Austen August: A Pride and Prejudice Read-A-Long discussion

Elizabeth wonders how much of an annoyance her visit to Pemberley must be to Caroline Bingley and is intrigued to see how Caroline reacts to her after not seeing her for a while.

Georgiana greets them warmly, but shyly- whereas Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, they are barely acknowledged until the silence is broken by someone else. Elizabeth soon notices that she is being watched by Caroline, like a hawk, and every time she talks to Georgiana, it seems to especially draw Caroline's attention. While she wouldn't let this stop her from talking to Darcy's sister, it does put some limits on what she would like to say.

Caroline asks after Elizabeth's family with a cold indifference, and Elizabeth answers back in the same manner- they say no more (meow!)

Lizzie had spent a lot of this time feeling nervous about whether Darcy would appear, and couldn't decide if she wanted to see him again or not- she has to make up her mind pretty quickly because he does actually join them after a while. He has resolved to join them because he was made aware the girls were visiting his sister, knowing she may struggle because of her shyness (awh!) Caroline Bingley does her usual party trick of fawning over him.

With Darcy entering the room, Georgiana becomes a lot braver in getting involved in the conversation (aaaaawh!) . Elizabeth knows he is anxious for herself and his sister to become friends, so she makes every effort to involve Georgiana in conversation (I just want them to become best friends okay.) Caroline is less than amused and decides make some sneering comments to Lizzie about how the military moving on from town must be considered “such a loss” to her family.

Elizabeth manages to hold her tongue and rise about it, not wanting to mention Wickham in front of either Darcy or especially his sister. Caroline, of course, is ignorant about the matter and only means to try and make Elizabeth uncomfortable in front of Darcy and his opinion, not realising the amount of pain the comment will be causing Georgiana. Because of Elizabeth's smooth and indifferent reaction, and also in her not telling Caroline by correcting her comment and thus embarrasing Georgiana, “the very circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth, seemed to have fixed them on her more, and more cheerfully”. Take that, Caroline- HAH!

The Gardiners and Elizabeth soon leave after this, and while Darcy walks them out to their carriage, Caroline goes on a lovely rant about Elizabeth to Georgiana, criticising her behaviour, her wardrobe and her character. Lovely. Georgiana is not amused. When Darcy returns, she even tries to repeat parts of her rant to him (as if he is actually going to agree whut?! Caroline, just stahp.)

Caroline continues (good lord) to rip apart Lizzie's appearance, claiming her to be ugly and too tanned and changed by the weather...

“Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this was not the best method of recommending herself” you see, even Austen could call out the bullshit that is slut shaming, way back when!! Can we teach this to the script writers of Hollywood movies please?


Darcy, however, replies by saying that only at first did he think she was “pretty” with “fine eyes” after he started to agree with Lizzie, after talking to her. But now “for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” (That should shut you up, Caroline!)

On their way home, there is an Elephant in the carriage- Both Lizzie and her aunt want to discuss each other's opinion of Darcy, but instead they talk about anything but.