The arrival of Mrs. Bennet, her daughters, and Mr. Collins at Netherfield was soon followed by that of Mr. Bingley, who, having received intelligence of their being there, had come on purpose to see them. He found them in the drawing-room, and was very glad to see them all. Mrs. Bennet was in high spirits, and Mr. Collins seemed to be quite pleased with the company.
"I am so glad you are come," said Mrs. Bennet, "for we have been very dull since you left us. And I hope you will stay with us a great deal."
"I shall be very happy to do so," said Mr. Bingley, "and I hope you will find me very entertaining."
"Oh, I dare say you will," said Mrs. Bennet. "And I hope you will not be going away again soon."
"I have no intention of going away," said Mr. Bingley. "I shall stay here as long as I can."
"That is very good of you," said Mrs. Bennet. "And I hope you will not be sorry for it."
"I am sure I shall not," said Mr. Bingley. "I shall be very glad to have you here."
Mr. Collins, meanwhile, was paying his respects to Mr. Bingley.
"I am very glad to see you, sir," said Mr. Collins. "I have heard so much of your kindness and generosity from my aunt, that I am sure you must be a very worthy man."
"I am much obliged to you," said Mr. Bingley. "And I hope you will find me so."
"I have no doubt of it," said Mr. Collins. "And I am sure you will be very welcome here."
"I thank you," said Mr. Bingley. "And I hope you will be happy here."
"I am sure I shall," said Mr. Collins. "And I am sure you will be very well received."
The conversation continued for some time, and it was evident that all parties were well pleased with each other. Mr. Bingley was particularly delighted with the society of the young ladies, and Mr. Collins seemed to be quite happy with the attention he received.
"I am so glad that you are all here," said Mrs. Bennet. "It is so nice to have company. And I hope you will all stay a great deal."
"We shall be very happy to do so," said Mr. Bingley. "And we hope you will find us very entertaining."
"Oh, I dare say you will," said Mrs. Bennet. "And I hope you will not be going away again soon."
"We have no intention of going away," said Mr. Bingley. "We shall stay here as long as we can."
"That is very good of you," said Mrs. Bennet. "And I hope you will not be sorry for it."
"We are sure we shall not," said Mr. Bingley. "We shall be very glad to have you here."
The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Darcy, who had come to pay his respects to Mr. Bingley. He was a tall, handsome man, and his manners were very agreeable.
"I am very glad to see you, sir," said Mr. Collins. "I have heard so much of your kindness and generosity from my aunt, that I am sure you must be a very worthy man."
"I am much obliged to you," said Mr. Darcy. "And I hope you will find me so."
"I have no doubt of it," said Mr. Collins. "And I am sure you will be very welcome here."
"I thank you," said Mr. Darcy. "And I hope you will be happy here."
"I am sure I shall," said Mr. Collins. "And I am sure you will be very well received."