Mrs. Gardiner

Also known as: M. GARDINER / her aunt / his wife / my aunt / my sister-in-law · Family: Gardiner · Role: Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law · First appears: Chapter 9

At chapter 25, Mrs. Gardiner arrives at Longbourn with her husband, Mr. Gardiner, to spend Christmas with her sister, Mrs. Bennet, and their family: “On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came, as usual, to spend the Christmas at Longbourn.” Several years younger than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips, she is described as amiable, intelligent, and elegant, and is a great favourite with her nieces Jane Bennet and Elizabeth Bennet. She accepts Jane Bennet’s company to London and resolves to caution Elizabeth Bennet against encouraging her attachment to George Wickham.

In the summer, Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Gardiner invite Elizabeth Bennet to tour the Lakes; when that plan is abandoned, they take her through Derbyshire instead. At Pemberley, she is present when Fitzwilliam Darcy unexpectedly approaches them, converses with Mr. Gardiner, and later invites the Gardiners and Elizabeth Bennet to dinner with Georgiana Darcy. Mrs. Gardiner helps arrange their return visit to Georgiana Darcy, and she, Mr. Gardiner, and Elizabeth Bennet later leave for Longbourn in response to the crisis involving Lydia Bennet and George Wickham.

At chapter 49, Lydia Bennet is brought to the Gardiners’ house before her marriage under their protection: “We have judged it best that my niece should be married from this house, of which I hope you will approve. She comes to us to-day.” Mrs. Gardiner later sends word that Lydia Bennet is well, and in chapter 51 Elizabeth Bennet writes to her seeking an explanation of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s secret attendance at the wedding. By chapter 61, Mrs. Gardiner is on intimate terms with Fitzwilliam Darcy and remains a close friend of Elizabeth Bennet, whom Fitzwilliam Darcy also loves.