(Jane Austen - Pride and prejudice ) The gentlemenpronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared hewas much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with greatadmiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgustwhich turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to beproud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not allhis large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a mostforbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be comparedwith his friend.
Mr. Bingley intended it likewise, andsometimes made choice of his county; but as he was now provided with agood house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of thosewho best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend theremainder of his days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation topurchase.
(Jane Austen - Pride and prejudice ) The two youngest of the family,Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in these attentions;their minds were more vacant than their sisters', and when nothingbetter offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morninghours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of newsthe country in general might be, they always contrived to learn somefrom their aunt.
(Jane Austen - Pride and prejudice ) After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr.Bennet coolly observed:"From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be twoof the silliest girls in the country.
I could hardly keep my countenance.
(Jane Austen - Pride and prejudice ) "To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is,above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she mean byit? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence,a most country-town indifference to decorum.
There is not afiner county in England than Derbyshire.
Such a countenance, such manners! And so extremely accomplishedfor her age! Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.