He considered all the possible implications and came to the wrong conclusion and pointing that out in defense of someone else is not a misrepresentation.
Or, if you will, Darwin understood that the fossil record did not back his view but had faith that it would eventually.
Regardless, he was a gradualist and the fossil record does not back up gradualism.
Define gradualism.
Be specific. Give me a specific "gap" in the fossil record that is inconsistent with evolution as currently understood. Describe the length of the gap. Name the two species that comprise the bookends of the gap.