CHAPTER IX
Summary
- Jane and Elizabeth anticipate Lydia's wedding day with mixed emotions, feeling more concerned about Lydia’s situation than she herself does.
- Lydia and Wickham arrive at Longbourn, and their reception by the family is divided—Mrs. Bennet greets them joyfully, while Mr. Bennet and the elder sisters react with discomfort and disapproval.
- Lydia remains wild and unabashed, showing no regret for her actions and eagerly seeking congratulations from her family.
- Wickham displays his characteristic charm and ease, despite the awkwardness of the situation.
- Lydia boasts about her wedding and marriage, demonstrating a lack of awareness of the impropriety of her behavior, even making comments that shock her family.
- Elizabeth becomes increasingly upset by Lydia’s behavior and leaves the room at one point to avoid further confrontation.
- Lydia continues to boast about her new status as “Mrs. Wickham” and makes plans to showcase her marriage to acquaintances in the neighborhood.
- Only Mrs. Bennet seems excited about the couple’s short stay, organizing frequent social gatherings to show them off.
- Elizabeth observes that Wickham’s affection for Lydia is superficial, and their elopement seems more driven by Lydia’s infatuation and Wickham’s personal circumstances than mutual love.
- Lydia inadvertently reveals to Elizabeth and Jane that Mr. Darcy was present at her wedding, a surprising and mysterious detail that captivates Elizabeth.
- Elizabeth, curious and unsettled, writes to her aunt to request an explanation as to why Mr. Darcy, seemingly unconnected with Lydia and Wickham, attended the wedding.
- Jane chooses not to discuss the matter further out of respect for propriety, leaving Elizabeth to investigate the mystery on her own.