Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 44 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. When do Darcy and Georgiana visit Elizabeth at the Lambton inn?

   • Correct answer: The very morning after the Gardiners' party reached Lambton, a day sooner than Elizabeth expected
   • Three days later, after exchanging formal letters of introduction through the Gardiners
   • Later that same evening, surprising Elizabeth just as the Gardiners are preparing for dinner
   • Two days after arriving at Pemberley, as Elizabeth had expected from the start

   Elizabeth "had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley," but they came the very next morning after arriving -- one day sooner than expected.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What do the Gardiners begin to suspect when they see Elizabeth's nervous reaction to the arriving carriage?

   • That Elizabeth owes Darcy money and is embarrassed about an unpaid debt from their time in Hertfordshire
   • That Elizabeth is hiding a secret engagement to another man and fears Darcy will reveal it publicly
   • That Elizabeth is afraid of Darcy because of an unpleasant past encounter neither has disclosed to them
   • Correct answer: That Elizabeth has a romantic connection with Darcy, explaining the attentions from such a quarter

   The Gardiners felt "there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece." Elizabeth's embarrassment and the circumstances of the previous day opened "a new idea on the business."

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3. 3

   Question 3. What did Elizabeth expect Georgiana Darcy to be like before meeting her?

   • Warm and outgoing like Bingley, since Darcy had described his sister as the life of every social gathering
   • Correct answer: An acute and unembarrassed observer like Darcy himself, given reports that she was exceedingly proud
   • Quiet and studious like Mary Bennet, since Darcy had mentioned her devotion to music and reading
   • Cold and condescending like Miss Bingley, since the two were reportedly close and inseparable friends

   Elizabeth "had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been." She had heard Georgiana was "exceedingly proud" but found her "only exceedingly shy."

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4. 4

   Question 4. How does Bingley behave when he arrives at the inn to see Elizabeth?

   • He enters with great solemnity and immediately asks Elizabeth to convey a private apology to Jane Bennet
   • He is formal and reserved, speaking only briefly before excusing himself to attend to business with Darcy
   • Correct answer: He greets her with unaffected cordiality, inquiring after her family with the same good-humoured ease as always
   • He is visibly nervous and avoids making eye contact, clearly uncomfortable about his abrupt departure from Netherfield

   Bingley expressed himself with "unaffected cordiality" and "inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done."

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5. 5

   Question 5. What do the Gardiners conclude about Darcy's feelings after observing him during the visit?

   • They believe he admires Elizabeth but is too proud and reserved to ever act on his feelings openly
   • Correct answer: They draw the full conviction that the gentleman is overflowing with admiration for Elizabeth
   • They think he is being polite out of obligation as a neighbor but has no particular romantic interest
   • They suspect he is courting Elizabeth primarily to secure a connection with the Gardiner business network

   The Gardiners "soon drew from those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of the lady's sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough."

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6. 6

   Question 6. What specific detail does Bingley remember about the last time he saw Elizabeth?

   • Correct answer: He remembers the exact date -- the 26th of November -- when they were all dancing together at Netherfield
   • He mentions the color of the dress Elizabeth wore to the Lucas Lodge party the night before he left for London
   • He recalls the specific conversation he had with Mr. Bennet about the hunting season in Hertfordshire
   • He recalls the name of the song that was playing when he danced with Jane at the Meryton assembly

   Bingley says, "It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield." Elizabeth is "pleased to find his memory so exact."

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does Elizabeth observe about the relationship between Bingley and Georgiana?

   • She sees clear signs of mutual attraction that confirm Miss Bingley's plan for a match between them
   • She notices Bingley treating Georgiana with brotherly affection, suggesting he sees her as a younger sister
   • Correct answer: She observes that no look of particular regard passes between them, disproving Miss Bingley's hopes
   • She sees Georgiana blush whenever Bingley speaks, indicating the girl has developed feelings for him

   "No look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister." Elizabeth was "soon satisfied" on this point.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What strikes Elizabeth most about Darcy's changed behavior in this chapter?

   • His newfound sense of humor, making jokes at his own expense that put the Gardiners and his sister entirely at ease
   • His physical transformation, appearing healthier and more relaxed than during their encounters in Hertfordshire
   • His willingness to discuss literature and philosophy with Mr. Gardiner, subjects he previously considered beneath him
   • Correct answer: His desire to please and his freedom from self-consequence, even toward relations whose acquaintance would draw ridicule

   Elizabeth had "never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations at Rosings" seen Darcy "so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve" -- especially remarkable given the Gardiners' social status.

