After dinner, the ladies move to the drawing-room, and Elizabeth attends to Jane, ensuring she is comfortable and protected from the cold.
Elizabeth observes that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are in unusually agreeable moods, showcasing their conversational skills before the gentlemen join them.
When the gentlemen arrive, attention shifts to Mr. Darcy, with Miss Bingley quickly trying to engage him in conversation, while Mr. Bingley shows warm and attentive concern for Jane.
Mr. Darcy directs a polite congratulation to Jane, and Mr. Hurst offers her a slight bow before retreating into disinterest.
Mr. Bingley ensures Jane's comfort, even adjusting her seating near the fireplace, while Elizabeth secretly delights in observing his attentive behavior toward her sister.
After tea, Mr. Hurst suggests playing cards, but Miss Bingley declines, having learned that Mr. Darcy is not interested in the activity.
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst occupy themselves idly, while Mr. Darcy reads a book and mostly ignores Miss Bingley's attempts to engage him in conversation.
Miss Bingley pretends to enjoy reading, choosing the second volume of Mr. Darcy's book to gain his attention, but her efforts fail, and she grows visibly bored.
Miss Bingley expresses dissatisfaction with the idea of a planned ball at Netherfield, suggesting conversation would make such events more enjoyable, but Mr. Bingley dismisses her complaints.
In an effort to capture Mr. Darcy's attention, Miss Bingley invites Elizabeth to walk around the room with her. Elizabeth reluctantly agrees, surprising Mr. Darcy enough to momentarily close his book.
When invited to join their walk, Mr. Darcy declines, provocatively suggesting that their motives for walking may either involve a private discussion or showing off their figures.
Miss Bingley reacts dramatically to Mr. Darcy's comment, while Elizabeth humorously suggests that their best strategy to thwart him would be to ask nothing further.
Miss Bingley insists on an explanation, and Mr. Darcy gives a playful yet pointed response, reinforcing his aloofness and teasing behavior.
Elizabeth and Darcy engage in a more personal and pointed conversation, debating flaws like vanity, pride, and implacability, with Elizabeth implying that Darcy has a propensity to hate others and Darcy countering with a remark about her willful misunderstandings.
Miss Bingley, frustrated at being excluded from the lively conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy, interrupts by proposing they listen to music instead.
The piano is brought into use, and Darcy, reflecting on the evening, begins to recognize his growing attention toward Elizabeth and feels the need to temper it.