Chapter 1

Pride and Prejudice

The Bennet’s New Neighbour

A Rich Bachelor had rented the house next door.

It’s a truth well known to the world that an unmarried man in possession of a large fortune must be in need of a wife.

“My dear Mr. Bennet, have you heard that someone is going to rent NetherfieldPark at last.”

“You want to tell me, and I don’t mind listening.”

Mr. Bingley-A very rich young man.-Single- Has an income of four to five thousand pounds a year.

“How can you be so annoying! You must realize I’m thinking of his marrying one of our daughters.”

“I want him to see the girls as soon as possible, before our other neighbors introduce themselves.”

Mr. Bennet ironically suggested sending a letter of consent to Mr. Bingley and to offer him Lizzy.

“Our daughters are all very silly, ignorant girls. But at least Lizzy is a little more intelligent than her sisters.”

Mr. Bennet had gone to visit the new neighbor and didn’t inform his wife.

As an act of politeness, Mr. Bingley returned the visit to Mr. Bennet.He was not fortunate enough to meet the Bennet girls!However, they met at a public dancing ball in Meryton.

On the night of the dance, all eyes were on Mr. Bingley.

He brought his two sisters, his brother-in-law and his friend – Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Bingley was:-Good-looking.-Handsome.-Sociable. And, his sisters were fine, fashionable women.

Mr. Darcy was:-Tall & Handsome.-Proud.-Unsociable. -Disagreeable.

Mr. Bingley made himself popular with the ladies by dancing every dance and talking to everybody.

Mutual Admiration

Mr. Darcy was standing alone next to Elizabeth. He seemed unhappy and certainly wasn’t enjoying the party.

“Come, Darcy. I hate to see you looking so cross! Why don’t you dance with one of these lovely girls?”

“There isn’t a woman in the room I would even consider dancing with. You are dancing with the only attractive girl here.”

“Oh yes! She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s not attractive enough to tempt me.”

This conversation did not endear Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth.

This marks the beginning of Elizabeth’s Prejudice towards Mr. Darcy.

However, she told the story so cheerfully and amusingly to her friends.

“He danced with Jane twice!!.”

“But his friend – Mr. Darcy was so rude to poor Lizzy. Luckily, she doesn’t care.”

“I have to admit that I liked Mr. Bingley. He is so good-mannered and agreeable.”

When Lizzy asked Jane about Bingley’s sisters; she told her that they were very pleasant. Elizabeth wasn’t convinced and disagreed.

Several visits were exchanged and it became evident that Bingley admired Jane very much.

While observing Bingley’s interest in Jane, Elizabeth hadn’t noticed Mr. Darcy’s interest in herself.

He watched her at a distance andbegan to realize her beauty; yet hethought to himself “She is only anunfashionable village girl.”

One night there was a party at the Lucases’ house. The bachelors were invited.

“Look! There’s Elizabeth. Let me persuade you to dance with her. You can not refuse so much beauty.”

“I have no intention of dancing. You must excuse me.”

“Miss Bennet, please allow me the pleasure of dancing with you.”

But with equal politeness Elizabeth refused again.

Caroline Bingley was watching them and with a lot of disdain commented on how boring village girls were.

To her surprise; Mr. Darcy disagreed and mentioned that Lizzy’s eyes gave him a lot of pleasure.

“Let me be the first to congratulate you.”“A lady’s imagination jumps from admiration, to love to marriage, in a moment.”