easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition

could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he

never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy’s regard, Bingley

had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. In

understanding, Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means

deficient; but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty,

reserved, and fastidious; and his manners, though well bred, were not

inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley

was sure of being liked wherever he appeared; Darcy was continually

giving offence.
The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently

characteristic. Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier

girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him;

there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt acquainted

with all the room; and as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel

more beautiful. Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people

in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had

felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or

pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty; but she smiled too

much.
Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so; but still they admired

her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one whom

they should not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore

established as a sweet girl; and their brother felt authorized by such

commendation to think of her as he chose.{22}


CHAPTER V.

WITHIN a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets

were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade

in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the

honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty. The