He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father.

The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window that he wore a blue coat, and rode a black horse.
An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and already had Mrs.Bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all.

Mr.Bingley was obliged to be in town the following day, and, consequently, unable to accept the honour of their invitation, etc.

Mrs.Bennet was quite disconcerted.

She could not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might be always flying about from one place to another, and never settled at Netherfield as he ought to be.