Pride and Prejudice Audiobook Chapters 1 to 6 Learn English Through Story
[Music]
pride and prejudice by jane austen
retold by claire west
[Music]
[Applause]
chapter one
the bennett’s new neighbor
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
and when such a man moves into a
neighborhood
even if nothing is known about his
feelings or opinions
this truth is so clear to the
surrounding families that they think of
him immediately as the future husband of
one or other of their daughters
my dear mr bennett said mrs bennett to
her husband one day
have you heard that someone is going to
rent netherfield park at last
no mrs bennett i haven’t said her
husband
don’t you want to know who is renting it
cried mrs bennett impatiently
you want to tell me
and i don’t mind listening
mrs bennett needed no further
encouragement
well my dear i hear that he’s a very
rich young man from the north of england
it seems he came to see netherfield on
monday and was so delighted with it that
he arranged to rent it at once
of course it is the finest house in the
area with the largest gardens
his servants will be here by the end of
the week and he will be arriving soon
afterwards
what is his name asked mr bennett
bingley
is he married or single
oh single my dear of course
a single man of large fortune he has an
income of four or five thousand pounds a
year how wonderful for our girls
why
how can it affect them mr bennett asked
my dear mr bennett she replied
how can you be so annoying you must
realize i’m thinking of his marrying one
of our daughters
is that his purpose in coming to the
area
his purpose
no of course not
but it’s very likely that he’ll fall in
love with one of them
and i want him to see the girls as soon
as possible before our other neighbors
introduce themselves so you must visit
him as soon as he arrives
i really don’t see why i should said mr
bennett
you and the girls can visit him
or perhaps you should send them by
themselves yes that might be better as
you’re as attractive as any of them and
mr bingley might like you best
my dare you flatter me replied his wife
i certainly have been called beautiful
in the past
but i think a woman with five adult
daughters should stop thinking of her
own beauty
mr bennett i beg you to visit him
you know it’s correct for the gentleman
of the family to visit new neighbors
first
i simply cannot take the girls to see
him unless you have already met him
surely you worry too much about the
rules of polite society
i’m sure mr bingley will be delighted to
see you all and i’ll write him a few
lines which you can give him agreeing
gladly to his marrying any of the girls
although i must especially recommend my
dear little lizzy oh no mr bennett cast
mrs bennett horrified please don’t do
that
and lizzy is no better than the others
although i know she is your favorite
our daughters are all very silly
ignorant girls it’s true
but at least lizzy is a little more
intelligent than her sisters
mr bennett how can you speak so unkindly
of your own children
oh dear how will i feel have you no pity
for me
don’t you realize how i suffer
indeed my dear
i’ve suffered with you for the last 23
years but i think you will recover and
live to see many more rich young men
come into the neighborhood
when he was young
mr bennett had made the mistake of
falling in love with a pretty but
foolish young woman
during the long years of their marriage
he had had time to regret his mistake
he soon realized that his wife had
little intelligence or common sense
and was only interested in talking
shopping
and finding husbands for her daughters
his experience had made him rather
bitter
and he could not stop himself mocking
his wife
who never understood her husband’s sense
of humor
so
when a week later mrs bennett discovered
that her husband had in fact visited mr
bingley at netherfield she was surprised
and very pleased
but she and her daughters tried in vain
to persuade mr bennett to describe the
wealthy stranger
and in the end they had to rely on
another neighbor’s description
he sounds wonderful mama cried lydia the
youngest and noisiest of the sisters
charlotte lucas’s father has been to see
him and says he’s quite young very
handsome and extremely charming
and even better he loves dancing
everybody knows that means he’s very
likely to fall in love
as politeness required
mr bingley came to visit mr bennett a
few days later
he was not however fortunate enough to
see the bennett girls
who were hiding behind the curtains in
an upstairs room in order to catch sight
of the handsome stranger
mrs bennett planned to invite him to
dinner
but in fact they met him at another
social event first
the bennetts lived in the small
hertfordshire village of longborne
and public dances were regularly held in
the nearest town meriton
the girls were greatly looking forward
to this particular dance
because they had heard that mr bingley
would be attending with a group of
friends from london
on the night of the dance
all eyes were on mr bingley as he
entered the room
he had brought his two sisters with the
husband of the elder mr hearst
and another young man
mr darcy
mr bingley was indeed good-looking and
gentleman-like and his sisters were fine
fashionable women
however
everybody was soon talking about mr
darcy
a tall handsome man who it was said had
an income of ten thousand pounds a year
the ladies in the room gazed at him in
admiration for about half the evening
until they became aware of his constant
frown
and his unwillingness to talk or dance
then there was general agreement that he
was proud and disagreeable and
considered himself superior to country
people
mr bingley on the other hand made
himself popular with the ladies by
dancing every dance and talking to
everybody
as there were not as many gentlemen as
ladies
elizabeth bennett did not have a partner
for one of the dances and was sitting
watching the dancing
mr darcy was standing near her and when
mr bingley came up to speak to his
friend elizabeth could not avoid hearing
their conversation
come darcy said bingley i hate to see
you looking so cross why don’t you dance
with one of these lovely girls
certainly not
replied darcy
you know how i hate dancing with a
partner i don’t know
i would particularly dislike it at a
village dance like this
apart from your sisters
there isn’t a woman in the room i would
even consider dancing with
you were dancing with the only
attractive girl here
he was looking at mrs bennett’s eldest
daughter jane who was waiting for
bingley to join her for the next dance
oh yes she’s the most beautiful creature
i’ve ever seen
but just behind you is one of her
sisters
she’s very pretty and i’m sure she’s
very pleasant my partner could introduce
you
who do you mean
and does he turn to look at elizabeth
for a moment
no
he said coldly
she’s not attractive enough to tempt me
go back to your partner bingley
this conversation did not endear mr
darcy to elizabeth
but she told the story very cheerfully
and amusingly to her friends
the evening passed very happily for
everybody else
and mrs bennett was delighted with the
effect her eldest daughter had had on mr
bingley
he danced with jane twice
she told her husband later he danced
with all the others only once
and he really is so handsome but his
friend mr darcy was so rude to poor
elizabeth luckily she doesn’t care
she wouldn’t want to please him such a
horrible proud man i simply hate him
when jane and elizabeth were alone they
discussed their dancing partners
i was really very flattered when mr
bingley asked me to dance a second time
said jane blushing i didn’t expect it at
all
didn’t you said elizabeth i did
dear jane you were five times prettier
than any other woman in the room but
you’re too modest ever to expect
admiration
i have to admit that i liked mr bingley
continued jane in her gentle voice
he’s so good-mannered and agreeable
he’s also handsome added her sister
which makes his character quite perfect
but what did you think of his sisters
very pleasant when you get to know them
the younger miss caroline bingley will
be living at netherfield with her
brother i’m sure we’ll enjoy having her
as a neighbor
elizabeth listened in silence she was
not convinced
jane is so kind she thought
always ready to see the good side of
people’s characters
i considered mr bingley’s sisters too
proud
almost rude in fact
i’m sure they feel superior to most
other people like mr darcy
but she did not say anymore
after the dance the bennett and bingley
families began to visit each other every
few days
it became evident that mr bingley
admired jane very much
and elizabeth knew that her sister was
close to falling in love with him
she was discussing this with her good
friend charlotte lucas one day
charlotte was a sensible intelligent
young woman of 27
the eldest daughter of sir william and
lady lucas who were neighbors of the
bennett family
it’s a good thing said elizabeth that if
jane is in love with mr bingley nobody
will know because she always behaves so
cheerfully and normally
but sometimes a mistake replied
charlotte shaking her head wisely
if she doesn’t show her feelings at all
even to the man she loves she may lose
the opportunity of catching him
jane should use every moment she gets
with bingley to attract and encourage
him
but i consider a man should try to
discover a woman’s feelings not wait for
her encouragement
and jane probably doesn’t know what her
real feelings for bingley are yet
she has only seen him a few times
not often enough to understand his
character or be sure that she really
loves him
well i wish jane’s success with all my
heart said charlotte finally
but i think she’d have as much chance of
happiness if she married him tomorrow as
if she studied his character for a whole
year
happiness in marriage is simply a
question of chance
i think it’s better to know as little as
possible about the person you’re going
to spend your life with
elizabeth laughed sure that charlotte
did not mean what she was saying
while observing mr bingley’s interest in
jane however
elizabeth had not noticed mr darcy’s
interest in herself
although at first he had not even
considered her pretty he now began to
realize what a beautiful expression her
dark eyes gave to her intelligent face
and what an attractive figure she had of
course
she is only an unfashionable village
girl he told himself but her
conversation is often quite amusing
whenever they met
he did not speak to her but stood near
her listening to her and watching her
closely conscious of a wish to know her
better
one evening at a party at the lucas’s
house
