Dame Julie Andrews

Welcome to Jane Austen Stories.

I'm Julie Andrews, and from the Noiser Podcast Network, this is Pride and Prejudice, Part 24.

In the previous episode, there was joy and romance, but also confusion and quiet despair.

Having learned of Mr. Darcy's noble role in Lydia and Wickham's union, it seemed that his feelings for Elizabeth must remain strong.

Why else would he go to such efforts to help her sister?

And yet, when Darcy visits Longbourn, he is just as distant and aloof with her as the first time they met.

Lizzie, usually so sure of herself, finds her feelings more uncertain than ever.

Meanwhile, her sister Jane has at last found happiness.

Mr. Bingley, returned to Netherfield, has declared his love and proposed.

A joyous outcome for the sweet-natured pair.

Now that two of the Bennet daughters have found husbands, what fate awaits the remaining sisters?

We return now to Longbourn, where the family is gathered in the dining room.

But their peaceful morning is about to be interrupted by an unexpected and intrusive visitor.

From the Noisa Podcast Network, this is Pride and Prejudice.

Chapter 56 One morning, about a week after Bingley's engagement with Jane had been formed, as he and the females of the family were sitting together in the dining room, their attention was suddenly drawn to the window by the sound of a carriage, and they perceived a chaise and four driving up the lawn.

It was too early in the morning for visitors, and besides the equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbours, and neither the carriage nor the livery of the servant who preceded it were familiar to them.

As it was certain, however, that somebody was coming, Bingley instantly prevailed on Jane to avoid the confinement of such an intrusion and walk away with him into the shrubbery.

They both set off, and the conjectures of the remaining three continued, though with little satisfaction, till the door was thrown open and their visitor entered.

It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

They were, of course, all intending to be surprised, but their astonishment was beyond their expectation.