$Unique_ID{bob01245} $Pretitle{} $Title{Works of Jane Austen Pride And Prejudice: Chapters 48 - 61} $Subtitle{} $Author{Austen, Jane} $Affiliation{Instructor Of English, Rutgers University} $Subject{elizabeth darcy bennet wickham mrs lydia bingley lady jane says see pictures see figures } $Date{} $Log{See Elizabeth and Wickham Part*0124501.scf See Elizabeth Interrupts a Proposal*0124502.scf See Mrs. Bennet Spreads the News*0124503.scf See The Sisters Talk Through the Night*0124504.scf See Darcy Listens to Sir William Lucas*0124505.scf } Title: Works of Jane Austen Book: Pride and Prejudice Author: Austen, Jane Critic: Fitzpatrick, William J. Affiliation: Instructor Of English, Rutgers University Pride And Prejudice: Chapters 48 - 61 Chapter XLVIII The next morning Mr. Gardiner is off to London. His wife and children remain to comfort the Bennets. Every time Mrs. Bennet's sister, Mrs. Philips, comes from Meryton, she brings with her another story of Wickham's debts. There are dark rumors of his "seductions." He owes money to every tradesman in town. Elizabeth is more certain than ever that Lydia will never be married. Mr. Gardiner writes that Mr. Bennet has not yet found Wickham, but is still inquiring at the hotels in London. Mr. Gardiner says that he is writing Colonel Forster to attempt to discover any of Wickham's relations or connections who might be able to help. He asks Elizabeth if she knows if Wickham has any living relations. Elizabeth knows of none. Soon a letter from Mr. Collins to their father arrives. Jane, who had beth read it. Mr. Collins expresses his sympathies with the Bennet family. He says that Lydia's death would be a blessing as compared to what actually happened, and he laments that (as Charlotte has informed him) Lydia's behavior is a result of indulgence by her parents. He says that Lady Catherine and her daughter, whom he has told of the affair, also pity the Bennet family. This mistake by one daughter will affect all; for who, said Lady Catherine, would "connect themselves with such a family. "Mr. Collins concludes with an expression of his great satisfaction that things happened as they did last November (Elizabeth had turned him down); otherwise, he himself might now be involved in the Bennet disgrace. He advises Mr. Bennet to turn his back completely on his unworthy daughter. Mr. Gardiner writes again to report that Colonel Forster could discover no relations or special friends of Wickham. It turns out, furthermore, that Wickham has also large gambling debts at Brighton, perhaps more than a thousand pounds. He says that he has persuaded Mr. Bennet to return home, leaving it to him to continue looking for Lydia and Wickham. Although Mrs. Bennet had expressed fears for her husband's life, she now expresses her dissatisfaction at his return without Lydia and without fighting Wickham to make him marry her. Mrs. Gardiner leaves for London the same day that Mr. Bennet arrives. When Mr. Bennet returns he tells Elizabeth that he is responsible for what has happened. He recalls that last May she advised him not to permit Lydia's going to Brighton. When Kitty says that she would behave better should she go to Brighton, Mr. Bennet answers that he has learned his lesson, that no officer shall set foot in this house again. Comment: Although the wit, humor, and intelligence of Elizabeth's father make him one of the more attractive characters in the book, it will be noted that, having made an imprudent marriage, he has failed in his obligations as a father. (See Chapters XXXVII and XLII.) In this chapter, he, like Elizabeth and Darcy, arrives at a moment of self-knowledge -when he must recognize and confess his faults of character. Chapter XLIX Two days later, Jane and Elizabeth are informed that a special delivery letter has come from Mr. Gardiner. The girls find their father walking on the lawn. He gives the letter to Elizabeth to read aloud. Mr. Gardiner writes that he has found Lydia and Wickham in London, that they are not married, and that Wickham had had no intention of marrying. But Mr. Gardiner arranged a settlement. Wickham will marry Lydia on the condition that she be willed one thousand of the five thousand pounds that will be divided among the five girls on Mr. Bennet's death, and that he agree to give Lydia 100 pounds per year while he lives. There is money available that will pay Wickham's debts, plus some left over. If Mr. Bennet sends Mr. Gardiner full authority to act in his name, the matter will be quickly settled. Lydia is coming to stay with the Gardiners until she is married. Since Lydia must marry, Mr. Bennet agrees with his daughters that there is nothing else to do but agree