“Tell me about them!” Mr. Bingley cried at once.
“Do you not prefer to hear about the tenant farms and the condition of the house?” Mr. Darcy asked, though knowing full well that his sociable friend was far more interested in people than property.
“We have time enough for that,” Mr. Bingley said. “For you will remain with us at least a few days, will you not?”
“Of course I will. Very well; the Bennet family consists of Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet and five daughters.”
“Five! Heavens! How old are they?” Mr. Bingley asked, leaning forward.
Mr. Darcy’s brow creased. “I do not know their exact ages, of course, but at least three of them are of an age to marry.”
“Are they pretty, Darcy?”
Miss Bingley immediately said, “Charles is not about to marry any country miss! Am I not right, Louisa?”
“No, he certainly will not!” Mrs. Hurst agreed.
Mr. Darcy smiled at them. “I would not take any wagers on that, as the eldest Bennet girl is, I believe, perfect for your brother in every way.”
Mr. Bingley exclaimed, “I must meet her as soon as may be! Tell me all about her, Darcy!”
“Miss Bennet is quite lovely, with golden hair, enormous blue eyes, and a perfect complexion. She is everything womanly, kindand gentle.” Mr. Darcy could see Miss Bingley’s face growing icier with every word. “And she is graceful on the dance floor.”
Miss Bingley gasped. “Didyoudance with her, Mr. Darcy?”
“I did, as well as with all her sisters.”
“But you so dislike dancing!” she went on, sounding quite shocked.
He shrugged. “I discovered that in some cases I like it well enough.”
Mr. Bingley broke in. “But you are not interested in her yourself, are you, Darcy? For I know I could not successfully best you in such a contest.”
“No, she is not for me, Bingley. But I thought of you the moment I saw her.”
“Has she a dowry?” Miss Bingley demanded.
“Her dowry is her social status, Miss Bingley, for her father is a landed gentleman, and I am given to understand that the family has owned the land for more than two centuries.”
“But no dowry and no social connections! No, Charles can do better than that,” Miss Bingley insisted.
“I should like to meet her as soon as may be!” Mr. Bingley enthused, not at all put off by his sister’s criticisms.
“It is rather late for a visit today, Bingley, but I am in the habit of visiting the Bennets almost daily. Mr. Bennet and I have an ongoing chess tournament, and he will expect me tomorrow.”
Miss Bingley immediately said that she had far too much to do in the house to be visiting neighbours quite yet, and no one contradicted her.
Chapter Nineteen
The next day found Mr. Bingley pacing the Netherfield drawing room. “What think you, Darcy? Is it too early yet?”
Mr. Darcy replied, “I am beginning to think I should not have said anything to you about Miss Bennet; perhaps it was wrong for me to do so.”
Mr. Bingley stopped pacing quite suddenly. “Darcy, you will not be upset if I do not find that she is all you have promised?”
“I have promised nothing; I simply believe that you and she would be a good match. I know Miss Bingley has been eager for you to marry.”
Mr. Bingley laughed, merrily. “She is eager for me to marry into theton, which you and I know to be impossible. Failing that, she would like me to marry your sister, as she believes that one such union will create another, similar union.”
