Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth

remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story,

however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively,

playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs.

Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield

party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been

distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this as her

mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane’s

pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most

accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been

fortunate enough to be never without partners, which was all that they

had yet learnt to care for at a ball. 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. With a

book, he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a

good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised

such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that all his wife’s

views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found that he

had a very different story to hear.
“Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet,” as she entered the room, “we have had a most

delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there.

Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well

she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with

her twice. Only think of that, my dear: he{17} actually danced with her

twice; and she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second

time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him stand

up with her; but, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody