CHAPTER III

Summary

• Mrs. Bennet and her daughters make several attempts to gather information about Mr. Bingley from Mr. Bennet, but he remains evasive.
• The Bennet family receives second-hand information from Lady Lucas, who reports that Mr. Bingley is young, handsome, agreeable, and plans to attend the next assembly with a large party.
• Mrs. Bennet expresses her wish for one of her daughters to be happily married at Netherfield.
• Mr. Bingley visits Mr. Bennet but spends only about ten minutes with him, meeting none of the Bennet daughters. The Bennet women observe him from a window and note his blue coat and black horse.
• Mrs. Bennet invites Mr. Bingley to dinner, but he declines as he must go to town the next day. She expresses concern about his unsettled nature.
• Lady Lucas suggests Mr. Bingley might be going to London to gather a party for the ball, and rumors arise about the size of his party, which is eventually fewer than initially feared.
• At the assembly, Mr. Bingley impresses the attendants with his good looks, charming manners, and sociability. He dances every dance and forms positive impressions of the Bennet daughters, particularly Jane.
• Mr. Darcy, introduced as Mr. Bingley’s friend, garners initial admiration for his tall, handsome appearance and wealth but quickly becomes disliked due to his prideful and aloof behavior.
• Mr. Darcy declines to dance with anyone outside his party and openly insults Elizabeth Bennet, calling her "tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt" him. Elizabeth overhears and recounts the story humorously to her friends.
• Mr. Bingley’s attentions towards Jane are evident; he dances with her twice, indicating his strong interest, which pleases both Jane and Mrs. Bennet.
• The Bennet sisters experience varying levels of satisfaction at the ball: Jane is admired, Mary is noted for her accomplishments, and Lydia and Catherine enjoy having plenty of dance partners.
• Mrs. Bennet returns home ecstatic about the successful evening and Jane’s interaction with Mr. Bingley, but expresses bitter resentment toward Mr. Darcy for his rudeness to Elizabeth and his overall conceited demeanor.