Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Twenty-Six (Abridged)

Finding a quiet moment alone with Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner delivered her warning kindly but plainly. She had nothing against Mr. Wickham personally — he was an interesting, agreeable young man — but his lack of fortune made any attachment between them most imprudent. She urged Elizabeth to be on her guard and not to disappoint her father.

"My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed," said Elizabeth.

"Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise."

Elizabeth replied that she was not in love with Mr. Wickham — not exactly — but she admitted he was beyond comparison the most agreeable man she had ever met. She could not promise to be wiser than the rest of the world if she were tempted, but she could promise not to be in a hurry. She would not rush to believe herself his first object, and when in his company, she would not indulge in wishing. "In short, I will do my best," she said. Her aunt was satisfied, and they parted — a rare instance of advice on such a subject being given and received without resentment.

Mr. Collins soon returned to Hertfordshire, but stayed with the Lucases rather than at Longbourn. The wedding took place on Thursday, and on Wednesday Charlotte came to say her farewells. Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother's ungracious good wishes, walked Charlotte out herself. On the stairs, Charlotte asked her to write often, and then — more seriously — asked her to come and visit at Hunsford. Elizabeth could not refuse. Charlotte added that Sir William and Maria were coming in March, and that Elizabeth would be as welcome as either of them.

After the wedding, Charlotte's letters arrived regularly, written in cheerful and contented tones. She praised the house, the neighbourhood, and Lady Catherine's condescension. Elizabeth read them and found her friend said exactly what might have been expected — nothing that could not be praised, and nothing truly revealing. She perceived she would have to wait for her own visit to know the rest.

Meanwhile, Jane wrote from London. Her first letters were hopeful: she had not yet seen Caroline Bingley, but supposed a letter had gone astray. When she finally called at Grosvenor Street, Miss Bingley received her warmly enough, but was clearly in low spirits and made excuses to end the visit quickly. Jane assured herself that all was well.

Elizabeth shook her head. Four weeks passed, and still Mr. Bingley did not come. At last Miss Bingley paid a return call — brief, cold, and utterly altered in manner. Jane could deceive herself no longer, and wrote to Elizabeth with quiet dignity: she now saw that every advance of intimacy had been on Miss Bingley's side, and that anxiety for her brother explained the sudden change. She resolved to drop the acquaintance, pitying Caroline more than blaming her. Elizabeth felt some pain reading the letter, but was relieved that Jane would no longer be deceived. All hope from Mr. Bingley was now entirely over.

Around this time, Mrs. Gardiner wrote to enquire about Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth reported that his attentions had subsided; he was now paying court to a Miss King, who had recently inherited ten thousand pounds. Elizabeth found she could write of this without much pain at all. Her heart had been only lightly touched, and she chose to believe she would have been his preference had circumstances allowed it. She wrote to her aunt: "I am now convinced I have never been much in love — for had I truly felt that elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name. But I find I cannot hate him, and I cannot even dislike Miss King. Kitty and Lydia take his defection far more to heart than I do. They have yet to learn that handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain."