Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 9

Elizabeth Changes Her Mind

                While Elizabeth finally saw Jane alone, she told her everything except what she had learned about Bingley. But what a blow for Jane to hear about Wickham, It was hard for her to believe that anyone could be so wicked. Wickham did leave for Brighton, Elizabeth was delighted to see him go. But Kitty and Lydia were miserable that the regiment had gone. She was invited to Brighton to stay with Mrs. Forster, the young wife of the regiment colonel. In the last couple of months, she and Lydia had become close friends Lydia was in Ecstasy, Elizabeth secretly advised her father not to let Lydia go to Brighton. Elizabeth had to be satisfied with this answer Lydia left soon after the regiment. With the officers gone, there were fewer Parties, the summer passed slowly, Elizabeth waited impatiently to begin her travels with the Gardiners. Finally, in mid-July, her aunt and uncle arrived. As their trip began, they traveled to many parts of Derbyshire, enjoying each other company thoroughly. Lambton, Elizabeth learned, was only five miles from Pemberly, years ago, Mrs.Gardiner had visited Pemberly, and now she wished to visit it again. Just the possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy at Pemberly made Elizabeth blush. It would be dreadful She decided to speak openly to her aunt, but then she learned that Mr. Darcy would be away from Pemberly for the summer, so off they went to Pemberly. Her spirits were in high flutter as the carriage drove toward Pemberly House,It was a large and handsome stone building, with a stream in front. After welcoming them, the housekeeper led them on a tour of the house, Elizabeth was lost in admiration, the rooms were handsome indeed and decorated in fine taste. Elizabeth blushed and stared at each other. Then he stepped forward and politely asked about her family.Elizabeth’s embarrassment was extreme. Yet she wondered at how changed he was. Never had he seemed so gentle, in spite of everything, she longed to know if he still loved her. When he asked her to introduce him to the Gardiners, she could hardly keep from smiling. Here was her family, which he had scorned, Yet now Darcy was all courtesy Elizabeth was pleased as he spoke to her uncle. Everything her uncle said showed his intelligence and good manners. Before leaving, Elizabeth told Darcy that She did not expected him to be at Pemberly, he replied that he’d been traveling ahead of his party. The next day, Mr. Darcy and his sister came to visit Elizabeth at the inn, Georgiana Darcy was a great surprise to Elizabeth, She seemed as embarrassed as Elizabeth. In a few minutes, they heard his quick step on the stairs, On seeing Bingley, Elizabeth’s thoughts flew to her sister, she watched him speak to Miss Darcy, who was supposed to be Jane’s rival, but Elizabeth saw no attraction between them. After going to bed that night, Elizabeth lay awake for hours, she tried to decide how she felt about Mr. Darcy, her feelings of strong dislike had disappeared,now she felt very grateful. If she chose, she felt she still hadthe power to make him happy, the next day, they were invited to dine at Pemberly all eyes were on Darcy and Elizabeth, No one watched them more closely. Georgiana seemed much too overcome with embarrassment to look at anyone. Caroline had no idea that she was hurting Georgiana far more than Elizabeth, When Elizabeth left Caroline remarked, how very poorly Elizabeth Bennet looked.