MR. DARCY TAKES A WIFE •# 2 9 3
Most of Darcy's days, however, were spent upon solitary rides astride Blackjack. Evidently, in lieu of hearing of it, he intended to inspect every foot of earth under the auspices of Pemberley. Although he spent a perfunctory morning visit with his wife, he set out before noon, partaking only of a Spartan midday meal and often not returning until darkness overtook him. Moreover, he did not consume his supper with particular gusto. His lean frame had always camouflaged a build of substantial thew. His withered appetite began to take its toll upon his weight, but it was only his wife (and probably Goodwin) who knew it. Other than to entice him with his favourite dishes, Elizabeth had not a clue how to counter melancholic malnourishment. It was her personal understanding that if one had not the inclination to eat, it could not be coaxed. Furthermore, howbeit she truly did not believe his sense of taste was physically affected by his hearing impairment, she was certain that they would both return simultaneously. His lone figure, however, was still a sombre sight. Not only did he forsake Elizadency. Aloud, she insisted that it was unsafe for him to ride about thus. "Pray, should your path be crossed by some misfortune. "Misfortunes occur to the most healthy of souls, Lizzy. I should think I would be merely saved the ordeal of hearing it befall me." Though she was miffed that he disregarded her upon that matter, she was recompensed. For within his disability, they did discover a previous delight. By reason of opportunity, an ancient adage was proven true. The absence of one of the five senses did enhance the others. Two impaired was an exultation of sensory riches. The pier glass was unearthed from its hiding place beneath their bed and put to good use reflecting innumerable capital acts. Conversation was not needed for any of them.
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Beyond those connubial, however, pleasure was not his companion. Tolerance for his self-perceived ridicule made him increasingly fractious. Alas, the inadvertent gun blast and resultant injury could not have happened more incommodiously. In his cotton-headed vulnerability, he had little to do but stew. And of the vast pool of possible vexations a man of Mr. Darcy's standing could select to gnaw upon, his mind seized upon but a single perplexity. That of the paternity of John Christie. Other than once wanting rather dearly to wring his neck, Darcy had not given the lad a thought. He cowered about so, had Georgiana not taken the notion to school him, Darcy was uncertain he would have recognised his visage. Perchance that is why L1 T same-eye-uneasnrierhpioyer.-' '" " - - J *--*-- - i r -- V L -~ -1-Upon Darcy's commencement of a surreptitious study of the boy, a disconcerting revelation was uncovered. Clearly, John Christie was a tall, dark-haired, taciturn fellow and carried himself with a graceful amble of a walk. Even Darcy could not deny that, except for a more purposeful gait, it was the very description that might have been used to particturalise himself. Once one accomplished the feat of overlooking grimy fingers, crude garb, and common speech, it could be noted that John's features and figure were remarkably regular and straight. Even noble. Close observation and