to the terms. He wonders, however, how much money Mr. Gardiner has already spent, for he cannot believe that Wickham is marrying Lydia merely for the sums mentioned. Mr. Bennet says that he would not want his prospective son-in-law to take his daughter for so little. He worries about how he can repay Mr. Gardiner for what he has spent out of his own pocket in order to induce Wickham to agree to a settlement. Elizabeth wonders at the strange position that they are all in: they must be grateful that Lydia is to enter upon such a marriage with so small a chance of happiness. Jane, of course, is beginning to think somewhat better of Wickham already. But Elizabeth (more sensibly) replies that no one can ever forget the way Lydia and Wickham have acted. Their father goes off to write a reply to Mr. Gardiner, and the girls go to tell their mother the news. Mrs. Bennet is delighted to hear that Lydia will be married. All feelings of disgrace have vanished. She can talk only of "dear Wickham" and Lydia's wedding clothes. When she is told that Mr. Gardiner probably has promised to help Wickham with money, her mother replies that this is only right. She says that she must be off to Meryton to see her sister, Mrs. Philips, and to spread the news among Lady Lucas and other neighbors. Upset at the sight of her mother's behavior, Elizabeth retires to her room. She sees no chance of rational happiness for her sister, who has made a bad bargain, which could have turned out much worse. Comment: Today's reader might wonder at the Bennets's conceiving no sensible alternative for Lydia but to marry the man with whom she has run away. But to Jane Austen's readers, this was the only respectable outcome. A worthwhile gentleman of the middle class would not consider marrying a girl who had run off with another man. The only way she can in some measure be restored to good society is by marrying the man who seduced her. Otherwise, she will end up an old maid, or marry someone beneath her. (See the comment about "irremediable infamy" in Chapter XLIII.) Chapter L Mr. Bennet regrets that he has not saved some of his annual income for his children. When first married, he expected a son who would inherit his estate. But now (as settled in the marriage agreement) he will leave only five thousand pounds to Mrs. Bennet and her daughters. Mr. Bennet writes to his brother-in-law expressing his approval of the arrangements. He is relieved that he has not had to bother very much with the arrangements. Mrs. Bennet continues triumphantly and shamelessly to think of her daughter's coming marriage, and - without thought to what they would be able to afford - she searches through the neighborhood for a house for Lydia and Wickham. Her enthusiasm is soon dampened, however, by Mr. Bennet's declaration that he will never receive his daughter and son-in-law into his house and that he will not give Lydia any money to buy clothes. Elizabeth is sorry that she told Mr. Darcy about what happened to Lydia - although, under any conditions, she reflects, Mr. Darcy would never marry into a family that included Wickham, for whom he had just enmity. Thus, Elizabeth could not hope that the interest in her that Darcy had begun to show in Derbyshire could possibly survive. She now sees that Darcy's personality is exactly suited to hers. Theirs would have been a model marriage. But the marriage between Lydia and Wickham is the final blow. Mr. Gardiner writes to Mr. Bennet not to mention again what has been spent for Lydia and Wickham. He says that Wickham is quitting the militia and obtaining a commission in the regular army in a regiment now quartered in the North of England. His creditors in Brighton have been promised satisfaction and those in Meryton will receive the same speedy payment. He says that Lydia would like to visit her family before going on to Newcastle. Mr. Bennet and his daughters are glad that Wickham is going to a part of the country where he is unknown. But Mrs. Bennet is sorry to see her daughter so far removed. Jane and Elizabeth prevail on their father to agree to receive Lydia and Wickham into his home before they depart for the North. Mrs. Bennet looks forward to showing off her married daughter in the neighborhood. Chapter LI Lydia and Wickham are married. The same evening they arrive for dinner at Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet rapturously welcomes her daughter and son-in-law. But Mr. Bennet receives them coolly. Elizabeth and Jane are shocked at the unashamed demeanor of the married pair. Lydia asks if everyone in the vicinity knows that she was married that day. Later she says she is sure that all her sisters envy her. They