Catherine from there. Unflappable, Mrs. Bennet smiled again and serenely stated, “Well, I never heard that it was, but certainly your nephew’s actions must be its cause.”
    â€œThis is not to be borne. Mrs. Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns. Has he, has my nephew, made your daughter an offer of marriage?”
    With a smug smile, Mrs. Bennet sweetly replied, “I cannot say that it is a completely settled event. But if you are so close with your nephew, why don’t you ask him if it is his intention?”
    â€œMrs. Bennet, do you know who I am? Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which your daughter has the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say?”
    â€œLady Catherine, are you telling me that Mr. Darcy has been showing my daughter attentions while he is already engaged to someone else?”
    Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment, and then replied, “The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favourite wish of his mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles, we planned the union, and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished in their marriage, to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family!”
    Dismissively, Mrs. Bennet interrupted her, “Oh, yes, I see now. It is something you hope will happen. Well, as a mother I can well sympathize. It is, after all, our duty to see our daughters well married. But if I may be so bold as to give you some advice: Since Mr. Darcy has obviously known your daughter since her birth, there must have been many opportunities for him to propose. Yet, he has reached his present age and has failed to do so. Perhaps your daughter should consider her other options.”
    â€œI will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence. My daughter and my nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line, and, on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient—though