Pride and Prejudice Part 15

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Welcome to Jane Austen Stories. I'm Julie Andrews, and from the Noiser Podcast Network, this is Pride and Pregidious, not 15. In the previous episode, while Elizabeth was still reeling from Mr. Darcy's catastrophic proposal, she then received an unexpected follow-up letter from him, a letter full of revelations. In it Darcy admitted he had warned Mr. Bingley not to marry Lizzie's sister Jane, but not because of her social standing, he did it to protect his friend from a woman he didn't believe loved him. It seems he misinterpreted Jane's shyness as disinterest. As for his history with Mr. Wickham, Darcy finally revealed all. Wickham's previous account, Lizzie, was full of lies. The pair had grown up together, but Darcy never denied Wickham his inheritance. In fact, Wickham had wasted the money that was given to him. Worst of all, he then attempted to seduce and run away with Darcy's 15-year-old sister to get his hands on her fortune. The scoundrel. Darcy managed to intervene, and Georgiana was protected from Wickham's nasty plan. The letter has left Lizzie shaken. Perhaps she misjudged Darcy after all, but given her rejection of him and the harsh words thrown his way, is the damage already done? Now Lizzie is saying her goodbyes as she prepares to leave Kent and its unpleasant memories behind. From the Noisabh podcast network, this is Pride and Prejudice. Chapter 38 On Saturday morning, Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met from breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared, and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensable in esoteric. I know not, Mr. Elizabeth, said he, whether Mrs. Collins has yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us, but I am very certain you will not leave the house, without receiving her thanks for it. The favor of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain manner of living are small rooms and few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself. But I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension and that we have done everything in our power to prevent you spending your time unpleasantly. Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurance of happiness. She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment, and the pleasure of being with Charlotte and the kind attention she had received must make her feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified and with a more smiling solemnity replied, oh, it gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best and most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to a very superior society, and from our connection with rosings the frequent means of varying the humble home scene. I think we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine's family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage in blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are, you see how continually we are engaged there. In truth I must acknowledge that with all the disadvantages of this humble passing age I should not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion while they are shares of our intimacy at rosings. Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings, and he was obliged to walk about the room while Elizabeth tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences. You may in fact carry a very favorable report of us into heart for cheer my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you will be able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs. Collins you have been a daily witness of, and altogether I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate, but on this point it will be as well to be silent. Only let me assure you my dear Mrs. Elizabeth that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other. Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where that was the case, and with equals and serity could add that she firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts. She was not sorry however to have the recital of them interrupted by the entrance of the lady from whom they sprung. Poor Charlotte it was melancholy to leave her to such society, but she had chosen it with her eyes open and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to go she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry and all their dependent concerns had not yet lost their charms. At length the shea's arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. After an affectionate parting between the friends, Elizabeth was attended to the carriage by Mr Collins, and as they walked down the garden he was commissioning her with his best respects to all her family, not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received at Longborn in the winter and his compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, though unknown. He then handed her in, Maria followed and the door was on the point of being closed, when he suddenly reminded them with some consternation that they had hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies of Rosings. But he added you will of course wish to have your humble respects delivered to them with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here. Elizabeth made no objection, the door was then allowed to be shut and the carriage drove off. Good gracious cried Maria after a few minutes silence, it seems what a day or two since we first came, and yet how many things have happened. Great many indeed said Lizzy with a sigh. We have dined nine times at Rosings besides drinking tea there twice said Maria, oh how much I shall have to tell. Elizabeth privately added, and how much I shall have to conceal. Their journey was performed without much conversation