must all go to Brighton: "that is the place to get husbands." She promises to get husbands for her sisters before the winter is over. Disgusted, Elizabeth replies that she does not like Lydia's way of getting husbands. Lydia does not hesitate to talk in detail about her marriage. Elizabeth notices that Wickham's affection for Lydia is less than hers for him. Mrs. Bennet (thrilled that she has a daughter married and without a thought of the disgrace) goes visiting with her daughter. Lydia happens to mention that Mr. Darcy was in London with Wickham. When questioned by Elizabeth and Jane, she hastily says she was not supposed to reveal this secret. Elizabeth is overcome with curiosity that Darcy had been at her sister's wedding. This was the last thing that could have been expected. She writes hastily to her aunt requesting an explanation of what happened. She adds that she is determined to find out the truth one way or another. Chapter LII Mrs. Gardiner replies to her niece's letter right away. She writes that she and Mr. Gardiner had fully believed that Elizabeth knew what Darcy was doing. (The Gardiners probably suspected that Elizabeth and Darcy were very close and that they had planned what Mr. Darcy would do in London.) Otherwise, Mr. Gardiner would not have permitted Mr. Darcy to have done what he did. Nevertheless, she goes on to explain to Elizabeth what had happened. After Mr. Gardiner arrived in London, Darcy called and informed him that he had found and talked to Lydia and Wickham. Apparently, he had left Derbyshire for London, only the day after Elizabeth and the Gardiners. Darcy explained that he felt that it was because of him that Wickham's worthlessness had not been made known. His mistaken pride had made him reluctant to have his own affairs known. Therefore, he considered it his duty to remedy what had happened. Mr. Darcy had found out from Mrs. Younge, who had been Miss Darcy's governess (see Chapter XXXV) and who knew Wickham well, where he was staying. He tried to get Lydia to leave Wickham immediately, but she refused. Darcy then tried to get them married as quickly as possible. Wickham had not intended to marry a girl of such poor fortune. But, by promising to pay his debts (well more than a thousand pounds), by giving him another thousand, and by purchasing for him a commission in the regular army, Darcy was able to persuade Wickham to agree to the marriage. Darcy next insisted to Mr. Gardiner that he (Darcy) bear all the expenses himself - though the Bennet family was not supposed to know. Finally, Darcy returned to London for the wedding and the final settlement of the money matters. Mrs. Gardiner doubts that Darcy did all this only because he thought it his fault that Wickham's character had not been properly understood. She asserts that her husband would never have agreed to have him take charge of everything if they had not suspected that he had another motive. She writes how much she likes Mr. Darcy, who has continued to treat the Gardiners with cordial respect. She looks forward to his marrying "prudently" and jokingly asks her niece not to exclude her from Pemberley. Her aunt's letter confuses Elizabeth. Since hearing from Lydia that Darcy had been at her wedding, she dimly suspected something like the truth. She painfully thinks of Darcy's humiliation at having to meet and bargain with a man whom he despises. But the hope that he had done it for her is soon checked by the thought of how abhorrent it would be for Darcy to become the brother-in-law of Wickham! She deeply regrets every harsh thought she had for Darcy, and is proud that out of compassion and a sense of responsibility he has gotten the better of his own pride. Wickham now comes upon Elizabeth and asks her if she saw the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, when she was at Pemberley. Elizabeth answers that she had told her that Wickham had not turned out well. He asks Elizabeth if she liked Darcy's sister and she replies that she does very much. When Wickham raises the subject of his "lost" career, she says she has heard the truth about old Darcy's will and Wickham's renouncing the opportunity to enter the church. As they part, Elizabeth generously asks that now that they are in the one family, they forget about the past. [See Elizabeth and Wickham Part: Elizabeth: 'Come, Mr. Wickham, we are brother and sister, you know.' She held out her hand: he kissed it with affectionate gallantry.] Comment: The Gardiners can believe that Darcy intends to marry their niece because Elizabeth has told them nothing of what happened at Hunsford (Chapter XXXIV), nor of Wickham's near-elopement with Georgiana. Thus, they do not