Pride and Prejudice Part 10

Summary

Jane Austen Stories: Pride and Prejudice Part 10

Podcast: Jane Austen Stories by NOISER
Narrator: Dame Julie Andrews
Episode Date: October 31, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode continues the masterful narration of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (Chapters 25–26) by Dame Julie Andrews, capturing the emotional and social complexities gathering around the Bennet sisters in the aftermath of Charlotte Lucas’ engagement to Mr. Collins and the collapse of Jane’s budding romance with Mr. Bingley. The episode explores themes of practicality in marriage, social maneuvering, heartbreak, and familial expectations, all set against the backdrop of the Bennet family’s Christmas festivities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlotte Lucas’ Engagement and Mr. Collins’ Departure

• Mr. Collins takes solemn leave of the Bennets after confirming his engagement to Charlotte Lucas, offering further thanks and anticipating his “happiest of days.”
  • “He took leave of his relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before, wished his fair cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another letter of thanks.” (02:12)
• Elizabeth’s Discomfort: Lizzie remains upset by Charlotte’s pragmatic choice, feeling the loss of idealistic romance in her friend’s decision.

2. Christmas at Longbourn; The Gardiners’ Arrival

• The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner brings joy and perspective to Longbourn.
  • Mr. Gardiner is portrayed as “a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister...by nature as well as education,” surprising those who judge by social class. (03:01)
  • Mrs. Gardiner is elegant, intelligent, and a favorite of Elizabeth and Jane.
• Mrs. Bennet’s Lamentations:
  • She bemoans the missed opportunities—Jane’s disappointment with Bingley and Elizabeth’s refusal of Mr. Collins, worrying about the entailment of the Longbourn estate.
  • "It is very hard to think that she might have been Mr. Collins’ wife by this time, had it not been for her own perverseness." (04:25)

3. Jane’s Heartbreak, Bingley’s Absence, and Aunt Gardiner’s Advice

• Mrs. Gardiner gives pragmatic counsel, suggesting Jane join them in London for a change of scene.
  • "A young man such as you describe, Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets her." (05:20 – Mrs. Gardiner)
• Elizabeth’s Skepticism about Bingley’s love being merely a victim of “accident of separation” and deeply suspects the interference of his friends, especially Mr. Darcy.
  • "It does not often happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man...to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in love with only days before." (05:42 – Elizabeth)
• Clever Banter:
  • Elizabeth jokes about the signs of love:
    "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?" (06:10 – Elizabeth)

4. Wickham and Elizabeth: Growing Concerns

• Mrs. Gardiner becomes concerned by the growing rapport between Elizabeth and Wickham, recognizing the imprudence of a match without fortune.
• Mrs. Gardiner recalls her personal connections to Derbyshire and Pemberley, providing common ground for conversation with Wickham, who shares fresh gossip and his own story about Mr. Darcy’s treatment of him.
• Past Impressions: Mrs. Gardiner remembers hearing of Darcy as “a very proud, ill-natured boy.” (13:56)

5. Chapter 26: Mrs. Gardiner's Caution & Charlotte’s Wedding

• Mrs. Gardiner’s Gentle Warning:
  • “You are too sensible a girl, Lizzie, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it... Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself...in an affection which the want of fortune would make so imprudent.” (15:58 – Mrs. Gardiner)
• Elizabeth’s Response:
  • With humor yet respect, she promises caution:
    “I am not in love with Mr. Wickham. No, I certainly am not. But he is beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw.” (16:40 – Elizabeth)
• Charlotte’s Wedding:
  • Mr. Collins marries Charlotte Lucas; Mrs. Bennet begrudgingly wishes them happiness.
  • Elizabeth and Charlotte reaffirm their friendship, with Charlotte inviting her to visit Hunsford.

6. Jane’s Life in London & the Bingley Disappointment

• Jane moves to London with the Gardiners, hoping (with little faith) to run into Mr. Bingley.
• Miss Bingley’s coldness is finally undeniable after weeks of absence and a cool, unsubstantial visit.
  • "I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer.” (28:00 – Jane, in her letter)
• Jane’s honest and forgiving disposition shines through, even as her heart is broken.

