Volume Three PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Visit to Pemberley

Volume Three PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Visit to Pemberley Chapter 43 P. 236: ‘The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking, elderly woman, much less fine, and more civil, than [Lizzy] had any notion of finding her. ’ “And of this place, ” thought she, “I might have been mistress!’ Elizabeth is realising how much she really turned down when she refused Mr Darcy’s proposal. However, she remembers that she would not have been able to invite her aunt and uncle over (why? ) if she was mistress of Pemberley. ‘This was a lucky recollection – it saved her from something like regret. ’ (p. 236) Her aunt sees a picture of Mr Wickham. The housekeeper says: “He is now gone into the army, but I am afraid he has turned out very wild. ” (p. 237) This reaffirms Darcy’s story about Mr Wickham. The housekeeper speaks very highly of Darcy. Elizabeth realises that her opinion of Darcy differed greatly. P. 238: ‘This was praise, of all others more extraordinary, most opposite to her ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man, had been her firmest opinion (prejudice). Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear more…’

P. 239: ‘Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw any thing of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men. ’ “Perhaps we might have been deceived” Lizzy continues to realise her prejudice against Mr Darcy The housekeeper takes them to see a larger painting of Mr Darcy: ‘…and as she stood before the canvas, on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its warmth and softened its impropriety of expression. ’ (p. 240) While walking across the gardens, Mr Darcy himself suddenly appears. ‘Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush, He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immoveable from the surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party…’ (p. 241) Elizabeth feels highly embarrassed at being found in Mr Darcy’s home. ‘Her coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the world! How strange it must appear to him!. . . ’ (p. 241)

‘And his behaviour, so strikingly altered, - what could it mean? That he should even speak to her was amazing! – but to speak to her with such civility, to enquire after her family! Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast did it offer to his last address in Rosing’s Park, when he put his letter into her hand! She knew not what to thinks, not how to account for it. ’ (p. 242) They walk through the grounds of Pemberley, and Darcy joins them again. He is very civil towards her aunt and uncle which surprises her. P. 245 - Darcy asks if he can introduce his sister to Elizabeth. She is surprised but happy. She is curious to know why he wants to introduce them, and ‘…it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of her. ’ Mr and Mrs Gardiner later discuss Darcy and are surprised at how civil he was towards them.

Chapter 44 Mr Darcy and his sister come to visit Elizabeth at the inn. Her aunt and uncle are amazed that he came so soon and think that Darcy must have a partiality for their niece. Elizabeth is nervous, but finds that Miss Darcy is very shy and not proud P. 249 - ‘Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. ’ Mr Bingley also arrives to visit Elizabeth She finds that Darcy is so polite and friendly Mr and Mrs Gardiner definitely think Darcy is interested in Lizzy: ‘Of the lady’s sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough. ’ (p. 249).

Elizabeth notices that Bingley does not seem to pay particular attention to Miss Darcy. She notices that Mr Darcy is so eager to please. P. 251: “Never…had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence, or unbending reserve as now. ” Before they leave, Miss Darcy invites Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle for dinner at Pemberley. Darcy: P. 252: “it was evident that he was very much in love with her. ”

Elizabeth finds she can’t stop thinking about Darcy P. 253: She feels gratitude – ‘gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough, to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. ’ “She respected, she esteemed, she felt a real interest in his welfare” The chapter ends with plans for Elizabeth and her aunt to go see Miss Darcy the next morning and Mr Gardiner to go fish with Mr Darcy.

Chapter 45 Elizabeth and her aunt go to Pemberley. Miss Darcy seems very shy and nervous Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst only give them a curtsy There is an awkward silence, but they manage to get a conversation going P. 256: “[Lizzy] expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room, she wished, she feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she should scarcely determine. ’ When Darcy appears, Lizzy tries to act perfectly easy. Caroline Bingley asks Lizzy about the militia and her family, and Lizzy notices the discomfort this causes Darcy and his sister. We learn that no one else knows about the intended elopement of Miss Darcy and Wickham other than Lizzy. As soon as Lizzy leaves, ‘Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticism on Elizabeth’s person, behaviour and dress. But Georgiana would not join her. ’ (p. 258)

Caroline addresses Mr Darcy, and he replies: “Yes…but that was only when I firs knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance. ” (p. 259) He leaves the room Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss everything about their visit, except Mr Darcy himself.

