It was a most unexpected occurrence, and one which plunged the whole family into a state of agitation, the more alarming from its being so entirely unlooked for. The circumstances of the late engagement between Jane and Mr. Bingley were now to be recapitulated, and the cause of their separation explained. It was not her fault, nor her father’s, but the interference of friends, of those who ought to have been the best judges of her character, and whose judgment, she trusted, would have been more favourable to her, had they known her as well as her own family did.
The attachment between Jane and Mr. Bingley was a matter of public notoriety, and had been so for a considerable time. That it was a matter of mutual inclination, of the most ardent attachment, could not be doubted. The conduct of Mr. Bingley, in thus withdrawing himself from the society of his lady, could not but be a subject of great surprise and concern to all who knew him. And that his behaviour was not to be ascribed to any want of inclination on his part, nor to any objection to the lady herself, was a circumstance which, when explained, could not fail to be highly gratifying to her friends.
It was owing to the interference of his friends, and particularly of his sisters, that he had been prevailed upon to alter his intentions. They had, from the first, entertained a prejudice against her, and had been endeavouring, by every means in their power, to dissuade him from continuing his addresses to her. The sisters, who had been so warmly to her favour in Hertfordshire, had now found occasion to change their opinion, and to represent her as a person of a very different character.
The interference of such friends, and the persuasion of such sisters, could not but have a great effect on Mr. Bingley. He was a young man of sense and feeling, and of a most amiable disposition. He was not disposed to be obstinate, nor to resist the advice of those who had been so long in the habit of guiding him. He was persuaded that his sisters were well-informed on the subject, and that they had his interest at heart, and therefore he suffered himself to be persuaded by them.
It was a matter of regret to him, that he had not been able to explain himself more fully to Jane on their last interview. He had intended to do so, but had been prevented by the hurried nature of their departure. He had, however, expressed his regret that he could not have the pleasure of her company for a longer period, and had assured her of his continued regard. This assurance, however, was not sufficient to relieve her from the effects of his abrupt departure.
The consequence of this interference was a separation, a separation which, though not intended to be permanent, was not the less painful to both parties. Jane, however, bore it with great fortitude. She was a young woman of a very amiable disposition, and of a most generous heart. She had been brought up in a manner which had taught her to value her own independence, and to rely on herself. She was not disposed to fret or repine, but to make the best of every circumstance, and to look forward to a better future.
Her spirits, however, were not entirely unbroken by the circumstance. She had been very fond of Mr. Bingley, and had flattered herself that their attachment would prove a lasting one. She could not but feel that she had been somewhat hardly used, and that she had been unjustly judged. She was aware that her own family had been the means of bringing them together, and she could not but regret that they had not been able to maintain their union.