The whole neighbourhood came to the assembly at Meryton. Mr Bingley was everything a young man ought to be, lively and pleasant, and he danced every dance. His friend Mr Darcy drew the eyes of the room for half an hour, because he was tall, handsome, and worth ten thousand a year. Then the room decided that he was proud above his company, and the admiration turned cold. Bingley begged him to dance with Elizabeth Bennet, who was sitting down for want of a partner. She is tolerable, said Darcy, but not handsome enough to tempt me. Elizabeth heard him and told the story to her friends with great spirit, for she had a lively sense of the ridiculous.