Chapter 7
Elizabeth dressed for the assembly in her second-to-best dress – an ivory damask with embroidered flowers at the neckline and hem.
Jane had suggested that mayhap they should wear their best dresses, given the likely attendance of the Netherfield party.
But Elizabeth opined that there were likely to be more events during the Bingley family’s stay in Meryton, and that they would not wish to have to wear the same dress twice.
Jane, agreeing that this was likely, chose her dress of a light pink hue, which was very becoming against her fair colouring.
Mary’s white dress, unfortunately, did nothing to enhance her appearance; instead, it drained all colour from her face, making her look wan and unhealthy.
When they entered the assembly hall, the walls were festooned with silks in rich scarlet, and arches of foliage decorated the doorways.
The musicians, featuring a local four-piece band on a raised platform, were just finishing up a cotillion.
The hall itself was already near full to capacity, with both the dance floor full and every seat on the long benches appearing to be occupied.
Elizabeth thought it likely that this voluminous attendance was due to interest in seeing the Netherfield party for the first time. This was borne out by the silence that fell over the crowd when that group arrived.
A tall, handsome gentleman with dark hair led the group.
A tall lady, who was only a head or so shorter than the gentleman, clutched his arm, and a second gentleman of even age, but less striking appearance, entered at her side.
Both the tall lady and the second gentleman had auburn hair, which marked them as siblings.
A second, rather shorter lady, wearing a cap – which marked her as a married lady– entered next on the arm of a rotund man, who was not so fine-of-face as the other two.
His attendance on the second lady marked him as her husband.
Therefore, it seemed clear that only the auburn-haired man, who was by no means plain, was single.
However, it was later confirmed that the tall gentleman was also unattached, contrary to appearances.
The evening showed that Mr Bingley was gentlemanlike: he had a pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners.
His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion.
His brother-in-law, Mr Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, his handsome features, and noble mien.
A report was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.
The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, and the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr Bingley.
The eldest three Bennet girls were introduced to Mr Bingley by their father, who had called on him at Mr Stanley's request. Neither Kitty nor Lydia was yet out; Kitty had just gone seventeen, and Lydia was but fifteen.
Lydia had cajoled her father, without success, to allow her to attend the assembly and meet Mr Bingley, but their father would not be moved.
To Elizabeth’s, and indeed Jane’s delight, Mr Bingley chose Jane as the partner for his first dance, but Mr Darcy did not dance the first dance after their arrival.
This meant that Miss Bingley was free, and Charlotte’s brother, asked for, and was accepted for her first set, and Elizabeth had to admit that the lady was an elegant dancer.