I changed a few things in the prologue due to errors pointed out. I did not mean that Jane's husband had the rank of tradesman, but that he participated in trade. I think I made that more clear now. I will explain more about that later, but basically, sometimes even nobility could be poor and therefore had to participate in trade. It is not that unusual, actually.
Also, I fixed the ages of Elizabeth and Kitty. Kitty is 17 in canon, as she will be in this story. She is only recently out, as I say in this chapter.
Thank you!
"My dear Thomas," said Mrs. Bennet, "have you heard that Netherfield Park has been let at last?"
"I had not heard that. Mrs. Long did mention something about a visiting gentleman, and her nieces requiring new dresses for the next ball, so it makes sense." Mr. Bennet shook his head, thankful that his wife was more sensible than Mrs. Long and many of their other female acquaintances. Many had looked down on his choice of bride, but he felt he had chosen well.
"Yes, it has been let by a Mr. Bingley, a man of a respectable family in the North. I was told that he met with Mr. Morris and inspected the house. He was quite delighted with the place upon seeing it, so he took it immediately. He is to take possession before Michaelmas and some of the servants are to be in the house before the end of the week."
"How very fine. Is he single or married?"
"I do not know. I did not inquire. I hope he at least shall have a hostess, for it would be fine to have more ladies in the neighbourhood to call upon."
"More ladies?" asked Mr. Bennet. "Have you not enough ladies to call on with four-and-twenty families?"
"Yes, but the society is unvarying, so it shall be pleasant to have someone new. Perhaps he shall even have daughters or sisters to befriend our girls."
"Yes, perhaps," said Mr. Bennet with a kiss to his wife's forehead.
"You must call upon him when he comes," said Mrs. Bennet to him as he filled his plate at the sideboard.
"Of course, I shall. It would not do if Mrs. Long knew more gossip than you."
"I do not gossip!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. "I convey news. I would never tell anything that is harmful to another person, at least not purposefully."
"Of course," said Mr. Bennet as he took his seat again.
Shortly after, Elizabeth and Kitty appeared and proceeded to greet each of their parents with a kiss on the cheek. Mrs. Bennet repeated the news to the girls, who were quite interested in what they heard. Although neither would admit it aloud, each hoped that the gentleman was young and single, for young, single men of good fortune must be in want of a wife. Neither had any immediate desire to get married, but both had seen that marriage could bring joy if one chose their spouse prudently. Kitty, at seventeen, knew she could not marry for another year, but if Mr. Bingley should love her, he should not mind waiting so long. After all, Jacob waited fourteen years for Rachel in the Bible.
Mr. Bennet was among the first that visited Mr. Bingley. He would have visited him regardless, but the prospect of bringing his dear wife and daughters joy added to the incentive. He stayed a full half hour with Mr. Bingley, as the two got on very well together. Mr. Bingley did indeed have sisters, one who was married and one who was yet single. He was surprised at Mr. Bennet's questions, for they differed greatly from what Mr. Bingley was used to. Although Mr. Bennet inquired if Mr. Bingley had a wife, the tone was not such that implied he hoped he did not. The gentleman asked about his sisters' hobbies, in order to tell which of his daughter's they might best befriend, as well as Bingley's skill at chess, if he liked to shoot, and if he liked to dance. By the time the gentleman left, Mr. Bingley realised that he did not know how old the daughters were, if they were pretty or accomplished, and never once had Mr. Bennet hinted at his dancing with them at the assembly he had mentioned. He was intrigued.
When Mr. Bennet returned to Longbourn, he told his family what he could of Mr. Bingley, but his observations were very different from that which they wished to hear. That he enjoyed shooting, and it was one of the main reasons he had chosen Netherfield, was of little interest to the ladies. They did find it interesting that Mr. Bingley was fair and tall, but Mr. Bennet would not comment on if he was handsome or not.
They did learn, however, that he was not married and had two sisters — one married who would come with her husband and one not — so he would have a hostess. He also had mentioned that he had invited several friends to accompany him, but so far only one had accepted, as most were off at shooting parties or seeing to the harvests on their own estates.
Kitty interrupted Mr. Bennet's explanations several times with fits of coughing, which concerned Mrs. Bennet immensely. Kitty had always been of a less steady constitution than her sisters. Particularly in the spring and autumn, Kitty was prone to coughing incessantly and often fell ill.
Mrs. Bennet called for the housekeeper to bundle Kitty into bed and to bring her hot tea and honey. Kitty had always felt her stepmother worried too much about her health, but the tea did soothe her sore throat and she was tired. She missed much of the rest of the day to her rest, and all thoughts of their new neighbours were forgotten as they became concerned about Kitty's health.
Mary, who as the wife of a clergyman, had learned some home remedies, called later that day with some elderberry syrup and rosehip preserves. Kitty protested that she truly felt fine, but her female relations were diligent in warding off the dreadful cold that they were certain would afflict Kitty when the weather turned colder.
The Bennet ladies did not learn much more about Mr. Bingley until Sunday, when Mr. Hadley, their bother-in-law, came to call. He had gone to meet Mr. Bingley as well, as was expected by the clergyman of the parish. Mr. Hadley declared him to be very agreeable. He supposed that the ladies would think Mr. Bingley handsome, for he was young, with regular features, and a pleasing smile. The even more welcome intelligence was that Mr. Bingley intended to attend the upcoming assembly and that he intended to bring friends with him. Mr. Bingley was apparently fond of dancing, and had mentioned such to the rector during his call. Nothing could be more delightful! There was a shortage of gentlemen due to the war, and therefore the ladies had all decided that to be fond of dancing was to be a very fine neighbour indeed.
