Volume 2: Chapter 17 Summary

Unable to wait any longer, the next morning Elizabeth tells Jane of Mr. Darcy's proposal to her. She decides to tell her everything but the part concerning herself and Mr. Bingley, and Jane is horrified by how bad Mr. Wickham is.

Volume 2: Chapter 17 Analysis

Elizabeth is relieved at least of one secret she has kept so long. The other, however, must be kept even longer, perhaps forever, and the more she sees of Jane the more she realizes how unhappy Jane is, and how strong her feelings for Mr. Bingley really were. Their mother is no help, and tactlessly expresses her comfort in the thought that she is "sure Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he's done."