Chapters 46–50

Elizabeth receives two letters from Jane that destroy her hopes of ever marrying Mr Darcy. Lydia has run away with Wickham and they are unlikely to be married. Mr Bennet is going to search for them in London, where they were last seen, and Jane is asking that Mr Gardiner join their father in the search. Distressed by the news, Elizabeth proceeds to get her uncle but is met by Mr Darcy, who tries to calm her down while calling for Mr Gardiner. Overwhelmed, Elizabeth cries and tells Mr Darcy about Lydia, blaming herself for not revealing Wickham’s true character to her family. Mr Darcy listens attentively and expresses concern. Elizabeth realises she honestly loves Mr Darcy but that her love is now in vain. Mr Darcy leaves with a comforting word before the Gardiners and Elizabeth leave for Longbourn.

Mr Gardiner attempts to reassure Elizabeth that Wickham will marry Lydia as he will not want to ruin his career and reputation, to which Elizabeth responds by divulging the details of Wickham’s past. At Longbourn, Elizabeth learns her father has gone to London in search of Lydia and Wickham, and encounters a hysterical Mrs Bennet who blames the Forsters for neglecting Lydia. Jane and Elizabeth examine a letter Lydia left for Mrs Forster in which she jokes about signing her name as ‘Lydia Wickham’.

Mr Gardiner travels to London to assist Mr Bennet and writes to Longbourn after a few days to inform that their search thus far has been unsuccessful. As news of Wickham’s irregular dealings mounts, Hertfordshire gossip transports him from ‘almost an angel of light’ to ‘the wickedest young man in the world’. Meanwhile, a scathing letter arrives from Mr Collins, reprimanding the Bennets’ parenting. Mr Bennet returns to Longbourn, without having located Lydia, and remorsefully admits to being responsible for her situation, announcing his intention of taking a harder line with Kitty.

Two days later, a letter arrives from Mr Gardiner informing the Bennets that Wickham and Lydia have been found and that Wickham intends to marry Lydia if the family settles on an income for Lydia. Mr Gardiner suggests their marriage take place at his home, no doubt wanting to expedite it and spare the Bennets from shameful gossip in the small-minded Hertfordshire. Mr Bennet agrees to the arrangement, although suspects that Mr Gardiner has himself supplemented the agreed upon allowance as it seems to be too modest, and worries about the financial obligations he will owe. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Jane are overwhelmed by gratitude for the kindness of the Gardiners, who by taking responsibility for the Bennet family’s reputation are presented as better adult role models than their own parents.

Mrs Bennet’s joy at her second-favourite daughter being married is uncontainable as she sets about planning the wedding. Despite the impropriety upon which the marriage is predicated, she has no qualms in spreading the news around the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, Mr Bennet is firm that the couple are not welcome to live nearby. Wickham is taking an army post in the North, with the couple only stopping in at Longbourn on the way. Elizabeth loses hope in a future with Mr Darcy, now Wickham is to be joined with her family, and realises they would have had a happy marriage.

Chapters 46–50 Quotes

‘When my eyes were opened to his real character— Oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not— I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched mistake!’ (Elizabeth to Mr Darcy about Wickham) Chapter 46

‘…loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.’ (Mary to Elizabeth, about Lydia) Chapter 47

Mrs Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a few days longer, as the former thought her presence might be serviceable to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. Bennet, and was a great comfort to them in their hours of freedom. (after Lydia has run away with Wickham) Chapter 48

Their other aunt also visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of cheering and heartening them up— though, as she never came without reporting some fresh instance of Wickham’s extravagance or irregularity, she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found them. (about Mrs Phillips, after Lydia has run away with Wickham) Chapter 48

Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world; and everybody began to find out that they had always distrusted the appearance of his goodness. (about Wickham) Chapter 48

‘No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to enter into my house again, nor even to pass through the village.’ (Mr Bennet) Chapter 48

The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never be requited. Their taking her home, and affording her their personal protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. (Elizabeth and Jane, about the Gardiners) Chapter 49

It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance. (about Elizabeth and Mr Darcy) Chapter 50

But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue … (Elizabeth, about Lydia and Wickham) Chapter 50

Chapters 51–55

Lydia and Wickham arrive at Longbourn and behave unashamedly, outraging Mr Bennet and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s observations confirm her suspicions that it is Lydia who is more in love with Wickham than the reverse. In recounting to Elizabeth and Jane the details of her wedding, Lydia lets its slip that Mr Darcy was in attendance, and a suspenseful Elizabeth writes to her aunt for an explanation.

Mrs Gardiner replies by explaining that it was Mr Darcy and not Mr Gardiner who had found Lydia and Wickham. Blaming himself for not making Wickham’s true character known, Mr Darcy had first tried to persuade Lydia to return home but when she would not, he negotiated a financial settlement with Wickham which would clear his debts and allow him to start a new life with Lydia. Mrs Gardiner’s high commendations of Mr Darcy and her alluding to his love for Elizabeth as being the motivating factor, has Elizabeth questioning whether Mr Darcy may still have strong feelings for her. Elizabeth reveals to Wickham that she knows the truth of his past dealings with Mr Darcy but resolves to let it go for the sake of their new relationship.