7. Wickham’s Attention Moves Elsewhere

• Elizabeth reports to Mrs. Gardiner that Wickham’s attentions towards her have lessened, shifting to a woman recently come into £10,000—which Elizabeth views with equanimity.
  • "My dear aunt, I am now convinced, that I have never been much in love...my feelings are not only cordial toward him, they are even impartial towards Ms. King." (32:30 – Elizabeth)
• Elizabeth’s maturity and lack of bitterness demonstrate true self-awareness.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mrs. Bennet’s Frustration:
  "The Lucases are very artful people indeed, sister. They are all for what they can get. I’m sorry to say it of them, but so it is." (04:51 – Mrs. Bennet)

• On Bingley’s Fickleness:
  "A young man such as you describe, Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets her." (05:20 – Mrs. Gardiner)

• Elizabeth’s Wit on Love’s Symptoms:
  "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?" (06:10 – Elizabeth)

• Mrs. Gardiner on Prudence in Love:
  "Do not involve yourself or endeavor to involve him in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent." (15:59 – Mrs. Gardiner)

• Jane’s Graciousness in Disappointment:
  "My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgment at my expense when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley’s regard for me." (28:00 – Jane, in her letter)

• Elizabeth Summing Up Her Feelings:
  "I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love...my feelings are not only cordial toward him, they are even impartial towards Ms. King." (32:30 – Elizabeth)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:39 – Dame Julie Andrews opens with a concise recap and orientation for the episode.
• 02:12 – Mr. Collins’ farewell after engagement to Charlotte Lucas.
• 03:01–04:51 – Arrival of the Gardiners, Mrs. Bennet’s grievances and complaints.
• 05:20–07:15 – Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss Jane’s disappointment and the nature of young men in love.
• 13:56 – Reminiscences about Derbyshire, Pemberley, and a young, prideful Mr. Darcy.
• 15:58–18:05 – Chapter 26: Mrs. Gardiner’s caution to Elizabeth about Wickham; Lizzy’s promised restraint.
• 19:46–23:30 – Charlotte Lucas’ wedding and subsequent correspondence; Elizabeth’s complex feelings on her friend’s marriage.
• 25:45–29:15 – Jane’s letters from London, Miss Bingley’s coldness, and Jane’s acceptance of the situation.
• 32:30–34:40 – Elizabeth reflects maturely on Wickham’s attentions and her own unscathed heart.

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Tone & Style

Narrated with warmth, dry humor, and insight by Dame Julie Andrews, this episode maintains Austen’s satirical yet compassionate outlook. It balances the heartbreaks and social maneuverings with flashes of wit and moments of emotional truth, true to both Austen and Andrews’ style.

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Conclusion & Next Episode Teaser

The episode closes with Elizabeth and Jane at emotional crossroads: Jane resigns herself to the end of her romance, and Elizabeth sees her attachment to Wickham wane as his interest shifts elsewhere. The stage is set for new social entanglements as Elizabeth prepares for a visit to Hunsford, foreshadowing an encounter with the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

“In the next episode, Elizabeth leaves the familiarity of Longbourn and heads to Kent, hoping to repair a relationship that has come under strain. During an eventful few days away, Lizzie unexpectedly finds herself in the enormous, intimidating home of the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. There she is forced to defend herself and her family from a scathing attack.” (35:55 – Dame Julie Andrews)

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For those who missed the episode:
This installment is rich in character insight, social commentary, and subtle wit, offering a well-paced dramatic progression towards the novel’s central reckonings. Elizabeth and Jane’s travails serve as a window into both the limitations and the agency of women in Regency England.