or any alarm, and within four hours of their leaving Huntsford they reached Mr. Gardner's house in London, where they would remain a few days. Jane looked well, but Elizabeth had little opportunity of studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them. But Jane was to go home with her, and at long-worn there would be leisure enough for observation. It was not without an effort meanwhile that she could wait even for long-worn before she told her sister of Mr. Darcy's proposals, to know that she had the power of revealing what was so exceedingly astonished Jane, and must at the same time so highly gratify whatever of her own vanity she had not yet been able to reason away with such a temptation to openness as nothing could have conquered. But the state of indecision in which Lizzy remained as to the extent of what she should communicate, and her fear if she once entered on the subject of being hurried into repeating something of Bingley which might only grieve her sister further. 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 day. From Wamp and Whitney in the 80s to take that and the Spice Girls in the 90s, or Pink and Kelly Clarkson in the Naughties, Emma Dell and Bruno Mars in the Tans. Right through to today with artists like Benson Boone, Teddy Swims and Miles Smith. And with Magic's No Repeat Workday, you won't hear the same song twice between 9 and 5. Magic Radio has had a real glow up. It's the home of Magic Radio breakfast with Gokwan and Harriet Spart and the world famous Mello Magic is back now hosted by Nikki Chapman. Plus, weekends we've more fun with Gabby Roslin, Mel Gedroich and Anna Richardson. Listen to Magic Radio on your digital radio on the free radio app or just ask your smart speaker to play Magic Radio. Idol money lies in your current account picking crumbs out of its belly button wondering, should I eat them? But when you start investing with Monzo, your money's always busy. It turns on regular investments, invests your spare change and tops up your stocks and shares, I say. It even helps you make sense of risk and return. Monzo, the bank that gets your money moving. You could get back less than your invest. Monzo, current account required UK residents 18 plus decenties apply. Chapter 39 It was the second week in May in which the three young ladies set out together from Grace Church Street for Meriton in Hertfordshire. And as they drew near the appointed inn where Mr Bennett's carriage was to meet them, they quickly perceived in token of the coachman's punctuality, Bose Kitty and Lydia looking out of a dining room upstairs. These two girls had been above an hour in the place, happily employed in visiting an opposite milliner, watching the centenual on guard, and dressing a salad and cucumber. After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a table set out with such cold meat as an in-later usual ear fords, exclaiming, is not this nice, is not this an agreeable surprise? And we mean to treat you all, added Lydia, but you must lend us the money for we have just spent hours at the shop out there. Then showing her purchases, look here, I have bought this one it. I do not think it is very pretty, but I thought I might as well buy it as not. I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home and see if I can make it up any better. And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added with perfect unconcern. Oh, but there were two or three much uglier in the shop, and when I have bought some prettier coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it will not much signify what one wears this summer, after the militia have left Meriton, and they are going in a fortnight. Are they indeed crytelisabous with the greatest satisfaction? They are going to be encamped near Brighton, and I do so want Papa to take us all there for the summer, it would be such a delicious scheme, and I dare say it would hardly cost anything at all. Mama would like to go two of all things, only think what a miserable summer else we shall have. Yes, though it Elizabeth, that would be a delightful scheme indeed, and completely do for us at the same time. Good heaven, Brighton, and a whole campful of soldiers to us who have been overset already by one poor regiment of militia, and the monthly balls of Meriton. Now I have got some news for you, said Lydia, as they sat down to table. What do you think? It is excellent news, capital news, and about a certain person that we all like. Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter was told that he need not stay. Lydia laughed and said, I, that is just like your formality and discretion, you thought the waiter must not hear as if he cared. I dare say he often hears worse things said than I am going to say, but he isn't ugly fellow, I am glad he's gone, I never saw such a long chin in my life. Well, but now for my news. It is about dear Wickham, too good for the waiter, is not it? There is no danger of Wickham's marrying Mary King. There's for you, she has gone down to her uncle at Liverpool, gone to stay. Wickham is safe. And Mary King is safe, added Elizabeth. Safe from a connection, imprudent as too fortunate. She is a great fool for going away if she liked him, said Lydia, but I hope there is no strong attachment on either side, said Jane. I am sure there is not on his, replied Lydia. I will answer for it, he never cared through straws about her, who could about such a nasty little freckled thing. Elizabeth was shocked to think that however incapable of such coarseness of expression herself, the coarseness of the sentiment was little other than her own rested formally harbored and fancied liberal. As soon as all had eaten and the elder ones paid, the carriage was ordered, and after some contrivance, the whole party, with all their boxes, work bags and parcels, and the unwelcome addition of kitties and Lydia's purchases, were seated in it. How nicely we are crammed in, cried Lydia. I'm glad I bought my bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having another band box. Now let us be quite comfortable and snug and talk and laugh all the way home. And in the first place, let us hear what has happened you all since you went away. Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any flirting? I was in great hopes that one of you would have got a husband before you came back. Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare. She is almost three and twenty. Lord, how ashamed I should be of not being married before three and twenty. My aunt Phillips, once you sow to get husbands, you can't think. She says, Lizzy had better have taken Mr. Collins, but I do not think there would have been any fun in it. Lord, how I should like to be married before any of you, and then I would shaperown you about to all the balls. Dear me, we had such a good piece of fun the other day at Colonel Forsters. Kitty and me were supposed to spend the whole day there, and Mrs. Forster promised to have a little dance in the evening. Oh, by the by, Mrs. Forster and we are such friends, and so she asked the two Harrington's to come, but Harriet was ill, and so Penn was forced to come by herself. And then what do you think we did? We dressed up Shambhalane in woman's clothes on purpose to pass for a lady. Only think what fun, not a soul new of it, but Colonel and Mrs. Forster and Kitty and me except my aunt for we were forced to borrow one of her gowns, and you cannot imagine how well he looked. When Denny and Wickham and Pratt and two or three more of the men came in, they did not know him in the least. Lord, how I laughed, and so did Mrs. Forster. I thought I should have died, and that made the men suspect something, and then they soon found out what was the matter. With such kind of histories of their parties and good jokes did Lydia, assisted by Kitty's hints and additions, endeavored to amuse her companions all the way to Longborn. Elizabeth listened as little as she could, but there was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham's name. Their reception at home was most kind. Mrs. Bennett rejoiced to see Jane in undiminished beauty, and more than once during dinner did Mr. Bennett say voluntarily to Elizabeth, I'm glad you are come back Lizzy. Their party in the dining room was large, for almost all the lucas came to meet Maria and hear the news, and various were the subjects which occupied them. Lady Lucas was inquiring of Maria across the table after the well-fair and poultry of her eldest daughter Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Bennett was doubly engaged on one hand collecting an account of the present fashions from Jane, who sat some way below her, and on the other, retelling them all to the younger Miss Lucas's, and Lydia in a voice rather louder than any other person's was enumerating the various pleasures of mourning to anybody who would hear her. Oh Mary, Setchy, I wish you had gone with us for we had such fun. As we went along Kitty and me drew up all the blinds and pretended that there was nobody in the coach, and I should have gone so all the way if Kitty had not been sick. And when we got to the George, I do think we behaved very handsomely, for we treated the other three with the nicest cold luncheon in the world, and if you would have gone we would have treated you too. And then when we came away it was such fun. I thought we never should have got into the coach. I was ready to die of laughter. And then we were so merry all the way home, we talked and laughed so loud that anybody might have heard us ten miles off. To this Mary very gravely replied, far be it from me my dear sister to depreciate such pleasures. They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds, but I confess they would have no charms for me. I should infinitely prefer a book. But of this answer, Lydia heard not a word. She sold them listened to anybody for more than half a minute and never attended to Mary at all. In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to walk to Mary Tom and see how everybody went on. But Elizabeth steadily opposed the scheme. It should not be said that the Miss Bennett could not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers. There was another reason too for her opposition. She dreaded seeing Wickham again and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible. The comfort to her of the regiment's approaching removal was indeed beyond expression. In a fortnight they were to go and once gone she hoped there could be nothing more to play her on his account. She had not been many hours at home before she found that the Brighton scheme of which Lydia had given the Mahint at the inn was under frequent discussion between her parents. Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal that her mother though often disheartened had never yet disappeared of succeeding at last. Hello it's Javanna here from Happy Mum Happy Baby and we're currently sponsored by Volvo and the Fully Electric EX90. The Volvo EX90 is a large fully electric luxury SUV perfect for the family. With seven seats there's plenty of room for everyone and up to 378 miles range which is great to keep the journey going. It's also reassuring to know that the EX90 is designed to be the safest Volvo car ever made and the fast infotainment system is perfect for seamless connectivity so you can keep the music playing for the whole time. What more could you want? Search Volvo EX90 to find out more. Electric range may vary based on driver behaviour and conditions. Hey this is Martin Tommy from P1 and our podcast is currently being sponsored by Sky Sports. F1 is back on March 6th with the Australian Grand Prix and this is a proper reset. New cars, new rules, new era which means chaos. Watch every F1 race live on Sky Sports the only place with unrivaled coverage all weekend. You can also stream Sky Sports with a flexible now membership if that's more your thing. New rules, new cars, new era race into the unknown and search get Sky Sports F1 for more details. Chapter 40 Elizabeth's impatience to acquaint Jane with what had happened could no longer be overcome and at length resolving to suppress every particular in which her sister was concerned and preparing her to be surprised. She related to her the next morning the chief of the scene between Mr. Darcy and herself. Miss Bennett's astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear perfectly natural and all surprise was shortly lost. She was sorry that Mr. Darcy should have delivered his sentiments in a manner so little suited to recommend them but still more was she grieved for the unhappiness which her sister's refusal must have given him. His being so sure of succeeding was wrong said Jane and certainly ought not to have appeared but consider how much it must increase his disappointment. Indeed replied Elizabeth, I am heartily sorry for him but he has other feelings which will probably soon drive away his regard for me. You do not blame me however for refusing him. Blame you? Oh no! But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham. Asked Elizabeth? No, I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you did replied Jane but you will know it when I have told you what happened the very next day said Lizzie. She then spoke of the letter repeating the whole of its contents as far as they concerned George Wickham. What a stroke was this for poor Jane who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind as was here collected in one individual. Nor was Darcy's vindication though grateful to her feelings capable of consoling her for such discovery. Most earnestly did she labour to prove the probability of error and seek to clear one without involving the other. This will not do, say that Elizabeth, you never will be able to make both of them good for anything. Take your choice but you must be satisfied with only one. There is but such a quantity of merit between them. I just enough to make one good sort of man and of late it has been shifting about pretty much. From my part I am inclined to believe it all Mr. Darcy's but you shall do as you choose. It was some time however before a smile could be extorted from Jane. I do not know when I have been more shocked, said she. Wickham so very bad. It is almost past belief and poor Mr. Darcy, oh dear Lizzy, only consider what he must have suffered, such a disappointment and was the knowledge of your ill-opinion too and having to relate such a thing of his sister. It is really too distressing. I am sure you must feel it so. Oh no, reply Lizzy, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you so full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice that I am growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your profusion makes me saving and if you lament over him much longer my heart will be as light as a feather. Poor Wickham said Jane, there is such an expression of goodness in his countenance, such an openness and gentleness in his manner. There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men replied Lizzy. One has got all the goodness and the other all the appearance of it. I never thought Mr. Darcy so deficient in the appearance of it as you used to do, said Jane. And yet I meant to be so uncommonly clever in taking so decided to dislike to him without any reason replied Lizzy. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying anything just, but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something, witty. Lizzy, when you first read that letter, I am sure you could not treat the matter as you do now. Indeed replied Lizzy, I could not. I was uncomfortable enough. I was very uncomfortable. I may say unhappy and with no one to speak to of what I felt, no Jane to comfort me and say that I had not been so very weak and vain and nonsensical as I knew I had. Oh, how I wanted you. How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong expressions in speaking of Wickham to Mr. Darcy, but for now they do appear wholly undeserved, said Jane. Certainly replied Lizzy, but the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a most natural consequence of the prejudices I had been encouraging. There is one point on which I want your advice. I want to be told whether I ought or not to make our acquaintances in general understand Wickham's character. Jane paused a little and then replied, surely there can be no occasion for exposing him so dreadfully. What is your own opinion that it ought not to be attempted, replied Lizzy? Mr. Darcy has not authorized me to make his communication public. On the contrary, every particular relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as possible to myself, and if I endeavour to undecieve people as to the rest of his conduct, who will believe me? The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy is so violent that it would be the death of half the good people in Meriton to attempt to place him in an amiable light. I am not equal to it. Wickham will soon be gone, and therefore it will not signify to anybody here what he really is. Sometime hence it will all be found out, and then we may laugh at this stupidity and not knowing it before. At present I will say nothing about it. You are quite right, replied Jane. To have his errors made public might ruin him forever. He is now perhaps, sorry for what he has done, an anxious to reestablish a character. We must