Classics Retold

Before many days after the visit of Lady Catherine, Mr Bingley brought his friend Mr Darcy to Longbourn. The gentlemen arrived very early; and before Mrs Bennet had the time to announce the visit of Lady Catherine, Mr Bingley, who wanted to be alone with Jane, suggested that they all go for a walk. Mrs Bennet was not in the habit of walking; Mary could never spare time; but the remaining five set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, allowed the others to outstripp them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty and Darcy were to entertain each other. Very little was said by either; Kitty was too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly forming a resolution; and perhaps he might be doing the same. They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished to call upon Maria; and Elizabeth saw no occasion for making it a general concern, when Kitty left them she went boldly on with him alone. Now was the moment for her resolution to be executed: "Mr Darcy," said she, ...

Next morning. Elizabeth was going downstairs. Her father was coming out of the library with a letter in his hand, said: "Lizzy, I was going to look for you; come into my room." She followed him into his room; she was curious to know what he had to tell and she connected this to the letter in his hand. It suddenly struck her that it might be from Lady Catherine, and anticipated with dismay, all the consequent explanation. She followed her father into the fireplace, and they both sat down. "I have received a letter this morning," said he. "It has astonished me exceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought to know its contents. I did not know before, that I had two daughters on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very important conquest." The colour now rushed into her cheeks in the conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, instead of the aunt; she was undetermined whether to be pleased, or to be offended, when her fathe...

Longbourn. Morning. About a week after Bingley's engagement, he and the females of the family were sitting together in the dining room.  A chaise drawn by four horses were driving up the lawn. It was too early in the morning, and the chaise and horses were not familiar to the place. Neither the carriage nor the livery of servants who preceded it were not familiar to Longbourn family.  Both Mr Bingley and Jane disappeared to the shrubbery around. The door was thrown open and the visitor, Lady Catherine de Bourgh appeared. Mrs Bennet and Kitty were astonished.  The lady entered with an ungracious air; received Elizabeth's salutation with a slight inclination of her head, and sat down without saying a word.  Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother on her ladyship's entrance, though no request of introduction had been made. Mrs Bennet, though amazed, was flattered by having a guest of prominence, received her with utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in s...

A few days after his visit Mr Bingley called again, and alone.  He remained with them above an hour, and was in good spirits.  Mrs Bennet invited him to dinner, but with many expressions of concern he had to take leave. "Next time you call," said Mrs Bennet, "I hope, we shall be more lucky." He should be particularly happy at any time, and if she would give him leave, would take any early opportunity.  "Can you come tomorrow?" The invitation was accepted with alacrity. He came, and in such a very good time that the ladies were none of them dressed.  In ran Mrs Bennet to her daughter's room, in her dressing gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out:  "My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down.  He is come - Mr Bingley is come.  He is, indeed.  Make haste, make haste.  Here, Sarah, come to Miss Bennet this moment, and help her on with her gown.  Never mind Miss Lizzy's hair." "We will be down as soon as we can," said Jane, ...

As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits; and to dwell without interruption on the incidents of immediate past.  Mr Darcy's behaviour astonished and vexed her. "Why if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent," thought she, "did he come at all?" She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure. "He could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my uncle and aunt, when he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me why come tither?  If he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teasing, teasing man!  I will think no more of him." Her sister, who was cheerful, joined her. "Now," said Jane, that the meeting is over. I feel perfectly easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be embarassed again by his coming.  I am glad he dines here on Tuesday.  It will then be publicly seen that, on both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance." "Yes, very indifferent indeed," said El...

Wickham stopped provoking Elizabeth and she was pleased that she had said enough to keep him quiet. The day of departure of Lydia and Wickham. "Oh! My dear Lydia," cried Mrs Bennet, "when shall we meet again?" "Oh, lord! I don't know. Not these two or three years, perhaps. Write to me often, my dear." "As often as I can.  But you know married women have never very much time for writing.  My sisters may write to me.  They will have nothing else to do." Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than his wife's.  He smiled, looked handsome, and said many pretty things. "He is a fine fellow," said Mr Bennet as soon as they were out of the house, "as ever I saw.  He simpers and smirks and makes love to all of us.  I am prodigiously proud of him.  I defy even Sir William Lucas himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law." The loss of her daughter made Mrs Bennet very dull for several days. "I often think,"...

Elizabeth very soon received an answer to her letter.  She hurried into a little copse, where she could read it in seclusion without interruption. "Gracechurch Street, September 6. "My dear niece, I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole morning to answering it, as I forsee a little writing will not comprise what I have to tell you.  I am surprised by your application, I did not expect it from you.  Don't think me angry, I only meant to let you know that I had not imagined such an inquiry on your side.  Your uncle is as much surprised as I am.  Nothing but the belief of your being a party concerned would have allowed him to act as he has done.  But if you are really innocent and ignorant, I must be more explicit. "On the very day of my coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had a most unexpected visitor.  Mr Darcy called, and was shut up with him for several hours.  It was all over before I arrived; so my curiosity was not at ...