Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Seven (Abridged)

Mr. Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year; but unfortunately for his daughters, it was entailed on a distant relation, and their mother’s fortune, though respectable, could but ill supply the deficiency. She had a sister married to Mr. Phillips, who lived in Meryton; and the village being only a mile from Longbourn, it was a most convenient distance for the young ladies, especially Kitty and Lydia, who were very frequent in their visits.

Their minds were more vacant than those of their sisters; and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse the morning and furnish conversation for the evening. At present, indeed, they were well supplied with both news and happiness by the arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood. Meryton was the headquarters, and their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge of the officers’ names and connections; and before long they began to know the officers themselves.

Mr. Phillips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a store of felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley’s large fortune, the mention of which had once given animation to their mother, was now worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign.

After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr. Bennet coolly observed that they must be two of the silliest girls in the country. Kitty was disconcerted; but Lydia, with perfect indifference, continued to admire Captain Carter, and to hope for seeing him again before he went to London. Mrs. Bennet, offended by her husband’s judgment, insisted that her daughters were all clever, and that young girls could not be expected to think as seriously as older people. She even confessed that she herself had once liked a red coat very well, and perhaps did so still in her heart.

While Lydia was speaking eagerly of the officers, a note was brought for Jane from Netherfield. It contained an invitation from Miss Bingley to dine there that day with herself and Mrs. Hurst, while the gentlemen dined with the officers. Jane was ready to accept it, and asked whether she might have the carriage. Mrs. Bennet, however, preferred that she should go on horseback, because the day looked threatening, and she would then, if it rained, be obliged to stay the night.

Elizabeth saw at once the design of her mother, but it was supported by Mr. Bennet’s statement that the horses were wanted on the farm; and Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback. Mrs. Bennet attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day; nor were her hopes disappointed. Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard, and the rain continued the whole evening without intermission. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted at the certainty of her remaining at Netherfield.

The next morning brought a letter from Jane to Elizabeth. She wrote that she had taken cold by being wet through, and that her kind friends would not hear of her returning until she was better. Mr. Bennet dryly remarked that, should Jane die of such a cold, it would be some comfort to know that it had happened in pursuit of Mr. Bingley and under her mother’s orders. Mrs. Bennet, however, was not at all alarmed; people did not die of little trifling colds, and Jane would be taken good care of.

Elizabeth, who was really anxious, resolved to go to her sister immediately. As no carriage could be had, she determined to walk the three miles to Netherfield. Setting off alone, she crossed field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles, till at last she reached the house with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.