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Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a

valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The

eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about

twenty-seven, was Elizabeth's intimate friend.

That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk

over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the

assembly brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to

communicate.

"You began the evening well, Charlotte," said Mrs. Bennet, with

civil self-command, to Miss Lucas. "You were Mr. Bingley's first

choice."

"Yes; but he seemed to like his second better."

"Oh, you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice.

To be sure that did seem as if he admired her--indeed, I rather

believe he did--I heard something about it--but I hardly know

what--something about Mr. Robinson."