darcy was standing alone as usual away
from the other guests watching the
dancing
his host sir william came to speak to
him
mr darcy are you enjoying the dancing
sir what a delightful entertainment it
is
darcy frowned yes he said with cool
disdain
it’s something that any uneducated
person can be good at
i’m sure you’re good at dancing yourself
sir replied sir william cheerfully
look here’s miss elizabeth bennett
she was crossing the room at that moment
let me persuade you to dance with her
you cannot refuse to dance when so much
beauty is in front of you
indeed sir replied elizabeth quickly and
some embarrassment
i have no intention of dancing you must
excuse me
miss bennett please allow me the
pleasure of dancing with you said mr
darcy politely holding out his hand
but with equal politeness elizabeth
refused again and turned away
mr darcy was watching her walk away with
a slight smile on his face when caroline
bingley came up to him
mr darcy she said i’m sure i know what
you’re thinking how boring all these
silly little country people are
not at all miss bingley in fact
i was just thinking what pleasure a pair
of fine eyes can give
really and who do these fine eyes belong
to may i ask
miss elizabeth bennett
well
let me be the first to congratulate you
mr darcy when will the wedding be
ah
that’s what i expected you to say
a lady’s imagination jumps from
admiration to love to marriage in a
moment
well of course when you’re married you
will often have her charming mother and
sisters to stay how delightful for you
and miss bingley seeing that darcy
remained calm
continued to mock the bennett family as
amusingly as she could
chapter two
jane’s illness
mr bennett had a comfortable income of
two thousand a year and a pleasant house
in longborne
but unfortunately for his daughters
after his death all his property would
pass to a distant male relation
mrs bennett’s father had been a lawyer
and had only left his daughter a small
amount of money
she had a brother who owned shops in
london
and she also had a sister married to a
mr phillips
he had been her father’s clerk and now
carried on his late employers business
mr and mrs phillips lived in meriton
which was only a kilometer or so from
the village of longborne
it was the most convenient distance for
the bennett girls who were usually
tempted there three or four times a week
to visit their aunt or a dressmaker who
lived opposite
the youngest daughters kitty and lydia
were particularly regular visitors
their minds were more vacant than their
sisters and if no better entertainment
was available a walk to meriton always
provided some amusement as well as
interesting local news from their aunt
the latest news which delighted kitty
and lydia
was that the regiment which had recently
arrived in meriton was to stay there for
the whole winter
the two girls now visited their aunt
every day
and as mr phillips knew all the offices
kitty and lydia were soon introduced to
them
at home
they could talk of nothing but offices
in their handsome uniforms even mr
bingley’s fortune now seemed hardly
worth considering
after listening to their praise of the
officers one morning
mr bennett said coolly
from what i can see you must be two of
the silliest girls in the country
i’ve suspected it for some time but now
i’m convinced
kitty was embarrassed did not reply
but lydia the youngest continued to
express her admiration for a certain
captain carter with perfect indifference
i am very surprised my dear said mrs
bennett that you should be so ready to
think your own children silly as it
happens they are all very clever
that is the only point i think on which
we do not agree
i am afraid i must say that i consider
our two youngest daughters unusually
foolish
my dear mr bennett you mustn’t expect
such young girls to have the common
sense of their father or mother
i remember when i used to like a red
coat myself and indeed i still do
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
and i thought colonel foster looked very
handsome last night at sir williams in
his regimental uniform
just then a servant entered with a note
for jane which had come from netherfield
mrs bennett’s eyes shone with pleasure
and she called out eagerly while her
daughter was reading it well jane who is
it from what does he say tell us tell us
quickly my love
it’s from miss spingley said jane
she invites me to dinner at netherfield
as she and her sister are alone
it seems her brother and the gentleman
are having dinner with the offices in
meriton
with the officers cried lydia i wonder
why aunt phillips didn’t tell us that
having dinner in meriton repeated mrs
bennett shaking her head that’s very
unlucky
may i take the carriage ask jane
no my dear you better ride over there
because it looks likely to rain and then
you’ll have to stay the night
that would be a good plan said elizabeth
to her mother if you were sure they
wouldn’t offer to send her home in their
carriage
oh but they can’t the gentleman must
have taken mr bingley’s carriage to go
to meriton
i’d much rather go in the carriage jane
said but my dear your father can’t spare
the horses i’m sure they’re needed on
the farm aren’t they mr bennett
mr bennett finally agreed that they were
in fact being used that day in the
fields
so jane set out on her horse while her
mother called cheerfully after her i do
hope it’ll rain heavily my love
and jane had not been gone for long
before it rained hard
elizabeth was a little worried about her
sister but mrs bennett was delighted
what a good idea of mine that was she
said more than once extremely pleased
with herself
not until the next morning however did
she realize the full extent of her
success
after breakfast a servant from
netherfield arrived with a note from
jane to elizabeth explaining that jane
had caught cold on her wet ride and had
been invited to stay at netherfield
until she
recovered well my dear said mr bennett
if your daughter should become seriously
ill and die
it would be a comfort to know that she
died in a good cause and in obedience to
your orders
oh i’m not afraid of her dying people
don’t die of colds she’ll be looked
after well at netherfield as long as she
stays there everything will be all right
but elizabeth felt really anxious and
was determined to go to her sister
as the carriage was not available and
she was not keen on riding
she decided to walk the five kilometers
to netherfield
kitty and lydia accompanied her as far
as meriton where they went to visit one
of the office’s wives
elizabeth continued alone
crossing field after field and jumping
impatiently over streams in her anxiety
to see her sister
when she arrived at netherfield with
tired feet muddy stockings and a face
healthily pink with exercise she was
shown straight into the sitting room
the two sisters miss bingley and mrs
hurst could hardly believe that she had
come so far alone and on foot in such
bad weather
but they received her politely
their brother however was more than
polite
he was kind and considerate towards her
mr darcy said very little
hesitating between admiration of her
healthy good looks and doubt whether she
should have come such a distance alone
mr hearst said nothing at all as he was
thinking only of his breakfast
elizabeth was glad to be taken almost
immediately to her sister’s room where
she found jane delighted to see her but
very feverish and unwell
the doctor came and after examining his
patient advised that she should stay in
bed and take some medicine
elizabeth stayed with her all day
looking after her and the bingley
sisters also spent some time in the
patient’s room
however in the afternoon when it was
time for elizabeth to leave jane seemed
so upset that miss bingley was obliged
to invite elizabeth to stay at
netherfield for the present and a
servant was sent to longborne to inform
the bennett family and bring back some
clothes
that evening elizabeth went down to
dinner leaving jane in bed in her room
she noticed the bingley sister’s
apparent concern for jane changed to
indifference in a few moments
and knew she had been right to dislike
them at first sight
mr bingley indeed was the only one of
the group whose behavior she was
satisfied with
his anxiety for jane was evident
and his politeness towards herself most
pleasing
but the others she felt treated her as
an unwelcome guest
miss bingley was concentrating all her
attention on mr darcy
and mrs hearst also joined in their
conversation
while mr hurst was only interested in
eating drinking and playing cards
when elizabeth left the room after
dinner to see if jane needed anything
miss bingley at once began to criticize
her
what bad manner she has she’s both proud
and lacking in politeness to her
superiors she has no conversation no
elegance and no beauty
mrs hurst agreed and added she has no
good qualities except that she’s an
excellent walker i’ll never forget her
appearance this morning she really
looked almost wild
she did indeed louisa how silly of her
to come at all
why must she run around the countryside
just because her sister has a cold
her hair looked so untidy and her dress
simply covered in mud
i must say said bingley
i didn’t notice any of that
i thought she looked remarkably
attractive when she arrived this morning
you observed her wild appearance i’m
sure mr darcy said miss bingley and i
imagine you wouldn’t wish your sister to
make such a show of herself
certainly not
walking four or five kilometers whatever
it was up to her ankles in mud and alone
quite alone it seems to me to show a
dreadful sort of independence
a country girl’s indifference to what is
acceptable
i think it shows a very pleasing
affection for her sister said bingley
i’m afraid mr darcy whispered miss
bingley that this adventure has rather
lessened your admiration of her fine
eyes
not at all he replied
they were brightened by the exercise
after a short pause
mrs hurst began again
i have a great liking for jane bennett
she’s really a very sweet girl and i
wish with all my heart she were well
married but with such a father and
mother and with such vulgar relations
i’m afraid there’s no chance of it
i think the bennett girls have an uncle
who’s a lawyer in meriton
yes and they have another who owns shops
in cheapside
such a nice part of london
both the sisters laughed
if they had enough uncles to fill cheap
side cried bingley it wouldn’t make them
any less charming
but it must considerably lessen their
chances of marrying men of any position
in the world replied darcy
bingley did not answer but his sisters
agreed enthusiastically
and continued mocking their dear friends
