Chapter 8
The Netherfield party appeared to have timed their arrival to ensure the attention of the whole assembly-room. Consisting of five altogether: Mr. Bingley, a young man, not overly tall but neither noticeably short, with auburn hair which he shared with the taller of the two ladies of his group. Thus allowing Elizabeth to identify this lady as Mr Bingley’s sister. The second woman, who wore a cap on her head marking her as married woman. She also bore him a resemblance. Although her features were finer and more feminine and her hair was fair with a mere hint of red. Two other men formed part of his party. One rather rotund and rosy of face held the arm of the lighter haired lady. Marking him as her husband. The final man drew the attention of every lady present. His midnight hair, fine tall person, handsome features and noble mien, marked him as a singular point of interest.
Mr Bingley had an open pleasant countenance. And Elizabeth noted his easy and unaffected manner as he conversed with Sir William Lucas. His sisters were dressed in what Elizabeth assumed were the height of London fashions.
The taller lady was dressed as though she were attending a London ball. Her gown, which Elizabeth had to admit was of the finest silk. But the burnt orange clashed horribly with her hair. The jewels at her neck were obviously of great value but quite out of place at local assembly. Mrs Fitzherbert had not worn such ostentatious displays of wealth during her time withthe Bennets. But perhaps she merely had no need to impress those who were so many rungs below her on the ladder. The Bingley women, on the other hand, entered the room with an air of decided fashion. And Elizabeth also felt an air of superiority.
It was not long before the identity of every person in the party was circulating. The tall gentleman had soon been given his designation as Mr. Darcy of the great estate of Pemberly in Derbyshire.
It was not long after this that reports of his fortune were in general circulation, being of his having ten thousand a year. This only added to his physical attraction. Elizabeth noted that many of the local ladies moved so as to be in his direct eyeline. However, as the evening progressed the interest in him waned. Sir Lucas performed introductions to the Bennet ladies. Introducing the taller lady as Miss Caroline Bennet and the other as her elder sister Mrs Hurst. Her husband was also introduced but he barely acknowledged the presentation.
Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room: he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only twice, firstly with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again.
Elizabeth had enjoyed many dances but had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had beenstanding near enough for her to overhear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes to press his friend to join it.
But Mr Darcy would have none of it declaring it insupportable to dance at such an assembly.
Bingley continued to entreat his friend. And chose to point out Elizabeth as a very agreeable partner. Going so far as to proclaim he had never danced with a lady so light of foot. Resulting in Mr Darcy claiming, “she is tolerable: but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”
Mr. Darcy walked off, as the only way open to escape his friends entreaties; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
The evening altogether passed off pleasantly for the whole family. Mrs. Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this, as her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane’s pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough to be never without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn. They found Mr. Bennet still up. With a book, he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening. He had rather hoped that all his wife’s views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found that he had a very different story to hear.
“Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet,” as she entered the room, “we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there. Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. But Mr Bingley’s friend,” she said her eyes turning in sympathy to Lizzy. “He slighted our Lizzy,” she told him. “Refused to dance with her,” she added. “But I can assure you,” she said, “that Lizzy does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited, that there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man.”
Mr Bennet called Lizzy to his side, taking her hand. “You are not hurt by his rudeness I hope my dear.”
“Indeed no Papa, as Mama has said he was proud and disagreeable. I assure you it would have been a chore to stand up with him had he offered.”
