PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (by Jane Austen)

Chapter 1;The Bennets’ new neighbour
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It is a truth well known to all the world that an unmarried man in possession of a large fortune must be in need of a wife.
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And when such a man moves into a neighbourhood, even if nothing is known about his feelings or opinions,
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this truth is so clear to the surrounding families,
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that they think of him immediately as the future husband of one or other of their daughters.
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‘My dear Mr Bennet,’ said Mrs Bennet to her husband one day,
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‘have you heard that someone is going to rent Netherfield Park at last?’
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‘No, Mrs Bennet, I haven’t,’ said her husband.
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‘Don’t you want to know who is renting it?’ cried Mrs Bennet impatiently.
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‘You want to tell me, and I don’t mind listening.’
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Mrs Bennet needed no further encouragement.
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‘Well, my dear, I hear that he’s a very rich young man from the north of England.
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It seems he came to see Netherfield on Monday and was so delighted with it that he arranged to rent it at once.
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Of course, it is the finest house in the area, with the largest gardens.
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His servants will be here by the end of the week, and he will be arriving soon afterwards!’
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‘What is his name?’ asked Mr Bennet. ‘Bingley.’
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‘Is he married or single?’
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‘Oh, single, my dear, of course!
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A single man of large fortune – he has an income of four or five thousand pounds a year.
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How wonderful for our girls!’
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‘Why? How can it affect them?’ Mr Bennet asked.
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‘My dear Mr Bennet,’ she replied, ‘how can you be so annoying!
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You must realize I’m thinking of his marrying one of our daughters.’
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‘Is that his purpose in coming to the area?’
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‘His purpose? No, of course not. But it’s very likely that he’ll fall in love with one of them.
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And I want him to see the girls as soon as possible, before our other neighbours introduce themselves.
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So you must visit him as soon as he arrives.’
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‘I really don’t see why I should,’ said Mr Bennet.
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‘You and the girls can visit him, or perhaps you should send them by themselves.
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Yes, that might be better, as you’re as attractive as any of them, and Mr Bingley might like you best.’
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‘My dear, you flatter me,’ replied his wife,
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‘I certainly have been called beautiful in the past,
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but I think a woman with five adult daughters should stop thinking of her own beauty.
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Mr Bennet, I beg you to visit him.
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You know it’s correct for the gentleman of the family to visit new neighbours first.
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I simply cannot take the girls to see him unless you have already met him.’
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‘Surely you worry too much about the rules of polite society.
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I’m sure Mr Bingley will be delighted to see you all.
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And I’ll write him a few lines, which you can give him, agreeing gladly to his marrying any of the girls,
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although I must especially recommend my dear little Lizzy.’
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‘Oh no, Mr Bennet!’ gasped Mrs Bennet, horrified.
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‘Please don’t do that! And Lizzy is no better than the others, although I know she is your favourite.’
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‘Our daughters are all very silly, ignorant girls, it’s true.
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But at least Lizzy is a little more intelligent than her sisters.’
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‘Mr Bennet, how can you speak so unkindly of your own children?
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Oh dear, how ill I feel! Have you no pity for me?
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Don’t you realize how I suffer?’
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‘Indeed, my dear, I’ve suffered with you for the last twenty-three years.
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But I think you will recover, and live to see many more rich young men come into the neighbourhood.’
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When he was young, Mr Bennet had made the mistake of falling in love with a pretty but foolish young woman.
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During the long years of their marriage, he had had time to regret his mistake.
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He soon realized that his wife had little intelligence or common sense,
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and was only interested in talking, shopping and finding husbands for her daughters.
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His experience had made him rather bitter, and he could not stop himself mocking his wife,
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who never understood her husband’s sense of humour.
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So when, a week later, Mrs Bennet discovered that her husband had in fact visited Mr Bingley at Netherfield,
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she was surprised and very pleased.
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But she and her daughters tried in vain to persuade Mr Bennet to describe the wealthy stranger,
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and in the end they had to rely on another neighbour’s description.
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‘He sounds wonderful, Mama!’ cried Lydia, the youngest and noisiest of the sisters.
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‘Charlotte Lucas’s father has been to see him, and says he’s quite young, very handsome, and extremely charming!
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And even better, he loves dancing!
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Everybody knows that means he’s very likely to fall in love!’
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As politeness required, Mr Bingley came to visit Mr Bennet a few days later.
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He was not, however, fortunate enough to see the Bennet girls,
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who were hiding behind the curtains in an upstairs room in order to catch sight of the handsome stranger.
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Mrs Bennet planned to invite him to dinner, but in fact they met him at another social event first.
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The Bennets lived in the small Hertfordshire village of Longbourn,
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and public dances were regularly held in the nearest town, Meryton.
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The girls were greatly looking forward to this particular dance,
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because they had heard that Mr Bingley would be attending, with a group of friends from London.
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On the night of the dance, all eyes were on Mr Bingley as he entered the room.
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He had brought his two sisters, with the husband of the elder, Mr Hurst, and another young man, Mr Darcy.
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Mr Bingley was indeed good-looking and gentlemanlike, and his sisters were fine, fashionable women.
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However, everybody was soon talking about Mr Darcy, a tall, handsome man,
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who, it was said, had an income of ten thousand pounds a year.
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The ladies in the room gazed at him in admiration for about half the evening,
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until they became aware of his constant frown and his unwillingness to talk or dance.
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Then there was general agreement that he was proud and disagreeable, and considered himself superior to country people.
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Mr Bingley, on the other hand, made himself popular with the ladies by dancing every dance and talking to everybody.
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As there were not as many gentlemen as ladies, Elizabeth Bennet did not have a partner for one of the dances,
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and was sitting watching the dancing.
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Mr Darcy was standing near her, and when Mr Bingley came up to speak to his friend,
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Elizabeth could not avoid hearing their conversation.
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‘Come, Darcy,’ said Bingley,
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‘I hate to see you looking so cross! Why don’t you dance with one of these lovely girls?’
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‘Certainly not,’ replied Darcy.
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‘You know how I hate dancing with a partner I don’t know.
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I would particularly dislike it at a village dance like this.
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Apart from your sisters, there isn’t a woman in the room I would even consider dancing with.
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You are dancing with the only attractive girl here.’
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He was looking at Mrs Bennet’s eldest daughter Jane, who was waiting for Bingley to join her for the next dance.
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‘Oh yes! She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen!
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But just behind you is one of her sisters.
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She’s very pretty, and I’m sure she’s very pleasant. My partner could introduce you.’
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‘Who do you mean?’
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And Darcy turned to look at Elizabeth for a moment.
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‘No,’ he said coldly, ‘she’s not attractive enough to tempt me. Go back to your partner, Bingley.’
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This conversation did not endear Mr Darcy to Elizabeth,
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but she told the story very cheerfully and amusingly to her friends.
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The evening passed very happily for everybody else,
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and Mrs Bennet was delighted with the effect her eldest daughter had had on Mr Bingley.
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‘He danced with Jane twice!’ she told her husband later.
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‘He danced with all the others only once! And he really is so handsome!
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But his friend Mr Darcy was so rude to poor Elizabeth!
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Luckily, she doesn’t care! She wouldn’t want to please him! Such a horrible, proud man! I simply hate him!’
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When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, they discussed their dancing partners.
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‘I was really very flattered when Mr Bingley asked me to dance a second time!’ said Jane, blushing.
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‘I didn’t expect it at all!’
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‘Didn’t you?’ said Elizabeth.
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‘I did. Dear Jane!
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You were five times prettier than any other woman in the room, but you’re too modest ever to expect admiration.’
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‘I have to admit that I liked Mr Bingley,’ continued Jane in her gentle voice.
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‘He’s so good-mannered and agreeable!’
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‘He’s also handsome,’ added her sister,
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‘which makes his character quite perfect! But what did you think of his sisters?’
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‘Very pleasant when you get to know them.
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The younger, Miss Caroline Bingley, will be living at Netherfield with her brother.
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I’m sure we’ll enjoy having her as a neighbour.’
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Elizabeth listened in silence. She was not convinced.
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‘Jane is so kind!’ she thought.
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‘Always ready to see the good side of people’s characters!
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I considered Mr Bingley’s sisters too proud, almost rude, in fact.
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I’m sure they feel superior to most other people, like Mr Darcy.’
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But she did not say any more.
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After the dance the Bennet and Bingley families began to visit each other every few days.
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It became evident that Mr Bingley admired Jane very much,
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and Elizabeth knew that her sister was close to falling in love with him.
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She was discussing this with her good friend, Charlotte Lucas, one day.
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Charlotte was a sensible, intelligent young woman of twenty-seven,
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the eldest daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas, who were neighbours of the Bennet family.
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‘It’s a good thing,’ said Elizabeth,
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‘that if Jane is in love with Mr Bingley, nobody will know, because she always behaves so cheerfully and normally.’
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‘That’s sometimes a mistake,’ replied Charlotte, shaking her head wisely.
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‘If she doesn’t show her feelings at all, even to the man she loves, she may lose the opportunity of catching him.
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Jane should use every moment she gets with Bingley to attract and encourage him.’
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‘But I consider a man should try to discover a woman’s feelings, not wait for her encouragement!
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And Jane probably doesn’t know what her real feelings for Bingley are yet – she has only seen him a few times,
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not often enough to understand his character, or be sure that she really loves him.’
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‘Well, I wish Jane success with all my heart,’ said Charlotte finally,
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‘but I think she’d have as much chance of happiness if she married him tomorrow,
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as if she studied his character for a whole year.
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Happiness in marriage is simply a question of chance.
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I think it’s better to know as little as possible about the person you’re going to spend your life with.’
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Elizabeth laughed, sure that Charlotte did not mean what she was saying.
12:08
While observing Mr Bingley’s interest in Jane, however, Elizabeth had not noticed Mr Darcy’s interest in herself.
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Although at first he had not even considered her pretty,
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he now began to realize what a beautiful expression her dark eyes gave to her intelligent face,
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and what an attractive figure she had.
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‘Of course, she is only an unfashionable village girl,’ he told himself,
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‘but her conversation is often quite amusing.’
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Whenever they met, he did not speak to her,
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but stood near her, listening to her and watching her closely, conscious of a wish to know her better.
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One evening at a party at the Lucases’ house, Darcy was standing alone, as usual,
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away from the other guests, watching the dancing.
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His host, Sir William, came to speak to him.
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‘Mr Darcy! Are you enjoying the dancing, sir? What a delightful entertainment it is!’
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Darcy frowned. ‘Yes,’ he said with cool disdain, ‘it’s something that any uneducated person can be good at.’
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‘I’m sure you’re good at dancing yourself, sir,’ replied Sir William cheerfully.
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‘Look! Here’s Miss Elizabeth Bennet.’
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She was crossing the room at that moment.
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‘Let me persuade you to dance with her.
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You cannot refuse to dance when so much beauty is in front of you.’
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‘Indeed, sir,’ replied Elizabeth quickly, in some embarrassment,
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‘I have no intention of dancing. You must excuse me.’
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‘Miss Bennet, please allow me the pleasure of dancing with you,’ said Mr Darcy politely, holding out his hand.
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But with equal politeness Elizabeth refused again, and turned away.
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Mr Darcy was watching her walk away, with a slight smile on his face, when Caroline Bingley came up to him.
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‘Mr Darcy,’ she said, ‘I’m sure I know what you’re thinking – how boring all these silly little country people are!’
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‘Not at all, Miss Bingley. In fact, I was just thinking what pleasure a pair of fine eyes can give.’
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‘Really! And who do these fine eyes belong to, may I ask?’
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‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet.’
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‘Well! Let me be the first to congratulate you, Mr Darcy! When will the wedding be?’
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‘Ah! That’s what I expected you to say.
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A lady’s imagination jumps from admiration, to love, to marriage, in a moment.’
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‘Well, of course, when you’re married, you will often have her charming mother and sisters to stay. How delightful for you!’
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And Miss Bingley, seeing that Darcy remained calm, continued to mock the Bennet family as amusingly as she could.
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Chapter 2; Jane’s illness
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Mr Bennet had a comfortable income of two thousand a year, and a pleasant house in Longbourn.
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But, unfortunately for his daughters, after his death all his property would pass to a distant male relation.
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Mrs Bennet’s father had been a lawyer, and had only left his daughter a small amount of money.
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She had a brother who owned shops in London, and she also had a sister, married to a Mr Philips.
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He had been her father’s clerk, and now carried on his late employer’s business.
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Mr and Mrs Philips lived in Meryton, which was only a kilometre or so from the village of Longbourn.
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It was a most convenient distance for the Bennet girls,
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who were usually tempted there three or four times a week, to visit their aunt or a dressmaker who lived opposite.
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The youngest daughters, Kitty and Lydia, were particularly regular visitors.
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Their minds were more vacant than their sisters’,
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and if no better entertainment was available, a walk to Meryton always provided some amusement,
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as well as interesting local news from their aunt.
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The latest news, which delighted Kitty and Lydia,
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was that the regiment which had recently arrived in Meryton was to stay there for the whole winter.
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The two girls now visited their aunt every day,
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and as Mr Philips knew all the officers, Kitty and Lydia were soon introduced to them.
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At home they could talk of nothing but officers and their handsome uniforms
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even Mr Bingley’s fortune now seemed hardly worth considering.
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After listening to their praise of the officers one morning, Mr Bennet said coolly,
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‘From what I can see, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country.
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I’ve suspected it for some time, but now I’m convinced.’
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Kitty was embarrassed and did not reply,
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but Lydia, the youngest, continued to express her admiration for a certain Captain Carter, with perfect indifference.
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‘I am very surprised, my dear,’ said Mrs Bennet, ‘that you should be so ready to think your own children silly.
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As it happens, they are all very clever.’
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‘That is the only point, I think, on which we do not agree.
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I am afraid I must say that I consider our two youngest daughters unusually foolish.’
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‘My dear Mr Bennet, you mustn’t expect such young girls to have the common sense of their father or mother.
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I remember when I used to like a red coat myself, and indeed I still do.
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If a good-looking officer with five or six thousand a year wanted to marry one of my girls, I wouldn’t turn him down.
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And I thought Colonel Forster looked very handsome last night at Sir William’s, in his regimental uniform.’
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Just then a servant entered with a note for Jane, which had come from Netherfield.
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Mrs Bennet’s eyes shone with pleasure and she called out eagerly, while her daughter was reading it,
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‘Well, Jane, who is it from? What does he say? Tell us, tell us quickly, my love!’
18:21
‘It’s from Miss Bingley,’ said Jane.
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‘She invites me to dinner at Netherfield, as she and her sister are alone.
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It seems her brother and the gentlemen are having dinner with the officers, in Meryton.’
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‘With the officers!’ cried Lydia.
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‘I wonder why aunt Philips didn’t tell us that!’
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‘Having dinner in Meryton,’ repeated Mrs Bennet, shaking her head. ‘That’s very unlucky.’
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‘May I take the carriage?’ asked Jane.
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‘No, my dear, you’d better ride over there, because it looks likely to rain, and then you’ll have to stay the night.’
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‘That would be a good plan,’ said Elizabeth to her mother,
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‘if you were sure they wouldn’t offer to send her home in their carriage.’
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‘Oh, but they can’t! The gentlemen must have taken Mr Bingley’s carriage to go to Meryton.’
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‘I’d much rather go in the carriage,’ Jane said.
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‘But, my dear, your father can’t spare the horses, I’m sure. They’re needed on the farm, aren’t they, Mr Bennet?’
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Mr Bennet finally agreed that they were in fact being used that day in the fields.
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So Jane set out on her horse, while her mother called cheerfully after her, ‘I do hope it’ll rain heavily, my love!’
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And Jane had not been gone for long before it rained hard.
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Elizabeth was a little worried about her sister, but Mrs Bennet was delighted.
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‘What a good idea of mine that was!’ she said more than once, extremely pleased with herself.
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Not until the next morning, however, did she realize the full extent of her success.
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After breakfast a servant from Netherfield arrived with a note from Jane to Elizabeth,
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explaining that Jane had caught cold on her wet ride,
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and had been invited to stay at Netherfield until she recovered.
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‘Well, my dear,’ said Mr Bennet,
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‘if your daughter should become seriously ill and die,
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it would be a comfort to know that she died in a good cause, and in obedience to your orders.’
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‘Oh, I’m not afraid of her dying. People don’t die of colds. She’ll be looked after well at Netherfield.
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As long as she stays there, everything will be all right.’
20:39
But Elizabeth felt really anxious, and was determined to go to her sister.
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As the carriage was not available, and she was not keen on riding, she decided to walk the five kilometres to Netherfield.
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Kitty and Lydia accompanied her as far as Meryton, where they went to visit one of the officers’ wives.
20:59
Elizabeth continued alone, crossing field after field and jumping impatiently over streams, in her anxiety to see her sister.
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When she arrived at Netherfield, with tired feet, muddy stockings and a face healthily pink with exercise,
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she was shown straight into the sitting-room.
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The two sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst,
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could hardly believe that she had come so far alone and on foot in such bad weather, but they received her politely.
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Their brother, however, was more than polite: he was kind and considerate towards her.
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Mr Darcy said very little,
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hesitating between admiration of her healthy good looks and doubt whether she should have come such a distance alone.
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Mr Hurst said nothing at all, as he was thinking only of his breakfast.
21:50
Elizabeth was glad to be taken almost immediately to her sister’s room,
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where she found Jane delighted to see her, but very feverish and unwell.
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The doctor came, and after examining his patient, advised that she should stay in bed and take some medicine.
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Elizabeth stayed with her all day, looking after her, and the Bingley sisters also spent some time in the patient’s room.
22:14
However, in the afternoon, when it was time for Elizabeth to leave,
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Jane seemed so upset that Miss Bingley was obliged to invite Elizabeth to stay at Netherfield for the present,
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and a servant was sent to Longbourn to inform the Bennet family and bring back some clothes.
22:31
That evening Elizabeth went down to dinner, leaving Jane in bed in her room.
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She noticed the Bingley sisters’ apparent concern for Jane change to indifference in a few moments,
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and knew she had been right to dislike them at first sight.
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Mr Bingley, indeed, was the only one of the group whose behaviour she was satisfied with.
22:54
His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his politeness towards herself most pleasing.
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But the others, she felt, treated her as an unwelcome guest.
23:05
Miss Bingley was concentrating all her attention on Mr Darcy, and Mrs Hurst also joined in their conversation,
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while Mr Hurst was only interested in eating, drinking and playing cards.
23:19
When Elizabeth left the room after dinner to see if Jane needed anything, Miss Bingley at once began to criticize her.
23:26
‘What bad manners she has! She’s both proud, and lacking in politeness to her superiors!
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She has no conversation, no elegance and no beauty!’
23:35
Mrs Hurst agreed, and added, ‘She has no good qualities, except that she’s an excellent walker.
23:42
I’ll never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.’
23:46
‘She did indeed, Louisa. How silly of her to come at all!
23:50
Why must she run around the countryside, just because her sister has a cold?
23:55
Her hair looked so untidy! And her dress! Simply covered in mud!’
24:00
‘I must say,’ said Bingley,
24:03
‘I didn’t notice any of that. I thought she looked remarkably attractive when she arrived this morning.’
24:09
‘You observed her wild appearance, I’m sure, Mr Darcy,’ said Miss Bingley,
24:13
‘and I imagine you wouldn’t wish your sister to make such a show of herself.’
24:18
‘Certainly not.’
24:20
‘Walking four or five kilometres, whatever it was, up to her ankles in mud, and alone, quite alone!
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It seems to me to show a dreadful sort of independence, a country girl’s indifference to what is acceptable.’
24:35
‘I think it shows a very pleasing affection for her sister,’ said Bingley.
