The Bennets were just finishing breakfast on Monday when a servant from Netherfield brought a note for Elizabeth. Impatient Mrs. Bennet asked, "Who wrote you that note? What does it say?"

"The note is from Miss Darcy," she smiled slightly, "and she invites me to her house this afternoon at 4:00."

Mrs. Bennet's eyes lit up and she looked at Jane, "Did you hear, Jane? Such good news, you will see Mr. Darcy today. I am sure he asked his sister to invite you to Netherfield!"

Even though Georgiana's note didn't mention Jane, Elizabeth didn't want to contradict her aunt since her new friend was likely to assume she was going to Netherfield with Jane.

"Miss Darcy says her brother and fiancée won't be in Netherfield this afternoon," Lizzy commented,

"Well, you'll have to stay later so Jane can see Mr. Darcy!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet.

Lizzy nodded slightly and looking at her uncle who was reading the newspaper, asked, "Uncle, can we use the carriage?"

Before Mrs. Bennet could say anything, Mr. Bennet nodded.

PPP

At about 4:00 p.m., the cousins arrived in the carriage at Netherfield. Caroline glared at Jane, and commented to Georgiana in a low voice, but loud enough for Jane to hear…

"I thought you only invited Miss Elizabeth to play cards. Now we are five instead of four!"

Jane and Georgiana blushed, and Lady Maria quickly replied, "No, Miss Bingley. At my request, Georgiana invited Miss Bennet because I don't want to play cards."

"Sorry, I misunderstood," Caroline responded with a forced smile.

Lady Maria sat on the sofa to read a book, while the four ladies played cards. Caroline spoke almost exclusively to Georgiana and completely ignored Jane. After tea, Elizabeth and Georgiana played the Magic Flute Overture as a duet.

They were so absorbed playing the piano that they did not notice the arrival of the gentlemen who stayed at the door of the music room listening to them.

When they finished playing the piece, Bingley and Darcy applauded enthusiastically.

"Bravo, I really liked the piece you were playing, plus you play very well together, it's a Mozart piece, right?" Darcy asked.

Lizzy smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's the Magic Flute Overture."

Darcy smiled, "I thought so; It is a very entertaining opera that I was fortunate enough to see at the Royal Theater a couple of years ago."

"I like operas, especially those by Mozart, they are my favorites," exclaimed Caroline, "I also like that they are sung in Italian as the language is so romantic. Don't you think?" Caroline looked pointedly at Jane who blushed.

Elizabeth, who was annoyed at Miss Bingley's subtle attacks on Jane, replied, "I agree with Mr. Darcy that The Magic Flute is a very entertaining opera and Italian is certainly a beautiful language, but I prefer the operas to be sung in English."

Caroline thinking that Elizabeth did not speak Italian with a slight smile replied, "Sorry, but I thought you spoke Italian, Miss Elizabeth."

Elizabeth met her eyes and defiantly replied, "Parlo molto bene l'italiano, signorina Bingley, ma vorrei comunque che le opere fossero nella mia lingua madre."

Seeing that Jane was flushed and embarrassed, as this was the third comment Miss Bingley had made to make her uncomfortable, Lady Maria stated, "I too wish the operas were in English, as I speak very little Italian, Miss Bingley…"

At that moment a loud clap of thunder was heard followed by a loud noise outside. Concerned, they looked out the window and saw that a tree had fallen at the entrance of Netherfield Park. The wind was blowing strongly and a copious rain began to fall.

It was dangerous in this weather for the Miss Bennets to return to Longbourn, plus the tree prevented the carriage from leaving Netherfield. Reluctantly Caroline invited them to spend the night at Netherfield.