1 The ball

Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 1 The ball The carriage was waiting; the night was warm. The Bennet sisters- Jane, Lizzy, Mary, Kitty and Lydia, were dressed in their finest ball gowns, flowers and ribbons threaded through their hair. "Hurry, hurry!" cried their mother, urging them out of the house. "Kitty, do stop coughing. Oh, Jane! How beautiful you look. I'm so glad. It's so important you look your best tonight."

"And why is that?" asked her husband, Mr. Bennet, reluctantly leaving his study, a book still clasped in his hand. "How can you be so tiresome?" retorted Mrs. Bennet, as they climbed into the carriage. "You must know what I mean. This ball is our first chance to meet Mr. Bingley! He has just moved to Netherfield Park. He is young and single and rich. Such a man must be in want of a wife." "Perhaps he will choose you, my dear," said Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet laughed foolishly. "I was certainly pretty in my time. But now I only think of my daughters. If I could have one settled at Netherfield, and all the others well married, I'll have nothing to wish for."

"I can't think he will want to dance with any of them," replied Mr. Bennet. "They are all very silly girls, though Lizzy is slightly less silly than the rest of them." "How can you say that about your own children?" cried Mrs. Bennet. "Ooh, you enjoy teasing me. You never think of my poor nerves." "On the contrary, I know them well. They're my oldest friends. You've talked about them for twenty years." Mrs. Bennet was about to protest when the carriage came to a halt. They had arrived at the ball.

Music wafted out on the night air and, inside, the ballroom was alive with excitement and chatter. Candles flickered in their holders, while girls in white dresses danced with soldiers in scarlet coats. Then the doors opened to reveal a new arrival... Mr. Bingley of Netherfield Hall. "He's so rich!" breathed Mrs. Bennet. "And so handsome! Look at his sisters-

such elegant dresses." "But have you heard?" cried her friend, Mrs. Lucas. "Mr. Bingley has brought his friend, Mr. Darcy, owner of Pemberley House. He is even richer." "You talk of riches," said Mary, gravely, "but virtue is more important." Lydia had already left the group. "Come on, Kitty!" she cried. "Let's go and flirt with the officers."