Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

It's a new year and it's time for a new favorite novel to help you get to sleep. Emma Woodhouse is handsome, clever, and rich, and has made it through her nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. But that all begins to change when her dear governess Miss Taylor gets married and leaves Hartfield, the Woodhouse's home. Though the new Mrs. Weston's...

While Mrs. Jennings wonders and speculates about what could have pulled Colonel Brandon away to town, Elinor wonders about something more pressing: the true state of Marianne and Willoughby's relationship. While they're certainly acting like they're engaged, they haven't said a word to anyone about it. But there's no misinterpreting Willoughby's affectionate behavior - ever...

Happy for all our nocturnal feelings is today, the day on which our story reaches its end, and the two most deserving Bennet sisters finally marry. This week's Friday Favorites concludes the tale of all of our beloved characters, from the new Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy to all their friends and loved ones. Snuggle up under the covers for pure comfort, as the end of our favorite novel helps you...

A large party has come together for an excursion to Whitwell, the estate of a friend of Colonel Brandon's, when a sudden letter from London changes the group's plans entirely. Colonel Brandon has been called away on urgent business, and he must leave immediately, unable to spare even an hour before he departs. His sudden exit means that the day's excursion is canceled in favor of a rid...

As the tension between Elizabeth and Darcy eases into comfort, the two reflect upon the beginning of their relationship, and Lizzy even feels comfortable enough to gently tease Darcy about his affections. The two of them also finish telling their families about their engagement, including letters to the Gardiners, Mr. Collins, Georgiana, and Lady Catherine. In this week's Friday Favorites, Eli...

Marianne and Willoughby's relationship is continuing to deepen at a pace that is somewhat alarming to Elinor. After convincing Marianne that Willoughby's gift of a horse is impractical (and beyond their means), Elinor learns from Margaret that Marianne has also given Willoughby a lock of her hair. With all of this closeness, Elinor is sure that the two must be engaged. But she's soon d...

Now that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are engaged, only one hurdle remains: telling her family. Jane is the first to learn the news, and she is incredulous - a wretched start, indeed. But eventually Jane comes around, and it's up to Darcy and Elizabeth to tell Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Neither of them can believe it, either, but with Lizzy's reassurances, they each come to accept it in their own way...

Willoughby and Marianne continue to get closer, making her even more delighted with Devonshire. Unfortunately, Elinor's experience has been far less delightful than her sister's. She finds all of her company dreadfully insipid, except for Colonel Brandon, who is proving to be a friend. If only Marianne could see his redeeming qualities as well! Alas, for now it is only a wish. As the Dashw...

Mr. Bingley is back in town, and to Elizabeth's surprise, he's brought Darcy with him. After the fiasco with Lady Catherine, she was sure that Mr. Darcy would never want to see her again. Yet, as they set off on an afternoon walk together, Elizabeth and Darcy finally get the chance to clear the air and declare their true feelings for one another at last. His affections and wishes are uncha...

After Willoughby rescues Marianne from her sprained ankle on the moor, the two quickly become inseparable. They have so much in common: music, dance, books, poetry, not to mention his wonderfully good looks. Marianne is sure that Willoughby is everything she has ever wanted in a man, and even Mrs. Dashwood is enchanted by him. Elinor, though, is more cautious. In fact, she is convinced that Colone...

Elizabeth is still reeling from Lady Catherine's visit, when her father summons her for a most diverting distraction. He's received a letter from Mr. Collins asserting that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are engaged, and warning them to be careful of the disapproval of the gentleman's most esteemed and noble aunt. It's a wonderful joke, because Mr. Bennet is sure that Elizabeth and Mr. Da...

The Dashwoods are growing more comfortable in Devonshire, and one of their many employments is enjoying the many beautiful walks in the surrounding countryside. It is during one of these beautiful walks that Marianne and Margaret find themselves caught in the rain, and while running back down the hill to their cottage, Marianne finds herself taken down by a sprained ankle. Luckily for her, there&#...

There's an unfamiliar carriage pulling up the drive, and it's none other than Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Her ladyship is on a mission - to stop Elizabeth Bennet from marrying her nephew. Elizabeth is astonished, and then incensed, at such a visit, especially since she and Mr. Darcy are not engaged. Lady Catherine may not be used to brooking disappointment, but she may have met her match in...

