Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 59-61

Summary

Storytime for Grownups: Pride and Prejudice – Chapters 59-61 Summary

Episode Title: Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 59-61
Host/Author: Faith Moore
Release Date: November 25, 2024

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Introduction

In the final episode of this season's journey through Jane Austen's beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice, Faith Moore and guest Jacob Nalder delve into the concluding chapters—59 to 61. This episode not only recounts the climactic events but also offers insightful commentary on character development and thematic resolutions, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the novel's endgame.

Recap of Previous Chapters

Faith Moore begins by recapping the developments from chapters 57 and 58, setting the stage for the final act. She recalls how Mr. Bennet receives a surprising letter from Mr. Collins revealing rumors of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's engagement. Despite the initial disbelief and Elizabeth's internal turmoil, Darcy's persistent visits to Longbourn alongside Mr. Bingley indicate the seriousness of the engagement. Elizabeth expresses her gratitude to Darcy for his role in Lydia's marriage, leading to a heartfelt discussion that culminates in their mutual confession of love and engagement.

Notable Quote:

"Mr. Bennet, via a letter from Mr. Collins, learns of the rumor that Elizabeth and Darcy are engaged. He thinks it's hilarious because obviously Darcy is proud and rude and Elizabeth hates him."
— Jacob Nalder [05:39]

Listener Engagement and Insights

Jacob Nalder highlights a profound listener comment that underscores the novel's exploration of character perception. The listener observes that while most characters remain unchanged, the readers' perceptions evolve, reflecting personal growth and shifting judgments. This commentary resonates deeply, emphasizing that Pride and Prejudice invites readers to introspect about their biases and the nature of true character.

Notable Quote:

"We judge too quickly now. We need to change. In a way, it's our character that progresses."
— Jacob Nalder [06:30]

Faith Moore expands on this insight, illustrating how characters like Mr. Bennet and Lydia reveal different facets as the story progresses, paralleling the listeners' own evolving perspectives.

Analysis of Character Progression

The discussion delves into the static nature of most characters contrasted with the dynamic development of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Jacob emphasizes that while characters such as Mr. Bennet and Lydia do not undergo significant personal changes, the audience's understanding of them deepens, highlighting Austen's mastery in character portrayal.

Notable Quote:

"Pretty much every single character in this book, except for Elizabeth and Darcy, stays the same. But we have changed our opinions about a lot of them."
— Jacob Nalder [07:43]

Faith Moore concurs, pointing out that Elizabeth and Darcy are the sole characters who truly transform, embodying themes of personal growth, humility, and love overcoming prejudice.

Reading of Chapters 59-61

Faith Moore narrates the final chapters, bringing Austen's prose to life. She recounts Elizabeth's revelation of her engagement to Darcy, her mother's ecstatic approval driven by Darcy's wealth, and the ensuing familial and societal reactions. The reading highlights key moments such as Mr. Bennet's reluctant acceptance, Mrs. Bennet's unbridled joy, and the subtle resolutions among other characters.

Notable Excerpts:

"I do love him. Indeed, he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable. You do not know what he really is."
— Mr. Bennet [12:51]

"Elizabeth receives the news with a mix of relief and apprehension, knowing her father's disapproval but confident in her happiness."
— Jacob Nalder [13:06]

The chapters conclude with societal adjustments: the Collinses relocating to distance themselves from Lady Catherine's wrath, Lydia and Wickham's continued frivolity, and the blossoming tranquility at Pemberley. The narrative ties up loose ends, showcasing how Elizabeth and Darcy's union serves as the linchpin for familial reconciliation and societal harmony.

Conclusion and Wrap-Up

As the episode draws to a close, Jacob and Faith reflect on the novel's resolution, celebrating the union of Elizabeth and Darcy as not just a romantic culmination but a testament to personal growth and mutual respect. They encourage listeners to share their thoughts and engage with future content, including an upcoming Christmas Special featuring Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Notable Quote:

"Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are the only people to change in a world where everyone else has stayed the same, they have to deal with the prejudices of the people around them which haven't changed."
— Jacob Nalder [12:28]

Faith Moore emphasizes the enduring relevance of Austen's themes, inviting listeners to continue their literary journeys with future podcast episodes.

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Key Takeaways

• Character Perception: Pride and Prejudice masterfully plays with character perceptions, encouraging readers to reassess their judgments and recognize personal biases.

• Dynamic Protagonists: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy exemplify personal growth, transforming from prejudiced and proud individuals to partners founded on mutual respect and understanding.

• Societal Reflection: The novel critiques societal norms and expectations, highlighting the tension between personal happiness and familial approval.

• Enduring Themes: Themes of love, prejudice, and personal development remain pertinent, making Pride and Prejudice a timeless literary masterpiece.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Jacob Nalder [05:39]:

   "Mr. Bennet, via a letter from Mr. Collins, learns of the rumor that Elizabeth and Darcy are engaged. He thinks it's hilarious because obviously Darcy is proud and rude and Elizabeth hates him."

2. Jacob Nalder [06:30]:

   "We judge too quickly now. We need to change. In a way, it's our character that progresses."

