Pride and Prejudice
Mrs. Gardiner
Elizabeth's aunt
Mrs. Bennet's sensible sister-in-law from London, a kind and observant woman who gives Elizabeth the advice her own mother does not.
Mrs. Gardiner is the wife of Mrs. Bennet's brother, a warm, elegant woman living in London's Gracechurch Street. She is wise, observant and affectionate, and she is the kind of mother figure Mrs. Bennet is not. Elizabeth and Jane love her visits.
She notices things. She sees that Jane is unhappy and that Elizabeth is drawn to Wickham, and she says so gently, without scolding. She is also a good traveling companion and loves the countryside.
“You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it. Wickham has no fortune.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
At Christmas, Mrs. Gardiner sees how pale Jane looks and invites her to London for the winter. She also reminds Elizabeth that Wickham has no fortune, and Elizabeth promises to be careful.
In the summer she takes Elizabeth on a trip to Derbyshire and suggests visiting Pemberley, which Elizabeth agrees to only after hearing the family is away. When Lydia runs off, the Gardiners rush to help. Mrs. Gardiner's letter later tells Elizabeth that Darcy was the one who found the couple, paid Wickham's debts and arranged the wedding.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
