Jane Austen Stories – Pride and Prejudice Part 15

Host & Narrator: Dame Julie Andrews
Date: November 18, 2025
Podcast Network: Noiser
Source Text: Original "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Episode Overview

In Part 15 of "Pride and Prejudice," the narrative resumes with Elizabeth Bennet digesting the shocking revelations from Mr. Darcy’s letter. As she prepares to depart Kent and return home, Elizabeth’s mind churns with reconsiderations of Darcy and Wickham, tinged by guilt, regret, and new perspectives. Meanwhile, Lydia’s chiming frivolity and the daily rhythms of the Bennet family household resume, but undercurrents of secrets and emotional turmoil persist. The episode covers Austen’s chapters 38–40, exploring the aftermath of Darcy’s letter, the return of the sisters to Longbourn, and Elizabeth’s candid revelations to Jane.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap of Recent Events (01:09)

• Julie Andrews provides context: Darcy’s letter overturned Elizabeth’s assumptions, clearing his own reputation, exposing Wickham’s deceptions, and explaining his interference in Bingley and Jane’s romance.
• Elizabeth faces her own misjudgments and the discomfort of possibly having wronged Darcy in her rebuke.

2. Elizabeth’s Departure from Hunsford (01:09 - 06:30)

• Elizabeth and Mr. Collins exchange parting civilities. Mr. Collins expresses his pride in their “intimacy at Rosings” and unwavering faith in Lady Catherine’s lasting favor:
  • “You may in fact carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. ...I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage.” — Mr. Collins [03:00]
• Charlotte, though melancholic, seems content in her chosen domesticity.
• The journey home is pensive for Elizabeth; Maria’s chatter contrasts with Elizabeth’s private anxieties.
  • “How much I shall have to tell, and how much I shall have to conceal.” — Elizabeth, internal reflection [04:20]

3. London Interlude and Internal Tension (06:30 - 08:45)

• Elizabeth and Maria stay briefly with the Gardiners. Jane appears well but endlessly occupied, limiting Elizabeth’s chance to confide.
• Elizabeth wrestles with whether to share Darcy’s proposal and the truths in his letter with Jane.

4. Return to Meryton; Lydia and Kitty’s Antics (13:08 - 21:50)

• The sisters reunite with the more boisterous Lydia and Kitty, who are in high spirits, their conversation shallow and peppered with malapropisms and jokes.
  • “I have bought this bonnet. I do not think it is very pretty, but I thought I might as well buy it as not. … Oh, but there were two or three much uglier in the shop.” — Lydia [14:20]
• Lydia is determined for the family to visit Brighton, enticed by the prospect of “a whole camp full of soldiers,” an idea viewed with dread by Elizabeth.
  • “Brighton and a whole camp full of soldiers to us who have been overset already by one poor regiment of militia…” — Elizabeth, internal reflection [15:40]
• Lydia gleefully reveals that Wickham is no longer in pursuit of Mary King, to the mixed relief and dismay of her sisters.
  • “There is no danger of Wickham's marrying Mary King. … Who could [care] about such a nasty little freckled thing?” — Lydia [17:37]

5. The Longbourn Homecoming (21:50 - 24:50)

• The reunited Bennet family, joined by the extended Lucases, demonstrate their usual bustle. Mrs. Bennet fusses over Jane; Lydia dominates the conversation with tales of “fun” and mischief.
• Mary offers a dry contrast, preferring books to “congenial pleasures.”
  • “Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures. … I confess they would have no charms for me. I should infinitely prefer a book.” — Mary [23:50]
• Elizabeth firmly opposes an immediate trip to Meryton, wary of the appearance and the risk of encountering Wickham.

6. Domestic Plots and Parental Schemes (24:50 - 26:36)

• The “Brighton scheme” is a frequent but contentious topic between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth notes her father’s evasiveness and lack of seriousness, whereas Mrs. Bennet persists in hope.