24:40
‘I’m afraid, Mr Darcy,’ whispered Miss Bingley,
24:44
‘that this adventure has rather lessened your admiration of her fine eyes.’
24:49
‘Not at all,’ he replied.
24:52
‘They were brightened by the exercise.’
24:55
After a short pause, Mrs Hurst began again.
25:00
‘I have a great liking for Jane Bennet.
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She is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well married.
25:07
But with such a father and mother, and with such vulgar relations, I’m afraid there’s no chance of it.’
25:13
‘I think the Bennet girls have an uncle who’s a lawyer in Meryton.’
25:17
‘Yes, and they have another who owns shops in Cheapside!
25:22
Such a nice part of London!’ Both the sisters laughed.
25:28
‘If they had enough uncles to fill Cheapside,’ cried Bingley, ‘it wouldn’t make them any less charming!’
25:35
‘But it must considerably lessen their chances of marrying men of any position in the world,’ replied Darcy.
25:42
Bingley did not answer, but his sisters agreed enthusiastically,
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and continued mocking their dear friend’s vulgar relations for some time.
25:52
Late in the evening, when Elizabeth was satisfied that Jane was asleep, she felt she ought to go downstairs again.
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She found the party in the sitting-room, playing cards,
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but although they invited her to join in their game, she refused politely, and picked up a book to read.
26:10
‘I can fetch you more books to read, if you wish,’ offered Bingley,
26:14
‘but I’m afraid I haven’t got a large library.
26:16
Unlike you, I’m too lazy to spend much time reading.’
26:21
‘What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr Darcy!’ said Miss Bingley.
26:26
‘And what a beautiful house it is! Charles, when you buy your house, I hope it will be even half as lovely as Pemberley.’
26:34
‘I hope so too,’ agreed Bingley.
26:37
‘And your dear sister, Mr Darcy? I expect she’s grown since the spring.
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I want so much to see her again!
26:45
I’ve never met anyone who delighted me so much!
26:48
Such an appearance, such manners! And so extremely accomplished for her age!’
26:54
‘I’m always surprised,’ said Bingley, ‘to find how very accomplished all young ladies are.
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How do they have the time and patience to learn all these skills?’
27:06
‘Certainly people use the word “accomplished” too loosely,’ said Darcy,
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‘but I am far from agreeing with you about ladies in general.
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I cannot boast of knowing more than six who are really accomplished.’
27:19
‘Then,’ said Elizabeth, ‘your idea of an accomplished woman must include a great many qualities.’
27:26
‘Yes, a great many.’
27:28
‘Oh! Certainly,’ cried his faithful assistant, Miss Bingley,
27:34
‘an accomplished woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and modern languages,
27:43
and besides this, a certain something in her manner of walking, in her voice and in her behaviour.’
27:51
‘All this she must possess,’ added Darcy,
27:55
‘and something more solid, the improvement of her mind by wide reading.’
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‘I’m no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women,’ said Elizabeth.
28:06
‘I rather wonder at your knowing any.
28:09
I’ve never seen such elegance, and intelligence, and knowledge, as you describe, in one woman.’
28:16
Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were both protesting loudly that they knew many women like this,
28:23
when Mr Hurst called their attention back to the card game.
28:26
As this meant an end to the conversation, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.
28:31
‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet,’ said Miss Bingley to Darcy,
28:35
‘is one of those women who try to appear attractive to men by undervaluing other women. I think that’s a mean trick.’
28:43
‘It is true,’ said Darcy, ‘that there is meanness in all the tricks used by ladies to attract men.’
28:51
Miss Bingley was not satisfied enough with this answer to continue the conversation.
28:58
The next morning Elizabeth was glad to be able to inform Mr Bingley and his sisters that Jane was very much better.
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In spite of this improvement, however, she asked for her mother to be sent for,
29:11
as she wanted Mrs Bennet’s opinion of Jane’s state of health.
29:14
Soon after breakfast, therefore, Mrs Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest daughters, reached Netherfield.
29:21
Elizabeth, although relieved to hear that her mother did not think Jane’s illness serious,
29:27
began to regret asking her to come, when she saw the Bingley sisters smiling at Mrs Bennet’s remarks.
29:33
Elizabeth blushed for her mother,
29:36
who could not help showing her lack of intelligence and common sense in everything she said.
29:41
Kitty and Lydia made an equally bad impression.
29:45
They had been whispering together, when suddenly Lydia,
29:48
who was an attractive, confident, well-grown girl of fifteen, pushed herself rudely forward.
29:54
She begged Mr Bingley to hold a ball at Netherfield.
29:57
With his usual politeness, Mr Bingley promised he would, but Elizabeth saw his sisters exchanging meaningful glances.
30:06
She was quite glad when her mother and sisters left.
30:09
She and Jane were to stay another night at Netherfield, to allow Jane to recover completely.
30:15
That evening Elizabeth appeared again in the sitting-room.
30:20
She could not avoid noticing how frequently Mr Darcy’s eyes were fixed on her,
30:25
but as she felt sure that so great a man could not possibly admire her,
30:29
she assumed that when he looked at her, he was criticizing her in some way.
30:34
This thought did not cause her any pain, as she liked him too little to care for his approval.
30:39
In the conversations she had with him, she spoke in her usual slightly mocking manner,
30:45
rather expecting to offend him, but was surprised by the quiet politeness of his replies.
30:51
Darcy had never before been so charmed by any woman.
30:55
He really believed that if she did not have such vulgar relations, he might be in danger of falling in love with her.
31:02
Miss Bingley saw or suspected enough to be jealous,
31:06
and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane was increased by her wish to get rid of Elizabeth.
31:14
Fortunately perhaps, for almost everyone at Netherfield,
31:18
Elizabeth and her sister, who was now quite recovered, were returning home the next day.
31:24
Only Mr Bingley showed real sorrow at this, and was concerned that Jane might not be fit enough to travel.
31:32
Mr Darcy was quite relieved, and determined that no sign of admiration for Elizabeth should escape him now.
31:39
Miss Bingley’s politeness to Elizabeth, as well as her affection for Jane,
31:44
increased rapidly as the moment of departure approached,
31:47
and she was able to say goodbye to them with many warm expressions of friendliness and a promise to visit them very soon.
31:54
Mr Bennet was glad to welcome his eldest daughters home again,
31:59
as he had felt their absence from the family circle,
32:02
but Mrs Bennet, who had hoped they would stay much longer,
32:05
was quite disappointed to see them come back in such a short time.
32:13
Chapter 3; Mr Collins visits Longbourn
32:19
‘I hope, my dear,’ said Mr Bennet to his wife at breakfast the next morning,
32:25
‘that you have told the cook to send up a good dinner today, as I am expecting a visitor.’
32:30
‘Who is it, my dear?
32:31
I know of nobody who is coming, unless Charlotte Lucas happens to call in, and I hope my dinners are good enough for her.’
32:39
‘The person I’m talking about is a gentleman and a stranger.’
32:43
Mrs Bennet’s eyes shone with excitement.
32:46
‘It’s Mr Bingley, I’m sure! Why, Jane, you never mentioned it!
32:50
Well, I’ll be extremely glad to see him. Lydia, my love, ring the bell. I must speak to the cook at once.’
32:57
‘It is not Mr Bingley,’ said her husband.
33:00
‘It’s a person whom I have never seen before.’
33:04
This caused general astonishment,
33:07
and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five daughters all at the same time.
33:12
Having amused himself for some time with their curiosity, he finally explained.
33:17
‘I have recently received a letter from my cousin, Mr Collins, who, as you know, will inherit all my property when I die,
33:25
and may throw you out of this house as soon as he wants.’
33:28
‘Oh, my dear!’ cried his wife.
33:30
‘Please don’t mention that hateful man.
33:32
It’s the hardest thing in the world to accept the fact that your property is not left to your own children,
33:38
and I’m sure, if I were you, I’d have tried to do something about it.’
33:43
Jane and Elizabeth tried to explain the legal situation to her again.
33:48
They had often attempted to do this before.
33:51
But it was a matter which Mrs Bennet refused to understand, and she continued to complain bitterly about Mr Collins.
33:58
‘It certainly is most unjust,’ agreed Mr Bennet,
34:02
‘and nothing can clear Mr Collins from the guilt of inheriting this house.
34:06
But if you listen while I read his letter to you,
34:08
you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself.’
34:13
He read aloud the following letter
34:16
Dear Sir, The disagreement between you and my late respected father always worried me,
34:23
and since his death I have frequently wished to improve the relationship between our families.
34:29
After a long period of study and training I have recently become a priest,
34:34
and have been fortunate enough to gain the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh.
34:41
This generous lady has given me the post of rector at Hunsford, which was luckily vacant.
34:47
Hunsford is the village near her own large country house in Kent.
34:51
Here I carry out the duties of my profession whenever necessary,
34:55
and I take great care to behave at all times with grateful respect towards her ladyship.
35:01
As a priest, moreover, I feel it my duty to encourage all families in my area of influence to live peacefully.
35:10
Because of this, I flatter myself that I am acting correctly in offering you my friendship.
35:16
I am of course concerned that when I eventually inherit all your property,
35:20
your daughters will doubtless be very poor, and I do apologize for this.
35:25
I promise you I am ready to make amends in every possible way – but more about this later.
35:32
If you do not object, I propose to visit you and your family on Monday November 18th, at four o’clock,
35:40
and shall probably stay until the following Saturday week.
35:43
This will cause me no inconvenience at all,
35:46
as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence from my duties.
35:51
I remain, dear sir, with respectful good wishes to your lady and your daughters, your friend, William Collins.
35:59
‘So we can expect this peace-making gentleman at four o’clock today,’ said Mr Bennet, as he folded up the letter.
36:07
‘He appears to be a most polite and serious young man.
36:11
How considerate of Lady Catherine to allow him to visit us!’
36:15
‘Well, if he is ready to make amends to the girls in some way, I shall certainly not discourage him,’ said Mrs Bennet.
36:23
‘Although it’s difficult,’ said Jane, ‘to guess how he intends to do that, it’s good of him to want to help us.’
36:31
‘I think he’s peculiar,’ said Elizabeth.
36:34
‘He sounds too pleased with himself, and he speaks so politely of Lady Catherine!
36:38
And why does he apologize for inheriting Father’s property in future?
36:42
We know it’s not his fault. Can he be a sensible man, sir?’ she added, turning to Mr Bennet.
36:49
‘No, my dear, I think not.
36:51
I have great hopes of finding him quite the opposite.
36:54
There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter, which promises to be entertaining.
36:59
I am impatient to see him.’
37:01
Mary, the middle daughter, who spent most of her time reading and who seldom joined in family conversations,
37:08
now remarked that in her opinion his letter was well expressed.
37:12
But Kitty and Lydia did not show any interest in the letter or its writer.
37:17
As it was highly unlikely that their cousin would arrive in a regimental uniform,
37:22
they could not imagine having any pleasure in meeting him.
37:25
Their mother, however, had changed her attitude towards Mr Collins after his letter,
37:30
and was now preparing to meet him with such calmness that it astonished her husband and daughters.
37:36
Mr Collins arrived punctually, and was received with great politeness by the whole family.
37:43
Mr Bennet indeed said little, but the ladies were ready enough to talk,
37:48
and Mr Collins did not seem in need of encouragement.
37:52
He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of twenty-five.
37:56
His expression was serious, and his manners very formal.
38:00
Soon after his arrival, he said to Mrs Bennet,
38:03
‘Madam, I must compliment you on having such a fine family of daughters.
38:08
I had heard much of their beauty, but I find them even more beautiful than reports have stated.
38:15
I do not doubt you will see them all well married quite soon.’
38:19
Mrs Bennet never quarrelled with compliments, and she answered,
38:23
‘You’re very kind, sir, and indeed I do hope so, because otherwise they’ll have nothing at all to live on.’
38:29
‘You refer perhaps to my inheriting the Bennet property?’
38:34
‘Ah, yes, sir, I do! You must confess it is a sad business for my poor girls.’
38:39
‘I am very aware, madam, of the hardship to your lovely daughters – and could say more about this,
38:46
but I am cautious of saying too much too soon.
38:49
But I would like to say that I have come prepared to admire the young ladies. And perhaps when we know each other better—’
38:58
The bell rang for dinner, and the family moved into the dining-room with their guest.
39:03
The girls smiled secretly at each other, as Mr Collins praised the hall, the dining-room and all the furniture.
39:10
Mrs Bennet would normally have been delighted with such praise,
39:14
but she could not help thinking that he was perhaps admiring it all as his future property.
39:19
The dinner, too, he considered excellent, and he asked which of his charming cousins was responsible for it.
39:26
But Mrs Bennet explained quite sharply to him that they were very well able to afford a good cook,
39:32
and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen.
39:36
He begged her pardon immediately for offending her, and continued to apologize for about a quarter of an hour.
39:42
Mr Bennet had hardly spoken up to now, but he thought it was time to enter the conversation.
39:47
‘You seem very fortunate in your patron, Mr Collins,’ he said.
39:52
He could not have chosen a better opening remark.
39:55
Mr Collins spoke enthusiastically for several minutes in praise of Lady Catherine.
40:00
‘Never in my life have I witnessed such considerate behaviour in a person of high birth!
40:06
Although she is such a great lady, she has never treated me with disdain.
40:11
She talks to me almost as an equal, and gives me advice.
40:15
For example, she has recommended me to marry as soon as possible.
40:20
And do you know, she has asked me to dinner twice at her house!
40:25
Some people consider her proud, but she has only ever been kind to me.
40:30
She even took the trouble to visit my small house,
40:33
and was thoughtful enough to suggest one or two improvements – some shelves upstairs.’
40:39
‘That is very correct and polite, I’m sure,’ said Mrs Bennet. ‘Does she live near you, sir?’
40:45
‘Only a small country road separates my poor house from Rosings Park, her ladyship’s home.’
40:52
‘I think you said she is a widow? Has she any family?’
40:55
‘She has only one daughter, who will inherit Rosings and all Lady Catherine’s property.
41:01
A most charming young lady, unfortunately in weak health.
41:06
I often pay her some little compliment on her appearance or her accomplishments when I visit Rosings.
41:13
Lady Catherine appreciates these compliments to her daughter, and I see it as my duty to please her ladyship.’
41:20
‘I am sure you’re right,’ said Mr Bennet.
41:23
‘No doubt you are expert at flattering with delicacy.
41:26
May I ask how you think of these pleasing compliments?’
41:30
‘Some of them come to me at the time,
41:33
but in my spare moments I do occasionally prepare a few words which may be suitable for different occasions.’
41:40
Mr Bennet listened to his cousin with the greatest enjoyment.
41:44
Mr Collins was as foolish as he had hoped.
41:47
But by tea-time Mr Bennet had had enough, and after tea, asked his guest to read aloud to the ladies.
41:54
However, when a novel was handed to Mr Collins, he looked shocked, and protested that he never read novels.
42:01
He chose a religious book instead, and started reading in a slow, serious voice.
42:07
Lydia could not hide her boredom for long, and after only three pages she interrupted him rudely,
42:13
to ask her mother a question about one of the officers in Meryton.
42:16
Mr Collins was offended, and refused to read any more,
42:19
although Mrs Bennet and her other daughters apologized for Lydia’s lack of manners.
42:24
Mr Collins was not a sensible man, and neither education nor society had improved him.
42:31
The respect he felt for his patron, and his very good opinion of himself and his new position,
42:37
made him proud and servile at the same time.
42:40
Now that he had a home and a considerable income, he had decided to marry.
42:45
The Bennet girls, who would lose their inheritance because of him, had a reputation for being attractive and charming,
42:52
and his idea of making amends to them was to marry one of them.
42:56
He considered this an excellent plan, and thought himself extremely generous and unselfish in carrying it out.
43:04
He had known he was right when he arrived at Longbourn and saw Jane Bennet’s lovely face.
43:10
As the eldest, she should marry first, and for the first evening she was his choice.
43:17
But the next morning, after a fifteen-minute conversation with Mrs Bennet, he had to change his mind.
43:24
When he explained that he was hoping to find a wife among her daughters, she replied, with a happy smile,
43:29
that her eldest daughter was very likely to be engaged soon.
43:33
‘But there are my other daughters, Mr Collins,’ she continued, encouragingly.
43:38
Mr Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth,
43:41
and it was soon done – done while Mrs Bennet was pouring the tea.
43:45
Next to Jane in birth and beauty, Elizabeth was the obvious choice.
43:50
Mrs Bennet was delighted, hoping that she might soon have two daughters married.
43:56
The man whom she had so disliked the day before was now a favourite with her.
44:05
Chapter 4; Elizabeth meets Mr Wickham
44:11
When later that morning Lydia suggested walking to Meryton to see some of the officers,
44:17
all her sisters except Mary agreed to accompany her.
44:20
Even Mr Collins went with them, encouraged by Mr Bennet,
44:24
who was by now most anxious to have some time to himself.
44:28
During their walk, the girls listened politely to Mr Collins’ self-important speeches,
44:33
but as soon as they entered Meryton,
44:35
the younger ones no longer even pretended to be interested in his conversation,
44:40
but looked eagerly around in search of the officers.
44:43
Just then all the young ladies noticed a very gentleman-like young man, whom they had never seen before,
44:49
walking down the street with an officer they knew.
44:52
They were all wondering who the handsome stranger could be, when the officer came up to them to greet them.
44:58
He asked permission to introduce his friend, whose name was Mr Wickham,
45:02
and who had apparently arrived recently from London, to become an officer in the regiment.
45:07
This was exactly as it should be,
45:10
because the young man only needed an officer’s uniform to become completely charming.
45:15
He was very good-looking, with a very pleasant, sociable manner,
45:19
and after the introductions, conversation flowed most enjoyably in the little group.
45:24
They were still standing and talking happily together,
45:27
when they heard the sound of horses, and saw Darcy and Bingley riding down the street.
45:33
The two gentlemen came straight towards the ladies to greet them.
45:37
Bingley was clearly most interested in Jane Bennet, and started talking particularly to her.
45:42
Darcy, however, was just determining not to look at Elizabeth, when he suddenly noticed the stranger.
45:49
By chance Elizabeth saw Darcy’s and Wickham’s faces at the moment when they caught sight of each other,
45:56
and she was astonished at the effect of the meeting.
45:59
Both changed colour, one white, the other red.
46:04
After a few moments Mr Wickham touched his hat, and Mr Darcy nodded very slightly.
46:09
What could this mean?
46:11
It was impossible to imagine, and it was impossible not to wish to know.
46:17
In another moment Mr Bingley, who did not seem to have noticed what had happened, said goodbye and rode away with Mr Darcy.
46:24
The two officers accompanied the young ladies to Mrs Philips’ house,
46:28
but did not go in, in spite of Lydia’s repeated invitations.
46:32
Mrs Philips was always glad to see her nieces,
46:35
and welcomed Mr Collins most politely when he was introduced to her.
46:39
She did not, however, have any more information for the girls about the agreeable Mr Wickham.
46:45
‘But I tell you what, my dears,’ she said brightly,
46:48
‘I’m giving a little supper party for some of the officers tomorrow.
46:52
I’ll ask Mr Philips to visit Mr Wickham and invite him to come too. Will you all come as well?’
46:58
The girls were delighted and agreed at once to this arrangement, and the whole group walked back to Longbourn,
47:04
happily discussing the enjoyable evening they were going to have.
47:07
Mr Collins had been very impressed with Mrs Philips’ politeness,
47:12
and when they reached Longbourn, he complimented Mrs Bennet on her sister’s elegance and charming manners.
47:18
The next evening the carriage took him and his five cousins to Meryton,
47:23
and the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the hall,
47:26
that Mr Wickham had accepted their uncle’s invitation, and was at that moment in the house.
47:32
When Mr Collins was shown into the sitting-room, and had time to look around and admire it,
47:38
he said immediately to Mrs Philips, ‘Madam, I must compliment you on the size and furniture of this room.