Transcript

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[Narrator (Julie Andrews)]

Welcome to Jane Austen Stories. I'm Julie Andrews and from the Noiser Podcast Network. This is Pride and prejudice part 10. In the last episode, Elizabeth was astonished when she learned that her best friend had Charlotte Lucas, had agreed to marry Mr. Collins. Having already turned down the pompous clergyman herself. Lizzie could not understand her friend's decision. Charlotte admitted that she isn't particularly interested in love, just a comfortable home and secure Future, and with Mr. Collins due to inherit the Longbourn estate, he can offer her those things at least. All in all, not the most romantic of matches, and one that Lizzie cannot feel pleased about. Our heroine then turned her attentions to her wounded sister, Jane. Mr. Bingley, we're told, does not intend to return to Hertfordshire to see Jane again. So strange, after it seemed certain the pair would get engaged. What Lizzie is now certain of is that Bingley's malign and meddling sister has something to do with this unhappy development. Now, as winter settles over the countryside and Christmas draws near, we pick up the story once more from the Noiza Podcast Network. This is Pride and prejudice, chapter 25. After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of Felicity, Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by the arrival of Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might be alleviated on his side by preparations for the reception of his bride. As he had reason to hope that shortly after his next return into Hertfordshire, the day would be fixed that was to make him the happiest of men, he took leave of his relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before, wished his fair cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another letter of thanks. On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend the Christmas at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister, as well by nature as education. The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade within view of his own warehouses could have been so well bred and agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs. Bennet, was an amiable, intelligent, elegant woman, and a great favourite with her Longbourn nieces. Between the two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted a very particular regard. They had frequently been staying with her in town. The first part of Mrs. Gardiner's business on her arrival was to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When this was done, she had a less active part to play. It became her turn to listen. Mrs. Bennet had many grievances to relate, and much to complain of. They had all been very ill used since she last saw her sister. Two of her girls had been on the point of marriage, and after all, there was nothing in it. I do not blame Jane, Mrs. Bennet continued, for Jane would have got Mr. Bingley if she could. But Lizzie. Oh, sister. It is very hard to think that she might have been Mr. Collins wife by this time, had it not been for her own perverseness. He made her an offer in this very room, and she refused him. The consequence of it is, that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have, and that Longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever. The Lucases are very artful people indeed, sister. They are all for what they can get. I'm sorry to say it of them, but so it is. It makes me very nervous and poorly to be thwarted so in my own family, and to have neighbours who think of themselves before anybody else. However, your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us of the long sleeves, Mrs. Gardner, to whom the chief of this news had been given before in the course of Jane. And Elizabeth's correspondence with her made her sister a slight answer, and in compassion to her nieces turned the conversation when alone with Elizabeth. Afterwards, she spoke more on the subject. It seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane, said Mrs. Gardiner. I'm sorry it went off, but these things happen so often. A young man such as you describe, Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets her. That these sort of inconstancies are very frequent. An excellent consolation in its way, said Elizabeth, but it will not do for us. We do not suffer by accident. It does not often happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man of independent Fortune to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in love with only a few days before. But that expression of violently in love is so hackneyed, so doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me very little idea, said Mrs. Gardiner. It is as often applied to feelings which arise only from a half hour's acquaintance as to a real strong attachment. Pray, how violent was Mr. Bingley's love. I never saw a more promising inclination. He was growing quite inattentive to other people and wholly engrossed by her, replied Lizzie. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies by not asking them to dance, and I spoke to him twice myself without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love? Oh, yes, cried Mrs. Gardiner, of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. Poor Jane. I am sorry for her, because with her disposition she may not get over it immediately. It had better have happened to you, Lizzy. You would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. But do you think she would be prevailed on to go back with us to London? Change of scene might be of service, and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as anything. Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and felt persuaded of her sister's ready acquiescence. I hope, added Mrs. Gardiner, that no consideration with regard to this young man will influence her. We live in so different a part of town, all our connections are so different, and, as you well know, we go out so little, that it is very improbable that they should meet at all, unless he really comes to see her. And that is quite impossible, replied Lizzie, for he is now in the custody of his friend, and Mr. Darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane in such a part of London than my dear aunt, how could you think of it? Mr. Darcy may perhaps have heard of such a place as Gracechurch street, but he would hardly think a month's ablution enough to cleanse him from its impurities, were he once to enter it. And, depend upon it, Mr. Bingley never stirs without him. So much the better, replied Mrs. Gardiner. I hope they will not meet at all. But does not Jane correspond with his sister? She will not be able to help calling, Lizzie replied. She will drop the acquaintance entirely. But in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth affected to place this point, as well as the still more interesting one of Bingley's being withheld from seeing Jane, she felt a solicitude on the subject which convinced her, on examination, that she did not consider it entirely hopeless. It was possible, and sometimes she thought it probable, that his affection might be reanimated and the influence of his friends successfully combated by the more natural influence of Jane's attractions. Miss Jane Bennet accepted her aunt's invitation with pleasure, and the Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the same time than as she hoped, by Caroline's not living in the same house with her brother, she might occasionally spend a morning with her without any danger of seeing him. The Gardiners stayed a week at Longbourn, and what with the Phillipses, the Lucases, and the officers, there was not a day without its engagement. Mrs. Bennet had so carefully provided for the entertainment of her brother and sister, that they did not once sit down to a family dinner. When the engagement was for home, some of the officers always made part of it, of which officers Mr. Wickham was sure to be one. And on these occasions, Mrs. Gardiner, rendered suspicious by Elizabeth's warm commendation of him, narrowly observed them both, without supposing them from what she saw to be very seriously in love. Their preference of each other was plain enough to make her a little uneasy, and she resolved to speak to Elizabeth on the subject before she left Hertfordshire, and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging such an attachment to Mrs. Gardiner. Wickham had one means of affording pleasure unconnected with his general powers. About 10 or a dozen years ago, before her marriage, she had spent a considerable time in that very part of Derbyshire to which he belonged. They had therefore many acquaintances in common, and though Wickham had been little there since the death of Darcy's father five years before, it was yet in his power to give her fresher intelligence of her former friends than she had been in the way of procuring. Mrs. Gardiner had seen Pemberley, and known the late Mr. Darcy by character perfectly well. Here, consequently, was an inexhaustible subject of discourse. In comparing her recollection of Pemberley with the minute description which Wickham could give, and in bestowing her tribute of praise on the character of its late possessor, she was delighting both him and herself on being made acquainted with the present Mr. Darcy's treatment of Wickham, she tried to remember something of that gentleman's reputed disposition, when quite a lad, which might agree with it, and was confident at last that she recollected having heard Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy formerly spoken of as a very proud, ill natured boy.

