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Authors: Rebecca Ann Collins
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Elizabeth to accompany them as they drove out to the far side of the estate to visit two families, who had not been able to attend the Christmas festivities at the house.
In the case of the Lawsons, the father was an invalid--having hurt his back in a farm accident, and the mother had worked for years to bring up their children--one of whom was apprenticed to the Pemberley stables. Georgiana explained to Elizabeth that her brother had always insisted on coming himself to visit them. It being Boxing Day, they brought the usual Christmas box, as well as a hamper of festive fare packed by Mrs Reynolds. Seeing the pleasure this brought to the Lawson family, especially the hardworking wife, reminded Lizzie of the words of Mrs Reynolds praising Darcy's generosity and his concern for his tenants.
Georgiana showed she was learning valuable lessons from her brother. Her caring and gentle nature was touched by the misfortune of the Lawsons. She spoke sympathetically, without any hint of patronage, to inquire into the needs of the family and, like her brother, seemed ready to provide some practical help. Learning that one of the children was ill with a bad cough, she promised to send a vehicle that afternoon, so the child could be conveyed to the apothecary at Lambton.
That she had made the promise without even consulting her brother suggested to Elizabeth that brother and sister were agreed upon these responsibilities and she didn't need to seek his approval. It was an indication of the remarkable level of personal responsibility accepted by Mr Darcy for the people on his estate. It was reinforced by their next visit to a very old man, Tom Hobbs, a former horse trainer who had lost a leg in an accident and had lived with the pain and disability for many years.
As Georgiana helped put away the rest of the fare, she talked with his daughter. Elizabeth overheard the girl say, "He cannot stop talking about you and Mr Darcy, Ma'am. He knows how kind you have been to us. It is so good of you to come out in this weather." Elizabeth recalled again the words of Mrs Reynolds, last Summer. "He is the best landlord and the best Master . . . there is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name," she had said.
At the time, they had made allowance for a degree of partiality on her part, because of her long association with the family, but time and again Elizabeth had seen evidence that served to enhance the veracity of the housekeeper's words. The very genuine concern and kindness in his actions and manner towards the people who lived and worked on the Pemberley Estate were plain for all to see. He made no speeches about it, but the strong sense of responsibility he demonstrated convinced her that her husband was indeed "an excellent man," as well as being "the best landlord and Master, ever."
Later, she shared her experiences and feelings with her aunt and sister, as they relaxed in her private sitting room enjoying shortbread and tea. Mrs Gardiner also recalled the words of Mrs Reynolds and added that she had never found it difficult to accept the housekeeper's praise of Mr Darcy, because it had been more than confirmed by his amazing generosity and single-minded pursuit of Lydia and Wickham. "I realize, Lizzie, that it was all done for love of you, but even so, his general demeanour and his behaviour to your uncle and myself were always so pleasing, so much more genuine than some other gentlemen we have known, that I could not possibly believe him to be other than the best of men," said Mrs Gardiner, making her niece very happy indeed.
That evening, as the younger members of the party dressed up in masks and costumes for the customary pantomime, the sisters watched their husbands help to set the stage for the performance. Georgiana and Dr Grantley were busy organising the music, and Mrs Gardiner with the help of the maids was putting the finishing touches to the costumes. Jane and Lizzie, who had the task of judging
In the case of the Lawsons, the father was an invalid--having hurt his back in a farm accident, and the mother had worked for years to bring up their children--one of whom was apprenticed to the Pemberley stables. Georgiana explained to Elizabeth that her brother had always insisted on coming himself to visit them. It being Boxing Day, they brought the usual Christmas box, as well as a hamper of festive fare packed by Mrs Reynolds. Seeing the pleasure this brought to the Lawson family, especially the hardworking wife, reminded Lizzie of the words of Mrs Reynolds praising Darcy's generosity and his concern for his tenants.
Georgiana showed she was learning valuable lessons from her brother. Her caring and gentle nature was touched by the misfortune of the Lawsons. She spoke sympathetically, without any hint of patronage, to inquire into the needs of the family and, like her brother, seemed ready to provide some practical help. Learning that one of the children was ill with a bad cough, she promised to send a vehicle that afternoon, so the child could be conveyed to the apothecary at Lambton.
That she had made the promise without even consulting her brother suggested to Elizabeth that brother and sister were agreed upon these responsibilities and she didn't need to seek his approval. It was an indication of the remarkable level of personal responsibility accepted by Mr Darcy for the people on his estate. It was reinforced by their next visit to a very old man, Tom Hobbs, a former horse trainer who had lost a leg in an accident and had lived with the pain and disability for many years.
As Georgiana helped put away the rest of the fare, she talked with his daughter. Elizabeth overheard the girl say, "He cannot stop talking about you and Mr Darcy, Ma'am. He knows how kind you have been to us. It is so good of you to come out in this weather." Elizabeth recalled again the words of Mrs Reynolds, last Summer. "He is the best landlord and the best Master . . . there is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name," she had said.
At the time, they had made allowance for a degree of partiality on her part, because of her long association with the family, but time and again Elizabeth had seen evidence that served to enhance the veracity of the housekeeper's words. The very genuine concern and kindness in his actions and manner towards the people who lived and worked on the Pemberley Estate were plain for all to see. He made no speeches about it, but the strong sense of responsibility he demonstrated convinced her that her husband was indeed "an excellent man," as well as being "the best landlord and Master, ever."
Later, she shared her experiences and feelings with her aunt and sister, as they relaxed in her private sitting room enjoying shortbread and tea. Mrs Gardiner also recalled the words of Mrs Reynolds and added that she had never found it difficult to accept the housekeeper's praise of Mr Darcy, because it had been more than confirmed by his amazing generosity and single-minded pursuit of Lydia and Wickham. "I realize, Lizzie, that it was all done for love of you, but even so, his general demeanour and his behaviour to your uncle and myself were always so pleasing, so much more genuine than some other gentlemen we have known, that I could not possibly believe him to be other than the best of men," said Mrs Gardiner, making her niece very happy indeed.
That evening, as the younger members of the party dressed up in masks and costumes for the customary pantomime, the sisters watched their husbands help to set the stage for the performance. Georgiana and Dr Grantley were busy organising the music, and Mrs Gardiner with the help of the maids was putting the finishing touches to the costumes. Jane and Lizzie, who had the task of judging
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