47:45
Really, I could almost imagine myself in the smaller summer breakfast-room at Rosings!’
47:51
This remark did not at first please his hostess very much,
47:55
but when she heard from him what Rosings was, and who its owner was, and how much Lady Catherine’s furniture cost,
48:02
she realized what a great compliment it was.
48:05
During the evening Mr Collins found Mrs Philips a kind and attentive listener,
48:11
which was fortunate, as the Bennet girls could not bring themselves to listen to him any longer.
48:17
All the ladies were impatient to see Mr Wickham, and when he came into the room,
48:22
he appeared far more charming and gentlemanly than any of the officers present.
48:26
He was the lucky man towards whom almost every female eye turned,
48:31
and Elizabeth was the lucky woman beside whom he finally took his seat.
48:36
His pleasant way of making conversation made her feel that he could talk interestingly about anything.
48:42
As he did not play cards, which some of the party were doing,
48:46
he stayed talking to Elizabeth for a large part of the evening.
48:49
She hoped he would tell her how he knew Mr Darcy, but she dared not mention that gentleman.
48:55
Luckily, however, Mr Wickham himself began to talk about it, although in a rather hesitating manner.
49:02
‘Netherfield is quite near Meryton, I suppose?
49:06
How long has – has Mr Darcy been staying there?’
49:10
‘He has been there about a month,’ replied Elizabeth.
49:14
Unwilling to let the matter drop, she added,
49:17
‘He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand.’
49:21
‘Yes,’ replied Wickham, ‘his income is ten thousand a year at least.
49:25
I know more about him than most people, as I have been closely connected with his family since childhood.’
49:31
Elizabeth could only look surprised.
49:33
‘You might well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at my saying that, after noticing, as you probably did,
49:39
the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday.
49:41
Do you know Mr Darcy well?’
49:44
‘As well as I ever wish to!’ cried Elizabeth.
49:47
‘I’ve spent four days in the same house as him, and I consider him very disagreeable.’
49:52
‘I’ve known him too long and too well to judge fairly whether he’s disagreeable or not.
49:56
But I believe most people would be astonished by your opinion.’
49:59
‘He is not at all liked here in Hertfordshire.
50:02
Everybody is disgusted with his pride.
50:05
You won’t find him praised by anyone.’
50:07
‘I can’t pretend to be sorry that he is valued as he deserves, but with him I believe it doesn’t often happen.
50:14
The world is blinded by his fortune and importance, or frightened by his proud behaviour,
50:20
and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.’
50:22
After a pause Wickham added, ‘I wonder if he’s likely to stay at Netherfield much longer.’
50:28
‘I don’t know at all, but I hope his presence won’t stop you becoming an officer in the regiment here.’
50:34
‘Oh no! I won’t be driven away by Mr Darcy.
50:38
If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go.
50:41
The reason I have for avoiding him is one I could easily make public to the whole world – he has treated me very badly.
50:48
His late father, Miss Bennet, was one of the best men who ever lived, and the most faithful friend I ever had.
50:54
And whenever I’m with this Mr Darcy, I think of his father with the most painful regret.
51:00
Mr Darcy has behaved wickedly towards me,
51:04
but I could forgive him anything except the insult to his father’s memory.’
51:08
Elizabeth was fascinated, and listened eagerly, but did not like to ask any questions.
51:14
Mr Wickham began to speak more generally about Meryton and the charming people he had met there.
51:20
‘In fact, that’s why I was tempted to join the regiment. I’d heard that Meryton society is most agreeable.
51:26
Society, I confess, is necessary to me.
51:29
I have been a disappointed man, you see.
51:31
I did not intend to join the army at all.
51:34
The Church ought to have been my profession,
51:36
and I should at this moment have a comfortable income as a Derbyshire rector,
51:40
if the gentleman we were speaking of just now had wished it.’
51:43
‘Indeed!’
51:44
‘Yes – Mr Darcy’s father had always been very fond of me, and intended to give me the post of rector of Pemberley.
51:53
But unfortunately, after his death, when the post became vacant, it was given to someone else.’
51:58
‘No!’ cried Elizabeth, horrified.
52:01
‘But how could that happen? Why didn’t you get legal advice, and claim what was rightfully yours?’
52:06
‘Mr Darcy’s father had not stated his wish in writing.
52:10
A man of honour could not have doubted his intention, but Mr Darcy chose to treat it as a recommendation only.
52:18
I really cannot accuse myself of having done anything to deserve to lose the post.
52:24
The fact is, he hates me.
52:27
I think he was jealous of his father’s affection for me, which annoyed him from the beginning.’
52:32
‘This is very shocking! I hadn’t thought Mr Darcy as bad as this, although I’ve never liked him.
52:39
I assumed he felt superior to everyone else, but did not suspect him of behaving in such a wicked, unjust, inhuman way!’
52:47
‘We grew up together at Pemberley, you know.
52:50
My father gave up all his time to take care of the Pemberley farms,
52:54
and was greatly appreciated as a close friend by the late Mr Darcy,
52:58
who promised just before my father’s death to provide for me.
53:02
The present Mr Darcy did not choose to respect that promise.’
53:07
‘How strange that Mr Darcy’s pride has not made him help you!
53:11
Surely he’s too proud to wish to appear dishonest – which is what I must call him.’
53:17
‘He’s certainly very proud – proud of his position, his family, his father, and his sister, too, you know.’
53:24
‘What sort of a girl is Miss Darcy?’ He shook his head.
53:29
‘It gives me pain to criticize a Darcy.
53:31
But she’s too much like her brother – very, very proud.
53:35
She’s a handsome girl of about fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, extremely accomplished.’
53:41
‘I am astonished at Mr Darcy’s close friendship with Mr Bingley!
53:45
How can Mr Bingley, who seems so charming and kind, be friendly with such a man?’
53:50
‘I don’t know Mr Bingley at all, but Mr Darcy can be a pleasant companion if he thinks it worthwhile.’
53:57
Just then they were joined by some of the others, and the conversation became more general.
54:02
When Mr Collins was talking to Mrs Philips about his patron,
54:06
Mr Wickham looked quickly in his direction, and then asked Elizabeth,
54:10
‘Does your cousin know Lady Catherine de Bourgh very well?’
54:14
‘I don’t think he has known her for long, but she has recently given him the post of rector of Hunsford.’
54:20
‘Perhaps you know that Lady Catherine is the present Mr Darcy’s aunt?
54:24
I believe she is planning to marry her daughter, who will inherit a fortune, to Mr Darcy.’
54:31
This information made Elizabeth smile,
54:34
as she thought of poor Miss Bingley’s efforts to attract Mr Darcy, which might all be in vain.
54:40
The supper party came to an end, and Elizabeth went away with her head full of Mr Wickham.
54:45
She could think of nothing but him, and what he had told her, all the way home.
54:49
The next day she told Jane everything she had discussed with Mr Wickham.
54:54
Jane listened with astonishment and concern.
54:57
She could not believe that Mr Darcy could so little deserve Mr Bingley’s friendship,
55:02
and yet she did not want to doubt the truthfulness of such an agreeable young man as Mr Wickham.
55:07
Elizabeth, however, felt sure that Mr Darcy was to blame.
55:12
That morning an invitation arrived at Longbourn.
55:16
Mr Bingley had fixed the date for the ball he had promised to give at Netherfield,
55:20
and it was to be on the following Tuesday.
55:23
Every female in the Bennet family was looking forward to it,
55:26
even Mary, who lifted her head from her book to say, unsmiling,
55:31
‘As long as I have my mornings free for serious reading, I do not mind meeting people in the evenings.
55:36
I consider some relaxation and amusement is good for everybody.’
55:39
Elizabeth felt so cheerful at the thought of dancing with Mr Wickham
55:43
that she made an unusual effort to speak kindly to Mr Collins.
55:47
‘Will you accept Mr Bingley’s invitation, sir?
55:50
And if you do, will you, as a priest, consider it right to dance?’
55:55
‘I shall certainly accept,
55:57
and I am so far from objecting to dancing that I hope to have the honour of dancing with all my beautiful cousins.
56:03
I take this opportunity of asking you, Miss Elizabeth, for the first two dances especially.’
56:10
She was very surprised, and rather annoyed.
56:13
She had hoped that Wickham would ask her for those dances, but now she would have Mr Collins instead!
56:19
She could not refuse, however, and his request also worried her in another way.
56:25
His manner to her seemed particularly flattering, which gave her the unwelcome idea
56:31
that perhaps she had been chosen from among her sisters to be the rector of Hunsford’s wife.
56:36
As she observed the increasing number of compliments he paid to her beauty and character,
56:42
she felt sure that he intended to propose marriage.
56:45
For the moment, however, she decided to do nothing, but wait and see.
56:50
On Tuesday evening,
56:52
when Elizabeth entered the hall at Netherfield and looked in vain for Mr Wickham among the red coats gathered there,
56:58
she was surprised and disappointed to see he was not present.
57:01
She had never doubted he would come, and had dressed with more than her usual care,
57:06
looking forward to winning his heart, which she knew was already partly hers.
57:11
But she immediately suspected that Darcy had persuaded Bingley not to invite Wickham,
57:16
and although she discovered from one of the officers that in fact Wickham had been invited,
57:21
but had been called away on business,
57:23
she felt sure Wickham had wanted to avoid meeting Darcy, and blamed Darcy for this.
57:29
As a result, when Darcy greeted her, she was so annoyed with him that she could hardly reply politely.
57:35
But she soon became more cheerful, and determined to enjoy the ball in spite of Wickham’s absence.
57:41
Unfortunately, the first two dances, with Mr Collins, were painfully embarrassing,
57:47
as her cousin had no idea how to dance, and moved extremely awkwardly.
57:52
She was relieved to leave him, and have the third dance with an officer,
57:56
who gave her great pleasure by talking about Wickham and his popularity in the regiment.
58:01
After this, she was very surprised to be approached by Mr Darcy and invited to dance.
58:07
She was so astonished, in fact, that she accepted him without thinking,
58:12
and found herself standing opposite him on the dance floor.
58:15
‘What an honour for me, to be allowed to dance with Mr Darcy!’ she thought.
58:20
They danced for some time in silence, and then she made a remark.
58:25
He replied, and was silent again.
58:28
After a pause, she spoke again.
58:31
‘Now you must say something, Mr Darcy.
58:34
You could remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples.’
58:38
He smiled. ‘I’ll say whatever you wish me to say.’
58:42
‘Very well. That reply will do for the moment.
58:46
Perhaps soon I’ll observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones.
58:51
But now we can be silent.
58:54
Conversation needs to be arranged in this way so that those people who don’t enjoy talking are not required to make any effort.’
59:01
‘Are you referring to yourself, or are you thinking of me?’
59:04
‘Both,’ said Elizabeth, smiling, ‘because I think you and I are similar.
59:09
We’re both unsociable and unwilling to speak, unless we can astonish and impress the whole room.’
59:15
‘I am sure you aren’t like that,’ he answered.
59:18
‘I cannot say whether I am, or not. You obviously think so.’ She said nothing.
59:25
‘Do you and your sisters often go to Meryton?’ he continued.
59:30
‘We do,’ she replied, and, unable to resist the temptation, she added,
59:35
‘When you met us there last week, we had just been introduced to someone.’
59:40
The effect was immediate. There was a new coldness in Darcy’s expression.
59:46
After a moment he said, with difficulty, ‘Mr Wickham is so agreeable that he makes friends easily.
59:55
Whether he can keep them is less certain.’
59:59
‘He has been unlucky enough to lose your friendship,’ replied Elizabeth sharply,
60:04
‘and in a way which will cause him hardship all his life.’
60:07
Darcy did not reply to this, and there was only time for a little more conversation before the dance ended.
60:14
Elizabeth went to find Jane, and listened with delight as she described her feelings for Bingley,
60:19
and her confidence in his affection for her.
60:22
But apart from Jane,
60:24
it seemed to Elizabeth that if her family had made an agreement to appear as stupid as possible during the ball,
60:30
they could not have been more successful.
60:32
First Mr Collins insisted on going to introduce himself to Mr Darcy,
60:37
the nephew of his respected patron, and was received very coldly.
60:42
Then, during supper,
60:44
Mrs Bennet could not be prevented from talking very loudly to Lady Lucas about her great hopes of Jane’s marriage to Bingley.
60:51
Elizabeth blushed in embarrassment when she realized that the Bingley sisters and Mr Darcy were able to hear.
60:58
Finally, when some music was required,
61:01
Mary Bennet went confidently to the piano, and sang and played several songs, all rather badly.
61:08
The rest of the evening brought Elizabeth little amusement.
61:12
She could not even go and talk to people she knew, as Mr Collins seemed determined to stay close by her side all evening.
61:19
Fortunately, her good friend Charlotte Lucas occasionally gave her some relief,
61:24
by kindly listening to some of Mr Collins’ long speeches.
61:27
At least Elizabeth did not have to talk to Mr Darcy any more.
61:31
He often stood near her, quite alone, but did not come close enough to speak.
61:37
At the end of the evening it was obvious to Elizabeth that although her family had greatly enjoyed the ball,
61:44
the Bingley sisters were eager for these particular guests to leave.
61:48
Mr Collins, however, was enthusiastic in his praise of the Bingleys’ hospitality,
61:53
and Mrs Bennet invited the whole Bingley family to visit Longbourn as soon as possible.
61:59
She was feeling very satisfied, convinced that in three or four months Jane would be married to Bingley.
62:06
She was also sure that Elizabeth would marry Mr Collins.
62:10
This was a good enough marriage for Elizabeth, who was her least favourite daughter,
62:14
but not nearly as impressive as Jane’s marriage to Bingley.
62:22
Chapter 5; Mr Collins proposes twice
62:27
At Longbourn the next day, soon after breakfast,
62:32
Mr Collins asked Mrs Bennet for permission to speak privately to Elizabeth.
62:36
Mrs Bennet was delighted, and hurried the other girls out of the room,
62:41
so that Elizabeth and Mr Collins were left alone together.
62:44
Elizabeth did not want to stay, and got up to leave,
62:48
but after a moment’s thought, sat down again quietly, determined to listen and reply politely.
62:55
‘My dear Miss Elizabeth,’ said Mr Collins seriously,
63:00
‘this little unwillingness to hear me, this modesty of yours, can only add to your other charms.
63:07
You can hardly doubt the purpose of my speech.
63:10
Almost as soon as I entered the house, I chose you as the companion of my future life.
63:16
But before I am carried away by my feelings, I think I should state my reasons for marrying.’
63:24
Elizabeth was trying so hard not to laugh at the idea of Mr Collins being carried away by his feelings
63:30
that she was unable to reply.
63:33
‘First,’ he continued, ‘it is right for a priest to marry, as an example to other people.
63:40
Secondly, I’m sure marriage will add greatly to my happiness,
63:46
and thirdly, which perhaps I should have mentioned earlier, my generous patron has advised me to marry.
63:54
“Find an active, useful sort of person,” she told me, “a woman who can make a small income go a long way.
64:01
Bring her to Hunsford as your wife, and I’ll visit her.”
64:06
So I decided to choose a wife from among my Bennet cousins,
64:10
to lessen the loss to the family when the sad event of your father’s death takes place.
64:15
I flatter myself that you will appreciate my motives.
64:19
And now, nothing remains but to convince you of the violence of my affection.
64:24
I am quite indifferent to the fact that you bring little money with you into our marriage,
64:29
and promise you that I shall make no ungenerous reference to this after we are married.’
64:35
It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.
64:38
‘Sir, you forget I have given no answer.
64:41
Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me, but it is impossible for me to accept your proposal.’
64:47
‘Of course I understand,’ said Mr Collins, ‘that young ladies often do not accept a proposal of marriage the first time.
64:56
I am therefore not at all discouraged, and sincerely hope we shall be married soon.’
65:02
‘Sir,’ cried Elizabeth, ‘your hope is rather extraordinary after what I’ve said! I am perfectly serious.
65:10
You could not make me happy, and I’m convinced I’m the last woman in the world who would make you happy.
65:17
And I’m sure that if Lady Catherine knew me, she would find me poorly qualified for the situation.’
65:23
‘If I knew Lady Catherine thought so —’ began Mr Collins, looking very worried.
65:28
‘But I cannot imagine she would disapprove of you.
65:31
And when I have the honour of seeing her again, I shall certainly tell her how modest, economical and practical you are.’
65:39
‘Indeed, Mr Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary.
65:43
Pay me the compliment of believing what I say.
65:46
I hope you will be very happy and very rich, but I cannot accept your proposal.’
65:52
She got up and was going to leave the room, but Mr Collins was speaking to her again.
65:57
‘I am far from accusing you of cruelty in refusing me,
66:01
as I know it is the custom with elegant ladies in society to refuse a gentleman the first time.
66:07
I hope to receive a more favourable answer next time I speak to you of marriage.’
66:12
‘Really, Mr Collins,’ cried Elizabeth with some warmth,
66:15
‘you do puzzle me! I do not know how to express my refusal so that it convinces you!’
66:21
‘You must allow me to flatter myself, dear cousin, that you do not intend to refuse me for long.
66:27
My situation in life, my connections with the de Bourgh family,
66:32
and my relationship to your own, all make my proposal a very suitable one.
66:37
And you should remember that in spite of your many admirable qualities,
66:41
it is not certain that you will receive any other offer of marriage, as you have very little money of your own.’
66:48
‘Sir, thank you again for the honour you have done me, but to accept your proposal is absolutely impossible.
66:56
Can I speak plainer than that?
66:58
Don’t think of me as an elegant female, but as a thinking creature speaking the truth from her heart!’
67:05
‘You are charming!’ he cried,
67:08
‘and I’m sure that when both your excellent parents agree, you will accept my proposal!’
67:14
Elizabeth did not reply, but left the room silently,
67:19
determined to ask her father, if necessary, to make her refusal clear to the self-deceiving Mr Collins.
67:28
Mrs Bennet had been waiting eagerly for the end of the interview,
67:32
and when she saw Elizabeth leave the room, she hurried in to offer her congratulations to Mr Collins.
67:38
He received them with pleasure,
67:40
adding that he was sure his cousin’s refusal was a natural result of her modesty and delicacy of character.
67:47
‘Refusal?’ repeated Mrs Bennet, shocked.
67:51
‘Lizzy refused you?
67:53
Do not worry, Mr Collins. I shall speak to her at once. She’s a very obstinate, foolish girl, but I’ll make her accept you.’
68:01
‘Pardon me, madam,’ cried Mr Collins,
68:04
‘but if she’s really obstinate and foolish, I do not think she would be a suitable wife for a man in my situation.’
68:10
‘Sir, you quite misunderstand me,’ said Mrs Bennet, alarmed.
68:15
‘She’s only obstinate in a matter like this.
68:18
In everything else she is very agreeable. I’ll see Mr Bennet and we’ll arrange it with her, I’m sure.’
68:25
She did not give him time to reply, but hurried to the library, where she knew she would find her husband.
68:31
‘Oh, Mr Bennet, we need you urgently! We’re all in such confusion! You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr Collins!’
68:38
Mr Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and stared at her with calm unconcern.
68:45
‘I do not have the pleasure of understanding you,’ he said.
68:49
‘What are you talking about?’
68:51
‘Lizzy declares she won’t have him, and if you don’t hurry, he’ll change his mind and not have her.’
68:57
‘So what should I do? It seems a hopeless business.’
69:01
‘Speak to her about it yourself. Tell her you insist on her marrying him.’
69:06
‘Call her in here. She shall hear my opinion.’
69:10
Mrs Bennet gladly rang the bell, and the servant brought Elizabeth into the library.
69:15
‘Come here, child,’ said her father as she appeared.