vulgar relations for some time
late in the evening when elizabeth was
satisfied that jane was asleep she felt
she ought to go downstairs again
she found the party in the sitting room
playing cards
but although they invited her to join in
their game she refused politely and
picked up a book to read
i can fetch you more books to read if
you wish offered bingley but i’m afraid
i haven’t got a large library unlike you
i’m too lazy to spend much time reading
what a delightful library you have at
pemberley mr darcy said miss bingley and
what a beautiful house it is
charles when you buy your house i hope
it will be even half as lovely as
pemberley
i hope so too agreed bingley
and your dear sister mr darcy i expect
she’s grown since the spring i want so
much to see her again i’ve never met
anyone who delighted me so much such an
appearance such manners and so extremely
accomplished for her age
i’m always surprised said bingley to
find how very accomplished all young
ladies are how do they have the time and
patience to learn all these skills
certainly people use the word
accomplished too loosely said darcy
but i am far from agreeing with you
about ladies in general i cannot boast
of knowing more than six who are really
accomplished
then said elizabeth
your idea of an accomplished woman must
include a great many qualities
yes a great many
oh certainly
cried his faithful assistant miss
bingley an accomplished woman must have
a thorough knowledge of music singing
drawing dancing and modern languages
this a certain something in her manner
of walking in her voice and in her
behavior
all this she must possess added darcy
and something more solid
the improvement of her mind by wide
reading
i’m no longer surprised at your knowing
only six accomplished women said
elizabeth i rather wonder at your
knowing any
i’ve never seen such elegance and
intelligence and knowledge as you
describe in one woman
mrs hurst and miss bingley were both
protesting loudly that they knew many
women like this when mr hurst called
their attention back to the card game
as this meant an end to the conversation
elizabeth soon afterwards left the room
miss elizabeth bennett said miss bingley
to darcy is one of those women who tried
to appear attractive to men by
undervaluing other women i think that’s
a mean trick
it is true said darcy that there is
meanness in all the tricks used by
ladies to attract men
miss bingley was not satisfied enough
with this answer to continue the
conversation
the next morning elizabeth was glad to
be able to inform mr bingley and his
sisters that jane was very much better
in spite of this improvement however she
asked for her mother to be sent for as
she wanted mrs bennett’s opinion of
jane’s state of health
soon after breakfast therefore mrs
bennett accompanied by her two youngest
daughters reached
netherfield
elizabeth although relieved to hear that
her mother did not think jane’s illness
serious began to regret asking her to
come when she saw the bingley sisters
smiling at mrs bennett’s remarks
elizabeth blushed for her mother
who could not help showing her lack of
intelligence and common sense in
everything she said
kitty and lydia made an equally bad
impression
they had been whispering together when
suddenly lydia who was an attractive
confident well-grown girl of fifteen
pushed herself rudely forward
she begged mr bingley to hold a ball at
netherfield
with his usual politeness mr bingley
promised he would
but elizabeth saw his sisters exchanging
meaningful glances
she was quite glad when her mother and
sisters left
she and jane were to stay another night
at netherfield to allow jane to recover
completely
that evening elizabeth appeared again in
the sitting room
she could not avoid noticing how
frequently mr darcy’s eyes were fixed on
her
but as she felt sure that so great a man
could not possibly admire her she
assumed that when he looked at her he
was criticizing her in some way
this thought did not cause her any pain
as she liked him too little to care for
his approval
in the conversation she had with him she
spoke in her usual slightly mocking
manner rather expecting to offend him
but was surprised by the quiet
politeness of his replies
darcy had never before been so charmed
by any woman
he really believed that if she did not
have such vulgar relations he might be
in danger of falling in love with her
miss bingley saw or suspected enough to
be jealous
and her great anxiety for the recovery
of her dear friend jane was increased by
her wish to get rid of elizabeth
fortunately perhaps for almost everyone
at netherfield elizabeth and her sister
who was now quite recovered were
returning home the next day
only mr bingley showed real sorrow at
this
and was concerned that jane might not be
fit enough to travel
mr darcy was quite relieved and
determined that no sign of admiration
for elizabeth should escape him now
miss bingley’s politeness to elizabeth
as well as her affection for jane
increased rapidly as the moment of
departure approached
and she was able to say goodbye to them
with many warm expressions of
friendliness and a promise to visit them
very
soon mr bennett was glad to welcome his
eldest daughters home again as he had
felt their absence from the family
circle but mrs bennett who had hoped
they would stay much longer
was quite disappointed to see them come
back in such a short time
chapter 3
mr collins visits longbourne
i hope my dear
said mr bennett to his wife at breakfast
the next morning that you have told the
cook to send up a good dinner today as i
am expecting a visitor
who is it my dear i know of nobody who
is coming unless charlotte lucas happens
to call in and i hope my dinners are
good enough for her
the person i’m talking about is a
gentleman and a stranger
mrs bennett’s eyes shone with excitement
it’s mr bingley i’m sure
why jane you never mentioned it
well i’ll be extremely glad to see him
lydia my love ring the bell i must speak
to the cook at once it is not mr bingley
said her husband
it’s a person whom i have never seen
before
this caused general astonishment
and he had the pleasure of being eagerly
questioned by his wife and five
daughters all at the same time
having amused himself for some time with
their curiosity he finally explained
i have recently received a letter from
my cousin mr collins who as you know
will inherit all my property when i die
and may throw you out of this house as
soon as he wants oh my dear cried his
wife please don’t mention that hateful
man it’s the hardest thing in the world
to accept the fact that your property is
not left to your own children
and i’m sure if i were you i’d have
tried to do something about it
jane and elizabeth tried to explain the
legal situation to her again
they had often attempted to do this
before
but it was a matter which mrs bennett
refused to understand and she continued
to complain bitterly about mr collins
it certainly is most unjust agreed mr
bennett and nothing can clear mr collins
from the guilt of inheriting this house
but if you listen while i read his
letter to you you may perhaps be a
little softened by his manner of
expressing himself
he read aloud the following letter
dear sir
the disagreement between you and my late
respected father always worried me
and since his death i have frequently
wished to improve the relationship
between our
families after a long period of study
and training i have recently become a
priest and have been fortunate enough to
gain the patronage of lady catherine de
burr widow of sir luis de beau
this generous lady has given me the post
of rector at huntsford which was luckily
vacant
huntsford is the village near her own
large country house in kent
here i carry out the duties of my
profession whenever necessary and i take
great care to behave at all times with
grateful respect towards her leadership
as a priest moreover i feel it my duty
to encourage all families in my area of
influence to live peacefully
because of this i flatter myself that i
am acting correctly in offering you my
friendship
i am of course concerned that when i
eventually inherit all your property
your daughters will doubtless be very
poor and i do apologize for this i
promise you i am ready to make amends in
every possible way
but more about this later
if you do not object i propose to visit
you and your family on monday november
the 18th at four o’clock
and she’ll probably stay until the
following saturday week
this will cause me no inconvenience at
all as lady catherine is far from
objecting to my occasional absence from
my duties
i remain dear sir with respectful good
wishes to your lady and your daughters
your friend william collins
so we can expect this peacemaking
gentleman at four o’clock today said mr
bennett as he folded up the letter he
appears to be a most polite and serious
young man
how considerate of lady catherine to
allow him to visit us
well if he is ready to make amends to
the girls in some way i shall certainly
not discourage him said mrs bennett
although it’s difficult said jane to
guess how he intends to do that
it’s good of him to want to help us
i think he’s peculiar said elizabeth he
sounds too pleased with himself
and he speaks so politely of lady
catherine and why does he apologize for
inheriting father’s property and future
we know it’s not his fault
can he be a sensible man sir she added
turning to mr bennett
no my dear i think not i have great
hopes of finding him quite the opposite
there is a mixture of civility and
self-importance in his letter which
promises to be entertaining i am
impatient to see him
mary the middle daughter who spent most
of her time reading and who seldom
joined in family conversation now
remarked that in her opinion his letter
was well expressed
but kitty and lydia did not show any
interest in the letter or its writer as
it was highly unlikely that their cousin
would arrive in a regimental uniform
they could not imagine having any
pleasure in meeting him
their mother however had changed her
attitude towards mr collins after his
letter and was now preparing to meet him
with such calmness that it astonished
her husband and daughters
mr collins arrived punctually
and was received with great politeness
by the whole family
mr bennett indeed said little but the
ladies were ready enough to talk
and mr collins did not seem in need of
encouragement
he was a tall heavy-looking young man of
twenty-five
his expression was serious and his
manners very formal
soon after his arrival he said to mrs
bennett
madam i must compliment you on having
such a fine family of daughters i had
heard much of their beauty but i find
