Less than three days after Mr. Collins’ proposal to her,
Elizabeth is shocked to discover that Mr. Collins has made an offer or marriage to
Charlotte Lucas, her best friend. She is even more surprised when she learns that
her friend has accepted him. Elizabeth goes to talk to Charlotte but cannot agree
with her friend’s explanation for wanting to become Mr. Collins’ wife.
During a visit to Meryton, the local town, Elizabeth meets Wickham again.
His explanation, that he decided not to attend the ball since it could have
produced an unpleasant scene, satisfies her and she invites him to dine with her family.
Shortly after, Jane receives a letter from Mr. Bingley’s sister which relates that the whole Netherfield party has left for London without any intention of returning. She is upset and convinced that Bingley no longer loves her.
It is now nearly Christmas and its approach brings Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner (Mrs. Bennet’s brother and sister-in-law) from London for a visit. They all attend a Christmas party at the Philips’ house in Meryton during which Charlotte invites Elizabeth to visit her at the Hunsford Parsonage in March. Wickham, to whom Elizabeth finds herself increasingly attracted, is also at the party. When the Gardiners return to London, they bring a depressed Jane with them in hope that a change of scene will raise her spirits.
After a quiet winter, March finally arrives. Wickham is now courting Miss King, a young lady who has a fortune of 10 000 pounds. He calls on Elizabeth before she leaves to visit Charlotte. She forgives him for his mercenary motives. They part on the promise that they will always be friends.
Elizabeth finds the situation at the parsonage much as she expected. Charlotte
is satisfied with her new life but spends as much time as possible away from her
husband. They are all invited to dine at Rosings Park, the residence of Lady
Catherine De Bourgh who is Mr. Collins patroness and Mr. Darcy’s aunt. Lady Catherine,
a dictatorial and impertinent woman, is astonished by Elizabeth’s clever and direct
manner of speaking.
The visit to Hunsford passes quietly until, unexpectedly, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, his cousin, arrive at Rosings to visit their aunt (Lady Catherine). Elizabeth immediately becomes friends with Fitzwilliam and continues to, unknowingly, attract Darcy’s attention.
One day, Elizabeth meets Colonel Fitzwilliam during a walk in the woods around Rosings. He reveals to Elizabeth that Darcy boasts of having recently saved his friend Bingley from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage. An upset Elizabeth realizes that Darcy was responsible for separating Bingley and Jane.
Upon her return to the parsonage, Elizabeth decides to reread Jane’s melancholy
letters and ponder over Darcy’s arrogant conduct. She is in the midst of this when
she is interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Darcy himself. After some brief statements
of greeting, he begins pacing around the room until, suddenly, he bursts out into a
declaration of love for her. Elizabeth is amazed and stunned, not only by this
announcement, but also by Darcy’s insulting method of proposal.
Angrily, she refuses him.
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Pride and Prejudice Paradise: Main
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