After a week of talking about love and their future happiness, Mr. Collins had to leave. He was going back to his home to prepare for his new bride. He said goodbye to the Bennet family in his usual serious manner, promising to write another letter of thanks soon.
On the following Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner arrived at Longbourn for Christmas. Mr. Gardiner was Mrs. Bennet’s brother, but he was very different from her. He was a sensible, polite, and well-educated man. Although he worked in business in London, he was as a gentlemanly as any landowner. His wife, Mrs. Gardiner, was elegant and intelligent. She was a favorite of all the Bennet sisters, especially Jane and Elizabeth.
As soon as they arrived, Mrs. Bennet began to complain. She told her sister-in-law all about her recent troubles. "It is very hard, sister," she said. "Two of my girls were almost married, but now they are both single again! I don't blame Jane, but Elizabeth was very stubborn. She refused to marry Mr. Collins! Now the Lucases will have a daughter married before me, and Charlotte will one day own this house."
Mrs. Gardiner already knew most of this from letters Elizabeth had sent her. She kindly changed the subject to talk about the latest London fashions.
Later, Mrs. Gardiner spoke privately with Elizabeth about Jane and Mr. Bingley. "It is a pity the match did not happen," she said. "But young men often fall in love with a pretty face and then forget just as quickly when they go away."
Elizabeth disagreed. "This was not an accident. His friends persuaded him to leave her. He was truly in love with Jane."
"Poor Jane," said Mrs. Gardiner. "She is so kind that it will be hard for her to get over this. Perhaps she should come back to London with us? A change of scene might help her feel better."
Elizabeth was very happy with this idea. She knew Jane would enjoy the trip. However, she told her aunt that it was unlikely Jane would see Mr. Bingley in London. "He is staying with Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth explained. "And Mr. Darcy would never allow him to visit our part of the city. He thinks he is too important for neighborhoods like ours."
During their week at Longbourn, there were many parties. Mr. Wickham was always invited. Mrs. Gardiner watched Elizabeth and Wickham closely. She noticed that they liked each other very much, and it made her a little worried.
Mrs. Gardiner also enjoyed talking to Wickham because they both knew the same part of Derbyshire. She had lived near Pemberley—Mr. Darcy’s estate—years ago. Wickham told her more stories about how poorly Mr. Darcy had treated him. Mrs. Gardiner remembered hearing that Mr. Darcy was a very proud and ill-natured boy, so she believed Wickham’s stories.