Wickham's story at Meryton

1 The Longbourn coach travels through the cold November rain towards Meryton.

2 Mrs. Philips welcomes the five Bennet sisters and Mr. Collins into her candlelit drawing-room.

3 Mrs. Philips receives Collins’s account of Rosings with delighted attention.

4 Elizabeth idly turns a cheap earthenware shepherdess with one fingertip.

5 Wickham enters the Philipses' drawing-room smiling, lifting the company's spirits

6 Wickham settles beside Elizabeth and makes the rainy evening sound unexpectedly interesting.

7 Passed over by the young ladies, Mr. Collins enjoys Mrs. Philips's ample hospitality

8 Collins begins a solemn explanation as he settles at the whist table.

9 At Meryton, candlelight gathers the company around two card tables.

10 Wickham hesitantly asks Elizabeth how long Darcy has been staying at Netherfield.

11 Elizabeth's eyebrows rise as Wickham reveals his tie to Darcy's family from infancy

12 Elizabeth warmly dismisses Darcy across the lottery table.

13 Elizabeth declares the neighbourhood dislikes Darcy while Wickham listens sympathetically

14 Wickham gives Elizabeth a small, rueful shake of his head, eyes lowered

15 Wickham idly turns a card as he asks about Darcy’s departure.

16 Wickham invokes the memory of Darcy’s father with lowered eyes and a hand over his heart.

17 Elizabeth listens with deepening sympathy to Wickham’s confidence.

18 Wickham’s gallant smile softens as he tells Elizabeth of his lost intended profession.

19 Wickham tells Elizabeth of his lost living as the card party continues around them

20 Elizabeth’s sympathy breaks into indignant alarm.

21 Wickham finishes his accusation with a fragile smile and a small, helpless shrug.

22 Wickham answers Elizabeth’s indignation with a gentle refusal to expose Darcy.

23 Elizabeth’s steady gaze softens as Wickham declares his loyalty to his benefactor’s memory.

24 Elizabeth breaks a thoughtful pause to question Darcy’s cruelty, meeting Wickham’s attentive gaze.

25 Wickham turns a card as he presents Darcy’s supposed jealousy with an air of reluctant modesty.

26 Elizabeth condemns Darcy with indignation, her palm pressed flat on the card table

27 Elizabeth recalls Darcy’s unforgiving temper and accepts it as confirmation of Wickham’s story.

28 Elizabeth’s hand rests motionless on her card as she responds to Wickham’s story.

29 Wickham recalls his childhood with Darcy, one hand over the table, one over his heart

30 Elizabeth’s sympathy for Wickham hardens into an indignant verdict against Darcy.

31 Wickham calmly explains how Darcy's pride can encourage generosity as Elizabeth listens

32 Wickham dips his chin in a restrained headshake as he begins his judgement of Miss Darcy.

33 Elizabeth leans towards Wickham again, seeking an explanation for Darcy’s friendship with Bingley.

34 Wickham qualifies his criticism of Darcy with a knowing smile and an open hand.

35 Collins solemnly shrugs off his gambling loss, secure in Lady Catherine's protection

36 Collins’s connection to the de Bourgh family catches Wickham’s attention.

37 Wickham quietly tells Elizabeth that Lady Catherine is Darcy’s aunt.

38 Elizabeth suppresses a mischievous smile at the thought of Miss Bingley's wasted attentions.

39 Elizabeth and Wickham trade a knowing glance as Collins beams up at Mrs. Philips

40 Wickham bows to Jane and Catherine while Elizabeth watches from her seat.

41 Lydia's scattered counters and lottery tickets lie where Elizabeth listened to Wickham

42 Elizabeth sits with her supper forgotten, her gaze following Wickham through the noisy company.

43 The coach settles beside Longbourn’s closed front door after the journey from Meryton.