3. Jacob Nalder [07:43]:

   "Pretty much every single character in this book, except for Elizabeth and Darcy, stays the same. But we have changed our opinions about a lot of them."

4. Jacob Nalder [12:28]:

   "Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are the only people to change in a world where everyone else has stayed the same, they have to deal with the prejudices of the people around them which haven't changed."

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Final Thoughts

Faith Moore and Jacob Nalder's final episode on Pride and Prejudice not only narrates the conclusion of Austen's novel but also enriches the listening experience with thoughtful analysis and engaging discussion. By dissecting character development and thematic elements, they provide a profound appreciation of the novel's enduring charm and societal commentary.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own perceptions and growth, much like the characters in the story, embodying the essence of Storytime for Grownups—transforming classic literature into a relatable and insightful auditory journey.

Transcript

[Faith Moore]

Hello and welcome to Storytime for Grown Ups. I'm Faith Moore and this season we're reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Each episode I'll read a few chapters from the book, pausing from time to time to give brief explanations so it's easier to follow along. It's like an audiobook with built in notes. So brew a pot of tea, find a cozy chair and settle in. It's story time. Hello. Welcome back. We made it. We made it to the end of the book.

[Jacob Nalder]

This is the final episode of the chapters of Pride and Prejudice. We're reading chapters 59 through 61 today and there aren't any more.

[Faith Moore]

So.

[Jacob Nalder]

So welcome to the end of the book. It's been such an amazing, wonderful journey and I cannot wait to share the end of this book with you. Just as I have so enjoyed and loved sharing the whole of this book with you. As you can probably hear, my voice is not exactly back to what I would like it to be, but it is here enough for us to soldier on and I do apologize for the sound of it. Again, the chapters do not sound like this and I will try not to talk too long during this intro section so that you don't have to listen to the scratchy voice for too long. But I did want to make sure that I was here to be with you as we finish this book together. Also, did you catch the trailer? I hope you did.

[Faith Moore]

If you're not subscribed, you might not.

[Jacob Nalder]

Have, so make sure you're subscribed. But did you catch the trailer? We are reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for our December Christmas Spectacular. I am so excited. I've already started recording some chapters. I've already started prepping some various bits and pieces for it and I cannot wait to share this book with you. So I hope you're as excited about this as I am. Please do write in to me and tell me what you think of this choice, faith k.moore.com and click on contact or of course there's a link in the show notes. I would love to hear what you guys are thinking at the start of this December special. So we're going to be reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. We're going to read a chapter, an episode, and we're going to talk all about it. It's going to be so much fun. It's going to be the coziest Christmasiest time together and I cannot wait. I cannot wait to spend December with you in this way. It's just making me giddy for the holiday Season to start. So I hope that you're excited too, and let me know what you're thinking about that. One other very quick housekeeping detail, but quite important. I have discovered how to change the word coffee to the word tea on Buy Me a Coffee. So now if you choose to support the show financially by going to Buy me a coffee, you will discover that in fact, you are buying me a tea. And this has made me very happy, and I hope it makes you happy, too. So if you are able and willing and interested in supporting the show financially and the work that I do, then you, you can go and click the link that's in the show notes and buy me a tea or several teas or however many teas you want. And that is much more in keeping with the vibe of this show. So I'm very glad I figured out how to do that. Another thing that I wanted to make sure that I just came back around to from last time was, you know, we had that question last time about how does Lady Catherine know anything about Elizabeth and Darcy? And I said that the answer would be in the chapters that we read last time. So I just wanted to make sure in case it's slip by, because it might. It was not exactly laid out very clearly or specifically. So I just wanted to make sure I came back around to that because I know several of you were wondering how she knew. So the answer is when Bingley kept coming to Longbourn to woo Jane and bringing Mr. Darcy with him. The Lucases, who live next door and, you know, are kind of busybodies. The Lucases surmised that Darzee must be coming as often as Bingley is coming because he must be wooing one of the sisters as well. And the most likely sister for him to be wooing would be the next one down in age, which would be Elizabeth. So the Lucases, someone in the Lucas family wrote to Charlotte in their sort of regular writing to her, and they were giving her the gossip that's been going on in the town. And they told her that she, of course, told Mr. Collins and Mr. Collins, of course, told Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Right. So the rumor is actually founded on nothing. So even though it's true that Darcy is in love with Elizabeth and wants to marry her, as we discovered in the last chapter, even though it's true, actually, the rumor started from something that has nothing to do with the fact that he loves her and that she loves him back and that in fact, now they are engaged. Hooray, they're really engaged. We'll talk about that in a minute. But. So that's where the rumor came from, and that's why Lady Catherine knows and came to try to dissuade Elizabeth. So that's the answer to that question. If you have any other questions about that, feel free to write to me. But I just wanted to make sure I came back around to that, because it wouldn't have been fair of me to say, like, it's in the chapters, and then not make sure that you caught it in the chapters. Okay, so let's dive into these last chapters and quickly talk a little bit about what happened last time. So last time we read chapters 57 through 58. So let's recap what happened there. And then I have one really great comment that I'm so thrilled that I got because it's going to really take us home. It's going to take us home today.

