Netherfield Is Let at Last

Elizabeth listened with the face she reserved for family weather. Jane listened with the face she reserved for hope. Mr. Bennet listened from behind the paper and made a remark that was not, strictly, a blessing.

Netherfield Park was taken by a Mr. Bingley: five thousand a year, an easy manner, and a party that arrived in Meryton as if the county had been waiting in a chair for him. With him came a sister who found the country smaller than she had been promised, another sister who agreed, and a friend who did not agree with anyone.

The friend's name was Darcy. He was taller than the room. He had ten thousand a year and the sort of silence that made other people talk too much to fill it. Elizabeth, who did not like to be made to talk, watched him instead.

The assembly was the usual Meryton assembly. Too many people. Not enough air. Sir William paying compliments to the floor. Charlotte Lucas paying attention, which was rarer and more useful. Bingley danced every dance and looked at Jane as if looking were a kind of honesty. Jane, who had never learned to be unkind to a pleasant fact, looked back.

Darcy danced once, with Miss Bingley, and then stood.standing · already

Elizabeth was sitting down. She had been sitting long enough to make a joke of it to Charlotte when Bingley came to his friend with the open face of a man who has not yet been refused anything that mattered.sitting · the joke

Come, Darcy. 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.

Bingley looked, unhelpfully, at Elizabeth.

She is agreeable, pretty, and sitting down, which is more than you can say for your pride.

Darcy looked. It was not a long look. It was the look a man gives a painting he has already decided not to buy.not to buy · unwell

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 better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.tolerable · screaming

Elizabeth heard every word. The room did not hush for her. Rooms never do. She felt the heat rise at her throat and put it, with some skill, into a smile she could spend later. Charlotte saw the smile and filed it where she filed other dangerous things.

When Bingley had gone back to Jane, Elizabeth stood. She did not look at Darcy. She looked at the musicians, at her mother's feathers, at a younger sister who was laughing too loudly at a captain. Then, because she would not be a person who fled a slight, she looked at him.the look

He had not expected it. That was the small, private fact. His mouth had already finished the sentence. His eyes had not quite.his eyes · unwell