Chapter 46 Elizabeth receives a letter from Jane The letter is mostly about Lydia ‘that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham!’ She reads a second letter from Jane: ‘Imprudent as a marriage between Mr Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. ’ ‘Wickham never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all. ’

CHAPTER 47 Mr and Mrs Gardiner do not think Wickham can be guilty. Lizzy: “Not perhaps of neglecting his own interest. But of every other neglect I can believe him capable. ” –p. 268 “Wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He cannot afford to. ” Once again, Lizzy highlights her father’s inadequate involvement in his daughters’ upbringing: “…from my father’s behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in his family, that he would do as little…” p. 269

Chapter 47 Lizzy reveals to her aunt that she knows Wickham’s true character: “But Jane knows, as well as I do, what Wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word. That he has neither integrity not honour. That he is as false and deceiving, as he is insinuating. ” p. 270 “…but his lies about the whole Pemberley family are endless. ” p. 270 Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle leave Derbyshire Longbourn Mr Bennet has gone to London; Mrs Bennet ‘received them with tears and lamentations of regret. . ’ She believes the Forsters are to blame for neglecting Lydia “for she is not the kind of girl to do such a thing, if she had been well looked after”(p. 273)

Jane then tells Elizabeth everything she knows, and gives Elizabeth a letter that Lydia wrote – p. 276 Lizzy says: “Assistance is impossible; condolence, insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied. ” p. 278. She is concerned about how other people will talk about them.

CHAPTER 48 Mr Gardiner goes off to London to search for Wickham and Lydia; his wife and children remain at Longbourn. The tides have changed ‘All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man, who, but three months before, had been almost an angel of light. ’ (p. 279). Meryton used to think ill of Darcy and well of Wickham. This is now the other way around. ‘Every body declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world. Mr Collins sends a letter of sympathy (p. 281 -282). “The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison to this. ” “This false step in one daughter, will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others”

CHAPTER 48 We learnt that Wickham left debts behind him in Brighton of more than a thousand pounds. Mrs Gardiner leaves for London and Mr Bennet returns to Longbourn Mr Bennet says “No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how much I have been to blame. ” (p. 284) He ends off by saying to Kitty “I have at last learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it”(p. 284)

CHAPTER 49 Mr Bennet receives a letter from Mr Gardiner – p. 286 -287 Wickham and Lydia are not married yet, but there is hope that they soon will be. Somehow, Wickham’s debts will be paid and there will be some money left over. Mr Bennet says: “There are two things that I want very much to know: - one is, how much money your uncle has laid down, to bring it about; and the other, how I am ever to repay him. ” p. 287 “I mean, that no man in his sense, would marry Lydia on so slight a temptation as one hundred a-year during my life, and fifty after I am gone. ” Later, Jane and Lizzy tell their mother the news that Lydia is to be married. “The letter was read aloud. Mrs Bennet could hardly contain herself…her joy burst forth, and every following sentence added to its exuberance. ” p. 289

CHAPTER 50 Mr Bennet wishes that he had saved some of in income for better provision of his family, which would have meant that he would not now be indebted to Mr Gardiner. Mr Bennet writes to Mr Gardiner to thank him for helping them out. Later Mr Bennet says that he will not spend a guinea on clothes for Lydia. “He protested that she should receive from him no mark of affection whatever, on the occasion. Mrs Bennet could hardly comprehend it…” p. 294. Elizabeth begins to wish she had never mentioned this affair to Mr Darcy. Now that Lydia and Wickham are to be married, it is possible to ‘conceal its unfavourable beginning, from all those who were not immediately on the spot. ’ p. 295.

