Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Seventeen (Abridged)

The next day, Elizabeth told Jane everything Mr. Wickham had said about Mr. Darcy. Jane was shocked and worried. She did not want to believe Darcy could behave so badly, but she also found it hard to doubt Wickham, who seemed so pleasant and sincere.

Jane tried to think well of both men. She suggested that perhaps there had been a misunderstanding, or that other people had caused trouble between them. Elizabeth laughed at Jane’s kindness, but she herself was convinced that Wickham had told the truth.

Soon after, Mr. Bingley and his sisters arrived at Longbourn. They came to invite the Bennet family to the long-awaited ball at Netherfield, which would take place the following Tuesday.

Everyone in the family was excited. Mrs. Bennet believed the ball was meant as a compliment to Jane. Jane looked forward to seeing Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Elizabeth hoped to dance with Mr. Wickham and to observe Darcy’s reaction to him.

Kitty and Lydia were delighted simply because a ball meant dancing and officers. Even Mary agreed to attend, saying that occasional recreation was good for everyone.

Elizabeth, in high spirits, asked Mr. Collins whether he planned to attend the ball. She was surprised when he said he had no objection to dancing. He then asked Elizabeth for the first two dances.

Elizabeth was disappointed because she had hoped to dance those dances with Mr. Wickham. However, she could not refuse Mr. Collins politely, so she accepted as gracefully as she could.

Elizabeth soon realized that Mr. Collins might be interested in marrying her. His compliments and attention became more obvious, and Mrs. Bennet seemed very pleased by the possibility. Elizabeth chose not to argue about it unless Mr. Collins actually proposed.

For the next several days, heavy rain kept the younger Bennet girls from walking to Meryton. They could not visit their aunt, see the officers, or hear any new gossip. Only the promise of the Netherfield ball made the waiting bearable.