A Simplified Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 4

When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, Jane, who had been very careful not to speak to highly of Mr. Bingley before, told her sister how much she really liked him.

"He is exactly what every young man should be" she said "Sensible, funny, lively, and I've never seen quite such amazing manners, and all of them come so easily to him!"

"He is also handsome" replied Elizabeth "which a young man should be, if he possibly can. He is therefore complete."

"I was very flattered when he asked me to dance a second time. I didn't expect such a compliment."

"You didn't? I expected it for you. But this is one great difference between us, compliments always take you by surprise, but they never surprise me. Of course he would ask you again! He couldn't helped seeing that you were five times prettier than than every other woman in the room! It was just common sense to him. Well, he certainly is a very nice person, and I am glad you like him, you've like many stupider people."

"Dear Lizzy!"

"Oh you are too positive, you simply like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody. You think the entire world is good and kind, I have never heard you speak badly of any human being in my life!"

"I don't want to be quick to judge people, but I always speak what I think."

"I know you do; and it is that which is crazy! To not see the bad in others. Love of good things is common enough, but to take the good of every person and to make it still better, and say nothing of the bad-- is something unique to you. And so do you like Mr. Bingley's sisters? Their manners are not quite equal to his."

"Certainly not--- at first. But they are very pleasing women once you spend some time talking with them. Miss Bingley is going to live with her brother, and be the woman of the house; I believe she will be a very charming neighbor."

Elizabeth listened in silence, but wasn't convinced. The sisters' behavior at the assembly was rather blunt and rude. Since Elizabeth had more quickness of observation and was less easily swayed, and with a judgement not clouded over by an ego, she had very little to approve of them. They were in fact very beautiful ladies, good humored when pleased and could make themselves friendly when they chose to. But they were proud and self-centered. They were rather fine, had been educated in one of the first private schools in town, had a fortune of 20,000 pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they should, and associating with people of high rank. They were from a respectable family in the north of England. That they remembered, not that their brother's fortune and their own was acquired by trade.

Mr. Bingley inherited nearly 100,000 pounds from his father, who had intended to buy a mansion, but did not live to do it. Mr. Bingley wanted to as well, and had already began to plan for it. But he was now provided with a good house and the liberty of a manor. Many of to his friends who knew how easy and lighthearted he was believed he might spend the remainder of his days at Nethefield , and leave the next generation to purchase.

His sisters very much wanted him to have a mansion of his own; but, even though he was only renting, Miss Bingley was still willing and eager to reside with him and be the woman of the house--- So was Mrs. Hurst, his other sister who had married a man with more fashion than fortune, and whose house wasn't quite her home. Mr. Bingley had only been of age for two years before he was tempted by an accidental recommendation to look at Netherfield house. He did look into it, but it only took a half an hour for him to decide that he was satisfied with the situation and principal rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it immediately.

Between him and Darcy was a very strong steady friendship, despite the fact they were quite opposites. Due to Bingley's easiness, openness, and flexibility of his temper, he he like Darcy quite well. Even though Darcy couldn't have a personality any different than Bingley's. Bingley never doubted Darcy's regard for him, and held his judgement to the highest regard. However, it was known that Darcy was the superior. Bingley was in no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was distant, reserved, picky, and his manners, though good, were not inviting. in that respect Bingley had the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he went , Darcy was constantly offending people.

The way they spoke about the ball at Meryton is evidenceenough. Bingley said he had never met with more pleasant people or prettier girls in his life; everyone had been most kind and caring for him; there had been no awkward formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt himself acquainted with all in the room; and as for Jane Bennet, he could not imagine an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the other hand, said he had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, he had no interest in anybody, and received from none attention or pleasure. Miss Jane Bennet he acknowledged as pretty, but she smiled too much.

Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed Darcy to think so, but they admired and liked her, and pronounced her to be as sweet girl, and one whom they would like to get to know better. Jane Bennet was established as a sweet girl, and Mr. Bingly took this as an invitation to think of her as he chose