Chapter Chapter 41-61 of Pride and Prejudice - Study Guide by Jane Austen

Chapter 51: Lydia and Wickham arrive at Longbourn. Lydia lets it drop that Darcy was at her wedding, but immediately says that his being there was meant to have been a secret and that she cannot say any more. Elizabeth is wild with curiosity to know what his involvement has been and writes to Mrs. Gardiner in the hope of finding out.

Chapter 52: Mrs. Gardiner replies to Elizabeth's letter, telling her that Darcy found Wickham and Lydia in London, discovered that while Lydia would not think of leaving Wickham, he had no intention of marrying her and hoped to make his fortune and clear his debts by marrying well elsewhere. Darcy, to save the Bennets from disgrace, gave Wickham enough money to make marrying Lydia worth his while. Mrs. Gardiner hints that Darcy did all this from love of Elizabeth and insinuates that they will soon be married. Elizabeth is overwhelmed by Darcy's generosity and embarrassed by the fact that her family still has a low opinion of him when he has done so much for them. Wickham tries to renew the subject of his ill treatment at the hands of Darcy with Elizabeth, but she will not be drawn in.

Chapter 53: Lydia and Wickham leave for Newcastle. News arrives that Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield; Mrs. Bennet is delighted, Jane attempts to be composed and Elizabeth wonders why he is coming and whether Darcy approves of his return to the neighbourhood given that it will inevitably involve his seeing Jane again. Bingley calls on the Bennets, bringing Darcy with him, shortly after his arrival. Elizabeth is distressed by how quiet Darcy is, but Bingley shows signs of renewing his interest in Jane.

Chapter 54: Darcy and Bingley dine at Longbourn. Elizabeth is frustrated by how little she and Darcy are able to talk to each other; Bingley continues to be very attentive to Jane.

Chapter 55: Darcy goes to London on business; while he is away Bingley spends more and more time at Longbourn, which culminates in his asking Jane to marry him. The whole family are overjoyed.

Chapter 56: Lady Catherine de Burgh calls unexpectedly at Longbourn; she has heard a rumour that Elizabeth and Darcy are engaged and asks Elizabeth if this is true, warning her that Darcy is marked out for her own daughter and that she will oppose any other match for him, especially one with someone so unequal to him in social status. Elizabeth will not submit to such bullying tactics, but eventually admits that she and Darcy are not engaged. She refuses to promise, however, that she will never enter into such an engagement. Lady Catherine leaves, disgusted with what she sees as presumption and rudeness on Elizabeth's part.

Chapter 57: Elizabeth worries that Lady Catherine may use her influence with her nephew and that Darcy may drop her acquaintance. Mr. Bennet receives a letter from Mr. Collins congratulating him on Jane's engagement, but warning him that he has heard from the Lucas's that Elizabeth and Darcy may soon become engaged and that Lady Catherine will not "look upon the match with a friendly eye". Mr. Bennet thinks the whole affair is ridiculous and amusing, but Elizabeth is not able to take it so lightly.

Chapter 58: Darcy returns from London and comes to Longbourn with Bingley. While they are out walking Elizabeth finds an opportunity to thank Darcy for what he did in bringing about Lydia's marriage. Darcy replies that his sole intention was to save Elizabeth pain; he assures her that he still loves her and asks to know whether her feelings towards him have changed. Elizabeth tells him that they have. They spend the rest of the walk talking over the last few months.

Chapter 59: Elizabeth confides in Jane, who is astonished at the news, but as soon as she realises that Darcy and Elizabeth are really in love, she is delighted. Darcy asks for Mr. Bennet's consent the next day and the news is broken to the whole family. Mrs. Bennet can think of nothing but Darcy's wealth, and consequently is very happy with how things have turned out.

Chapter 60: The news of Darcy and Elizabeth's engagement is conveyed by Darcy to Lady Catherine, by Elizabeth to Mrs. Gardiner and by Mr. Bennet to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth is embarrassed by her vulgar relations to whom Darcy is now constantly exposed, but looks forward to a more elegant social circle at Pemberley.