Jane Bennet was invited to Netherfield, rode there in the rain, and caught a heavy cold. Elizabeth walked three miles across the fields to nurse her, and arrived with dirty stockings and a face glowing from the exercise. Miss Bingley thought the walk showed a shocking independence. Mr Darcy said nothing, but he had begun to admire the fine dark eyes in that face, and the light figure that the walk had made so pleasing. In the evenings Miss Bingley praised his letters, his handwriting, and his sister, and Darcy answered her in short words. Elizabeth argued with him instead, and he discovered that no woman of his acquaintance spoke to him in that way. It was a danger, and he knew it.