Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Four (Abridged)

When Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were alone, Jane spoke more freely about her admiration for Mr. Bingley. She described him as exactly what a young man should be: sensible, cheerful, lively, and perfectly polite. She was especially pleased that he had asked her to dance a second time, which she considered a compliment she had not expected.

Elizabeth responded with her usual playful honesty. She agreed that he was handsome and agreeable, but she was not surprised by his attention. She pointed out that Jane was much prettier than anyone else at the ball, so it was only natural that he should admire her. Elizabeth gently teased her sister for always seeing the best in people and never noticing their faults. Jane replied that she tried not to judge others too quickly and preferred to think well of everyone unless she had a clear reason not to.

Elizabeth admired Jane’s kindness but believed that it sometimes made her overlook the truth. When the conversation turned to Mr. Bingley’s sisters, Jane admitted that they had not seemed especially warm at first, but she thought they might prove pleasant upon better acquaintance. Elizabeth, however, was not so easily convinced. She had observed their behavior at the ball and felt that they were proud and somewhat conceited. Although they were elegant and well educated, they appeared to think highly of themselves and looked down on others.

The Bingley sisters had been raised in a fashionable environment and possessed a considerable fortune. Their wealth and social connections gave them confidence, but also a sense of superiority. They were used to associating with people of higher rank and did not always treat others with equal respect. Elizabeth, who was quick to observe such things, found their manners less agreeable than Jane did.

Mr. Bingley himself had inherited a large fortune from his father, who had intended to buy an estate but had not lived to do so. Bingley had similar intentions and sometimes considered purchasing land, but for the moment he was content to rent Netherfield. His easy and flexible nature made it uncertain whether he would settle there permanently or move on when something else attracted his attention.

His sisters, however, strongly preferred that he should establish himself as a landowner, as this would raise their social standing. Despite this, they were quite willing to enjoy the comfort and importance of his current home. Miss Bingley, in particular, took pleasure in managing his household, while Mrs. Hurst treated Netherfield as her own residence whenever it suited her.

Mr. Bingley’s friendship with Mr. Darcy was well known, though the two men were very different in character. Bingley was open, friendly, and easily pleased, while Darcy was reserved, proud, and difficult to satisfy. Nevertheless, Bingley valued Darcy’s judgment greatly and relied on his opinions. Darcy, in turn, respected Bingley’s good nature, even though it contrasted strongly with his own personality.

Their different impressions of the recent ball clearly showed this contrast. Bingley spoke with enthusiasm, declaring that he had never met so many pleasant people or seen so many pretty women. He was especially impressed by Jane, whom he thought the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Darcy, on the other hand, was far less pleased. He found little beauty or elegance in the company and felt no particular interest in anyone present. Although he admitted that Jane was pretty, he thought she smiled too much.

Bingley’s sisters agreed that Jane was attractive and pleasant, and they were willing to become better acquainted with her. Their approval encouraged Bingley to think even more highly of her. Thus, while Jane’s gentle nature led her to see the best in everyone, Elizabeth’s sharper judgment allowed her to recognize both the strengths and the weaknesses of those around her.