In the past month, both Elizabeth and Jane Bennett were brides, as Elizabeth wed Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Jane wed Mr. Charles Bingley. The weddings come as a shock to all, because last we heard Elizabeth had refused Mr. Darcy’s proposal, and Darcy had torn apart Jane and Mr. Bingley’s relationship. We spent some time with the sisters to hear the backstory behind the weddings.
Page 6: So Jane, tell us how this wedding came to be?
Jane Bennett: Well, a couple weeks ago I learned that Charles was returning to Netherfield Park for a few weeks. My father refused to call on Mr. Bingley because of the history, but luckily he and Mr. Darcy, who was visiting him at that time, came to visit our family. The next day the two men returned for dinner, and even though my mom purposefully left Charles and I alone after dinner, he didn’t propose. And then the next day, Charles returned to go shooting with my father and then to eat dinner with our family. After dinner, he finally proposed and I accepted!
Page 6: Wow, what a wonderful story and happy ending! How are you feeling right now?
JB: I must say, I am the happiest creature in the world!
Page 6: And we are so happy to hear it. Now, Elizabeth, lets hear a little from you.
Elizabeth Bennett: My story is a little longer than Jane’s. When Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley came to dinner that first night, Mr. Darcy sat on the opposite side of the table from me. I assumed he was no longer interested and wouldn’t propose again. My feelings had shifted and I realized I did want to marry him, so this was disappointing.
A week later, Lady Catherine de Bourgh came to visit our family, and insisted upon speaking to me alone. She said she heard a rumor that Mr. Darcy was planning on marrying me, which of course I said wasn’t true. She also asked me to promise I wouldn’t enter into an engagement with him, which of course I refused to do. She left angrily.
A couple weeks later, Mr. Darcy returned to Netherfield, and called on our family again. We all went on a walk, and as we lagged behind Mr. Darcy told me his afflictions and wishes were unchanged, but that one word from me would silence him on this subject forever. I told him my feelings had changed considerably and that I now wanted to marry him. And here we are today!
Page 6: Congratulations ladies! We are so happy for the both of you.
Jane Bennett: Well, a couple weeks ago I learned that Charles was returning to Netherfield Park for a few weeks. My father refused to call on Mr. Bingley because of the history, but luckily he and Mr. Darcy, who was visiting him at that time, came to visit our family. The next day the two men returned for dinner, and even though my mom purposefully left Charles and I alone after dinner, he didn’t propose. And then the next day, Charles returned to go shooting with my father and then to eat dinner with our family. After dinner, he finally proposed and I accepted!
Page 6: Wow, what a wonderful story and happy ending! How are you feeling right now?
JB: I must say, I am the happiest creature in the world!
Page 6: And we are so happy to hear it. Now, Elizabeth, lets hear a little from you.
Elizabeth Bennett: My story is a little longer than Jane’s. When Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley came to dinner that first night, Mr. Darcy sat on the opposite side of the table from me. I assumed he was no longer interested and wouldn’t propose again. My feelings had shifted and I realized I did want to marry him, so this was disappointing.
A week later, Lady Catherine de Bourgh came to visit our family, and insisted upon speaking to me alone. She said she heard a rumor that Mr. Darcy was planning on marrying me, which of course I said wasn’t true. She also asked me to promise I wouldn’t enter into an engagement with him, which of course I refused to do. She left angrily.
A couple weeks later, Mr. Darcy returned to Netherfield, and called on our family again. We all went on a walk, and as we lagged behind Mr. Darcy told me his afflictions and wishes were unchanged, but that one word from me would silence him on this subject forever. I told him my feelings had changed considerably and that I now wanted to marry him. And here we are today!
Page 6: Congratulations ladies! We are so happy for the both of you.