69:19
‘I’ve sent for you on a very important matter.
69:22
I understand that Mr Collins has made you an offer of marriage, and you have refused?’
69:28
When Elizabeth nodded, he continued,
69:31
‘Very well. Now, your mother insists on your accepting. Isn’t that right, Mrs Bennet?’
69:38
‘Yes, or I’ll never see her again.’
69:41
‘You now have an unhappy choice to make, Elizabeth.
69:45
From this day on, you must be a stranger to one of your parents.
69:50
Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.’
69:57
Elizabeth could not help smiling,
69:59
but Mrs Bennet, who had been sure her husband supported her, was very disappointed.
70:04
‘What do you mean, Mr Bennet? You promised me you would insist on her marrying him.’
70:10
‘My dear,’ replied her husband,
70:13
‘I have two small requests to make.
70:16
First, that you will accept that I know what I promised or did not promise,
70:22
and secondly, that you will all leave me in peace as soon as possible.’
70:29
That afternoon, Charlotte Lucas came to visit Elizabeth, and found the family still in great confusion.
70:36
The younger girls were quite excited by the news of Mr Collins’ proposal,
70:39
and Mrs Bennet was most annoyed with Elizabeth.
70:42
‘Oh dear Miss Lucas,’ cried Mrs Bennet, ‘can’t you persuade Elizabeth to accept Mr Collins?
70:49
Nobody else wants to help me! Oh, how ill I feel! And look at Lizzy now! She’s so unconcerned!
70:56
But I tell you, Miss Lizzy, if you go on refusing every offer of marriage like this, you’ll never get a husband at all!
71:04
And I won’t be able to provide for you when your father is dead, I warn you now.
71:09
I told you in the library that I wouldn’t speak to you again, and I won’t.
71:13
I have no pleasure in talking to an undutiful child like you.
71:18
Not that I have much pleasure in talking to anybody, with my headaches.
71:22
Nobody knows how I suffer! But of course those who do not complain are never pitied.’
71:30
Her daughters listened in silence, aware that any attempt to calm her would only increase her annoyance.
71:37
Elizabeth, however, was determined not to marry Mr Collins, and in the end Mrs Bennet was obliged to accept that fact.
71:46
When Mr Collins realized that Elizabeth had meant what she said, his manner towards her became coldly and stiffly polite.
71:54
His long speeches and flattering compliments were transferred for the rest of the day to kind Charlotte Lucas,
72:01
who took on herself the trouble of listening to him, for which all the Bennets were very grateful.
72:07
The next day a letter was delivered to Jane from Netherfield.
72:12
Elizabeth saw her sister’s expression change as she read it, and when they were alone, she asked about it.
72:18
‘It’s from Caroline Bingley,’ said Jane, ‘and it has surprised me very much.
72:24
The whole party have left Netherfield, and are on their way back to London, probably for the winter.
72:30
They may not return to Netherfield at all.
72:33
She says the only thing she sincerely regrets is leaving me behind in Hertfordshire,
72:38
and promises to write very frequently.’
72:40
Elizabeth did not trust Miss Bingley’s apparent affection for Jane.
72:44
‘I really don’t think their departure matters very much,’ she said.
72:48
‘Mr Bingley won’t be kept in London by his sisters. I’m sure he’ll be back at Netherfield soon.’
72:53
‘But perhaps he prefers to stay in London, where many of his friends are.
72:58
But I haven’t told you everything yet. Let me read you the part which particularly hurts me—’
73:03
Mr Darcy is impatient to see his sister, and we confess we are also eager to see her again.
73:10
Nobody is more beautiful, elegant or accomplished than Georgiana Darcy.
73:15
Louisa and I have great affection for her, and hope one day to call her sister.
73:20
My brother admires her very much.
73:23
He will have frequent opportunities of seeing her,
73:26
and although I am his sister I must say I think he is most capable of winning any woman’s heart.
73:32
‘What do you think of this, dear Lizzy? Isn’t it clear enough?
73:36
Caroline doesn’t wish or expect me to become her sister-in-law; she’s convinced of her brother’s indifference towards me,
73:42
and, perhaps because she suspects my feelings for him,
73:45
she (most kindly!) warns me that he’s very likely to marry someone else!’
73:50
‘I have a totally different opinion.
73:53
Miss Bingley sees her brother is in love with you, while she wants him to marry Miss Darcy.
73:58
We aren’t rich enough or grand enough for them, and she is eager to have a family connection with the Darcys,
74:04
so that it may be easier for her to marry Mr Darcy.
74:07
So she follows her brother to London, hoping to keep him there, and tries to persuade you he doesn’t care about you.
74:14
But of course he’s in love with you!’
74:16
‘I really can’t agree with you about Caroline. I think she’s incapable of deceiving anyone.
74:22
But Lizzy, my dear sister, even if she’s wrong about her brother, and he does care for me,
74:28
could I be happy in accepting a man whose sisters and friends all wish him to marry someone else?’
74:34
‘You must decide for yourself, and if you consider it more important to do what his sisters want,
74:40
than to gain the happiness of being his wife, I certainly advise you to refuse him.’
74:45
‘How can you say that?’ said Jane, smiling a little.
74:49
‘You know I wouldn’t hesitate, although I’d be sad if they disapproved of me.
74:54
But, oh dear, if he doesn’t come back to Netherfield, I’ll never have to make the decision!’
75:01
But Elizabeth was sure Mr Bingley could not be kept away from Jane by his sisters,
75:06
and soon persuaded Jane to take a more hopeful view of the situation.
75:11
That day the Bennets, with Mr Collins, went to dinner with the Lucas family at Lucas Lodge.
75:17
Again it was Charlotte who spent most of the evening listening to Mr Collins.
75:22
Elizabeth was very relieved, and thanked her friend gratefully for the trouble she was taking.
75:27
But Charlotte’s kindness had a particular aim, which Elizabeth was unaware of.
75:33
Her plan was to encourage Mr Collins to transfer his attentions to herself.
75:38
In fact, she was managing so well that, when she said goodnight to him after dinner,
75:44
she would have felt sure of success if he had been staying in Hertfordshire for another week.
75:50
But she did not fully appreciate the fire and independence of his character,
75:55
which caused him to get up very early the next morning and escape from Longbourn House,
76:00
in a great hurry to reach Lucas Lodge and throw himself at her feet.
76:04
She did not keep him waiting for an answer,
76:07
and the happy couple found themselves engaged as quickly as Mr Collins’ long speeches would allow.
76:14
Charlotte’s parents were delighted to agree to the marriage,
76:17
and Lady Lucas began to work out, with more interest than she had ever felt before,
76:22
how many more years Mr Bennet was likely to live.
76:25
Charlotte herself was quite satisfied.
76:29
Mr Collins, certainly, was neither sensible nor agreeable, but still he would be a husband.
76:35
She did not think highly of men or of marriage, but she had always intended to marry.
76:41
Although marriage might not always bring happiness,
76:44
it was the only honourable way in which a well-educated woman with little income could provide a home for herself.
76:51
Now twenty-seven, and lacking beauty, she felt she was lucky to have found a husband.
76:58
She knew, however, that Elizabeth, whose friendship she greatly valued, would be astonished and possibly disapproving.
77:05
So she decided to go to Longbourn House to tell her friend the news herself.
77:10
Elizabeth was indeed shocked at first, and could not help crying out in surprise,
77:16
but when Charlotte explained her reasons for accepting Mr Collins, Elizabeth tried hard to understand.
77:22
When the rest of the Bennet family heard the news, they were also astonished.
77:27
Mrs Bennet was quite horrified, and could not stop complaining bitterly about Charlotte’s wickedness,
77:33
Mr Collins’ stupidity and Elizabeth’s obstinacy.
77:37
Mr Bennet was much calmer, only saying he was pleased to discover that Charlotte,
77:42
whom he used to consider quite sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his daughter!
77:48
That day was Mr Collins’ last at Longbourn,
77:53
and he left with many speeches of thanks, as well as a promise to return very soon.
77:58
Mr Bennet warned him to be careful not to offend his patron, by being absent from his duties too often,
78:05
but Mr Collins, although extremely grateful for this sign of Mr Bennet’s cousinly affection for him,
78:11
was naturally eager to return to Hertfordshire, to see his future wife.
78:16
Only two weeks later he did, in fact, come back to stay at Longbourn,
78:21
but spent most of his time at Lucas Lodge, making arrangements for the wedding.
78:25
Mrs Bennet still felt very offended by him,
78:29
but she was now becoming anxious about something even more important – Mr Bingley’s continued absence.
78:36
Day after day had passed with no news since the arrival of Caroline Bingley’s letter.
78:41
Elizabeth was now rather worried, and Jane feared the worst.
78:46
Finally a second letter arrived from Caroline Bingley, and when Jane read it, she realized that all hope was over.
78:55
The Bingley family were staying in London for the whole winter,
78:58
and Georgiana Darcy was a frequent member of their circle.
79:02
Miss Bingley boasted joyfully of this friendship,
79:05
and looked forward to her brother’s probable marriage to Miss Darcy.
79:09
Although she was deeply upset, Jane bravely tried to control her feelings.
79:15
‘Do not worry, Lizzy, I shall be able to forget him in a while.
79:20
I have nothing to complain of, as he made no promises to me.
79:25
I just thought he cared for me, but I was wrong.
79:28
Luckily, no one is hurt except myself.’
79:31
‘My dear Jane!’ said Elizabeth. ‘You are too good. You always think the best of everybody.
79:38
Now I think the worst of most people, and do not see much real value or common sense around me.
79:44
Mr Bingley, for example.
79:46
He may not be intending to hurt you, but misery can be caused by someone being just weak and indecisive.
79:52
I’m convinced his sisters and his friend, Mr Darcy, are trying to influence him against you.
79:58
Another example is Charlotte.
80:00
I can’t understand how she could agree to marry such a self-important, proud, silly man!’
80:06
‘Dear Lizzy,’ said Jane, ‘we must respect Charlotte’s decision.
80:11
She may well be happy with Mr Collins.
80:14
And as for Mr Bingley, we shouldn’t expect a sociable young man to be so careful of his behaviour.
80:20
Women often imagine admiration means more than it really does.’
80:25
‘And men want that to happen.’
80:27
‘I prefer to believe that I was mistaken in thinking he cared for me,
80:32
and that his sisters love him and approve of his wish to marry Miss Darcy.
80:36
I don’t want to think badly of him or his sisters.
80:39
That would be worse than anything.’
80:42
Elizabeth had to accept Jane’s wishes,
80:45
and from then on, Mr Bingley’s name was seldom mentioned between them.
80:54
Chapter 6; Elizabeth visits Mr and Mrs Collins
81:00
The following Monday Mrs Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife,
81:06
who came as usual to spend Christmas at Longbourn.
81:10
Mr Gardiner was a sensible, gentleman-like man.
81:14
The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by buying and selling
81:19
could be so well-mannered and agreeable.
81:22
Mrs Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips,
81:26
was a pleasant, intelligent, elegant woman,
81:29
and a great favourite with her Longbourn nieces, especially the two eldest, who often stayed with her in London.
81:36
When Mrs Gardiner had given the presents she had brought with her, and described the newest fashions,
81:41
she was obliged to listen to Mrs Bennet’s complaints.
81:45
‘I’ve suffered greatly since your last visit, sister!’ cried Mrs Bennet.
81:50
‘Just imagine! Two of my daughters were very close to marriage – and then – nothing!
81:55
I do not blame Jane, who would have got Mr Bingley if she could, but Lizzy!
82:00
Oh, sister! It is hard to think she might have been Mrs Collins by now, if she hadn’t been so obstinate!
82:06
The result is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before me.
82:11
It makes me quite ill, to have such a disobedient daughter and such selfish neighbours.
82:17
But your coming just now is a great comfort to me, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, about long sleeves.’
82:25
Mrs Gardiner made a suitably sympathetic reply to her sister-in-law,
82:29
and later that day found the opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail with Elizabeth, alone.
82:35
‘I am sorry for Jane,’ she said kindly, ‘but, Lizzy, these things happen so often!
82:41
A young man like Mr Bingley frequently falls in love with a pretty girl,
82:45
and when chance separates them, he forgets her very quickly.’
82:48
‘Yes, aunt,’ said Elizabeth, ‘but in this case it was not chance,
82:53
but the young man’s interfering friends, who separated Jane and Mr Bingley.
82:57
I’m sure he was violently in love with her.’
83:01
‘Poor Jane! She’s so sensitive.
83:04
I’m afraid she may not get over it for some time.
83:07
Now, if it had been you, Lizzy, you would have recovered more quickly, by finding humour in the situation.
83:12
But do you think I could persuade Jane to come back with us to London?
83:16
Perhaps a change of air would make her feel better.’
83:19
Elizabeth was extremely grateful to her aunt for this kind suggestion, and felt sure Jane would gladly agree.
83:26
‘I hope,’ added Mrs Gardiner, ‘that she will not be influenced by the hope of seeing the young man.
83:32
We live in such a different part of town that it is very unlikely they will meet, unless he actually comes to see her.’
83:39
‘And that is quite impossible, because his friend Mr Darcy would not allow him to visit so unfashionable an address!’
83:46
But despite her protest, Elizabeth secretly thought that Jane might see Bingley in London
83:52
and that a meeting would probably reawaken his affection for her.
83:56
The Gardiners stayed at Longbourn for a week,
83:59
and Mrs Bennet made sure there was always some entertainment for her brother and sister-in-law.
84:04
Whenever there was a dinner party at Longbourn House, some of the officers were always invited.
84:09
Mrs Gardiner, who had noticed that Mr Wickham was a very frequent visitor
84:14
and that Elizabeth spoke admiringly of him, took care to observe them both.
84:19
She saw enough to make her a little anxious, and decided to speak to Elizabeth about him when they were alone.
84:25
‘Lizzy,’ she began, ‘I can see that you and Mr Wickham like each other.
84:31
But I must warn you not to get seriously involved with him.
84:34
I admit he’s a most interesting young man, but sadly he has no fortune.
84:40
You are a sensible girl, and must realize that you would disappoint your father by agreeing to marry a penniless young man.’
84:46
‘My dear aunt, do not worry. I’ll take care of myself, and Mr Wickham too.
84:52
He won’t be in love with me, if I can prevent it.’
84:55
‘Elizabeth, be serious.’
84:58
‘I’m sorry, aunt, I’ll try again.
85:01
At present I’m certainly not in love with him.
85:05
But he is by far the most agreeable man. I’ve ever met, and if he really loved me …
85:11
But I would hate to disappoint my father or make any of you unhappy.
85:15
I cannot promise what I will do, but I will really try to do what I think is wisest.
85:20
I hope you are satisfied with that.’
85:22
Her aunt replied that she was, and received Elizabeth’s thanks for her kind advice.
85:28
Several days after this, the Gardiners returned to London, taking Jane with them.
85:35
The day of Mr Collins’ wedding soon arrived, and Mrs Bennet had to watch Charlotte Lucas become Mrs Collins.
85:44
Before the bride left Longbourn for Hunsford, however,
85:47
she asked Elizabeth to come and visit her in her new home as soon as possible.
85:51
Elizabeth could not refuse, although she did not imagine it would be an enjoyable visit.
85:57
It was arranged that Elizabeth would accompany Sir William Lucas and Maria,
86:01
one of his other daughters, on their intended visit to Hunsford in March.
86:06
A week after Jane’s departure, Elizabeth received a letter from her sister,
86:11
saying that she had seen Miss Bingley, and hoped to continue their friendship.
86:15
Elizabeth shook her head over this.
86:17
She was not surprised to hear from Jane a few weeks later
86:21
that Caroline Bingley had made no further attempts to communicate with her former dear friend.
86:27
Elizabeth was saddened to read of Jane’s disappointment,
86:30
but felt more cheerful when she told herself that Jane would no longer be deceived, by the sister at least.
86:38
All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over.
86:43
As a punishment for him, she seriously hoped he would soon marry Mr Darcy’s sister,
86:48
who, according to Wickham, would make him quickly regret what he had thrown away.
86:54
At about this time, Elizabeth also received a letter from Mrs Gardiner, asking about Wickham,
87:01
and she was able to reply quite honestly that there was no danger of her marrying him.
87:06
He had transferred his affections to a Miss King, who had recently inherited ten thousand pounds.
87:13
Elizabeth saw exactly what was happening,
87:16
but her heart had only been slightly touched, and she was able to convince herself
87:20
that it was quite natural for such an agreeable young man to wish for fortune and independence.
87:27
January and February passed, and the time for Elizabeth’s visit to Mr and Mrs Collins approached.
87:33
She had improved the plan, by arranging to spend a night in London at her uncle and aunt’s house,
87:39
before continuing the journey into Kent.
87:42
She was very much looking forward to seeing Jane, who was still staying with the Gardiners.
87:47
The journey seemed long to Elizabeth, because Sir William and Maria had nothing to say worth hearing.
87:53
But when the coach arrived at the Gardiners’ house at lunch-time,
87:57
Elizabeth was delighted to see that her sister looked as healthy and lovely as before.
88:02
In a private conversation with her aunt later, however,
88:06
Elizabeth discovered that Jane had been suffering from periods of depression,
88:10
although she always tried bravely to appear cheerful.
88:14
The afternoon and evening passed only too quickly, and the next day Elizabeth and the other travellers set off again.
88:21
When the coach arrived in Hunsford, they were all quite excited to see, on one side of the road,
88:27
Lady Catherine’s great park, which they had heard so much about.
88:32
At last, on the other side, they came to the Rectory, where they were warmly welcomed by Mr Collins and Charlotte.
88:40
Elizabeth was more and more pleased she had come, when she found herself so affectionately received.
88:46
She saw instantly that marriage had not changed her cousin’s manners.
88:51
He insisted on greeting them all with formal politeness and long speeches,
88:55
and showed them round the house, explaining its many good points in exhausting detail.
89:01
Elizabeth could not help thinking that perhaps he was speaking particularly to her,
89:05
as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him.
89:09
But although everything seemed neat and comfortable, she was unable to please him with a sigh of regret.
89:15
In fact, she wondered how Charlotte could look so cheerful, with such a companion.
89:20
But whenever Mr Collins said anything of which his wife might be ashamed, which was quite often,
89:25
Charlotte wisely did not appear to be listening.
89:28
And when Mr Collins showed them proudly round his garden, in which he himself enjoyed working,
89:34
Elizabeth admired the serious way in which Charlotte praised gardening as a most healthy exercise,
89:41
and admitted encouraging her husband to work outdoors as much as possible.
89:45
Elizabeth had to confess to herself that, surprisingly, Charlotte really appeared to be happy.
89:52
When Mr Collins could be forgotten, the house seemed very pleasant and comfortable,
89:57
and from Charlotte’s evident enjoyment of her home, Elizabeth supposed he must often be forgotten.
90:04
The visitors had only been in the house for a day when a message came from Lady Catherine,
90:09
inviting them all to dinner at Rosings Park the next day.
90:13
Mr Collins was delighted, and congratulated his guests on their good luck.
90:18
‘I confess that I might have expected her ladyship to invite us all to drink tea at Rosings on Sunday,’ he said.
90:26
‘But to invite the whole party to dinner! So soon after your arrival, too!
90:31
What a generous and considerate lady she is!’
90:35
The whole of the rest of that day and the next morning were spent discussing their visit to Rosings.
90:42
This made Sir William and Maria quite nervous when the moment came to walk across the park and enter the great lady’s house.
90:49
Elizabeth, however, was unimpressed by what she had heard of Lady Catherine, and remained calm.
90:56
She was interested to see that Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, who held herself stiffly and proudly,
91:04
and received her guests with an air of disdain.
91:07
She spoke loudly and decidedly on every matter, and was clearly convinced of her superiority over other people.