CHAPTER 50 She is not worried about Mr Darcy spreading the story, but she is mortified that he knows. She thinks that he would now never want to connect himself to a family that Wickham is connected to. ‘She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him; when it was no longer likely they should meet. ’ – p. 295

CHAPTER 50 P. 295: ‘She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes…’ Mr Gardiner sends another letter, telling them that Mr Wickham has decided to quit the Militia and rather join the regulars (fixed camps of soldiers that do not travel around England) Mr Bennet writes back to say that he will (reluctantly) welcome Lydia and Wickham to Longbourn before they travel to the North. They will come as soon as they are married.

CHAPTER 51 Lydia and Wickham visit Longbourn. Only Mrs Bennet is truly happy to see them. P. 298: ‘Their reception from Mr Bennet, to whom they then turned, was not quite so cordial…The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was enough to provoke him. Elizabeth was disgusted, and even Miss Bennet was shocked. Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy and fearless. ’ Lydia does not show any sympathy for the stress she has put her family through. She can’t wait to tell everyone in town that she is now ‘Mrs Wickham’ Lizzy observes that ‘Wickham’s affection for Lydia, was just what Elizabeth had expected to find; not equal to Lydia’s for him’ (p. 301).

CHAPTER 51 Lydia then tells Lizzy about her wedding (p. 301 -302) and, by mistake, reveals that Mr Darcy was at the wedding. Elizabeth is completely amazed and curious to know he came to be at their wedding. ‘Mr Darcy had been at her sister’s wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among people, where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to go. ’ Elizabeth immediately writes to her aunt asking her to explain Mr Darcy’s involvement.

CHAPTER 52 Elizabeth receives a reply from her aunt: Mr Darcy had left Derbyshire the day after Elizabeth, in order to hunt for Lydia and Wickham in London “The motive professed was his conviction of its being owing to himself that Wickham’s worthlessness had not been so well known…He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride. ” p. 305 He then visited Mr Gardiner He said that he had found where Lydia and Wickham were, and had talked to them both He managed to find them because he knew Mrs Younge, who was intimately acquainted with Wickham. After some days, Mrs Younge gave him the information he needed

CHAPTER 52 When he spoke to Lydia, he tried to convince her to return to her friends, but she refused to leave Lydia He then saw that he would have to arrange the marriage and also found out from Wickham that marrying Lydia had never been his design. Wickham was eventually planning to make his fortune by marriage in some other country. After several meetings, Darcy managed to convince Wickham to marry Lydia Darcy then had a meeting with Mr Gardiner and settled everything. “Nothing was to be done that he did not do himself” p. 306. Darcy attended the wedding, and Mrs Gardiner tells Lizzy: “Will you be very angry with me. . if I take this opportunity of saying (what I wa sn ever bold enough to say before) how much I like him

CHAPTER 52 Elizabeth does not know what to make of the letter. ‘He had done this for a girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem. Her heart did whisper, that he had done it for her. ’ ‘They owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, every thing to him. Oh! How heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him. ’ p. 309 Wickham interrupts her and they talk about her visit to Pemberley and the living he should have had in Kympton.

CHAPTER 53 Lydia and Wickham leave for the North News spreads that Mr Bingley is returning to Netherfield. Jane seems affected by it but she says she is fine. Mrs Bennet asks her husband to visit Mr Bingley when he arrives, but he says that he “will not be sent on a fool’s errand again” (p. 314) Mrs Bennet decides she will invite him to dinner. When Bingley arrives, Darcy has come with him, much to the Bennet’s surprise. ‘To Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she had refused, and whose merit she had undersvalued; but to [Elizabeth’s] own more extensive information, he was the person, to whom the whole family were indebted for the first of benefits, and whom she regarded herself with an interest…’ (p. 316)

CHAPTER 53 Mr Darcy does not say much and Elizabeth wonders why. ‘She was in no humour for conversation with any one but himself; and to him she had hardly courage to speak. ’ (p. 317) Mrs Bennet is, as usual, rude to Mr Darcy. She does not know what he has done for Lydia. It is clear that Bingley still admires Jane.

CHAPTER 54 They host a large party at Longbourn. Darcy is seated next to Mrs Bennet and Lizzy can’t bear to see how cold she is towards him. ‘Her mother’s ungraciousness, made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth’s mind; and she would, at times, have given any thing to be privileged to tell him that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the family. ’ She hopes that they’ll be able to talk to each other, and when he eventually approaches they only have a brief conversation (p. 322). Elizabeth is angry at herself for being so silly.

CHAPTER 55 Mr Bingley comes to visit several times by himself, and has a private appointment with Mr Bennet. After dinner, everyone leaves Jane and Bingley alone and Bingley proposes to Jane (p. 327) P. 329: ‘Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond competition her favourite child. At that moment, she cared for no other. ’ Mrs Bennet can’t wait to tell everyone her news. ‘The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune. ’ p. 331). Bingley later tells Jane that he never knew that she was in London and this makes her very happy (p. 330)

CHAPTER 56 Lady Catherine de Bourgh comes to visit Elizabeth at Longbourn, much to everyone’s surprise. Elizabeth and Lady Catherine go for a walk P. 334: “You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason of my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come. ’ ‘A report of a most alarming nature, reached me two days ago. I was told, that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr Darcy. ’ (p. 334) Lady Catherine wants Lizzy to deny that this report is true.

CHAPTER 56 If Elizabeth accepts Mr Darcy, Lady Catherine says that she would be a disgrace in their family: P. 336: “…for do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by every one connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us. ’ Lady Catherine says that her daughter and Mr Darcy are destined to each other – “their fortune on both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of every member of their respective houses; and what is to divide them? The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune. Is this to be endured!” (p. 337) Elizabeth says that she would not quit the sphere she was born in by marrying Mr Darcy – “He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal. ” (p. 337) Elizabeth refuses to agree with Lady Catherine and says she will not promise to never marry Mr Darcy.

CHAPTER 57 Elizabeth can’t stop thinking about Lady Catherine’s extraordinary visit, and she wonders what Mr Darcy will think about Lady Catherine’s intervention. Will it persuade him not to marry Lizzy? Later, Mr Bennet receives a letter from Mr Collins: “Your daughter Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the name of Bennet, after her elder sister has resigned it, and the chosen partner of her fate, may be reasonably looked up to, as one of the most illustrious personages in this land. ” (p. 342) “My motive for cautioning you, is as follows. We have reason to imagine that his aunt, lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not look on the match with a friendly eye. ”

CHAPTER 57 Mr Bennet finds much amusement in this situation; he does not realise that Lizzy actually cares for Mr Darcy. “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn? ” (p. 344) Lizzy keeps her feelings to herself. “Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said of Mr Darcy’s indifference, and she could do nothing but wonder at such a want of penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead of his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much. ” (p. 344).

CHAPTER 58 Bingley and Darcy come to visit the Bennets and Bingley suggests that they all go for a walk. Jane and Bingley walk together, and Darcy, Lizzy and Kitty walk together. Kitty leaves them to visit Maria Lucas and Lizzy takes the opportunity to talk to Mr Darcy alone. “I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not have merely my own gratitude to express. ” p. 346 Mr Darcy is sorry that Elizabeth knows. “I am sorry, exceedingly sorry. . . that you have been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. ” (p. 346) Darcy says: “If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone…But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe, I thought only of you. ”

CHAPTER 58 Mr Darcy then proposes for the second time: “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever. ” (p. 346) Elizabeth accepts his proposal: “gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his present assurances. ” (p. 347) Darcy tells her that Lady Catherine’s visit to her taught him to hope like he never had before. He says that her words have haunted him – “Your reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget: ‘had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner. ’ those were your words. You know not, you can scarcely conceive, how they have tortured me…”(p. 347)

CHAPTER 58 Darcy asked if she thought any better of him after she read his letter. ‘She explained what its effect on her had been, and how gradually all her former prejudices had been removed. ’ (p. 348) Darcy says, “I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son…I was spoilt by my parents…Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!” (p. 349) Later, Darcy tells her that he admitted everything to Mr Bingley about his interference with Bingley and Jane (p. 350).

