Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Six (Abridged)

The Bennet sisters soon visited the ladies at Netherfield, and the visit was returned properly. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley liked Jane Bennet’s gentle manners very much, although they thought little of Mrs. Bennet and the younger sisters. Elizabeth noticed that they behaved proudly toward most people, but she appreciated their kindness to Jane because it probably came from their brother’s growing admiration for her.

It was easy to see that Mr. Bingley admired Jane, and Elizabeth also saw that Jane had begun to care for him. Yet Jane’s feelings were so calm and controlled that few people would suspect how much she liked him. Elizabeth was pleased by this, but when she mentioned it to Charlotte Lucas, Charlotte gave different advice. She said it might be pleasant to hide one’s feelings from the world, but it could be a disadvantage to hide them too well from the man himself. In her opinion, a woman should sometimes show more affection than she truly feels, because men often need encouragement.

Elizabeth did not fully agree. She felt that Jane was sincere and modest, not calculating. Jane had known Bingley only a short time, and Elizabeth believed that was not enough for her to understand his character. Charlotte, however, argued that happiness in marriage is always uncertain. Even if two people seem well suited, she said, they may still find faults in each other later. Elizabeth laughed at this practical view, knowing Charlotte herself would not always act so coldly.

While Elizabeth watched Bingley’s attention to Jane, she did not realize that Mr. Darcy had begun to notice her. At first he had dismissed her as merely ordinary, and he had criticized her appearance and manners. Gradually, however, he became aware of the lively intelligence in her eyes and the charm of her playful behavior. Though he still found faults in her appearance, he could no longer deny that she was attractive in a way that interested him. Elizabeth, of course, did not suspect this. To her, he was simply the proud man who had refused to dance with her.

Darcy soon listened carefully to her conversations, hoping to learn more about her. Elizabeth noticed this when they were at Sir William Lucas’s house with a large party. She joked with Charlotte about Darcy’s strange habit of listening without speaking. When he approached them, Charlotte teased Elizabeth to mention it to him, and Elizabeth boldly did so. Darcy replied politely, and their exchange showed both his seriousness and her playful wit.

Later, Sir William tried to persuade Elizabeth to dance with Darcy. He believed such a handsome pair should not remain seated. Darcy was willing, but Elizabeth firmly refused. She made it clear that she had not come forward to ask for a partner. Sir William continued to praise her dancing and Darcy’s politeness, but Elizabeth only smiled and escaped the situation. Her refusal did not offend Darcy. Instead, it seemed to increase his interest in her.

Afterward, Miss Bingley tried to draw Darcy into mocking the company around them, but he surprised her. Rather than criticizing everyone, he admitted that he had been thinking of the pleasure given by a pair of fine eyes in a pretty woman’s face. When Miss Bingley eagerly asked who inspired such thoughts, Darcy calmly answered, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Miss Bingley was astonished and immediately began joking about his possible marriage. Darcy listened with complete indifference while she entertained herself with the idea.