Volume 3: Chapter 16 Summary

A few days after Lady Catherine's visit and Mr. Collins' mysterious letter, Mr. Darcy returns, and he calls on Longbourn with Mr. Bingley. The four young people decide to go on a walk, and Elizabeth, summoning all her courage, thanks Mr. Darcy profusely for his connection in assisting her sister out of her predicament in London. Mr. Darcy is surprised that she knows about it, and tries humbly to silence her thanks. She will not be silenced, and he finally accepts her grateful sentiments, admitting that he had done it for Elizabeth's peace of mind. Elizabeth is embarrassed into silence at his kindness, and in this silence, Mr. Darcy speaks. "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one...