Music Welcome to Snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is dedicated to our dear listeners who write to us asking when the next of this particular series comes out, like Cynthia and Cecilia. And it is brought to you by a super excellent disposition. Tonight, we shall read the next part to Pride and Pregidus written by Jane Austen. In the last episode, Bingley visits the Benets, and then he keeps coming back for more visits. Soon Jane and him are ecstatic and engaged to be married. Elizabeth is overjoyed for her sister, but assumes that she must not be any longer in Darcy's favor after everything that happened. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. It was an evening of no common delight to them all. The satisfaction of Miss Bennett's mind gave such a glow of sweet animation to her face as made her look handsomer than ever. Kitty, Simbert, and smiled, and hoped her turn was coming soon. Mrs. Bennett could not give her consent or speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings, though she talked to Bingley of nothing else for half an hour, and when Mr. Bennett joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed how really happy he was. Not a word, however, passed his lips in illusion to it, till their visitor took his leave for the night. But as soon as he was gone, he turned to his daughter and said, Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman. Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his goodness. You are a good girl, he replied, and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your doing

very well together. Your tempers are by no means on the like. You are each of you so complying that nothing will ever be resolved on so easy that every servant will cheat you and so generous that you will always exceed your income.

I hope not so, imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpartenable to me. Exceed their income, my dear Mr. Bennett, cried his wife, what are you talking of? Why? He has four or five thousand a year and very likely more." Then addressing her daughter, Oh my dear, dear Jane, I am so happy. I am sure I shent get a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it would be. I always said it must be so. At last, I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing. I remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when he first came into heart for sure last year. I thought how likely it was that you should come together. Oh, he is the hand-sumous young man that ever was seen. Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond competition her favorite child. At that moment, she cared for no other. Her younger sisters soon began to make interest with her for objects of happiness which she might in future be able to dispense. Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield, and Kitty begged very hard for a few balls there every winter. Bingley from this time was of course a daily visitor at Longborn, coming frequently before breakfast, and always remaining till after supper, unless when some barbarous neighbor who could not be enough to test it had given him an invitation to dinner, which he thought himself obliged to accept. Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her sister. For while he was present, Jane had no attention to bestow on anyone else, but she found herself considerably useful to both of them in those hours of separation that must sometimes occur. In the absence of Jane, he always attached himself to Elizabeth for the pleasure of talking of her, and when Bingley was gone, Jane constantly sought the same means of relief. He has made me so happy," said she, one evening, by telling me that he was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring. I had not believed it possible. I suspected as much, reply to Elizabeth, but how did he account for it? must have been his sister's doing. They were certainly no friends of his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at since he might have chosen so much more adventagiously in many respects. But when they see, as I trust they will, that their brother is happy with me, they will learn to be contented, and we shall be on good terms again, though we can never be what we once were to each other. That is the most unforgiving speech, said Elizabeth, that I ever heard you utter Good girl. It would vex me indeed to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard. Would you believe it, Lizzie, that when he went to town last November, he really loved me, and nothing but a persuasion of my being indifferent would have prevented his coming down again. He made a little mistake to be sure, but it is a credit to his modesty. This naturally introduced a panagiric from Jane on his dividends, and the little value he put on his own good qualities. Elizabeth was pleased to find that he had not betrayed the interference of his friend. For, though Jane had the most generous and forgiving heart in the world, she knew it was a circumstance which must prejudice her against him. I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed, cried Jane. Oh Lizzy, why am I thus singled from my family and blessed above them all? If I could but see you as happy, if there were but such another man for you. If you were to give me forty such men, I never could be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, no, I never can have your happiness. No, let me shift for myself and perhaps if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins in time. The situation of affairs in the Longboard family could not be long a secret. Mrs. Bennett was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Phillips, and she ventured without any permission to do the same by all her neighbors in Mariton. The Benets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world. Though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune. Chapter 56 One morning, about a week after Bingley's engagement with Jane had been formed, as he and the females of the family were sitting together in the dining-room. Their attention was suddenly drawn to the window by the sound of a carriage, and they perceived that the carriage and four were driving up the lawn. It was too early in the morning for visitors and besides, the equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbors. The horses were posed and neither the carriage nor the livery of the servant who preceded it were familiar to them. As it was certain, however, that somebody was coming, Bingley instantly prevailed on Miss Bennett to avoid the confinement of such an intrusion, and walk away with him into the shrubbery. both set, and the conjectures of the remaining three continued,

though with little satisfaction, till the door was thrown open and their visitor entered.

It was Lady Catherine Deburg. They were of course all intending to be surprised, but their astonishment was beyond their expectation, and on the part of Mrs. Bennett and Kitty, though she was perfectly unknown to them, even inferior to what Elizabeth felt. She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no other reply to Elizabeth's salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word. Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother on her ladyship's entrance, though no request of introduction had been made. Mrs. Bennett, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of such high importance, received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in silence, she said, very stiffly to Elizabeth, I hope you You are well, Miss Bennett. That lady, I suppose, is your mother? Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was. And that, I suppose, is one of your sisters? Yes, Madame," said Mrs. Bennett, delighted to speak to a lady, Catherine. She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all is lately married, and my eldest is somewhere about the ground, walking with a young man who, I believe, will soon become a part of the family. You have a very small park here, returned Lady Catherine, after a short silence. It is nothing in comparison of Rosang's my lady, I dare say, but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas's. This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening and summer. The windows are full west. Mrs. Bennett assured her that they never sat there after dinner, and then added, may I take the liberty of asking your lady ship whether you left Mr. and Mrs. Collins well? Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last. Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her from Charlotte as it seemed the only probable motive for her calling, but no letter appeared and she was completely puzzled. Mrs. Bennett, with great civility, begged her lady ship to take some refreshment. But Lady Catherine very resolutely and not very politely declined eating anything. And then, rising up, said to Elizabeth,

Miss Bennett, there seemed to be a pretty-ish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it if you will favor me with your company. Go, my dear, cried her mother,

and show her lady ship about the different walks.

