The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth's intimate friend.
That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate.
"_You_ began the evening well, Charlotte," said Mrs.Bennet with civil self-command to Miss Lucas.

"_You_ were Mr.Bingley's first choice." "Yes; but he seemed to like his second better." "Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice.

To be sure that _did_ seem as if he admired her--indeed I rather believe he _did_--I heard something about it--but I hardly know what--something about Mr.Robinson." "Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr.Robinson; did not I mention it to you?
Mr.Robinson's asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and _which_ he thought the prettiest?
and his answering immediately to the last question: 'Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet, beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.'" "Upon my word! Well, that is very decided indeed--that does seem as if--but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know." "_My_ overhearings were more to the purpose than _yours_, Eliza," said Charlotte.

"Mr.Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend, is he ?--poor Eliza!--to be only just _tolerable_." "I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man, that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him.

Mrs.Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half-an-hour without once opening his lips." "Are you quite sure, ma'am ?--is not there a little mistake ?" said Jane.
"I certainly saw Mr.Darcy speaking to her." "Aye--because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and he could not help answering her; but she said he seemed quite angry at being spoke to." "Miss Bingley told me," said Jane, "that he never speaks much, unless among his intimate acquaintances.