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Ellen
Thanks for another excellent chapter of this intriguing story. Will you give us Darcy's reaction to the turbulent Bennets? Or will he, like Bingley and Hampton, set that 'ill-mannered behavior' aside? It's amusing that Mrs. Bennet's ambitions with respect to Mr. Hampton at least serve to prevent her pushing Lizzy into someone else's (Wickham?)path. I would expect L's reaction to Wickham to be as shallow as it is in canon, since W doesn't know that Darcy's in residence & would have no particular reason to slander him. Or will that be a cause of Lizzy to disbelieve W? She is building up a positive emotional investment in Darcy, whether she knows it or not, and therefore should be less susceptible to W's slimy ways.
I thought Hampton was unusually unperceptive when Lizzy asked about Darcy, given that he was witness to the 'touching' episode. Or is it that he is too far infatuated to realize that *she* would have been affected by such an experience (who on earth *could* be immune!!! 
)?
Love the interactions between L&D--he's so captivated and she's so drawn to him. She may think she's on a mission of mercy, but I doubt that she would have made the effort if Mr. Collins had been the wounded man. 
I always eagerly await updates to this story.
Cheers,
Margaret
3 men after Lizzy's heart (or body), what a challenge ! I hope Wickham will divert his attention to someone else soon so Lizzy will not fall deeper into his charm. The doctor seems to think that Lizzy is for sure to marry him....i hope she'll not give him too much encouragement. On the other hand, so pleased to see her gracious manner in greeting Darcy and even offered to read to him . Now, THAT i am so looking forward to!
So many wonderful responses! 
I'm not sure what Renee has been promising with regard to frequent postings, but it does not apply to "Eye of the Beholder." Sorry 
The most I can handle is about once a week. Thanks for bearing with me. 
I'm not sure what Renee has been promising with regard to frequent postings, but it does not apply to "Eye of the Beholder." Sorry The most I can handle is about once a week. Thanks for bearing with me.
Don't worry, my lovely! I've got still a few new instalments of Eli's in store for the fans.
Chapter 10 is up. Enjoy!
"You know I marry Mr. Hampton today. So make haste, my dear; I cannot keep him at bay for ever."
Well, if that isn't a significant dream....hopefully Darcy will think on that for a while.
Darcy is drawn to Elizabeth more and more but there seem to be so many obstacles to a relationship between them. What can occur to remove some of them? I'm curious as to the Colonel's opinion of Jane...will he prove a better judge than Darcy? That would be a fun twist, having him meet the Bennets earlier and be able to excercise some unbiased observation of them.
Wickham makes my flesh crawl, literally! Ugh! Please let Elizabeth quickly discern his character so he makes no further progress with her. Lydia is shameless, too! Blech! I keep telling myself she is just young and unguided but she seems to have no inner sense of propriety whatsoever.
You never fail to please, Ellen! Thanks for the great chapter.
So, he did hear the improprieties and he has formed an opinion on her family !
But as the Colonel arrives, I hope he will realize there are now 3 gentlemen who are able to appreciate the Bennet girls making abstraction of the mother and younger girls !
But at the same time, would the Colonel addition provide another headache for Darcy ? Is him to be interested in Elizabeth as well ? Granted, Darcy doesn't know yet about Wickham...
Or maybe the Colonel's arrival would scare Wickham away ?
As always, I just speculate away. Not that I ever really guessed where your plot led us..
but I am enjoying doing it nevertheless.... 
Lovely !
Ellen,
thank you for another wonderful chapter! So, Darcy doesn’t think well about Bennets. What a surprise. 
But I was wondering if – since he cannot see at present – his opinion about Jane could be a little different than it was in original P&P. I had an impression that his prejudice was in large part based on his observations of Jane’s behavior toward Charles. And since he cannot observe with his own eyes if she is “indifferent” perhaps he’s not going to be so reluctant (as he is about the rest of the family).
And he plans for colonel to help him see what’s going on. Well, Fitzwiliam didn’t seem too haughty so perhaps he’s not going to strengthen Darcy’s ill opinion. On the other hand, he might become another rival. And we still don’t know if Collins is going to show up. That would be fun. Five competitors!
The last thing – if I understand correctly the Bennets don’t know about Darcy. But I fear that they’re going to learn about his presence and stupid Lydia immediately is going to spill the beans.
Or, Bingley is going to give a ball and Wickham, unaware of Darcy’s presence is going to show up and they meet in a secluded corridor, and Darcy cannot see him, and… Stop, stop!
Great story!
Forgive me Ellen I write it here but I just don’t know where else to put this. I wanna thank Renee for her kindness. I admitted above English is not my native and she was very sweet with her comment and words of support. Even simple comment is of great effort for me, but I work very hard on improving my vocabulary and grammar. You know how.
Renee, thanks!
Thank you, Basia 
. I think the authors are all thrilled to know that so many fans who are not native speakers of English appreciate their stories so much, and what's more, express their appreciation in their comment threads, wherever they come from. Personally, I think it's so exciting to know that the stories posted here on Mrs Darcy's are read and appreciated all over the world, and I'm not exaggerating!
