CHAPTER VI

Summary

• The Bennet family anxiously awaits a letter from Mr. Bennet but receives none, reinforcing their belief that he has no good news to share.
• Mr. Gardiner departs for London to assist Mr. Bennet in his search while promising to provide regular updates and encourage Mr. Bennet to return home soon.
• Mrs. Gardiner stays with the Bennet family to provide support, but another visiting aunt dampens morale by sharing negative stories about Wickham's character.
• The town of Meryton turns against Wickham, labeling him as deceitful and immoral, with mounting debts and tales of his misconduct circulating widely.
• Mr. Gardiner writes to inform the family that he joined Mr. Bennet in London but that their efforts to trace Lydia and Wickham remain fruitless, including visits to hotels and inquiries through Colonel Forster.
• In a letter, Mr. Collins offers unsolicited and insensitively worded condolences, blaming the Bennets' parenting for Lydia's behavior and suggesting they abandon her completely.
• Mr. Gardiner later updates the family that Wickham has significant gambling debts, further complicating the situation, and that Mr. Bennet will return home as per Mr. Gardiner's request.
• Mrs. Bennet is dissatisfied with Mr. Bennet's return without resolution, expressing frustration that Wickham has not been confronted to marry Lydia.
• Mrs. Gardiner departs for London with her children, while Mr. Bennet returns home, appearing calm but reflective about his own parental shortcomings.
• Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet discuss the situation; Mr. Bennet admits guilt over his past negligence but resolves to enforce stricter rules on his daughters, joking about guarding against future mishaps.
• Kitty becomes upset when Mr. Bennet humorously imposes exaggerated restrictions on her social activities in light of Lydia's behavior.