Extracts from the diary of Mrs Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen

28th September

Mr Bingley is coming back to Netherfield, I heard it from my dear sister Mrs Philips. She was not quite certain if he was coming or not. But yesterday I met Mrs Nicholls, his housekeeper going into the butcher's, and she told me that she expected Mr Bingley on Wednesday. Of course it might turn out that he arrives on Thursday, but she was going to order the meat for Wednesday.

Not that I care for Mr Bingley in any way. And what he did to poor Jane, leaving her. It was just after the Netherfield ball last year, when he went off to London, and she has not heard from him since. I did have high hopes then, that he and Jane would get married, but it was all in vain.

And now Mr Bennet will not call on him. I told him that everyone else would call on Mr Bingley, still Mr Bennet refuses to visit Mr Bingley. But that shall not prevent me from inviting Mr Bingley to a little assembly that I am hosting two weeks on Thursday. We will invite Mrs Long and the Gouldings, and by then hopefully Mr Bingley will have visited us, and have given me the opportunity to invite him also.

3rd October

Mr Bingley called on us today, and he paid such particular attention to Jane. That proud Mr Darcy came with him. I hope that next time Mr Bingley comes to visit us, which I told him to do anytime, he will leave his friend behind. Any friend of Mr Bingley's will be welcome in my house, but I must say that I cannot stand Mr Darcy. He is so proud, he scarce said two words together this afternoon! And he deliberately did not listen to me. He has such airs, even if he does have ten thousand a year. But I was civil to him to Mr Bingley's sake.

Mr Bingley is so charming, that is how I say a real gentleman should behave. He was so interested in what I had to say, only I think that his attention was taken elsewhere by Jane. He has only been here three days, and he comes to visit us! I had wished to invite him to stay for dinner, unfortunately I could only think of two good courses to serve him. If only I had known that he was going to visit so soon, then I could have got in some extra courses.

I was able to invite him and his proud friend to my little assembly on Tuesday. Oh it is quite like last year! Last year Mr Bingley promised me a meal, I intend to invite him to dine here very soon.

13th October

My little assembly went so well. Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy arrived on time, and Mr Bingley took his place next to Jane's, just as I had hoped. I had first of all thought that I would invite him to sit next to me, but then I thought it would be far better if he sat next to Jane. And he did, without being asked to. I had that conceited Mr Darcy sitting next to me for the meal. He hardly spoke to me, and when he did, he was excessively uncivil to me. But I was polite to him, and held my tongue. Though no one likes him, and I do not see why he has to come.

After coffee I got the card tables out. Jane and Mr Bingley sat out from playing cards. I think that everyone noticed what a regard Mr Bingley has for Jane. For I mentioned it to Mrs Long, and she thought that it would not be long before dear Jane is settled at Netherfield. It was so good of Mrs Long to say that, of course Jane did look the most beautiful young lady in the room, but Mrs Long does have several nieces. In my opinion they are nothing special, but I suppose Mrs Long thinks that they are entitled to Mr Bingley as much as Jane is.

I had hoped that Mr Bingley would stay for supper, but unfortunately his carriage was ordered before anyone else's. I expect that he will visit Jane tomorrow, and ask her to become his wife. You see if I am wrong.

17th October

Mr Bingley came to dine, and he was so charming. The only thing was, he did not propose to Jane. I am quite convinced that if Elizabeth had left them alone, then he would have.

Mr Bingley came to see us yesterday, for about an hour, I did invite him to stay for dinner, but he had another engagement. So I asked him to dine with us today. It was a very agreeable day as I heard from Mr Bingley yesterday that that proud Mr Darcy had gone back to London. Unfortunately, he will be coming back in under two weeks' time. Therefore, we had a very pleasant day without him.

Mr Bingley arrived so early today, that we were not all dressed. And Jane would not go down without one of her sisters accompanying her. That would have been a perfect opportunely for Mr Bingley to ask her the question.