[Faith Moore]

So here's the recap. So where we left off. Mr. Bennet, via a letter from Mr. Collins, learns of the rumor that Elizabeth and Darcy are engaged. And he thinks it's hilarious because obviously Darcy is proud and rude and Elizabeth hates him. Elizabeth doesn't say anything against this because Darcy hasn't actually proposed to her, so she can't really explain what's going on. But she's upset that her father would think this. So then Darcy comes to Longbourn with Bingley, and they all go for a walk, and Elizabeth and Darcy end up together. And Elizabeth takes the opportunity to thank him for helping them with Lydia. And Darcy says that he did it all for her. And this leads to them finally discussing their feelings for each other. And they talk through everything that's happened, and now, essentially, they're engaged.

[Jacob Nalder]

Okay, so today's comment comes to us from Jacob Nalder via X. Jacob writes, jane Austen is a clever writer.

[Faith Moore]

In the book, she plays with the.

[Jacob Nalder]

Idea of character progression. Several characters don't change at all, and yet our understanding of them does change. We judge too quickly now. We need to change. In a way, it's our character that progresses. So I absolutely love this comment. I love it so much that when I got it, I actually yelled yes at my computer. Because I think here at the end, something that's making itself clear about this novel is that we are actually a part of the Pride and the Prejudice. We have been forming prejudices as well, and we have been discovering the places we were wrong, and we were have been changing our opinions. I mean, last time we talked a bit about Jane and how she gets overlooked and how we, the reader, have developed some prejudices about her, right? That she's simple, that she's overly trusting, that she's naive. But suddenly we see everything she's been through and how bravely and silently she bore it all. And we realize that she actually has a kind of inner strength that we didn't see before. And we realize it without her changing at all, right? Jane just keeps on being Jane and acting according to her character. It's us that see her differently.

[Faith Moore]

And it's not just Jane.

[Jacob Nalder]

Pretty much every single character in this book, except for Elizabeth and Darcy, stays the same. But we have changed our opinions about a lot of them. I mean, take Mr. Bennet, right? @ first we see him as really funny and maybe as like the only sane one in the Bennet family. But then Lydia runs off and we realize, no, he's actually a negligent father. And this change in our opinion of him is affected by him behaving exactly as he always has, right? Operating according to his character. But at first we see it one way, and then in the new light of Lydia eloping, we see it in a totally different way. And even though Mr. Bennet kind of.

[Faith Moore]

Pays lip service to the idea that.

[Jacob Nalder]

He'S going to change right after Lydia runs off and Mr. Bennet says he's going to keep Kitty much closer to home or whatever, you can see that.

[Faith Moore]

By the chapters we read last time.

[Jacob Nalder]

Though, he's totally fallen back into his usual ways.

[Faith Moore]

Here's a quote he tells Lizzie, for what do we live but to make sport of our neighbors and laugh at.

[Jacob Nalder]

Them in our turn? And then later on he says, much as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins's correspondence for any consideration.

[Faith Moore]

Nay, when I read a letter of.

[Jacob Nalder]

His, I cannot help giving him the preference over even Wickham. Much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my son in law, right? So he's still just seeking out and enjoying these ridiculous people and making jokes about them and laughing at the world. And even though it is still funny, right, the things that he says and the way he says them do still make us laugh. He doesn't seem like the sane one so much anymore. And in fact, when you really think about it for a second, I think we probably don't feel the same level of amusement about him as we once did. Because he's not as harmless, he's not as right seeming to us as he was before. He's the same, but we're different, you know, several Episodes ago, we saw that Lydia is the same as she ever was. But whereas before, maybe we saw her as sort of silly but harmless, now we're enraged by her right, and we feel she's actually harmed her own life and the lives of her sisters as well. We talked a while ago about Mary and how a lot of the things that she says are actually true, even though she delivers them in a way that lacks compassion. We've seen Mr. Collins go from truly odious to still awful, but at least.

[Faith Moore]

Respectable and better than Wickham.

[Jacob Nalder]

And none of these people have changed, but we have. And our opinions of them and the way that they operate in the world, even though those ways are the same as they've always been, our opinions about those things have changed. But of course, the two people who do change in the book are Elizabeth and Darcy. And of course, last time we got them finally talking to each other and finally confessing their love. And even though we didn't actually see him, like, get down on one knee or anything, we are meant to understand that they are now engaged. And much of the lead up to their finally revealing their feelings for each other was about them kind of dancing around the question of, have you changed or haven't you?

[Faith Moore]

Right.

[Jacob Nalder]

Elizabeth wants to know if Darcy still loves her so, if he's stayed the same in that regard, but also whether he's put aside his pride enough to marry her, so whether he's changed in that regard. And Darcy wants to know if Elizabeth has put aside her prejudices about him and whether her feelings toward him have changed. And of course, Darcy's feelings are the same, but he has put aside his pride. And Elizabeth's feelings are totally different than they were because she has put aside her prejudice.

[Faith Moore]

And Elizabeth ends up saying to Darcy.

[Jacob Nalder]

Essentially that now that we have changed for the better, both of us, let's forget the past and go forward into the world as our new and improved selves.

