AN: Thanks for the favorites, followers, and reviews!

Of Gossip, Hearsay, and First Impressions

At the farm, Bingley had become the sole topic of conversation—this morning at the breakfast table was no different—much to the dismay of Mr. Bennet and Mary. The two spoilsports! Mrs. Bennet spoke very highly of him and tried to decide which one of her older daughters would prove to be the best match. Elizabeth claimed he had only eyes for Jane, but Jane herself begged to differ.

"I think he was perfectly friendly to everyone. He danced with Charlotte and he asked Mary to come and dance," she said as she poured herself another cup of tea.

"Why didn't you, Mary?" Lydia wanted to know. She wished Bingley had danced more with her instead of Jane. Lydia preferred to be the centre of attention and young rich bachelors like Charles were simply perfect!

"I've got two left feet, you know that!" her sister replied irritably.

"Well, that's never going to change if you don't dance!" her sister stated vehemently in return.

"Girls, girls, keep the peace, I beg you…," their father begged with a sparkle in his eyes, briefly looking up from his newspaper.

Jane continued that Charles had been totally non-discriminatory and that therefore nothing could be claimed, not even a slight preference. Elizabeth generally liked her sister's modesty but sometimes it was really uncalled for. Anyone with eyes could have noticed that Charles Bingley was definitely interested in Jane.

The talk slowly turned to the other partiers. Mrs. Bennet discussed the ugly outfits of Lady Lucas and her dull daughter; Mrs. Long's hypocrisy in environmental matters—a vegetarian who drove old-timers—but the really interesting people were the newcomers; the opinions about Charles' sisters and his friend Darcy—no-one knew his first name—were mixed. Mary thought they were pleasant enough, and Jane seconded that.

Elizabeth had nothing but scorn for Darcy and her mother couldn't agree more. "How could you not be appalled at someone so arrogant?" she asked Jane. "Calling us all gold-diggers, like money is the only thing that truly counts?"

"I'm sure he had his reasons. You'd be careful if you were rich, wouldn't you?"

"That still doesn't give him the right to stick his nose up in the air. Too good to join any of us…. I bet he couldn't enjoy a party to save his life!"

At this the two younger sisters began to giggle. "He did look like he came from the graveyard!" Lydia snorted, whereupon Kitty had a coughing fit.

"What's your opinion, dad? Money isn't an excuse for bad behaviour, is it?" Lizzy knew her dad would be on her side…

"I wasn't there, remember? Your various accounts differ just as much as those horrible gossip magazines that are lying around the house. Very bad witnesses you'd all make, very bad, indeed. I'll take the measure of both men when I have the good fortune to meet them myself." And with that, he buried his head in his paper once more.

After another—drawn-out, Mr. Bennet thought—discussion, nothing was agreed. Mr. Darcy must have some good qualities for Charles to be his friend.

"Perhaps Charles simply suffers in silence because he is too friendly to speak his mind." That was the only reason Lizzy could imagine. Why else would the good-natured Charles have a haughty friend like him?

"He is very kind," Jane stated thoughtfully, "and much more approachable than his sisters." It was the only bad thing she would say about them. Jane had tried to converse with them, but although they were very polite, they were also quite distant. Perhaps they felt themselves superior? Jane knew better than to mention that: Lizzy would have a field day!

When peace had finally descended on the kitchen, Mrs. Bennet wondered aloud how fantastic it would be if one of their girls would marry rich… "Wouldn't it be just marvellous, think of all the good that would come our way as well…" she said to her husband. "Couture dresses, perhaps a new car…? What would you like to have?"

"You know me. I'm content with the little things in life…" he replied. "If only I found someone willing to take over my farm, but as far as I can tell neither Bingley, nor this Darcy fellow, is suitable for that particular task.."