Revelations an adaption of Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 79

Of course the Colonel looks awful the next morning at breakfast, and Elizabeth feels sorry for him, but she also wonders at his lack of restraint, drinking oneself into a stupor each night is quite demeaning. Though Elizabeth has never before seen anyone as far gone into drunkenness as him, at their local parties she often saw some gentlemen inebriated, even respectable Sir Lucas.

Seeing the Colonel in this state state has hit her hard, because she feels guilty that she may be the cause of his trouble. Of course the most sensible part of her reminds her that Fitzwilliam never stooped to drinking himself senseless, however unhappy he was. It is a certain type of man that is susceptible to the lure of finding forgetfulness in a bottle, and part of Elizabeth is disappointed in the Colonel to find him in that class.

As if he can read her thoughts, the Colonel shrinks into himself even further, and practically whispers at her, 'I'm sorry you had to see me in that state, Mrs Darcy. I'm afraid I made an incredible fool of myself right in front of you and Darcy, you must think I'm a raving lunatic to push Manners to marry our cousin Anne. But she really is very unhappy and very lonely, with no-one her own age to relate to.

And though I'm usually like Darcy, inclined to forget all about her very existence, I recently visited and saw her in a downcast state. Suddenly I felt so sorry for her, but I didn't want to burden the two of you with her plight, she really never did seem to care about Darcy, so I kept quiet. But my comrades drink a lot, and somehow I cannot refuse when I'm with them, and walking back home three nights ago it hit me how lonely she must feel. Mr Manners will think I'm feeble-minded, he's listened to my rantings for three nights now.'

With that, he falls silent, and Elizabeth can see Georgiana and Mr Fielding approaching the table, looking fresh-faced and very eager to spend another day side by side. It must be hard for the Colonel, seeing all those happy couples around him, and he doesn't even know about Mr Manners, he thinks he has found a fellow-sufferer in their amiable guest.

But before the Colonel can beat himself up even more about, well, about everything, Fitzwilliam approaches and invites both of them to join him in the little pink sitting-room to discuss what can be done about getting Miss Anne de Bourgh to London for a few weeks of society.

Simon brings a fresh pot of coffee and is off again, as the four of them, Mr Manners is also present, each settle in one of the comfortable seats. The Colonel looks as if he is about to offer an excuse for his behaviour to both gentlemen as well as to Elizabeth, but Fitzwilliam does not allow him the opportunity, for he immediately addresses his cousin with a question.

'Are you really worried about cousin Anne, Fitzwilliam? She doesn't seem particularly unhappy, at least, she didn't last time I saw her.'

Somehow, the guilt and the self-loathing seem to leave the Colonel instantly, he sips his coffee as if to prepare for an eloquent plea, and says, 'She already was, at that time, but she still had some hope you would free her from her meaningless existence. I admit I never spent much time on her either, not on her person nor on contemplating what her life with Lady Catherine must be like. But last time I visited she asked me about Mrs Darcy, whether it was true that you had been taken in against your will, she observed Miss Elizabeth Bennet hadn't looked or sounded eager to please you, nor very likely to marry for money only.

I felt free to tell her the truth, how you'd proposed and had been refused, how you'd stuck to your love and accidentally met Miss Elizabeth again, and how you had finally managed to convince the woman you loved that you were in fact an admirable man.

She cried, said that was much more credible and that she was happy for you, then admitted her own disappointment and loneliness. I couldn't think of anything to do but promise to visit again, soon.'