Mr. Bennet’s property was worth two thousand pounds a year. Unfortunately for his daughters, when he died, the estate would go to a distant male relative because Mr. Bennet had no sons. Their mother had some money of her own, but it was not enough to support five daughters. Mrs. Bennet’s father had been a lawyer in Meryton, and she still had a sister there, Mrs. Philips, and a brother who lived in London.
The village of Longbourn was only a mile from Meryton. This was very convenient for the younger Bennet girls, Catherine and Lydia. They walked there three or four times a week to visit their aunt and look at the shops. Recently, a group of soldiers had arrived in Meryton for the winter, and the two girls were very excited. They could talk of nothing but the officers.
One morning, after listening to them talk about the soldiers for a long time, Mr. Bennet said, "From the way you talk, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I suspected it before, but now I am sure."
Catherine was upset, but Lydia didn’t care and continued talking about her favorite captain.
“I am surprised, my dear,” Mrs. Bennet said to her husband, “that you are so ready to call your own children silly. They are actually very clever.”
“That is the only thing we disagree on,” Mr. Bennet replied. “I think our two youngest daughters are uncommonly foolish.”
Just then, a servant arrived with a note for Jane. It was from Miss Bingley, asking Jane to come to Netherfield for dinner. Mrs. Bennet’s eyes sparkled with an idea.
“Can I have the carriage, mother?” Jane asked.
“No, my dear,” Mrs. Bennet replied. “You should go on horseback. It looks like it might rain, and then you will have to stay the night.”
“I would much rather take the carriage,” Jane said.
“But the horses are needed on the farm, aren't they, Mr. Bennet?” her mother asked.
Mr. Bennet agreed that the horses were busy. So, Jane was forced to go on horseback. Soon after she left, it began to rain heavily. Her sisters were worried, but her mother was delighted.
The next morning, a note arrived from Netherfield. Jane wrote that she had a very bad cold because she had been caught in the rain. She had a sore throat and a headache, and her friends would not let her leave until she was better.
“Well, my dear,” Mr. Bennet said to his wife, “if Jane becomes dangerously ill or dies, it will be a comfort to know that it happened because she was trying to catch Mr. Bingley!”
Elizabeth was truly worried and decided to go to her sister. Since the carriage was not available, she decided to walk.
“How can you be so silly?” her mother cried. “You will be covered in mud! You won't be fit to be seen.”
“I only want to see Jane,” Elizabeth said. “The walk is only three miles. I will be back by dinner.”
Elizabeth set off alone. she walked quickly across the fields, jumping over puddles and climbing over fences. When she finally arrived at Netherfield, her hair was messy, her stockings were dirty, and her face was red from the exercise.
The ladies at Netherfield were shocked. They thought it was incredible that she had walked three miles alone in such bad weather. Elizabeth could tell they looked down on her for it. However, Mr. Bingley was very kind and welcoming. Mr. Darcy said very little. He was surprised she had walked so far alone, but he also thought the exercise made her look very healthy and bright.
Elizabeth went straight to Jane’s room. Jane was very happy to see her, though she was too sick to talk much. Later, a doctor arrived. He said Jane had a violent cold and a fever, and she must stay in bed.
Elizabeth stayed by her sister’s side all day. At three o’clock, Elizabeth felt she should leave, but she didn’t want to go. When she mentioned leaving, Jane looked so sad that Miss Bingley was forced to invite Elizabeth to stay at Netherfield too. Elizabeth thankully accepted. A servant was sent to Longbourn to tell the family and to bring Elizabeth some clean clothes.