And he showed good taste in asking you to dance so much I did not expect such a compliment Jane agreed That’s because you never expect compliments though you should Dear Lizzy Jane scolded Oh you never see a fault in anybody Lizzy said Nor do you properly see the great goodness in you I have never heard you speak ill of anyone I always speak my mind Jane said So do I Lizzy said But what comes out of our mouths is so different I did not fi nd Mr Bingley’s sisters so friendly They are very kind when you speak with them Jane assured her Elizabeth was not so sure but chose not to share her feelings on the subject 10
2 Mr Darcy Elizabeth Bennet’s dearest friend lived nearby at Lucas Lodge Charlotte Lucas was twenty-seven sensible and plain She came to call at Longbourn the day after the ball I noticed Mr Bingley danced with you fi rst Charlotte Mrs Bennet said But he preferred his second dance partner Charlotte said I overheard him tell Mr Robinson that Jane was the prettiest girl in the room Mrs Bennet fl uttered with happiness I know Mr Darcy was not nearly as pleasant to overhear Charlotte said looking at Lizzy with a smile 11
Lizzy grinned back and would have said something but her mother spoke fi rst He is such a disagreeable man Miss Bingley told me that he is very agreeable to close friends Jane said Well if he should ever ask Elizabeth to dance Mrs Bennet said she should refuse I believe I may safely promise never to dance with him Lizzy said with a smile Charlotte raised her eyebrows at her friend He is proud perhaps But with his family standing and wealth he has a right to be I wouldn’t mind his pride Lizzy said now openly laughing if he had not so injured mine Not long after this the Bennet women made a visit to Bingley’s sisters and later they returned the courtesy I am glad Mr Bingley’s sisters like Jane Elizabeth later told Charlotte I believe she is falling in love with him Then she should show it If a woman hides her feelings from a man she may lose him 12
Charlotte warned Bingley clearly likes Jane but he may never do more than like her if she does not help him along Well he must be simpleminded not to see her regard for him Lizzy said Besides she is still getting to know him There is time enough to know one another after they are married Charlotte said Lizzy burst out laughing Oh that is silly You know it is Now while Elizabeth was watching Bingley someone else was watching her With each meeting Darcy found Elizabeth more interesting He noticed how intelligent well spoken and well read she was He noticed her light playfulness and began to wish he knew her better His fi rst chance was at a large party held by Sir William Lucas At the party Sir William walked over to speak to the scowling Darcy Your friend Mr Bingley certainly seems to love to dance You danced quite well with Mr Bingley’s sisters at 13
