25/26 Pride And Prejudice - Read By Stephanie Poppins

Pride and Prejudice is a classic tale of love and uncertainty by English Author Jane Austen. In these gently read stories, we escape into a time long past. Read and Performed by English author Stephanie Poppins.

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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Read by S. D. Hudson Chapter 25 After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of felicity, Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by the arrival of Saturday. The pain of separation, However, Might be alleviated on his side by preparations for the reception of his bride, As he had reason to hope that shortly after his next return into Hertfordshire the day would be fixed that was to make him the happiest of men. He took leave of his relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before, Wished his fair cousins health and happiness again and promised their father another letter of thanks. On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, Who came as usual to spend the Christmas at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, Gentleman-like man, Greatly superior to his sister as well by nature as education. The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade and within view of his own warehouses could have been so well-bred and agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner, Who was several years younger than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, Was an amiable, Intelligent, Elegant woman and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces. Between the two eldest and herself especially, There subsisted a very particular regard. They had frequently been staying with her in town. The first part of Mrs. Gardiner's business on her arrival was to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When this was done, She had a less active part to play. It became her turn to listen. Mrs. Bennet had many grievances to relate and much to complain of. They had all been very ill-used since she last saw her sister. Two of her girls had been on the point of marriage and, After all, There was nothing in it. "'I do not blame Jane, ' she continued, "'for Jane would have got Miss Bingley if she could. "'But Lizzie! Oh, Sister, It is very hard to think "'that she might have been Mr. Collins's wife by this time "'had it not been for her own perverseness. ' "'He made her an offer in this very room and she refused him. "'The consequence of it is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have "'and that Longbourn Estate is just as much entailed as ever. "'The Lucases are very artful people indeed, Sister. "'They are all for what they can get. "'I am sorry to say it of them, But so it is. "'It makes me very nervous and poorly to be thwarted so in my own family "'and to have neighbours who think of themselves before anybody else. "'However, Your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts "'and I am very glad to hear what you tell us of Longsleeves. ' "'Mrs. Gardiner, Of whom the chief of this news had been given before, "'in the course of Jane and Elizabeth's correspondence with her, "'made her sister a slight answer and, In compassion to her nieces, Turned the conversation. "'When alone with Elizabeth afterwards, She spoke more on the subject. "'It seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane, ' said she. "'I am sorry it went off, But these things happen so often. "'A young man such as you describe, Mr. Bingley, "'so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks "'and when accident separates them, So easily forgets her "'that these sort of inconstancies are very frequent. "'An excellent consolation in its way, ' said Elizabeth, "'but it will not do for us. We do not suffer by accident. "'It does not often happen that the interference of friends "'will persuade a young man of independent fortune to think no more of a girl "'whom he was violently in love with only a few days before. "'But that expression of violently in love is so hackneyed, "'so doubtful, So indefinite, That it gives me very little idea. "'It is as often applied to feelings which arise from a half-hour's acquaintance "'as to a real strong attachment. "'Pray, How violent was Mr. Bingley's love! "'I never saw a most promising inclination. "'He was growing quite inattentive to other people and wholly engrossed by her. "'Every time they met, It was more decided and remarkable. "'At his own ball, He offended two or three ladies by not asking them to dance, "'and I spoke to him twice myself without receiving an answer. "'Could there be finer symptoms? "'Is not general incivility the very essence of love? "'Oh, Yes, Of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. "'Poor Jane! I am very sorry for her, "'because with her disposition she may not get over it immediately. "'It had better have happened to you, Lizzy. "'You would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. "'But do you think she would be prevailed upon to go back with us? "'Change of scene might be of service, "'and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as anything. "'Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal "'and felt persuaded of her sister's ready acquiescence. "'I hope, ' added Mrs Gardiner, "'that no consideration with regard to this young man will influence her. "'We live in so different a part of town, "'all our connections are so different, "'and, As you well know, We go out so little "'that it is very improbable they should meet at all "'unless he really comes to see her. "'And that is quite impossible, "'for he is now in the custody of his friend, "'and Mr Darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane in such a part of London. "'My dear aunt, How could you think of it? "'Mr Darcy may perhaps have heard of such a place as Greychurch Street, "'but he would hardly think a month's ablution enough "'to cleanse him from his impurities once he were to enter it. "'And, Depend upon it, Mr Bingley never stirs without him. "'So much the better. I hope they will not meet at all. "'But does not Jane correspond with his sister? "'She will not be able to help calling. "'She will drop the acquaintance entirely. "'But in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth affected to place this point, "'as well as the still more interesting one of Bingley's being withheld from seeing Jane, "'she felt a solicitude on the subject on examination "'which convinced her that she did not consider it entirely hopeless. "'It was possible, And sometimes she thought it probable, "'that his affection might be reanimated, "'and the influence of his friends successfully combated "'by the more natural influence of Jane's attractions. "'Miss Bennet accepted her aunt's invitation with pleasure, "'and the Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the time "'than as she hoped that by Caroline's not living in the same house with her brother, "'she might occasionally spend a morning with her without any danger of seeing him. "'The gardeners stayed a week at Longbourn, "'and what with the Phillipses, The Lucases, And the officers, "'there was not a day without its engagement. "'Mrs Bennet had so carefully provided for the entertainment of her brother and sister "'that they did not once sit down to a family dinner. "'When the engagement was for home, Some of the officers always made part of it, "'of which officer's Mr Wickham was sure to be one, "'and on these occasions Mrs Gardiner, Rendered suspicious by Elizabeth's warm commendation of him, "'narrowly observed them both. "'Without supposing them, From what she saw, To be very seriously in love, "'their preference of each other was plain enough to make her a little uneasy, "'and she resolved to speak to Elizabeth on the subject before she left Hertfordshire, "'and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging such an attachment. "'To Mrs Gardiner, Wickham had one means of affording pleasure, "'unconnected with his general powers. "'About ten or a dozen years ago, Before her marriage, "'she had spent a considerable time in that very part of Derbyshire to which he belonged. "'They had therefore many acquaintance in common, "'and though Wickham had been little there since the death of Darcy's father five years before, "'it was yet in his power to give her fresher intelligence of her former friends "'than she had been in the way of procuring. "'Mrs Gardiner had seen Pemberley and known the late Mr Darcy by character perfectly well. "'Here, Consequently, Was an inexhaustible subject of discourse. "'In comparing her recollection of Pemberley with a minute description with which Wickham could give, "'and in bestowing her tribute of praise on the character of its late possessor, "'she was delighting both him and herself. "'On being made acquainted with the present Mr Darcy's treatment of him, "'she decided to remember something of that gentleman's reputed disposition when quite a lad, "'which might agree with it, "'and was confident at last that she recollected having heard Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, "'formerly spoken of as a very proud, Ill-natured boy. '" Chapter 26 Mrs Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her alone after honestly telling her what she thought she thus went on. "'You are too sensible a girl, Lizzie, To fall in love "'merely because you are warned against it, "'and therefore I am not afraid of speaking openly. "'Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. "'Do not involve yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection "'which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent. "'I have nothing to say against him. "'He is a most interesting young man, And if he had the fortune he ought to have, "'I should think you could not do better. "'But as it is, You must not let your fancy run away with you. "'You have sense, And we all expect you to use it. "'Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, I am sure. "'You must not disappoint your father. "'My dear aunt, This is being serious indeed. "'Yes, And I hope to engage you to be serious likewise. "'Well then, You need not be under any alarm. "'I will take care of myself and of Mr Wickham too. "'He shall not be in love with me if I can prevent it. "'Elizabeth, You are not serious now. "'I beg your pardon, I will try again. "'At present I am not in love with Mr Wickham. "'No, I certainly am not. "'But he is, Beyond all comparison, The most agreeable man I ever saw. "'And if he becomes really attached to me, "'I believe it will be better than he should not. "'I see the imprudence of it. "'Oh, That abominable Mr Darcy! "'My father's opinion of me does me the greatest honour, "'and I should be miserable to forfeit it. "'My father, However, Is partial to Mr Wickham. "'In short, My dear aunt, "'I should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy. "'But since we see every day that where there is affection, "'young people are seldom withheld by immediate want of fortune "'from entering into engagements with each other, "'how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow creatures "'if I am tempted? "'Or how am I even to know it would be wisdom to resist? "'All that I can promise you, Therefore, Is not to be in a hurry. "'I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. "'When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. "'In short, I will do my best. "'Perhaps it will be as well "'if you discourage his coming here so very often. "'At least you should not remind your mother of inviting him. "'As I did the other day, ' said Elizabeth with a conscious smile. "'Very true, It will be wise in me to refrain from that. "'But do not imagine that he is always here so often. "'It is on your account he has been so frequently invited this week. "'You know my mother's ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her friends. "'But really, And upon my honour, "'I will try to do what I think to be wisest. "'And now I hope you are satisfied. ' "'Her aunt assured her that she was, "'and Elizabeth having thanked her for the kindness of her hints, "'they parted, A wonderful instance of advice being given on such a point, "'without being resented. "'Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire "'soon after it had been quitted by the gardeners, And Jane. "'But as he took up his abode with the Lucases, "'his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet. "'His marriage was now fast approaching, "'and she was at length so far resigned as to think it inevitable, "'and even repeatedly to say in an ill-natured tone "'that she wished they might be happy. "'Thursday was to be the wedding day, "'and on Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit. "'And when she rose to take leave, "'Elizabeth, Ashamed of her mother's ungracious and reluctant good wishes, "'and seriously affected herself, "'accompanied her out of the room. "'As they went downstairs together, Charlotte said, "'I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza. ' "'That you certainly shall. "'And I have another favour to ask. "'Will you come and see me? "'We shall often meet, I hope, In Hertfordshire. "'I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. "'Promise me, Therefore, To come to Hunsford. ' "'Elizabeth could not refuse, "'though she foresaw little pleasure in the visit. "'My father and Maria are to come to me in March, ' added Charlotte, "'and I hope you will consent to be of the party. "'Indeed, Elizabeth, You will be as welcome to me as either of them. ' "'The wedding took place. "'The bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from the church door, "'and everybody had as much to say or to hear on the subject as usual. "'Elizabeth soon heard from her friend, "'and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been. "'That it should be equally unreserved was impossible. "'Elizabeth could never address her without feeling "'that all the comfort of intimacy was over, "'and though determined not to slacken as a correspondent, "'it was for the sake of what had been rather than what was. "'Charlotte's first letters were received with a good deal of eagerness. "'There could not but be curiosity to know how she would speak of her new home, "'how she would like Lady Catherine, "'and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to be, "'though when the letters were read, "'Elizabeth felt that Charlotte expressed herself on every point "'exactly as she might have foreseen. "'She wrote cheerfully, Seemed surrounded with comforts, "'and mentioned nothing which she could not praise. "'The house, Furniture, Neighbourhood and roads were all to her taste, "'and Lady Catherine's behaviour was most friendly and obliging. "'It was Mr Collins's picture of Hunsford and Rosings rationally softened, "'and Elizabeth perceived she must wait for her own visit there to know the rest. "'Jane had already written a few lines to her sister "'to announce their safe arrival in London, "'and when she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power "'to say something of the Bingleys. "'Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded "'as impatience generally is. "'Jane had been a week in town without either seeing or hearing from Caroline. "'She accounted for it, However, "'by supposing her last letter to her friend from Longbourn "'had by some accident been lost. "'My aunt, ' she continued, "'is going tomorrow into that part of the town, "'and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street. ' "'She wrote again when the visit was paid, "'and she had seen Miss Bingley. "'I did not think Caroline in spirits were her words, "'but she was very glad to see me "'and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London. "'I was right, Therefore. "'My last letter had never reached her. "'I enquired after their brother, Of course. "'He was well, But so much engaged with Mr Darcy "'that they scarcely ever saw him. "'I found that Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. "'I wish I could see her. "'My visit was not long as Caroline and Mrs Hurst were going out. "'I dare say I shall soon see them here. ' "'Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. "'It convinced her that accident only could discover to Mr Bingley, "'her sisters being in town. "'Four weeks passed away and Jane saw nothing of him. "'She endeavoured to persuade herself she did not regret it, "'but she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley's inattention. "'After waiting at home every morning for a fortnight "'and inventing every evening a fresh excuse, "'the visitor did at last appear. "'But the shortness of her stay "'and yet more the alteration of her manner "'would allow Jane to deceive herself no longer. "'The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister "'would prove what she felt. "'My dearest Lizzy Will, I am sure being capable of triumphing "'in her better judgment at my expense "'when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived "'in Miss Bingley's regard for me. "'But, My dear sister, Though the event has proved you right, "'do not think me obstinate if I still assert that, "'considering what her behaviour was, "'my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. "'I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing "'to be intimate with me. "'But if the same circumstances were to happen again, "'I am sure I should be deceived again. "'Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday, "'and not a note, Not a line did I receive in the meantime. "'When she did come it was very evident she had no pleasure for it. "'She made a slight formal apology for not calling before, "'said not a word of wishing to see me again, "'and was in every respect so altered a creature "'that when she went away I was perfectly resolved "'to continue the acquaintance no longer. "'I pity, Though I cannot help blaming her. "'She was very wrong in singling me out as she did. "'I can safely say every advance to intimacy began on her side. "'But I pity her because she must feel that she's been acting wrong, "'because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it. "'I need not explain myself further. "'And though we know this anxiety to be quite needless, "'if she feels it will easily account for her behaviour to me, "'and so deservedly dear as he is to his sister, "'whatever anxiety she may feel on his behalf is natural and amiable. "'I cannot but wonder, However, At her having any such fears now, "'because if he had at all cared about me we must have met long, Long ago. "'He knows of my being in town, I'm certain, From something she said herself, "'and yet it should seem by her manner of talking "'as if she wanted to persuade herself he's really partial to Miss Darcy. "'I cannot understand it. "'If I were not afraid of judging harshly, "'I should be tempted to say there's a strong appearance of duplicity in all this, "'but I will endeavour to banish every painful thought "'and think only of what will make me happy, "'your affection and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. "'Let me hear from you very soon. "'Miss Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield again, "'of giving up the house, But not with any certainty. "'We had better not mention it. "'I'm extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford. "'Pray go to see them with Sir William and Maria. "'I'm sure you will be very comfortable there. "'Yours, Jane, Etc. ' "'This letter gave Elizabeth some pain, "'but her spirits returned as she considered that Jane would no longer be duped by the sister at least. "'All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. "'She would not even wish for any renewal of his attentions. "'His character sunk on every review of it, "'and as a punishment for him as well as a possible advantage to Jane, "'she seriously hoped he might soon marry Mr Darcy's sister, "'as by Wickham's account she would make him abundantly regret what he had thrown away. "'Mrs Gardner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise concerning that gentleman, "'and required information. "'And Elizabeth had such to send as might. "'Rather give contentment to her aunt than to herself. "'His apparent partiality had subsided, His attentions were over. "'He was the admirer of someone else. "'Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all, "'but she could see it and write of it without material pain. "'Her heart had been but slightly touched, "'and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice "'had fortune permitted it. "'The sudden acquisition of £10, 000 was the most remarkable charm of the young lady "'to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable. "'But Elizabeth, Less clear-sighted perhaps in this case than in Charlotte's, "'did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence. "'Nothing, On the contrary, Could be more natural. "'And while able to suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, "'she was ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both "'and could very sincerely wish him happy. "'All this was acknowledged to Mrs Gardiner, "'and after relating the circumstances, She thus went on. "'I am now convinced, My dear aunt, That I have never been much in love. "'For had I really experienced that pure and elevating passion, "'I should at present detest his very name and wish him all manner of evil. "'But my feelings are not only cordial towards him, "'they are even impartial towards Miss King. "'I cannot find out that I hate her at all, "'or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl. "'There can be no love in all this. "'My watchfulness has been effectual, "'and though I should certainly be a more interesting object to all my acquaintance "'were I distractedly in love with him, "'I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance. "'Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. "'Kitty and Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do. "'They are young in the ways of the world, "'and not yet open to the mortifying conviction "'that handsome young men must have something to live on, "'as well as the plain. '" I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, Please consider following me for more.