Pride and Prejudice

Evening Reflections on Charlotte

Evening Reflections on Charlotte — In the solitude of her chamber Elizabeth meditates on Charlotte’s degree of contentment, her address in guiding, and her composure in bearing wi…

A Surprise in the Dining-Room

A Surprise in the Dining-Room — About the middle of the next day, as Elizabeth dresses for a walk, a sudden noise below seems to speak the whole house in confusion.…

Miss De Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson

Miss De Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson — Elizabeth, expecting at least that the pigs had got into the garden, is told that the old lady is Mrs.…

Invitation to Rosings

Invitation to Rosings — At length, with nothing more to be said, the ladies drive on and the others return into the house. Mr.…

CAPÍTULO XXIX.

Chapter XXIX of Pride and Prejudice recounts the Bennets’ visit to Rosings Park at Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s invitation. Mr. Collins basks in the reflected honor, carefully prepares his guests for the grandeur they will encounter, and escorts them through an afternoon of inti…

Mr. Collins’s Triumph

Mr. Collins’s Triumph Mr. Collins is delighted by the invitation to dine at Rosings, seeing it as proof of Lady Catherine’s condescension and an opportunity to display her grandeu…

Preparations and Instructions

Preparations and Instructions Mr. Collins coaches his guests on what to expect, warning them not to be overwhelmed by the splendid rooms, numerous servants, and fine dinner.…

The Walk to Rosings

The Walk to Rosings The party enjoys a pleasant half-mile walk across the park in fine weather. Elizabeth is pleased by the scenery, though she cannot share Mr.…

Entering Rosings

Entering Rosings At the hall, Maria’s alarm intensifies and even Sir William loses his composure.…

Meeting Lady Catherine

Meeting Lady Catherine The visitors are received with great condescension by Lady Catherine, Mrs. Jenkinson, and Miss de Bourgh.…

Lady Catherine’s Appearance

Lady Catherine’s Appearance Lady Catherine is a tall, large, strongly featured woman whose manner and authoritative tone recall Mr.…

Admiring the View

Admiring the View The party is sent to one of the windows to admire the prospect, with Mr.…

Dinner at Rosings

Dinner at Rosings The dinner fulfills all of Mr. Collins’s promises: sumptuous service, gleaming plate, and Collins himself seated at the bottom of the table by Lady Catherine’s w…

Domestic Advice in the Drawing Room

Domestic Advice in the Drawing Room Back in the drawing room, Lady Catherine talks without pause until coffee arrives.…

Lady Catherine’s Interrogation

Lady Catherine’s Interrogation Turning her attention to Maria and especially Elizabeth, Lady Catherine fires off a series of impertinent questions about her sisters, their ages, l…

Discussion on Education

Discussion on Education Learning that none of the Bennet daughters draws and they have had no governess, Lady Catherine is shocked and lectures Elizabeth on the necessity of regul…

The Card Tables

The Card Tables After tea, the company divides. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and the Collinses play quadrille, with Lady Catherine dominating the talk and Mr.…

Departure from Rosings

Departure from Rosings When play ends, Lady Catherine offers the Collinses their carriage, which is gratefully accepted.…

CAPÍTULO XXX.

Chapter XXX continues the Hunsford narrative after Sir William Lucas’s week-long visit. Elizabeth settles into a domestic routine at the parsonage, observes Lady Catherine’s domineering presence in both parish and social life, and anticipates Mr.…

Sir William Departs Hunsford

Sir William stays only a week at Hunsford, long enough to be satisfied that his daughter Charlotte is comfortably married to a worthy husband and neighbour.…

Daily Routine at the Parsonage

The daily rhythm at the parsonage settles into quiet domesticity. Between breakfast and dinner, Mr.…

Mr. Collins Reports the Carriages

Because the ladies’ sitting-room faces away from the lane, the women depend on Mr. Collins for news of passing traffic.…

Lady Catherine’s Parish Visits

Lady Catherine’s authority extends well beyond Rosings into the parish itself. Mr. Collins carries her the smallest concerns of the cottagers, and she acts as an active magistrate…

Dining at Rosings Repeated

The entertainment of dining at Rosings is repeated roughly twice a week. Apart from the loss of Sir William’s card-playing and the absence of a second card-table, each visit close…

Elizabeth’s Favourite Walk

Elizabeth’s favourite walk is along the open grove edging the park, a sheltered path that no one else seems to value.…

Mr. Darcy Expected at Rosings

Easter approaches, and with it the news that Mr. Darcy is expected at Rosings within a few weeks.…

Arrival of the Gentlemen

Mr. Collins spends the whole morning within view of the Hunsford lodges to catch the earliest sight of Darcy’s arrival, bows as the carriage enters the park, and hurries home with…

Elizabeth Questions Darcy About Jane

Darcy’s civility at length rouses him to inquire after Elizabeth’s family, and she answers in the usual way before adding that her eldest sister has been in town for three months…