Chapter 3(1/2)

Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners . His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion.

His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance , of his having ten thousand a year.

He was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity ; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, and talked of giving a ball himself at Netherfield.

What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst, once with Miss Bingley, and declined to be introduced to any other lady.

His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again . Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her daughters.