Jane writes two letters to Elizabeth: one to tell her Lydia has eloped with Wickham, and the second to say it is believed they are not yet married but have run away together to London. Elizabeth is horrified, as this will ruin the reputation of her entire family. She also blames herself for not exposing Wickham's true character earlier.

Elizabeth runs into Darcy, who is also shocked by the news. Elizabeth bids apology to his family as she has to break off their dinner plans so she and her uncle can return home and join Mr. Bennett in the search for Lydia.

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Elizabeth and the Gardiners are surprised to see Darcy arrive the next morning accompanied by his sister, Georgiana and Bingley. Georgiana is shy but pretty. Bingley is delighted to see Elizabeth and asks after her family - though careful not to mention Jane directly. Elizabeth wonders if he is still in love with Jane. Darcy invites Elizabeth and the Gardiners to stay for dinner at Pemberley.

At dinner, Elizabeth is impressed by Darcy's kindness and generosity. He is attentive to his sister, and he makes a point of including Elizabeth and the Gardiners in the conversation.

The next day, Elizabeth and the Gardiners return to Pemberley - Mr. Gardiner to fish with Bingley and Darcy and the women for tea with Georgiana and the Bingley sisters. 

Caroline Bingley tries to make Elizabeth feel uncomfortable by bringing up the departure of the militia and how it must disappoint her family. Elizabeth steers the conversation away from Wickham, in hopes not to upset Georgiana with the mention of his name.

After everyone leaves, Caroline criticizes Elizabeth to Darcy - making comments about Elizabeth’s looks. Darcy notes Elizabeth is still “one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”

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Elizabeth is initially surprised by the beauty of Pemberley and the kindness of the housekeeper who speaks highly of Darcy. She then comes upon a portrait of Darcy, and is struck by how handsome she finds him. As she walks around the estate, Elizabeth imagines what it would be like to live at Pemberley.

Suddenly, Darcy appears. (He wasn’t to arrive until tomorrow.) Elizabeth is embarrassed to be caught, but Darcy is extremely polite and gracious. She is impressed and begins to see Darcy in a new light. At the end of the chapter, Darcy asks Elizabeth if he can introduce his sister to her. 

After leaving, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner discuss Darcy's surprising geniality - not at all how Elizabeth had led them to believe.

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Elizabeth tells Jane of Darcy’s proposal and letter - leaving out the bits on Bingley and focusing on Wickham’s true character. She asks Jane if she should expose Wickham to their mutuals, but ultimately they decide against it, as Darcy didn’t expose the matter to anyone himself. 

Colonel Foster’s wife extends an invitation to Lydia to spend the summer with them in Brighton. Elizabeth asks Mr. Bennett to not allow Lydia to go, worried Lydia’s flirtatious nature will embarrass the family. But Mr. Bennett believes there is nothing to be done about her nature - it's either her at home or in Brighton, and in Brighton perhaps she will mature. Thus, Lydia departs for Brighton, leaving behind a jealous Kitty. 

Elizabeth sees Wickham before he leaves. She makes mention of having seen Darcy and met Colonel Fitzwilliam. Wickham comes to understand, through Elizabeth’s discreet hints, that she knows the truth of his past. They depart.

Elizabeth reflects on her parent’s marriage: she’s disappointed that her father has married a ridiculous woman, yet also disappointed in her father as he has not been a respectable spouse.

In July, the Gardiners take Elizabeth on a tour of the country, as promised. Mrs. Gardiner suggests they visit Pemberley. Elizabeth agrees when they discover Darcy will not be home.

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Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam leave Rosings. After they’re gone, the group goes to dinner again at Lady Catherine’s, but Elizabeth is distracted - constantly thinking of the letter. She decides she respects Darcy. 

Elizabeth and Mariah ready themselves to depart as well. Lady Catherine asks them to stay another two weeks, but Elizabeth insists she must go home to Longbourn. Before she leaves, Elizabeth has a conversation with Mr. Collins in which he rejoices at the perfectly happy marriage he has with Charlotte. Elizabeth knows there is no true love nor true happiness between the couple, but she does concede the thought that her friend is content.

The women stop by London to pick up Jane on their way home. They are met by Kitty and Lydia. Lydia goes on about the soldiers and how they will soon leave for Brighton. She hopes she can convince the family to summer there. Lydia also mentions news of Wickham: Miss King has left town, making Wickham now available.

