Chapter 3 12 disposition , which delighted in anything ridiculous .
The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family . Mrs . Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield party . Mr . Bingley had danced with her twice , and she had been distinguished by his sisters . Jane was as much gratified by this as her mother could be , though in a quieter way . Elizabeth felt Jane ' s pleasure . Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbourhood ; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough never to be without partners , which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball . They returned , therefore , in good spirits to Longbourn , the village where they lived , and of which they were the principal inhabitants . They found Mr . Bennet still up . With a book he was regardless of time ; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the events of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations . He had rather hoped that his wife ' s views on the stranger would be disappointed ; but he soon found out that he had a different story to hear .
" Oh ! my dear Mr . Bennet ," as she entered the room , " we have had a most delightful evening , a most excellent ball . I wish you had been there . Jane was so admired , nothing could be like it . Everybody said how well she looked ; and Mr . Bingley thought her quite beautiful , and danced with her twice ! Only think of that , my dear ; he actually danced with her twice ! and she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second time . First of all , he asked Miss Lucas . I was so vexed to see him stand up with her ! But , however , he did not admire her at all ; indeed , nobody can , you know ; and he seemed quite struck with Jane as she was going down the dance . So he inquired who she was , and got introduced , and asked her for the two next . Then the two third he danced with Miss King , and the two fourth with Maria Lucas , and the two fifth with Jane again , and the two sixth with Lizzy , and the Boulanger-- "
" If he had had any compassion for me ," cried her husband impatiently , " he would not have danced half so much ! For God ' s sake , say no more of his partners . O that he had sprained his ankle in the first dance !"