Pride and Prejudice

A Single Man of Large Fortune

A rich young bachelor has rented the big house nearby, and Mrs. Bennet has five unmarried daughters. Her husband refuses to call on him. Or so he says.

Mr. Bennet’s Secret

Mr. Bennet has already called on Mr. Bingley and tells no one. He lets his wife fret, teases his daughters, and waits for the right moment to let it slip.

Not Handsome Enough to Tempt Me

Mr. Bingley returns Mr. Bennet’s call, and the whole neighbourhood turns out for the ball at Meryton. Mr. Bingley is charming, his friend Mr. Darcy is not, and Elizabeth happens to be sitting very close by.

A Most Delightful Evening

Mrs. Bennet comes home from the ball with a great deal to report, and Mr. Bennet has no wish to hear it. Later Jane and Elizabeth compare notes on the evening, and they do not quite agree about the Bingley family.

What Charlotte Overheard

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are close friends who have almost nothing in common. The morning after the ball, Charlotte Lucas visits Longbourn to talk it over, and everyone has an opinion about Mr. Darcy’s pride.

A Matter of Chance

Mary has thoughts on pride, and the Bennets return Netherfield’s call. Charlotte worries that Jane hides her feelings too well, and Elizabeth thinks her friend’s advice is not sound.

A Very Gallant Thing

At a party at Sir William Lucas’s, Elizabeth teases Mr. Darcy to his face, and a friend talks her into the piano. Then a well-meaning host tries to find her a partner for a dance.

The Silliest Girls in the Country

Mr. Bennet’s estate will pass to a distant cousin, the new regiment has taken over Meryton, and Kitty and Lydia can think of nothing else. A note arrives from Netherfield for Jane, and Mrs. Bennet has a scheme that depends on the weather.

Three Miles on Foot

Jane has caught a cold at Netherfield, and Elizabeth will not wait for a carriage. She sets off across the muddy fields on foot, and is not sure how she will be received at the other end.

Six Inches Deep in Mud

Elizabeth stays on at Netherfield to nurse Jane, and her hosts discuss her as soon as she leaves the room. Mr. Bingley is kind, Mr. Darcy is quiet, and the evening ends in the library with talk of books and of Mr. Darcy’s estate.

An Accomplished Woman

Miss Bingley lists everything a truly accomplished woman must be, and Elizabeth wonders how Mr. Darcy knows any at all. Next morning Mrs. Bennet arrives to see Jane, and to see Mr. Bingley.

A Studier of Character

Mrs. Bennet tells Mr. Darcy exactly what she thinks of his opinion of the country, Elizabeth blushes for her, and fifteen-year-old Lydia reminds Mr. Bingley that he promised them a ball.

The Indirect Boast

Mr. Darcy is writing to his sister, and Miss Bingley cannot leave him alone. When Bingley boasts of how quickly he would leave Netherfield, Darcy and Elizabeth argue over whether giving in to a friend is a virtue.

Indeed I Do Not Dare

Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth if she would like to dance a reel, and she has a cutting answer ready. Miss Bingley, jealous, teases him about his future in-laws on a garden walk, until Elizabeth comes round the corner.

A Turn About the Room

Jane comes down to the drawing room, Miss Bingley yawns over a book she isn’t reading, and then she invites Elizabeth to walk about the room, just where Mr. Darcy can see them.

Not to Be Laughed At

Elizabeth decides that Mr. Darcy must be teased, and Mr. Darcy explains which faults he will admit to. Then the Bennet sisters leave Netherfield, and he is careful not to look at her.

A Gentleman and a Stranger

Back at Longbourn, Mr. Bennet announces a visitor nobody has met: his cousin Mr. Collins, who will one day inherit the house, and who has written a very long letter about it.

Lady Catherine’s Clergyman

Mr. Collins arrives at four o’clock exactly, admires everything in the house as if he already owned it, and cannot stop talking about his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Fordyce’s Sermons

Mr. Collins reads to the ladies until Lydia can bear it no longer. He has come to Longbourn with a plan: to marry one of his cousins, and he has already chosen which.

A Young Man in Meryton

On a walk into town the sisters meet a handsome new officer, Mr. Wickham. Then Mr. Darcy rides by, and the two men see each other. One turns white, the other red.

Mr. Wickham at the Card Table

At Mrs. Philips’s party every eye is on Mr. Wickham, and he sits down next to Elizabeth. He asks how long Mr. Darcy has been in the neighbourhood, and then he tells her what he knows.

The Living He Was Promised

Mr. Wickham tells Elizabeth how old Mr. Darcy promised him a future, and how the son gave it to someone else. Elizabeth is shocked, and thinks him handsomer than ever.

Lady Catherine’s Nephew

Wickham describes Miss Darcy, wonders how Mr. Bingley can be friends with her brother, and drops one more surprise: Mr. Darcy is Lady Catherine’s nephew, and is expected to marry her daughter.

An Invitation to Netherfield

Jane refuses to think badly of anyone. Then the invitation arrives: a ball at Netherfield. Elizabeth plans to dance every dance with Mr. Wickham, but Mr. Collins asks for the first two.

Your Turn to Say Something

Mr. Wickham isn’t at the ball, Mr. Collins dances very badly, and then Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth for the next dance. She says yes before she knows what she’s doing.

What Think You of Books?

