Pride and Prejudice
George Wickham
The charming officer
A handsome militia officer with an easy smile and a sad story. He is much less honest than he looks.
George Wickham is twenty-five, good-looking and pleasant, with manners that win people over in an instant. When he arrives in Meryton as a militia officer, the Bennet sisters notice him immediately. He seems to be exactly the sort of gentleman a girl could hope to meet.
Wickham is also a skilled liar. He grew up alongside Darcy, and he tells Elizabeth that Darcy cheated him out of a church living. Elizabeth believes him because she already dislikes Darcy. In fact, he cares chiefly about money and about himself, and he never has trouble finding a reason to move on.
“George Wickham, ladies. Entirely at your service.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
Wickham flirts with Elizabeth and shares his grievance against Darcy, but he skips the Netherfield ball to avoid meeting Darcy there. Later he drops Elizabeth to court Miss Mary King after she inherits ten thousand pounds. Darcy's letter reveals what Wickham really did: he tried to elope with Darcy's fifteen-year-old sister, Georgiana, for her thirty-thousand-pound fortune.
He then runs away with Lydia from Brighton. Darcy tracks them down, pays Wickham's debts and buys his army commission, and Wickham agrees to marry Lydia. He arrives at Longbourn with her after the wedding, as easygoing as ever.
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