[Faith Moore]

Right?

[Jacob Nalder]

Here's what she says. But think no more of the letter.

[Faith Moore]

The feelings of the person who wrote and the person who received it are.

[Jacob Nalder]

Now so widely different from what they were then that every unpleasant circumstance attending.

[Faith Moore]

It ought to be forgotten.

[Jacob Nalder]

You must learn some of my philosophy.

[Faith Moore]

Think only of the past as its.

[Jacob Nalder]

Remembrance gives you pleasure.

[Faith Moore]

Right.

[Jacob Nalder]

So Darcy and Elizabeth are different people now. They think differently, they feel differently, and they see the world differently. And their future happiness is built on the fact that this new understanding is right and good for both of them. And it's only because they were able to change that they can now come together and each of them was the catalyst for change in the other, right? But now, of course, because they are the only people to change in a world where everyone else has stayed the same, they have to deal with the prejudices of the people around them which haven't changed.

[Faith Moore]

And Elizabeth in particular has to deal.

[Jacob Nalder]

With the fact that everyone thinks that she hates Darcy.

[Faith Moore]

Right?

[Jacob Nalder]

The conversation that she has with Mr. Bennet about Mr. Collins's letter is so hurtful to Elizabeth because Mr. Bennet is operating the way he always has, with the information he has at his disposal.

[Faith Moore]

But she has changed utterly, right? Mr. Bennet says could he or the.

[Jacob Nalder]

Lucases have pitched on any man within the circle of our acquaintance whose name would have given the lie more effectually.

[Faith Moore]

To what they related? Mr. Darcy, who never looks at any.

[Jacob Nalder]

Woman but to see a blemish and who probably never looked at you in his life.

[Faith Moore]

Right? And this is really hurtful to Elizabeth.

[Jacob Nalder]

Because she actually really loves Darcy. And at that point, she's hoping that maybe Darcy loves her back, but she's not sure. So hearing that hurts because she's so changed. But everything around her is still the same. Everything, of course, except Darcy.

[Faith Moore]

And that's how we know that Darcy.

[Jacob Nalder]

Is her perfect match, right?

[Faith Moore]

The one for her.

[Jacob Nalder]

Her soulmate, if you will. Right. Elizabeth has changed in a world that never changes.

[Faith Moore]

And when she looks around her with.

[Jacob Nalder]

Her new eyes, the only man who could make her happy is the only man who has changed as well. And we see Darcy differently now, too. Our love of him has come on gradually, the way Elizabeth's love did for him. And as Jacob said so well, our characters have progressed along with Elizabeth's. So here we are at the very end of the book. We've had our two proposals, Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy. All the various dominoes that were set up are falling very nicely into place. And this rom com that's really so much more than a rom com is just about to drop its final curtain. You know, it has been an absolute joy reading this book with you.

[Faith Moore]

And please do write in with your.

[Jacob Nalder]

Thoughts on the end of this book. We are going to do one final episode on Pride and Prejudice. It's going to come out on Thursday as usual, it's Thanksgiving, so I've recorded it already and it's waiting for you.

[Faith Moore]

But even so, do write in with.

[Jacob Nalder]

Your thoughts and comments about the end of this book, because first of all, I will reply to you, but also, if I get them in time, I can add them to that episode or we can talk about them down the road. So I would love to hear your thoughts at the end of this book. So that'll be the wrap up episode and then starting December 2nd, so we're.

[Faith Moore]

Not taking a break.

[Jacob Nalder]

So that will be Thursday, Thanksgiving, the 28th, and then the following Monday will be December 2nd, and that will be an introduction episode to A Christmas Carol. So we're not going to start the book on that day, but like we did for Pride and Prejudice. I will intro the book for you and I'll talk to you more about that on Thursday as well, what that's going to be like and then that Thursday. So a week from Thanksgiving, that's when we're going to start with chapter one of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. And I really do hope that you will join us for all of those things. It's going to be a really, really fun December and I can't wait. But we do have to finish this book first, so let's do that and I'll see you on the other side. All right, let's get started with chapters 59 through 61 of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It's story time.

[Faith Moore]

Chapter 59. My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking to? Was a question which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she entered the room and from all the others when they sat down to table. She had only to say in reply that they had wandered about till she was beyond her own knowledge. She coloured as she spoke, but neither that nor anything else awakened a suspicion of the truth. The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extraordinary. The acknowledged lovers talked and laughed. The unacknowledged were silent. Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness overflows in mirth. And Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather knew that she was happy than felt herself to be so. For besides the immediate embarrassment, there were other evils before her. She anticipated what would be felt in the family when her situation became known. She was aware that no one liked him but Jane, and even feared that with the others it was a dislike which not all his fortune and consequence might do away. So Elizabeth is scared to tell her family that she's engaged to Darcy because no one in the family likes him except Jane, who likes everyone. At night she opened her heart to Jane. Though suspicion was very far from Ms. Bennet's general habits, she was absolutely incredulous. Here you are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be. Engaged to Mr. Darcy? No, no, you shall not deceive me. I know it to be impossible. This is a Wretched beginning, indeed. My sole dependence was on you. And I am sure nobody else will believe me if you do not. Yet, indeed I am in earnest. I speak nothing but the truth. He still loves me and we are engaged. Jane looked at her doubtingly. Oh, Lizzy, it cannot be. I know how much you dislike him. You know nothing of the matter. That is all to be forgot. Perhaps I did not always love him so well as I do now, but in such cases as these, a good memory is unpardonable. This is the last time I shall ever remember it myself. Miss Bennet still looked all amazement. Elizabeth again and more seriously assured her of its truth. Good heaven, can it really be so? Yet now I must believe you.

