Pride and Prejudice - Chapters 21-22

In Chapter 21, we find the lingering echoes of Mr. Collins' refused proposal still reverberating around the halls of Longbourn. Elizabeth must nurse the discomforts of unwanted attentions while her mother remains consistently ill-tempered. What follows is a series of heart-laden revelations and the shuffling of social dynamics. The elusive Mr. Wickham makes his appearance yet again, confessing to Elizabeth his self-imposed absence from the Netherfield ball to avoid an unpleasant encounter wit...