Lydia and Wickham depart Longbourn, and news arrives that Mr Bingley is returning to Netherfield. Elizabeth is sure Jane is affected by Mr Bingley’s returned despite her claims to the contrary. When Mr Bingley visits Longbourn, Elizabeth is surprised and excited to see that Mr Darcy has accompanied him, however his grave and reserved manner troubles her. Mrs Bennet treats Mr Darcy rudely, and gloats about the marriage of her daughter, which makes Elizabeth uncomfortable especially considering it was Mr Darcy who had arranged the marriage and saved the Bennet family from shame. The two men dine at Longbourn where Elizabeth and Mr Darcy share only minimal dialogue. This contrasts the usual wit and intelligence the reader has come to expect from Austen and builds anticipation as to the resolution of the pair’s feelings for one another.

Mr Darcy departs to London and Mr Bingley continues to visit Longbourn where he and Jane spend more time together and where, to everyone’s delight, he proposes. This introduces the first positive engagement in the novel, being based on genuine love and shared perspective, ideals of which Austen seems to approve but that are lacking in the marriages of the Bennets, the Collinses and the Wickhams.

Chapters 51–55 Quotes

Mr Darcy had been at her sister’s wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among people, where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to go. Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her brain; but she was satisfied with none. (Elizabeth) Chapter 51

He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride, and confessed that he had before thought it beneath him to lay his private actions open to the world. (excerpt from Mrs Gardiner’s letter to Elizabeth, about Mr Darcy’s remorse for not making known his dealings with Wickham, in light of his running away with Lydia) Chapter 52

He looked serious, as usual; and, she thought, more as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, than as she had seen him at Pemberley. But, perhaps he could not in her mother’s presence be what he was before her uncle and aunt. (Elizabeth about Mr Darcy) Chapter 53

The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune. (on Jane’s marriage to Mr Bingley) Chapter 55

Chapters 56–61

Lady Catherine visits the Bennets at Longbourn, wishing to speaking with Elizabeth in private. They take a walk outside where Lady Catherine wants Elizabeth to confirm whether there is any truth to the ‘scandalous’ rumour that Mr Darcy and Elizabeth are to marry. Lady Catherine insists that Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh have been destined for each other since birth, and tries to persuade Elizabeth to reject any offer, reminding her that her low family connections would make an alliance with Mr Darcy disgraceful. Elizabeth is insulted by Lady Catherine’s remarks, and while she confirms that she and Mr Darcy are not engaged, refuses to assure Lady Catherine that she would reject any such marriage proposal if it is offered. Her confrontation with the prideful Lady Catherine shows that Elizabeth can confidently hold her own with those higher in class and that she will base her life choices on her own beliefs and not out of fear of displeasing others or being censured by society. Lady Catherine leaves Longbourn in a furious condition, and Elizabeth keeps their conversation secret.

A letter arrives for Mr Bennet from Mr Collins in which he makes mention of an impending wedding between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth and that it has not been consented to by Lady Catherine. No doubt the letter’s intention is to persuade Mr Bennet to discourage Elizabeth on the matter, the idea of which Mr Bennet finds absurd anyway given he is still under the illusion the pair have a dislike of one another.

Mr Darcy again comes to stay with Mr Bingley at Netherfield and the pair visit the Bennets. While out walking, Elizabeth is able to speak privately with Mr Darcy and finally share her gratitude about his kindness to Lydia. Austen returns to a free-flowing dialogue between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy which enables the pair’s feelings for one another to be resolved. Mr Darcy says his only motivation for helping Lydia was Elizabeth and that his feelings towards her are unchanged. Elizabeth confirms Mr Darcy’s feelings are now reciprocated.

Jane is stunned when Elizabeth tells her privately that she loves Mr Darcy and that they intend to get engaged; like her father, Jane was also under the illusion that Elizabeth disliked Mr Darcy. Mr Darcy asks for Mr Bennet’s consent but Mr Bennet first gets Elizabeth’s assurance that she loves Mr Darcy, since he knows that nothing less than an unequal match will satisfy his daughter. Elizabeth discloses to her father Mr Darcy’s actions in fixing the Lydia situation. Mrs Bennet is thrilled with the news of another daughter getting married and immediately changes her opinion about Mr Darcy to a favourable one.

Elizabeth and Mr Darcy discuss the details of how their love developed. Mr Darcy writes to Lady Catherine about the engagement, which infuriates her as expected. The Collinses, the Lucases and Mrs Phillips congratulate the couple.

In the final chapter, Austen provides a cheerful snapshot of where the characters are more than twelve months later, after Elizabeth and Jane have married. Mr Bingley has purchased an estate near Pemberley, allowing the sisters to visit each other frequently. Lydia and Wickham continue to impose on their prosperity. Elizabeth and Georgiana have developed the relationship Mr Darcy hoped they would, and, adding to the optimism, Miss Bennet and Lady Catherine have finally been able to put aside their prejudice and, at least to some degree, have accepted Elizabeth.

Chapters 56–61 Quotes

‘You have a very small park here’ …
‘It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady, I dare say; but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas’s.’ (Lady Catherine and Mrs Bennet) Chapter 56

My daughter and my nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient — though untitled — families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. (Lady Catherine to Elizabeth about Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh) Chapter 56

‘I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.’ (Elizabeth to Lady Catherine) Chapter 56

‘It taught me to hope … as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly.’ (Mr Darcy to Elizabeth) Chapter 58

Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, ‘Yes, you know enough of my frankness to believe me capable of that. After abusing you so abominably to your face, I could have no scruple in abusing you to all your relations.’ (to Mr Darcy) Chapter 58

‘You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.’ (Mr Darcy to Elizabeth) Chapter 58

‘I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery.’ (Mr Bennet) Chapter 59

‘The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking, and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone. I roused, and interested you, because I was so unlike them.’ (Elizabeth to Mr Darcy) Chapter 60

Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage; but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, she dropt all her resentment; was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth. Chapter 61