If Elizabeth hadn't gone to Pemberley and Met Mr. Darcy there.

[Sandy]

Would Mr. Darcy still pursue Elizabeth? I know you will say of course he would. :)
I mean Elizabeth's going to Pemberley implied she kind of liked him.
If they hadn't met at Pemberley, how would Darcy pursue her, what would be his excuses to meet Elizabeth again?

[Marie]

well by this point she had already spoken to him about how he separated Jane and Bingley, and he may have been planning to fix his mistake, so he might have gone along with Bingley when he went to propose to Jane, which he did anyway :) xxxx

[Sandy]

Rosie wrote: "well by this point she had already spoken to him about how he separated Jane and Bingley, and he may have been planning to fix his mistake, so he might have gone along with Bingley when he went to ..."

Thanks. Going to Longbourn with Bingley was a good excuse, not having known if Elizabeth still hated him or not though. :)

[Marie]

Hehe, yeah... he may have considered going to Longbourn alone to see Elizabeth, but quickly dismissed it because it would seem odd, but if/when Bingley decided to go Darcy would go along with him so as to be less suspicious ;) x

[siriusedward]

of course darcy would have... he would have made up some excuse about visiting mr.bingleys house or some such thing... it is a love story..after all..

[Hermina]

Meeting Darcy in Pemberly was an essential moment in the book. It is the turning point for Lizzie. She saw Darcy many times but couldn't figure him out, no matter how clever she was. The land and the house reflects him as a man and as a noble. I'm not sure Darcy could convince Elizabeth if she didn't see it for herself. To me she was a woman who relied more on her own experiences than on any tales. There's only one time when she does the latter (with Wickham) and that proves to be a mistake.

[John-Alan]

Actually I think Darcy wouldn't have tried to pursue Lizzie. He would have accepted her refusal of his proposal and moved on. I'm sure he would have been glad to maintain a friendship, but he wouldn't have made any further moves.
In fact you can see this much when they meet back at Longbourn again. Darcy brings up the subject once because he suspects Lizzie's feelings may have changed (and only because of that), but also says: 'but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.'
I know romantic movies nowadays try to say that badgering a woman over and over until she says yes is a sign of true love, but in reality it's annoying and in extreme cases, stalkerish behaviour.

[Sandy]

John-alan wrote: "Actually I think Darcy wouldn't have tried to pursue Lizzie. He would have accepted her refusal of his proposal and moved on. I'm sure he would have been glad to maintain a friendship, but he would..."

Thanks John-alan. I have the similar feelings. Mr. Darcy had his pride.

See what Darcy said “Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.” It seemed like a farewell.

I haven’t finished reading the book, but happened to see the ending, “by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.” I’m not 100% sure if it doesn’t mean anything else, but Elizabeth’s going to Pemberley and meeting Mr. Darcy is really a turning point as Hermina said.

“With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms. Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.”

[Alexandra]

I agree with John-alan and Sandy. Pride IS Darcy's defining characteristic, after all.

[Kristen]

I always felt that it was actually running into her by mistake at Pemberly that gave Darcy the hope that Lizzy's feeling had changed. Like Hermina said, that is what made is so crucial of a scene. I also agree with John-alan and Sandy, that Darcy would have eventually moved on, but were thankful for the Gardiners for making them run into each other again.

[Sandy]

The title should be changed to "If Lady Catherine hadn't called Longbourn" now. :)

Quoted from Chapter 58:
=====
‘It taught me to hope,’ said he, ‘as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly.’

[HJ]

Sandy wrote: "The title should be changed to "If Lady Catherine hadn't called Longbourn" now. :)

Quoted from Chapter 58:
=====
‘It taught me to hope,’ said he, ‘as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope bef..."

Excellent point. So even if they hadn't met at Pemberley, he would have made sure to see her and have tried one more time somewhere else.

[Jettcatt]

Alexandra wrote: "I agree with John-alan and Sandy. Pride IS Darcy's defining characteristic, after all."

Whenever I read P&P i wonder at Darcy's pride and feel that he is unjustly accused of processing this character flaw, to me Darcy is afflicted by shyness that comes across as pride to those who do not know him.

Lizzie I feel shows more pride then Darcy. It would seem her pride is what causes the initial prejudice towards Darcy and pride that continues to make her not like Darcy until she gets to know him better.

[Kristen]

Jettcatt wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "I agree with John-alan and Sandy. Pride IS Darcy's defining characteristic, after all."

Whenever I read P&P i wonder at Darcy's pride and feel that he is unjustly accused of proc..."

I feel that it's Darcy's pride that keeps him away too. If he hadn't of had hurt feelings after she reveals why she rejected his first proposal, then I think the matter would have been solved right then and there. You know, once Elizabeth realizes that Wickham told her a bunch of lies about him, and he did everything to make Bingley and Jane happy. His actions were enough to admit that he had done wrong to them, but it takes his aunt to come to him before he will try to discuss the topic again with Elizabeth.
If it were me, I would at least have to have that conversation because I would need vindications in my actions that were so questionable earlier. I don't think I could stand people I care about thinking the worst of me, and wouldn't be able to feel closure until they at least acknowledged that they understood I wasn't a horrible person, just maybe a little misinformed (in the case of Jane).

[Gretchen]

Yes the visit from Lady Catherine was key, however, her reaction to Lady Catherine may have been different had they not visited Pemberley. She was softening on him due to the letter but seeing him was what finally turned her heart.

[Sandy]

Gretchen wrote: "Yes the visit from Lady Catherine was key, however, her reaction to Lady Catherine may have been different had they not visited Pemberley. She was softening on him due to the letter but seeing him ..."

Good point.
When talking about Pemberley meeting:
"My object then", replied Darcy, "was to shew you, by every civility in my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the past; and I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lessen your ill opinion, by letting you see that your reproofs had been attended to."

[Olivia]

That would be the worst thing that could ever happen. I think Darcy would have given up. It was such an important part of the book.

[Sandy]

Elizabeth began to love Mr. Darcy when she went to Pemberley.

Quoted from Chapter 59.
=====
"Will you tell me how long you have loved him?"
"it has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know hwen it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley."

[Cara]

Sandy wrote: "Elizabeth began to love Mr. Darcy when she went to Pemberley.

Quoted from Chapter 59.
=====
"Will you tell me how long you have loved him?"
"it has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know ..."

And she was joking

[Sandy]

Cara wrote: "And she was joking"

lol, you are right:
=====
Another entreaty that she would be serious, however, produced the desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn assurances of attachment.

[Joyce]

Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley where she ran into Darcy was key. Although she had softened toward him when she read his explanation about Wickham, I think she really fell in love with him when she heard the way the servants talked about Darcy and Wickham, and especially when she observed the loving relationship between Darcy and Georgianna. By seeing him in his own environment, she saw him as the person he truly was.

[[deleted user]]

If I remember, Elizabeth didn't want to visit Pemberley, because she was still unsure about Darcy. When she saw Pemberley, spoke with the servants about Darcy, and then ran into him, I think she fell in love at that moment.

[Sandy]

Julia Rose wrote: "If I remember, Elizabeth didn't want to visit Pemberley, because she was still unsure about Darcy. When she saw Pemberley, spoke with the servants about Darcy, and then ran into him, I think she f..."

I would agree with you, see Elizabeth's letter to Mrs. Gardiners, quoted from Chapter 60:
=====
"I thank you, again and again, for not going to the Lakes. How could I be so silly as to wish it! Your idea of the ponies is delightful."

[Cara]

Sandy wrote: "Julia Rose wrote: "If I remember, Elizabeth didn't want to visit Pemberley, because she was still unsure about Darcy. When she saw Pemberley, spoke with the servants about Darcy, and then ran into..."

You're probably right :(

[Apurva]

I don't think Darcy would have pursued Elizabeth any further if she had not shown any feelings for him.The feelings only came after Reynolds praised him.Sure he would have worked on his pride issues but she would never get to see the improvement.

[Tyshawn]

The thing about rich men is they are not used to "No" and not getting what they want. They are not humble and are usually proud. Men hate rejection anyway and rich men can barely survive when they receive it. There is no way Mr. Darcy would have pursued her and chanced being rejected by someone so far beneath his high station without a bit of encouragement a second time. It was obvious she could not be bought and he said he did not feel comfortable around people. He needed a little encouragement.

But, we must remember Mr. Darcy was not the only one who needed encouragement...

I'm glad Liz went to his home...so she could be kicked back to reality. She needed a bit of encouragement too. When I think of all the big castles I saw in my youth...Netherfield...Netherfield...Calgon take me back to Pimberley...Mrs. Darcy...kiss...Mrs. Darcy... kiss... Mrs. Darcy...

Ladies drive by his house before you quickly say "No..."

signed
a Liz wanna be

[Anna]

Darcy was most likely still thinking about her. She just rejected him and gave a pretty sound tongue lashing along with it. He had to have been analyzing himself and trying to change, and hoping that Elizabeth would somehow see that he was a better man. But would he have pursued her? If he had the opportunity, I think he would have. Basically to say, here I am, I've changed. Have you changed your mind? All this of course with political correctness and great manners. :)
So when his opportunity arrived in the form of the woman he loved just happening to show up at his house (!) he pursued it. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have tried to stop her leaving, apologizing for being rude. First instance of saying he is considerate of other people's feelings.
And then seeing that Lizzy didn't completely hate his guts must have been encouraging, as many of you have said.

[Arralyn]

I definitely think it was an essential piece in the work. If she hadn't gone to Pemberley, then she would not have seen the difference in Darcy's mannerisms and attitude, because remember that's part of the reason she disliked him in the first place. When she was able to see his change of attitude and heart first hand, it was one of the big roles in helping her fall in love with him.
Also, Darcy needed a push of confidence after being called out by Elizabeth in previous events, so having her visit his home, was kind of like a lantern of hope and further encouraged his pursuance of her.

[Mittu]

I think, it's possible they could've met at Rosings the next year during Darcy's and Colonel Fitzwilliam annual visit to their aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh and that would've been an opportunity for Darcy and Lizzi to inspect each other's change in feelings, respect and attitude towards the other. Things could've re-kindled from there.

I also hoped that after the "first proposal", Darcy could've encouraged Bingley to visit Netherfield once again and Bingley's proximity to Jane would've given room for Darcy and Lizzi to meet more frequently and that could've paved the way to sort things out between them and inspect each other's feelings. Having said that, since Darcy did not act on bringing Bingley closer to Jane soon after he left Rosings, it implies, he (Darcy) may have eventually moved on, only because he's more reserved and needs encouragement from Lizzi's end as well. He also mentions this during the last chapters of the book. Even after visting Longbourn, after settling Lydia and Wickham, he (Darcy) barely spoke and the first conversation between Lizzi and Darcy started with Lizzi thanking him for Lydia on behalf of her family and he immediately asks Lizzi to tell him so at once if her feelings are where they were last April. The rest we know is a happy ending. :)