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Darcy hands Elizabeth a letter. Within the letter is Darcy’s explanation for everything. He again admits that he withdrew Bingley from Jane. But, he did so because he was worried for his friend - a lovesick Romeo in this case - and didn’t think Jane’s affection was as strong as Bingley’s and that she may be taking advantage of the situation. Darcy also doesn’t approve of the Bennett family as a suitable match for Bingley to marry into. 

As for Wickham, Darcy states that he did give Wickham a sum of money when his father passed - money that was meant to be spent on law school. But Wickham used up the funds and demanded more. When Darcy refused, Wickham charmed Darcy’s young sister, Georgina, in hopes of claiming the fortune - as Darcy sees it. He was almost successful at it too - Georgina was ready to elope with Wickham before Darcy intervened.

Upon first reading the letter, Elizabeth was shocked and in disbelief - how dare Darcy double down on his statements. But after rereading and rereading the letter, Elizabeth began to recount all her interactions with Wickham. She surmised Wickham was not the virtuous man that she believed him to be and that Darcy’s letter must be true. She became ashamed of herself and her prejudice.

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Elizabeth continues on her walks in the countryside, but is constantly surprised by Darcy. He insists on spending time with her, even though their talks are not very stimulating. Elizabeth predicts he is measuring her as a potential match for Fitzwilliam. One day, Fitzwilliam surprises Elizabeth on her walk instead. Fitzwilliam brings up the topic of marriage - stating because he is a younger son, he must consider a woman’s wealth - much like Wickham. He also tells Elizabeth of Darcy’s recent excursion in Netherfield, where he influenced Bingley to leave in order to avoid an “imprudent marriage,” unbeknownst to him that he was speaking of Elizabeth’s sister. Thus, Fitzwilliam confirms Elizabeth’s fear that it was Bingley’s friends who forced him away and caused such sadness in Jane.

Darcy admits his love for Elizabeth and extends an offer of marriage. Elizabeth rejects the proposal and their conversation becomes heated. Darcy, hurt by the rejection, and Elizabeth angered that Darcy broke up Bingley and Elizabeth - which Darcy now confirms himself. Darcy continues to tell her that he loves her, despite all her shortcomings - but this upsets Elizabeth more. 

After he leaves, Elizabeth can’t help but to cry and feel a tinge of regret, if only Darcy weren’t so prideful.

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Sir William Lucas departs, but Elizabeth and Mariah remain guests of Charlotte. Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, call upon Lady de Bourgh and suddenly Elizabeth finds herself spending more time with Darcy. But it’s Fitzwilliam who takes a liking to Elizabeth as the two talk about books and music. Lady Catherine inserts herself into their conversation - constantly critiquing how women should practice music and criticizing Elizabeth and Charlotte for not playing music enough.

One dinner, Fitzwilliam asks Elizabeth to play the piano. Lady Catherine disrespects Elizabeth by holding a conversation with Darcy while she plays. Darcy gets up from the conversation to join Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam at the piano. Elizabeth believes Darcy is intimidating her and retaliates by describing Darcy’s lack of manners to Fitzwilliam.

Later during his visit, Darcy calls upon the Collins home while everyone is out save for Elizabeth. Much to her surprise, Darcy stays and the two engage in an awkward conversation. Elizabeth inquires about his leaving Netherfield so abruptly and Darcy confirms he doesn’t think Bingley will return. After this odd visit, Charlotte states Darcy must be in love with Elizabeth! But as the women spend more time with the men, Charlotte begins to believe it is Fitzwilliam who is falling in love with Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth and Charlotte’s family arrive at the Collins’ home. The next day, Elizabeth and Mariah spot Lady de Bourgh’s daughter, Anne, from a window. They observe how thin, sickly, and plain she looks - the idea that Darcy would have such an unattractive wife pleases Elizabeth.

The group is invited to dinner at Lady de Bourgh’s manor. While at dinner, Lady Catherine dominates the conversation - pushing her own ideas about class and how a home should be run. It’s made clear that she has a strong hand in Mr. Collin’s life and home, thus she’ll also have one in Charlotte’s. Lady Catherine then turns attention to Elizabeth and criticizes the Bennetts for how they brought up their daughters. She is shocked to hear Elizabeth does not practice music or art, but rather reads. Elizabeth shows no fear in responding to Lady Catherine with her own opinions and pride in how she was raised.

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