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In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit, and sat

about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained

hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose

beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies

were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of

ascertaining, from an upper window, that he wore a blue coat and

rode a black horse.

An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards despatched; and

already had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do

credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred

it all. Mr. Bingley was obliged to be in town the following day,

and consequently unable to accept the honour of their invitation,

etc. Mrs. Bennet was quite disconcerted. She could not imagine

what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in

Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might always be

flying about from one place to another, and never settled at

Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears a

little by starting the idea of his