Elizabeth often went for long walks in the park, and more than once, she unexpectedly ran into Mr. Darcy. She thought it was very bad luck. To stop this from happening again, she told him that she usually walked in that part of the park. However, it happened again a second and even a third time!
It felt very strange. Instead of just saying hello and leaving, Mr. Darcy actually turned around and walked with her. He didn't say much, but during their third walk, he started asking unusual questions. He asked if she was happy staying with the Collins family and what she thought of Rosings. He even hinted that the next time she came to Kent, she would be staying at Rosings herself. Elizabeth wondered if he was thinking about a match between her and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The idea made her feel uncomfortable, and she was glad to reach the Parsonage.
One day, while walking and reading a letter from Jane, she met Colonel Fitzwilliam. He told her that he was going to leave Kent on Saturday.
"That is, if Darcy doesn't change the date again," the Colonel said. "He arranges everything as he pleases."
"Mr. Darcy certainly likes to have his own way," Elizabeth remarked.
"He does," the Colonel replied. "But he can afford to, because he is rich. For a younger son like me, life is different. We have to deal with being dependent on others. For example, we cannot simply marry whoever we like."
"Is that because you must marry a woman with a lot of money?" Elizabeth asked playfully.
"Our expensive habits make us dependent," he admitted. "There are not many men in my position who can afford to marry without thinking about money."
Elizabeth wondered if he was warning her not to fall in love with him. To change the subject, she mentioned Darcy's sister, Georgiana.
"I am a guardian to Miss Darcy, along with my cousin," the Colonel said.
"Is she difficult to manage?" Elizabeth asked.
The Colonel looked at her curiously and asked why she thought that. Elizabeth explained that she had heard Miss Darcy was a favorite of Miss Bingley. This led them to talk about Mr. Bingley.
"Mr. Darcy is very kind to Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth said sarcastically. "He takes a lot of care of him."
"Yes," the Colonel replied. "I believe Darcy recently saved Bingley from a very unwise marriage. He told me that he congratulated himself on protecting his friend from a big mistake. He didn't mention the lady's name, but I believe it was Bingley."
Elizabeth froze. Her heart filled with anger. "Did Mr. Darcy give his reasons for interfering?"
"He said there were strong objections against the lady," the Colonel answered.
Elizabeth could not speak. She was shaking with indignation. She realized that Darcy was the person who had ruined Jane’s happiness. He was the one who had separated Jane and Bingley because of his own pride.
As soon as she got back to the Parsonage, she went straight to her room to think. She was sure the "unwise marriage" was Jane's. Darcy had destroyed her sister's hopes because he thought her family wasn't good enough. Elizabeth cried as she thought of Jane’s broken heart.
That evening, she had such a bad headache that she decided not to go to Rosings for tea. She stayed home alone, while Mr. and Mrs. Collins went without her.