see how Darcy (who believes that Elizabeth kept silent about Wickham out of consideration for his sister's reputation) can hold himself responsible. However, their interpretation of Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth proves accurate. Chapter LIII Happy to accept Elizabeth's offer, Wickham never again mentions this subject to Elizabeth. He and Lydia soon depart for his reginment in Newcastle. Mr. Bennet says that Wickham is a fine fellow and that he is extremely proud of such a valuable son-in-law. (There have been students who failed to see the irony in Mr. Bennet's remarks.) The Bennets hear that Mr. Bingley is to arrive at Netherfield in a day or two. Mrs. Bennet immediately resumes the plans she laid when our story opened. This time, however, Mr. Bennet denies her request to call on Bingley. Annoyed by her mother's talk about ensnaring Bingley, Jane tells Elizabeth that no one can know "how much I suffer from what she says." (Jane's remark is more significant than she thinks. Elizabeth and the reader realize, as Jane cannot, how much her mother's brash vulgarity has cost her.) Jane is obviously excited by the news. Elizabeth wonders if Mr. Darcy has given Bingley permission to come. On the third morning after his arrival, Bingley, accompanied by Darcy, comes to call on the Bennets. Although everyone but Elizabesh is annoyed that Darcy is with him, they all are excited that Bingley should take the initiative in calling. Elizabeth is astonished and happy at Darcy's coming to see her at Longbourn, but resolves to observe his behavior before encouraging her own hopes. She notices how pleased Jane and Bingley are to be in each other's company. But Darcy says scarcely anything to Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet embarrasses her daughters by asking Bingley if he had seen notice of Lydia's marriage. Her cool reception of Darcy, to whom she unknowingly owes "the preservation of her favorite daughter from irremediable infamy," and her exaggerated attentions to Bingley, pain Elizabeth. The gentlemen leave after accepting an invitation to dine with the Bennets in a few days. Chapter LIV Elizabeth is surprised and annoyed at Darcy's silence, his apparent indifference during the visit. Does he care for her or does he not? She resolves to think no more about that "teasing" man. Bingley and Darcy come to dine with the Bennets at Longbourn. Bingley takes his seat beside Jane. But Darcy does not sit anywhere near Elizabeth. Disturbed at Darcy's avoiding her all evening, she concludes that since she had once refused him, he will never suffer the indignity of making another proposal. Elizabeth observes - that Bingley is evidently very much attracted to her sister. Although Jane claims that she has no romantic interest in him, Elizabeth shows that she does not believe her. And Mrs. Bennet is convinced that she will get Bingley at last. Chapter LV With Darcy in London, Bingley comes alone to dine with the Bennets. In the evening, Mrs. Bennet exerts herself to keep Jane and Bingley by themselves. At one point, misunderstanding her mother's crude signals, Kitty innocently asks why she keeps winking at her. Elizabeth and Jane try to resist their mother's stupid and obvious efforts, but though she at last succeeds in isolating the pair, Bingley disappoints her. However, Elizabeth is now sure that Bingley is going to propose. The next morning he comes to hunt game birds with Mr. Bennet on his property. Mr. Bennet enjoys Bingley's company that day. After dinner, when Elizabeth comes upon Bingley and Jane standing together talking earnestly, they both look embarrassed. Bingley suddenly leaves the room whereupon Jane tells, her sister that Bingley has proposed. He has gone to ask her father for her hand. Elizabeth smiles at the ease with which this romance, which has been in suspense almost a year, is finally settled. The whole family is aglow with happiness. Mr. Bennet teases them about their amiable dispositions by saying that every servant will cheat them. [See Elizabeth Interrupts a Proposal: Elizabeth perceived her sister and Bingley standing together.] Bingley is now a daily visitor. He tells Jane that he was ignorant of her being in London last Spring. It must have been his sisters' doing, she says to Elizabeth. Jane also finds out that when Bingley left Netherfield for London last November, he really loved her; but because he thought that she was indifferent, he did not return. Jane wishes that Elizabeth could be as happy as she is. Lizzy replies that she may be lucky enough to meet another Mr. Collins in time. Mrs. Bennet proudly announces the news to her sister, Mrs. Philips, who spreads the word all over Meryton. Jane's good fortune makes the townspeople forget Lydia's disgrace. [See Mrs. Bennet Spreads the News: Mrs. Bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Philips.] Comment: Mrs. Bennet's reactions to the news of Jane's engagement and Lydia's are not substantially different. Her moral and intellectual dullness, her almost willful superficiality, are nowhere more clearly manifest. Chapter LVI About a week after Jane's engagement, the Bennets are amazed to see Lady Catherine de Bourgh at their door. Despite the fact that Mrs. Bennet is much impressed at her high importance, Lady Catherine is "more than usually ungracious." She abruptly asks Elizabeth to walk out with her alone on the lawn. Speaking to her rudely and in angry tones, Lady Catherine tells Elizabeth that she has heard that she is to marry her nephew, Mr. Darcy. Although she claims to disbelieve this report, Lady Catherine demands that Elizabeth tell her that it is not true. Offended by her abusive remarks, Elizabeth answers her sharply and ambiguously. When Lady Catherine asks if her nephew has made her an offer of marriage, Elizabeth says, "Your Ladyship has declared it to be impossible." When lady Catherine says that she is entitled to know all of Darcy's concerns, Elizabeth retorts that she is not entitled to know hers. When Lady Catherine announces that Darcy is engaged to her daughter, Elizabeth comments that she has no reason, then, to fear that he will make an offer to her. Lady Catherine explains that Darcy has made no proposal; rather, her daughter and he are "intended" for each other. Their marriage will not be prevented by a "young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world." Elizabeth defiantly replies that she is a gentleman's daughter. But Lady Catherine rebuts her with objections to her mother's side of the family (Lizzy's uncles and aunt's in trade). Elizabeth says that Lady Catherine de Bourgh's intentions for her daughter do not interest her. Lady Catherine then accuses Elizabeth of being ungrateful for her attentions last spring. Although Elizabeth finally admits that she is not engaged to Darcy, she refuses to make Lady Catherine a promise never to become so. And she tells her that she has no right to concern herself with her affairs. Lady Catherine says that Pemberley would be "polluted" if Darcy were to have such a girl as Lydia for his sister-in-law. Furious at her insults, Elizabeth tells Lady Catherine that there is nothing more to say. Lady Catherine goes directly to her carriage. Elizabeth returns to the house to hear her mother say how polite it was for Lady Catherine to call. "I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you, Lizzy?" Elizabeth admits that she did not. Comment: We see in Lady Catherine's crude assault on Elizabeth an extreme form of the very same objections that once were so important to Darcy (see Chapter XXXIV). Her ugly pride strips her arguments of whatever merit they might (under other conditions) possess (see Chapter XXXV). The reader will recall that his aunt's rudeness helps to teach Darcy to make allowance for individual differences (see Chapters XXIX and XXXI). Elizabeth's personal merit comes to outweigh the liabilities of her objectionable relations; and all of Lady Catherine's wealth and rank are unable to atone for her "poor breeding." Of course, the loss to her daughter may be Lady Catherine's underlying concern. And Elizabeth's hopes for Darcy may help to account for her initially ambiguous responses. Chapter LVII For many hours afterward Elizabeth continues to think of Lady Catherine's visit. The sole purpose of her journey from Rosings appears to have been to break off her supposed engagement with Darcy. Elizabeth thinks that the announcement of Jane's engagement to Bingley was enough to suggest that she would soon marry his friend. She fears that Lady Catherine's arguments would certainly appeal to Darcy's sense of pride and dignity. Elizabeth decides that if Darcy does not keep his promise to return to Bingley at Netherfield, then she must give up hope for him. If he gives her up now when he can have her, she thinks, "I shall soon cease to regret him at all." The next morning Mr. Bennet tells Elizabeth that he has received a letter revealing her engagement. Elizabeth thinks that the letter may be from Darcy, but it is from Mr. Collins. In it he wishes to warn against what Lady Catherine de Bourgh called a "disgraceful match." He urges caution in a marriage that has not been "properly sanctioned." Collins goes on to say that although he is glad that Lydia's affair has been resolved, he disapproves of Mr. Bennet's having received the couple