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[Narrator (Julie Andrews)]

Chapter 26. Mrs. Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly given on the first favorable opportunity of speaking to her alone. After honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went on. You are too sensible a girl, Lizzie, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it, and therefore I am not afraid of speaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to say against him. He is a most interesting young man, and if he had the fortune he ought to have, I think you could not do better. But as it is, you must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense and we all expect you to use it. Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father. My dear Aunt, this is being serious indeed, replied Lizzie. Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise. Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care of myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with me, if I can prevent it. Elizabeth, you are not serious now? Replied her aunt. I beg your pardon, I will try again. At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham. No, I certainly am not. But he is beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw. And if he becomes really attached to me, I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it. Oh, that abominable Mr. Darcy. My father's opinion of me does me the greatest honour, and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy. But since we see every day that where there is affection, young people are seldom withheld by immediate want of fortune from entering into engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow creatures, if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it would be wiser to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short, I will do my best. Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so very often, replied Mrs. Gardiner. At least you should not remind your mother of inviting him, as I did the other day, said Elizabeth with a conscious smile. Very true, it will be wise in me to refrain from that. But do not imagine that he is always here so often. It is on your account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You know my mother's ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her friends. But really, and upon my honour, I will try to do what I think to be wisest. And now I hope you are satisfied. Her aunt assured her that she was, and Elizabeth, having thanked her for the kindness of her hints, they parted. A wonderful instance of advice being given on such a point without being resented. Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted by the Gardiners and Jane. But as he took up his abode with the Lucases, his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet. His marriage was now fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned as to think it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say in an ill natured tone, that she wished they might be happy. Thursday was to be the wedding day, and on Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her Farewell visit. And when she rose to take her leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother's ungracious and reluctant good wishes and sincerely affected herself, accompanied her out of the room. As they went downstairs together, Charlotte said, I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Lizzie. That you certainly shall, replied Lizzie. And I have another favour to ask. Will you come and see me? We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire, replied Lizzie. I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me therefore, to come to Hunsford. Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the visit. My father and sister Maria are coming to me in March, added Charlotte, and I hope you will consent to be of the party. Indeed, Lizzie, you will be as welcome to me as either of them. The wedding took place. The bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from the church door, and every everybody had as much to say or to hear on the subject as usual. Elizabeth soon heard from her friend, and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been. That it should be equally unreserved was impossible. Elizabeth could never address her without feeling that all the comfort of intimacy was over. And though determined not to slacken, as a correspondent it was for the sake of what had been rather than what was. Charlotte's first letters were received with a good deal of eagerness. There could not but be curiosity to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would like Lady Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to be. Though when the letters were read, Elizabeth felt that Charlotte had expressed herself on every point exactly as she might have foreseen. She wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts and mentioned nothing which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighbourhood and roads were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine's behaviour was most friendly and obliging. It was Mr. Collins picture of Hunsford and Rosings rationally softened and Elizabeth perceived that she must wait for her own visit there to know the rest.

