Jane asked Eleazar the next day more than once what it was he had spoken with Mr Wickham about. Eleazar on the other hand vehemently denied having even spoken with Wickham despite it being an obvious lie. He did not wish to burden his sister with Wickham's deceptions, it was better to know nothing than to live with half truths.

In the end Jane was only able to have Eleazar speak about Mr Bingley. What exactly Mr Darcy's relation was with Mr Bingley, and if Mr Bingley was hurt in the process of being closely connected with such a proud man.

Eleazar told Jane more than once that Mr Bingley was one of the finest men in the universe. Mr Darcy was lucky to have such a good friend, and really, there was nothing more to say about the matter.

Luckily there truly was nothing left to say on the matter as they were summoned from the shrubbery, where this conversation passed. Mr Bingley and his sisters had arrived to extend the personal invitation for the long-awaited ball at Netherfield, which would happen the following Tuesday.

The Bingley sisters seemed delighted to meet Jane again, and showed great pleasure in talking with her while ignoring the rest of the Bennet family. Something Eleazar couldn't really fault them for as Mrs Bennet's undivided attention could be a bit too much even for him.

The prospect of having a ball at Netherfield was extremely agreeable to every person, sans Mr Bennet, in Longbourn. Mrs Bennet couldn't wait to see her two oldest dance the night away with their respective future partners, something Eleazar really needed to speak with her about. Jane was looking forward to an agreeable evening in the company of the Bingley, and Kitty and Lydia of the officers, who had been invited too. Even Mary could assure the family that she had no disinclination for it.

"While I can have my mornings to myself, it is enough—I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for everybody."

It rejoiced Eleazar to know that all his sisters were looking forward to the ball, even so that he could not help himself but ask Mr Collins if he was planning to join them for the dance. And if he was so reclined, if he thought it proper to join in the evening's amusement. This, unfortunately, gave Mr Collins an opening for conversation.

"I am by no means of the opinion, I assure you, that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable people, can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of solicitation yours, Mr Eleazar, for the two first dances especially, a preference which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right cause, and not to any disrespect for her."

Eleazar felt himself completely taken in. This was not what he had in mind for the evening, let alone for the first two dances. It had become a little tradition between him and Mary to dance the first two together, as, though Mary did not prefer to show her enjoyment of a ball, she did like to dance. And as there were not enough gentlemen for everyone, she was usually overlooked.

But there was little Eleazar could do about that now, Mr Collins had asked him and refusing would be extremely rude. It also fortified his initial suspicions about Mr Collins' continued feelings for himself. Mrs Bennet had hinted that she wished he would marry Mr Collins, and he had done nothing to refute her. With him now asking Eleazar for the first two dances it all became clear, Mr Collins would not accept his rejection now, and might actually make an offer again after the ball.