We meet Charles Bingley, Mrs. Bennet sees this as an opportunity for one of her 5 daughters to marry well and insists Mr. Bennet arrange a meeting. He dismisses them, but secretly meets with Bingley and the women are ecstatic. Mr Bingley visits, and the Bennets invite him to dinner. He is called away to London, returns to Netherfield Park with his sisters, brother-in-law and friend, Darcy. They attend a ball in Meryton, where Jane dances with Bingley. Darcy offends Jane's sister, Elizabeth, when he is overheard saying she is "tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me."

The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin is a Realm production. Listen away.

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