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[Narrator (Julie Andrews)]

Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to announce their safe arrival in London, and when she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys. Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as impatience generally is. Jane had been a week in town without either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, however, by supposing that her last letter to her friend from Longbourn had, by some accident been lost. My aunt, jane continued, is going tomorrow into that part of town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street. She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen Miss Bingley. I did not think Caroline in spirits were her words, but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London. I was right, therefore my last letter had never reached her. I inquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much engaged with Mr. Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that Ms. Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visit was not long as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall soon see them here. Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced her that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley. Jane's being in town four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him. She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret it, but she could no longer be blind to Ms. Bingley's inattention. After waiting at home every morning for a fortnight and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for her, the visitor did at last appear. But the shortness of her stay, and yet more the alteration of her manner, would allow Jane to deceive herself no longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will prove what she felt. My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgment at my expense, when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my dear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate if I still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate with me. But if the same circumstances were to happen again, I'm sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday, and not a note, not a line, did I receive in the meantime time. When she did come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it. She made a slight formal apology for not calling before, said not a word of wishing to see me again, and was in every respect so altered a creature that when she went away, I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance. No longer I pity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did. I can safely say that every advance to intimacy began on her side. But I pity her because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it. I need not explain myself further. And though we know this anxiety to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily account for her behavior to me, and so deservedly dear as he is to his sister, whatever anxiety she may feel on his behalf is natural and amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having any such fears now. Because if he had at all cared about me, we must have met long, long ago. He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from something she said herself. And yet it was seen by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy. I cannot understand it. If I were not afraid of judging harshly, I should be almost tempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. I will endeavor to banish every painful thought, and think only of what will make me happy. Your affection and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you. Very soon. Miss Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield again, of Giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better not mention it. I'm extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them with Sir William and Maria. I'm sure you will be very comfortable there. Yours, etc. This letter gave Elizabeth some pain, but her spirits returned as she considered that Jane would no longer be duped by the sister. At least all expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. Lizzie could not even wish for any renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on every review of it. And as a punishment for him, as well as a possible advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr. Darcy's sister, as by Wickham's account, she would make him abundantly regret what he had thrown away. Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise concerning that gentleman, and required information, and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to herself. His apparent partiality had subsided. His attentions were over. He. He was the admirer of someone else. Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain. Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it. The sudden acquisition of £10,000 was the most remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable. But Elizabeth, less clear sighted perhaps in this case than in Charlotte's, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence. Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural, and while able to suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very sincerely wish him happy. All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner, and after relating the circumstances, Lizzy, thus went. I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love. For had I really experienced that pure and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial toward him, they are even impartial towards Ms. King. I cannot find out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all of this. My watchfulness has been effectual. And though I should certainly be a more interesting object to all my acquaintances, were I distractedly in love with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance. Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. Kitty and Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain. In the next episode, Elizabeth leaves the familiarity of Longbourn and heads to Kent, hoping to repair a relationship that has come under strain. During an eventful few days away, Lizzie unexpectedly finds herself in the enormous, intimidating home of the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. There she is forced to defend herself and her family from a scathing attack. That's next time on Jane Austen's Stories, Pride and Prejudice. You can listen to the next two episodes of Pride and Prejudice right now without waiting by subscribing to Noiser Plus. Head to www.noiser.comscriptions for more information or click the link in the episode Description.

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