Chapter 7
Rain, a Note, and Three Miles
English edition
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1 Longbourn nestles among elms, linked to Meryton by a single lane across hedged fields.
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2 A quiet view of Meryton places the attorney’s office opposite the milliner’s shop.
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3 Lydia and Kitty pause by the milliner's window as militia officers approach
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4 Lydia whispers to Kitty as a scarlet-coated officer walks down Meryton High Street
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5 Mr. Bennet delivers his dry verdict while Lydia and Kitty remain absorbed in their chatter.
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6 Kitty retreats into a wounded silence while Lydia chatters eagerly about Captain Carter.
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7 Mrs. Bennet leans forward to defend her daughters, her maternal pride stung.
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8 Mr. Bennet delivers his courteous retort with lowered eyes and still, steepled fingertips.
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9 Lydia eagerly shares her aunt's officer gossip with Mrs. Bennet.
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10 A Netherfield footman interrupts the Bennets’ conversation with a note for Jane.
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11 Mrs. Bennet perches on the edge of her chair, urging Jane to reveal the note’s contents.
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12 Jane holds Miss Bingley's invitation open across her knees and begins reading aloud.
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13 Lydia leaps up at news of officers while Mrs. Bennet sinks into disappointment
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14 Mrs. Bennet recommends horseback, glancing toward the threatening sky as her scheme takes shape.
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15 Elizabeth lightly exposes the flaw in her mother's rain scheme.
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16 By the fire, Mr. Bennet makes a dry remark about the horses, little help to Mrs. Bennet
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17 Elizabeth lightly exposes her mother’s scheme while Jane accepts it with a patient smile.
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18 Jane starts down the gravel walk while Mrs. Bennet beams at the gathering clouds above Longbourn.
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19 Hard rain sweeps across Longbourn moments after Jane rides away.
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20 Mrs. Bennet admires the rain as Elizabeth peers anxiously toward the lane Jane took
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21 Mrs. Bennet congratulates herself at breakfast as Elizabeth receives Jane's note
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22 Elizabeth holds Jane's letter open among the remains of breakfast.
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23 Mr. Bennet pauses over his tea to deliver a cool verdict on his wife's scheme.
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24 Mrs. Bennet dismisses Jane’s illness with a complacent smile and a flick of her butter knife.
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25 Elizabeth rises from the breakfast table, Jane’s folded note clenched in her hand.
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26 Mrs. Bennet flings her hand toward the rain-soaked paddock, protesting Elizabeth’s proposed walk.
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27 Mary gives measured advice as Mr. Bennet hides his amusement behind his teacup
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28 Elizabeth sets out for Jane with steady resolve, accompanied by Lydia and Kitty.
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29 Lydia hurries toward Meryton, urging Elizabeth on in hopes of seeing Captain Carter
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30 Elizabeth strides toward the fields as Lydia waves from a doorway and Kitty goes in
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31 Elizabeth strides alone across the rain-soaked fields beyond Meryton.
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32 Elizabeth Bennet springs across a broad puddle, leaving a wet wooden stile behind her.
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33 Elizabeth stops at Netherfield's grounds after a three-mile walk, muddy and flushed
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34 Elizabeth’s arrival stills the elegant breakfast-parlour.
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35 Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst exchange a contemptuous look over breakfast
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36 Bingley welcomes Elizabeth with an unguarded smile and an open hand.
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37 Elizabeth stops just short of Netherfield’s fine carpet.
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38 Darcy pauses over his breakfast, holding a steady look toward Elizabeth in the doorway.
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39 Elizabeth enters Jane’s bed chamber, her anxious haste meeting her sister’s weak, grateful delight.
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40 Alone with Jane at last, Elizabeth kneels beside her chair and holds her hands.
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41 Elizabeth rests her hand over Jane’s feverish hand.
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42 Elizabeth holds Jane’s hand through the slow sickroom hours.
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43 The mantel clock strikes three above Jane's empty armchair and abandoned shawl
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44 Caroline Bingley offers the carriage with a gracious gesture as Elizabeth stands holding her bonnet.
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45 Jane rises from her pillows, silently pleading with Elizabeth to stay
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46 Elizabeth sits beside Jane again, gratefully accepting the invitation to stay.
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47 A servant rides away from Netherfield to report Elizabeth’s stay and fetch her clothes.
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