Chapter 45 Practice Quiz — Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter 45
Why is Elizabeth anxious about visiting Pemberley to see Georgiana?
She knows Miss Bingley's dislike of her originated in jealousy. She is curious to see "with how much civility on that lady's side the acquaintance would now be renewed" and expects an unwelcoming reception.
How do Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst greet Elizabeth and the Gardiners?
They give only a curtsey -- no words of welcome. An awkward pause follows until Mrs. Annesley, Georgiana's companion, breaks the silence with conversation, proving herself "more truly well-bred" than either of them.
Why might Georgiana's manner be mistaken for pride?
Her shyness and "fear of doing wrong" create an appearance of being "proud and reserved." However, those who understand her, like Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner, recognize it as embarrassment and pity her rather than judging her.
What does Elizabeth feel while waiting for Darcy to enter the room?
"She wished, she feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine." She is torn between wanting to see him and dreading the encounter.
Where has Darcy been before he enters the saloon?
He has been with Mr. Gardiner by the river, where two or three other gentlemen from the house were fishing. He left them only upon learning that the ladies intended a visit to Georgiana that morning.
How does the entire party react when Darcy enters the room?
"There was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour when he first came into the room." The suspicions of the whole party are awakened, with Miss Bingley's attentive curiosity "most strongly marked."
How does Georgiana behave differently after her brother arrives?
She "exerted herself much more to talk" and was clearly anxious for Elizabeth and herself to become acquainted, "forwarding as much as possible every attempt at conversation on either side." She responds to Darcy's encouragement.
What is Miss Bingley's "sneering civility" remark about the militia?
"Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the ----shire Militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family." She dares not mention Wickham by name in Darcy's presence but intends the hint to embarrass Elizabeth.
Why is Miss Bingley completely unaware of the damage her Wickham hint causes?
"Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy's meditated elopement." The secret of Wickham's attempted elopement with Georgiana was concealed from all Bingley's connections, so Miss Bingley cannot know the pain her remark causes both Darcy and his sister.
What is Darcy's secret plan regarding Bingley and Georgiana?
Darcy has "certainly formed such a plan" of Bingley and Georgiana eventually marrying. He conceals the Wickham elopement from Bingley's connections partly from "the very wish which Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming hereafter her own."
What is the ironic effect of Miss Bingley's Wickham remark on Darcy?
"The very circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth seemed to have fixed them on her more and more cheerfully." Elizabeth's composure under the attack increases his admiration rather than diminishing it.
Why does Georgiana refuse to criticize Elizabeth after the visit?
"Her brother's recommendation was enough to ensure her favour; his judgement could not err. And he had spoken in such terms of Elizabeth as to leave Georgiana without the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable."
How does Darcy respond to Miss Bingley's claim that Elizabeth is "brown and coarse"?
He "coolly" replies that he perceives "no other alteration than her being rather tanned, no miraculous consequence of travelling in the summer." He deflects her insult with calm indifference.
What is Darcy's devastating final reply to Miss Bingley?
When she reminds him he once called Elizabeth's mother a wit, he responds: "that was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance." He then walks away.