Jane Austen
world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he
was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his
presentation at St. James's had made him courteous.
Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a valuable neighbour to
Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young
woman, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth's intimate friend.
That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over a ball was
absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly brought the former to Longbourn
to hear and to communicate.
"You began the evening well, Charlotte," said Mrs. Bennet with civil self-command to
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
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