[Jacob Nalder]

Cried Jane.

[Faith Moore]

My dear, dear Lizzy, I would. I do congratulate you. But are you certain? Forgive the question. Are you quite certain that you can be happy with him? There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already that we are to be the happiest couple in the world. But are you pleased, Jane? Shall you like to have such a brother? Very, very much. Nothing could give either Bingley or myself more delightful. But we considered it. We talked of it as impossible. And do you really love him? Quite well enough. Oh, Lizzy, do anything rather than marry without affection. Are you quite sure that you feel what you ought to do? Oh, yes. You will only think I feel more than I ought to do when I tell you all. What do you mean? Why, I must confess that I love him better than I do Bingley. I am afraid you will be angry, my dearest sister. Now, Bebe, serious. I want to talk very seriously. Let me know everything that I am to know without delay. Will you tell me how long you have loved him? It has been coming on so gradually that I hardly know when it began, but I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley. So she's joking that she's marrying him for his money. Another entreaty that she would be serious, however, produced the desired effect, and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn assurances of attachment. When convinced on that article, Miss Bennet had nothing further to wish. Now I am quite happy, said she, for you will be as happy as myself. I always had a value for him. Were it for nothing but his love of you, I must always have esteemed him. But now, as Bingley's friend and your husband, there can be only Bingley and yourself more dear to me. But, Lizzie, you have been very sly, very reserved with me. How little did you tell Me of what passed at Pemberley and Lambton. I owe all that I know of it to another, not to you. Elizabeth told her the motives of her secrecy. She had been unwilling to mention Bingley, and the unsettled state of her own feelings had made her equally avoid the name of his friend. But now she would no longer conceal from her his share in Lydia's marriage. All was acknowledged, and half the night spent in conversation. Good gracious. Cried Mrs. Bennet as she stood at a window the next morning. If that disagreeable Mr. Darcy is not coming here again with our dear Bingley, what can he mean by being so tiresome as to be always coming here? I had no notion but he would go a shooting or something or other and not disturb us with his company. What shall we do with him? Lizzy? You must walk out with him again, that he may not be in Bingley's way. Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient a proposal, yet was really vexed that her mother should be always giving him such an epithet. As soon as they entered, Bingley looked at her so expressively and shook hands with such warmth as left no doubt of his good information. And he soon afterwards said aloud, Mrs. Bennet, have you no more lanes hereabout in which Lizzy may lose her way again to day? I advise Mr. Darcy and Lizzy and Kitty, said Mrs. Bennet, to walk to Oakham Mount this morning. It is a nice long walk, and Mr. Darcy has never seen the view. It may do very well for the others, replied Mr. Bingley, but I am sure it will be too much for Kitty. Won't it, Kitty? So Bingley clearly knows about Darcy and Elizabeth, and he's trying to get them some time alone together. Kitty owned that she had rather stay at home. Darcy professed a great curiosity to see the view from the mount, and Elizabeth silently consented. As she went upstairs to get ready, Mrs. Bennet followed her, saying, I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that disagreeable man all to yourself, but I hope you will not mind it. It is all for Jane's sake, you know, and there is no occasion for talking to him, except just now and then, so do not put yourself to inconvenience. During their walk, it was resolved that Mr. Bennet's consent should be asked. In the course of the evening, Elizabeth reserved to herself the application for her mother's. She could not determine how her mother would take it, sometimes doubting whether all his wealth and grandeur would be enough to overcome her abhorrence of the man. But whether she were violently set against the match or violently delighted with it, it was certain that her manner would be equally ill adapted to do credit to her sense. And she could no more bear that Mr. Darcy should hear the first raptures of her joy than the first vehemence of her disapprobation. So Elizabeth doesn't know how her mother will react to finding out that she's engaged to Darcy because she hates him, but also he's super rich. But however she reacts, she doesn't want Darcy to be there, because she knows the reaction will be ridiculous, whatever it is. In the Evening, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to the library, she saw Mr. Darcy rise also and follow him, and her agitation on seeing it was extreme. She did not fear her father's opposition, but he was going to be made unhappy, and that it should be through her means that she, his favourite child, should be distressing him by her choice, should be filling him with fears and regrets. In disposing of her was a wretched reflection, and she sat in misery till Mr. Darcy appeared again. When, looking at him, she was a little relieved by his smile. In a few minutes he approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty, and, while pretending to admire her work, said in a whisper, go to your father, he wants you in the library. She was gone directly. Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious. Lizzie, said he, what are you doing? Are you out of your senses to be accepting this man? Have not you always hated him? How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more moderate? It would have spared her from explanations and professions which it was exceedingly awkward to give, but they were now necessary, and she assured him, with some confusion, of her attachment to Mr. Darcy. So she's telling him that she actually loves Mr. Darcy now, which is kind of embarrassing. Or, in other words, you are determined to have him. He is rich, to be sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane, but will they make you happy? Have you any other objection, said Elizabeth, than your belief of my indifference? Not at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man. But this would be nothing if you really liked him. I do. I do like him, she replied with tears in her eyes. I love him. Indeed, he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable. You do not know what he really is. Then pray do not pain me by speaking of him in such terms. Lizzy, said her father, I have given him my consent. He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse anything which he condescended to ask. I now give it to you, if you are resolved on having him. But let me advise you to think better of it. I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable unless you truly esteemed your husband. Unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger. In an unequal marriage, you could scarcely escape discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life. You know not what you are about. Elizabeth, still more affected, was earnest and solemn in her reply, and at length by repeated assurances that Mr. Darcy was really the object of her choice. By explaining the gradual change which her estimation of him had undergone, relating her absolute certainty that his affection was not the work of a day, but had stood the test of many months. Suspense, and enumerating with energy all his good qualities, she did conquer her father's incredulity and reconcile him to the match. Well, my dear, said he when she ceased speaking, I have no more to say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy. To complete the favorable impression, she then told him what Mr. Darcy had voluntarily done for Lydia. He heard her with astonishment. This is an evening of wonders indeed. And so Darcy did everything. Made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow's debts, and got him his commission. So much the better. It will save me a world of trouble and economy. Had it been your uncle's doing, I must and would have paid him. But these violent young lovers carry everything their own way. I shall offer to pay him to morrow. He will rant and storm about his love for you, and there will be an end of the matter. He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before on his reading Mr. Collins's letter, and after laughing at her some time, allowed her at last to go, saying as she quitted the room, if any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure. Elizabeth's mind was now relieved from a very heavy weight, and after half an hour's quiet reflection in her own room, she was able to join the others with tolerable composure. Everything was too recent for gaiety, but the evening passed tranquilly away. There was no longer anything material to be dreaded, and the comfort of ease and familiarity would come in time. When her mother went up to her dressing room at night, she followed her and made the important communication. Its effect was most extraordinary, for on first hearing it, Mrs. Bennet sat quite still and unable to utter a syllable. Nor was it under many, many minutes that she could comprehend what she had heard, though not in general backward to credit what was for the advantage of her family, or that came in the shape of a lover to any of them. She began at length to recover, to fidget about in her chair. Get up, sit down again, wonder and bless herself. Good gracious Lord, bless me. Only think, dear me, Mr. Darcy, who would have thought it? And is it really true? Oh, my sweetest Lizzy, how rich and how great she will be. What bin money, what jewels, what carriages you will have. Jane's is nothing to it, nothing at all. I am so pleasedso happy.

