Elizabeth arrived at the Netherfield ball expecting to see Mr. Wickham. She looked around the room for him, but he was not there. Mr. Denny explained that Wickham had gone to town on business. Elizabeth suspected that he had stayed away because of Mr. Darcy.
This made Elizabeth angry with Darcy. She tried to avoid speaking to him and began the evening in a bad mood. However, she slowly recovered her spirits, especially when she saw how much Mr. Bingley admired Jane.
Elizabeth’s first two dances were with Mr. Collins. They were awkward and unpleasant. Mr. Collins danced badly and made many mistakes. Elizabeth was very relieved when the dances ended.
Soon after, Mr. Darcy unexpectedly asked Elizabeth to dance. She accepted before she had time to think. During the dance, they spoke politely but with tension. Elizabeth mentioned Mr. Wickham, and Darcy seemed uncomfortable.
Darcy said Wickham had pleasant manners and could easily make friends, but he was less able to keep them. Elizabeth defended Wickham and hinted that Darcy had treated him unfairly.
Later, Miss Bingley warned Elizabeth not to believe Wickham’s story. She said Wickham had behaved badly toward Darcy. Elizabeth did not believe her and thought Miss Bingley was only defending Darcy because she liked him.
Jane also told Elizabeth that Mr. Bingley had heard Darcy’s side of the story and believed Wickham was wrong. Elizabeth was still not convinced. She trusted Wickham’s manner and continued to dislike Darcy.
During supper, Mrs. Bennet loudly spoke about her hopes that Jane would marry Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth was embarrassed because Darcy could hear her mother’s words. Mrs. Bennet’s lack of delicacy made Elizabeth deeply uncomfortable.
Mary then sang at the piano for too long, and Elizabeth felt more embarrassment as the company grew tired. Mr. Bennet finally stopped Mary from continuing.
Mr. Collins also embarrassed Elizabeth by insisting on introducing himself to Mr. Darcy after learning Darcy was Lady Catherine’s nephew. Elizabeth tried to stop him, but Mr. Collins ignored her advice.
By the end of the evening, Elizabeth felt disappointed. She had expected the ball to be happy, but Wickham was absent, Darcy had danced with her, and her family had behaved foolishly in public.
Jane, however, enjoyed the evening because Mr. Bingley was kind and attentive to her. Mrs. Bennet left Netherfield with great hopes for Jane’s future, while Elizabeth returned home troubled and embarrassed.
Vocabulary List
- expecting — thinking something will happen.
- suspected — thought something might be true.
- avoid — to stay away from someone or something.
- awkward — uncomfortable or clumsy.
- relieved — happy because something difficult is over.
- unexpectedly — in a surprising way.
- tension — uncomfortable feeling between people.
- defended — spoke in support of someone.
- unfairly — in a way that is not just or right.
- convinced — sure that something is true.
- delicacy — careful politeness or sensitivity.
- embarrassed — feeling ashamed or uncomfortable.
- continuing — going on without stopping.
- insisting — strongly saying something must happen.
- attentive — giving careful attention.
True or False
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Elizabeth expects to see Mr. Wickham at the Netherfield ball.
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Mr. Wickham dances with Elizabeth at the ball.
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Elizabeth’s first two dances are with Mr. Collins.
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Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth to dance.
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Elizabeth feels proud of all her family’s behavior at the ball.
Fill in the Blanks
- Elizabeth looks for Mr. at the ball.
- Mr. Denny says Wickham has gone to .
- Elizabeth’s first two dances are with Mr. .
- Darcy says Wickham has pleasant .
- Mrs. Bennet loudly hopes Jane will marry Mr. .