CHAPTER XIII

Summary

• Mr. Bingley visits the Bennet household alone, as Mr. Darcy has gone to London but is expected to return in ten days.
• Mrs. Bennet invites Bingley to dine with them, but he declines due to a prior engagement while expressing eagerness to call on them soon.
• Bingley accepts Mrs. Bennet’s invitation to visit the next day and arrives early, catching the Bennet women unprepared.
• Mrs. Bennet eagerly orchestrates situations to leave Jane and Bingley alone, but her attempts are fruitless during the visit.
• Although Bingley is charming and cheerful, he does not openly declare his feelings for Jane during this initial visit.
• Bingley agrees to join Mr. Bennet for shooting the next morning and delights the family by returning to dine with them afterward.
• Mrs. Bennet continues her schemes to leave Jane and Bingley alone, and Elizabeth tries to avoid aiding her mother’s plans.
• Elizabeth discovers Jane and Bingley in private conversation by the hearth, confirming their mutual affection.
• Bingley leaves abruptly but speaks to Mr. Bennet before doing so, leading to Jane announcing her engagement to Bingley with overwhelming happiness.
• Elizabeth congratulates Jane sincerely, and Jane shares her excitement with the family, starting with her mother.
• Mrs. Bennet is ecstatic about the engagement, declaring Jane her favorite child and reveling in her success.
• Mr. Bennet expresses his approval and offers a humorous but heartfelt reflection on Jane and Bingley’s compatibility.
• Bingley becomes a constant visitor at Longbourn, spending much of his time with Jane and occasionally talking with Elizabeth about his happiness and love for her sister.
• Jane reveals to Elizabeth that Bingley was unaware of her presence in London due to interference from his sister, Miss Bingley, but she is hopeful for better relations moving forward.
• Elizabeth appreciates Bingley’s discretion in not exposing Mr. Darcy’s role in the earlier separation, as it helps maintain Jane’s forgiving nature.
• The engagement becomes the talk of Meryton, and the Bennet family, once seen as unlucky due to Lydia’s scandal, is now considered remarkably fortunate.