Unforgiving Temper Read Online Free PDF

the
north.”
    “Darcy, I won't have you refusing my help if
I can give it. Tell me what is on your mind; and if I cannot oblige
you at present, I will acknowledge it. Come now - I insist!”
    Seeing Bingley would not be persuaded
otherwise, Darcy took a deep breath, eyeing his friend with some
trepidation, and then began.
    At the end of the account, Bingley sat
motionless, staring at Darcy in open disbelief. As expected, it was
a wretched beginning. Darcy looked away in embarrassment and
absently studied the stitching on his boots. There was no more to
say. Now he could only wait.
    After some moments, Bingley's disbelief
expanded into a singular show of quiet fury. Refusing to look at
Darcy, his cool words were filled with a bitter accusation.
    “Do you mean to tell me…she had been in
London above three months…and no one…not even you …said a
word?”
    Shame and remorse filled Darcy's heart. He
had allowed himself to be blinded by his own foolish pride and
callous prejudice. He had betrayed his principles and wounded his
friend deeply.
    “Yes, my friend, I mean just that. I deeply
regret my interference. It was presumptuous of me and I apologize
most sincerely. I know now I was mistaken in judging
Miss Bennet's heart. I was wrong in believing it would not be
easily touched.”
    Steeped in resentment and the anguish of a
festering wound laid bare, Bingley seemed not to hear Darcy's
words. In another moment, though, their meaning finally penetrated
his dazed senses and he narrowed his eyes at his friend.
    “Mistaken? Did you say you were mistaken?” He
leaned forward with guarded interest. “What makes you say
that?”
    “I, ah…” Clearing his throat, Darcy shifted
slightly in his chair. “Her sister, Miss Elizabeth, was
visiting the wife of Aunt Catherine's parson, Mrs. Collins, at the
same time as my visit to Rosings. I was in her company on several
occasions and she was very much of the opinion that Miss Jane
Bennet did, in fact, hold you in high regard.”
    Bingley's face brightened with a flash of
hope that that lasted only a moment as doubt took its place.
“Miss Elizabeth? Are you certain? Forgive my frankness, Darcy,
but the two of you do not get on well at all. Why should she
express such an opinion to you, of all people?”
    “I am afraid I am not in a position to
disclose the particulars as it involves a private matter; but you
must believe me, Charles. There was an affection on
Miss Bennet's side.”
    Bingley eyed Darcy suspiciously.
    “I do not believe you!” he muttered
impassively. “It has not been above six months that you convinced
me she felt nothing for me! And now, after months of a most
miserable existence, you tell me you were mistaken? I am sorry, but
I am not convinced.”
    “I tell you, I could not have been more wrong
when I said she had no particular regard for you. Six months ago, I
did not fully comprehend her amiable temper, but I stand
corrected.” He sighed at the memory of Elizabeth's eyes flashing
their disapproval. “I assure you, Miss Elizabeth was quite clear in expressing her sister's disappointment
regarding you.”
    Try as he might, Darcy's assertions would not
sway Bingley; and he knew it required the complete truth if Bingley
was to be convinced of Jane Bennet's true affection. There was
nothing left but for Darcy to confess everything, including his own
reprehensible part in preventing the attachment.
    Remorsefully, he recounted his involvement in
Caroline's scheme to quit Netherfield and follow Bingley to London,
leaving the Bennet family with the expectation that they would not
return. He also confessed his knowledge of letters written and
particulars of the barely-civil visits between Bingley's own
sisters and Jane Bennet when she was in London. He could not,
however, bring himself to disclose the exact source of his
knowledge regarding Jane's feelings, which was, of course, his
disastrous proposal to Elizabeth.
    At the conclusion of his account, he