Chapter Three...

Well, since my last installment many things have happened that I feel I must share, including making several new acquaintances!  But I am getting ahead of myself, let me start at the beginning. 
Mr Bingley returned my father's visit and sat with him in his library for a time. My mother and sisters were disappointed that they did not meet him, but as he was only at Longbourne for ten minutes, it could not be helped.  We issued him an invitation to dinner, but this was rebuked because Mr Bingley had an engagement in town, so the first my mother, my sisters and I saw of him was at the ball. 

(The ball!)

At first we had heard that Mr Bingley was bringing twelve ladies with him from town, which would have been a tragedy!  But this did not occur.  When he came through the doors he had only his two sisters, the husband of the elder, and another gentleman. 
Presently, we were introduced to Mr Bingley and his friends.  His sisters were less than pleasing, although they fooled everyone else, and his sister's husband seemed to want to be elsewhere.  As for his friend, by name of Mr Darcy, he was an interesting character.  Lady Lucas informed us that he is a very rich man, of ten thousand or more a year, and that he owns most of Derbyshire. 

(Mr Darcy)

Apparently riches don't buy you friendliness however, because by the end of the evening he was considered by most to be the proudest and rudest man they had ever met! He even slighted me personally, by flatly refusing to dance with me!  But as I told my mother, even if he did want to dance with me in the future, I believe I can safely promise to refuse. 
My father remained disinterested in the whole affair.