How Elizabeth Feels About...

Quotations from Pride and Prejudice concerning Elizabeth's feelings for Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam,
compiled, with additional italics and comments, by Line.

How Elizabeth Feels About Wickham

Others Who Notice Elizabeth's Partiality For Wickham

How Elizabeth Feels About Colonel Fitzwilliam

click here for Elizabeth's feelings about Darcy

N.B: The highlighting, comments in square brackets [ ] and almost all the italics are mine, and the numbers in round brackets ( ) are paragraph numbers (more or less accurate, I hope!) taken from the pop-up text from the P&P board at Pemberley. If there’s anything I’ve missed, please post it at the P&P board! - Line

How Elizabeth Feels About Wickham

Ch.15 (8) Omniscient narrator (ON): But the attention of every lady [including Elizabeth] was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance…All were struck with the stranger's air, all wondered who he could be…the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation -- a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming [I assume Elizabeth thinks so too]. (snip)

15 (8) ON: Elizabeth, happening to see the countenance of both [Wickham and Darcy] as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour; one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat -- a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? -- It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.

Ch.16 (1) ON: …the girls [including Elizabeth] had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the [Phillips] drawing-room, that Mr. Wickham had accepted their uncle's invitation, and was then in the house.

16 (3) ON: …when Mr. Wickham walked into the room, Elizabeth felt that she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking of him since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration. The officers of the -- -- shire were in general a very creditable, gentlemanlike set, and the best of them were of the present party; but Mr. Wickham was as far beyond them all in person, countenance, air, and walk, as they were superior to the broad-faced, stuffy uncle Philips, breathing port wine, who followed them into the room.

16 (4): ON: Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself; and the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into conversation…made her feel that the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the skill of the speaker.

16 (8): ON: Mr. Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia…Allowing for the common demands of the game, Mr. Wickham was therefore at leisure to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told -- the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy.

16 (22) ON: Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that he had yet seen, and speaking of the latter especially with gentle but very intelligible gallantry.

16 (30) ON: Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them. [Oh, yes, all she feels for him is friendship! ;-)]

16 (36) ON: Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, "To treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite of his father!" -- She could have added, "A young man too, like you, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable".

16 (59) ON: Elizabeth allowed that [Wickham] had given a very rational account of it, and they continued talking together with mutual satisfaction till supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr. Wickham's attentions. There could be no conversation in the noise of Mrs. Philips's supper party, but his manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home.

Ch.17 (5) Elizabeth: "I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley's being imposed on, than that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me last night; names, facts, everything mentioned without ceremony. If it be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his looks."

17 (10) ON: The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family…Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything [he had told her] in Mr. Darcy's looks and behaviour.

17 (12) ON: Elizabeth's spirits were so high on the occasion [of receiving the invitation to the ball and imagining herself dancing with Mr. Wickham] that, though she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley's invitation.

17 (12) ON: Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully proposed being engaged by Wickham for those very dances; and to have Mr. Collins instead! -- her liveliness had been never worse timed. There was no help for it, however. Mr. Wickham's happiness and her own was per force delayed a little longer, and Mr. Collins's proposal accepted with as good a grace as she could.

17 (13) ON: Even Elizabeth might have found some trial of her patience in weather which totally suspended the improvement of her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham.

Ch.18 (1) ON: Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield, and looked in vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled, a doubt of his being present had never occurred to her. The certainty of meeting him had not been checked by any of those recollections that might not unreasonably have alarmed her. She had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more than might be won in the course of the evening. But in an instant arose the dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy's pleasure in the Bingleys' invitation to the officers.

18 (3) ON: …as it assured her that Darcy was not less answerable for Wickham's absence than if her first surmise had been just, every feeling of displeasure against the former was so sharpened by immediate disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable civility to the polite inquiries which he directly afterwards approached to make. Attention, forbearance, patience with Darcy, was injury to Wickham. She was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away with a degree of ill humour which she could not wholly surmount even in speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind partiality provoked her.

18 (5) ON: [Elizabeth] danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of talking of Wickham, and of hearing that he was universally liked.

18 (44) ON: Elizabeth instantly read [Jane’s] feelings, and at that moment solicitude for Wickham, resentment against his enemies, and everything else, gave way before the hope of Jane's being in the fairest way for happiness.

18 (68) ON: She was at least free from the offence of Mr. Darcy's farther notice; though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came near enough to speak. She felt it to be the probable consequence of her allusions to Mr. Wickham, and rejoiced in it.

