At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then poured in, and among which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of Mr. Bingley’s, she could not make a very favorable answer. Jane was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter.
Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom she could regard with any satisfaction. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herself most pleasing; but they were attended with so much ease and cheerfulness, that Elizabeth felt they had never been less agreeable.
Miss Bingley was engrossed by Mr. Darcy, her sister scarcely less so; and as for Mr. Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards.
After dinner, Elizabeth returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty.
“She has nothing, in short, to recommend her,” said Miss Bingley.
“Except her eyes,” replied Mr. Darcy, “which have sometimes a fine expression.”
Elizabeth spent the evening in the sickroom, and though Jane was still unwell, she was cheerful and calm. The next morning, Elizabeth was again with her, and the family at Netherfield continued their usual occupations.
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst spent the morning criticizing others, while Mr. Darcy wrote letters and occasionally joined in the conversation. Elizabeth noticed his pride but also his intelligence and thoughtful behavior.
When Miss Bingley praised accomplished women, Darcy agreed, but added that true accomplishment required extensive knowledge, reading, and improvement of the mind. Elizabeth laughed at this high standard, suggesting that very few women could meet it.
The conversation revealed differences in character: Miss Bingley admired elegance and fashion, Darcy valued intelligence and depth, and Elizabeth enjoyed challenging their opinions with humor and wit.
Vocabulary List
- solicitude — care or concern.
- indolent — lazy.
- impertinence — rudeness.
- engrossed — fully occupied.
- accomplished — highly skilled.
- extensive — large in amount.
- depth — seriousness or complexity.
- wit — clever humor.
- cheerful — happy and positive.
- anxiety — worry.
True or False
- Jane is feeling completely better.
True False - Mr. Bingley shows concern for Jane.
True False - Mr. Hurst is very energetic and active.
True False - Miss Bingley criticizes Elizabeth.
True False - Darcy believes accomplishment requires education and practice.
True False
Fill in the Blanks
- Elizabeth goes to check on her sister .
- Mr. Bingley shows great for Jane.
- Miss Bingley says Elizabeth has no .
- Darcy mentions Elizabeth’s as a positive feature.
- Elizabeth uses humor and in conversation.