91:15
Her daughter, Anne, was completely different – a small, thin, ill-looking lady, who spoke very little, and only in a whisper.
91:24
The dinner was very good, and was highly praised by Mr Collins.
91:29
His repeated compliments, which Elizabeth thought were embarrassing, appeared to please Lady Catherine very much.
91:36
After dinner her ladyship talked continuously, giving her opinions without any fear of contradiction or even comment.
91:43
She then asked Elizabeth many detailed questions about her education, her sisters, and her father’s income.
91:51
Although Elizabeth considered these questions extremely personal and almost rude,
91:56
she answered them politely and calmly.
91:59
At the end of the long evening, the visitors were driven home in Lady Catherine’s carriage,
92:04
while Mr Collins praised his patron for her elegance, intelligence and hospitality.
92:11
This visit was repeated twice a week, but there was little other entertainment in Hunsford.
92:17
Elizabeth had pleasant conversations with Charlotte,
92:21
or read books, or walked along a narrow path by Lady Catherine’s park, which no one else seemed to use.
92:27
It was a quiet life, but she was satisfied with it.
92:31
However, two weeks after her arrival in Hunsford, she heard that some visitors were coming to stay at Rosings.
92:40
Lady Catherine’s nephew, Mr Darcy, was expected soon, accompanied by his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
92:47
The next day, the two gentlemen arrived, and came almost immediately to the Rectory.
92:53
Colonel Fitzwilliam was about thirty, not handsome, but very gentlemanly, and he talked pleasantly to the ladies.
93:01
But Mr Darcy looked as cold and proud as ever,
93:05
and after greeting Mrs Collins, spoke only a few stiffly polite words to Elizabeth.
93:11
She took the opportunity of asking him if he had by any chance seen Jane in London recently,
93:18
and thought he looked a little confused when he answered that he had not had that pleasure.
93:23
Soon after that, the two gentlemen returned to Rosings.
93:27
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners were very much admired by the ladies,
93:32
who felt that he would add considerably to the enjoyment of their evenings at Rosings.
93:37
But it was not until Easter Day that they received an invitation from Lady Catherine,
93:42
and when they arrived in her sitting-room,
93:44
it was clear that she was far more interested in her nephews than in her other guests.
93:50
Colonel Fitzwilliam, however, seemed really glad to see them, and he came at once to sit beside Elizabeth.
93:56
They talked so agreeably and amusingly together
94:00
that Mr Darcy turned his eyes towards them and looked curiously at them several times.
94:06
When her ladyship also noticed, she called loudly across the room,
94:11
‘Fitzwilliam, what are you talking about with Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.’
94:17
‘We’re speaking of music, madam,’ he said, when no longer able to avoid a reply.
94:24
‘Of music! Then please speak to all of us.
94:28
I must have my share in the conversation, if you are speaking of music.
94:34
There are few people in England, I suppose,
94:37
who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste.
94:44
If I had ever learnt to play, I would have been a great musician.
94:49
But I often tell young ladies, practice is very important.
94:55
I have told Miss Bennet several times that she will never play really well unless she practises more.
95:02
And she is very welcome to come to Rosings and practise on the piano in the servants’ hall.
95:09
She won’t be in anyone’s way there, I can promise her.’
95:14
Mr Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s insensitive words.
95:19
Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam had persuaded Elizabeth to play some music, and she sat down at the piano.
95:26
But when she had started playing, Mr Darcy went to stand in front of the piano, where he had a good view of her face.
95:33
At the end of her first piece of music, Elizabeth said, smiling,
95:38
‘You intend to frighten me, Mr Darcy, by coming to listen to me? But I’m obstinate, and won’t be frightened.’
95:45
‘I don’t think you really believe I intend to alarm you,
95:48
and I’ve had the pleasure of knowing you long enough to be aware that you occasionally enjoy stating opinions which are not your own.’
95:57
Elizabeth laughed at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam,
96:02
‘Your cousin will teach you not to believe a word I say.
96:05
Indeed, Mr Darcy, it is very ungenerous of you to mention all my faults,
96:11
and perhaps rather foolish too, because I may take my revenge,
96:15
and tell things about you which your relations will be shocked to hear.’
96:19
‘I am not afraid of you,’ said Darcy, smiling.
96:23
‘But let me hear your accusation,’ cried Colonel Fitzwilliam.
96:27
‘I’d like to hear how he behaves among strangers.’
96:31
‘Well, prepare yourself for something very dreadful.
96:35
The first time I ever saw him was at a ball in Hertfordshire, and at this ball, what do you think he did?
96:43
He danced only four dances! I’m sorry to cause you pain, but that is what happened.
96:50
He danced only four dances, although gentlemen were scarce,
96:54
and to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down, waiting for a partner.
97:00
Mr Darcy, you must admit it.’
97:03
‘I had not at that time the honour of knowing anybody at the ball, apart from my own group of friends.
97:10
I should perhaps have asked to be introduced, but I do not like to recommend myself to strangers.
97:16
I do not find it easy to talk to people I don’t know.’
97:20
‘You don’t want to take the trouble to do it, Darcy, that’s why!’ said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
97:26
‘I cannot play this piano as well as some other women,’ said Elizabeth,
97:30
‘but I’ve always assumed it is my own fault – because I don’t take the trouble to practise.
97:36
I know that I am capable of playing as well as anyone.’
97:40
Darcy smiled and said, ‘You are perfectly right. You have spent your time in a much better way.
97:47
No one who hears you could imagine any possible improvement.
97:51
We neither of us perform to strangers.’
97:55
Just then Lady Catherine interrupted them, to comment on Elizabeth’s playing.
98:00
‘Miss Bennet would play quite well, if she had a London teacher.
98:05
Of course, Anne would have been a delightful performer, if her health had allowed her to learn.’
98:12
Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see his reaction to Anne de Bourgh’s name,
98:18
but neither at that moment nor at any other could she observe any sign of love or even interest in his cousin.
98:26
Lady Catherine continued to give Miss Bennet advice on her playing, but at the request of the gentlemen,
98:33
Elizabeth stayed at the piano for the rest of the evening.
98:40
Chapter 7; Darcy proposes marriage
98:46
Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning, writing to Jane,
98:51
while Mrs Collins and Maria were shopping in the village.
98:54
She heard the doorbell ring, and knew that meant a visitor had arrived,
98:59
but she was greatly surprised when Mr Darcy, and Mr Darcy only, was shown into the room.
99:06
He seemed astonished too, on finding her alone.
99:09
‘I apologize for disturbing you, Miss Bennet. I understood that all the ladies were at home.’
99:16
‘Please don’t apologize, Mr Darcy. I hope Lady Catherine and her daughter are well?’
99:22
‘Very well, thank you.’
99:24
He said no more.
99:26
As he seemed in danger of sinking into total silence, Elizabeth had to think of something to say.
99:32
She remarked, ‘How very suddenly you all left Netherfield last November, Mr Darcy!
99:39
I hope Mr Bingley and his sisters were well, when you left London?’
99:43
‘Perfectly, thank you.’
99:45
That was all the answer he gave.
99:48
‘I think I have heard that Mr Bingley has not much idea of ever returning to Netherfield again?’
99:55
‘It is probable that he will spend very little of his time there in future. He has many friends elsewhere.’
100:04
Elizabeth did not want to talk any longer about Mr Bingley,
100:07
and, determined to leave the conversation to Mr Darcy, she remained silent.
100:13
He understood, and soon began to speak again.
100:16
‘Mr Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife.’
100:21
‘Yes, indeed. She is one of the few sensible women who would have accepted him,
100:27
although I’m not sure I consider her marrying Mr Collins as the wisest thing she ever did.
100:33
She seems perfectly happy, however, and financially speaking, it’s a good marriage.’
100:40
‘It must be very agreeable to her to be such a short distance from her own family and friends.’
100:46
‘A short distance, you say? It is nearly eighty kilometres!’
100:50
‘And what is that? Little more than half a day’s journey, on a good road.
100:56
Yes, I call it a very short distance.’
100:59
‘I would never have said Mrs Collins lived near her family,’ cried Elizabeth.
101:04
‘That shows how much you are attached to Hertfordshire.
101:08
Anywhere outside the Longbourn area would, I suppose, seem far away to you.’
101:14
As he spoke, he smiled a little.
101:17
Perhaps he supposed she was thinking of Jane and Netherfield, thought Elizabeth, and she blushed.
101:24
‘Whether the distance seems long or short depends on many circumstances.
101:30
If the family’s income is large enough to pay for frequent journeys, then distance is not a problem.
101:36
But Mr and Mrs Collins will not be able to afford to travel very often, despite their comfortable income.
101:42
I’m certain my friend does not consider Hunsford near her family.’
101:47
Mr Darcy moved his chair a little towards her, and said,
101:51
‘You cannot have a right to such a very strong local attachment.
101:55
You haven’t spent your whole life at Longbourn, I am sure.’
102:00
Elizabeth looked surprised.
102:03
Experiencing a change of feeling, the gentleman moved his chair away again,
102:08
took a newspaper from the table, and, glancing at it, said in a colder voice,
102:13
‘Are you pleased with Kent?’
102:16
They discussed Kent calmly and politely for a few minutes,
102:20
and were then interrupted by Charlotte and Maria, who had returned from the village.
102:25
Mr Darcy sat a little while longer, without saying much to anybody, and then went away.
102:31
‘What can be the meaning of this!’ said Charlotte, as soon as he had gone.
102:36
‘My dear Lizzy, he must be in love with you, or he would never have visited us in this familiar way.’
102:42
But when Elizabeth described his silence, that did not seem likely, even to hopeful Charlotte,
102:49
and they could only suppose that he had nothing better to do.
102:52
In fact, from now on, both Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam called regularly at the Rectory.
102:59
It was obvious that Colonel Fitzwilliam came because he enjoyed talking to the ladies,
103:04
and Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by his evident admiration of her,
103:11
of her former favourite, Wickham.
103:15
But it was more difficult to understand why Mr Darcy came.
103:19
He did not often speak, and seldom appeared interested in the conversation.
103:24
Even Charlotte, who observed Mr Darcy closely, was not sure whether he admired Elizabeth or not,
103:31
and began to hope that perhaps her friend might marry Colonel Fitzwilliam instead.
103:37
When she took her daily walk along the path bordering the park,
103:41
Elizabeth met Mr Darcy unexpectedly more than once.
103:45
This was the more surprising, because she was careful to inform him that it was her favourite walk,
103:51
so that he could avoid meeting her.
103:53
It was also strange that, although he could just have greeted her and walked on,
103:58
he always thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her.
104:03
She could not quite understand him.
104:06
But one day, as she was walking, she met Colonel Fitzwilliam, not Mr Darcy, and greeted him with a smile.
104:13
They walked back to the Rectory together.
104:16
‘Are you leaving Kent this Sunday?’ she asked.
104:19
‘Yes, if Darcy doesn’t put it off again.’
104:22
‘He is fortunate to be able to arrange things as he likes.’
104:26
‘Well, we all want to do that,’ replied Colonel Fitzwilliam.
104:31
‘But he is used to doing what he likes, because he is rich, and many others are poor.
104:37
I, for example – I’m a younger son, you know, and won’t inherit my father’s fortune,
104:43
so I shall never be rich or independent, like Darcy.’
104:46
‘Now seriously, you cannot call yourself poor.
104:50
When have you ever suffered because of lack of money?’
104:54
‘Well, perhaps I haven’t really suffered much yet. But there are difficulties.
104:59
A younger son doesn’t have a free choice when marrying.
105:03
He cannot afford to marry a girl with no fortune.’
105:07
Elizabeth blushed, thinking that he might mean her, and began to talk of something else.
105:12
She asked him about Darcy’s sister, and mentioned that the Bingley sisters liked her very much.
105:18
‘Bingley – yes, I know them. Their brother is very pleasant – a great friend of Darcy’s,’ answered Colonel Fitzwilliam.
105:27
‘Oh, yes, Mr Darcy is extremely kind to Mr Bingley, and takes very good care of him,’ said Elizabeth drily.
105:36
‘Yes, I believe Darcy does take care of Bingley.
105:40
I’m thinking of a recent situation, which Darcy was telling me about on the journey here.
105:45
He was congratulating himself on having saved a friend from a most foolish marriage.
105:51
Of course, I’m not sure the friend was Bingley, as Darcy didn’t mention the name.’
105:57
‘Did Mr Darcy give you his reasons for interfering?’
106:01
‘I understood that there were some very strong objections to the lady.’
106:06
Elizabeth could not speak for a moment.
106:09
When she was able to control her anger, she changed the conversation.
106:13
As soon as they reached the Rectory,
106:16
she said goodbye to Colonel Fitzwilliam, and went straight upstairs to her room.
106:20
At last she could think without interruption about what he had told her.
106:25
Bingley must have been the friend to whom Darcy was referring.
106:30
She had always assumed that Darcy was involved in the plan to separate Jane and Bingley,
106:35
but it now appeared that he, not Miss Bingley, was the main cause of all that Jane had suffered, and still continued to suffer.
106:43
The ‘very strong objections to the lady’ probably consisted of having one uncle who was a country lawyer,
106:51
and another who was in business in London.
106:54
There could be no possible objections to Jane herself, as she was intelligent, beautiful and charming.
107:02
Nor could anyone object to Mr Bennet as a father-in-law.
107:06
When Elizabeth thought of her mother, she felt a little less confident.
107:11
She was still convinced, however,
107:13
that Mr Darcy was interested in highborn connections rather than character or common sense.
107:20
It was this, the worst kind of pride,
107:23
which had destroyed for a while every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the world.
107:31
Thinking about all this made Elizabeth so upset and unhappy that she soon had a headache.
107:38
It grew so much worse in the evening, and she was so unwilling to see Mr Darcy,
107:43
that she decided not to go to Rosings that evening with Mr and Mrs Collins.
107:48
Instead, she stayed in the Rectory sitting-room, re-reading Jane’s recent letters from London.
107:55
She was saddened to discover that, although Jane never complained,
107:59
or referred to the past, in almost every line there was a lack of cheerfulness,
108:04
which Elizabeth had not noticed the first time, and which now made her rather anxious.
108:10
She was relieved to think that Darcy would be leaving Rosings in two days’ time,
108:14
and she herself would be with Jane in less than two weeks.
108:19
Colonel Fitzwilliam would also be leaving with Darcy,
108:22
but he had made it clear that he had no intention of proposing to her,
108:27
so she did not intend to be unhappy about him.
108:30
Just then, she heard the doorbell, and wondered if it might be Colonel Fitzwilliam, come to enquire about her health.
108:38
But to her astonishment she saw Mr Darcy walk into the room.
108:44
In a hurried manner he began to ask how she was feeling.
108:48
She answered him with cold politeness.
108:51
He sat down for a few moments, and then, getting up, walked about the room.
108:56
Elizabeth was surprised, but said nothing.
109:00
After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her, with none of his usual calmness, and said,
109:07
‘In vain have I struggled. It is no good. I cannot conquer my feelings.
109:14
You must allow me to tell you how warmly I admire and love you.’
109:21
Elizabeth stared, blushed, doubted, and was silent.
109:28
He considered this sufficient encouragement, and confessed all that he felt,
109:33
and had felt for a long time, for her.
109:36
He expressed himself well, but it was not only of love that he spoke.
109:43
He also talked of his pride, and his sense of her social inferiority,
109:48
which had made him struggle against his feelings for so long.
109:53
In spite of her dislike for him, Elizabeth appreciated what a compliment such a man’s affection was,
109:59
and was at first sorry for the pain he was about to receive.
110:03
But soon, as she heard his references to her inferior position, she lost all pity, and became very angry.
110:12
She waited patiently, however, until he had finished.
110:16
He ended by describing the strength of his love for her, which, in spite of all his attempts,
110:22
he had been unable to conquer with arguments of reason and common sense,
110:27
and finally he asked for her hand in marriage.
110:31
She could see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer, which only made her angrier.
110:38
‘I believe society considers it correct, in cases like this,’ she replied,
110:45
‘to express grateful thanks. So if I could feel grateful, I would now thank you.
110:53
But I cannot – I have never wanted your good opinion of me, and I cannot accept it.
111:01
I’m sorry to hurt anyone, but it has not been done deliberately, and I hope the pain will not last long.
111:10
The pride which, you tell me, has long prevented the expression of your affection,
111:16
can have little difficulty in conquering your feelings after this explanation.’
111:22
Mr Darcy, whose eyes were fixed on her face, was both angry and surprised by her words.
111:29
His face went pale, and he was clearly struggling to control himself.
111:35
There was a dreadful pause, and then he spoke in a voice of forced calmness.
111:41
‘And this is all the reply I am to have the honour of expecting!
111:47
I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little attempt at politeness, I am rejected.’
111:56
‘I might as well ask why, with so evident a wish to offend and insult me,
112:02
you chose to tell me that you loved me against your reason and even against your character.
112:08
But even if my own feelings towards you had been favourable,
112:13
do you think anything could tempt me to accept the man who has destroyed,
112:19
perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most dear sister?’
112:24
As she said this, Mr Darcy changed colour, but he listened without trying to interrupt her as she continued.
112:32
‘I have every reason in the world to think badly of you.
112:37
Can you deny that you were the cause of Jane’s separation from Mr Bingley, and of her unhappiness? Can you deny it?’
112:47
‘I have no wish to deny that I did everything I could to separate them, and that I am delighted with my success.
112:55
Towards my friend I have been kinder than to myself.’
113:00
Elizabeth treated this last remark with disdain, but its meaning did not escape her.
113:06
‘But it is not only because of Jane that I dislike you.
113:10
My opinion of you was decided long ago.
113:14
I heard all about your character from Mr Wickham.
113:18
Now, what can you have to say on this matter?
113:21
How can you defend yourself?’
113:24
‘You take an eager interest in that gentleman,’ said Darcy, less calmly than before.
113:31
The colour was rising in his face.
113:34
‘Who can help feeling an interest in him, when we hear of the unfortunate life he has had!’
113:41
‘Unfortunate!’ repeated Darcy contemptuously.
113:45
‘Yes, unfortunate indeed.’
113:49
‘And it was your fault,’ cried Elizabeth with energy.
113:53
‘You took away his chance of a comfortable income and a good position,
113:58
which you knew had been intended for him.
114:01
You have left him poor, and dependent, and disappointed.
114:05
You have done all this! And you can still treat the mention of his name with contempt.’
114:12
‘And this,’ cried Darcy, as he walked with quick steps across the room,
114:17
‘is your opinion of me!
114:20
Thank you for explaining it so fully.
114:23
But perhaps you might not have considered these offences of mine,
114:27
if your pride had not been hurt by my honest confession of my reasons for not proposing to you earlier.
114:34
Perhaps I should have hidden my struggles, and flattered you by pretending I had every reason to love you.
114:41
But I hate disguise of any sort.
114:45
Nor am I ashamed of my feelings of pride, which are very natural.
114:50
Could you expect me to delight in the inferiority of your family compared to mine?’
114:56
Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment.
115:00
‘Mr Darcy, you could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it.
115:09
The moment I first met you, I noticed your pride, your sense of superiority,
115:16
and your selfish disdain for the feelings of others.
115:20
Later events strengthened my dislike for you.
115:24
You are the last man in the world whom I could ever be persuaded to marry.’
115:31
‘You have said quite enough, madam.
115:34
I perfectly understand your feelings.
115:37
Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time,
115:40
and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.’
115:46
With these words he hurried out of the room, and the house.
115:51
Elizabeth felt so weak that she sat down and cried for half an hour.
115:57
She was so astonished to have received a proposal from Mr Darcy!
116:02
His affection for her must indeed have been strong,
116:05
to conquer all the objections he had to her family and position,
116:09
objections which had made him prevent his friend marrying her sister.
