at Netherfield House. He did look at it and
into it for half an hour, was pleased with the situation and the principal
rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it
immediately.
    Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of a
great opposition of character. - Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness,
openness, ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater
contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On
the strength of Darcy's regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his
judgment the highest opinion. In understanding Darcy was the superior. Bingley
was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time
haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not
inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure
of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence.
    The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently
characteristic. Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls
in his life; every body had been most kind and attentive to him, there had been
no formality, no stiffness, he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and
as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the
contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no
fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none
received either attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty,
but she smiled too much.
    Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so - but still they admired her
and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one whom they should
not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore established as a sweet
girl, and their brother felt authorised by such commendation to think of her as
he chose.
 

                                   Chapter V

Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets were
particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton,
where he had made a tolerable fortune and risen to the honour of knighthood by
an address to the King, during his mayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been
felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business and to his
residence in a small market town; and quitting them both, he had removed with
his family to a house about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period
Lucas Lodge,