Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog

Chapter 15

Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society. The Narrator

Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married; and the man (Mr. Collins) whom she could not bear to speak of the day before, was now high in her good graces. The Narrator

Elizabeth, happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour; one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat — a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? The Narrator

Chapter 16

Mrs. Philips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbours as soon as she could. The Narrator

Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself. The Narrator

“The world is blinded by his (Mr. Darcy’s) fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chuses to be seen.” Mr. Wickham

“I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this — though I have never liked him, I had not thought so very ill of him. — I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this!” Elizabeth Bennet

His manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her. The Narrator

Chapter 17

“Laugh as much as you chuse, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.” Jane Bennet

The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. The Narrator

“Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for everybody.” Mary Bennet

It now first struck her (Elizabeth) that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being the mistress of Hunsford Parsonage. The Narrator

Chapter 18

She (Elizabeth) had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained unsubdued of his (Mr. Wickham) heart, trusting that it was not more than might be won in the course of the evening. The Narrator

“To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.” Elizabeth Bennet

“I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the éclat of a proverb.” Elizabeth Bennet

“Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making  friends — whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.” Mr. Darcy

In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother’s words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible whisper; for, to her inexpressible vexation, she could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for being nonsensical. The Narrator

Mary’s powers were by no means fitted for such a display: her voice was weak, and her manner affected. — Elizabeth was in agonies. The Narrator

“That will do extremely well, child. You (Mary) have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.” Mr. Bennet

That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy, however, should have such an opportunity of ridiculing her relations, was bad enough, and she could not determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were more intolerable. The Narrator

Chapter 19

“Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you (Elizabeth) out as the companion of my future life.” Mr. Collins

“I am perfectly serious in my refusal. You (Mr. Collins) could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who would make you so.” Elizabeth Bennet

Chapter 20

“But depend upon it, Mr. Collins,” she added, “that Lizzy shall be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it myself directly. She is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest; but I will make her know it.” Mrs. Bennet

“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.” Mr. Bennet

“Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.” Mrs. Bennet

“I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation.” Mr. Collins

Chapter 21

“Is it not clear enough? Does it not expressly declare that Caroline neither expects nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is perfectly convinced of her brother’s indifference; and that if she suspects the nature of my feelings for him, she means (most kindly!) to put me on my guard? Can there be any other opinion on the subject?” Jane Bennet

“You must decide for yourself,” said Elizabeth; “and if, upon mature deliberation, you (Jane) find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you by all means to refuse him.” Elizabeth Bennet

© 2010 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose