CHAPTER II

Summary

• Mr. Collins leaves Longbourn to prepare for his marriage with Charlotte, bidding farewell to the Bennets with formalities and promises of future correspondence.
• Mrs. Bennet’s brother, Mr. Gardiner, and his wife arrive at Longbourn to spend Christmas. Mr. Gardiner is described as sensible and gentlemanly, while Mrs. Gardiner is amiable and elegant, and particularly close to Jane and Elizabeth.
• Mrs. Gardiner distributes gifts and discusses the latest fashions upon arriving, while Mrs. Bennet vents her frustrations over Jane’s failed courtship with Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth’s rejection of Mr. Collins.
• Mrs. Gardiner subtly changes the conversation to steer away from Mrs. Bennet’s complaints.
• In private, Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss Jane’s heartbreak over Mr. Bingley, expressing regret over how easily his affections seemed to fade due to external influences, including Mr. Darcy.
• Mrs. Gardiner proposes that Jane accompany her to London for a change of scenery, which Elizabeth agrees would be beneficial for Jane’s recovery.
• Elizabeth expresses skepticism that Mr. Bingley will reconnect with Jane in London, especially due to Mr. Darcy’s influence, but privately remains somewhat hopeful about the possibility.
• Jane happily accepts her aunt’s invitation to go to London, though with little thought of Mr. Bingley, except for the hope of occasional visits with Caroline Bingley.
• The Gardiners stay at Longbourn for a week, during which time the Bennets host numerous social engagements with local families and officers, including Mr. Wickham.
• Mrs. Gardiner grows concerned about Elizabeth’s apparent attraction to Wickham and resolves to caution Elizabeth about the imprudence of such an attachment.
• Mrs. Gardiner and Wickham bond over mutual acquaintances in Derbyshire and discuss Pemberley and its late owner, Mr. Darcy’s father.
• Mrs. Gardiner recalls hearing negative remarks about the current Mr. Darcy’s pride and ill nature as a young boy, which aligns with Wickham’s unfavorable account of him.