Chapter 43-45

While exploring the stunning Pemberley estate with the Gardiners, Elizabeth finds herself envisioning what it would be like to be the mistress of this grand place as Darcy's wife. Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, shows them portraits of Darcy and Wickham, recounting that Darcy was the sweetest and most generous-hearted boy in his youth. She adds that he is an exceptionally kind and considerate master, noting that she has never experienced any harsh words from him. Elizabeth is taken aback by this positive portrayal of a man she had perceived as insufferably arrogant.

As Elizabeth and the Gardiners continue their exploration of the grounds, Darcy suddenly appears and joins them in their walk, displaying remarkable politeness. Elizabeth is immediately embarrassed for coming to Pemberley, considering the recent events, and she reassures Darcy that she had assumed he was away. Darcy informs her that he has just returned to prepare his home for a group of guests, including the Bingleys and his sister, Georgiana. He invites Elizabeth to meet Georgiana, to which she agrees. After Darcy departs, the Gardiners remark on his handsome appearance and impeccable manners, which sharply contrast with the negative image of Darcy that Elizabeth had previously painted for them.

The next day, Darcy and the shy yet lovely Georgiana pay a visit to Elizabeth at her inn, where Bingley also joins them. After a short meeting, they invite Elizabeth and the Gardiners to dine at Pemberley, and the Gardiners sense that Darcy may be in love with their niece. The following morning, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner call on Miss Darcy at Pemberley. Bingley's sisters are present, and when Darcy enters the room, Miss Bingley makes a spiteful comment to Elizabeth about the militia's departure from Meryton being a significant loss to her family. Elizabeth avoids the topic of Wickham, a wise move given Georgiana's presence, as any reference to the man with whom she almost eloped would be embarrassing for her.

After the guests leave, Miss Bingley attempts to criticize Elizabeth to Darcy and casually mentions how he once considered Elizabeth "rather pretty." In response, Darcy states that he now regards Elizabeth as "one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance."

Analysis 43-45

In Chapters 43 to 45, Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley marks a significant milestone in her journey towards a potential marriage with Darcy. Pemberley itself is not just a setting but also a symbol of its owner. It's described as a "large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground," much like Darcy, who is both physically imposing and elevated in social status. The portrayal of the stream, which has a "natural importance . . . swelled into greater," reflects Darcy's pride. However, it being "neither formal, nor falsely adorned" underscores Darcy's honesty and lack of pretense. Elizabeth is captivated by the property, hinting at her growing fondness for Darcy himself.

Mrs. Reynolds contributes to the breakdown of Elizabeth's initial prejudice against Darcy by offering glowing descriptions of him. This helps Elizabeth realize that she had been quick to judge him and demonstrates her emotional maturity. In contrast, Miss Bingley, who becomes aware of Darcy's favor toward Elizabeth, resorts to demeaning Elizabeth rather than confronting her own shortcomings.

When Darcy appears, his humility following Elizabeth's rejection of his proposal, along with his impeccable manners, encourages Elizabeth's change of heart. His courtesy not only reveals his affection for her but also raises her opinion of him. The parallel growth of both characters, with Elizabeth overcoming her prejudice and Darcy conquering his pride, gives hope to both Elizabeth and the reader that he might propose again under different circumstances.

Georgiana Darcy is introduced to the reader for the first time in these chapters. Initially considered a potential match for Mr. Bingley due to her beauty and accomplishments, in person, she appears painfully shy, removing any threat to Jane's romantic prospects. She stands in stark contrast to the assertive and obnoxious Miss Bingley, whose aggressive pursuit of Darcy highlights her unpleasant character. Miss Bingley's mean-spirited insinuation about the Bennet girls' fixation on the soldiers contrasts sharply with Elizabeth's protective and considerate attitude toward the vulnerable Georgiana.

Chapter 46-49

Upon returning to her inn, Elizabeth discovers two distressing letters from Jane. The first letter reveals that Lydia has eloped with Wickham, while the second conveys the troubling news that there has been no communication from the couple, and they might not be married yet. Elizabeth becomes frantic, realizing that if Wickham doesn't marry Lydia, it will result in the ruin of Lydia's reputation and bring shame upon the entire family.

In her haste to find the Gardiners and seek their assistance, Elizabeth encounters Darcy, to whom she confides the distressing situation. Darcy immediately blames himself for not exposing Wickham, and Elizabeth shares in the self-blame for the same reason. They agree to return home without delay, apologizing to Darcy and his sister for breaking their dinner engagement. Elizabeth, along with the Gardiners, hurries back to the Bennet family home in Longbourn.

During the journey, Mr. Gardiner attempts to reassure Elizabeth by suggesting that Wickham will marry Lydia to avoid damaging his own career and reputation. Elizabeth vaguely alludes to Wickham's questionable past behavior without revealing the specific details of his involvement with Darcy's sister.

Upon her return home, Elizabeth learns that her father has gone to London in search of Lydia and Wickham. Mrs. Bennet is understandably hysterical, placing blame on Colonel Forster for not taking better care of their daughter. In private, Jane consoles Elizabeth, assuring her that no one could have foreseen Lydia's attachment to Wickham. Anxiously, they examine the letter that Lydia left for Colonel Forster's wife, where she looks forward to signing her name as "Lydia Wickham."

Mr. Gardiner, following Mr. Bennet to London, later informs them that the search for Lydia and Wickham has been unsuccessful thus far. He reports that Mr. Bennet is diligently visiting every hotel in search of the eloped couple. In the meantime, a letter arrives from Mr. Collins, who, in his usual manner, criticizes the Bennets for poor parenting and laments that Lydia's behavior reflects poorly on the family as a whole. Some time passes, and Mr. Gardiner writes again, stating that their efforts to trace Wickham through friends and family have yielded no results. The letter also mentions, much to Mrs. Bennet's dismay, that Mr. Bennet is on his way back home.

Two days after Mr. Bennet's return to Longbourn, Mr. Gardiner writes to inform him that Wickham and Lydia have been located and that Wickham will agree to marry her if the Bennets provide him with a modest income. Mr. Bennet readily accepts the arrangement, believing that marrying a scoundrel is preferable to the family's reputation being tarnished.

The Bennets assume that the Gardiners have paid Wickham a significant sum to secure the wedding, with Mr. Bennet estimating it at "not a farthing less than ten thousand pounds." The family acknowledges the great debt they owe to their relatives. Mrs. Bennet, despite the cost, is overjoyed by Lydia's marriage. However, her happiness is dampened when Mr. Bennet refuses to allow Wickham and Lydia to visit or provide his newly married daughter with money for clothing.

Analysis: Chapters 46–49

The plot, which had slowed since Darcy’s proposal, now picks up speed as it rushes toward its conclusion. Amid the turmoil of Lydia’s folly, Elizabeth turns immediately to Darcy, illustrating the closeness developing between them. Their shared sense of guilt about failing to expose Wickham’s true nature (which they believe would have prevented the elopement) aligns them emotionally and gives them a common purpose.

Though she and her husband are obviously at fault, Mrs. Bennet reacts to the news of Lydia’s elopement by blaming Colonel Forster. The Bennet parents come across as highly inadequate at this point in the text—Mrs. Bennet because of her stupidity and Mr. Bennet because of his refusal to take responsibility for his children. The issue for Jane and Elizabeth about family connections has receded somewhat into the background, but here it reappears and reminds the reader that the Bennet parents’ lack of refinement still threatens the prospective romances of the two eldest Bennet daughters.

During the crisis, the Gardiners again step forward to act responsibly. It is Mr. Gardiner, rather than Mr. Bennet, who takes charge of the search in the city—Mr. Bennet even returns home after a time. (Mrs. Bennet’s fear that her husband will die in London and leave her destitute typifies her general tendency to ignore real problems and magnify trivial ones.) It is not terribly surprising that Mr. Gardiner apparently finds Lydia, or even that he apparently pays Wickham to convince him to marry her. He is simply filling the adult role that the Bennet parents have vacated.

Pride and Prejudice is critical of the difficulties faced by women in English society of the period. Whereas Austen passes judgment on both the practice of entailment and the necessity of marriage for women to avoid public scorn (which leads to Charlotte’s union with Mr. Collins for practicality’s sake), she does not question the idea that living with a man out of wedlock ruins a girl. Elizabeth, the voice of reason and common sense at this point in the novel, condemns Lydia’s behavior as “infamy” and declares that if Lydia does not marry Wickham, “she is lost forever.” The only voice of moral relativism belongs to Mrs. Bennet, who is so happy to have Lydia married that she does not care about the manner of the marriage’s accomplishment. While Lydia may have escaped social stigma, Mr. Bennet still condemns her and Wickham, saying, “I will not encourage the impudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn.” Though she criticizes sexism, Austen lets bourgeois morality alone.