Pride and Prejudice Part 5

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I'm Julie Andrews and from the Noiser Podcast Network, this is Pride and Prejudice Part 5. In the previous episode, Jane Bennett's fever finally broke. And it was becoming quite clear that she and Mr. Bingley were growing rather fond of one another. He spent the evening attending to her comfort, insisting she stay warm by the fire, and in doing so paid precious little attention to anyone else. Elsewhere, however, matters of the heart were far less straightforward. Mr. Darcy, proud and reserved as ever, appeared increasingly taken with Elizabeth, a development that did not escape the notice of Miss Bingley, whose jealousy revealed itself in ever more pointed remarks. As for Elizabeth herself, she remains blissfully indifferent to Mr. Darcy's attentions, for now at least. Finally, after a tiring few days at Neverfield Park, the Bennett sisters have returned home to Longbourn. And with the whole family gathered around the breakfast table, Mr. Bennett is about to reveal the contents of a very surprising letter. From the Noiser Podcast Network, this is Pride and Prejudice. Chapter 13 I hope, my dear, said Mr. Bennett to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, that you have ordered a good dinner today, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party. Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure, unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in, and I hope my dinner is good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home. The person of whom I speak is a gentleman and a stranger. Mrs. Bennett's eyes sparkle. A gentleman and a stranger. It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure. Why, Jane, you never dropped a word of this, you sly thing. Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley. But good Lord, how unlucky! There is not a bit of fish to be got today. Lydia, my love, ring the bell, I must speak to Hill this moment. It is not, Mr. Bingley, said her husband. It is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life. This roused a general astonishment, and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five daughters at once. After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained, About a month ago I received this letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. Oh, my dear, cried his wife, I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children. And I am sure if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it. Jane and Elizabeth attempted to explain to her the nature of an entail. They had often attempted it before, but it was a subject on which Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason, and she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about. It certainly is a most iniquitous affair, said Mr. Bennet, and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself. No, that I am sure I shall not, and I think it was very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could he not keep on quarrelling with you as his father did before him? Why, indeed, he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that head as you will hear. Hunsford, near Westeram, Kent, the 15th of October. Dear Sir, the disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach. But for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory, for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance. My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the right honourable Lady Catherine de Bourg, widow of Sir Louis de Bourg, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect toward her ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence. And on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of goodwill are highly commendable, and that the circumstances of my being next in the entail of long-born estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject this offered olive branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends. But of this hereafter, if you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family Monday, November 8th by 4 o'clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till a week on the Saturday following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day. I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend, William Collins. At 4 o'clock, therefore, we may expect this peacemaking gentleman, said Mr. Bennett as he folded up the letter. He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man upon my word, and I doubt not will prove of valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so indulgent as to let him come to us again. There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however, and if he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to discourage him. Though it is difficult, said Jane, to guess in what way he can mean to make us the atonement he thinks are due, the wish is certainly to his credit. Elizabeth was chiefly struck with his extraordinary deference for Lady Catherine, and his kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying his parishioners whenever it were required. He must be an oddity, I think, said Lizzie. I cannot make him out. There is something very pompous in his style, and what can he mean by apologising for being next in the entail? We cannot suppose he would help it if he could. Can he be a sensible man, sir? No, my dear, I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse. There is a mixture of civility and self-important in his letter which promises well. I am impatient to see him. In point of composition, said Mary, his letter does not seem defective. The idea of the olive ranch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I think it is well expressed. To Catherine and Lydia, neither the letter nor its writer were in any degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their cousin should come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks since they had received pleasure from the society of a man in any other colour. As for their mother, Mr. Collins' letter had done away much of her ill will, and she was preparing to see him with a degree of composure which astonished her husband and daughters. This episode is sponsored by Magic Radio. Magic Radio plays the best variety from the 80s to now, the songs you love, the ones you know, and the ones that lift your die. 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Mr Collins was punctual to his time and was received with great politeness by the whole family. Mr Bennett indeed said little, but the ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr Collins was very polite and polite. He was very polite and polite, and he was very polite. And he was very polite and polite. And he was very polite and polite. And he was very polite and polite. The ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself. He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five and twenty years. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal. He had not been long seated before he complimented Mrs Bennett on having so fine a family of daughters. Said that he had heard much of their beauty, but that in this instance, fame had fallen short of the truth, and added that he did not doubt her seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage. This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers, but Mrs Bennett, who quarreled with no compliments, answered most readily, You are very kind, sir, I am sure, and I wish with all my heart it may prove so. For else they will be destitute enough. Things have settled so oddly. You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate, replied Mr Collins. Ah, sir, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with you, for such things I know are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed. I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing forward. But I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not say any more, but perhaps when we are better acquainted, I would... He was interrupted by a summons to dinner, and the girls smiled on each other. They were not the only objects of Mr Collins' admiration. The hall, the dining room, and all its furniture were examined and praised, and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs Bennet's heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property. The dinner, too, in its turn, was highly admired, and he begged to know, to wish of his fair cousins, the excellence of its cookery was owing. But here he was set right by Mrs Bennet, and assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended, but he continued to apologize for about a quarter of an hour. Chapter 14 During dinner, Mr Bennet scarcely spoke at all, but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, Mr Collins, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourg's attention to his wishes and consideration for his comfort appeared very remarkable. Mr Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect, he protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behavior in a person of rank, such affability and condescension as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses which he had already had the honor of preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings and had sent for him only the Saturday before to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen anything but affability in her. She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman. She made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighborhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or two to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, providing he chose with discretion, and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making and had even vouched safe to suggest some herself, some shelves in the closets upstairs. That is all very proper and civil, I am sure, said Mrs. Bennet, and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir? The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only my lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence. I think you said she was a widow, sir. Has she any family? She has one only daughter. The heiress of Rosings, a very extensive property. Ah, cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, then she is better off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she handsome? She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says that in point of true beauty Mr. Borg is far superior to the handsomeest of her sex, because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution which has prevented her making that progress in many accomplishments which she could not otherwise have failed of, as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education and who still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little pony-drawn carriage. Has she been presented, said Mrs. Bennet, I do not remember her name among the ladies at court. Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town. And by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine that her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her. These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of a tension which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to pay. You judge very properly, said Mr. Bennet, and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study? They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as maybe adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied in air as possible. Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with a keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure. By tea time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing room again, and when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book was produced, but on beholding it, for everything announced it to be from a circulating library, he started back and begging pardon protested that he never read novels. Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed, Other books were produced, and after some deliberation, he chose Fordyce's sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had with very monotonous solemnity read three pages she interrupted him with, Do you know, Mama, that my Uncle Philip's talks of turning away Richard? And if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me so herself on Saturday I shall walk to Merriton tomorrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town. Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue, that Mr. Collins much offended, laid aside his book, and said, I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes me, I confess, for certainly there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin. Then, turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at Backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements. Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologized most civilly for Lydia's interruption, and promised that it should not occur again if he would resume his book. But Mr. Collins, after assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill will, and should never resent her behavior as any affront, seated himself at another table with Mr. Bennet and prepared for Backgammon. This is an ad from BetterHelp. One message at a time. Get matched with a qualified therapist and start clearing your mental inbox today at BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com slash random podcast for 10% of your first month of online therapy. Self praise is no praise, except for people talking about their jobs online. Like, what my barista taught me about B2B sales, or how losing a pub quiz made me a better team player. Really? Here at Indeed, we're more sure than tell. Our profiles help you showcase your skills and experience so employers can focus on what you do, not what you talk about. Because actions speak louder than buzzwords. Download the Indeed app and start making the world work better for you today. By education or society, the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father. And though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner, but it was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak-head living in retirement and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourg when the living of Huntsford was vacant and the respect which he felt for her high rank and his veneration for her as his patroness mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and of sequestress, self-importance and humility. Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to marry and in seeking a reconciliation with the long-born family, he had a wife in view as he meant to choose one of the daughters if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report. This was his plan of amends, of atonement for inheriting their father's estate, and he thought it an excellent one full of eligibility and suitableness and excessively generous and disinterested on his own part. His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Jane Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views and established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority and for the first evening she was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration for in a quarter of an hour's tate-à-tate with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his parsonage house and leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes that a mistress for it might be found at Longbourn produced from her amid very complacent smiles and general encouragement a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. As to her younger daughters, she could not take upon her to say she could not positively answer, but she did not know of any pre-possession. Her eldest daughter she just must mention, she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged. Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth and it was soon done. Done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth equally next to Jane in birth and beauty succeeded her, of course. Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married and the man with whom she could not bear to speak of today before was now high in her good graces. Lydia's intention of walking to Meriton was not forgotten. Every sister except Mary agreed to go with her and Mr. Collins was to attend them at the request of Mr. Bennet who was most anxious to get rid of him and have his library to himself for thither Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast and there he would continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection but really talking to Mr. Bennet with little cessation of his house and garden at Hunsford. Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquility and though prepared as he told Elizabeth to meet with folly and conceit in every other room in the house he was used to be free from them there. His civility therefore was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their walk and Mr. Collins being in fact much better fitted for a walker than a reader was extremely well pleased to close his large book and go. In pompous nothings on his side and civil ascents on that of his cousins their time passed till they entered Mariton. The attention of the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by him. Their eyes were immediately wandering up the street in quest of the officers and nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed or a really new muslin in a shop window could recall them. But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man whom they had never seen before of most gentlemen like appearance walking with an officer on the other side of the way. The officer was the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London Lydia came to inquire and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with a strangest air all wondered who he could be and Kitty and Lydia determined if possible to find out led the way across the street under pretence of wanting something in an opposite shop and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen turning back had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly and it treated permission to introduce his friend Mr. Wickham who had returned with him the day before from town and he was happy to say he had accepted the commission in their core. This was exactly as it should be for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favor. He had all the best parts of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming and the whole party was still standing and talking together very agreeably when the sound of horses drew their notice. Darcy and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of the group the two gentlemen came directly towards them and began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman and Miss Jane Bennett the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Darcy corroborated it with a bow and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger. And Elizabeth, happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed color, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat a salutation which Mr. Darcy just dained to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine. It was impossible not to long to know. In another minute, Mr. Bingley, but without seeming to have noticed what passed took leave and rode on with his friend. Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Phillips' house and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Lydia's pressing entreaties that they would come in and even in spite of Mrs. Phillips throwing up the parlor window and loudly seconding the invitation. Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces and the two eldest from their recent absence were particularly welcome and she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home, which as their own carriage had not fetched them, she would have known nothing about if she had not happened to see Mr. Jones' shop boy in the street who had told her that they were not to send any more drunken men to Netherfield because the Miss Bennets were come away when her civility was claimed towards Mr. Collins by Jane's introduction of him. She received him with her very best alightness, which he returned with us much more, apologizing for his intrusion without any previous acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself, however, might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to her notice. Mrs. Phillips was quite awed by such an excess of good reading, but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put an end to by exclamations and inquiries about the other, of whom, however, she could only tell her nieces what they already knew that Mr. Denny had brought him from London and that he was to have a Lieutenant's commission in the militia. She had been watching him the last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street, and had Mr. Wickham appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the occupation, but, unluckily, no one passed the windows now, except a few of the officers who, in comparison with the stranger, were become stupid, disagreeable fellows. Some of them were to dine with the Phillipses the next day, and there aren't promised to make her husband call on Mr. Wickham and give him an invitation also if the family from Longbourn would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Phillips protested that they would have a nice, comfortable, noisy game of lottery tickets and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in putting room and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless. As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass between the two gentlemen, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham. But though Jane would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be wrong, she could no more explain such behavior than her sister. Mr. Collins, on his return, highly gratified Mrs. Minut by admiring Mrs. Phillips' manners and politeness. He protested that except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman, for she had not only received him with the utmost civility, but had even pointedly included him in her invitation for the next evening, although utterly unknown to her before. Something, he supposed, might be attributed to his connection with them, but yet he had never met with so much attention in the whole course of his life. In the next episode, Elizabeth is shocked when she learns more about the perplexing Mr. Darcy and his hidden past. At a card party hosted by her aunt, Mrs. Phillips, Lizzie spends the evening getting to know the charming Mr. Wickham. What he has to say about his tragic past only confirms her dislike of Mr. Darcy and his prejudices. At the same time, the county is thrown into a flurry of excitement by the prospect of a grand ball at Netherfield. But what will happen if both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham attend? 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