them even more beautiful than reports
have stated
i do not doubt you will see them all
well married quite soon
mrs bennett never quarreled with
compliments and she answered you were
very kind sir and indeed i do hope so
because otherwise they’ll have nothing
at all to live on
you refer perhaps to my inheriting the
bennett property
oh yes sir i do you must confess it is a
sad business for my poor girls
i am very aware madam of the hardship to
your lovely daughters and could say more
about this but i am cautious of saying
too much too soon
but i would like to say that i have come
prepared to admire the young ladies and
perhaps when we know each other better
the bell rang for dinner and the family
moved into the dining room with their
guest
the girls smiled secretly at each other
as mr collins praised the hall the
dining room and all the furniture
mrs bennett would normally have been
delighted with such praise
but she could not help thinking that he
was perhaps admiring it all as his
future property
the dinner too he considered excellent
and he asked which of his charming
cousins was responsible for it
but mrs bennett explained quite sharply
to him
that they were very well able to afford
a good cook and that her daughters had
nothing to do in the kitchen
he begged her pardon immediately for
offending her and continued to apologize
for about a quarter of an hour
mr bennett had hardly spoken up to now
but he thought it was time to enter the
conversation
you seem very fortunate in your patron
mr collins he said
he could not have chosen a better
opening remark
mr collins spoke enthusiastically for
several minutes in praise of lady
catherine
never in my life have i witnessed such
considerate behavior in a person of high
birth although she is such a great lady
she has never traited me with disdain
she talks to me almost as an equal and
gives me advice
for example
she has recommended me to marry as soon
as possible
and do you know she has asked me to
dinner twice at her house
some people consider her proud but she
has only ever been kind to me she even
took the trouble to visit my small house
and was thoughtful enough to suggest one
or two improvements some shelves
upstairs
that is very correct and polite i’m sure
said mrs bennett does she live near you
sir
only a small country road separates my
poor house from rosing’s park her lady
ship’s home
i think you said she’s a widow has she
any family
she has only one daughter who will
inherit rosing’s and all lady
catherine’s property a most charming
young lady unfortunately in weak health
i often pay her some little compliment
on her appearance or her accomplishments
when i visit rosings lady catherine
appreciates these compliments to her
daughter and i see it as my duty to
please her ladyship
i am sure you’re right said mr bennett
no doubt you are expert at flattering
with delicacy
may i ask how you think of these
pleasing compliments
some of them come to me at the time but
in my spare moments i do occasionally
prepare a few words which may be
suitable for different occasions
mr bennett listened to his cousin with
the greatest enjoyment
mr collins was as foolish as he had
hoped
but by tea time mr bennett had had
enough and after tea asked his guest to
read aloud to the ladies
however when a novel was handed to mr
collins he looked shocked and protested
that he never read novels
he chose a religious book instead and
started reading in a slow serious voice
lydia could not hide her boredom for
long and after only three pages she
interrupted him rudely to ask her mother
a question about one of the offices in
meriton
mr collins was offended and refused to
read any more although mrs bennett and
her other daughters apologized for
lydia’s lack of manners
collins was not a sensible man
and neither education nor society had
improved him
the respect he felt for his patron and
his very good opinion of himself and his
new position made him proud and servile
at the same time
now that he had a home and a
considerable income he had decided to
marry
the bennett girls who would lose their
inheritance because of him had a
reputation for being attractive and
charming and his idea of making amends
to them was to marry one of them
he considered this an excellent plan and
thought himself extremely generous and
unselfish in carrying it out
he had known he was right when he
arrived at longborne and saw jane
bennett’s lovely face
as the eldest she should marry first
and for the first evening she was his
choice
but the next morning after a 15-minute
conversation with mrs bennett
he had to change his mind
when he explained that he was hoping to
find a wife among her daughters she
replied with a happy smile that her
eldest daughter was very likely to be
engaged soon
but there are my other daughters mr
collins
she continued encouragingly
mr collins had only to change from jane
to elizabeth and it was soon done done
while mrs bennett was pouring the tea
next to jane in birth and beauty
elizabeth was the obvious choice
mrs bennett was delighted hoping that
she might soon have two daughters
married
the man whom she had so disliked the day
before was now a favorite with her
chapter four
elizabeth meets mr wickham
when later that morning lydia suggested
walking to meriton to see some of the
offices all her sisters except mary
agreed to accompany her even mr collins
went with them encouraged by mr bennett
who was by now most anxious to have some
time to himself
during their walk the girls listened
politely to mr collins self-important
speeches but as soon as they entered
meriton the younger ones no longer even
pretended to be interested in his
conversation but looked eagerly around
in search of the offices
just then all the young ladies noticed a
very gentlemanlike young man whom they’d
never seen before walking down the
street with an officer they knew
they were all wondering who the handsome
stranger could be when the officer came
up to them to greet them
he asked permission to introduce his
friend whose name was mr wickham and who
had apparently arrived recently from
london to become an officer in the
regiment
this was exactly as it should be because
the young man only needed an officer’s
uniform to become completely charming he
was very good looking with a very
pleasant sociable manner and after the
introductions conversation flowed most
enjoyably in the little group
they were still standing and talking
happily together when they heard the
sound of horses and saw darcy and
bingley riding down the street
the two gentlemen came straight towards
the ladies to greet them
bingley was clearly most interested in
jane bennett and started talking
particularly to her
darcy however was just determining not
to look at elizabeth when he suddenly
noticed the stranger
by chance elizabeth saw darcy’s and
wickham’s faces at the moment when they
caught sight of each other
and she was astonished at the effect of
the meeting
both changed color
one white the other red
after a few moments mr wickham touched
his hat and mr darcy nodded very
slightly
what could this mean it was impossible
to imagine
and it was impossible not to wish to
know
in another moment mr bingley who did not
seem to have noticed what had happened
said goodbye and rode away with mr darcy
the two officers accompanied the young
ladies to mrs phillips house but did not
go in in spite of lydia’s repeated
invitations
mrs phillips was always glad to see her
nieces and welcomed mr collins most
politely when he was introduced to her
she did not however have any more
information for the girls about the
agreeable mr wickham
but i tell you what my dears she said
brightly i’m giving a little supper
party for some of the offices tomorrow
i’ll ask mr phillips to visit mr wickham
and invite him to come too will you all
come as well
the girls were delighted and agreed at
once to this arrangement and the whole
group walked back to longborne happily
discussing the enjoyable evening they
were going to have mr collins had been
very impressed with mrs phillips
politeness and when they reached
longbourne he complimented mrs bennett
on her sister’s elegance and charming
manners
the next evening the carriage took him
and his five cousins to meriton
and the girls had the pleasure of
hearing as they entered the hall that mr
wickham had accepted their uncle’s
invitation and was at that moment in the
house
when mr collins was shown into the
sitting room and had time to look around
and admire it he said immediately to mrs
phillips
madam i must compliment you on the size
and furniture of this room really i
could almost imagine myself in the
smaller summer breakfast room at
rosing’s
this remark did not at first please
hostess very much
but when she heard from him what
rosing’s was and who its owner was and
how much lady catherine’s furniture cost
she realized what a great compliment it
was
during the evening mr collins found mrs
phillips a kind and attentive listener
which was fortunate as the bennett girls
could not bring themselves to listen to
him any longer
all the ladies were impatient to see mr
wickham
and when he came into the room he
appeared far more charming and
gentlemanly than any of the officers
present
he was the lucky man towards whom almost
every female eye turned and elizabeth
was the lucky woman beside whom he
finally took his seat
his pleasant way of making conversation
made her feel that he could talk
interestingly about anything
as he did not play cards which some of
the party were doing he stayed talking
to elizabeth for a large part of the
evening
she hoped he would tell her how he knew
mr darcy but she dared not mention that
gentleman
luckily however mr wickham himself began
to talk about it although in a rather
hesitating manner
netherfield is quite near meriton i
suppose
how long has has mr darcy been staying
there
he has been there about a month replied
elizabeth
unwilling to let the matter drop she
added here’s a man of very large
property and derbyshire i understand
yes replied wickham his income is ten
thousand a year at least i know more
about him than most people as i’ve been
closely connected with his family since
childhood
elizabeth could only look surprised
you might well be surprised miss bennett
at my saying that after noticing as you
probably did the very cold manner of our
meeting yesterday do you know mr darcy
well
as well as i ever wished to cried
elizabeth i’ve spent four days in the
same house as him and i consider him
very disagreeable
i’ve known him too long and too well to
judge fairly whether he’s disagreeable
