CHAPTER XI

Summary

• After dinner, the ladies move to the drawing-room, and Elizabeth attends to Jane, ensuring she is comfortable and protected from the cold.
• Elizabeth observes that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are in unusually agreeable moods, showcasing their conversational skills before the gentlemen join them.
• When the gentlemen arrive, attention shifts to Mr. Darcy, with Miss Bingley quickly trying to engage him in conversation, while Mr. Bingley shows warm and attentive concern for Jane.
• Mr. Darcy directs a polite congratulation to Jane, and Mr. Hurst offers her a slight bow before retreating into disinterest.
• Mr. Bingley ensures Jane's comfort, even adjusting her seating near the fireplace, while Elizabeth secretly delights in observing his attentive behavior toward her sister.
• After tea, Mr. Hurst suggests playing cards, but Miss Bingley declines, having learned that Mr. Darcy is not interested in the activity.
• Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst occupy themselves idly, while Mr. Darcy reads a book and mostly ignores Miss Bingley's attempts to engage him in conversation.
• Miss Bingley pretends to enjoy reading, choosing the second volume of Mr. Darcy's book to gain his attention, but her efforts fail, and she grows visibly bored.
• Miss Bingley expresses dissatisfaction with the idea of a planned ball at Netherfield, suggesting conversation would make such events more enjoyable, but Mr. Bingley dismisses her complaints.
• In an effort to capture Mr. Darcy's attention, Miss Bingley invites Elizabeth to walk around the room with her. Elizabeth reluctantly agrees, surprising Mr. Darcy enough to momentarily close his book.
• When invited to join their walk, Mr. Darcy declines, provocatively suggesting that their motives for walking may either involve a private discussion or showing off their figures.
• Miss Bingley reacts dramatically to Mr. Darcy's comment, while Elizabeth humorously suggests that their best strategy to thwart him would be to ask nothing further.
• Miss Bingley insists on an explanation, and Mr. Darcy gives a playful yet pointed response, reinforcing his aloofness and teasing behavior.
• Elizabeth and Darcy engage in a more personal and pointed conversation, debating flaws like vanity, pride, and implacability, with Elizabeth implying that Darcy has a propensity to hate others and Darcy countering with a remark about her willful misunderstandings.
• Miss Bingley, frustrated at being excluded from the lively conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy, interrupts by proposing they listen to music instead.
• The piano is brought into use, and Darcy, reflecting on the evening, begins to recognize his growing attention toward Elizabeth and feels the need to temper it.