#12

     "It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of his reason.  But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family.  You may have drawn him in" (Austen 297)
      Alas, it would seem that just when Elizabeth and Darcy may be able to come together in love, one more obstacle stands in their way, familial obligation.  Lady Catherine de Bourgh's arrival comes under no pretense.  She means business, and her business is to demolish any hope Elizabeth may have of marrying Darcy.  With asperity, Lady Catherine launches into the purpose of her visit to Longbourne.  Based on Lady Catherine's visit it can be assumed that Elizabeth and Darcy's love has become obvious.  So obvious, in fact, that rumors of marriage between the two are circulating.  Even though Darcy and Elizabeth have overcome prejudice and pride in order to come to this place of felicity, problems still remain.  As stated before there is the problem of familial obligation.  Darcy has the duty of keeping the family name clean and without reproach.  Elizabeth's family is of ill-repute due to Lydia's latest folly.  Marrying Elizabeth would bring the Darcy clan into connection with people of minimal appeal.  In addition Darcy and Elizabeth must overcome the opinions of others.  Lady Catherine in the least cordial way possible lays out what others may think of Elizabeth and Darcy's romance.  She calls it "a moment of infatuation" on Darcy's part.  Thus she says that their love is not true and is not to be taken seriously within the aristocratic circles.  She also says that Elizabeth only manages to procure Darcy's affection through "arts and allurements".  In saying this, Lady Catherine makes known the belief that Elizabeth gained Darcy's love for the sake of marrying her way into aristocracy and connection. All of these opinions can either be cast aside by Elizabeth and Darcy, or taken into consideration and used as reasons for them not to come together.  What they do with knowledge of these opinions will determine their fate in love and happiness, or loneliness and misery for the rest of their days.