Volume
I,
Chapters
1-12
Vol. I,
13-23 Charlotte
Lucas’ engagement
II, 1-10 (24-33)
II, 11-19 (34-42) Decision to visit Pemberley
III, 1-8
(43-50)
III,
9-19 (51-61)
Resolutions
Darcy
and Bingley ride to view Netherfield:
You’ll find the society something savage – Do I have your
permission?
Elizabeth
Bennet, returns from a walk, exchanges a look with her father, at the
noise of her younger sisters’ quarrel.
Both Mr. B and Lizzie have resigned
themselves to the silliness and ignorance of Mrs. B and her 2 youngest
girls.
Mrs.
B is excited about the news of Netherfield being rented, as the young man is
single and has a good fortune. Her
hopes for her daughters are dashed when Mr. B refuses to call on Mr. Bingley, as
the code of behavior forbids families to interact until the heads of the
households have exchanged visits, and Mr. Bennet must initiate the acquaintance.
(The
Bennets appear wealthy, but the estate of Mr. B is entailed, that is, it cannot
pass to daughters but only sons, and so on Mr. B’s death it will go to the
nearest male relative.)
Mary,
the third oldest, moralizes that “Misfortunes test our fortitude…”
Lizzie
to Jane, the oldest: If I could love a man
who could love me enough to take me for a mere 50 lbs. a year, I should be very
happy, but such a man could hardly be sensible.
Jane:
A marriage where either partner cannot
love or respect the other cannot be agreeable…
Lizzie:
I am determined that nothing but the very
deepest love will ever induce me into matrimony, so I shall end an old maid, and
teach your ten children to embroider cushions and to play their instruments very
ill.
Mr.
B going over the ledger, shakes his head at the expenditures of the family.
Mr.
B enjoys teasing his wife, and makes a joke of his surprise visit to Mr. Bingley,
and so the Bennet ladies can go to the village assembly (dance) expecting to
meet their neighbor.
Mr. Bingley brings his 2 sisters, Caroline (Miss Bingley) and Louisa (Mrs. Hurst), Mr. Hurst, and a friend, Mr. Darcy. They are used to London society, and all but Bingley are reserved and critical. Mr. Darcy refuses to be introduced; when Bingley urges him to ask Lizzie to dance, replies that she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.