Well, then you shall have mine!
Posted by Rachel on November 21, 1997 at 17:02:47:
In response to But was she?, written by Mark on November 21, 1997 at 12:11:19
] ] Until her brother took the lease on Netherfield she probably thought she had the inside track for Darcys affections.
]
] You know, I'm not so sure she really did. How much inference is there in the book that she and Darcy spent much time together, other than the Autumn he spent visiting Netherfield to be with his chum, Bingley? There really isn't much.
*snip*
] He does occasionally see her since Bingley is his best friend. But there doesn't seem to be that much intimacy before or after Netherfield.
] My take on the situation is that here is one of the most eligible bachelors in all England living in her house for an extended period. What a chance for her! (Sounds like Mrs. Bennet in the first chapter, doesn't it!) Time to pull out all the stops. Under the circumstances, you can hardly blame her for getting all riled up over the presence of a possible rival. Here is her chance to score points, and along comes an interloper to steal the game.
] Anyway, I'm curious as to other people's thoughts on the subject.
Interesting thoughts, Mark. I can't say that I totally agree with you, but I can see you points.
Many a person has deluded themselves, and I have always put Caroline Bingley in this slot. I've always thought she knew Darcy well beforehand, and that she had always cast designs after him, and had believed that it was near a sure thing.
As to knowing her, I say that if Bingley and Darcy have been friends for a while, then it naturally follows that he and Caroline have been friends for a while, too. When JA says, "Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship," I take this as that they have been friends for years now, and they have built this great friendship.
You are right, the book never says that they have spent a lot of time together, but it is inferred. I mean, she knows his sister, (we know they probably met there in the spring when Caroline last saw Georgiana,) and she seems to know his family decently well.
I agree with you, that "Time to pull out all the stops" was going through her head, but I think she's been planning for a long while, and was never smart enough to see that Darcy didn't give two figs for her.
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