[Jacob Nalder]

Such a charming man.

[Faith Moore]

So handsome, so tall. Oh, my dear Lizzy. Pray apologize for my having disliked him so much before. I hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy. A house in town, everything that is charming. Three daughters married, 10,000 a year. All. Oh, Lord, what will become of me? I shall go distracted. This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be doubted.

[Jacob Nalder]

So Mrs. Bennet approves of the match because Darcy's so rich.

[Faith Moore]

And Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an effusion was heard only by herself, soon went away. But before she had been three minutes in her own room, her mother followed her. My dearest child, she cried, I can think of nothing else. 10,000 a year, and very likely more. Tis as good as a lord and a special license. You must and shall be married by a special license. People could get a special license to marry wherever they want, instead of in their local parish church. So she's saying that she wants them to have a very grand wedding. But, my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of, that I may have it tomorrow. This was a sad omen of what her mother's behaviour to the gentleman himself might be. And Elizabeth found that, though in the certain possession of his warmest affection and secure of her relations consent, there was still something to be wished for. But the morrow passed off much better than she expected, for Mrs. Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended son in law that she ventured not to speak to him unless it was in her power to offer him any attention or mark her deference for his opinion. Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father, taking pains to get acquainted with him, and Mr. Bennet soon assured her that he was rising every hour in his esteem. I admire all my three sons in law highly, said he. Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite. But I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's. Chapter 60. Elizabeth's spirit soon rising to playfulness again. She wanted Mr. Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her. How could you begin? Said she. I can comprehend your going on charmingly when you had once made a beginning. But what could set you off in the first place? I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun. My beauty, you had early withstood. As for my manners, my behaviour to you was at least always bordering on the uncivil. And I never spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not. Now be sincere. Did you admire me for my impertinence? For the liveliness of your mind? I did. You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less. The fact is that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking and looking and thinking for your approbation alone. I roused and interested you because I was so unlike them. Had you not been really amiable, you would have hated me for it. But in spite of the pains you took to disguise yourself, your feelings were always noble and just, and in your heart you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously courted you. There I have saved you the trouble of accounting for it. And really, all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly reasonable. To be sure you know no actual good of me. But nobody thinks of that when they fall in love. Was there no good in your affectionate behavior to Jane while she was ill at Netherfield?