Ch.21:(3) ON: After breakfast the girls [including Elizabeth] walked to Meryton, to inquire if Mr. Wickham were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball.

21 (5) ON: [Elizabeth] highly approved [Wickham’s] forbearance, and they had leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they civilly bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer walked back with them to Longbourn, and during the walk he particularly attended to her. His accompanying them was a double advantage; she felt all the compliment it offered to herself, and it was most acceptable as an occasion of introducing him to her father and mother.

(6) ON: Elizabeth felt an anxiety on the subject, which drew off her attention even from Wickham.

(29) ON: Mr. Wickham's society was of material service in dispelling the gloom which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn family. They saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now added that of general unreserve.

Ch.27 (3) ON: The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly friendly; on his side even more. His present pursuit could not make him forget that Elizabeth had been the first to excite and to deserve his attention, the first to listen and to pity, the first to be admired; and in his manner of bidding her adieu, wishing her every enjoyment, reminding her of what she was to expect in Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and trusting their opinion of her -- their opinion of everybody -- would always coincide, there was a solicitude, an interest, which she felt must ever attach her to him with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced that, whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable and pleasing.

27 (4) ON: [Elizabeth’s] fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make her think [Wickham] less agreeable.

Ch.29 (11) ON: [Lady Catherine] was not rendered formidable by silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham immediately to Elizabeth's mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he had represented.

Ch.32 (28) ON: Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in being with [Col. Fitzwilliam], as well as by his evident admiration for her, of her former favourite George Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she saw there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners, she believed he might have the best informed mind.

Ch.36 (4) ON: [While reading Darcy’s letter] [Elizabeth] could see [Wickham] instantly before her, in every charm of air and address.

36 (6) ON, Elizabeth’s thoughts: [Wickham] had either been deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying his vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had most incautiously shewn.

36 (8) Elizabeth: Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. [IMO, Elizabeth is being a little hard on herself here in the first shock of discovery, as well as seeing events with 20/20 hindsight. I think she was at least a little bit in love at the time, though as she says, vanity about her “discernment” was her main problem.]

Ch.41 (25) ON: Elizabeth was now to see Mr. Wickham for the last time. Having been frequently in company with him since her return, agitation was pretty well over; the agitations of former partiality entirely so. She had even learnt to detect, in the very gentleness which had first delighted her, an affectation and a sameness to disgust and weary. In his present behaviour to herself, moreover, she had a fresh source of displeasure, for the inclination he soon testified of renewing those attentions which had marked the early part of their acquaintance could only serve, after what had since passed, to provoke her. She lost all concern for him in finding herself thus selected as the object of such idle and frivolous gallantry; and while she steadily repressed it, could not but feel the reproof contained in his believing, that, however long, and for whatever cause, his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity would be gratified, and her preference secured at any time by their renewal.

Ch.46 (24) ON: If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise -- if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged -- nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham.

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Others Who Notice Elizabeth’s Partiality for Wickham

Ch. 18 (8) ON: When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy approached to claim [Elizabeth’s] hand, Charlotte could not help cautioning her in a whisper not to be a simpleton, and allow her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man of ten times his consequence.

Ch.18 (41) Caroline Bingley at the Netherfield ball: “I pity you, Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite's guilt”.

Ch.24: (26 + 27) Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently… “Now is your time. Here are officers enough at Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham be your man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably."
Elizabeth: "Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not all expect Jane's good fortune."

Ch.25 (18) ON: When the engagement was for home, some of the officers always made part of it -- of which officers Mr. Wickham was sure to be one; and on these occasions Mrs. Gardiner, rendered suspicious by Elizabeth's warm commendation of him, narrowly observed them both. Without supposing them, from what she saw, to be very seriously in love, their preference of each other was plain enough to make her a little uneasy; and she resolved to speak to Elizabeth on the subject before she left Hertfordshire, and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging such an attachment.

Ch.26: (2) Mrs. Gardiner: "You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it; and therefore I am not afraid of speaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent…But as it is, you must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all expect you to use it. Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father."

26 (7) Elizabeth: " At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw -- and if he becomes really attached to me -- I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it. -- Oh! that abominable Mr. Darcy! -- My father's opinion of me does me the greatest honor, and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but since we see every day that where there is affection, young people are seldom withheld by immediate want of fortune from entering into engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow-creatures if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short, I will do my best."

26 (8-9) Aunt Gardiner: "Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so very often. At least, you should not remind your mother of inviting him."
Elizabeth: "As I did the other day," said Elizabeth, with a conscious smile; "very true, it will be wise in me to refrain from that…But really, and upon my honour, I will try to do what I think to be wisest; and now I hope you are satisfied."

