Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice Chapter 53 Summary

  • Wickham is so satisfied with this conversation that he never bothers dear Elizabeth again.
  • Elizabeth is thankful that she's figured out how to shut him up.
  • The day comes for Lydia and Wickham to leave Longbourn. Lydia says her dear sisters should write to her, but, as a married woman, <em>she</em> will not have much time to write.
  • Mrs. Bennet mopes around the house. Her lifelong goal of marrying off her daughters has at least come true, for one of them, but now she's sad.  She doesn't want Lydia and dear Wickham to live so far away.
  • At long last, Bingley is coming back to Netherfield.
  • Mrs. Bennet pressures her husband to visit Bingley. Mr. Bennet agrees, but only after some sighing about how Mrs. Bennet promised that, if he did this last year, it would result in one of his daughters getting married, but that hasn't happened.
  • The day comes at long last. Mr. Bingley not only arrives at Netherfield, but comes calling only three days later. Mr. Darcy's with him, too.
  • Elizabeth sees Mr. Darcy through the window and sits down, feeling awkward.
  • Her feelings towards him have entirely changed and she knows the whole family owes him an enormous debt, but she doesn't know how he'll behave towards her.
  • Like Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy is awkward and ill at ease.
  • The two are silent. Mr. Darcy seems thoughtful but less anxious to please.
  • Elizabeth doesn't know what to think. She wants to talk to him, but she doesn't know what to say.
  • Mrs. Bennet starts prattling on foolishly about her youngest daughter's marriage to George Wickham. She remarks that Wickham has at least some friends, though not as many as he deserves – intending it as an insult to Mr. Darcy.
  • Elizabeth feels completely horrified.
  • When the men leave, Mrs. Bennet invites them to return for dinner soon and reminds Mr. Bingley that he had promised to come for dinner when he returned to town – and that was a year ago.
Next Page: Chapter 54
Previous Page: Chapter 52

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