or not but i believe most people would
be astonished by your opinion
he is not at all liked here in
hertfordshire everybody is disgusted
with his pride you won’t find him
praised by anyone
i can’t pretend to be sorry that he is
valued as he deserves but with him i
believe it doesn’t often happen
the world is blinded by his fortune and
importance or frightened by his proud
behavior and sees him only as he chooses
to be seen
after a pause we commanded
i wonder if he’s likely to stay at
netherfield much longer
i don’t know at all
but i hope his presence won’t stop you
becoming an officer in the regiment here
oh no i won’t be driven away by mr darcy
if he wishes to avoid seeing me he must
go
the reason i have for avoiding him is
one i could easily make public to the
whole world
he has treated me very badly
his late father miss bennett was one of
the best men who ever lived the most
faithful friend i ever had
and whenever i’m with this mr darcy i
think of his father with the most
painful regret
mr darcy has behaved wickedly towards me
but i could forgive him anything except
the insult to his father’s memory
elizabeth was fascinated and listened
eagerly
but did not like to ask any questions
mr wickham began to speak more generally
about meriton and the charming people he
had met there
in fact that’s why i was tempted to join
the regiment i’d heard that maritime
society is most agreeable society i
confess is necessary to me
i have been a disappointed man you see
i did not intend to join the army at all
the church ought to be my profession and
i should at this moment have a
comfortable income as a derbyshire
rector if the gentleman we were speaking
of just now had wished it
indeed
yes
mr darcy’s father had always been very
fond of me and intended to give me the
post of rector of pemberley
but unfortunately after his death when
the post became vacant it was given to
someone else
no cried elizabeth horrified but how
could that happen why didn’t you get
legal advice and claim what was
rightfully yours
mr darcy’s father had not stated his
wish in writing
a man of honor could not have doubted
his intention
but mr darcy chose to treat it as a
recommendation only
i really cannot accuse myself
of having done anything to deserve to
lose the post
the fact is he hates me
i think he was jealous of his father’s
affection for me which annoyed him from
the beginning
this is very shocking
i hadn’t thought mr darcy as bad as this
although i’ve never liked him
i assumed he felt superior to everyone
else but did not suspect him of behaving
in such a wicked unjust inhuman way
we grew up together at pemberley you
know
my father gave up all his time to take
care of the pemberley farms
and was greatly appreciated as a close
friend by the late mr darcy who promised
just before my father’s death to provide
for me
the present mr darcy did not choose to
respect that promise
how strange that mr darcy’s pride has
not made him help you
surely he’s too proud to wish to appear
dishonest which is what i must call him
he’s certainly very proud
proud of his position his family his
father and his sister too you know
what sort of a girl is miss darcy
he shook his head
it gives me pain to criticize a darcy
but she’s too much like her brother
very very proud
she’s a handsome girl of about 15 or 16
and i understand extremely accomplished
i am astonished at mr darcy’s close
friendship with mr bingley
how can mr bingley who seems so charming
and kind be friendly with such a man
i don’t know mr bingley at all
but mr darcy can be a pleasant companion
if he thinks it worthwhile
just then they were joined by some of
the others and the conversation became
more general
when mr collins was talking to mrs
phillips about his patron mr wickham
looked quickly in his direction and then
asked elizabeth
does your cousin know lady catherine de
bear very well
i don’t think he has known her for long
but she has recently given him the post
director of huntsford
perhaps you know that lady catherine is
the president mr tarcy’s aunt
i believe she is planning to marry her
daughter who will inherit a fortune to
mr darcy
this information made elizabeth smile
she thought of poor miss bingley’s
efforts to attract mr darcy which might
all be in vain
the supper party came to an end and
elizabeth went away with her head full
of mr wickham
she could think of nothing but him and
what he had told her all the way home
the next day
she told jane everything she had
discussed with mr wickham
jane listened with astonishment and
concern
she could not believe that mr darcy
could so little deserve mr bingley’s
friendship
and yet she did not want to doubt the
truthfulness of such an agreeable young
man as mr wickham
elizabeth however felt sure that mr
darcy was to blame
that morning an invitation arrived at
longborne
mr bingley had fixed the date for the
ball he had promised to give at
netherfield and it was to be on the
following tuesday
every female in the bennett family was
looking forward to it even mary who
lifted her head from her book to say
unsmiling as long as i have my mornings
free for serious reading i do not mind
meeting people in the evenings i
consider some relaxation and amusement
is good for everybody
elizabeth felt so cheerful at the
thought of dancing with mr wickham that
she made an unusual effort to speak
kindly to mr collins
will you accept mr bingley’s invitation
sir
and if you do will you as a priest
consider it right to dance
i shall certainly accept
and i am so far from objecting to
dancing that i hope to have the honor of
dancing with all my beautiful cousins i
take this opportunity of asking you miss
elizabeth for the first two dances
especially
she was very surprised and rather
annoyed she had hoped that wickham would
ask her for those dances but now she
would have mr collins instead
she could not refuse however
and his request also worried her in
another way
his manner to has seemed particularly
flattering
which gave her the unwelcome idea that
perhaps she had been chosen from among
her sisters to be the rector of
huntsford’s wife
as she observed the increasing number of
compliments he paid to her beauty and
character
she felt sure that he intended to
propose marriage
for the moment however she decided to do
nothing but wait and see
on tuesday evening when elizabeth
entered the hall at netherfield and
looked in vain for mr wickham among the
red coats gathered there she was
surprised and disappointed to see he was
not present
she had never doubted he would come and
had dressed with more than her usual
care looking forward to winning his
heart which he knew was already partly
hers
but she immediately suspected that darcy
had persuaded bingley not to invite
wickham
and although she discovered from one of
the officers that in fact wickham had
been invited but had been called away on
business she felt sure wickham had
wanted to avoid meeting darcy and blamed
darcy for this
as a result when darcy greeted her she
was so annoyed with him that she could
hardly reply politely
but she soon became more cheerful and
determined to enjoy the ball in spite of
wickham’s absence
unfortunately the first two dances with
mr collins were painfully embarrassing
as her cousin had no idea how to dance
and moved extremely awkwardly
she was relieved to leave him and have
the third dance with an officer who gave
her great pleasure by talking about
wickham and his popularity in the
regiment
after this she was very surprised to be
approached by mr darcy and invited to
dance
she was so astonished in fact that she
accepted him without thinking and found
herself standing opposite him on the
dance floor
what an honor for me to be allowed to
dance with mr darcy she thought
they danced for some time in silence
and then she made a remark
he replied and was silent again
after a pause she spoke again
now you must say something mr darcy
you could remark on the size of the room
or the number of couples
he smiled
i’ll say whatever you wish me to say
very well
that reply will do for the moment
perhaps soon i’ll observe that private
balls are much pleasanter than public
ones but now we can be silent
conversation needs to be arranged in
this way so that those people who don’t
enjoy talking are not required to make
any effort are you referring to yourself
or are you thinking of me
both said elizabeth smiling because i
think you and i are similar
we’re both unsociable and unwilling to
speak unless we can astonish and impress
the whole room i am sure you aren’t like
that he answered i cannot say whether i
am or not
you obviously think so
she said nothing
do you and your sisters often go to
meriton he continued
we do she replied
and unable to resist the temptation she
added
when you met us there last week we had
just been introduced to someone
the effect was immediate
there was a new coldness in darcy’s
expression
after a moment he said with difficulty
mr wickham is so agreeable that he makes
friends easily
whether he can keep them
is less certain
he has been unlucky enough to lose your
friendship replied elizabeth sharply and
in a way which will cause him hardship
all his life
darcy did not reply to this
and there was only time for a little
more conversation before the dance ended
elizabeth went to find jane and listened
with delight as she described her
feelings for bingley and her confidence
in his affection for her
but apart from jane it seemed to
elizabeth that if her family had made an
agreement to appear as stupid as
possible during the ball they could not
have been more successful
first mr collins insisted on going to
introduce himself to mr darcy the nephew
of his respected patron and was received
very coldly
then during supper mrs bennett could not
be prevented from talking very loudly to
lady lucas about her great hopes of
jane’s marriage to bingley
elizabeth blushed in embarrassment when
she realized that the bingley sisters
and mr darcy were able to hear
finally when some music was required
mary bennett went confidently to the
piano and sang and played several songs
all rather badly
the rest of the evening brought
elizabeth little amusement
she could not even go and talk to people
she knew as mr collins seemed determined
to stay close by her side all evening
fortunately her good friend charlotte
lucas occasionally gave her some relief
by kindly listening to some of mr
collins long speeches
at least elizabeth did not have to talk
to mr darcy anymore
he often stood near her quite alone
but did not come close enough to speak
at the end of the evening it was obvious
to elizabeth that although her family
had greatly enjoyed the ball the bingley
sisters were eager for these particular
guests to leave
mr collins however was enthusiastic in
his praise of the bingley’s hospitality
and mrs bennett invited the whole
bingley family to visit longborne as
soon as possible
she was feeling very satisfied convinced
that in three or four months jane would
be married to bingley
she was also sure that elizabeth would
marry mr collins
this was a good enough marriage for
elizabeth who was her least favorite
daughter but not nearly as impressive as
jane’s marriage to bingley
chapter five
mr collins proposes twice
at longbourne the next day soon after
breakfast
mr collins asked mrs bennett for
permission to speak privately to
elizabeth
mrs bennett was delighted and hurried
the other girls out of the room so that
elizabeth and mr collins were left alone
together
elizabeth did not want to stay and got
up to leave
but after a moment’s thought sat down
again quietly determined to listen and
reply politely
my dear miss elizabeth said mr collins
seriously
this little unwillingness to hear me
this modesty of yours can only add to
your other charms
you can hardly doubt the purpose of my
speech
almost as soon as i entered the house i
chose you as the companion of my future
life
but before i am carried away by my
feelings i think i should state my
reasons for marrying
elizabeth was trying so hard not to
laugh at the idea of mr collins being
carried away by his feelings that she
was unable to reply
first he continued it is right for a
priest to marry as an example to other
people
secondly i’m sure marriage will add
greatly to my happiness
and thirdly which perhaps i should have
mentioned earlier my generous patron has
advised me to marry
find an active useful sort of person she
told me a woman who can make a small
income go a long way
bring her to huntsford as your wife and
i’ll visit her
so i decided to choose a wife from among
my bennett cousins to lessen the loss to
the family when the sad event of your
father’s death takes place
i flatter myself that you will
appreciate my motives
and now nothing remains but to convince
you of the violence of my affection
i am quite indifferent to the fact that
you bring little money with you into our
marriage and promise you that i shall
make no ungenerous reference to this
after we are married
it was absolutely necessary to interrupt
him now sir
you forget i have given no answer
accept my thanks for the compliment you
are paying me but it is impossible for
me to accept your proposal
of course i understand said mr collins
that young ladies often do not accept a
proposal of marriage the first time i am
therefore not at all discouraged and
sincerely hope we shall be married soon
sir cried elizabeth your hope is rather
extraordinary after what i’ve said i am
perfectly serious
you could not make me happy and i’m
convinced i’m the last woman in the
world who would make you happy
and i’m sure that if lady catherine knew
me she would find me poorly qualified
for the situation
if i knew lady catherine thought so
began mr collins looking very worried
but i cannot imagine she would
disapprove of you and when i have the
honor of seeing her again i shall
certainly tell her how modest economical
and practical you are
indeed mr collins all praise of me will
be unnecessary pay me the compliment of
believing what i say
i hope you will be very happy and very
rich but i cannot accept your proposal
she got up and was going to leave the
room but mr collins was speaking to her
again
i am far from accusing you of crawled in
refusing me as i know it is the custom
with elegant ladies in society to refuse
a gentleman the first time i hope to
receive a more favorable answer next
time i speak to you of marriage
really mr collins cried elizabeth with
some warmth you do puzzle me
i do not know how to express my refusal
so that it convinces you
you must allow me to flatter myself dear
cousin that you do not intend to refuse
me for long my situation in life my
connections with the de bur family and
my relationship to your own all make my
proposal a very suitable one
and you should remember that in spite of
your many admirable qualities it is not
certain that you will receive any other
offer of marriage as you have very
little money of your own
sir
thank you again for the honor you have
done me but to accept your proposal is
absolutely impossible can i speak
plainer than that
don’t think of me as an elegant female
but as a thinking creature speaking the
truth from her heart
you are charming he cried
and i’m sure that when both your
excellent parents agree you will accept
my proposal
elizabeth did not reply
but left the room silently determined to
ask her father if necessary to make her
refusal clear to the self-deceiving mr
collins
mrs bennett had been waiting eagerly for
the end of the interview
and when she saw elizabeth leave the
room she hurried in to offer her
congratulations to mr collins
he received them with pleasure
adding that he was sure his cousin’s
refusal was a natural result of her
modesty and delicacy of character
refusal
repeated mrs bennett shocked
lizzie refused you 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 pardon me madam
cried mr collins but if she’s really
obstinate and foolish i do not think she
would be a suitable wife for a man in my
situation
sir you quite misunderstand me said mrs
bennett alarmed
she’s only obstinate in a matter like
this in everything else she is very
agreeable i’ll see mr bennett and we’ll
arrange it with her i’m sure
she did not give him time to reply but
hurried to the library where she knew
she would find her husband
oh mr bennett we need you urgently we’re
all in such confusion you must come and
make lizzie marry mr collins
mr bennett raised his eyes from his book
as she entered and stared at her with
calm and concern
i do not have the pleasure of
understanding you he said what are you
talking about
lizzy declares she won’t have him and if
you don’t hurry he’ll change his mind
and not have her
so what should i do it seems a hopeless
business
speak to her about it yourself tell her
you insist on her marrying him
call her in here she shall hear my
opinion
mrs bennett gladly rang the bell and the
servant brought elizabeth into the
library
come here child said her father as she
appeared
i’ve sent for you on a very important
matter
i understand that mr collins has made
you an offer of marriage and you have
refused
when elizabeth nodded he continued very
well
now your mother insists on your
accepting
isn’t that right mrs bennett
yes or i’ll never see her again
you now have an unhappy choice to make
elizabeth
from this day on you must be a stranger
to one of your parents
your mother will never see you again if
you do not marry mr collins and i will
never see you again if you do
elizabeth could not help smiling but mrs
bennett who had been sure her husband
supported her was very disappointed
what do you mean mr bennett
you promised me you would insist on her
marrying him
my dear replied her husband i have two
small requests to make
first
that you will accept that i know what i
promised or did not promise and secondly
that you will all leave me in peace as
soon as possible
that afternoon charlotte lucas came to
visit elizabeth and found the family
still in great confusion
the younger girls were quite excited by
the news of mr collins proposal and mrs
bennett was most annoyed with elizabeth
oh dear miss lucas crying mrs bennett
can’t you persuade elizabeth to accept
mr collins
nobody else wants to help me well where
will i feel
and look at lizzy now she’s so
unconcerned 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
and i won’t be able to provide for you
when your father is dead
i warn you now i told you in the library
that i wouldn’t speak to you again and i
won’t i have no pleasure in talking to
an undutiful child like you
not that i have much pleasure in talking
to anybody with my headaches
nobody knows how i suffer
but of course
those who do not complain are never
pitied
her daughters listened in silence
aware that any attempt to calm her would
only increase her annoyance
elizabeth however was determined not to
marry mr collins
and in the end mrs bennett was obliged
to accept that fact
when mr collins realized that elizabeth
had meant what she said his manner
towards her became coldly and stiffly
polite
his long speeches and flattering
compliments were transferred for the
rest of the day to kind charlotte lucas
who took on herself the trouble of
listening to him for which schaller
bennetts were very grateful
the next day a letter was delivered to
jane from netherfield
elizabeth saw her sister’s expression
change as she read it and when they were
alone she asked about it
it’s from caroline bingley said jane
and it has surprised me very much
the whole party have left netherfield
and are on their way back to london
probably for the winter
they may not return to netherfield at
all
she says the only thing she sincerely
regrets is leaving me behind in
hertfordshire and promises to write very
frequently
elizabeth did not trust miss bingley’s
apparent affection for jane
i really don’t think their departure
matters very much she said
mr bingley won’t be kept in london by
his sisters i’m sure he’ll be back at
netherfield soon
but perhaps he prefers to stay in london
where many of his friends are but i
haven’t told you everything yet
let me read you the part which
particularly hurts me
mr darcy is impatient to see his sister
and we confess we are also eager to see
her again
nobody is more beautiful elegant or
accomplished than georgiana darcy
louisa and i have great affection for
her and hope one day to call her sister
my brother admires her very much
he will have frequent opportunities of
seeing her
and although i am his sister i must say
i think he is most capable of winning
any woman’s heart
what do you think of this dear lizzy
isn’t it clear enough caroline doesn’t
wish or expect me to become her
sister-in-law she’s convinced of her
brother’s indifference towards me and
perhaps because she suspects my feelings
for him she most kindly warns me that
he’s very likely to marry someone else
i have a totally different opinion
miss bingley sees her brother is in love
with you while she wants him to marry
miss darcy we aren’t rich enough or
grand enough for them and she is eager
to have a family connection with the
darcys so that it may be easier for her
to marry mr darcy
so she follows her brother to london
hoping to keep him there and tries to
persuade you he doesn’t care about you