I'm delighted to have you as one of our regular visitors, Basia, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with your use of English. My compliments go to you. 
Ellen,
Eyes woman! Darcy's needs his eyes toute de suite. A full plate for Lizzy--Darcy/the Doctor/Wickham . . oh my.
Oh. I am glad the Colonel is coming to assist Darcy. As no one else can be trusted. Bingley is obtuse so he is never any help; therefore, the Colonel, with his military experience, is needed to keep an "eye" on what is going on & provide his tactical expertise.
More. More. More chapters. Love the story.
Thanks
STEVIEB
I'd laugh if the Colonel was added to the growing list of Elizabeth's admirers. Hopefully he'll see Jane's affections for Bingley and discover Wickham's presence in town, preventing both of Elizabeth's traditional charges against Darcy. Will we find other forms of angst to make up for such relationship ease, however?
And furtive kisses between Wickham and Lydia was not what I had in mind when I commented last. I suppose I should be more specific next time. 
As she did so, she stole a glimpse at his face and marveled at the appearance of the new skin on his face. In the light of day, she could see but little damage, certainly no proud flesh. She wondered again if it were hidden by his dressings...or whether perhaps Mr. Hampton had been less than honest with her.
I liked this part. Elizabeth doesn't strike me as the type who will easily overlook being lied to. Hopefully this will put a severe crimp in Dr. Hampton's suit and open the way for Darcy. At least, once Darcy gets off his high horse.
Thanks all, for your thoughtful responses...which I will not address individually, so as not to give anything away!
Chapter 11 will be up shortly.
Indeed, Ellen, chapter 11 will be up shortly... As a matter of fact I've just posted it, with trembling hands... I'm afraid, very afraid...
I really think Hampton is blind instead of Darcy... How can he possibly woo a woman who's younger than...? No, I won't say it... whom he didn't tell about his far-reaching plans!?...
Mrs Darcy is most seriously displeased with this man! 
Find out and see for yourselves in another gripping chapter, dear friends!
> "Do not be so sure of that, cousin," Darcy said with
> dark humour, "for she will surely see advantages to
> having a blind son-in-law."
I loved this line!
You can't sweep Elizabeth off to Nova Scotia without being married first, can you? And is going so far away really so horrifying, if she did want to marry the doctor? Maybe we are meant to be concerned that the doctor does not state his intended residence up front and plans to dupe the Bennets during betrothal. Darcy and his keen hearing will save the day, I have no doubt.
Somehow this story's drama doesn't have me wringing my hands with anxiety like others do. Am I being naive?
Ellen,
sing along:
Jeepers, Creepers, Mr. Darcy needs his Peepers.
Jeepers, Creepers, Mr. Darcy needs his EYES!
Oh my Ellen, What About his eyes
Oh my Ellen, Give him back his eyes
Oh my Ellen, 'Cause he is in for a Suprise.
Nova [expletive] Scotia!
STEVIEB
Grrr! Naughty Dr. When does he plan to tell his intended that he is moving to the New World? 
Oh, I cannot wait for the ball. Please, do post soon
I hope Darcy will get his chance to talk to her. I hope he will know better then to propose like in JA's Hunsford.
I'm very disturbed by Lizzy's thoughts about Wickham. I hope Lydia or Colonel will share something about him that will cause Lizzy doubt him a bit at least.
I hope that even if Darcy spoils his proposal, he will get a chance to explain Wickham AND doctor's plans for Nova Scotia...
I'm almost sure doctor wasn't going to tell her before the proposal, as he thought about proposing this afternoon in the pallor. I doubt it contained explaining his plans to her...
Thank you for another wonderful chapter!
I understand Lizzy is young and naïve but I wish she was a little more concerned about men’s mind and intelligence, an a little less concerned about beauty. But perhaps I’m biased – I must admit I don’t like Wickham and I love Darcy.
Dr. Hampton… “my dear” – what is he thinking! Insolent man. In a way he’s even worst than Wickham. Wickham is a scoundrel, but at least he knows that (even if doesn’t share this knowledge with others). Dr. Hampton seems quite pleased with himself. And the way he was describing Lizzy in his letter. Sure, he admitted she’s witty and beautiful, but also quite robust. Godness, she’s not a cow!
And the ball! I can’t wait to see what you have planned for them! I would love if Lizzy could dance with Darcy (dream on)
Oh I would so like to slap the dreadful doctor
Cheeky ****** not to be alone with Darcy, but can be alone with him.......grrrrrrrrrr
I am soooo loving this Darcy, great chapter AGAIN Ellen
One more thought came to me, that I must share...
Please, please, please, do not allow Darcy to say to Lizzy while proposing, that he would not propose if he were not probably blind. It would be so... bad of him to say so.
