"They could at last only suppose his visit to proceed from the difficulty of finding anything to do, which was the more probable from the time of the year. All field sports were over. Within doors there was Lady Catherine, books, and a billiard table, but gentleman cannot be always within doors." (Chapter 32)
I am slowly discovering the emphasis that Jane Austen placed on the power of gossip, but perhaps I should not be surprised, for it is indeed central to many aspects of her plotlines. If you recall the second half of Sense and Sensibility, there is a "romance" attributed to Elinor and Colonel Brandon that was never a reality and was only the product of gossip. This type of speculation also runs rampant through Pride and Prejudice. Perhaps this stems from the aforementioned lack of interesting occupation for the gentility's mind.
In P&P, Charlotte Lucas Collins pokes Lizzy many times with insinuations regarding a deeper relationship with Colonel Fitzwilliam (Why are so many Colonels rumored to be romancing the heroines of Austen's novels? This might be a fine indication of the culture and society of the period. Remember that Kitty and Lydia think a man nothing without Regimentals.*) In Charlotte's insinuations, there are some elements of truth. Lizzy and Fitzwilliam do enjoy each other's company. This is a useful tool for developing Darcy's love for Lizzy, because we see his love grow when he becomes jealous of his cousin. Colonel Fitzwilliam, "now seated himself by her, and talked so agreeably... that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself, as well as of Mr. Darcy. His eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned towards then with a look of curiosity." (Chapter 31) This means that he wants to woo her sooner rather than later.
A scene from Chapter 33 shows his desire to be close to her. It is kind of cute, and rather funny. "More than once did Elizabeth in her ramble within the park, unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy. She felt all the perverseness of mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought; and to prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him at first that it was a favourite haunt of hers. How it could occur a second time, therefore, was very odd! Yet it did, and even a third! It seemed like wilful** ill-nature, or a voluntary penance, for on these occasions it was not merely a few formal enquiries and awkward pause and then away, but he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her." This shows how desperate he is to see her. However, he has a few personal things to get in order before he can secure her. Namely, his pride; which is still very prevalent. In Chapter 33, Lizzy maintains that his pride is more likely wounded by the fact that she has an uncle in trade, then by the fact that she has a ridiculous mother and three silly sisters. Oddly (or not so oddly) enough, Darcy and the Bingley's themselves, seem to forget the fact that the Bingley's fortune comes from trade (Chapter 4). Bingley rents Netherfield because his parents left him a large sum of hard-earned money. They are a family of new money, and lacked the seasoning of aged gentility that would merit the purchasing of an estate in the past. This leads again to Elizabeth's belief that Darcy and Bingley are friends simply because Darcy can easily influence Charles Bingley. I guess that only time will reveal Mr Darcy's true nature!
*As an additional aside, I came across this article in my initial Austen research. It is about how to fire a Regency weapon. Might be an interesting read....
** I thought that I should point out to American-prone spellers that this is not a type error. Orthography changes over time.
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