116:13
But his terrible pride, his shameless confession of what he had done to separate Jane and Bingley,
116:20
and his cruelty towards Wickham soon removed any pity she might have felt for him.
116:30
Chapter 8; Elizabeth learns more about Darcy and Wickham
116:37
The next morning Elizabeth had still not recovered from the surprise of Darcy’s proposal to her.
116:44
Feeling in need of exercise and fresh air, she decided to have a walk.
116:49
In order to avoid meeting Mr Darcy, she kept away from her favourite path,
116:54
but could not resist walking a little way into Lady Catherine’s park.
116:58
There she was astonished to see Darcy himself approaching her and calling her name.
117:04
‘I have been walking some time in the hope of meeting you,’ he said.
117:09
‘Will you do me the honour of reading this letter?’
117:12
And, handing her an envelope, he bowed slightly and walked quickly away.
117:18
With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest curiosity, Elizabeth opened the letter,
117:26
and began to read it as she continued her walk alone.
117:30
Do not be alarmed, madam, that I shall repeat the offer which so disgusted you last night.
117:37
I have no intention of mentioning again wishes which, for the happiness of both of us, cannot be too soon forgotten.
117:45
I would not have written, but justice requires my character to be defended.
117:51
You accused me last night of two very different offences.
117:55
The first was that I had separated Mr Bingley from your sister, in spite of their mutual affection,
118:02
and the second was that I had destroyed Mr Wickham’s chance of future wealth and happiness,
118:07
in spite of my father’s honourable promises to him.
118:11
I hope that you will no longer blame me for either of these offences,
118:16
when you have read the explanation which follows.
118:19
If I am forced to describe feelings which offend you, I can only say I am sorry.
118:26
I had not been long in Hertfordshire before I noticed that Bingley preferred your elder sister Jane to any other young woman.
118:35
But I had often seen him in love before,
118:38
and it wasn’t until the Netherfield ball that I realized how serious his attachment was.
118:44
I was careful to observe your sister closely,
118:48
and as her manners and appearance were as pleasant and cheerful as ever,
118:53
I remained convinced that she did not feel strongly about him.
118:57
I was perhaps deceived by her calmness, and in that case, your anger has not been unreasonable.
119:05
But I sincerely believed that her heart had not been touched.
119:09
I objected to Bingley’s possible marriage to her,
119:13
not only for those reasons of social inferiority that I mentioned to you last night,
119:19
but also for reasons which in my case I had tried to forget, but which I must state now.
119:27
The behaviour that evening of your mother, your three younger sisters, and occasionally even your father,
119:35
was so lacking in social correctness
119:37
that I made up my mind to save my friend from what I considered would be a most unhappy marriage.
119:45
If you are upset by my description of your family’s faults,
119:50
it may comfort you to consider that you and your elder sister have avoided any share of blame,
119:56
and deserve nothing but honourable praise for your behaviour.
120:00
To continue – when I was in London, with the help of Bingley’s sisters, who shared my opinion,
120:08
I explained to him the disadvantages of marriage to your sister.
120:13
This alone would not have been enough to prevent the marriage,
120:17
if I had not also been able to convince him of your sister’s indifference to him.
120:23
Then it was easy to persuade him not to return to Hertfordshire.
120:27
I do regret one thing, however.
120:30
Miss Bingley and I both knew that your sister was in London, but we hid the fact from Bingley.
120:36
In this I consider I was less than honest, but I have no other apology to offer.
120:44
Your other, more serious accusation refers to Mr Wickham.
120:51
Here again I may cause you pain – only you can tell how much.
120:56
In order to show you his real character I must explain the whole of his connection with my family.
121:04
His late father worked for mine for many years, helping to look after the Pemberley farms.
121:10
His son, George Wickham, received much kindness from my father,
121:15
who paid for him to go to school and to university.
121:18
My father hoped the young man would enter the Church.
121:22
If he became a priest, I was to give him the post of rector in a village near Pemberley, when it became vacant.
121:30
But even before my father died, I had discovered Wickham’s weakness of character and lack of morals.
121:38
After my father’s death, Wickham wrote to inform me that he did not intend to enter the Church,
121:44
and asked for an amount of money instead of the post of rector.
121:49
I knew that, with his character faults, he ought not to become a priest, and I therefore agreed at once.
121:56
The business was soon arranged. He resigned all claim to the church post,
122:02
and accepted three thousand pounds instead.
122:06
I hoped that I would not see him or hear from him again.
122:12
But three years later he wrote again, this time to ask for the rector’s post,
122:20
informing me that his money had all gone and his situation was desperate.
122:25
You will hardly blame me for refusing.
122:29
Since then he has doubtless been violent in accusing me of injustice to all who will listen to him.
122:37
There is one more circumstance which I would like to forget myself, but which I must now mention.
122:46
I rely on your keeping this confidential.
122:50
A year ago, I sent my sister, who is ten years younger than I am,
122:56
on holiday to Ramsgate in Kent, in the care of a female companion.
123:01
Unfortunately, there was an understanding between this woman and Mr Wickham, who also went to Ramsgate.
123:08
With her help and encouragement, he spent a great deal of time with Georgiana,
123:14
and flattered her so much that she believed she was in love, and agreed to elope with him.
123:21
She was only fifteen at the time, and I am glad to say that she confessed everything to me immediately,
123:28
when I arrived unexpectedly in Ramsgate just before their planned elopement.
123:34
Naturally, I dismissed the companion, and wrote to Wickham, who left the place at once.
123:40
He was doubtless most interested in my sister’s fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds,
123:46
but I cannot help supposing that he was also eager to revenge himself on me.
123:52
I hope you will now clear me of all blame in this matter.
123:57
If, madam, you doubt the truthfulness of my description of these circumstances,
124:02
I suggest you speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam.
124:05
As my cousin and close friend, he knows every detail of these events,
124:11
and will be happy to support what I say.
124:14
I will only add, may God be with you. Fitzwilliam Darcy
124:22
Elizabeth experienced a variety of emotions as she read the letter.
124:28
She was astonished to discover that Darcy was capable of any sort of apology.
124:33
It was with a strong prejudice against anything he might say
124:37
that she began reading his explanation of what had happened at Netherfield,
124:40
and at first she was too angry with him to treat him with justice.
124:44
But when she went on to read his description of his relationship with Wickham, she hesitated.
124:50
It was so very different from Wickham’s story, which she would have preferred to believe.
124:56
But after a few moments’ thought she realized that Darcy’s statement was much more likely to be true.
125:03
She began to remember several things about Wickham which now appeared strange to her.
125:08
On the first evening she had met him,
125:11
he had told the whole story about his lost fortune and the Darcy family to her, a total stranger.
125:18
Then he had boasted of having no fear of Darcy, but had avoided the Netherfield ball the very next week.
125:26
In addition, he had waited until the Bingleys and Darcy had left Netherfield before making his accusations public.
125:35
She reminded herself that no one in Hertfordshire knew anything about Wickham’s past,
125:41
so it was quite possible that he lacked morals, as Darcy said.
125:46
She had to admit that Darcy himself, though horribly proud, had always shown himself to be a gentleman.
125:55
Finally, Darcy would certainly not have dared to refer her to Colonel Fitzwilliam,
126:01
if he were not certain that his cousin could prove these statements.
126:05
She became absolutely ashamed of herself.
126:09
‘How badly I have behaved!’ she cried.
126:13
‘How prejudiced I have been, I who have always been so proud of my ability to judge people!
126:21
That pride has led me blindly into making a stupid mistake.
126:26
Flattered by Wickham’s interest, and offended by Darcy’s coolness, I have misjudged both of them.
126:33
Till this moment, I never knew myself.’
126:39
She re-read what Darcy had to say about Jane,
126:43
and this time was forced to admit that Jane had displayed few outward signs of her feelings for Bingley.
126:50
Charlotte had even commented on it.
126:53
Then when Elizabeth looked again at Darcy’s comments on her family’s behaviour,
126:57
her sense of shame was very great, and she could not deny the justice of his words.
127:04
Feeling more miserable than she had ever felt before, she slowly returned to the Rectory,
127:10
where she had difficulty in maintaining a cheerful appearance.
127:15
Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam left Rosings the next day, and were sadly missed by their aunt,
127:23
who now had so little entertainment that she invited the Collinses and their visitors several times that week.
127:30
As Elizabeth only had a few days left before the end of her visit,
127:34
she thought it fortunate that most of her time was occupied.
127:38
When she had a moment to herself,
127:40
it was a great relief to walk outside in the garden or the park, alone with her thoughts.
127:46
She soon knew Mr Darcy’s letter by heart.
127:49
Although she was still angry with him for the proud, over-confident way in which he had proposed,
127:55
her anger turned against herself when she considered how unjustly she had criticized and accused him.
128:02
She respected his character and felt pity for his disappointment,
128:07
but did not for a moment regret her refusal, or have the slightest desire to see him ever again.
128:15
She was saddened when she thought of her family.
128:19
Her father enjoyed laughing at Kitty’s and Lydia’s foolishness so much
128:24
that he never attempted to control his two youngest daughters,
128:27
and her mother, whose own behaviour was far from correct,
128:31
was completely unaware that anything was wrong.
128:34
And poor Jane! It now appeared that Bingley’s affection had been sincere,
128:40
and Jane’s disappointment had been indirectly caused by the behaviour of her own near relations.
128:48
On Saturday morning Elizabeth said goodbye to her friend Charlotte, feeling sorry to leave her with such a husband.
128:56
But Charlotte, although regretting the departure of her visitors, appeared quite content with her domestic arrangements.
129:03
Mr Collins took care to say to Elizabeth, before she left,
129:07
‘I do hope, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that you will be as happy in marriage as I am.
129:14
My dear Charlotte and I have one mind and one way of thinking. We seem to be made for each other.’
129:22
‘It is most fortunate when that is the case,’ was all that Elizabeth could safely reply.
129:29
By midday she had arrived in London, where she had arranged to stay a few days at her aunt’s house.
129:37
There was, however, no opportunity to discuss Mr Darcy’s letter with Jane,
129:42
until they both reached Longbourn again, at the end of the week.
129:46
It was pleasant to be at home again, but Elizabeth was very conscious of her younger sisters’ silliness.
129:53
They were full of the sad news they had just heard,
129:56
that the regiment was leaving Meryton in two weeks’ time
129:59
and would be staying for the summer in Brighton, a holiday town on the south coast.
130:04
Lydia and her mother were trying hard to persuade Mr Bennet to take them to Brighton too,
130:10
for several months, as the summer would be so miserable in Hertfordshire without the officers.
130:15
Fortunately, Elizabeth felt sure her father would not agree to this foolish idea.
130:21
When she and Jane were alone, she told her sister about Darcy’s proposal of marriage.
130:27
Jane was astonished, but soon her sisterly feelings made her think it quite natural,
130:33
and her kind heart felt pity for Darcy’s disappointment.
130:37
However, when she heard about George Wickham’s wickedness, as explained in Darcy’s letter, she was deeply shocked.
130:46
After some discussion, the sisters decided not to tell anyone what they knew about Wickham,
130:52
as he would soon be leaving Meryton in any case.
130:55
Elizabeth felt greatly relieved by this conversation.
130:59
She had got rid of two of her secrets,
131:02
and was certain of a willing listener in Jane, whenever she might wish to talk again of either.
131:07
But she dared not tell the third, and explain to Jane how sincere Bingley’s feelings for her had been.
131:15
She could see that Jane was not happy, because of her continued warm affection for Bingley.
131:21
However, there seemed little chance of Bingley marrying her now,
131:26
and Elizabeth did not want to deepen Jane’s feelings of regret for her lost happiness.
131:34
Chapter 9; Elizabeth in Derbyshire
131:39
During the week before the regiment’s departure, all the young ladies in the Meryton area became extremely depressed.
131:47
Only the two elder Miss Bennets were still able to eat, drink, sleep and lead a normal life.
131:53
They were often scolded by Kitty and Lydia, who could not understand such hard-heartedness.
131:59
‘How shall we manage without the officers!’ they cried miserably.
132:04
‘How can you smile like that, Lizzy?’
132:07
Their affectionate mother shared all their sadness.
132:11
‘I remember when Colonel Millar’s regiment went away, twenty-five years ago,’ she said, ‘I thought my heart was broken.’
132:20
‘I’m sure mine will be broken,’ said Lydia.
132:24
‘If we could only go to Brighton!’ said Mrs Bennet.
132:28
‘I’m certain a little sea-bathing would be good for me.’
132:32
‘Oh yes! But Papa is so disagreeable about it.’
132:36
Elizabeth tried not to listen, but could not help seeing the justice of Darcy’s objections to her family.
132:43
But soon Lydia’s bitterness changed to absolute delight,
132:49
when she received an invitation from Colonel Forster’s wife, to accompany her to Brighton with the regiment.
132:56
Mrs Forster was a very young woman, only recently married,
133:00
and as cheerful and sociable as Lydia, with whom she had been friendly for two months.
133:05
Poor Kitty was very upset at not being included in the invitation,
133:09
but Lydia cared nothing for her sister’s feelings.
133:12
She ran wildly through the house, calling for everyone’s congratulations,
133:16
and laughing and talking more loudly than ever.
133:19
Elizabeth could not share her sister’s happiness,
133:23
and felt it was her duty to advise her father secretly to refuse permission for Lydia to go.
133:28
But she could not convince him that Lydia would be in any real danger,
133:32
and so all the arrangements were made for her sister’s departure.
133:36
Elizabeth thought her father was wrong, however,
133:39
and was still worried about how Lydia would behave in an atmosphere of greater freedom,
133:44
and among the temptations of a fashionable seaside town like Brighton.
133:49
Elizabeth had seen Mr Wickham regularly since her return from Kent, at family parties and visits.
133:56
She no longer thought him so agreeable.
133:59
As the rich Miss King had left Meryton to stay with her uncle,
134:03
Mr Wickham appeared eager to transfer his affections back to Elizabeth.
134:07
His confidence in his own charm and ability to please annoyed Elizabeth very much,
134:13
so that when she met him for the last time before the regiment’s departure, she spoke quite coldly to him.
134:20
In reply to a polite question of his about her Hunsford visit,
134:25
she could not stop herself mentioning her frequent meetings with Mr Darcy,
134:30
and her favourable opinion of that gentleman’s character.
134:34
Wickham looked a little embarrassed, and made no further attempt to charm Elizabeth.
134:40
They separated at last with mutual politeness, and possibly a mutual desire never to meet again.
134:49
When Lydia left for Brighton,
134:52
Elizabeth had to put up with Mrs Bennet’s and Kitty’s constant complaints that Longbourn had become very dull.
134:59
Fortunately, she was able to look forward to a trip which she would soon be taking with Mr and Mrs Gardiner.
135:06
They had planned to visit the Lake District, but Mrs Gardiner had recently written
135:11
to say that as her husband’s business made it necessary to shorten their holiday to three weeks,
135:16
they would not have time to visit the whole of the Lake District comfortably.
135:20
Instead, she suggested visiting Derbyshire, an area with a particularly strong attraction for her,
135:27
as she had spent a large part of her early life there.
135:30
Elizabeth was disappointed, but accepted the new plan at once.
135:35
Although it was impossible to hear of Derbyshire without thinking of Pemberley and its owner,
135:42
she felt sure she could avoid meeting Mr Darcy there.
135:46
Four weeks later, Mr and Mrs Gardiner arrived at Longbourn,
135:51
where they had arranged to leave their children in Jane’s care.
135:55
The next day they set out with Elizabeth on their journey.
135:58
The three of them made excellent travelling companions,
136:02
sharing an intelligent interest in the people and places they saw on their way,
136:07
and a strong affection for each other.
136:09
After visiting Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth and Birmingham,
136:16
they arrived in Derbyshire, and decided to stay in the small town of Lambton,
136:21
where Mrs Gardiner had lived before her marriage.
136:24
Elizabeth discovered that Mr Darcy’s house, Pemberley, was only eight kilometres away from Lambton.
136:31
‘I often used to go to Pemberley when I was younger,’ said Mrs Gardiner.
136:36
‘Wouldn’t you like to see it, Lizzy? We could go tomorrow. It’s a beautiful place. Wickham spent his youth there, you know.’
136:43
‘I – I am rather tired of large country houses, aunt,’ said Elizabeth, forced to pretend.
136:49
How dreadful it would be to meet Mr Darcy, while viewing his house!
136:54
But when she asked a servant at the hotel one or two careful questions that evening,
136:59
she was told that Mr Darcy was not at home at the moment.
137:03
Greatly relieved, she felt able to agree to her aunt’s suggestion, when it was repeated the next morning,
137:09
and Mr Gardiner ordered a carriage immediately.
137:13
In a short time they entered the gates of Pemberley park, and drove through an extensive and beautiful wood.
137:21
At the top of a hill they had their first view of Pemberley House, situated on the other side of a valley,
137:28
with a line of high, wooded hills behind.
137:31
The house was a large, handsome, stone building, which appeared to fit naturally into the scenery.
137:38
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were warm in their admiration, and Elizabeth was delighted.
137:43
At that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be worthwhile!
137:50
They drove up to the front door, and asked to be allowed to visit the house.
137:56
The Pemberley housekeeper, a respectable, elderly woman, showed them round.
138:01
All the rooms were of a good size, and elegantly yet sensibly furnished.
138:06
From every window there was an attractive view.
138:09
Elizabeth began to admire the owner’s taste in everything she saw.
138:14
‘And I might have been mistress of this place!’ she thought.
138:17
‘Instead of viewing these rooms as a stranger, I might be welcoming my uncle and aunt as visitors.
138:24
But no,’ she suddenly remembered,
138:27
‘that could never be. I wouldn’t have been able to invite my uncle and aunt, or any other of my vulgar family connections.’
138:35
This was a lucky thought, which saved her from something like regret.
138:40
She longed to enquire of the housekeeper whether her master were really absent,
138:45
but luckily her uncle asked the question instead.
138:48
It was quite alarming to hear that Mr Darcy was expected to arrive the next day, with a large group of friends.
138:55
How glad Elizabeth was that their own journey had not been delayed a day!
139:00
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were enjoying their conversation with the housekeeper,
139:04
who seemed content to talk about her master.
139:07
‘Mr Darcy is a very handsome gentleman, as you will see from the painting upstairs.
139:13
His sister is most attractive too, and so accomplished!
139:17
She plays and sings the whole day.
139:20
My master has just sent a new piano from London for her.
139:24
He’s such a kind brother, he’ll do anything for Miss Georgiana.’
139:29
‘Does Mr Darcy spend much time at Pemberley?’ asked Mr Gardiner.
139:34
‘Not as much as I’d like, sir.’
139:37
‘If your master married, he might spend more time here!’
139:40
‘Yes, sir, but I don’t know when that’ll be.
139:44
I don’t know who is good enough for him.’
139:47
Mr and Mrs Gardiner smiled, and Elizabeth listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper continued.
139:54
‘It’s no more than the truth. Everybody who knows him says the same.
139:59
He’s never spoken a cross word to me, and I’ve known him since he was a baby.
140:04
Some people call him proud, but I’ve never seen any of that. He’s the best master that ever lived.’
140:11
Elizabeth almost stared at her.
140:14
‘Can this be Mr Darcy?’ she wondered.
140:18
This was the most extraordinary praise for the man she had always thought so disagreeable and proud,
140:24
especially with people he considered inferior to himself.
140:28
She longed to hear more, but now the housekeeper was leading them upstairs.
140:33
Soon Elizabeth found herself in front of the painting of Mr Darcy.
140:38
He was smiling at her, just as she remembered him smiling sometimes when he looked at her.
140:44
She looked at the picture silently for several minutes before going downstairs with the others.
140:51
At that moment Elizabeth certainly felt more warmly towards Mr Darcy than at any time since their first meeting.
141:00
She was beginning to realize that she had underestimated his character.
