The Annotated Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

  49. disposition: character (especially moral character).

  50. amiable: kind, good natured. This, like Elizabeth's earlier sense of Wickham's being “handsomer than ever” as he avows his generosity, indicates how much her eager acceptance of his story is bound up with her romantic attraction to him.

  51. park: enclosed piece of ground; here it means the grounds surrounding a large house, which was a common usage.

  52. Here and elsewhere Wickham's language is thoroughly trite, and, like his story of woe, echoes literary conventions. This signals the contrived nature of what he says.

  53. Wickham's father was steward for the Darcys, which meant he supervised the running of their estate. Large estates normally had such stewards, and it was a job that required substantial skill: the steward at Pemberley would certainly have had many people working under him. During this time the status of the job was rising, as estate management became more professional; not long after this the term “steward,” which had servile connotations, would be dropped in favor of “land agent.” Wickham's father's background as an attorney was also standard. Financial dealings, including estate business, were central to the work of an attorney, who even acted as banker and investment adviser for many people. This made attorneys a natural choice to manage estates, especially since much of this management involved legal matters such as property transactions; smaller estates that could not afford a full-time steward would generally hire an attorney to perform the task part-time.

  54. wonderful: amazing, tending to provoke wonder.

  55. This statement, like that by Elizabeth prompting it, constitutes an interesting suggestion that pride may have beneficial aspects. The idea is that Darcy's pride would make him wish to affirm his own high opinion of himself, and to maintain others' high opinion, by acting justly. Ironically, Elizabeth, after first posing such a notion, directly contradicts it in her next statement, so vehement is she in her wish to denounce Darcy.

  56. Presumably hatred and revenge, which overrode Darcy's pride in being just.

  57. Hospitality, and charity for the poor, were considered basic duties of a large landowner. The tenants would be those renting land for farming on the estate; they would normally look to their landlord for assistance, whether for personal matters or for help in improvements to the land.

  58. Maintaining the traditions and good name of one's family—which was often identified with its seat, i.e., Pemberley House in this case—was considered extremely important among wealthy and aristocratic families.

  59. cried up: praised, extolled.

  60. Thus Wickham ends up acknowledging several significant good features of Darcy; he does so more than once in the dialogue. His last words hint at his possible reason: since Darcy is widely known for these features, anyone who denied them would be discredited and find his attacks on Darcy disbelieved.

  61. A truly incredible statement after all he has been saying.

  62. More will be revealed later about her affection for Wickham, his attentions to her, and his reasons for speaking ill of her now (see p. 372).

  63. A not unusual arrangement for young ladies, especially if they lacked parents with whom to live.

  64. Elizabeth has mentioned a powerful objection to Wickham's account, Darcy's friendship with a good man. At this point, however, Elizabeth is inclined to dismiss such an objection with the idea of Bingley's ignorance, an idea Wickham is happy to support.

  65. want: lack.

  66. conversible companion: a good companion in conversation.

  67. consequence: social status.

  68. liberal-minded: open-minded, receptive to others.

  69. figure: social rank or importance.

  70. In other words, his economic circumstances are such that five shillings is no matter to him. Five shillings is one-fourth of a pound, and thus is not a large sum of money.

  71. Lady Anne Darcy: Darcy's mother. As with Lady Catherine, her title, specifically the use of her first name, reveals that she is the daughter of an earl or higher. Thus we are informed both of Darcy's distinguished pedigree, and of Mr. Collins's indirect connection with him.

  72. connections: relations, family ties.

  73. unite the two estates: unite them through marriage. Darcy and Miss De Bourgh are first cousins, but such a marriage was completely normal and acceptable among the landed classes in this society. In Mansfield Park the heroine and hero are first cousins who eventually marry. The ability of such marriages to unite estates and thus increase the family wealth, as would happen in this case, was one strong reason for regarding them as acceptable. Lower down the social scale, where such reasons were less applicable and where people also had far more potential mates to choose among, marriage between first cousins was more likely to be regarded as incestuous.

  74. self-destined: the use of “self” presumably means that Darcy has agreed to this destiny.

  75. In other words, she derives her reputation for high abilities partly from her rank and fortune, for people are inclined to think better of someone possessing them.

  76. Meaning that Darcy wants everyone connected with him to be considered intelligent, and helps persuade everyone else this must be true. We shall see later that while Wickham's description of Lady Catherine is correct, his assertion of Darcy's high opinion of his aunt is not.

  77. fish: tokens or chips used in betting, which were often made in the form of a fish.

  78. Mr. Collins persistent mention of this topic indicates that he may be less indifferent to his loss of money than he claims; there is certainly no indication that anyone else asks him about his losses.

  79. crouded: crowded. As a party of six, they would be at maximum capacity in the coach.

  Chapter Seventeen

  E lizabeth related to Jane the next day, what had 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 a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham.—The possibility of his having really endured such unkindness, was enough to interest all her tender feelings; and nothing therefore remained to be done, but to think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each, and throw into the account of accident or mistake,1 whatever could not be otherwise explained.

  “They have both,” said she, “been deceived, I dare say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people2 have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture3 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 in 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.”

  “Laugh as much as you chuse, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite in such a manner, —one, whom his father had promised to provide for. —It is impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his character,4 could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him? oh! no.”

  “I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley's being imposed on, than that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me last night; names, facts,5 every thing mentioned without ceremony.6—If it be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it.7 Besides, there was truth in his looks.”8

  “It is difficult indeed —it is distressing.—One does not know what to think.”

  “I beg your pardon; —one knows exactly what to think.”

  But Jane could think with certainty on only one point, —that Mr. Bingley, if he had been imposed on, would have much to suffer when the affair became public.

  The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery where this conversat
ion passed, by the arrival of some of the very persons of whom they had been speaking; Mr. Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal invitation for the long expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed for the following Tuesday. The two ladies were delighted to see their dear friend again, called it an age since they had met, and repeatedly asked what she had been doing with herself since their separation.9 To the rest of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to the others. They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an activity10 which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet's civilities.

  The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of every thing in Mr. Darcy's looks and behaviour.11 The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia, depended less on any single event, or any particular person, for though they each, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham, he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball was at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her family that she had no disinclination for it.

  “While I can have my mornings to myself,” said she, “it is enough. —I think it no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society12 has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for every body.”

  Elizabeth's spirits were so high on the occasion, that though she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley's invitation, and if he did, whether he would think it proper to join in the evening's amusement;13 and she was rather surprised to find that he entertained no scruple whatever on that head, and was very far from dreading a rebuke either from the Archbishop,14 or Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by venturing to dance.

  “I am by no means of opinion, I assure you,” said he, “that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of character,15 to respectable people, can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting to dancing myself that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening, and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth,16 for the two first dances especially,—a preference which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right cause, and not to any disrespect for her.”17

  Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully proposed being engaged by Wickham for those very dances: —and to have Mr. Collins instead! her liveliness18 had been never worse timed. There was no help for it however. Mr. Wickham's happiness and her own was per force19 delayed a little longer, and Mr. Collins's proposal accepted with as good a grace as she could.20 She was not the better pleased with his gallantry, from the idea it suggested of something more. —It now first struck her, that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being the mistress of Hunsford Parsonage,21 and of assisting to form a quadrille table at Rosings, in the absence of more eligible22 visitors. The idea soon reached to conviction, as she observed his increasing civilities toward herself, and heard his frequent attempt at a compliment on her wit and vivacity; and though more astonished than gratified herself, by this effect of her charms, it was not long before her mother gave her to understand that the probability of their marriage was exceedingly agreeable to her. Elizabeth however did not chuse to take the hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be the consequence of any reply. Mr. Collins might never make the offer, and till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him.23

  If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for and talk of, the younger Miss Bennets would have been in a pitiable state at this time, for from the day of the invitation, to the day of the ball, there was such a succession of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton once. No aunt, no officers, no news could be sought after; —the very shoe-roses24 for Netherfield were got by proxy. Even Elizabeth might have found some trial of her patience in weather, which totally suspended the improvement of her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham; and nothing less than a dance on Tuesday, could have made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, endurable to Kitty and Lydia.

  1. That is, account for as a product of misfortune or error.

  2. Interested people: people with an interest of their own in alienating Darcy and Wickham. Jane's conjuring up such people is a sign of her desperation to avoid condemning someone.

