After the resolution of the terrible situation the Bennet´s went through, things could only get better. It is rumored around Meyton that Mr. Bingley would be returning to Netherfield for a short time. This of course sends Mrs. Bennet in a scheming rampage that would put most underground conspiracies in shock. After all the number one goal is to marry each and every daughter to the man with the most pounds, so why not apply some very "subtle" tactics?
A few days after arriving in Netherfiel, Bingley and Darcy go to the Bennet house. Mrs. Bennet is observing the firsts behavior towards Jane, and is pleased to conclude that he still has feelings for her. Their visit not only has Mrs. Bennet at the edge of her chair, Jane is also observant of Bingley and Elizabeth cannot stop herself from stealing glances at Darcy. It is after they are gone that the two sisters speak about the matter and Jane, shares how she is over Bingley. Elizabeth knowing better does not shy away when telling her sister that she thinks she is in "great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever." (pg 253)
In the dinner which both men attended in Longbourn, Bingley and Jane continue showing interest in each other and by the end of the evening, both Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth are in high hopes of the engagement happening soon. A moment is shared among the two after the dinner in which Elizabeth knows what her mother is up to and smiles. Mrs. Bennet tries to assure her that there is nothing under her sleeve but what Elizabeth says at the end is a perfect reply:
"But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I acknowledge?"
"That is a question which I hardly know how to answer. We all love to instruct, though we can teach only what is not worth knowing. Forgive me; and if you persist in indifference, do not make me your confidante."(pg 256)
From the passage above one could infer that though Elizabeth wants to tell her mother what to do, but she herself feels unsure of what is "worth knowing". In the end both Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet want Jane to fulfill her plans with Bingley but they have different ways to go about it. Elizabeth's is calmer and more behind the scenes while her mother's is full frontal attack.
To fully understand how Mrs. Bennet is obvious about her schemes, there is a very funny part when she is trying to let Bingley and Jane be by themselves. They are surrounded by Elizabeth and Kitty and Mrs. Bennet is trying to leave the two love birds to their thing so she does the following:
"Mrs. Bennet sat looking and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, without making any impression on them. Elizabeth would not observe her; and when at last Kitty did, she very innocently said, "What is the matter mamma? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?"
"Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you." She then sat still five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious occasion, she suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty, "Come here, my love, I want to speak to you," took her out of the room. Jane instantly gave a look at Elizabeth which spoke her distress at such premeditation, and her entreaty that SHE would not give in to it. In a few minutes, Mrs. Bennet half-opened the door and called out:
"Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you."
Elizabeth was forced to go.(pg 256-257)
This part made me laugh. Then again I might be one of those people who laughs with books and gets looked at, but bear with me. Imagine Mrs. Bennet winking and winking like she is having some sort of seizure but it is just her eye and then Kitty just blurts it out, classic. This somehow worked because, by being alone this time and some others in the following days, it did not take long for Bingley to propose to Jane. Bingley was described as being "alacrity" (eager) at all times whenever at the Bennet house. How this all worked out is not by doing of Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth suspects highly that Mr. Darcy's Concurrence (agreement) had to have some sort of play in this happy ending.
Now the only concerns Jane should have are to not spend all her money and to not become duped (person tricked into believing or doing something) again by Caroline Bingley, who was behind the couple never seeing each other in London. For now, we got one happy ending but as a reader, we are awaiting to hear the bells for the second eldest Bennet.
Vex=displease
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