The marriages
At last the suspense in the household is released with a letter from Mr. Gardiner saying the two are to be wed, provided that Wickham�s debts are paid and Lydia receives a yearly salary. Mr. Bennett agrees, but is now concerned that he will be in debt to Mr. Gardiner who has no doubt settled Wickham�s bills. Mrs. Bennett hysteria fades away and she is overjoyed by her daughter�s marriage. She is glad at least one of her daughter is going to marry and she starts brainstorming about the wedding preparations. Gardiner advises that Wickham has a commission in the north of England, and only Mrs. Bennett is dispirited at the thought of the couple being so far away. Elizabeth isn�t very glad with her sister�s alliance by marriage because she knows Darcy will not wish to marry into a family of which Wickham is a member.
The "happy couple" arrives at Longbourn acting as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. In fact, Lydia is quite smug in having secured a husband in front of all her older sisters. Wickham seemed less enthusiastic and Elizabeth makes it plain to him that she is aware of his past, but will accept him into the family. Some time later, Lydia lets it slip that Darcy was present at her wedding, and so Elizabeth writes to her aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, for more information. It was in fact Darcy that had paid off Wickham�s debts and bought him a commission in the army. Mrs. Gardiner tells Elizabeth that his motive for this was his love for Elizabeth. Lydia and Wickham depart and only Mrs. Bennett is sad to see them go.
Bingley returns to Netherfield and he calls at Longbourn with Darcy. Although Mrs. Bennett is pleased to see Bingley, she makes Darcy feel uncomfortable. Bingley�s relationship with Jane develops once more and he finally proposes. Darcy leaves for London, and soon after, Longbourn receives a surprise visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She has heard a rumor that Darcy and Elizabeth are about to be engaged. Lady Catherine is mindful of Elizabeth�s previous impertinence and has come to warn Elizabeth off should Darcy propose. Next day, Mr. Bennett receives a letter from Mr. Collins, which no one from the Bennetts can quite believe. Mr. Collins writes them there is a big chance Darcy may propose to Elizabeth.
A few days later, Darcy and Bingley arrive at Longbourn. Darcy declares his love for Elizabeth and they agree to be married. Mrs. Bennett is at a total loss concerning this new development. She immediately loses all disdain she had for Darcy, no doubt thinking about the many visits she can have to the Pemberley Estate. Mr. Bennett is relieved that Darcy paid off Wickham for he will be under no obligation to pay the money back. Now there can be a happy double wedding between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Bingley.
After the two marriages, life progresses happily for the newly-weds. Jane and Bingley move closer to Pemberley, and Kitty visits them on a regular basis, and improves considerably as a consequence.At Longbourn, Mrs. Bennett continues her outrageous behavior, but is suitably distanced from Pemberley. Mary enjoys the situation of having no pretty sisters to compete with her. Wickham and Lydia continue to spend, spend, and spend. Elizabeth becomes very close to Miss Darcy, and the Gardiners become close friends, for they were instrumental in bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together. Lady Catherine is never reconciled with Elizabeth.
 
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