Plot Summary
Chapter 24 of Pride and Prejudice opens with the arrival of Miss Bingley's letter to Jane, which confirms that the entire Bingley party has settled in London for the winter with no plans to return to Netherfield. The letter extravagantly praises Miss Darcy and hints at a hoped-for match between Bingley and Georgiana Darcy. Jane is heartbroken but tries to conceal her pain, while Elizabeth reads the letter with silent indignation.
Elizabeth's Resentment and Analysis
Elizabeth is furious on her sister's behalf. She gives no credit to Caroline Bingley's claim that her brother favors Miss Darcy, remaining convinced that Bingley genuinely cares for Jane. However, she condemns Bingley's weakness of character -- his "want of proper resolution" -- which has allowed his designing friends and sisters to manipulate him into abandoning Jane. Elizabeth agonizes over whether Bingley ever recognized Jane's feelings, but concludes that regardless, her sister's peace has been equally wounded.
Jane and Elizabeth's Heart-to-Heart
After a few days, Jane confides in Elizabeth that she will try to forget Bingley. Jane insists the attachment was merely "an error of fancy on my side" that harmed no one but herself. Elizabeth praises Jane's goodness but cannot match her sister's generosity. She declares herself increasingly "dissatisfied with the world" and cites two recent disappointments: Bingley's departure and Charlotte Lucas's engagement to Mr. Collins, which she calls "unaccountable."
A Clash of Temperaments
Jane gently defends Charlotte's practical choice and urges Elizabeth not to blame Bingley, arguing that his sisters could not have knowingly opposed his happiness and that "we must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect." Elizabeth counters that thoughtlessness and want of resolution are enough to cause real misery even without deliberate scheming. Jane ultimately asks Elizabeth to take events "in the best light," and from this point Bingley's name is scarcely mentioned between them.
The Wider Household
Mrs. Bennet continues to lament Bingley's absence, comforting herself with the hope he will return in summer. Mr. Bennet takes a more sardonic approach, joking that being crossed in love gives Jane "a sort of distinction" and suggesting Elizabeth let Wickham be her man. Meanwhile, Wickham's company helps dispel the family gloom, and his accusations against Mr. Darcy become common knowledge in Hertfordshire. Only Jane suggests there might be extenuating circumstances, but the rest of the neighborhood condemns Darcy as "the worst of men."