141:05
His housekeeper’s opinion of him was totally favourable,
141:09
and what praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant?
141:14
As she stood in front of his picture, she gratefully remembered the warmth of his feelings for her,
141:20
and began to forget the way in which he had expressed them.
141:25
As they had now seen all the rooms which were open to the public,
141:29
the housekeeper called the gardener, who was going to show them the park and gardens.
141:34
They were just walking away from the house, when Elizabeth turned to have one last look,
141:39
and saw the owner of Pemberley come suddenly forward from behind the house.
141:45
They were within twenty metres of each other, and Elizabeth could not avoid his seeing her.
141:51
Their eyes instantly met, and they both blushed.
141:56
He appeared very surprised,
141:58
but, recovering quickly, approached and spoke to Elizabeth, if not calmly, at least with perfect politeness.
142:06
Astonished and confused, she received his greetings with embarrassment.
142:11
Soon he could find no more to say, and left her to return to the house.
142:16
Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who had been watching from a distance, expressed their admiration of his appearance,
142:22
but Elizabeth could only think of her feelings.
142:25
How unfortunate that she had come!
142:28
She blushed again.
142:30
It might seem as if she had planned this meeting with him.
142:33
And his behaviour was so different!
142:35
Never before had she heard him speak so politely and so gently.
142:40
What could it mean?
142:41
Her head full of these thoughts, she joined her uncle and aunt in their walk through the gardens.
142:48
They were walking slowly beside an attractive stream, when they noticed Mr Darcy coming towards them.
142:55
This time Elizabeth was able to control herself better, and she returned his greetings politely.
143:01
She hid a smile when he asked her to do him the honour of introducing him to her friends,
143:07
as she felt sure he was not expecting the well-mannered Gardiners to be some of her low-born relations.
143:14
He certainly seemed surprised when she introduced her uncle and aunt,
143:18
but took care to talk for some time to Mr Gardiner, with every appearance of interest.
143:24
Elizabeth was delighted that these relations, at least,
143:28
could not be criticized for their poor behaviour or lack of intelligence.
143:33
On their way back to the house, Mr Darcy walked beside Elizabeth.
143:39
There was a short silence before she spoke.
143:43
‘Your housekeeper informed us you would not arrive until tomorrow, so I had not expected to find you here.’
143:51
‘It is true. I came early on business.
143:54
The rest of the party will be here tomorrow.
143:57
Among them are Mr Bingley and his sisters, whom you know.’
144:01
He continued after a pause,
144:04
‘And there is one other person who particularly wishes to meet you.
144:08
Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to you?’
144:15
Surprised but flattered by this great compliment, Elizabeth gave her permission.
144:21
When they arrived at the house, Mr Darcy offered them some refreshment, but they politely refused.
144:28
Mr Darcy helped the ladies into the carriage, and as it drove away from Pemberley,
144:33
Elizabeth watched him walking slowly back towards the house.
144:37
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were loud in their praise of him, but Elizabeth said very little.
144:43
The very next morning Mr Darcy brought his sister to visit Elizabeth and the Gardiners at the hotel in Lambton.
144:50
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were astonished by the honour they were receiving,
144:55
but Elizabeth’s obvious embarrassment,
144:57
and Darcy’s haste in making the visit so immediately, soon provided them with an explanation.
145:03
They observed their niece and Darcy carefully during the visit,
145:07
and could not doubt that the gentleman was in love,
145:10
although they were not certain of the lady’s feelings.
145:14
Elizabeth was delighted to discover that Georgiana Darcy, far from being proud, as Wickham had said,
145:20
was just very shy, with quiet, gentle manners.
145:25
It was clear that she greatly admired her brother,
145:28
and had every intention of liking Miss Bennet, as Darcy had spoken of her so favourably.
145:33
Elizabeth was also satisfied to see that Bingley, who was with the Darcys,
145:38
did not seem particularly interested in Georgiana, in spite of Caroline Bingley’s wishes.
145:44
And she had to admit that she had never seen Mr Darcy behaving so sociably and pleasantly,
145:49
not only to herself, but also to the relations
145:53
to whom he had referred with such disdain during that last conversation in Hunsford Rectory.
145:59
Elizabeth herself was more than usually anxious to make herself agreeable to everybody,
146:05
and she succeeded, because Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined, to be pleased.
146:13
Miss Darcy, encouraged by her brother, invited Elizabeth and the Gardiners to dinner at Pemberley in two days’ time,
146:21
and when this invitation had been accepted,
146:24
the Darcys and Mr Bingley left, with many warm expressions of politeness on both sides.
146:30
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were very curious about their niece’s feelings for Mr Darcy, but were careful not to question her.
146:38
That evening Elizabeth lay awake for two whole hours, trying to understand how she felt about him.
146:45
She now thought of him with respect and a certain admiration,
146:50
and was deeply grateful to him, not only for having once loved her,
146:55
but for still loving her enough to forgive her bitter rejection of him, as well as all her unjust accusations.
147:03
The change she had noticed, in a man who was once so proud, must be caused by his love for her.
147:11
Now, since she was almost sure that if she wanted, she could encourage him to propose to her again,
147:18
she only had to decide how far she wished to be involved in his future happiness,
147:23
in which she already felt a real interest.
147:31
Chapter 10; Lydia and Wickham
147:36
On the third morning of her visit to Lambton, Elizabeth received two letters from Jane.
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The first had been badly addressed and sent elsewhere, then redirected.
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Her aunt and uncle were out walking, so she sat down to read them at once.
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The first had been written five days before, and started just as expected,
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with a description of Longbourn dinner parties and visits,
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but the second half of this letter was dated a day later, and was evidently written in a great hurry.
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This is what it said; Since writing the above, dear Lizzy, something most unexpected and serious has happened.
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But I do not wish to alarm you, we are all well.
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It concerns poor Lydia.
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An express letter came at midnight last night, when we were all in bed, from Colonel Forster,
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to inform us that she had run away to Scotland with one of his officers, with Wickham, in fact!
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There, of course, she can marry without her parents’ approval.
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Imagine our surprise. What a foolish marriage for both of them!
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But at least he is not interested in her money, as he must know my father can give her almost nothing.
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Kitty admits that she knew about Lydia’s attachment to Wickham, from Lydia’s letters.
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Our poor mother is very upset.
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I must finish now, as I cannot stay away from her for long.
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I hope you can read this. I hardly know what I have written.
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Without allowing herself time to think, Elizabeth opened the second letter, dated a day later; and read impatiently
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My dearest sister, I am so confused I cannot write properly.
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I have bad news for you. Foolish though a marriage between Mr Wickham and our poor Lydia might be,
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we are now only too anxious to hear that it has taken place.
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There is reason to fear they have not gone to Scotland.
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Colonel Forster arrived here yesterday.
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He tells us that one of the officers, a close friend of Wickham,
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believes that Wickham never intended to go to Scotland, or to marry Lydia at all.
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The colonel followed the couple as far as London, but they have not been seen leaving the capital.
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Our anxiety, my dear Lizzy, is very great.
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My father and mother believe the worst,
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and the colonel fears Wickham is not a man to be trusted, but I cannot believe him to be so wicked.
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And is Lydia so completely lacking in morals, that she could live with a man without being married? Impossible.
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Now my poor mother is really ill, my father is angry,
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for perhaps the first time in his life, and Kitty is being scolded for keeping the attachment a secret.
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While I am glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared some of the confusion and worry we have been experiencing,
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I cannot help begging you all to come home as soon as possible.
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My father is going to London with the colonel to try to find Lydia.
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I think he is too upset to achieve results in the best and safest way,
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and my uncle’s advice and help would be everything in the world.
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I rely on his goodness.
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‘Oh! Where, where is my uncle?’ cried Elizabeth, running to the door.
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But just as she reached it, Mr Darcy came in.
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Her pale face and strange manner prevented him from speaking,
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and she, who could think of nothing except Lydia, said hurriedly,
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‘Excuse me, but I must leave you. I must find Mr Gardiner immediately.
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There is not a moment to lose.’
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‘Good God! What is the matter?’ he cried, then added,
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‘Let me, or let the servant, go to find Mr and Mrs Gardiner.
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You are not well enough. You cannot go yourself.’
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Elizabeth hesitated, but her legs were trembling, and she realized he was right.
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After giving the servant her message,
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she sat down, looking so ill that Darcy could not leave her, or stop himself saying gently,
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‘Let me call someone to look after you. Shall I get you a glass of wine? You are very ill.’
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‘No, thank you,’ she replied.
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‘I am quite well. I am only upset by some dreadful news I’ve just received from Longbourn.’
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She burst into tears, and for a few minutes could not speak another word.
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Darcy watched her miserably, in sympathetic silence.
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At last, she spoke again.
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‘It cannot be hidden from anyone.
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My youngest sister has eloped, with – with Mr Wickham.
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You know him too well to doubt what will happen.
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She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to marry her.
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She is lost for ever. And I could have prevented it! I knew how bad his character was.
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If only I had told my family what I knew about him! But it is all too late now.’
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Darcy looked at her in astonishment.
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‘I am shocked,’ he said, ‘and sad, very sad. What has been done to find her and bring her back?’
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‘My father has gone to London, and I hope my uncle will go too.
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We shall leave Lambton, I hope, in half an hour.
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But I know very well that nothing can be done.
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How can such a man be persuaded? How can we even find them?
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I have not the smallest hope. It is horrible!’
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Darcy made no answer.
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He was walking up and down with a serious, thoughtful expression on his face.
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Elizabeth soon observed and instantly understood it.
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She was losing her influence over him.
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This proof of moral weakness in her family was driving him away from her.
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Never before had she so honestly believed she could have loved him, as now, when mutual affection must be impossible.
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But she could not think for long of herself, when Lydia’s situation was so desperate.
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Mr Darcy left almost immediately,
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politely regretting that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle would not, in the circumstances,
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be able to come to dinner at Pemberley that day, and again expressing his sympathy.
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When Mr and Mrs Gardiner entered the room, Elizabeth hurriedly explained everything to them,
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and was greatly relieved when they agreed to leave at once, to return to Longbourn.
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Their packing was done at great speed, and soon they were in the carriage, driving south.
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‘Lizzy,’ began Mrs Gardiner,
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‘I cannot believe that Wickham’s character is so bad that he would run away with Lydia, and not marry her.
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Do you really think he is capable of that?’
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‘My dear aunt, Jane and I both know that he has neither honesty nor honour.
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He has falsely accused Mr Darcy, and has lied wickedly about the whole Darcy family.
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You saw what a shy, gentle girl Miss Darcy is, but he had described her as proud, disagreeable and disdainful.’
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‘But does Lydia know nothing of this?’
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‘Oh, no! That is the worst of all.
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I didn’t know the truth myself until my visit to Kent,
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and when I returned, and told Jane, she and I decided not to make our knowledge public.
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Now I know that was a mistake.
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I never thought that Lydia could be in any danger from him.’
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When they arrived at Longbourn, Elizabeth and her aunt were able to help Jane in looking after the children.
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They also attempted to calm Mrs Bennet,
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who, however, refused to be calmed, and blamed everyone except herself for the disaster.
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‘If only I had been allowed to take the family to Brighton, this would not have happened.
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Poor dear Lydia had no one to take care of her.
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Why did those Forsters ever let her go out of their sight?
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I am sure they neglected her.
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Of course, I did not want her to go to Brighton, but nobody took any notice of me, as usual.
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And now Mr Bennet has gone to London, and I’m sure he’ll fight Wickham, and then he’ll be killed,
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and then the Collinses will turn us out of the house, before he’s cold in his grave!’
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‘Do not worry, sister,’ said Mr Gardiner kindly.
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‘I’m going to London tomorrow, to help my brother-in-law.’
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‘Oh, thank you, my dear brother,’ replied Mrs Bennet.
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‘Make sure you find Lydia and Wickham, and if they are not married yet, make them marry.
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And tell Lydia, they mustn’t wait for wedding clothes,
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but she shall have as much money as she wants to buy them, after they are married.
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And keep Mr Bennet from fighting – tell him what a dreadful state I am in, so ill that I can get no rest by night or by day.
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And tell Lydia not to buy any clothes until she’s seen me, because she doesn’t know the best shops.
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Oh, brother, how kind you are! I hope you will manage everything.’
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The next day Mr Gardiner travelled to London, as he had promised.
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Now began a painful period of waiting for those left at Longbourn.
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They became even more anxious, as news came from Meryton of Wickham’s lies, debts,
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and secret attachments to most of the servant girls in the town.
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Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world,
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and protested that they had always distrusted his great charm and appearance of goodness.
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Although Elizabeth did not believe half of these stories,
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she believed enough to feel sure that her sister’s reputation was already lost,
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and even Jane almost despaired of receiving good news.
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In a few days’ time they were relieved to receive a letter from Mr Gardiner,
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but unfortunately it only informed them that Wickham and Lydia had not yet been found.
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Apparently Wickham had left gambling debts of over a thousand pounds behind him in Brighton.
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Mr Bennet was returning home the following day, leaving his brother-in-law in London to continue the search.
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When she heard this, Mrs Bennet did not show as much satisfaction as her children expected,
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considering the anxiety she had previously expressed for her husband’s safety.
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‘What, is he coming home without poor Lydia?’ she cried.
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‘And who will fight Wickham, and make him marry her?’
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Mrs Gardiner took the opportunity of Mr Bennet’s return to go back to London herself, with her children.
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She was still longing to know how Elizabeth’s relationship with Darcy had developed,
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but Elizabeth had not once mentioned his name, so her aunt did not dare to ask any direct questions.
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When Mr Bennet arrived home, he appeared as calm as ever,
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but in a conversation with Elizabeth he admitted that he felt to blame for Lydia’s elopement.
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‘I know I should have had more control over her,’ he said.
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‘And, Lizzy, you were right. I should never have let her go to Brighton.’
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Kitty, who was listening, said,
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‘Papa, if I ever went to Brighton, I’d behave much better than Lydia has done.’
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‘You go to Brighton!’ cried her father.
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‘I would not trust you within twenty kilometres of the place, for fifty pounds!
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No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it.
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No officer may ever enter the house again, or even pass through the village.
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And balls will be absolutely forbidden, unless you dance only with your sisters.’
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Kitty, taking these threats seriously, began to cry.
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‘Well, well,’ said he, ‘don’t make yourself unhappy.
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If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I’ll take you to the theatre at the end of that time.’
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Two days later, the news for which they had all been waiting so anxiously arrived.
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Mr Gardiner’s letter informed them that Wickham and Lydia had been found, but that they were not married.
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However, certain financial arrangements had been made with Wickham.
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Mr Bennet was asked to pay Lydia one hundred pounds a year,
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as well as arranging for her to inherit her equal share of the five thousand pounds
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which the Bennet girls would inherit after their parents’ death.
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If these reasonable conditions were agreed, Wickham had promised to marry Lydia.
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At first Elizabeth and Jane were delighted that their sister’s reputation would be saved through marriage,
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even to such a man as Wickham.
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But then their father explained that Wickham would never have agreed to marry Lydia,
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unless he had been paid a considerable amount of money immediately.
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They began to worry that it would be difficult to repay Mr Gardiner, who must have bribed Wickham in this way.
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Mrs Bennet, however, had no such worries.
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‘He is her own uncle, after all!’ she cried happily.
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‘Why shouldn’t he pay? My dear, dear Lydia! Married at sixteen!
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How I long to see her, and dear Wickham too!
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But the wedding clothes! I’ll write to my sister-in-law about them at once!
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I’m so happy. In a short time I’ll have a daughter married. Mrs Wickham! How well it sounds!’
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Now that Lydia was going to be married, Elizabeth greatly regretted telling Darcy of her fears for her sister.
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But even if Lydia had been married in the most honourable way,
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it was extremely unlikely that Mr Darcy would wish to connect himself
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with a family in which there was a close relationship with Wickham, the man he most justly disliked.
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She could not expect him to go on caring for her, as she felt certain he had done when they met in Derbyshire.
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But now that she was sure he could not love her, she was convinced they could have been happy together.
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He seemed to be exactly the man who would have suited her.
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They could have usefully influenced each other.
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His mind might have been softened and his manners improved by her sociability,
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and she might have learnt from his greater judgement and knowledge of the world.
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But no such relationship could now teach an admiring world what happiness in marriage was really like.
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Instead, Wickham would marry Lydia, with little chance of happiness for either of them.
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Mr and Mrs Gardiner had arranged for Lydia to be married quietly in London, from their house.
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At first Mr Bennet had refused to allow his youngest daughter ever to enter his house again,
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but eventually Jane and Elizabeth persuaded him to receive Lydia and her husband after the wedding.
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It would only be a short visit, as almost immediately she and Wickham would be moving north to Newcastle,
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where he had accepted a new army post.
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When the carriage containing the young couple arrived at Longbourn House,
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the two elder Bennet sisters were shocked to see how unashamed Lydia was.
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She entered the house, laughing and joking, and asked all her sisters to congratulate her.
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Wickham was no more embarrassed than she was, and spoke to everyone in his usual flattering, agreeable manner.
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They seemed to have no idea of the anxiety they had caused by their shameless and wicked behaviour.
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Elizabeth was quite disgusted by their relaxed, confident appearance,
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and determined not to show any interest when Lydia insisted on describing every detail of her wedding day.
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She could not help reacting with astonishment, however, when Lydia let slip the name of Mr Darcy.
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He had apparently been present at the ceremony.
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Why would Mr Darcy, Elizabeth wondered, attend the wedding of two people he must hold in the greatest contempt?
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She could not discover the reason from Lydia, who suddenly remembered it was supposed to be a secret,
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and she could not rest without knowing the truth,
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so she hurriedly sent a note to her aunt in London, asking urgently for an explanation.
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Chapter 11; Bingley returns to Netherfield
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Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving a reply from her aunt in the shortest time possible.
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She sat down eagerly to read it.
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My dear niece, I must confess I am astonished by your request for information about Mr Darcy’s share in arranging Lydia’s marriage.
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I assumed that you would know all about it.
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Your uncle is as surprised as I am.
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But if you are really innocent and ignorant, I must tell you all the details.
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On the day I returned to London from Longbourn, your uncle had a most unexpected visitor.
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Mr Darcy came to tell us he had discovered where your sister and Wickham were staying.
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The reason he gave for wanting to help was his belief that he was to blame for not making Wickham’s worthlessness more public,
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and that therefore it was his duty to assist us in every possible way.
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If he had another motive, I am sure it would be just as honourable.
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He knew that Wickham had a close friend in London,
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a woman who had once been companion to Miss Darcy, and had been dismissed for some reason.
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So Mr Darcy found this woman, and bribed her to give him Wickham’s present address.
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He went to see Wickham, and insisted on seeing Lydia, hoping to persuade her to return to her family.
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However, Lydia told him she only cared for Wickham, and had no intention of leaving him, whether he married her or not.
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Wickham privately told Mr Darcy that he had left the regiment because of his gambling debts,
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not because he intended to marry Lydia,
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and that he was still hoping to find and marry a woman of fortune in order to have a comfortable income.
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It was clearly necessary to persuade him to marry Lydia as soon as possible,
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and Mr Darcy had several meetings with Wickham to arrange financial matters with him.
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Finally, Mr Darcy was able to visit your uncle, as I have said, to explain the whole business,
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and to insist that he alone should be responsible for paying Wickham the promised amount.
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Your uncle argued with him for a long time, but our visitor was so obstinate that Mr Gardiner eventually had to agree.
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I think, Lizzy, that obstinacy is Mr Darcy’s real fault, rather than any of the other faults of which he has been accused.
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He paid Wickham several thousand pounds, for past debts and future expenses,
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and attended the wedding to make a final payment.
