CHAPTER VIII

Summary

• Elizabeth attends dinner at Netherfield, where the civil inquiries about Jane's health reveal Mr. Bingley's sincere concern and the indifferent attitudes of his sisters.
• Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst show superficial sympathy for Jane, but their indifferences reinforce Elizabeth's negative opinion of them.
• Elizabeth feels somewhat at ease with Mr. Bingley, whose genuine kindness contrasts sharply with his sisters' attitudes.
• At dinner, Elizabeth receives little attention from anyone except Bingley, while Mr. Hurst—a man of shallow habits—finds her unimpressive due to her simple preferences.
• After dinner, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst criticize Elizabeth's appearance and manners, mocking her for walking to Netherfield in muddy attire for Jane's sake.
• Mr. Bingley defends Elizabeth, finding no fault with her behavior, while Mr. Darcy acknowledges her affection for her sister as commendable.
• The conversation touches on the Bennet family's social standing, with Darcy and the Bingley sisters disparaging their connections for being too modest and mundane.
• Elizabeth spends the evening nursing Jane and only briefly rejoins the group in the drawing-room, declining to play cards and opting to read instead.
• Miss Bingley attempts to demean Elizabeth by exaggerating her love for reading, but Elizabeth defends herself confidently.
• Bingley offers Elizabeth full access to his library, while Miss Bingley shifts focus to admiring Darcy's extensive and well-curated library at Pemberley.
• A discussion ensues regarding "accomplished women," with Darcy and Miss Bingley setting high standards that include many talents and intellectual pursuits, which Elizabeth critiques with wit and skepticism.
• Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst dismiss Elizabeth's remarks and later insinuate that she undervalues her own gender to appeal to men—a sentiment Darcy neither endorses nor fully rejects.
• Elizabeth brings news that Jane's condition has worsened, prompting Mr. Bingley to propose calling a local doctor, Mr. Jones, while his sisters suggest summoning an eminent physician from town.
• The group settles on calling Mr. Jones in the morning if Jane does not improve, with Bingley showing genuine concern and giving his housekeeper instructions to prioritize Jane's care.