Mrs. Bennet Visits Netherfield

Mrs. Bennet arrives at Netherfield with Lydia and Kitty, ostensibly to check on Jane but actually to further her matchmaking schemes. Her vulgar and tactless behavior mortifies Elizabeth, who is acutely aware of how it appears to Darcy and the Bingley sisters. Mrs. Bennet loudly boasts about Jane's beauty and her hopes for a match with Bingley, while Lydia boldly reminds Bingley of his promise to give a ball. The visit confirms Darcy's negative opinion of the Bennet family's lack of propriety, a key factor in his later decision to separate Bingley from Jane.