  3. conjecture: guess, figure out.

  4. who had any value for his character: who valued his character (his public reputation) at all.

  5. Actually Wickham mentioned the names only of Darcy and his father, and was extremely vague on important facts, such as the terms of the will and the reasons Darcy gave for refusing him the living.

  6. without ceremony: in an offhand way, without fuss or ostentation.

  7. Of course, Darcy is being given no opportunity to contradict it. He would also consider it beneath himself as a gentleman.

  8. A significant indicator of one of Wickham's chief assets, and of what was helping to influence Elizabeth.

  9. In fact, it was not “an age,” but only four days since Jane left Netherfield (see chronology, p. 714). In addition, while the two sisters profess regret at not seeing Jane, they have clearly made no effort to do so in this interval, nor will they make such an effort in the five days before the ball.

  10. activity: energy, briskness.

  11. In other words, a confirmation of all Wickham's accusations. We see how much Elizabeth is judging by appearances, for Darcy's looks or behavior are not about to give her more information on the facts of the case. We also see that dislike of Darcy is occupying her mind as well as affection for Wickham; the two emotions are obviously reinforcing one another.

  12. Society: the society of others, social life (it would not mean English society as a whole).

  13. Elizabeth seems to be trying to amuse herself, in the manner of her father, with Mr. Collins. Since it was often considered improper for the clergy to participate in such amusements, she probably hoped to see him squirm a little in his attempts to justify his attendance.

  14. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the English church.

  15. of character: of good character or reputation.

  16. Miss Elizabeth: as a cousin Mr. Collins feels entitled to omit her last name in addressing her—though he would never dare to address her only as Elizabeth.

  17. As the eldest Jane could claim such a preference, so Mr. Collins wishes to indicate that he means no disrespect.

  18. liveliness: playfulness. The reference is to her playful, and perhaps mischievous, question to Mr. Collins that started the conversation. This is not the only time this basic quality of hers—the same quality that gives her such charm—will create difficulties for her.

  19. per force: by force of circumstances, of necessity.

  20. She is not really in a position to decline, unless she wished not to dance at all, for it was considered very impolite for a woman to refuse one man and then to accept another for the same dance. In Fanny Burney's Evelina, the first novel by one of Jane Austen's favorite authors, the untutored young heroine suffers embarrassment from not being aware of this principle.

  21. mistress of Hunsford Parsonage: in other words, wife of Mr. Collins.

  22. eligible: worthy, suitable. This is an indication that Elizabeth perceives the true nature of Mr. Collins's position with Lady Catherine: he, and any wife of his, are to be invited only when Lady Catherine cannot find better companions. Since quadrille is a card game requiring four players, it would be necessar
y for Lady Catherine to have some guests in order to form an adequate table.

  23. A good example of Elizabeth's sensible and generally positive approach to life. Such an approach, combining sober acceptance of reality with the attempt always to hope for the best, is one Jane Austen consistently holds up for praise.

  24. shoe-roses: ornamental ribbons, knotted in the form of a rose, that would be attached to the top of the shoe. They would be used on fancy occasions such as a ball.

  Chapter Eighteen

  T ill Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield and looked in vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled, a doubt of his being present had never occurred to her. The certainty of meeting him had not been checked by any of those recollections that might not unreasonably have alarmed her. She had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more than might be won in the course of the evening.1 But in an instant arose the dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy's pleasure in the Bingleys' invitation to the officers; and though this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence was pronounced by his friend Mr. Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly applied, and who told them that Wickham had been obliged to go to town2 on business the day before, and was not yet returned; adding, with a significant smile,

  “I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if he had not wished to avoid a certain gentleman here.”

  This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia, was caught by Elizabeth, and as it assured her that Darcy was not less answerable for Wickham's absence than if her first surmise had been just,3 every feeling of displeasure against the former was so sharpened by immediate disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable civility to the polite inquiries which he directly4 afterwards approached to make.5—Attention, forbearance, patience with Darcy, was injury to Wickham. She was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away with a degree of ill humour, which she could not wholly surmount even in speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind partiality6 provoked her.