I think she will be pleased with the hermitage.

Elizabeth obeyed and running into her own room

for her parasol, attended her noble guest downstairs. As they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining parlor and drawing room, and pronouncing them after a short survey to be decent looking rooms walked on. Her carriage remained at the door and Elizabeth saw that her waiting woman was in it. They proceeded to walk in silence along the gravel walk that led to the cops. Elizabeth was determined to make no effort for conversation with a woman who was now more than usually insolent and disagreeable. How could I ever think her like her nephew?" said she, as she looked in her face. As soon as they entered the cops, Lady Catherine began in the following manner. You can be at no loss, Miss Bennett, to understand the reason of my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience must tell you why I come.

Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment. Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to account for the honor of seeing you here. Miss Bennett replied her lady ship. in angry tone. You ought to know that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so. My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness. And in a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it. A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that mis-elisabeth Bennett would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew Mr. Darcy. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure him so much as to suppose the truth of it possible. I instantly resolved on setting off for this place that I might make my sentiments known to you. If you believed it impossible to be true," said Elizabeth, coloring with astonishment and disdain. I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. What could your leadership propose by it? At once, to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted. You're coming to Longborn to see me and my family, said Elizabeth Cooley, will be rather a confirmation of it, if indeed such a report is in existence. If, do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad? I never heard that it was. And can you likewise declare that there is no foundation for it? I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your leadership. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer. This is not to be born misbene. I insist on being satisfied. Has he? Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage? Your leadership has declared it to be impossible. It ought to be so, it must be so, while he retains the use of his reason, but your arts and alurments may, in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You may have drawn him in. If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it. Miss Bennett, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns. But you are not entitled to no mine, nor will such behavior as this ever induce me to be explicit. Let me be rightly understood. This match to which you have the presumption to aspire can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now, what have you to say?

Only this, that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will make an offer to me. Lady Catherine has a tated for a moment, and then replied, The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind.

From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles we plan the union, and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished, is their marriage to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unalied to the family. Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends, to his tacit engagement with Mr. Burgh? Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin? Yes, and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there is no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall certainly not be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt wished him to marry Mr. Burke. You both did as much as you could in planning the marriage. Its completion depended on others. If Mr. Darcy is neither

by honor nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I I am that choice, why may not I accept him?

Because honor, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. Yes, miss Bennett, interest. For do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends if you willfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slated, and despised by everyone connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace. Your name will never even be mentioned by any of us." These are heavy misfortunes," replied Elizabeth,

but the wife of Mr. Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation that she could, upon the whole, have no cause to repine. obstinate, headstrong girl, I am ashamed of you. Is this your gratitude for my attentions to you last spring? Is nothing due to me on that score? Let us sit down. You are to understand, Miss Bennett, that I came here with the determined resolution of carrying my purpose. Nor will I be dissuaded from it. I have not been used to submit to any person's whims. I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment. That will make your leadership situation at present more pitiable, but it will not have any effect on me. I will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence. My daughter and my nephew are formed for each other. They are descended on the maternal side from the same noble line, and on the fathers, respectable, honorable, and ancient, though untitled families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of every member of their respective houses. And what is to divide them? The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections or fortune? Is this to be endured? But it must not. Shall not be. If you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in which you have been brought up. In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman. I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal. True, you are a gentleman's daughter. But what was your mother? Who were your uncles and aunts to

not imagine me ignorant of their condition? Whatever my connections may be," said Elizabeth, if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you. Tell me, once for all, are you engaged to him? Though Elizabeth would not, for the mere purpose of a blighting lady, Catherine, have answered this question, she could not but say, after a moment's deliberation, I am not. Lady Catherine seemed pleased. And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement? I will make no promise of the kind. Miss Bennett, I am shocked and astonished.

I expect... I will make no promise of the kind. Miss Bennett, I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more reasonable young woman, but do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have given me the assurance I require. I certainly never shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable. Your lady ship wants Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter. But would my giving you the wish for promise make their marriage at all more probable? Supposing him to be attached to me, would my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin? Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which you have supported this extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character. If you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these. How far your nephew might approve of your interference in his affairs, I cannot tell, but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mind.

I'm proof of your interference in his affairs, I cannot tell, but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mind. I must beg, therefore, to be importoons no further on the subject. Not so hasty if you please, I have by no means done. To all the objections I have already urged, I have still another to add. I am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister's infamous allotment. I know it all, that the young man's marrying her was a patched up business at the expense of your father and uncle. And is such a girl to be my nephew's sister? Is her husband, who is the son of his late father's steward, to be his brother, heaven and earth, of what you are thinking, are the shades of pemberly to be thus polluted. You can now have nothing further to say.

She resentfully answered,

you have insulted me in every possible method.

I must beg to return to the house.

...