Jane Austen Stories – Pride and Prejudice Part 19

Host: Dame Julie Andrews
Date: December 2, 2025
Podcast: Jane Austen Stories by Noiser

Episode Overview

In this dramatic installment, Dame Julie Andrews reads and brings to life the pivotal turning point of Pride and Prejudice where Elizabeth Bennet receives devastating news about her youngest sister, Lydia. The episode follows the emotional fallout from Lydia’s elopement with Mr. Wickham, highlighting the shame and crisis wrought upon the Bennet family. Family members desperately attempt to make sense of events, rescue Lydia, and reckon with their own mistakes in what is perhaps one of the most suspenseful and heart-wrenching chapters of the novel.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap and Set-up (01:09)

• Julie Andrews reminds listeners of the previous episode: Elizabeth’s growing affection for Darcy, her meeting with Georgiana Darcy, and the awkward visit from Mr. Bingley and his sister.
• Tensions between Elizabeth and Darcy intensify as Ms. Bingley attempts (unsuccessfully) to undermine Elizabeth.
• Memorable Quote:
  "Ms. Bingley continued to be jealous over Darcy's fondness for Elizabeth, her attempts to belittle Lizzie totally backfired, with Darcy jumping to her defense."
  — [01:09, Julie Andrews]

2. The Shocking News – Jane’s Letters Arrive (03:00–09:00)

• Elizabeth finally receives long-awaited letters from Jane, only to find distressing news:

  • Lydia has run away to Scotland with Mr. Wickham.
  • The event is both shocking and potentially disastrous for the family’s reputation.
  • Jane tries to offer hope but admits that Lydia and Wickham may not actually be married, as originally believed.

• Notable Quote:
  "Be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia... she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers—to own the truth, with Wickham, imagine our surprise."
  — [04:00, Julie Andrews, as Jane's letter]

• The family’s initial hope that Lydia and Wickham eloped to marry (in Gretna Green, Scotland) is replaced by alarm when it’s revealed, through Wickham’s associate, that marriage was likely never Wickham’s intent.

3. Immediate Chaos (09:00–16:00)

• Elizabeth, overcome with horror, goes in search of her uncle, Mr. Gardiner, only to run into Mr. Darcy.

  • She is so distressed she cannot explain herself coherently.
  • Darcy reacts with deep concern and insists on helping, displaying his character.

• Memorable Exchange:

  • Darcy: "Good God, what is the matter?"
  • Elizabeth: "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment. On business that cannot be delayed. I have not an instant to lose."
    — [12:30, Dramatic exchange]

• Elizabeth finally explains the situation to Darcy, breaking down in tears.

• Darcy is stunned and pained by the news, and Elizabeth is wracked with guilt over not warning her family of Wickham’s true character.

• Notable Quote:
  "When I consider... that I might have prevented it. I, who knew what he was, had I but explained some part of it... But it is all, all too late now."
  — [14:35, Elizabeth/Lizzy]

4. The Fallout with Mr. Darcy (16:00–19:00)

• Darcy tries to offer consolation, but Elizabeth is locked in despair.

• She is also now convinced that whatever feeling Darcy had for her is surely snuffed out by this family disgrace.

• The two part on somber terms, with Darcy promising discretion and offering sincere sorrow for Elizabeth’s distress.

• Quote:
  "Would to heaven that anything could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to such distress..."
  — [17:55, Mr. Darcy (narration)]

5. Elizabeth, the Gardiners, and Urgent Departure (19:00–26:00)

• Elizabeth relays all news to her aunt and uncle.

• Mr. Gardiner immediately promises assistance. The whole group makes hasty preparations to leave for Longbourn.

  • The future of Lydia — and their whole family — hangs in the balance.

• Quote:
  "Not Lydia only, but all were concerned in it. And after the first exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr. Gardiner readily promised every assistance in his power. Elizabeth, though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of gratitude."
  — [22:30, Narration]

6. The Journey Home & Family Debate (28:11–40:00)

• As they travel, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner debate the likelihood that Wickham would truly intend not to marry Lydia.
• Elizabeth, better knowing Wickham’s character, is less sanguine.
• Guilt and remorse surface, as Elizabeth reflects on her role in not warning her family about Wickham’s true nature.
• Mrs. Gardiner asks pointedly how Elizabeth knows so much about Wickham; Elizabeth alludes to past events with Darcy, but keeps details private.
• Quote:
  "But Jane knows as well as I do what Wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every sense... that he is as false and deceitful as he appears charming."
  — [34:10, Elizabeth]

7. Arrival at Longbourn (40:00–47:00)

• The family reunion is fraught with anxiety and emotion.

• Jane remains hopeful for a good outcome, while Mrs. Bennet is characteristically hysterical, lamenting their disgrace and potential ruin.

  • Mrs. Bennet’s blame and fears are partially directed at others (the Forsters, her husband, her neighbours).

• Mr. Gardiner assures the family of his support, promising to join Mr. Bennet in London to search for Lydia.

• Quote:
  "Poor, dear child. And now here's Mr. Bennet gone away, and I know he will fight Wickham wherever he meets him, and then he will be killed. And what is to become of us all?"
  — [45:15, Mrs. Bennet]

• Mary offers a notably moralizing take, remarking upon the irretrievable nature of female “loss of virtue”—causing Elizabeth to “lift up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed to make any reply.”

8. Elizabeth and Jane Reflect – More Details on Lydia’s Flight (50:07–59:00)

• In a private moment, Elizabeth and Jane review the details:
  • Col. Forster had no real suspicion of serious affection between Lydia and Wickham, though Lydia showed some partiality.
  • Denny, Wickham’s friend, denies knowledge of their plans.
  • Jane produces Lydia’s letter to Mrs. Forster, which is thoughtless and childish, showing her innocence and the seriousness of the act ("I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to Mr. Pratt for not keeping my engagement and dancing with him tonight.").
• The sisters reflect with pain and regret:
  • Elizabeth’s self-reproach for not exposing Wickham.
  • Jane’s attempts to justify their past silence as acting with best intentions.
  • Elizabeth is frustrated with the well-meaning but ultimately useless sympathies of their neighbours.

9. Mr. Bennet’s Efforts and Further Steps (59:00–61:30)

• Jane explains that her father, in London, is seeking information from postilions and hackney coach drivers.

• There is still a slim hope Lydia and Wickham will be found and made to marry.

• Quote:
  "His principal object must be to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them from Clapham. It had come with a fare from London, and, as father thought, the circumstance of a gentleman and lady's removing from one carriage into another might be remarked."
  — [60:45, Jane]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “She has no money, no connections, nothing that could tempt him to. She is lost forever.”
  — [14:26, Elizabeth to Darcy]

• “Oh, how acutely did Lizzie now feel it. She was wild to be at home—to hear, to see, to be upon the spot, to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly upon her.”
  — [24:20, Narration]

• “Do not give way to useless alarm... there is no occasion to look on it as certain. It is not quite a week since they left Brighton. In a few days more we may gain some news of them.”
  — [46:30, Mr. Gardiner]

• “Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable, that one false step involves her in endless ruin...”
  — [47:50, Mary]

• “Let them triumph over us at a distance and be satisfied.”
  — [56:44, Elizabeth, on the neighbours]

• “But at least it shows that she [Lydia] was serious in the object of her journey, whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her side a scheme of infamy.”
  — [53:30, Elizabeth]

Important Timestamps

• 01:09 – Opening recap and reintroduction
• 03:00 – Arrival of Jane’s letters
• 09:00 – Elizabeth confronts Darcy with the news
• 17:55 – Darcy’s heartfelt, but resigned, response
• 22:30 – The Gardiners promise help
• 28:11 – The family’s journey home, debate over Wickham’s intentions
• 40:00 – Arrival at Longbourn, news-sharing and Mrs. Bennet’s lamentations
• 47:50 – Mary Bennet's moralizing commentary
• 50:07 – Sisters finally share more details, Lydia's letter read aloud
• 59:00 – Jane describes Mr. Bennet’s investigation plan

Tone and Style

True to Jane Austen’s original prose, the tone is both sharp and emotional, mixing family melodrama and social anxiety with moments of gentle wit and irony. Julie Andrews’ narration adds a dignified, compassionate, and suspenseful atmosphere that enlivens the drama and heartbreak at the heart of this episode.

Conclusion

This episode marks one of the darkest turns in Pride and Prejudice, shifting focus from courtship and manners to a full-blown family crisis. It exquisitely captures the panic, regret, and desperate hope that envelop the Bennets in the aftermath of Lydia’s scandal. As the episode concludes, anticipation is heightened for the fate of Lydia—and the reputation and prospects of the Bennet family as a whole.

Next episode preview:
“In the next episode, even more of Mr. Wickham's vices come to light. Mr. Bennet combs the rough streets of London, searching for any sign of his runaway daughter as Elizabeth and Jane anxiously await news. But even if the fugitive couple can be found, will anyone be able to reason with Wickham and protect Lydia’s future?” — [61:49, Julie Andrews]