Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Ben-nets were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been formerly intrade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen tothe honour of knighthood by an address to the King during his mayoralty.The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him adisgust to his business and to his residence in a small market town; andquitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about amile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge, wherehe could think with pleasure of his own importance, and, unshackled bybusiness, occupy himself solely in being eivil to all the world. Forthough elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on thecontrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive,friendly and obliging, his presentation at St. James's had made himcourteous.
Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be avaluable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet.--They had several children. Theeldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-sev-en, was Elizabeth's intimate friend.
That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk overa ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assemblybrought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate. "You beganthe evening well, Charlotte,"said Mrs. Bennet with civil self-commandto Miss Lucas. "You were Mr. Bingley's first choice. "
"Yes; but he seemed to like his second better. "
"Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice.To be sure that did seem as if he admired her--indeed I rather believehe did--I heard something about it--but I hardly know what--somethingabout Mr. Robinson. "
"Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson;did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's asking him how he liked ourMeryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a greatmany pretty women in the room, and which he thought the prettiest?And his answering immediately to the last question:'Oh! the eldest MissBennet, beyond a doubt, there cannot be two opinions on that point. '"
"Upon my word! Well, that was very decided indeed--that does seemas if--but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know. "
"My overhearings were more to the purpose than yours, Eliza,"saidCharlotte. "Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend, ishe? --poor Eliza! --to be only just tolerable. "
"I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite amisfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he satclose to her for half an hour without once opening his lips. "
"Are you quite sure, ma'am? --is not there a little mistake?" saidJane. "I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her. "
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