3. Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen
Mrs Bennett could not draw a satisfactory description of Mr Bingley, from her husband, though with the support of all her daughters. They attacked him in various ways: barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises. But he eluded all their skills. At last they were obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas. Her report was highly favourable. Sir William had been delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at next assembly with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lovely hopes of Mr Bingley's heart were entertained. "If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield," said Mrs Bennett to her husband, "and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for." In a few days Mr Bingley...