26 (29) ON: Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise concerning that gentleman, and required information; and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over, he was the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain. Her heart had been but slightly touched [but it was a little touched, IMO], and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable; but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in his case than in Charlotte's, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence. Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural; and while able to suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very sincerely wish him happy.

26 (30) All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner; and after relating the circumstances, she thus went on: -- "I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love [but she was a little]; for had I really experienced that pure and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial towards him; they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My watchfulness has been effectual; and though I should certainly be a more interesting object to all my acquaintance were I distractedly in love with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance. Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. Kitty and Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain." [she’s not exactly impartial yet, IMO]

27 (7) Mrs. Gardiner then rallied [teased] her niece on Wickham's desertion, and complimented her on bearing it so well.

27 (9) Elizabeth: "Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary."

27 (13) Elizabeth: "No -- why should he [have paid any attention to Miss King previously]? If it were not allowable for him to gain my affections because I had no money, what occasion could there be for making love to a girl whom he did not care about, and who was equally poor?"

27 (15) Elizabeth: "A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant decorums which other people may observe. If she does not object to it, why should we?" [She’s still making excuses for him.]

Ch. 35 (5) Darcy’s letter: If, in the explanation of [my actions and motives], which is due to myself, I am under the necessity of relating feelings which may be offensive to yours, I can only say that I am sorry.

35 (9) Darcy’s letter: Here again I shall give you pain [by telling the truth about Wickham]-- to what degree you only can tell. But whatever may be the sentiments which Mr. Wickham has created, a suspicion of their nature shall not prevent me from unfolding his real character -- it adds even another motive.

Ch.45 (10) ON: At Pemberley: While [Elizabeth] spoke, an involuntary glance shewed her Darcy, with an heightened complexion, earnestly looking at her.

45 (11) ON: Her brother, whose eye [Georgiana] feared to meet, scarcely recollected her interest in the affair. [Darcy is worried that Elizabeth might still have some romantic feelings for Wickham, not thinking about what happened to Georgiana, IMO.]

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How Elizabeth Feels About Colonel Fitzwilliam

Ch.30 (9) ON: Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman.

30 (10) ON: Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly.

Ch.31 (1) ON: Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the Parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasure of their engagements at Rosings.

31 (3) ON: [Col. Fitzwilliam] now seated himself by [Elizabeth], and talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself, as well as of Mr. Darcy.

31 (12-26 – the piano scene at Rosings) I won’t write the whole thing out, but I contend that in this scene Elizabeth is mainly flirting with Colonel Fitzwilliam, not Darcy.

Ch.32 (28) ON: …in the nearness of the Parsonage, or the pleasantness of the walk to it, or of the people who lived in it, the two cousins found a temptation from this period of walking thither almost every day. They called at various times of the morning, sometimes separately, sometimes together, and now and then accompanied by their aunt. It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam came because he had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which of course recommended him still more; and Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by his evident admiration for her, of her former favourite George Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she saw there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners, she believed he might have the best informed mind.

Ch.33 (1) ON: [Darcy] seemed to expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying [at Rosings] too. His words seemed to imply it. Could he have Colonel Fitzwilliam in his thoughts? [Elizabeth] supposed, if he meant anything, he must mean an allusion to what might arise in that quarter. It distressed her a little [IMO because she thinks Darcy is being premature in his hints about Col. F., not because she would rather have Darcy at this point!], and she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the pales opposite the Parsonage.

Ch.33 (13-15) Col. Fitzwilliam: "Our habits of expence make us too dependant, and there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to money."
   "Is this," thought Elizabeth, "meant for me?" and she coloured at the idea; but, recovering herself, said in a lively tone, "And pray, what is the usual price of an earl's younger son? Unless the elder brother is very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds."
   He answered her in the same style, and the subject dropped. To interrupt a silence which might make him fancy her affected with what had passed [of course she was somewhat affected, but it wasn’t DONE to show it], she soon afterwards said…

Ch.34 (2-3) ON: She could not think of Darcy's leaving Kent without remembering that his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it clear that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, she did not mean to be unhappy about him.
   While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her.

Ch.36 (13) ON: [Elizabeth] was immediately told that the two gentlemen from Rosings had each called during her absence; Mr. Darcy, only for a few minutes to take leave -- but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been sitting with them at least an hour, hoping for her return, and almost resolving to walk after her till she could be found. Elizabeth could but just affect concern in missing him; she really rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer an object [but he had been at one time]; she could think only of her letter.

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