Chapters 50–51

Elizabeth experiences a profound shift in her opinion of Darcy, now finding herself open to accepting his proposal if he were to propose again. However, she acknowledges that given Lydia's disgraceful actions and the association with Wickham, such a proposal seems highly unlikely.

Mr. Gardiner writes to Mr. Bennet once more, conveying that Wickham has accepted a commission in the North of England. Lydia requests permission to visit her family before departing with her new husband. After much disagreement within the Bennet family, they reluctantly agree to let the newlyweds stay at their home for ten days. The visit proves challenging, as Lydia remains oblivious to the trouble she has caused, while Wickham behaves as if he has done nothing wrong. During a conversation with Jane and Elizabeth, Lydia casually mentions her wedding and reveals that Darcy was present at the ceremony. Elizabeth is astonished and promptly writes to Mrs. Gardiner for more information.

Chapters 52–53

Mrs. Gardiner responds to Elizabeth's inquiry, revealing that it was Darcy who located Lydia and Wickham, and he also provided the money that facilitated their marriage. She drops hints that Darcy did so out of his love for Elizabeth, leaving Elizabeth both surprised and uncertain about whether to be upset or pleased.

After Wickham and Lydia depart for their new home in the North, news arrives that Bingley is returning to Netherfield Park for a few weeks. Mr. Bennet refuses to visit him, causing discomfort within the family. Nevertheless, three days after his arrival, Bingley visits the Bennet family home, accompanied by Darcy. Mrs. Bennet fusses over Bingley and is impolite to Darcy, oblivious to his role in saving Lydia. Before leaving, the gentlemen promise to dine at Longbourn soon.

Chapters 54–55

Darcy and Bingley visit for dinner, with Bingley sitting next to Jane and showing her significant attention, while Darcy takes a seat far away from Elizabeth, making conversation between them impossible. Elizabeth accepts that, having been rejected by her once, Darcy is unlikely to propose again.

Bingley later visits the Bennets and is invited to dinner. He claims to have prior engagements for the day but eagerly accepts an invitation for the following day. His early arrival catches the women unprepared, and after the meal, Mrs. Bennet manages to leave Bingley alone with Jane. However, he does not propose at that time. On the next day, while out shooting with Mr. Bennet and staying for dinner, Bingley finally asks Mr. Bennet for permission to marry Jane, which is readily granted. Jane shares her happiness with Elizabeth, declaring herself "the happiest creature in the world."

With the engagement settled, Bingley visits frequently, and Jane discovers that he was unaware of her presence in London during the winter, realizing that his sisters had attempted to keep him away from her. The neighborhood views the Bennets as exceptionally fortunate in their daughter's marriage.

Analysis: Chapters 50–55

Elizabeth’s realization that Darcy is “exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her” is ironic, since she not only rejected his marriage proposal earlier but did so in a manner that made it clear that she despised him. To Elizabeth, the irony is obvious: “she became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it . . . she wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence.” Her feelings toward Darcy are now what his were toward her earlier; she assumes that he has changed his mind and that her change of heart has come too late. For even if Darcy were still interested in her, Lydia’s elopement seems likely to have destroyed any chance of his proposing again. The Lydia-Wickham affair serves as a reminder of Darcy’s original objection to marrying Elizabeth, and Elizabeth believes that he must certainly consider it a symptom of the poor breeding of her family and an example of the embarrassment that association with her family would bring him.

While Elizabeth’s hope of Darcy’s still loving her slowly grows in these chapters, the reader receives hints all along that Darcy’s feelings for her have not altered. He has paid for Lydia’s wedding, and the insightful Mrs. Gardiner, who provides levelheaded analyses of situations at various points in the novel, can think of only one reason for him to do so. Elizabeth’s instincts tell her the same thing: “Her heart did whisper, that he had done it for her.” Nevertheless, she insists on squashing that whisper, as her embarrassment about Lydia and her sense of Darcy’s pride compel her to the assumption that Darcy would never connect himself with her family, especially now that the odious Wickham is her brother-in-law.

The happy conclusion to Bingley’s courtship of Jane suggests that Darcy no longer cares about the Bennet sisters’ low social status. As evidence that Darcy has overcome this important obstacle at least to some, he now does nothing to dissuade his friend from tying himself to a disreputable family. Whereas Darcy previously disrupted the romance between Bingley and Jane in order to protect his friend’s social status, he now allows their love to triumph over their class difference, despite Lydia’s elopement scandal, which he could easily have used as an excuse to distance himself and his friends from the Bennets. Austen does not allow Elizabeth to assume anything from Jane’s engagement, but the reader is allowed to assume that another wedding will follow