CHAPTER XIV

Summary

• About a week after Bingley's engagement to Jane, a mysterious carriage arrives at the Bennet residence, surprising everyone.
• To avoid the intrusion, Bingley and Jane walk out to the shrubbery while the rest of the family speculates about the visitor.
• The visitor is revealed to be Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who enters the house with a cold and ungracious demeanor.
• Mrs. Bennet, impressed by the social stature of the visitor, attempts to welcome her politely, but Lady Catherine remains dismissive.
• Lady Catherine expresses her displeasure about Elizabeth’s supposed engagement to Mr. Darcy, which she claims to have heard as a rumor.
• Elizabeth, surprised by Lady Catherine’s accusations and demands, denies being engaged to Mr. Darcy but refuses to promise never to consider such a union.
• Lady Catherine insists that Mr. Darcy is destined to marry her daughter, Miss De Bourgh, due to the wishes of their families and their shared lineage.
• Elizabeth firmly counters Lady Catherine's arguments, asserting her right to make decisions about her own happiness and dismissing the notion of succumbing to social expectations.
• Lady Catherine insults Elizabeth’s family background, including the reputation of her youngest sister Lydia due to her recent scandal.
• Elizabeth remains resolute, rejecting Lady Catherine’s attempts to intimidate her or extract a promise to step aside from Mr. Darcy.
• Lady Catherine, deeply displeased, leaves in anger, vowing to prevent any union between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
• Mrs. Bennet, unaware of the true nature of the conversation, believes Lady Catherine’s visit was merely polite and inquires why she didn’t stay longer.
• Elizabeth, unable to disclose the confrontation, gives a vague response to her mother about the visit.