Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813 in three volumes, as it was customary in the period. To readers, the three-volume novel format was familiar from the theatrical tradition of the three-act play. Austen’s most popular novel was planned in this tripartite structure. Volume 1 covers chapters 1-23 (Hertfordshire), volume 2 chapters 24 to 42 (Rosings) and volume three chapters 43 to 61 (Pemberley and resolution). Considering the similarity of its plot features to those of some contemporary plays, most notably those of Sheridan and Hannah Cowley, the structure might also reflect Austen’s interest in the theatre. The sharp dialogues between especially Darcy and Elizabeth, or between the latter and Lady Catherine also evoke dramatic techniques. The conversations between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins, are comic in their effect and descriptive of the characters who utter them. The proposal scene, however, occurs in the middle of the novel in chapter 34, after which the structure of the novel becomes slightly uneven with the incorporation of even more letters than can be found in the first part. These letters are remnants of Austen’s first attempts to create an epistolary version of Pride and Prejudice (entitled First Impressions, originally), but which she could not discard for structural reasons. Darcy’s explanation of his motivations occurs in a long letter. Then, for purposes of the plot, her characters begin to travel: Elizabeth to Derbyshire, Lydia to Brighton and London. After Lydia’s elopement, Mr. Bennet also has to travel to London, but once he is back, the source of information about how Lydia’s marriage will be arranged becomes even more limited. Thus it becomes more difficult to describe the action around Lydia’s elopement, to show readers what happened to her. Letters from Jane, Lydia and especially the Gardeners are the only solution the writer can find to solve this problem.