Mr. Bennet is the master of Longbourn, an estate entailed to the male line, and upon his death, it will pass to his cousin William Collins rather than any of his five daughters, who will be left with only their respective share of five thousand pounds. His wife Mrs. Bennet is desperate for their daughters to marry, and her hopes appear to be answered when nearby Netherfield Park is let to the wealthy Charles Bingley, who falls in love with their eldest daughter, Jane. Bingley's friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is even richer and better-born than his friend, insults Elizabeth, the second daughter, within her hearing, and Elizabeth dislikes him. The Longbourn and Netherfield parties meet frequently, during which time Darcy comes to admire Elizabeth and reveals this to Bingley's sister Caroline, who begins to treat Elizabeth as a rival for Darcy's affections. When Jane falls ill during a visit to Netherfield Park, Elizabeth joins her sister to nurse her and gets to know the Netherfield party even better. She hears Darcy boast of his own pride and remark on his high standards, particularly for educated young women. Jane recovers, and the sisters return home shortly before Mr. Collins arrives. Mr. Collins wishes to marry one of his cousins, and after Mrs. Bennet tells him Jane is will soon become engaged, he focuses his attentions on Elizabeth.
