Plot Summary
Chapter 16 of Pride and Prejudice takes place at a party hosted by Mrs. Phillips, Elizabeth's aunt in Meryton. The Bennet sisters and Mr. Collins travel by coach to the gathering, where Elizabeth is delighted to find that Mr. Wickham is in attendance. While Mr. Collins monopolizes Mrs. Phillips with elaborate descriptions of Lady Catherine de Bourgh's grandeur and the splendors of Rosings Park, the young ladies eagerly await the arrival of the gentlemen.
When the officers enter, Elizabeth is struck once more by Mr. Wickham's superior appearance and manners. He is the object of every woman's attention, and he chooses to sit beside Elizabeth. Their conversation begins pleasantly, and after Lydia becomes absorbed in the lottery ticket game, Wickham steers the discussion toward Mr. Darcy. He reveals that his father served as steward to the late Mr. Darcy, that the two families were intimately connected, and that the elder Mr. Darcy was his godfather who promised him a valuable church living.
Wickham's Account of Darcy
Wickham claims that when the living became vacant, the younger Mr. Darcy refused to honor his father's wishes, giving the position to another man. He attributes Darcy's cruelty to jealousy over the elder Mr. Darcy's affection for Wickham. Elizabeth is wholly sympathetic, declaring Darcy deserves to be "publicly disgraced." Wickham portrays himself as a noble sufferer who would never expose Darcy out of respect for his late father's memory. He also describes Miss Darcy as proud and cold, contradicting the warm reports Elizabeth has heard elsewhere.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh Connection
When Mr. Collins mentions Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Wickham reveals that Lady Catherine and Lady Anne Darcy were sisters, making her Darcy's aunt. He shares the rumor that Miss de Bourgh and Darcy are expected to marry, uniting the two great estates. Elizabeth finds this amusing, thinking of Miss Bingley's futile pursuit of Darcy. The chapter closes with Elizabeth so captivated by Wickham that she can think of nothing else on the ride home, though she cannot discuss him because Lydia chatters about lottery tickets and Mr. Collins about the supper dishes.