Chapter LI — Pride and Prejudice

The person who caused disgrace performs a victory lap, and an offhand name reveals someone else paid the real price. Lydia's wedding day brings her and Wickham to Longbourn; Jane and Elizabeth feel for her more than she feels for herself. Mrs. Bennet welcomes them with rapture; Mr. Bennet is grave. Lydia is unchanged, loud, shameless, boasting of three months' adventure and showing her ring to William Goulding from the carriage. Wickham's easy manners provoke Elizabeth to resolve never again to limit her contempt for his impudence.

Lydia takes Jane's place at table as a married woman, parades to the servants, and plans to dazzle Meryton as Mrs. Wickham. Elizabeth sees his affection is not equal to Lydia's; the elopement was her passion and his necessity.

Then Lydia, telling her wedding story at St. Clement's, lets slip that if her uncle had been detained, Mr. Darcy might have given her away. Elizabeth is stunned; Lydia clams up at the promised secret. Elizabeth writes to Mrs. Gardiner demanding an honourable explanation, and warns she will use tricks and stratagems if kept in ignorance until Jane's letter brings an answer.