Elizabeth received a reply from her aunt very quickly. Eager for privacy, she hurried to a quiet spot outside and sat down to read. The letter was long, which gave her hope that it held real answers.
Dear Elizabeth,
I was surprised by your letter, but I'll explain everything. Mr. Darcy visited your uncle the same day I returned home. He had found Lydia and Wickham! He left Derbyshire just one day after us, determined to search for them himself. He blamed himself for hiding Wickham's bad character, believing it was his duty to fix the damage.
He found their location through a woman named Mrs. Younge, an old acquaintance of Wickham's. Darcy spoke with Wickham several times and also insisted on speaking directly with Lydia, urging her to leave Wickham and return home. But Lydia refused completely — she wanted no one's help and was confident they'd marry eventually anyway.
Realizing Lydia wouldn't change her mind, Darcy decided the best solution was to make sure they actually married. He soon learned Wickham never intended to marry Lydia at all — he only wanted money. Wickham had serious debts and no real plan for the future. Darcy negotiated firmly, eventually convincing Wickham to agree to marriage in exchange for paying off his debts and securing him a new position in the army.
Your uncle wanted to help pay for everything, but Darcy insisted on handling all expenses himself, refusing every offer of assistance. Your uncle finally had no choice but to accept, though he felt uncomfortable receiving credit for something he hadn't actually done.
Darcy paid off debts amounting to over a thousand pounds, plus another thousand pounds settled directly on Lydia, and purchased Wickham's new military position. He attended their wedding and later dined with us. I must admit, Lizzy — I like him very much. He was just as pleasant as when we saw him in Derbyshire, though surprisingly quiet whenever your name came up.
Your loving aunt, M. Gardiner
Elizabeth felt overwhelmed by mixed emotions. She realized Darcy had personally worked hard, dealt with people he disliked, and spent significant money — all quietly, without seeking any credit. Her heart wondered if he'd done this partly for her, though she quickly reminded herself that Darcy could hardly still love her, especially now that Wickham would forever be connected to her family. Still, she felt deeply moved and ashamed of how unfairly she had once judged him. She was humbled by her own mistakes but incredibly proud of Darcy's kindness and generosity.
Lost in thought, Elizabeth was soon interrupted by Wickham himself, who cheerfully joined her walk. He casually mentioned Pemberley, clearly curious about what Elizabeth had heard from the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds.
"She spoke fondly of you," Elizabeth said carefully, "though she mentioned you hadn't turned out especially well since joining the army."
Wickham looked uncomfortable but changed the subject, mentioning he'd seen Darcy in London recently, wondering aloud what business he might have there. Elizabeth suggested he might be arranging his marriage to Miss de Bourgh, deflecting Wickham's curiosity smoothly.
Wickham then complained again about losing the church position at Kympton, insisting it had rightfully been his. Elizabeth calmly reminded him that she'd heard the position was never guaranteed, and that he himself had once said he didn't want to become a clergyman at all. Wickham, clearly annoyed, dropped the subject.
Reaching the house, Elizabeth extended a peaceful hand toward Wickham, suggesting they leave old conflicts behind for Lydia's sake. Wickham, though uneasy, accepted her gesture, and together they went inside.
Vocabulary List
- eager — very interested and excited about doing something.
- urging — strongly encouraging someone to do something.
- negotiate — to discuss something in order to reach an agreement.
- debts — money that is owed to someone else.
- insisted — demanded something firmly, refusing to accept no.
- credit — recognition or praise for doing something.
- overwhelmed — having very strong feelings that are hard to manage.
- generosity — the quality of being willing to give freely.
- humbled — made to feel less proud or important.
- curious — wanting to know or learn something.
- deflect — to turn attention away from something.
- guaranteed — promised or certain to happen.
- annoyed — slightly angry or irritated.
- gesture — an action that expresses a feeling or intention.
- uneasy — feeling worried or uncomfortable.
True or False
-
Mrs. Gardiner's letter reveals that it was Mr. Darcy, not Mr. Gardiner, who found Lydia and Wickham.
-
Wickham had genuinely planned to marry Lydia from the beginning.
-
Mr. Darcy insists on paying all the costs himself, refusing help from Mr. Gardiner.
-
Elizabeth feels completely certain that Darcy did all this only because he still loves her.
-
Elizabeth tells Wickham that Mrs. Reynolds said only good things about him.
Fill in the Blanks
- Darcy found Lydia and Wickham's location through a woman named Mrs. .
- Wickham's debts amounted to more than pounds.
- Elizabeth suggests Darcy might be in London arranging his marriage to Miss .
- Wickham complains about losing the church position at .
- Elizabeth offers Wickham her hand, suggesting they leave old conflicts behind for 's sake.