Classics Retold

Elizabeth related next day what passed between Mr Wickham and herself.  Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr Bingley's regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of such amiable appearance as Mr Wickham. "They have both," said Jane, "been deceived, I dare say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea.  Interested people perhaps have misrepresented each to the other.  It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side." "Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say on behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the business? Do clear them too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of somebody." "Do not laugh me out of my opinion.  My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light it places Mr ...

Mr Collins along with his five cousins arrived at Phillips house in Meryton at a suitable hour. As they entered the drawing room the girls came to know that Mr Wickham was in the house.  When all of them were seated Mr Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared he might almost have supposed himself in the summer breakfast parlour of at Rosings; a comparison that did not at first convey much to the audience; but when Mrs Phillips understood from him what Rosings was, and who was its proprietor she felt all the force of the compliment. In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his humble abode, he was happily occupied until the gentlemen joined them.  Mrs Phillips was a good listener, who decided to retail it among her neighbours.  The girls could not listen to their cousin, had nothing to do but to wish f...

Mr Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little education or society.  The greater part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father, and though belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms without forming at it necessary acquaintance.  A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Borough when the living of Hunsford was vacant.  Her patronage, his authority as a clergy man and his right as a rector made him a mixture of pride and obsequiousness. Having now a good house and sufficient income, he intended to marry and in seeking a reconciliation with Longbourn 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 atonement. His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, and for the first evenin...

After dinner, the servants were withdrawn, and Mr Bennet found an opportunity to have some conversations with the guest.  He started a subject in which he thought his guest would be much interested. So he brought Collins's attention to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  He was eloquent in her praise. "That's all very proper and civil," said Mrs Bennet, "and I dare say she is an agreeable woman.  Does she lives near you, sir?" "The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her Ladyship's residence." "Is she a widow, sir? Has she any family?" "She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property." "Ah!" said 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 most charming lady, indeed.  She is a young lady of distinguished birth. But she is unfortunately of sickly con...

"I hope, my dear," said Mr Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast next morning, "that you 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, except Charlotte Lucas should happen to call - and I hope my dinners are 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 Bennet's eyes sparkled.  "A gentleman and a stranger!" It is Mr Bingley, I am sure!  Well I am sure I am extremely extremely happy 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 Hills 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...

Next morning, Elizabeth wrote a letter to her mother requesting her to send a carriage in the course of the day. This she did in agreement with the Bingley sisters.  But Mrs Bennet had in her mind, to prolong their stay at Netherfield.  So she sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday. In her postscript it was added that if Mr Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very well.  But Elizabeth resolved otherwise and acted through Jane to borrow Bingley's carriage. Mr Bingley was against early leaving and his sister supported him though she was jealous of Elizabeth to remain there. Darcy was silent, as he thought it a welcome step. Elizabeth had been at Netherfield for a considerable period. She attracted him more than he liked. Miss Bingley was uncivil to her.  He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him.  Steady to his purpose he scarcely spoke t...

After dinner the ladies assembled in the drawing room.  Elizabeth ran upto her sister and seeing her out of danger attended her to the drawing room. She was welcomed by Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. Elizabeth had seen them very agreeable. The gentlemen came after some time. Jane was no longer the first object. Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned to Darcy, and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps.  He addressed himself to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr Hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he was very glad; but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley's salutation.  He was full of joy and attention.  The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest Jane should suffer from the change of room; and she moved at his desire to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be further from the door.  He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to anyone else.  Elizabeth, at work in the opposite cor...

The day passed much as the day before.  Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley spent some of the morning hours with Jane, who continued though slowly to mend. In the evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing room.   Mr Darcy was writing, and Miss Bingley seated near him, was watching the progress of his letter. Mr Hurst and Mr Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs Hurst was observing the game.  Elizabeth sat with some needle work, enjoying what passed between Darcy and his companion. "How delighted Miss Darcy will be to receive such a letter!" said Miss Bingley. He made no answer. "You write uncommonly fast." "You are mistaken, I write rather slowly." "How many letters you write in the course of a year! Letters of business too! How odious." "It is fortunate that they fall to my lot instead of yours." "Pray tell your sister that I long to see her." "I have already told her so once, by your desire." "I am afraid you do no...

Elizabeth passed the night in her sister's room. In the morning she answered the inquiries she received from Bingley and later to the ladies of the house.  A note to Longbourn was sent desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgement of Jane's situation. Mrs Bennet accompanied by her younger girls soon came after the breakfast. Mrs Bennet found that her daughter's illness was not alarming.  Jane proposed that she may be carried home. But the apothecary was against such a course. Since Mrs Bennet wanted her daughter to remain in Netherfield she also  supported the apothecary.  After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's appearance and invitation, the mother and three daughters went into the breakfast parlour.  Bingley hoped that Mrs Bennet Did not find her daughter worse than she expected. "Indeed, I have, sir," Mrs Bennet, "She is too ill to be moved.  Mr Jones says that we must not think of moving her.  We must trespass a li...

At five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. Jane was by no means better.  Mr Bingley's anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attention for her most pleasing, and they prevented her feeling herself so much an intruder, as she believed she was considered by others. Miss Bingley was engrossed by Darcy.  Mr Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards. When dinner was over, Elizabeth returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of room. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs Hurst thought the same and added:  "She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker.  I shall never forget her appearance this morning.  She really looked almost wild." "She did indeed, Louisa.  I could hardly keep ...

The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield.  The visit was soon returned in due form. Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley.  Though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish to acquaint with the two elders was expressed.  Jane was very much pleased, but Elizabeth was not.  She saw superiority in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister.  Mr Bingley admired Jane very much whenever they met and this had some effect on his sisters.  Jane was yielding to this and was very much in love with him; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by others.  However, she mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas. "It may perhaps pleasant," said Charlotte, "but it is sometimes a disadvantage, to be so guarded.  If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose t...

ONE  Mrs Bennet was very concerned about her grown up daughters. Mrs Long had told her that their neighborhood Netherfield Park was taken on lease by a young man of fortune, Mr Bingley.  She hoped that the young neighbour may fall in love with one of her daughters. So she wanted her husband to pay a visit to the young man at the earliest. Mr Bennet was a man of sarcasm and wit, and he told his wife to make a visit by herself along with her daughters. TWO Contrary to his words Mr Bennet was one of the earliest visitors of the neighbour Mr Bingley.  But he did not reveal this to his wife.  While his second daughter Elizabeth had been trimming a hat Mr Bennet said, "I hope Mr Bingley will like it, Lizzy." Now Mrs Bennet said that they are not in a position to know what Mr Bingley likes. As the talks among the members progressed Mr Bennet disclosed that he had visited Mr Bingley. Mrs Bennet was very much happy and the rest of the evening the women talked about the ball a...