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And in spite of Mr Darcy’s declared motives, my dear Lizzy, you may be sure that your uncle would never have given in,
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if we had not assumed that Mr Darcy had another interest in the matter.
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Will you be very angry with me, my dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying how much I like him?
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His behaviour to us has always been as agreeable as when we were in Derbyshire.
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I think that if he marries the right woman, his wife may teach him to become more sociable.
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Please forgive me if I have assumed too much, or at least do not punish me by not inviting me to Pemberley.
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I shall never be happy until I have been all the way round the park.
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But I must go to my children now.
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Yours very sincerely, M. Gardiner
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Elizabeth read this letter with a mixture of pleasure and pain.
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Mr Darcy had thought so little of his pride that he had spent considerable time, effort and money
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on two people for whom he must feel the greatest disdain.
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He had even had to bargain with Wickham!
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She could not believe he had done all this for her, a woman who had already rejected him.
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But the fact remained that she and her family owed him everything.
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How bitterly she now regretted criticizing and mocking him in the past!
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She was ashamed of herself, but she was proud of him, proud that in a matter of honour,
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he had been able to conquer his own pride.
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She was even rather pleased, if a little regretful,
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that her aunt and uncle had felt sure that there was mutual affection between Mr Darcy and herself.
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Mrs Bennet was quite depressed when Lydia and Wickham left Longbourn to travel north to Newcastle.
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But soon Mrs Philips brought the happy news that Mr Bingley was expected to return to Netherfield in a day or two,
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and Mrs Bennet became very excited.
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She made preparations to invite him to dinner, and counted the days that must pass before she could send the invitation.
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However, on only the third morning after his arrival, she caught sight of him from her bedroom window,
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riding towards Longbourn House, with another gentleman, also on horseback.
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‘Girls! Quickly!’ she cried. ‘Mr Bingley is coming! And who’s that with him?
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It must be Mr Darcy, that tall, proud man.
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Well, as he is Mr Bingley’s friend, we must be polite to him, but I must say, I hate the sight of him.’
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Both Jane and Elizabeth felt uncomfortable, and sympathized with each other.
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Jane was nervous about meeting Bingley again, and determined not to show her feelings.
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Elizabeth was uneasy at the thought of seeing Darcy,
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as she was the only one who knew how much the whole family owed him, in spite of their general dislike of him.
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She was astonished that he had come to see her,
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and for a moment she allowed herself to hope that his affection and wishes might still be the same.
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She was disappointed, however, by the visit.
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Mr Darcy said scarcely anything to her, and appeared more thoughtful and less anxious to please than in Derbyshire.
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She wondered bitterly why he had come.
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In addition, she was highly embarrassed by her mother’s behaviour.
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With flattering smiles Mrs Bennet concentrated all her conversation on Mr Bingley,
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while throwing the occasional unpleasant remark in Mr Darcy’s direction.
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The only positive effect of the gentlemen’s visit was the way in which Jane’s charm and beauty
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appeared to excite Mr Bingley’s admiration all over again, which Elizabeth was relieved and delighted to see.
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The Bennet family did not see the two gentlemen again until Tuesday, when they came to dinner at Longbourn.
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It was a great pleasure to Elizabeth to watch Bingley sitting beside Jane, and talking happily to her,
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but this was the only enjoyment she gained from the party.
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Mr Darcy was unfortunately sitting a long way from her, next to Mrs Bennet.
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Elizabeth could see how seldom they spoke to each other,
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and how cold and formal their behaviour to each other was.
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She would have given anything to be able to tell him that his kindness was appreciated by at least one of the family.
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All through the long dinner,
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she desperately hoped there would be an opportunity for her to have some real conversation with him later.
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But the evening passed without any more than a short exchange of politeness between them,
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and Elizabeth lost all hope of immediate happiness.
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Two days after this, Mr Bingley called at Longbourn House again.
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This time he was alone, as Mr Darcy had gone to London.
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He sat with the ladies for over an hour, talking cheerfully and agreeably to them.
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He came the next morning, and again in the evening.
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Mrs Bennet took every opportunity to leave him alone with Jane,
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by calling her other daughters out of the room for some reason or other.
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She was hoping to encourage him to propose,
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but in spite of her efforts Bingley remained charming, and agreeable, and unattached.
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But on the third day Bingley came in the morning to go shooting with Mr Bennet.
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He stayed for lunch, and was still there in the evening.
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And when Elizabeth entered the sitting-room unexpectedly,
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to her surprise she saw Jane and Bingley standing close together near the fire.
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They turned hurriedly when they heard her, and moved awkwardly away from each other.
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Bingley whispered something to Jane, and ran out of the room.
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Jane could not keep her secret from her sister, and, kissing her, cried,
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‘I am the happiest creature in the world! Oh, Lizzy! I do not deserve this! Why isn’t everybody as happy as I am!’
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Elizabeth congratulated her sister most warmly and sincerely.
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‘At last!’ she thought.
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‘The end of all Mr Darcy’s anxious advice!
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The end of all Caroline Bingley’s lies and plans!
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The happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!’
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‘I must go and tell my mother,’ continued Jane, ‘as he has just gone to ask my father’s permission. Oh, Lizzy! What happiness!’
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It was a joyful evening for all of them.
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Jane looked more beautiful than ever, and Bingley was clearly very much in love.
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Mrs Bennet could not say enough to describe her delight, although she talked of nothing else all evening,
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and Mr Bennet was evidently very pleased.
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Before the two eldest sisters went to bed that night,
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Elizabeth listened willingly to Jane’s long description of Bingley’s good qualities.
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At the end, Jane added, ‘Oh, Lizzy! If only I could see you as happy as I am!
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If only there were another man like Bingley for you!’
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‘Dear Jane, I can never be as happy as you, because I’m not as good as you.
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No, no, let me find my own husband.
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Perhaps, if I’m very lucky, I may meet another Mr Collins one day.’
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The engagement was not kept a secret for very long.
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Mrs Bennet whispered the news to Mrs Philips, who told all her neighbours in Meryton.
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Everybody soon agreed that the Bennets were the luckiest family in the world,
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although only a few weeks before, when Lydia had run away, they had been considered the most unfortunate.
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Chapter 12; Elizabeth and Darcy
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One morning, about a week after Bingley had proposed to Jane, a carriage arrived outside Longbourn House.
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Elizabeth, Kitty and their mother were in the sitting-room,
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when suddenly the door was thrown open, and their visitor entered.
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It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
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They were all extremely astonished.
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Mrs Bennet, flattered to have such an important visitor, received her with great politeness.
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After sitting for a moment in silence, Lady Catherine said very stiffly to Elizabeth,
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‘I hope you are well, Miss Bennet.
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That lady, I suppose, is your mother. And that, I suppose, is one of your sisters.’
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Elizabeth replied that she was correct in thinking so.
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Lady Catherine rose and said, ‘I would like to have a walk in your garden, Miss Bennet, if you would accompany me.’
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‘Go, my dear,’ cried Mrs Bennet. ‘Show her ladyship the different walks. I’m sure she will like them.’
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As they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the different rooms, looked in,
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and declared them to be reasonable-looking rooms.
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They went into the garden in silence.
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Elizabeth was determined to make no effort at conversation
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with a woman who was being more than usually rude and disagreeable.
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Lady Catherine began speaking when she was sure they were alone.
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‘You must know, Miss Bennet, why I have come.’
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Elizabeth looked surprised.
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‘Indeed, you are mistaken, madam. I have no idea why you are honouring us with a visit.’
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‘Miss Bennet,’ replied her ladyship angrily,
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‘however insincere you may be, you shall not find me so.
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A most alarming report reached me two days ago.
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I was told that you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would soon be engaged to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr Darcy.
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Although I knew it must be a shameful lie,
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and I would not offend him by supposing it to be possible,
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I decided at once to come here, to let you know my feelings.’
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‘If you believed it to be impossible,’ said Elizabeth, with disdain,
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‘I wonder why your ladyship took the trouble of coming so far.’
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‘I came to insist on having this report contradicted. Tell me, is it true?’
178:22
‘Your ladyship may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.’
178:27
‘This is too much! Miss Bennet, I insist on an answer. Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?’
178:36
‘Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.’
178:39
‘It ought to be impossible, but your skilful charms may have made him forget, in a moment of foolishness,
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what he owes to himself and his family.
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You must tell me. I am almost his nearest relation, and I have a right to know his plans.’
178:59
‘But you have no right to know mine.’
179:02
‘Let me speak plainly.
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This marriage, which you dare to hope for, can never take place, because Mr Darcy is engaged to my daughter.
179:16
His mother and I planned their marriage, when they were still children.
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They are an ideal couple, both from respectable, honourable, ancient families, with an excellent fortune on both sides.
179:34
What can possibly divide them?
179:37
The desperate ambitions of a young woman without family, connections or fortune?
179:44
It cannot be! And I warn you, Miss Bennet, if you marry him, do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends.
179:56
Your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.’
180:02
‘These are heavy misfortunes,
180:06
but the wife of Mr Darcy must necessarily be so happy that she could not regret her marriage.’
180:13
‘Obstinate girl! Tell me, are you engaged to him?’
180:18
Elizabeth could not avoid saying, after a moment’s thought, ‘I am not.’
180:24
Lady Catherine seemed pleased.
180:27
‘And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?’
180:31
‘I will make no such promise.
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You have totally misunderstood my character if you think I can be persuaded by such threats.
180:40
I do not know whether your nephew would approve of your interference in his life,
180:45
but you certainly have no right to interfere in mine.’
180:48
‘To all the objections I have mentioned, I add one more.
180:53
I am aware of your younger sister’s elopement.
180:57
Is such a girl to be my nephew’s sister-in-law, and bring shame on the ancient name of Darcy?’
181:06
‘You can now have nothing more to say,’ Elizabeth said coldly.
181:11
‘You have insulted me in every possible way.’
181:15
She rose, and started walking back to the house.
181:18
Lady Catherine also rose, and walked with her.
181:21
‘Unfeeling, selfish girl! So you are determined to have him?’
181:26
‘I have not said that.
181:28
I am only determined to do what in my opinion will bring me happiness, without reference to you.’
181:36
‘Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that you will ever achieve your ambition.’
181:41
When they arrived at her carriage, she added, ‘I send no compliments to your mother.
181:46
You do not deserve such politeness.
181:49
I am most seriously displeased.’
181:55
Elizabeth did not answer, and entered the house, while Lady Catherine drove away in her carriage.
182:02
She had to tell a little lie to her mother to explain Lady Catherine’s unexpected visit and speedy departure,
182:09
and then she shut herself in her room to consider what it all meant.
182:14
Perhaps the Collinses had imagined, after the news of Jane’s engagement to Bingley, that Darcy might marry her.
182:22
They must have told Lady Catherine,
182:25
who had made a special journey to Longbourn in order to break off this supposed engagement.
182:31
Elizabeth began to feel depressed.
182:34
If, as seemed likely, Lady Catherine now went straight to London to talk to her nephew,
182:40
she might easily convince him of the inferiority of Elizabeth’s social position.
182:46
He would probably feel that his aunt’s objections,
182:49
which to Elizabeth appeared laughably weak, contained much common sense.
182:55
In that case he might make up his mind not to marry her under any circumstances,
183:01
and to keep away from Longbourn altogether.
183:05
The next morning Mr Bennet called Elizabeth into the library.
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In his hand he had a letter, which he had just received.
183:14
‘Lizzy, I did not know I had two daughters about to be married.
183:19
I congratulate you on a very important conquest.’
183:23
Elizabeth blushed, thinking that Darcy himself had written.
183:27
‘You seem to know what I mean, but I think even you will not be able to guess your admirer’s name.
183:33
This letter is from Mr Collins, and he first congratulates me on Jane’s engagement,
183:40
of which the gossiping Lucases have told him.
183:43
Apparently the Lucases also think that my daughter Elizabeth might soon be marrying
183:48
one of the great gentlemen in the country – Mr Darcy, in fact!
183:53
Now, Lizzy, I think I have surprised you.
183:56
Could he have chosen anyone we know as a more unlikely husband for you?
184:01
Mr Darcy, who never praises, only criticizes women, and who probably never looked at you in his life!
184:08
What an admirable choice!’
184:11
Elizabeth tried to share her father’s amusement, but had never appreciated his humour so little.
184:17
‘He goes on to say that when he dutifully gave this news to her ladyship, she made many objections,
184:23
and stated that she would never agree to the marriage.
184:26
He kindly gives us this information, he says, to prevent his cousin Elizabeth and her admirer
184:32
from rushing into a marriage not approved by their families.
184:35
Well, Lizzy! What do you think of that?
184:38
I do enjoy Mr Collins’ letters.
184:41
And I am delighted the Lucases thought of Mr Darcy.
184:45
His perfect indifference to you, and your strong dislike of him, make it so extremely amusing. Don’t you agree?’
184:54
Elizabeth had great difficulty in pretending to be amused by the letter.
184:58
It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried.
185:03
Her father had most cruelly hurt her by speaking of Darcy’s indifference,
185:08
and she began to wonder whether perhaps, instead of his seeing too little, she might have imagined too much.
185:14
In spite of Elizabeth’s doubts, however, Mr Darcy returned to Netherfield a few days later,
185:20
and he and Mr Bingley came to Longbourn soon afterwards.
185:24
Bingley suggested they should all go for a walk,
185:27
and while he and Jane concentrated on their own private conversation, some distance away,
185:32
Elizabeth found herself alone with Mr Darcy.
185:36
Taking a deep breath, she said bravely,
185:40
‘Mr Darcy, I can no longer stop myself from thanking you for your extraordinary kindness to my poor sister.
185:49
If the rest of my family knew of it, they would add their grateful thanks to mine.’
185:55
‘I had hoped to keep it a secret,’ he answered, ‘but if you must thank me, let it be for yourself alone.
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I shall not attempt to deny that wishing to give happiness to you was one of my reasons for helping your sister.
186:11
But your family owe me nothing.
186:14
Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you.’
186:19
Elizabeth was too embarrassed to say a word.
186:23
After a short pause he added, ‘You are too generous to play with my feelings.
186:30
If you still feel as you did last April, tell me so at once.
186:36
My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will prevent me from ever mentioning them again.’
186:45
Elizabeth forced herself to speak, and immediately, though hesitatingly,
186:52
gave him to understand that her feelings had changed so considerably since that time
186:58
that she was now grateful and pleased to accept his proposal.
187:03
When Darcy heard this, he was probably happier than he had ever been before,
187:09
and he expressed himself as warmly and sensibly as a man violently in love can.
187:16
They walked on, without noticing in which direction.
187:21
There was so much to be thought, and felt, and said.
187:25
She soon learnt that his aunt had indeed seen him in London, after her disappointing visit to Longbourn.
187:31
But unluckily for her ladyship, her critical comments and description of her conversation with Elizabeth
187:37
produced exactly the opposite result to what she had intended.
187:41
‘It taught me to hope,’ Darcy explained, ‘as I had hardly ever allowed myself to hope before.
187:49
I knew that if you had decided never to marry me, you would have admitted it to Lady Catherine openly and honestly.’
187:57
Elizabeth blushed and laughed as she replied,
188:00
‘Yes, you have experienced my honesty.
188:03
After scolding you so rudely to your face,
188:06
I was obviously quite capable of criticizing you to all your relations.’
188:11
‘I certainly deserved all your accusations.
188:14
As an only son, I was brought up to be selfish and proud, and to consider myself superior to others.
188:21
I would have continued like that if you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, had not taught me a lesson.
188:29
I owe you a great deal for that.’
188:31
‘And I, how soon I thought better of you, when I read the letter you sent me!
188:37
When I realized your description of events must be true, all my prejudices against you were removed!’
188:44
They talked of their unexpected meeting at Pemberley, which had renewed their interest in each other,
188:50
of Georgiana Darcy’s immediate liking for Elizabeth,
188:53
and of the engagement between Jane and Bingley.
188:57
‘I guessed,’ smiled Elizabeth, ‘that you had given your permission for their marriage.’
189:03
‘My permission! No!
189:05
But I must admit I confessed to Bingley that I had made a mistake in supposing that your sister was indifferent to him,
189:12
and I encouraged him to return to Netherfield to see if she still cared for him.
189:17
I am delighted to hear of their engagement.
189:19
He will be one of the happiest men in the world when he marries your sister.
189:24
Only I shall be happier than him, when I am fortunate enough to marry you.’
189:30
Their conversation continued in this way, until they suddenly became aware of the lateness of the hour.
189:37
They returned to Longbourn House, where they separated.
189:41
That evening Elizabeth could not help telling Jane her news.
189:46
However, she almost regretted doing so, when she saw the astonishment on Jane’s face.
189:52
At first Jane could not believe that her sister was engaged to a man she had so disliked,
189:57
and she wondered if Elizabeth could really be happy with him.
190:01
But when she had been convinced by Elizabeth’s explanations and promises, she was delighted,
190:06
and congratulated her sister with all her heart.
190:10
The next day Mr Darcy came to ask Mr Bennet officially for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage.
190:17
Mr Bennet also had to be persuaded that his favourite daughter could really be happy with such a proud, disdainful man.
190:26
Only Mrs Bennet did not need to be convinced,
190:29
although she was, most unusually, speechless with shock when she heard the news.
190:35
When she recovered a little, she cried,
190:37
‘My sweetest Lizzy! How rich you will be!
190:41
What jewels, what carriages you will have!
190:45
Mr Darcy! Such a charming man!
190:49
So handsome! So tall! I am so sorry I disliked him before.
190:55
Ten thousand a year! Oh, my dear Lizzy!’
191:00
During the weeks of her engagement,
191:03
Elizabeth was glad to see that all her family were beginning to appreciate Mr Darcy’s good qualities.
191:09
Determined to protect him from her mother’s overfamiliarity,
191:13
she was relieved to see that Mrs Bennet respected her future son-in-law too much to say more than a few words to him.
191:20
In spite of this, Elizabeth looked happily forward to the time when she and Darcy would leave Longbourn
191:27
and move to all the comfort and elegance of their own home at Pemberley.
191:32
Mrs Bennet was a happy mother indeed on the day when she got rid of her two most deserving daughters.
191:40
It may be guessed with what delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs Bingley and talked of Mrs Darcy.
191:48
Mr Bennet missed his second daughter very much, and greatly enjoyed going to Pemberley to visit her.
191:56
Mr Bingley and Jane stayed only a year at Netherfield,
192:00
before buying a large house in the north, only fifty kilometres from Pemberley.
192:05
In this way, the two sisters were permitted their dearest wish, and were able to visit each other frequently.
192:12
Mary was the only sister who remained at home, as Kitty spent most of her time with her two elder sisters,
192:19
which greatly improved her behaviour, character and intelligence.
192:24
Lydia and Wickham were always moving from one place to another in search of cheap rooms,
192:31
and always spending more than they should.
192:34
His affection for her soon became indifference, while hers for him lasted a little longer.
192:41
They were not too proud to ask Lydia’s sisters for financial help during every crisis,
192:47
and Elizabeth and Jane both sent them regular gifts of money to pay their bills.
192:54
Caroline Bingley was deeply offended by Darcy’s marriage,
192:59
but she did not show her bitterness,
193:01
and was always extremely polite to Elizabeth.
193:05
Georgiana Darcy, on the other hand, became greatly attached to Elizabeth, and had the highest opinion of her.
193:12
Lady Catherine, however, was so rude about Elizabeth to her nephew
193:16
that he broke off communication completely with her for a time.
193:20
In the end Elizabeth persuaded him to forgive his aunt,
193:24
who eventually forgot her pride enough to visit them at Pemberley.
193:28
There remained a close relationship between the Darcys and the Gardiners.
193:34
Darcy and Elizabeth were both warmly grateful to the two people who,
193:40
by inviting her to Derbyshire and taking her to visit Pemberley, had brought them together.