[Jacob Nalder]

Dearest Jane.

[Faith Moore]

Who could have done less for her, but make a virtue of it, by all means. My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible. And in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarreling with you as often as may be. And I shall begin directly by asking you, what made you so Unwilling to come to the point at last? What made you so shy of me when you first called and afterwards dined here? Why, especially when you called, did you look as if you did not care about me? Because you were grave and silent and gave me no encouragement. But I was embarrassed, and so was I. You might have talked to me more when you came to dinner. A man who felt less Mighty. How unlucky that you should have a reasonable answer to give, and that I should be so reasonable as to admit it. But I wonder how long you would have gone on if you had been left to yourself. I wonder when you would have spoken if I had not asked you. My resolution of thanking you for your kindness to Lydia had certainly great effect. Too much, I am afraid, for what becomes of the moral if our comfort springs from a breach of promise, for I ought not to have mentioned the subject. This will never do. You need not distress yourself. The moral will be perfectly fair. Lady Catherine's unjustifiable endeavours to separate us were the means of removing all my doubts. I am not indebted for my present happiness to your eager desire of expressing your gratitude. I was not in a humour to wait for an opening of yours. My aunt's intelligence had given me hope, and I was determined at once to know everything. Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her happy, for she loves to be of use. But tell me, what did you come down to Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrassed? Or had you intended any more serious consequences? My real purpose was to see you, and to judge, if I could, whether I might ever hope to make you love me, my avowed one, or. What I avowed to myself was to see whether your sister was still partial to Bingley, and if she were to make the confession to him which I have since made. Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady Catherine what is to befall her? I am more likely to want time than courage, Elizabeth, but it ought to be done. And if you will give me a sheet of paper, it shall be done directly. And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did. But I have an aunt too, who must not be longer neglected from an unwillingness to confess how much her intimacy with Mr. Darcy had been overrated. Elizabeth had never yet answered Mrs. Gardiner's long letter, but now, having that to communicate, which she knew would be most welcome, she was almost ashamed to find that her uncle and aunt had already lost three days of happiness, and immediately wrote, as I would have thanked you before, my dear aunt, as I ought to have done for your long, kind, satisfactory detail of particulars. But to say the truth, I was too cross to write you supposed more than really existed. But now suppose as much as you choose. Give a loose to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the subject will afford. And unless you believe me actually married, you cannot greatly err. You must write again very soon and praise him a great deal more than you did in your last letter. I thank you again and again for not going to the lakes. How could I be so silly as to wish it? Your idea of the ponies is delightful. We will go round the park every day. I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but no one with such justice. I am happier even than James. She only smiles, I laugh. Mr. Darcy sends you all the love in the world that can be spared from me. You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas. Yours, etc. Mr. Darcy's letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style, and still different from either, was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. Collins in return for his last. Dear sir, I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console lady Catherine as well as you can, but if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more to give. Yours Sincerely, etc. Ms. Bingley's congratulations to her brother on his approaching marriage were all that was affectionate and insincere. She wrote even to Jane on the occasion, to express her delight and repeat all her former professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but she was affected, and, though feeling no reliance on her, could not help writing her a much kinder answer than she knew she deserved. The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar information was as sincere as her brother's in sending it. Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her delight and all her earnest desire of being loved by her sister. Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any congratulations to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn family heard that the Collinses were come themselves to Lucas Lodge. The reason of this sudden removal was soon evident. Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over. At such a moment, the arrival of her friend was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth, though in the course of their meetings she must sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought when she saw Mr. Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of her husband. So the Collinses have come to stay with the Lucases to get away from Lady Catherine's anger. And Elizabeth is very happy to see her friend, but embarrassed, by the way, that Mr. Collins acts toward Mr. Darcy.

[Jacob Nalder]

Because he's falling all over him.

[Faith Moore]

