Chapter 31
When they finally go to Rosings again, Lady Catherine speaks almost exclusively to her nephews, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam gets along very well with Elizabeth, making Darcy and Lady Catherine notice. They are discussing music and Lady Catherine offers up her piano for Elizabeth's use. Elizabeth plays while under scrutiny of Mr. Darcy. This spurs a conversation between the two where they mock each other's behavior. Darcy explains that he is just shy. Darcy learns that he needs to practice being nice. This leads to another criticism from Lady Catherine about Elizabeth. Criticizing others is a favorite pastime of Lady Catherine's.
Chapter 32
Mr. Darcy calls on Elizabeth briefly and leaves when Charlotte returns. Charlotte thinks that he is in love with Elizabeth, an idea not without merit, causing Elizabeth to laugh. The two cousins (Darcy and Fitzwilliam) visit often, giving Charlotte plenty of opportunity to analyze the situation.
Chapter 33
Elizabeth meets Darcy when she is out walking frequently, which disturbs her since she said it was her favorite spot. He says things that make her believe Fitzwilliam is interested in her. The colonel visits her the next day alone, and he discusses marriage and Miss Darcy, whom Elizabeth teases. Next, Fitzwilliam reveals that Darcy helped to split Bingley from an imprudent marriage, not knowing that Elizabeth was involved. Elizabeth gets very upset after many insults to her family and skips tea at Rosings.
Chapter 34
While she is contemplating what she has learned, Mr. Darcy comes in. He begins to declare his love for her. He says that he has tried to repress his feelings, because she is inferior, but that he cannot. Elizabeth is growing angrier, and she resolves to refuse his proposal. She lectures him and points out some of his less than admirable behavior. Elizabeth explains that she hates him because of splitting her sister and Bingley, and for hurting Wickham. Mr. Darcy curses himself and says he should have phrased the proposal better, to which Elizabeth responds that he is the last person she would ever marry. He leaves.
Chapter 35
This chapter is arguably the most important in the book. Elizabeth receives a letter from Darcy the day after the proposal. In it, he responds to Elizabeth's charges against him. He says that he though Jane did not really love Bingley. Darcy admits that he was wrong on this account. He was also concerned by the behavior of the Bennet family (excluding Jane and Elizabeth). That is why Darcy warned Bingley against Jane. He does not regret the warning, but he does regret concealing Jane from Bingley while in London.
Next, Darcy says that he would have given Wickham an inheritance, but Wickham squandered what he received and then asked Darcy for more. After Darcy said no, Wickham revenged himself by trying to elope with Darcy's sister, which Darcy stopped just in time. The letter makes Elizabeth regret her hatred for Darcy and causes her to begin to change herself.
Next, Darcy says that he would have given Wickham an inheritance, but Wickham squandered what he received and then asked Darcy for more. After Darcy said no, Wickham revenged himself by trying to elope with Darcy's sister, which Darcy stopped just in time. The letter makes Elizabeth regret her hatred for Darcy and causes her to begin to change herself.