Volume 3: Chapter 14 Summary

About a week after Jane's engagement to Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth receives a visitor. Lady Catherine De Bourgh arrives, unannounced, with the express purpose of speaking to Elizabeth. After exchanging a few words with Mrs. Bennet for no longer than absolutely necessary, Lady Catherine asks Elizabeth to take a walk with her. Elizabeth agrees hastily, and they set out. Lady Catherine wastes no time in confronting her with a rumor she has heard that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are to be married, and insists that Elizabeth put this rumor to a rest before her. She is so rude that Elizabeth does not give her the satisfaction of an answer, one way or the other. Lady Catherine is appalled at her insolence, and tells her that Mr. Darcy has been engaged to Miss. De Bourgh from his infancy. Finally, she admits to Lady...