Chapter LX — Pride and Prejudice

Settled love turns the awkward past into shared comedy and the vulgar present into something endured together. Elizabeth teases Mr. Darcy into accounting for ever falling in love with her. He cannot fix on the hour, spot, look, or words, and says he was in the middle before he knew he had begun. She claims he admired her impertinence; he credits the liveliness of her mind. They retrace recent awkward calls, Lady Catherine's useful interference, and his real purpose at Netherfield to see Elizabeth, not only Bingley.

Elizabeth writes at last to Mrs. Gardiner: happiest creature in the world, happier even than Jane, she only smiles, I laugh, and all to Pemberley at Christmas. Mr. Darcy writes Lady Catherine; Mr. Bennet tells Mr. Collins to console Lady Catherine but stand by the nephew, he has more to give. Miss Bingley's congratulations are affectionate and insincere; Georgiana fills four sides with sincere delight and longing to be loved by her sister.

The Collinses flee to Lucas Lodge before Lady Catherine's fury over her nephew's letter. Elizabeth enjoys Charlotte's company but watches Mr. Darcy endure Mr. Collins's parading civility and Sir William's jewel-and-St. James's speeches, then Mrs. Philips's vulgarity, with admirable calm. Courtship at Longbourn costs pleasure, yet Elizabeth shields him where she can and looks forward to the comfort and elegance awaiting them at Pemberley.