not make him desperate. The tumult of Elizabeth's mind was allayed by this conversation. She had got rid of two of the secrets which had weighed on her for a fortnight, and was certain of a willing listener in Jane whenever she might wish to talk again of either. But there was still something lurking behind, of which prudence forbade the disclosure. She did not relate to the other half of Mr. Darcy's letter nor explained to her sister how sincerely she had been valued by his friend. Here was knowledge in which no one could partake, and she was sensible that nothing less than a perfect understanding between the parties could justify her in throwing off this last incumbrance of mystery. And then said she to herself, if that very improbable event should ever take place, I shall merely be able to tell what Mr. Bingley may tell in a much more agreeable manner himself. The liberty of communication cannot be mine till it has lost all its value. She was now on being settled at home at leisure to observe the real state of her sister's spirits. Jane was not happy. She still cherished a very tender affection to Mr. Bingley, having never even fassed herself in love before, her regard had all the warmth of thirst attachment. And from her age and disposition, greater steadiness than first attachments often boast. And so fervently did she value his remembrance and prefer him to every other man that all her good sense and all her attention to the feelings of her friends were requisite to check the indulgence of those regrets which would have been injurious to her own health and their tranquility. Well, Lizzy said Mrs. Bennett one day, what is your opinion now of this sad business of Jane's? For my part I am determined, never to speak of it again to anybody. I told my sister, Philip, so the other day. But I cannot find out that Jane saw anything of him in London. Well, he is a very undeserving young man, and I do not suppose there is the least chance in the world of her ever getting him now. There is no talk of his coming to never feel again in the summer, and I have inquired of everybody too who is likely to know. I do not believe that he will ever live at Neverfield anymore, replied Lizzy. Oh, well, it is just as he chooses, nobody wants him to come, the wise shall always say that he used my daughter extremely ill, and if I was her I would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done. But as Elizabeth could not receive comfort from any such expectation, she made no answer. Well, Lizzy continued her mother soon afterwards, and so the collences live very comfortable, do they? Well, well, I only hope it will last, and what sort of table do they keep? Charlotte is an excellent manager, I dare say. If she is half a sharpest a mother, she is saving enough. There is nothing extravagant in there, housekeeping, I dare say. No, nothing at all, replied Lizzy. A great deal of good management depend upon it. Yes, yes, they will take care, not to outrun their income. They will never be distressed for money. Well, much good may add doosam, and so I suppose they often talk of having longborn when your father is dead. They look upon it quite as their own, I dare say, whenever that happens. It was a subject which they could not mention before me, said Lizzy. No, it would have been strange if they had, replied Mrs. Bennett, but I make no doubt they often talk of it between themselves. Well, if they can be easy with an estate that is not lawfully their own, so much the better. I should be ashamed of having one that was only entailed on me. In the next episode, Elizabeth is barely at home before she sets out on another journey. This time traveling north with her aunt and uncle. Meanwhile, her sister Lydia is invited south to travel with the militia to Brighton. But can she be trusted to behave around the officers? Lizzy sees Mr. Wickham for the first time since learning the truth about him, and she is horrified to discover that her travels with her aunt and uncle will take her to Pembley in Darbyshire, the estate owned by Mr. Darcy. It seems the pair cannot escape each other. That is, next time on Jane Austen's stories, pride and prejudice. You can listen to the next two episodes of Pride and Prejudice right now without waiting by subscribing to Noiser Plus. Head to www.noiser.com slash subscriptions for more information or click the link in the episode description. Hello, it's Dan Snow here from Dan Snow's History. We are currently sponsored by Volvo and the fully electric EX90. The Volvo EX90 is a luxury fully electric SUV perfect for the family, with seven seats as plenty room for everyone, even my family, and up to 378 miles range, which is great to keep the journey going. It's also reassuring through the EX90 designed to be the safest Volvo car ever made, and the fast infotainment system is perfect for seamless connectivity, so you can keep the music playing the whole time, or the history podcast. What more could you want? Search Volvo EX90 to find out more. Electric range may vary based on driving behavior and conditions. At EDF, we don't just encourage you to use less electricity. We actually reward you for it. That's why when you use less during peak times on weekdays, we give you free electricity on Sundays. How you use it is up to you. EDF, change is in our power. How so to reduce the weekly peak electricity usage by 50% can run up to 16 hours of free electricity per week. Full details, eligibility and season seeds visit EDFenergy.com forward slash our high-f and power. Humans, it is I, hypnocat, never been batteries or electricals, they cause fires when crushed in binneries. Always recycle them separately from your regular rubbish and recycling. Search recycle your electricals to find shops and recycling banks where you could drop them off.