7. Elizabeth’s Confession to Jane (26:38 - 39:00)

• Elizabeth, unable to wait, finally unburdens herself to Jane about Darcy’s proposal and the true character of Wickham:
  • “You do not blame me, however, for refusing him?” — Elizabeth [28:00]
  • “Blame you? Oh, no.” — Jane [28:03]
• Jane, ever charitable, is shocked by Wickham’s duplicity but tries to find the capacity to disbelieve in complete wickedness.
  • “There is such an expression of goodness in his countenance, such an openness and gentleness in his manner.” — Jane [32:00]
• Elizabeth is more pragmatic and dryly witty about her earlier prejudices:
  • “One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.” — Elizabeth [32:22]
• They debate whether to expose Wickham’s character publicly. Jane advises discretion; Elizabeth agrees, respecting Darcy’s confidentiality.
  • “I want to be told whether I ought or ought not to make our acquaintances in general understand Wickham's character.” — Elizabeth [34:40]
  • “Surely there can be no occasion for exposing him so dreadfully.” — Jane [34:45]
• Elizabeth feels lighter, though she withholds Bingley’s involvement to spare Jane further heartache.

8. Jane’s Lingering Unhappiness (39:00 - 41:20)

• Elizabeth, at last able to observe her sister, recognizes Jane’s persistent sorrow over Bingley.
• Mrs. Bennet, tone oscillating between bitterness and hope, ruminates over Jane’s romantic woes and accuses Mr. Bingley of mistreating her daughter.
  • “Well, my comfort is, I am sure, Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done.” — Mrs. Bennet [41:00]
• Conversation shifts to the Collinses, money matters, and the perpetual topic of the Longbourn inheritance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mr. Collins on his marital bliss and status:
  “Between us we seem to have been designed for each other.” [03:37]
• Lydia on the significance of fashion:
  “I have bought this bonnet. ...I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home and see if I can make it up any better.” [14:35]
• Elizabeth’s private reflection:
  “How much I shall have to tell, and how much I shall have to conceal.” [04:20]
• Elizabeth summarizes her new insights:
  “One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.” [32:22]
• Mary’s deadpan response to her sisters’ hijinks:
  “Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures. ...I confess they would have no charms for me. I should infinitely prefer a book.” [23:50]
• Elizabeth to Jane, weighing difficult secrets:
  “There is one point on which I want your advice. I want to be told whether I ought or ought not to make our acquaintances in general understand Wickham’s character.” [34:40]
• Mrs. Bennet’s morbid optimism:
  “Well, my comfort is, I am sure, Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done.” [41:00]

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• [01:09] — Episode recap and transition into Chapter 38
• [03:00–04:00] — Mr. Collins’ farewell speech
• [13:08] — Return journey; Lydia and Kitty’s antics at the inn
• [17:37] — Lydia’s “news” about Wickham and Mary King
• [23:50] — Mary’s rebuttal on loud amusements vs. books
• [26:38–39:00] — Elizabeth recounts Darcy’s proposal and letter to Jane
• [32:22] — Elizabeth and Jane debate appearance vs. reality in men’s characters
• [41:00] — Mrs. Bennet laments Jane’s heartbreak and Bingley

Episode Tone and Style

Julie Andrews’ gentle, regal narration imparts the quiet tension underlying Austen’s witty observations. Dialogue remains sharp, layered with Victorian manners and sly satire, especially in Elizabeth’s inner thoughts and exchanges with Jane, and the comic outbursts of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia.

Closing and What’s Next (41:20–41:55)

Julie Andrews teases coming chapters:
Elizabeth prepares to travel north with the Gardiners, Lydia is set to travel south to Brighton with the militia, and Lizzie must face Wickham armed with the truth. Fate—or social obligation—will bring Elizabeth back into Mr. Darcy’s path at Pemberley.

This episode deftly transitions from personal revelations and regret, through comic interludes and sibling camaraderie, to questions of prudence, secrecy, and hope—hallmarks of Austen’s enduring appeal.