Okay Ellen--
Oh . . .Oh . . . You [and your sister in angst, Eli] have me on the rack with your stories. The torture! The spasms! The pain! No one knows how I suffer! Mrs. Hill's smelling salts would not revive me. 
Rather, I need you to give Mr. Darcy 
back his PEEPERS 
so he can mount an offensive.
Great Chapter!!
STEVIEB
Hmmm, no one seems to be a big fan of the doctor's now, despite all the good he's done for Darcy. Could it be because he's being a bit presumptuous, taking for granted that the lady will soon be his (and acting as if she already is)? Or because he has a certain amount of power over Our Hero?
BTW, StevieB, I loved the smilie . Wish I'd seen that one sooner!
I think the doctor is a little blinded by love and thinks a little selfishly that the aim justifies the means...
No, he won't deliberately hurt Darcy, but he might find a sly way to keep Lizzy out of his way...
Ellen,
Re: For [Expletive] Sake no Surgery on Darcy's Eyes & Darcy Sees His Souls-Mate
Yes. That blindfolded smiley made me laugh too. It is so on point.
I forgot to add that the book about EYE SURGERY for [expletive] sake gave me pause. Surgery of any kind was primitive then. "Surgeons" with their dirty, stinky, infected hands cut off limbs of soldiers and others due to gangrene all the time. We now know that they didn't know what the [expletive] they were doing. And, the pain involved in surgery then . . . well that is another long discussion.
Moreover, as a nearsighted person (in a profession which constant reading and writing), who has followed the improvements in eye surgery to correct my vision limitation and has not committed to the surgery because what the [expletive], the process would have to reach the error free level before I let anyone [expletive] with my eyes. I make that pronouncement despite the fact that my doctor brother-in-law had the surgery 2 years ago and lauds his new vision and the success of his story.
Hence, no [expletive] surgery on STEVIEB'S eyes & for [expletive] sake no surgery on Darcy's eyes!
Furthermore, that doctor is no longer to be trusted. It is time for him to pack his long-johns; purchase some huskies for his sled (mush, mush you huskies. . .) and move to [expletive] Nova Scotia. (Not that there is anything wrong with Nova Scotia but envision what it was like during that period. Yes. I know the whole husky bit is over the top as its average high and low temperatures are similar to my own Northern U.S. city. Yikes! Don't want the Nova Scotia people after me).
Finally, I too like the idea of Darcy falling in love with Lizzy for reasons well beyond the fact that he has been told that she is pretty. Rather, he is captured by her voice, compassion, intellect, wit, charm, and what he perceives as her passionate nature. Darcy has reached a point of self-awareness where he knows that while he could very easily secure a pretty or even beautiful woman for his wife, finding his souls-mate, a woman with the coalescence of attributes that Lizzy has is rare. This certainty Darcy finally feels has been expressed by others in the following manner:
“Out of Sight” by Elmore Leonard:
He--“It's like seeing someone for the first time, and you look at each other for a few seconds, and there's this kind of recognition like you both know something. Next moment the person's gone, and it's too late to do anything about it. It maybe happens a few times in a person’s life."
She—“Or once”
He—“Or once”
“The Task, Book VI. The Winter Walk at Noon” by William Cowper
"But not to understand a treasure’s worth
Till time has stolen away the slighted good,
Is cause of half the poverty we feel,
And makes the world the wilderness it is."
“Bridges of Madison County” by Robert James Waller
“I have one thing to say, one thing only; I'll never say it another time, to anyone and I ask you to remember it: In a universe of ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once, and never again, no matter how many lifetimes you live.
When I think of why I make pictures, the reason that I can come up with just seems that I've been making my way here. It seems right now that all I've ever done in my life is making my way here to you.”
In Darcy's time of need, when his common-sense is finally as heightened as his senses are due to his visual impairment, he envisions the possibility of achieving marriage with his souls-mate where they share a common understanding and commitment to marriage like thus:
"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness."
[from the film "SHALL WE DANCE"]
STEVIEB
Thank you, StevieB, for your lengthy and very thoughtful reply.
I, too, am a very nearsighted person and have not submitted myself to Lasik, despite the temptation, because I am extremely squeamish about anyone messing with my eyes. My DH had an experimental ocular surgery some years ago, just before Lasik became available, and it was unsuccessful. Fortunately, he still has his eyesight, but it was a painful surgery with a lengthy recovery period, and it would have been far better to have waited for something more perfected, as you point out.
If it makes you feel any better, I'm aware of the shortcomings of the so-called surgery that took place back then. (And that's all I'll say about this now. )
Don't worry, sweetie. In my stories, angst or no, things happen for all the right reasons. Hang in there!
Thanks Ellen & Francis for your comments.
Sorry for the long post. Ellen your inventive story, which requires Darcy to act and react while in his state of imperfection, + the great comments of others simply brought certain thoughts to mind re self-awareness & recognizing the necessity to act to achieve happiness. I like how your are developing the character of this Darcy without his crutch of perfection.
STEVIEB
Tell Lizzy how you feel Darcy!!
