9/4 part 2

     The next day, Mr. Collins makes an offer of marriage to Elizabeth. As he was proposing, Elizabeth forestalled him, telling him that she did not accept and that he should go no further. Mr. Collins refused to believe this, and said that it was the custom of 'elegant women' to refuse the first or even the second time to keep the suitor in sorrow and suspense. At this Elizabeth took leave of the room. Mrs. Bennett entered immediately afterwards to compliment them on their success. When she realized that Elizabeth had refused, she immediately ran to Mr. Bennett as Elizabeth had done to get his help. As this was occurring, Mr. Collins began to think he would rather not marry  her, as she had refused him. This made Mrs. Bennett very worried.  Mr. Bennett stated, meanwhile, that he simply would not tolerate her marrying him. This made Mrs. Bennett very upset, and she implored them all to change their minds. She was destined to fail at this however. After this occurrence, Mr. Collins became acquainted with with Charlotte and began to 'love' her. In the course of three days, he had proposed to her and she had accepted him.He left the day after the arrangement. Meanwhile, Jane receives a letter from Miss Bingley saying that their party, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, M. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr. Darcy, had left to London and were not expecting to come back until after the winter. Elizabeth did not believe it. It also said that Mr. Bingley was expected to soon join in matrimony with miss Darcy, which Elizabeth thought was equally preposterous.

This is where the first volume of the book has left us.

9/4 part 1

     When Elizabeth entered the ballroom at Netherfield, she quickly gathered that Mr. Wickham was not present. She soon discovered that he had used his business to cover for his absence and suspected that he did not want to be in the house Darcy occupied.  During the ball, as she was talking to Charlotte, her dear friend, when Mr. Darcy asked for her hand. To flustered to refuse, she was forced to accept. As they were dancing, Elizabeth commented about the dance. Mr. Darcy did not oblige her in conversation. Elizabeth stated that one should speak  a little while dancing.  Elizabeth began trying to ascertain Mr. Darcy's character, at which he quickly began to admonish, saying he was not in the position for such an examination.  When Elizabeth nears the subject of Mr. Wickham, Mr Darcy becomes, in a small way, short-tempered. As Elizabeth inquired of Wickham, she could find nothing of great importance to find fault with. Mr. Collins introduces himself to Mr. Darcy, who is welcomed with surprise and wonder, which Mr. Collins seemed to have missed altogether. At dinner, Mrs.Bennett spoke obnoxiously loud about marrying off Jane to Mr. Bingley. In vain Elizabeth attempted to quiet her. Soon after this embarrassing speech(for Mr. Darcy was surely listening in), Mary sang and played, and was no delight for the listeners. After this embarrassing display, while Mary was preparing to play more, Mr. Bennett  breached etiquette and told her to " Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit". As this all occurred at Netherfield, it was with a quite ashamed attitude that Elizabeth left for home.