After not seeing too much gossip in the last two weeks' chapters, we now shift into high gear! ;-)

Ch.43: I originally thought that it was in *Lambton* that Elizabeth had asked the chambermaid whether the Darcys were at home for the summer or not, but now it turns out that the inn was in *Bakewell*! It seems that people in the area are well informed about the Darcys' movements!

Note: Mrs. Reynolds is aware that "some people" consider Mr. Darcy proud.

Ch.44:

- Since her being at Lambton, (Elizabeth) had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud, but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy.

- (Their Lambton friends) had nothing to accuse (Darcy) of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.

- With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held in much estimation (in Lambton); for though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well-known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.

Ch.46 (attempts at *stopping* gossip):

- Elizabeth to Darcy: "Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible."

- ...there were notes to be written to all their friends in Lambton, with false excuses for their sudden departure.

Ch.47:

- (The Gardiners) knew that (Mrs. Bennet) had not prudence enough to hold her tongue before the servants while they waited at table, and judged it better that one only of the household, and the one whom they could most trust, should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the subject.

- Jane to Elizabeth: "(Col. Forster) was coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not being gone to Scotland: *when that apprehension first got abroad*, it hastened his journey."

Ch.48:

- (Mrs. Phillips) never came without reporting some fresh instance of Wickham's extravagance or irregularity. All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man who, but three months before, had been almost an angel of light. He was declared to be in debt to every tradesman in the place, and his intrigues, all honoured with the title of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman's family. Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world; and everybody began to find out, that they had always distrusted the appearance of his goodness.

- Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet: "I feel myself called upon,... to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by *a letter from Hertfordshire*.

- Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet: "...Lady Catherine and her daughter, to whom I have related the affair".

- ...it had just transpired that (Wickham) had left gaming debts behind him to a very considerable amount.