In a few days, Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window that he wore a blue coat and rode a black horse.
Elizabeth was fortunate enough, several days later, to have been visiting with her sister when Mr. Bingley called at the parsonage. She and Mary were introduced by Mr. Hadley to Mr. Bingley's acquaintance. He declared himself charmed and said he hoped both Miss Bennet and Mrs. Hadley would dance with him at the upcoming assembly. They said that they would, and Elizabeth was very pleased to have been asked. Mr. Bingley was indeed very handsome and had happy, unaffected manners. He seemed like a very fine gentleman and was predisposed to like all he met.
Upon Elizabeth's return from seeing her sister, Kitty — who had not been allowed to go out for fear of her health — asked a great many questions about Mr. Bingley. Although Kitty was pious and liked to believe herself to be very like her sister, Mrs. Hadley, she was still very young and her head was often turned towards young men. Yet, the principles instilled in her, both by her studies and by Mrs. Bennet, acted to temper the worst of her excesses in company. When they were alone, however, Kitty showed her true self to her sisters.
"He is rather like our brother, Chris." Elizabeth had been very much put in mind of her elder sister's husband when seeing Mr. Bingley, for they looked very alike and were both cheerful men. She described their short conversation, including Mr. Bingley's request for a dance from each Elizabeth and Mary, and Kitty hoped she might also have the good fortune to dance with the gentleman.
"I wonder if he should bring many friends from town," said Kitty.
"We shall have to wait and see in a se'nnight, for he is to return to town soon to handle some business and shall return with his relations and any others very soon after. He invited several people, but it was only certain that one other gentleman would join him, according to what Hadley told me. They had invited him to dine, but he had refused on those grounds." Elizabeth had been disappointed when her brother had told her this, for she had hoped to dine with Mr. Bingley.
"I hope he will not always be flying from one place to another and never settled at Netherfield," said Kitty. "The Olivers never did settle there properly, and it was such a shame to have such a nice house empty except a few weeks each autumn."
"Indeed," was all the reply Elizabeth gave, for she was distracted by stitching a fallen silk rose back onto her gown.
The next day, a report was given by Lady Lucas that Mr. Bingley was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly. The girls grieved over such a number of ladies, but were comforted the day before the ball by hearing, that instead of twelve he brought only six with him from London—his five sisters and a cousin. And when the party entered the assembly room, it comprised only five altogether—Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest and another young man. This aligned with what Mr. Hadley had told Elizabeth and Mary. They were a little disappointed not to have so many potential friends in the ladies, but glad that their dance partners would not be further limited.
Those who had not yet met Mr. Bingley agreed with what they had heard of the gentleman. He was good-looking and gentlemanlike with a pleasant countenance, and easy manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman, but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man. The ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley. Thus, he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity. He was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased, and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.
Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved and danced every dance. He was downcast when the ball ended so soon and talked of giving one at Netherfield soon. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Elizabeth Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her sisters.
Kitty had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, sit down for two dances. During part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for Elizabeth to hear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it.
"Come, Darcy," said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."
"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."
"I would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Mr. Bingley, "for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."
"I see none particularly handsome," said Mr. Darcy.
"You cannot mean to say that the Bennet sisters are not handsome!" said Mr. Bingley with incredulity. "I have danced with all three, although only two are unmarried. Look, there is one sitting down just there. I shall introduce you. She is very pretty, and I daresay, very agreeable."
"Which do you mean?" asked Darcy. Bingley indicted Miss Catherine Bennet, who was sitting alone and watching the dance. She did not seem to notice his observation, but upon seeing her, Darcy told his friend, "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had best return to your dance partner, for it soon will be your turn to go down the line."
Mr. Bingley followed his friend's advice. Mr. Darcy walked off, and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She would not embarrass her sister by telling anyone else of the slight, but internally she raged against him. It was only the second ball that Kitty had ever attended. She was livid that a gentleman would say such a thing abut any lady, much less about one so young. She was only glad that Kitty was sitting far enough away to not hear the slight and that it seemed only she had been within hearing.
The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Both Elizabeth and Kitty had danced most of the dances and had enjoyed seeing their friends and neighbours. Kitty was pleased to have been allowed to attend, for she had feared Mrs. Bennet would have made her remain at home due to the slight cough she had only recently recovered from. She had also heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as very accomplished, which pleased her immensely.
They returned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up. On the present occasion, he had a good deal of curiosity as to the events of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations.
"Oh, Mr. Bennet," said his wife upon their entering the room, "We have had a most delightful evening. A very splendid ball, indeed! I wish you had been there!"
"I wish I might have as well," said Mr. Bennet, "but the account books need to be put to rights before quarter day."
"Yes," said Mrs. Bennet with a sigh. "I suppose that is true. Do not remain up too late into the night, though, for certainly your maths must begin to suffer if you are tired." She then told him a little of who danced with whom and in what order, but seeing his disinterest, she forewent telling him much more about the evening. She reminded him to retire soon, and the three women retired for the evening.