After tea Mr Bennet went to the library, Mary went upstairs to her instrument, so there were just the five of us in the drawing room. I thought it might be best to leave Jane and Mr Bingley alone for a few minutes. I tried to signal to Elizabeth and Kitty to come out the room with me. Kitty finally noticed and we left the room. I called Elizabeth to come with me, but when Kitty and myself had gone upstairs, she went back into the drawing room! Now what will become of us! Before Mr Bennet is cold in his grave, the Collins' will throw us out of our own house, and then where will we go? My only hope is that Jane will marry Mr Bingley, and then we can all go and live at Netherfield, what a merry party we shall be.

Maybe he will ask Jane tomorrow, as I invited him to come and shoot with Mr Bennet.

17th October

Jane and Mr Bingley are engaged! It is as I always said, the moment I saw Mr Bingley, I knew. Jane is so good and beautiful, I am not surprised.

Mr Bingley went out shooting with Mr Bennet this morning, and after we spent a delightful afternoon with Mr Bingley, I knew that today was the day that he would ask the question. We had dinner, and I set my mind on how to get Mr Bingley and Jane alone. Luckily Elizabeth had to write a letter, so we did not have to have her spoiling my plans again, like yesterday. I suggested that we played a game of cards, leaving Mr Bingley with Jane in the drawing room. I went up with Kitty and Mary to my room, and very soon Jane came up to me and told me the joyous new. I came down to Mr Bingley and told him how happy I was, and how happy they are going to be. And think a second daughter married, and to someone with five thousand a year! And she will live so close to her mother. Oh I do not think I have ever been so happy!

23rd October

Lady Catherine de Bourgh visited us today. What a grand lady she is. She called on us in the morning, just after Mr Bingley had arrived. When the carriage drew up Mr Bingley and Jane went for a walk. So Elizabeth, Kitty and myself received Lady Catherine de Bourgh. What will all our neighbours say? I hope Lady Catherine drove through Meryton, and not round it.

I spoke to her about Lydia's marriage, and Jane's forthcoming one. And then she wished Elizabeth to show her around our grounds. Such kindness from such a great lady. She would not stay very long, even though I offered her a rest or a meal, but she wished to go on with her journey.

So kind to pause her journey to stop here and tell us that the Collinses are all well. I expect that she had a letter for Elizabeth from Charlotte Collins.

The whole neighbourhood must think that we are a lucky family. Jane marrying someone with five thousand a year, and Elizabeth receiving a guest of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I wonder what they spoke about, when they went for their walk.

27th October

Mr Bingley came early to visit us again and he brought that proud Mr Darcy with him. We have not seen Mr Bingley since the day Lady Catherine de Bourgh called on us. I was just about to tell the two gentlemen about Lady Catherine's visit, when Mr Bingley suggested that they all went out for a walk. I am certain that a visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh would have impressed Mr Darcy. The Bennets being friends with the mistress of Rosings Park, and Lady Catherine is his Aunt.

I do not enjoy walking, therefore I stayed at home with Mary. They were out for their walk a long time. I pity anyone who is with Mr Darcy for any length of time. Hopefully he will soon go back to Pemberley.

28th October

The disagreeable Mr Darcy called on us again with Mr Bingley, could not he go out shooting or riding, just anything else. Mr Bingley suggested another walk, and poor Elizabeth had to accompany Mr Darcy. Kitty thought that the walk sounded too long. I suppose that she does not like Mr Darcy any more than I do. I told poor Lizzy that she did not have to talk to Mr Darcy very much, and that it was all for Jane's sake.

Mr Darcy expected to stay for dinner with Mr Bingley. I tried very hard to be civil to that proud man, but if he comes here anymore I might say something I will regret.

Mr Bingley said…. Wait a little, Elizabeth has just come in.

Mr Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged!

Ten thousand a year, dear me is it really true, can it be? Lizzy did say so. Oh I always thought that he was so proud, maybe he was just shy, I do hope he will forgive me. Well now I come to think about it, he is quite tall, and very handsome. Ten thousand a year, probably more! I must invite him to dine with us tomorrow. I wonder what he favourite dish is.