Chapter XL — Pride and Prejudice

Trusted confession can clear half a burden while half must stay buried until the injured party can speak for themselves. Elizabeth tells Jane the chief of Darcy's proposal, suppressing what concerns her sister's happiness with Bingley. Jane is sorry for his manner and grieved at his disappointment but does not blame Elizabeth for refusing him, and gently notes how unfortunate Elizabeth's bitter praise of Wickham must look now.

Elizabeth repeats the letter's Wickham narrative. Jane is shocked and tries to clear both men; Elizabeth insists there is but such a quantity of merit between Darcy and Wickham, shifting of late toward Mr. Darcy, and jokes that she meant to be clever in her old dislike. She recalls reading the letter alone, miserable without Jane to call her weak and vain. They debate exposing Wickham publicly; Elizabeth decides she ought not, since Darcy did not authorize disclosure of Georgiana and Meryton's prejudice would defend Wickham anyway. Jane agrees public ruin might destroy him; two secrets lift from Elizabeth's mind, but she dares not tell Jane the letter's Bingley half, since Bingley himself must speak if that improbable reunion ever comes.

At leisure Elizabeth observes Jane is not happy, still tenderly attached to Bingley with a steadiness first attachments rarely boast. Mrs. Bennet declares she will never speak of Jane's sad business again, then predicts Jane will die of a broken heart, doubts Bingley will return to Netherfield, and chatters of the Collinses' housekeeping and Longbourn entail. Elizabeth watches her sister carry private grief while the house performs indifference.