but of course he’s in love with you
i really can’t agree with you about
caroline
i think she’s incapable of deceiving
anyone
but lizzy my dear sister even if she’s
wrong about her brother and he does care
for me
could i be happy and accepting a man
whose sisters and friends all wish him
to marry someone else
you must decide for yourself
and if you consider it more important to
do what his sisters want than to gain
the happiness of being his wife
i certainly advise you to refuse him
how can you say that said jane smiling a
little
you know i wouldn’t hesitate
although i’d be sad if they disapproved
of me
but oh dear
if he doesn’t come back to netherfield
i’ll never have to make the decision
but elizabeth was sure mr bingley could
not be kept away from jane by his
sisters and soon persuaded jane to take
a more hopeful view of the situation
that day the bennetts with mr collins
went to dinner with the lucas family at
lucas lodge
again it was charlotte who spent most of
the evening listening to mr collins
elizabeth was very relieved and thanked
her friend gratefully for the trouble
she was taking
but charlotte’s kindness had a
particular aim which elizabeth was
unaware of
her plan was to encourage mr collins to
transfer his attentions to herself
in fact she was managing so well
that when she said good night to him
after dinner she would have felt sure of
success if he had been staying in
hertfordshire for another week
but she did not fully appreciate the
fire and independence of his character
which caused him to get up very early
the next morning and escape from
longborne house in a great hurry to
reach lucas lodge and throw himself at
her feet
she did not keep him waiting for an
answer and the happy couple found
themselves engaged as quickly as mr
collins long speeches would allow
charlotte’s parents were delighted to
agree to the marriage and lady lucas
began to work out with more interest
than she had ever felt before how many
more years mr bennett was likely to live
charlotte herself was quite satisfied
mr collins certainly was neither
sensible nor agreeable but still he
would be a husband
she did not think highly of men or of
marriage
but she had always intended to marry
although marriage might not always bring
happiness it was the only honorable way
in which a well-educated woman with
little income could provide a home for
herself
now 27 and lacking beauty
she felt she was lucky to have found a
husband
she knew however that elizabeth whose
friendship she greatly valued would be
astonished and possibly disapproving
so she decided to go to longborne house
to tell her friend the news herself
elizabeth was indeed shocked at first
and could not help crying out in
surprise
but when charlotte explained her reasons
for accepting mr collins elizabeth tried
hard to understand
when the rest of the bennett family
heard the news they were also astonished
mrs bennett was quite horrified and
could not stop complaining bitterly
about charlotte’s wickedness mr collins
stupidity and elizabeth’s obstinacy
mr bennett was much calmer only saying
he was pleased to discover that
charlotte whom he used to consider quite
sensible was as foolish as his wife and
more foolish than his daughter
that day was mr collins last at
longborne and he left with many speeches
of thanks as well as a promise to return
very soon
mr bennett warned him to be careful not
to offend his patron by being absent
from his duties too often
but mr collins although extremely
grateful for this sign of mr bennett’s
cousinly affection for him was naturally
eager to return to hertfordshire to see
his future wife
only two weeks later he did in fact come
back to stay at longborne but spent most
of his time at lucas lodge making
arrangements for the wedding
mrs bennett still felt very offended by
him but she was now becoming anxious
about something even more important
mr bingley’s continued absence
day after day had passed with no news
since the arrival of caroline bingley’s
letter
elizabeth was now rather worried and
jane feared the worst
finally a second letter arrived from
caroline bingley
and when jane read it she realized that
all hope was over
the bingley family was staying in london
for the whole winter and georgiana darcy
was a frequent member of their circle
miss bingley boasted joyfully of this
friendship and looked forward to her
brother’s probable marriage to miss
darcy
although she was deeply upset
jane bravely tried to control her
feelings
do not worry lizzy
i shall be able to forget him in a while
i have nothing to complain of as he made
no promises to me
i just thought he cared for me but i was
wrong
luckily no one is hurt except myself
my dear jane said elizabeth you are too
good you always think the best of
everybody now i think the worst of most
people and do not see much real value or
common sense around me mr bingley for
example
he may not be intending to hurt you but
misery can be caused by someone being
just weak and indecisive
i’m convinced his sisters and his friend
mr darcy are trying to influence him
against you
another example is charlotte i can’t
understand how she could agree to marry
such a self-important proud silly man
dear lizzy said jane
we must respect charlotte’s decision
she may well be happy with mr collins
and as for mr bingley
we shouldn’t expect a sociable young man
to be so careful of his behavior
women often imagine admiration means
more than it really does
and men want that to happen
i prefer to believe that i was mistaken
in thinking he cared for me and that his
sisters love him and approve of his wish
to marry miss darcy
i don’t want to think badly of him or
his sisters
that would be worse than anything
elizabeth had to accept jane’s wishes
and from then on
mr bingley’s name was seldom mentioned
between them
chapter 6
elizabeth visits mr and mrs collins
the following monday
mrs bennett had the pleasure of
receiving her brother and his wife who
came as usual to spend christmas at
longborne
mr gardner was a sensible gentleman-like
man
the netherfield ladies would have had
difficulty in believing that a man who
lived by buying and selling could be so
well-mannered and agreeable
mrs gardner who was several years
younger than mrs bennett and mrs
phillips was a pleasant intelligent
elegant woman and a great favorite with
her long-born nieces especially the two
eldest who often stayed with her in
london
when mrs gardner had given the present
she had brought with her and described
the newest fashions
she was obliged to listen to mrs
bennett’s complaints
i’ve suffered greatly since your last
visit sister cried mrs bennett just
imagine
two of my daughters were very close to
marriage and then nothing
i do not blame jane who would have got
mr bingley if she could but lizzy oh
sister it is hard to think she might
have been mrs collins by now if she
hadn’t been so obstinate
the result is that lady lucas will have
a daughter married before me
it makes me quite ill to have such a
disobedient daughter and such selfish
neighbours
but you’re coming just now is a great
comfort to me
and i am very glad to hear what you tell
us about long sleeves
mrs gardner made a suitably sympathetic
reply to her sister-in-law
and later that day found the opportunity
to discuss the matter in more detail
with elizabeth alone
i am sorry for jane she said kindly but
lizzy these things happen so often a
young man like mr bingley frequently
falls in love with a pretty girl and
when chance separates them he forgets
her very quickly
yes aunt said elizabeth but in this case
it was not chance but the young man’s
interfering friends who separated jane
and mr bingley
i’m sure he was violently in love with
her
poor jane she’s so sensitive
i’m afraid she may not get over it for
some time
now if it had been you lizzy you would
have recovered more quickly by finding
humor in the situation
but do you think i could persuade jane
to come back with us to london perhaps a
change of air would make her feel better
elizabeth was extremely grateful to her
aunt for this kind suggestion and felt
sure jane would gladly agree
i hope added mrs gardner that she will
not be influenced by the hope of seeing
the young man
we live in such a different part of town
that it is very unlikely that we’ll meet
unless he actually comes to see her
and that is quite impossible because his
friend mr darcy would not allow him to
visit so unfashionable in a dress
but despite her protest
elizabeth secretly thought that jane
might see bingley in london and that a
meeting would probably reawaken his
affection for her
the gardeners stayed at longborne for a
week
and mrs bennett made sure there was
always some entertainment for her
brother and sister-in-law
whenever there was a dinner party at
longborne house some of the officers
were always invited
mrs gardner who had noticed that mr
wickham was a very frequent visitor and
that elizabeth spoke admiringly of him
took care to observe them both
she saw enough to make her a little
anxious and decided to speak to
elizabeth about him when they were alone
lizzie she began
i can see that you and mr wickham like
each other but i must warn you not to
get seriously involved with him
i admit he’s the most interesting young
man but sadly he has no fortune
you are a sensible girl and must realize
that you would disappoint your father by
agreeing to marry a penniless young man
my dear aunt do not worry i’ll take care
of myself and mr wickham too he won’t be
in love with me if i can prevent it
elizabeth’s serious
i’m sorry aunt
i’ll try again
at present
i’m certainly not in love with him
but he is by far the most agreeable man
i’ve ever met
and if he really loved me
but i would hate to disappoint my father
or make any of you unhappy
i cannot promise what i will do
but i will really try to do what i think
is wisest i hope you are satisfied with
that
her aunt replied that she was and
received elizabeth’s thanks for her kind
advice
several days after this the gardeners
returned to london taking jane with them
the day of mr collins wedding soon
arrived and mrs bennett had to watch
charlotte lucas become mrs collins
before the bride left longbourne for
huntsford however she asked elizabeth to
come and visit her in her new home as
soon as possible
elizabeth could not refuse although she
did not imagine it would be an enjoyable
visit
it was arranged that elizabeth would
accompany sir william lucas and mariah
one of his other daughters on their
intended visit to huntsford in march
week after jane’s departure elizabeth
received a letter from her sister saying
that she had seen miss bingley and hoped
to continue their friendship
elizabeth shook her head over this
she was not surprised to hear from jane
a few weeks later that caroline bingley
had made no further attempts to
communicate with her former dear friend
elizabeth was saddened to read of jane’s
disappointment
but felt more cheerful when she told
herself that jane would no longer be
deceived by the sister at least
all expectation from the brother was now
absolutely over
as a punishment for him she seriously
hoped he would soon marry mr darcy’s
sister who according to wickham would
make him quickly regret what he had
thrown away
at about this time elizabeth also
received a letter from mrs gardner
asking about wickham
and she was able to reply quite honestly
that there was no danger of her marrying
him
he had transferred his affections to a
miss king who had recently inherited ten
thousand pounds
elizabeth saw exactly what was happening
but her heart had only been slightly
touched and she was able to convince
herself that it was quite natural for
such an agreeable young man to wish for
fortune and independence
january and february passed and the time
for elizabeth’s visit to mr mrs collins
approached
she had improved the plan by arranging
to spend a night in london at her uncle
and aunt’s house before continuing the
journey into kent
she was very much looking forward to
seeing jane who was still staying with
the gardeners
the journey seemed long to elizabeth
because sir william and mariah had
nothing to say worth hearing
but when the coach arrived at the
gardener’s house at lunchtime elizabeth
was delighted to see that her sister
looked as healthy and lovely as before
in a private conversation with her aunt
later however elizabeth discovered that
jane had been suffering from periods of
depression although she always tried
bravely to appear cheerful
the afternoon and evening passed only
too quickly and the next day elizabeth
and the other travellers set off again
when the coach arrived in huntsford they
were all quite excited to see on one
side of the road lady catherine’s great
park which they had heard so much about
at last on the other side they came to
the rectory where they were warmly
welcomed by mr collins and
charlotte elizabeth was more and more
pleased she had come when she found
herself so affectionately received
she saw instantly that marriage had not
changed her cousin’s manners
he insisted on greeting them all with
formal politeness and long speeches and
showed them round the house explaining
its many good points in exhausting
detail
elizabeth could not help thinking that
perhaps he was speaking particularly to
her as if wishing to make her feel what
she had lost in refusing him
but although everything seemed neat and
comfortable she was unable to please him
with a sigh of regret
in fact she wondered how charlotte could
look so cheerful with such a companion
but whenever mr collins said anything of
which his wife might be ashamed which
was quite often charlotte wisely did not
appear to be listening
and when mr collins showed them proudly
round his garden in which he himself
enjoyed working elizabeth admired the
serious way in which charlotte praised
gardening as a most healthy exercise and
admitted encouraging her husband to work
outdoors as much as possible
elizabeth had to confess to herself that
surprisingly charlotte really appeared
to be happy
when mr collins could be forgotten the
house seemed very pleasant and
comfortable and from charlotte’s evident
enjoyment of her home
elizabeth supposed he must often be
forgotten
visitors had only been in the house for
a day when a message came from lady
catherine inviting them all to dinner at
rosing’s park the next day
mr collins was delighted and
congratulated his guests on their good
luck i confess that i might have
expected her leadership to invite us all
to drink tea at rosings on sunday he
said but to invite the whole party to
dinner so soon after your arrival too
what a generous and considerate lady she
is
the whole of the rest of that day and
the next morning were spent discussing
their visit to rosings
this made sir william and mariah quite
nervous when the moment came to walk
across the park and enter the great
lady’s house
elizabeth however was unimpressed by
what she had heard of lady catherine and
remained calm
she was interested to see that lady
catherine was a tall large woman who
held herself stiffly and proudly and
received her guests with an air of
disdain
she spoke loudly and decidedly on every
matter
and was clearly convinced of her
superiority over other people
her daughter anne was completely
different
a small thin ill looking lady who spoke
very little and only in a whisper
the dinner was very good and was highly
praised by mr collins his repeated
compliments which elizabeth thought were
embarrassing appeared to please lady
catherine very much
after dinner her ladyship talked
continuously giving her opinions without
any fear of contradiction or even
comment
she then asked elizabeth many detailed
questions about her education her
sisters and her father’s income
although elizabeth considered these
questions extremely personal and almost
rude she answered them politely and
calmly
at the end of the long evening the
visitors were driven home in lady
catherine’s carriage while mr collins
praised his patron for her elegance
intelligence and hospitality
this visit was repeated twice a week
but there was little other entertainment
in huntsford
elizabeth had pleasant conversations
with charlotte or read books or walked
along a narrow path by lady catherine’s
park which no one else seemed to use
it was a quiet life
but she was satisfied with it
however
two weeks after her arrival in huntsford
she heard that some visitors were coming
to stay at rosing’s
lady catherine’s nephew mr darcy was
expected soon accompanied by his cousin
colonel fitzwilliam
the next day the two gentlemen arrived
and came almost immediately to the
rectory
colonel fitzwilliam was about thirty
not handsome but very gentlemanly and he
talked pleasantly to the ladies
but mr darcy looked as cold and proud as
ever
and after greeting mrs collins spoke
only a few stiffly polite words to
elizabeth
she took the opportunity of asking him
if he had by any chance seen jane in
london recently
and thought he looked a little confused
when he answered that he had not had
that pleasure
soon after that the two gentlemen
returned to rosings
colonel fitzwilliams manners were very
much admired by the ladies who felt that
he would add considerably to the
enjoyment of their evenings at rosing’s
but it was not until easter day that
they received an invitation from lady
catherine
and when they arrived in her sitting
room it was clear that she was far more
interested in her nephews than in her
other guests
colonel fitzwilliam however seemed
really glad to see them
and he came at once to sit beside
elizabeth
they talked so agreeably and amusingly
together that mr darcy turned his eyes
towards them and looked curiously at
them several times
when her ladyship also noticed
she called loudly across the room
fitzwilliam
what are you talking about with miss
bennett
let me hear what it is
we’re speaking of music madam he said
we’re no longer able to avoid a reply
of music
then please speak to all of us
i must have my share in the conversation
if you are speaking of music
there are few people in england i
suppose who have more true enjoyment of
music than myself
or a better natural taste
if i had ever learned to play i would
have been a great musician
but i often tell young ladies practice
is very important
i have told miss bennett several times
that she will never play really well
unless she practices more
and she is very welcome to come to
rosings and practice on the piano in the
servants hall she won’t be in anyone’s
way there i can promise her
mr darcy looked a little ashamed of his
aunt’s insensitive words
meanwhile colonel fitzwilliam had
persuaded elizabeth to play some music
and she sat down at the piano 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
at the end of her first piece of music
elizabeth said smiling
you intend to frighten me mr darcy by
coming to listen to me
but i’m obstinate and won’t be
frightened
i don’t think you really believe i
intend to alarm you
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
elizabeth laughed at this picture of
herself
and said to colonel fitzwilliam
your cousin will teach you not to
believe a word i say
indeed mr darcy it is very ungenerous of
you to mention all my faults
and perhaps rather foolish too because i
may take my revenge and tell things
about you which your relations will be
shocked to hear
i am not afraid of you said darcy
smiling
but let me hear your accusation cried
colonel fitzwilliam
i’d like to hear how he behaves among
strangers
well
prepare yourself for something very
dreadful
the first time i ever saw him was at a
ball in hertfordshire
and at this ball
what do you think he did
he danced only four dances
i’m sorry to cause you pain but that is
what happened
he danced only four dances although
gentlemen was scarce
and to my certain knowledge more than
one young lady was sitting down waiting
for a partner
mr darcy you must admit it
i had not at that time the honor of
knowing anybody at the ball apart from
my own group of friends
i should perhaps have asked to be
introduced but i do not like to
recommend myself to strangers
i do not find it easy to talk to people
i don’t know
you don’t want to take the trouble to do
it darcy that’s why said colonel
fitzwilliam
i cannot play this piano as well as some
other women said elizabeth but i’ve
always assumed it is my own fault
because i don’t take the trouble to
practice
i know that i am capable of playing as
well as anyone
darcy smiled and said
you are perfectly right
you have spent your time in a much
better way
no one who hears you could imagine any
possible improvement
we neither of us perform to strangers
just then lady catherine interrupted
them to comment on elizabeth’s playing
miss bennett would play quite well if
she had a london teacher
of course anne would have been a
delightful performer if her health had
allowed her to learn
elizabeth looked at darcy to see his
reaction to ander burr’s name
but neither at that moment nor at any
other could she observe any sign of love
or even interest in his cousin
lady catherine continued to give miss
bennett advice on her playing
but at the request of the gentleman
elizabeth stayed at the piano for the
rest of the evening
you