Pride and Prejudice

Mrs. Bennet learns that Netherfield Park has been let to a young wealthy bachelor, Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bennet pretends indifference while having already secured an introduction.

The Bennet family attends the Meryton assembly. Bingley dances with Jane twice. Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth, declaring her 'tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.' Elizabeth turns this into a story at his expense.

Jane visits Netherfield and falls ill, requiring an extended stay. Elizabeth walks three miles through mud to attend her sister, which amuses Bingley and scandalizes the Bingley sisters. Darcy begins to notice Elizabeth's fine eyes.

The militia regiment arrives in Meryton, including the charming officer Wickham. He befriends Elizabeth and tells her a tale of Darcy's cruelty — that Darcy denied him a promised church living out of personal spite. Elizabeth believes every word.

Bingley abruptly leaves Netherfield. A letter from Miss Bingley hints that the party won't return and that Bingley is expected to marry Darcy's sister Georgiana. Jane is devastated but maintains her composure.

Mr. Collins arrives, surveys the household as his future property, and proposes marriage to Elizabeth. She refuses clearly. He interprets her refusal as coyness. Mrs. Bennet is furious. Mr. Bennet supports Elizabeth with quiet satisfaction.

Charlotte Lucas accepts Collins's proposal, shocking Elizabeth. Jane goes to London in pursuit of Bingley, but Miss Bingley ignores her. The novel's first serious note of realism enters: not every woman can afford Elizabeth's principles.

Elizabeth visits Charlotte and Collins at their new home in Hunsford. She is introduced to Lady Catherine de Bourgh — formidable, imperious, Darcy's aunt. Darcy arrives at Rosings. He and Elizabeth spar repeatedly. Collins is in ecstasy.

Darcy proposes to Elizabeth — badly. He professes love while cataloguing every reason she is beneath him. She refuses him with fury. He is astounded. She accuses him of ruining Jane's happiness and destroying Wickham's prospects.

The morning after the proposal, Darcy gives Elizabeth a letter. It refutes her charges: he explains the Bingley-Jane separation (defensible) and reveals the truth about Wickham — who attempted to elope with fifteen-year-old Georgiana Darcy for her fortune. Elizabeth reads and re-reads the letter. Her worldview cracks.

Elizabeth tours Pemberley with her aunt and uncle Gardiner, expecting Darcy to be away. He arrives unexpectedly. He is warm, charming, attentive. His housekeeper describes him as the best landlord and best master in England. Elizabeth begins to see who he actually is.

News arrives: Lydia Bennet has eloped with Wickham. The couple have not married. The Bennet family faces social ruin. Elizabeth tells Darcy. He leaves. She believes she has lost him forever.

It emerges that Darcy traced Wickham and Lydia, paid Wickham's debts, and bribed him into marrying Lydia. He did this for Elizabeth. Lady Catherine arrives to intimidate Elizabeth into renouncing Darcy. Elizabeth refuses. Darcy proposes again — simply, humbly. She says yes.