CHAPTER 59 Elizabeth worries about what her family will say about her engagement to Mr Darcy: ‘She anticipated what would be felt in the family when her situation became known; she was aware that no one liked him but Jane; and feared that with the others it was a dislike which not all his fortune and consequence might do away. ’ (p. 352) Later, Lizzy tells Jane about it and Jane does not believe her. “Oh Lizzy! Do any thing rather than marry without affection. Are you quite sure that you feel what you ought to do? ” (p. 353) Lizzy then tells her everything, even about Darcy’s help with Lydia. ‘All was acknowledged, and half the night spent in conversation. ’ (p. 354)

CHAPTER 59 Darcy and Bingley arrive the next morning and Mrs Bennet can’t understand why Darcy has come again. They all go walking again, and Darcy and Lizzy agrees that they should ask for Mr Bennet’s consent. In the evening, Darcy talks to Mr Bennet. ‘She did not fear her father’s opposition, but he was going to be made unhappy, and that it should be through her means, that she, his favourite child, should be distressing him by her choice…’ (p. 355) Lizzy then goes to see her father. He says: “Lizzy, what are you doing? Are you out of your sense, to be accepting this man? Have you not always hated him? ”

CHAPTER 59 “I do like him” she replied, with tears in her eyes, “I love him. Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable. You do not know what he really is; then pray do not pain me by speaking of him in such terms. ” (p. 356. ) Eventually Mr Bennet agrees and says “I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to any one less worthy. ” (p. 356). Lizzy then tells him what Mr Darcy had done for Lydia. Later, Lizzy tells her mother that she is engaged to Mr Darcy. Her mother is at first silent, and then she can’t keep quiet. P. 357: “Good gracious! Lord bless me! Only think! Dear me! Mr Darcy!. . . Dear, dear Lizzy. A house in town! Everything that is charming! Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! oh, Lord! What will become of me. I shall go distracted!”

CHAPTER 60 Elizabeth asks Mr Darcy when he actually first fell in love with her. He says he can’t tell her exactly, “I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun” (p. 359) He says he admired her liveliness of mind He then writes a letter to Lady Catherine to tell her the news while Lizzy writes a reply to Mrs Gardiner’s letter. She says “I am the happiest creature in the world…I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh. ” (p. 361) Mr Bennet replies to Mr Collins’s letter. Soon Mr Collins and Charlotte arrive at Lucas Lodge in order to escape Lady Catherine’s anger about Darcy and Lizzy. Charlotte is relieved because she is so happy about the match.

CHAPTER 61 Mrs Bennet is so proud to have three daughters married Mr Bennet misses Elizabeth greatly and he goes often to visit her. ‘He delighted in going to Pemberley, especially when he was least expected’ (p. 364) Mr Bingley and Jane only stayed at Netherfield for another 12 months. ‘So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to his east temper. ’ Bingley buys an estate in Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth live within 30 miles of each other. Kitty spends most of her time with Jane or Elizabeth, ‘In society so superior to what she had generally known, her improvement was great. ’ (p. 364). My Bennet does not allow Kitty to accept Lydia’s invitations to visit her and attend balls. Mary was the only daughter who remained at home. She is no longer troubled by being compared to her sisters’ beauty and she begins to mix more with the world.

CHAPTER 61 ‘As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from the marriage of her sisters. ’ Lydia writes a letter of congratulations to Lizzy: “It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite enough money to live upon without some help. ’ Wickham and Lydia never settled – they were always moving and always spending more than they ought. ‘His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer. . ’ (p. 366) Darcy assists Wickham in his profession for Elizabeth’s sake. Miss Bingley was mortified by Darcy’s marriage. Georgiana lives at Pemberley and her and Lizzy become very close.

CHAPTER 61 Lady Catherine was very upset about Darcy’s marriage and sent him a rude letter, so rude that all communication temporarily ended. Eventually Lady Catherine comes to visit them. Darcy and Elizabeth always remain close to Mr and Mrs Gardiner ‘and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them. ’ (p. 367) FINIS