Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 3
Orgueil et Préjugés - Chapitre 3
The news that a wealthy young man had taken Netherfield Park spread quickly through the neighbourhood. Everyone wanted to know more about Mr. Bingley, and the Bennet family was particularly interested.
Le soir du bal arrive. M. Bingley est présent avec ses deux sœurs, le mari de l'aînée, et un ami, M. Darcy.
They learned that Bingley had about five thousand pounds a year, which made him a very eligible bachelor. He was to bring his sisters and his brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, to live with him at Netherfield.
Bingley est immédiatement apprécié de tous. Il est aimable, danse avec toutes les filles et semble s'amuser. M. Darcy, en revanche, est perçu comme fier et désagréable. Il refuse de danser avec Elizabeth, disant qu'elle n'est "pas assez belle pour le tenter".
"He must be a very agreeable man," said Mrs. Bennet, "if he is willing to bring his sisters to live with him. Shows he is a kind and considerate brother."
Elizabeth entend cette remarque et, au lieu d'être blessée, elle rit de son arrogance. Elle décide qu'il est un homme insupportable. Jane, cependant, a attiré l'attention de M. Bingley, et ils dansent deux fois ensemble.
"Or perhaps they insisted on coming," observed Elizabeth dryly.
Her mother ignored her. "And his friend Mr. Darcy! What a fine figure of a man! Ten thousand a year! And from one of the oldest families in Derbyshire! Such a fine match for any of our girls!"
Elizabeth said nothing, but she remembered how Darcy had refused to dance with her at the ball, how he had looked at her with such evident disdain.
The days passed, and the Bennet sisters found themselves thinking often of the gentlemen at Netherfield. Jane, always gentle and hopeful, believed that Bingley might truly care for her.
"He looked at me so kindly during the dances," she told Elizabeth. "And he asked so many questions about our family. I think he really wanted to know me better."
Elizabeth smiled at her sister's optimism. "I hope you are right, Jane. But do not get your hopes too high. We do not really know him yet."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennet was making plans for their next visit to Netherfield. She was determined that Jane should spend more time with Bingley, and she was already imagining their wedding.
The winter passed slowly, with no news from Netherfield. But when spring came, an invitation arrived: the Bingleys were to host a ball, and the Bennets were invited.
Mrs. Bennet was beside herself with excitement. "This is it!" she declared. "Jane will win his heart at the ball, and he will propose!"