An Unusual Agreement
Lydia and Kitty have just arrived home from their trip to buy ribbons for the assembly. "Mama you will never guess what has happened?" Lydia squeals in delight. "Well tell me a once Lydia. What has happened? Is it anything to do with the people who have leased Netherfield?" Kitty unable to contain her joy shouts "NO! The militias are coming to Hertfordshire and will be here before the assembly?" "Oh my dear girls we have to let Mr. Bennet know so we can get new dresses for the assembly. With the militia being here and Netherfield being leased by a single gentleman I will have you all married by winter."
Mrs. Bennet sets off at once to the parlor to speak to Mr. bennet who is playing Chess with Lizzy while Jane embroiders a handkerchief and Mary is playing at the piano.
"Mr. Bennet! Mr. Bennet! We must make to the modisate immediately. The girls all need new dresses Mr. Bennet. "
"What has someone stolen all their dresses or have the come to some harm I do not know of?" He reply's giving a curious and mirthful smile to Jane and Lizzy his two favorite daughters.
Mrs. Bennet all in a flutter tries to explains "No Mr. Bennet the militia is coming to Hertfordshire and with Netherfield being leased to a single gentleman the girls must have new dresses made."
"What is this nonsense you speak Mrs. Bennet what has the militia and Netherfield's Mr. Bingley have to do with the girl's dresses? Did they steal them if so woman let me know at once for I must protect my Daughters honor?" He chuckles with mirth while winking at Lizzy.
"Oh Mr. Bennet have you no consideration for my poor nerves to vex me so. They need new dress so that they may attract the eye of the officers and…." Mrs. Bennet pauses as she realizes what her husband has just said. "Mr. Bingley? Mr. Bingley is he the gentleman who will who will lease Netherfield? How do you know this information Mr. Bennet? What else do you know of this Mr. Bingley?"
"Aw I thought that would gain your attention Mrs. Bennet. Well I was riding in the field this afternoon and I met with Sir Lucas. He explained to me that a Mr. Bingley with his two sister's one single and the other lately married to a Mr. Hurst will be arriving in a fortnight he will also be inviting with him two single gentlemen." After giving this information to his wife he said "So nothing untoward happened to the girls' gowns?"
"The girls' gowns?" It took a moment for Mrs. Bennet to process the information before replying "No nothing happened to the girls gowns but I thought that for the assembly they would indeed need to look nice with so many eligible men in the area and attending the assembly."
"Very well Mrs. Bennet you and the girls may go to the modisate and purchase two new gowns each."
"Oh thank you Mr. Bennet you are so very good to us. Thank your father girls." Mrs. Bennet gave him a hug then talked with her daughters about going to the modisate in two days' time.