into his home. This was an encouragement of vice! Her father remarks that Darcy is the least probable of men for Elizabeth, who, as everyone knows, dislikes him very much. Mr. Bennet enjoys his cousin's mistaken notions and says that he values him even more than his impudent and hypocritical son-in-law. Elizabeth is confused, embarrassed, and annoyed. Comment: Once Elizabeth gains insight into her own pride and prejudice (see Chapter XXXVI) the reader no longer can enjoy the ironic suspense of the discrepancy between her mistaken interpretations of Darcy and Wickham and the true order of emotions and events. Elizabeth is no longer really an ironic figure after her moment of self-revelation. There remains only the "mechanical" problem of adjusting her relations with Darcy to her new honesty and insight. The author manages to maintain dramatic suspense, however, by means of new obstacles to their romance (Lydia's elopement, Lady Catherine, Elizabeth's various doubts about what Darcy will do, etc.). This scene (and a later one) with her father continues ironically to juxtapose Elizabeth's desires and expectations with her father's: she would be engaged; others think she is engaged; her father thinks she does not want this suitor; and in fact, she is not engaged. Chapter LVIII In a few days, Darcy is back at Netherfield and accompanies Bingley on a visit to the Bennets. Elizabeth, Jane, and Kitty go for a walk with the gentlemen. Darcy and Elizabeth soon find themselves alone, and Elizabeth, explaining that the secret was revealed by Lydia, takes the opportunity of thanking Darcy for his kindness to her. Darcy replies that he did everything for Elizabeth. He says that his affections and wishes are still what they were when he proposed last April. Elizabeth replies that her feelings have undergone a great change, and she now is happy to accept him. They go on to make mutual declarations of love. Darcy explains that they are indebted to his aunt who called on him in London, after she saw Elizabeth, in order to make him give her the satisfaction (which she had failed to get from Elizabeth) that there would be no engagement between them. Because Darcy knew that Elizabeth would have forthrightly acknowledged it if her feelings were the same as at the time of his proposal at Hunsford, this allowed him to hope for her affection. Each of the lovers acknowledges to the other his regret for past abuses. Darcy confesses how just were Elizabeth's charges against his manners and conduct, and how he was wounded by her first refusal. He recounts how, spoiled by his parents, he grew in pride and conceit. "You showed me how insufficient were all my pretentions to please a woman worthy of being pleased." Elizabeth explains how she gradually shed her former prejudices against him. They go on eagerly reviewing every detail of their relations. Darcy says that he had decided to help Lydia when he first heard the news in the Lambton Inn. He explains that during his and Bingley's two visits to the Bennets, he carefully observed Jane and became convinced of her regard for Bingley (that explains, perhaps, his ignoring Elizabeth). He tells how he then apologized to Bingley for his interference in his affairs and convinced him that he had been mistaken in supposing that Jane was indifferent to him. Elizabeth checks the impulse to tease Darcy about the ease with which he governs his friend. He has not yet learned to be laughed at. Chapter LIX That afternoon Elizabeth worries about how her family will receive the news that she is engaged to a man they all dislike. (How can she doubt her mother's reaction!) Jane is incredulous when she hears the news from her sister. (Elizabeth had never confided her change of heart to Jane). "Oh, Lizzy! Do anything rather than marry without affection." Finally Elizabeth convinces Jane of her love and receives her earnest congratulations. [See The Sisters Talk Through the Night: All was acknowledged, and half the night spent in conversation.] The next morning, when the men come to call, Mrs. Bennet tells Elizabeth to take Mr. Darcy "out of the way." She apologizes for having forced her to take a walk with that "disagreeable man," but it is necessary to get him out of Bingley's way. Darcy and Elizabeth decide that he will apply to her father for his consent and that she will inform her mother. That evening, Elizabeth fears that the news will make her father unhappy. Darcy returns from him and tells her to go to her father in his library. Mr. Bennet asks Elizabeth why she has accepted a man whom she has always hated (see Chapter XLVII). Now Elizabeth regrets that her earlier opinions had not been more reasonable and