Chapter 1: A visit to Longbourn.

Miss Mary Bennet had always prided herself on being a good judge of character. Her observations, however, seemed to always fall upon deaf ears. So she began to keep them to herself. And besides, she thought dryly, her plainness made it easy for her to become part of the décor and observe.

Mr. Bingley was coming and Mary saw all the love and joy her sister Jane betrayed. She knew since they first met him at the Assembly that Jane was born to fall in love with someone like Mr. Bingley who was so like her in character. Mary thought she needed harmony in her husband as well as in her married life.

When Kitty said that Mr. Darcy was also coming, Mary saw, to her great surprise, her sister Elizabeth's eyes sparkle with joy. What was this? Elizabeth has made very clear her dislike of the gentleman. Maybe events occurred to make her reevaluate her opinion of him. Lizzy, unlike Jane, was not an easy person to see through. She had so much depth that sometimes Mary could not understand her. Lizzy needed someone strong and reliable, but not intimidated by her wit. Remembering all the exchanges that her older sister had with Mr. Darcy during his stay here last fall, Mary thought he could be the man able to stand up to Lizzy.

The welcome of her mother to the two gentlemen was very different. Like she said, she only tolerated Mr. Darcy because he was Mr. Bingley's friend. Her distaste for the other was very clear though. But apparently Lizzy likes him and wants him to be here, Mary thought. She saw her older sister steal a sideways look at Mr. Darcy. The man in question returned it and let his eyes linger on her. Apparently Mr. Darcy was attracted to her older sister and judging from her frequent glances at him, even when he moved to the window, Elizabeth was too.

Mary dedicated her attention to her book but continued to observe Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Of Jane and Bingley she was not interested. It is not as though she did not love or have concern for Jane, but she could see clearly where their relationship led. For Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, on the contrary, it was more difficult to predict.

Every minute confirmed her suspicions towards the couple. Elizabeth's distress at her mother's words and slight of the dark gentleman well betrayed all her feelings for Mr. Darcy. And he, despite his silence, told all he felt for Elizabeth with his sly glances and constant attention to her gestures. Mary understood that he wished to talk to her but could not think of means to do it. Although it is not quite clear to Lizzy as it is to me. Before the gentlemen went away, her mother invited them to dine in two days. They readily assented (well Mr. Bingley agreed eagerly, Mr. Darcy just nodded while continuing to stare at Elizabeth).