The house had been a flurry of activity. No detail was too small to avoid Mrs Bennet's attention. No decision was kept long enough to avoid the entire house going down in a spiral of craziness. Dear Charlotte had been kind enough to remark the beauty of her tresses, which had to be redone twice under Mrs Bennet's guidance.
The huge expectation had been rewarded by the appearance of the most sophisticated group of people Elisabeth had ever seen in Meryton. Two tall and handsome gentlemen, a shorter one and three ladies, two of whom looked like they'd rather be miles away. They were being introduced to different families in turn. The dancing restarted and the youngest lady was swept to the dancefloor by the youngest Lucas.
Elisabeth found the mannerisms of her neighbours while they were being introduced to such an elevated group of people entertaining. She could see the ravenous look every matron was giving the gentlemen. Their community lack of young gentlemen was no secret. Theodor new it well. So intent she was on catching every amusing reaction to share them with her father on the morrow, that she was the first to spot him. Thus, as if a running lady from end to end of the Meryton Assembly room wasn't enough to stir everyone's attention towards the entrance, once she reached the man, the cry she gave and the spinning of the lady that ensued took all the attention from the Netherfield party. Mr Darcy, who would have frowned upon such an ill-bred display on any other occasion, couldn't help thinking of it as a blessing.