Chapter 2: Partridges at Longbourn.
Two days later, the two gentlemen arrived early for dinner. Mr. Bingley not long after entering found a seat next to Jane while his friend tried to come closer to Elizabeth. However, this challenge was met without any success. During the dinner, Mr. Darcy was placed next to her mother and Kitty but his attention was not focused on them. He wants to be near Lizzy and Lizzy wants to be next to him. Mary saw their distress of not being able to talk to each other, as they clearly much wanted to do. Mary pitied her sister. As astonishing as it was, Lizzy was truly in love with Mr. Darcy. She saw the passionate and loving glances Darcy sent her sister when he thought she was not looking. They intensified when he saw her laugh with her father and neighbors. The same emotion was reflected in her sister's eyes when he looked away from her for a moment. Her sister was very embarrassed and her suitor very reserved. Could Mr. Darcy be shy instead of proud? Lizzy loves him so he could not be that bad.
When the dinner was over, and the gentlemen returned after the separation with the ladies, Jane prepared the tea and Elizabeth the coffee. Normally, it was Mary's task to prepare the latter, but this night, she left the task to Lizzy hoping it would encourage Mr. Darcy to talk to her. Her plan went well and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth discussed a few moments before Maria Lucas came and Mr. Darcy moved away. Oh no, Maria, this not the time! These two need time to make things work out. She sighed when she saw her sister's longing look.
When the card tables were installed, Mary saw that her mother wanted to claim Darcy as a whist player at her table. Poor Lizzy was forced to sit at another table. Mary sat near Mr. Darcy's table with a book and witnessed his inattention to the game that seemed to affect Lizzy as well. Stupid cards! Never useful except for separating people who did not want it, in order to suit others! She raged.
The Netherfield gentlemen were the first to depart, leaving no time for Lizzy and Mr. Darcy to talk again.
The next day, Bingley was there early. He appraised of Mr. Darcy's leaving for town for ten days. Mary caught the brief flicker of pain in Lizzy's eyes. Her mother who clearly wished to make the match of Bingley and Jane, very grossly and not very subtlety left the room with Kitty and her. Only Elizabeth remained but was fetched soon by their scheming mama. After a certain time, Jane come into the room and imparted the news everyone expected.