On the dance floor Elizabeth mentions Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Darcy’s face changes. She tells him she is trying to work out his character. Afterwards Miss Bingley has a warning for her.

Mr. Collins Introduces Himself

Jane has asked Mr. Bingley about Wickham, and the answer isn’t what Elizabeth hoped. Then Mr. Collins discovers that Lady Catherine’s nephew is in the room, and nothing will stop him.

Mary Sings

At supper Mrs. Bennet tells everyone that Jane will marry Mr. Bingley, loudly enough for Mr. Darcy to hear. Then Mary decides to sing, and goes on singing.

The Last to Leave

Mr. Collins gives a speech on the duties of a clergyman, the Bennets embarrass themselves one way after another, and they are the very last family to leave.

My Reasons for Marrying

The next morning Mr. Collins asks to speak to Elizabeth alone. Mrs. Bennet won’t let her escape, and Mr. Collins explains, at length, why he has decided to marry.

Uniformly Charming

Elizabeth says no, and Mr. Collins is sure she means yes. She says no again. Then Mrs. Bennet hears the news, and runs for Mr. Bennet.

An Unhappy Alternative

Mrs. Bennet wants Mr. Bennet to make Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins. Mr. Bennet calls Elizabeth into the library and explains her choice. Then Charlotte Lucas comes to call.

For Ever Silent

Mr. Collins takes his rejection with dignity, mostly. Then the sisters walk to Meryton and Mr. Wickham explains why he stayed away from the Netherfield ball.

Caroline’s Letter

A letter from Netherfield: the whole party has left for London, and Miss Bingley does not expect her brother back. Jane reads it calmly. Elizabeth reads between the lines.

Charlotte’s Kindness

Elizabeth tries to cheer Jane. At the Lucases’ dinner, Charlotte kindly keeps Mr. Collins company all evening, and her kindness goes further than anyone imagines.

Engaged to Mr. Collins

Sir William and Lady Lucas give their consent at once. Mr. Collins takes leave of Longbourn, and Charlotte has something to tell her dearest friend.

Good Lord, Sir William

Sir William brings the news to Longbourn, and Mrs. Bennet refuses to believe it. Weeks pass, and there is still no word of Mr. Bingley coming back.

Hope Was Over

Mr. Collins returns to Lucas Lodge, Mrs. Bennet laments the entail, and a second letter from Miss Bingley ends all doubt about her brother.

Crossed in Love

Elizabeth refuses to think as kindly of Bingley’s sisters as Jane does. Mr. Bennet has his own view: a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.

Mrs. Gardiner

The Bennets’ London aunt and uncle come for Christmas. Mrs. Gardiner hears all the family grievances, and invites Jane back to London with her.

Too Sensible a Girl

Mrs. Gardiner likes Mr. Wickham, but she has a word of caution for Elizabeth about falling in love with a man who has no fortune.

Charlotte’s Wedding

Charlotte makes Elizabeth promise to visit her in Kent. The wedding takes place, and Jane writes from London: she has called on Miss Bingley.

Jane’s Letter

Weeks go by in London and Miss Bingley finally returns Jane’s visit, coldly. Meanwhile Mr. Wickham has turned his attention to a young lady with ten thousand pounds.

Gracechurch Street

Elizabeth sets out for Kent and stops a night in London with the Gardiners. Her aunt asks about Mr. Wickham and Miss King, and has a summer plan.

Mr. Collins in His Glory

Elizabeth arrives at Hunsford Parsonage. Mr. Collins shows her every room, every walk and every view, and explains how close it all is to Rosings.

An Invitation to Rosings

Miss de Bourgh stops her carriage at the parsonage gate, and an invitation follows: dinner at Rosings. Mr. Collins prepares his guests for the grandeur ahead.

Dinner at Rosings

Lady Catherine looks Elizabeth over, praises every dish and asks a great many questions: about her sisters, her governess, her music and her age.

Life at the Parsonage

Cards at Rosings, then quiet weeks at Hunsford. Lady Catherine minds everybody’s business, and as Easter approaches, news comes that Mr. Darcy is expected.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Mr. Darcy arrives at Rosings with his cousin, and both call at the parsonage at once. At Easter the colonel talks to Elizabeth so easily that Lady Catherine wants to know what about.

At the Pianoforte

Elizabeth plays, and Mr. Darcy comes to stand where he can see her face. She tells the colonel what his cousin did at the very first ball, and Darcy tries to explain himself.

Fifty Miles

Mr. Darcy calls when Elizabeth is alone. Their conversation keeps stalling, until they argue about how far a married woman can live from her family.

The Younger Son of an Earl

Mr. Darcy keeps calling and saying little, and keeps meeting Elizabeth in the park. Then Colonel Fitzwilliam joins her on a walk and explains what a younger son cannot afford.

Some Very Strong Objections

Colonel Fitzwilliam praises his cousin for saving a friend from an imprudent marriage. Elizabeth realises who the friend was, and who the lady.

In Vain Have I Struggled

Elizabeth stays behind with a headache, rereading Jane’s letters. The doorbell rings, and Mr. Darcy walks in with something he can no longer keep to himself.

The Last Man in the World

Elizabeth tells Mr. Darcy exactly why she will not marry him: Jane, Mr. Wickham, and the way he has behaved from the very first moment.