Mr. Collins departs, and the household learns he proposed to Charlotte Lucas, who accepted. Mrs. Hill makes Charlotte her lemon tarts. Sarah and James grow increasingly attracted to one another. Mr. Wickham visits often at Longbourn, slipping coins to Polly, and Sarah dislikes the way he skulks and ingratiates himself. Mr. Wickham taunts James for not being in the military, and James asks him where he’s served. Mrs. Bennet’s brother, Mr. Gardiner, brings his wife and children to stay for the Christmas holiday, which creates burdensome work for the servants, including washing the baby’s diapers. Sarah is moved and relieved when James helps with the extra laundry. James fears he let his mask slip with Mr. Wickham; “his other self had glimmered out, and he could not bear to let that creature loose, not here” (165).

Jane goes to London to stay with the Gardiners. In comparison to lovely Jane, Sarah thinks of herself as “bitterish and scruffy” (166). Mrs. Hill makes Charlotte Lucas a reticule for her wedding, hoping it will make her think kindly of the servants at Longbourn. The night of Charlotte’s wedding to Mr. Collins, James is up late reading when Sarah comes to his room.