Illustration of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy with neutral expressions on their faces

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

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Student Question

Who sends Jane Bennet a letter from London in Pride and Prejudice?

Quick answer:

Jane Bennet receives a letter from London from Caroline Bingley, Mr. Bingley's sister, towards the end of Pride and Prejudice. This occurs after Jane's engagement to Bingley, and Caroline writes to express her delight and offer sisterly acceptance, despite her previous hopes of marrying Mr. Darcy. Jane, aware of Caroline's insincerity, responds kindly, although she understands the letter's true nature.

Expert Answers

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In Chapter 26, Volume II, Jane goes to London to her Aunt and Uncle Gardner to emotionally recover from her sorrow at the departure of Bingley from Netherfield. In Chapter 39, V. II, Jane and Elizabeth, who had been in Kent at Rosings, leave London together to return to Longbourn. The Gardners remain in London but the only letters they send to Netherfield are to Elizabeth and then to Mr. Bennet. Once the touring party reaches Derbyshire, letters from Jane go to Elizabeth but none go to Jane from London.

The letter you must be thinking of is a letter quietly mentioned at the end of the novel in Chapter XVIII (60) of Volume 3. Once Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged, immediately following Jane's engagement to Bingley, Caroline Bingley has nothing to lose but much to gain by civility and kindly, sisterly acceptance of Jane. Consequently, she sends a letter from London to Jane at Longbourn expresses these very appropriate and practical sentiments. So Jane Bennet receives a letter from London from Miss Caroline Bingley, Mr. Bingley's sister, whose hopes of marrying Mr. Darcy are vanished.

[Miss Bingley] wrote even to Jane on the occasion, to express her delight, and repeat all her former professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but she was affected; and though feeling no reliance on her, could not help writing her a much kinder answer than she knew was deserved. (XVIII (60), V. III)

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