her explanations more moderate. Her father warns Elizabeth against marrying a man whom she does not respect and esteem, for she could never be happy with a man unless she looked up to him as a superior (he does not want his favorite daughter to make a mistake in life as he once did). Elizabeth takes pains to convince her father that her affection is not the "work of a day," but of many months. And he is at last happily reconciled to the match. Then Elizabeth explains what Darcy did for Lydia. Her father replies in his witty way that this will save him a great deal. If Mr. Gardiner had been responsible, Mr. Bennet would have paid him back, but Mr. Bennet is sure that a "violent young lover" will not accept repayment from him. As Elizabeth leaves the library, he tells her that if any young men come for Mary or Kitty, he is quite ready to receive them. Later, she breaks the news to her mother. After some initial confusion, Mrs. Bennet runs on happily about how rich Elizabeth will be. "Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! Tis as good as a Lord." The next day, Elizabeth is pleased to observe that her father is getting acquainted with Darcy and that her mother is too much in awe to speak much to him. Chapter LX Elizabeth playfully tries to make Darcy tell how he came to fall in love with her. She says that he was disgusted with women who were always "courting" him. She interested him because she was impertinent and uncivil to him. He replies that he admired her liveliness of mind. Elizabeth asks Darcy why he was so silent when he and Bingley came to call at the Bennets (see Chapters LIII and LIV). He says he was embarrassed and saw no encouragement from Elizabeth. She wonders if he would ever have spoken if he had been left to himself - if she had not thanked him for his kindness to Lydia. He asserts that what he had learned from Lady Catherine had given him hope and he at once resolved to declare himself to Elizabeth. Elizabeth comments that Lady Catherine should be happy because she has been so useful - "for she loves to be of use." Darcy and Elizabeth now go off to write their aunts of the news. Elizabeth writes to tell her aunt, who had supposed more than the truth, that now she is indeed going to marry Darcy. She invites the Gardiners to come to Pemberley for Christmas. Mr. Bennet answers Mr. Collins's letter by requesting congratulations on Elizabeth's engagement and recommending that Collins stand by Darcy rather than his aunt, for "he has more to give." Miss Bingley writes to Jane to offer her insincere congratulations. But Miss Darcy's letter is full of delight that Elizabeth is going to be her sister. Because Lady Catherine is so angry at her nephew's letter, the Collinses come to Lucas Lodge until the storm blows over. Charlotte is quite pleased about the match. Through all this, Darcy patiently bears the company of the obsequious Collins, the pretentious Sir William Lucas, the vulgar Mrs. Philips, and Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth looks forward eagerly to the time when she will be at Pemberley amid company of her own choosing. [See Darcy Listens to Sir William Lucas: He could even listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the country.] Chapter LXI The two sisters are married. Mrs. Bennet is proud to be able to talk to her friends about "Mrs. Bingley" and "Mrs. Darcy." Mr. Bennet misses Elizabeth very much but finds delight in visiting her often at Pemberley. After a year, Jane and Bingley escape from Mrs. Bennet and Meryton by buying an estate not thirty miles from Pemberley. The two sisters are frequently together. For the sake of Kitty's training and education, she spends most of her time with her two older sisters. Mary is the only daughter who remains at home. Lydia writes Mrs. Darcy for help in finding a better position for Wickham. Elizabeth does what she can to relieve the extravagant Wickhams out of her own private allowance. Although Darcy will never receive Wickham at Pemberley, he does assist him in his Army career. The Wickhams' marital affection does not last long. In order to retain visiting rights at Pemberley, Miss Bingley keeps up cordial relations with Elizabeth. Georgiana comes to live with her brother and sister-in-law, and she gets along very well with Elizabeth. After an angry rupture in their relations, Darcy and Lady Catherine are reconciled. "With the Gardiners, they were on the most intimate terms. Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude toward the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them." Comment: Thus, the book ends with the portrait of a marriage far different from the one we saw in Chapter 1.