Pride and Prejudice Chapter 6 Summary

  • Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, Mr. Bingley's sisters, despise Mrs. Bennet and the younger daughters, preferring instead to spend time with Jane and Elizabeth.
  • Jane is flattered, but Elizabeth still sees the sisters as simply being incredibly snooty.
  • She also sees that Jane is falling for Bingley, but it's hard to tell because Jane is always perfectly composed.
  • Charlotte thinks this is a bad move. She tells Lizzy that Jane had better show some interest in Bingley in order to keep him interested.
  • Should they know each other better first?
  • Nah, Charlotte says. There's plenty of time after the wedding to get acquainted.
  • Elizabeth is so occupied watching Jane and Mr. Bingley that she doesn't notice when Mr. Darcy has begun to admire her. She does, however, notice him eavesdropping on her conversations. She doesn't like it —he has a "satirical eye," as she tells Charlotte.
  • Charlotte's father, Sir Lucas, entreats Elizabeth to dance with Mr. Darcy, but she refuses.
  • Mr. Darcy isn't exactly used to being refused, so that's pretty much the perfect way to get his attention.
  • While Mr. Darcy is contemplating Elizabeth, Miss Bingley strolls up hoping for a good snark. Instead, Mr. Darcy says he has been having a nice time admiring Elizabeth Bennet.
  • Oooh, Miss Bingley does not like that. We think someone might have designs on Mr. Darcy.