Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 3

A Visitor Arrives

    When in that evening, Jane was well enough to leave her room for a few hours. Bingley made sure the fire was well built up before he sat down by her. Elizabeth was delighted to see that he hardly spoke to anyone else. While Jane and Bingley talked, Darcy took up a book. Caroline Bingley did the same but she secretly spent most of the time watching Mr. Darcy read. Mrs. Hurst played with her rings and bracelets. And now and then she joined in her brother’s conversation with any other.  She yawned again and began walking about the room, although her figure was so elegant. Now Darcy looked up. Without knowing what he was doing, he closed his book. Caroline invited him to join them, but he politely refused. Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile. And then she said, I am convinced then, you must truly have no faults at all. Mr. Darcy said, I cannot forget or forgive the follies and vices of others, if I lose my good opinion of someone it is lost forever. Elizabeth retorted But you have chosen your defect well, it really isn’t laughable. It seems that your defect makes it easy for you to hate everybody. When the pianoforte was opened, Darcy was relieved. He felt more attracted to Elizabeth than he ever wanted to. If it weren’t for her low connections, he feared that he could fall in love with her. The next day, Caroline teased him about paying so much attention to Elizabeth. When Jane was well enough to travel on Sunday, Darcy was relieved to see Elizabeth leave. Later, when the whole Bennet family was together again, Mr. Bennet announced a surprise. Mr. Bennet explained, This is the gentleman who will In herit our home when I’m dead. He may turn you all out of the house if he likes. Mrs. Bennet cried out, Please don’t even mention that horrid man, It’s dreadful that our home will not be passed on to your own children. How unfair that the property can only be passed on to male heirs. Mr. Bennet said, but if you’ll listen to the letter he sent me, perhaps you’ll forgive him a little. Mr. Collins had been raised by an illiterate and stingy father. He had begun life humbly but he had been lucky. He’d been given a living by Lady Catherine de Bourge, who lived in Kent. His new rank in life made him a mixture of pride and modesty. At dinner, Mr. Collins talked at great length about Lady Catherine. No praise was too high for her. He found Mr. Collins completely absurd. Now he was enjoying himself thoroughly. Mr. Collins’ motive for making amends to his cousins soon became clear. He intended to marry one of them! Jane was his first choice until Mrs. Bennet hinted that Jane was likely to be engaged soon. In that case, he settled on Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet was delighted, She never dreamed that she might have  two daughters married soon. The next day, Mr. Collins walked with his cousins to Meryton. All along the way, he delivered pompous remarks. His polite cousins agreed with everything he said. As they reached Meryton, however, Lydia and Catherine began looking up and down the streets in search of officers. Mr. Wickham was completely charming. He had a handsome face, a slender body, and pleasing manners. The whole party was chatting very agreeably when they heard the hoofbeats of horses. Determined not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, he suddenly noticed the stranger. Elizabeth happened to see Darcy and Wickham exchange surprised glances. It was impossible to imagine. And it was just as impossible  not to wonder about this.