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9. 9

   Question 9. How does the dinner invitation to Pemberley get accepted?

   • Correct answer: Mrs. Gardiner accepts on Elizabeth's behalf after Elizabeth turns away her head in momentary embarrassment
   • The Gardiners decline at first, but Georgiana's earnest plea convinces them to change their minds and attend
   • Elizabeth eagerly accepts for the whole party, finally comfortable enough to show her interest in Darcy openly
   • Mr. Gardiner accepts immediately, being fond of society, while Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner exchange uncertain glances

   Elizabeth "had turned away her head." Mrs. Gardiner, "presuming however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal," ventured to accept, and the day after the next was fixed on.

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does the Lambton community reveal about Wickham's character?

    • They know nothing about him, having never encountered him during his time in the neighborhood near Pemberley
    • Correct answer: They hold him in low estimation because he left many debts behind, which Darcy afterward discharged
    • They recall him as a skilled tradesman who left Derbyshire voluntarily to seek better opportunities in the army
    • They speak of him fondly as a charming young man who was unfairly cheated out of his inheritance by Darcy

    Wickham "was not held there in much estimation" and "it was yet a well-known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged."

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11. 11

    Question 11. What is the dominant feeling Elizabeth identifies toward Darcy during her nighttime reflection?

    • Guilt for having believed Wickham's lies and for the unjust accusations she made during his proposal at Hunsford
    • Admiration for his wealth, estate, and social position, which she now values more than she did at first acquaintance
    • Pity for a man whose pride has isolated him from genuine friendship and human warmth throughout his life
    • Correct answer: Gratitude -- not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive her harsh rejection

    Elizabeth feels "gratitude; gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection."

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does Elizabeth ask herself about Darcy's welfare at the end of her reflections?

    • Whether she should warn him that Wickham is spreading false rumors about his character across England
    • Whether she should write to Jane and share everything she has learned about Darcy's transformation and good deeds
    • Correct answer: How far she wished his welfare to depend upon herself, and whether bringing on a renewal of his addresses would make both happy
    • Whether she should thank him directly for paying Wickham's debts and protecting Georgiana's reputation from scandal

    Elizabeth "only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power... of bringing on her the renewal of his addresses."

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13. 13

    Question 13. How do the Gardiners react to the revelation that Elizabeth knows Darcy much better than they realized?

    • They immediately write to Mr. Bennet about the connection and ask whether Elizabeth should be permitted to dine at Pemberley
    • They press her with questions and demand a full explanation of how such an acquaintance could have formed
    • Correct answer: They show restraint -- "it was not their wish to force her communication" -- recognizing that she needs time and space
    • They are upset that she kept the acquaintance secret and lecture her about the importance of family transparency

    The Gardiners show admirable restraint: "she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication." They see much to interest them "but nothing to justify inquiry."

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14. 14

    Question 14. What comparison does Austen draw between Darcy's reputation in Lambton and in Hertfordshire?

    • Lambton residents dislike him even more than those in Hertfordshire, finding his wealth an unfair advantage over local families
    • Both places consider him rude and aloof, but Lambton forgives him because of his family's long history in the area
    • Both communities view him identically as proud but fair, confirming a consistent character across settings
    • Correct answer: Lambton can accuse him of nothing but pride, while a character drawn from his servant's report is one Hertfordshire "would not have recognized"

    Lambton had nothing to accuse him of but pride; and the Gardiners reflect that had they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant's report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy.

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15. 15

    Question 15. What do Elizabeth and her aunt decide to do the following morning?

    • Leave Lambton early to avoid further encounters with Darcy, as Elizabeth fears her feelings are becoming obvious
    • Correct answer: Visit Georgiana at Pemberley to return the civility of her coming to see them on her very first day at the estate
    • Write a formal letter of thanks to Darcy for his hospitality and decline the dinner invitation as too forward
    • Call on Mrs. Gardiner's old friends in Lambton and postpone any visit to Miss Darcy until after the dinner at Pemberley

    They decide that Georgiana's "striking civility" in coming to see them "on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley" ought to be imitated by "some exertion of politeness on their side," so they resolve to visit her the following morning.

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