Reader’s Reflections: I don’t know whether to chuckle or shake my head at the length to which Mrs. Bennett will go to secure Jane’s place in Mr. Bingley’s attentions. She sends her daughter out in the rain just to lengthen her visit until Bingley returns to the house. The image of Elizabeth arriving at Netherfield with flushed cheeks and dirty stockings after having walked the three miles there, forcefully brings to mind the image of Once Upon a Mattress’s Princess Fred arriving at the castle after swimming the moat. The “refined” of the group are shocked and disgusted; the love interest finds her only the more appealing and exciting. It sets up a dramatic conflict between the two levels of society, even as they are becoming more entangled. The affection between Jane and Elizabeth is endearing; the hint of Miss Bingley’s desire for Mr. Darcy’s attention adds to the drama even more. If I thought this story was going to be stuffy and boring, I certainly wasn’t expecting all of these strong, relatable personalities and cringe-worthy conflicts that keep me wanting to know what happens on the next page!