He bore it, however, with admirable calmness. He could even listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed his hopes of their all meeting frequently at St James's with very decent composure. If he did shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir William was out of sight. Mrs. Phillips's vulgarity was another, and perhaps a greater tax on his forbearance. And though Mrs. Phillips, as well as her sister, stood in too much awe of him to speak, with the familiarity which Bingley's good humour encouraged, yet whenever she did speak, she must be vulgar. Nor was her respect for him, though it made her more quiet at all, likely to make her more elegant. Elizabeth did all she could to shield him from the frequent notice of either, and was ever anxious to keep him to herself and to those of her family, with whom he might converse without mortification. And though the uncomfortable feelings arising from all this took from this season of courtship much of its pleasure, it added to the hope of the future, and she looked forward with delight to the time when they should be removed from society, so little pleasing to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their family party at Pemberley. Chapter 61 Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters with what delighted pride. She afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley, and talked of Mrs. Darcy may be guessed. I wish I could say for the sake of her family, that the accomplishment of her earnest desire in the establishment of so many of her children produced so happy an effect as to make her a sensible, amiable, well informed woman for the rest of her life. Though perhaps it was lucky for her husband, who might not have relished domestic felicity in so unusual a form that she still was occasionally nervous and invariably silly. So Even though all Mrs. Bennet's dreams of having her daughters well married have come true, she's still as ridiculous and silly as ever. Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly. His affection for her drew him oftener from home than anything else could do. He delighted in going to Pemberley, especially when he was least expected. Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth, so near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable, even to his easy temper or her affectionate heart. The darling wish of his sisters was then gratified. He bought an estate in a neighbouring county to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth in addition to every other source of happiness, were within 30 miles of each other. Kitty, to her very material advantage, spent the chief of her time with her two elder sisters. In society so superior to what she had generally known, her improvement was great. She was not of so ungovernable a temper as Lydia, and removed from the influence of Lydia's example, she became, by proper attention and management, less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid. From the further disadvantage of Lydia's society, she was, of course, carefully kept. And though Mrs. Wickham frequently invited her to come and stay with her with the promise of balls and young men, her father would never consent to her going. Mary was the only daughter who remained at home, and she was necessarily drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments by Mrs. Bennet's being quite unable to sit alone. Mary was obliged to mix more with the world, but she could still moralize over every morning visit. And as she was no longer mortified by comparisons between her sister's beauty and her own, it was suspected by her father that she submitted to the change without much reluctance. As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the conviction that Elizabeth must now become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude and falsehood had before been unknown to her, and in spite of everything, was not wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on to make his fortune. So Lydia and Wickham haven't changed at all, and Wickham thinks that maybe Elizabeth's marrying Darcy will somehow mean that Darcy will help Wickham out with money. The congratulatory letter which Elizabeth received from Lydia on her marriage explained to her that by his wife at least, if not by himself, such a hope was cherished. The letter was to this. My dearest Lizzy, I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half so well as I do. My dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do of about three or four hundred a year. But, however, do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not yours, etc. As it happened that Elizabeth had much rather not, she endeavoured in her answer to put an end to every entreaty and expectation of the kind. Such relief, however, as it was in her power to afford, by the practice of what might be called economy, in her own private expenses she frequently sent them. So Elizabeth won't ever ask Darcy to send money to Wickham and Lydia, because he's done more than enough for them already. But Elizabeth does send them some of her own money from time to time. It had always been evident to her that such an income as theirs, under the direction of two persons, so extravagant in their wants and heedless of the future, must be very insufficient to their support. And whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane or herself were sure of being applied to for some little assistance towards discharging their bills. Their manner of living, even when the restoration of peace dismissed them to a home, was unsettled in the extreme. They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap situation, and always spending more than they ought. His affection for her soon sunk into indifference. Hers lasted a little longer, and in spite of her youth and her manners, she retained all the claims to reputation which her marriage had given her. Though Darcy could never receive him at Pemberley, yet for Elizabeth's sake, he assisted him further in his profession. Lydia was occasionally a visitor there when her husband was gone, to enjoy himself in London or Bath. And with the Bingleys, they both of them frequently stayed so long that even Bingley's good humour was overcome, and he proceeded so far as to talk of giving them a hint to be gone. Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy's marriage, but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, she dropped all resentment, was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth. Pemberley was now Georgiana's home, and the attachment of the sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able to love each other even as well as they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion in the world of Elizabeth, though at first she often listened with an astonishment bordering on alarm at her lively, sportive manner of talking to her brother, he who had always inspired in herself a respect which almost overcame her affection, she now saw the object of open pleasantry. Her mind received knowledge which had never before fallen in her way. By Elizabeth's instructions, she began to comprehend that a woman may take liberties with her husband, which a brother will not always allow in a sister more than 10 years younger than himself. Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew, and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end. So Darcy stopped talking to his aunt.

[Jacob Nalder]

For a while because of how she.

[Faith Moore]

Responded to his marrying Elizabeth. But at length, by Elizabeth's persuasion, he was prevailed on to overlook the offense and seek a reconciliation. And after a little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment gave way either to her affection for him or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself. And she condescended to wait on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods had received, not merely from the presence of such a mistress, but the visits of her uncle and aunt from the city with the gardeners. They were always on the most intimate terms. Darcy as well as Elizabeth really loved them, and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.

[Jacob Nalder]

Thank you so much for listening. This concludes our reading of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, but I'd still.

[Faith Moore]

Love to know what you thought of the chapters.

[Jacob Nalder]

Is there anything you'd like me to clarify? Did something particularly interest you? Please go to my website, faithkmoore.com click on contact and send me your questions and thoughts. Or you can click on the link in the Show Notes to contact me.

[Faith Moore]

I'll feature one or two of your entries at the start of the next episode, which will be a wrap up.

[Jacob Nalder]

Episode before we move on to our Christmas Spectacular. Before I go, I'd like to ask a quick favorite. This is an independent podcast.

[Faith Moore]

It's produced, recorded and marketed by me, so I need your help. Spread the word about the show by posting about it on social media or texting a link to your friends.

[Jacob Nalder]

Don't forget to subscribe, tap those five stars and leave a positive review wherever you're listening.

[Faith Moore]

And if you're able to support the show financially, there's a link in the.

[Jacob Nalder]

Show Notes to make a donation. I would really, really appreciate it. Alright everyone, storytime is over.

[Faith Moore]

The end.