Freshly arrived in Devonshire, the Dashwoods are off to dine at Barton Park and meet the rest of their new neighborhood acquaintances. There's Lady Middleton's teasing and slightly vulgar mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings, and Sir John's quiet friend, Colonel Brandon. Mrs. Jennings, who is fond of pairing people up, is soon convinced that Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne, but she&#3...

Mr. Bingley has become a regular visitor at Longbourn, and his reasoning for doing so soon becomes clear - he has proposed to Jane, and she has accepted! At last, Mrs. Bennet can stop winking and bask in the joy of her successful schemes. Meanwhile, Jane and Bingley seem to know no end to their happiness, and Elizabeth is delighted for her sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law. It's a triumphan...

It's been decided: the Dashwoods are relocating to Devonshire. They have decided to take up their cousin Sir John Middleton's offer to take up residence in Barton Cottage, and soon set off from Norland to make their way to their new home. The cottage is smaller than they are used to, but Mrs. Dashwood is full of ideas to make it more homey (if she can save the money for it). They also make...

Now that the gentlemen are back in Hertfordshire, it's the perfect time for Mrs. Bennet to invite them both to dine with the family. Mr. Bingley and Jane are seated next to each other, of course, and Elizabeth tries her best to converse with Mr. Darcy, but is foiled again and again. Yet, he does seem to be looking in her direction more than usual. Elizabeth runs over each part of their interac...

Elinor and Edward's relationship is growing closer, but they are not actually engaged, much to Marianne's surprise. In fact, Elinor herself isn't sure of the degree of Edward's attachment to her. But the attachment is enough to catch the eye of Fanny Dashwood, who makes it clear in no uncertain terms that her family has high hopes for her brother's marriage - hopes that don&#39...

Lydia and Wickham are off to Newcastle, which is a disappointment to Mrs. Bennet, but she's soon comforted by the news of the arrival of a familiar neighbor - Mr. Bingley is back in town. What's more, he's brought Mr. Darcy with him. The gentlemen call at Longbourn, and both Jane and Elizabeth's emotions are in a flutter. It's all too much for the two eldest Bennet girls, as th...

The Dashwoods remain at Norland while they search for a place that will fit their new financial situation. Living with Fanny Dashwood is not pleasant, but there is one bright spot: her brother, Edward Ferrars. He has been staying with the family at Norland, and by all accounts to be forming an attachment with Elinor - she esteems him, which is high praise. Marianne finds Edward lacking in his unde...

After a tantalizing slip of information from Lydia, Elizabeth has been eager to learn why Mr. Darcy was at the Wickhams' wedding, and a letter from her aunt Gardiner has arrived that answers all her questions and more. It turns out that Mr. Darcy was the one who arranged the entire thing, from finding Lydia and Wickham in London, to paying off Wickham's debts to secure the marriage. It&#39...

Mr. John Dashwood is still determined to help his sisters after the tragic early death of their father. But his wife, Mrs. Fanny Dashwood, has a few questions. After all, how much money do four single women really need? And surely Mr. Dashwood's deathbed promise to his father didn't mean financial support to his sisters? What if their own child were to ever need the money? It's all sou...

Lydia and Wickham are married, and the scandalous newlyweds have arrived at Longbourn to visit the Bennet family. The two are as brazen as ever, while Elizabeth and Jane seem to feel more than enough shame for both of them. During one of their conversations, Lydia lets and important detail slip - Mr. Darcy was at their wedding. Elizabeth is astonished, and quickly writes to her aunt Gardiner, know...

It's time to get acquainted with our new protagonists: the Dashwoods. Long settled at Norland Park in Sussex, the family is shaken up by the unexpected death of patriarch Mr. Henry Dashwood, leaving the estate in the hands of his well-to-do son from his first marriage, Mr. John Dashwood. His second wife and their three daughters are left with little. The two eldest daughters, Elinor and Marian...

After reflecting on the lack of economical thinking that brought him here, Mr. Bennet speedily agrees to the terms that Mr. Gardiner has secured for Lydia and Wickham's marriage. But he is determined to hold strong on one point - they shall not be allowed to enter Longbourn. That is, until Elizabeth and Jane convince him to allow a visit as the newlyweds are on their way to Wickham's new p...