It's Not What you Know; It's Who you Know.

The Bennet girls seem to be very popular in their area. They are known as pretty and intelligent. Because of the size of the towns in which they reside, everyone knows everyone. Gossip is the center of attention. Especially when new people come into town.

In chapters 12-16, a few regiments of officers come into the small town of Meryton to stay until they have to deploy again. This news, of course, travels quickly throughout all of the small towns. The youngest of the Bennet girls, Kitty and Lydia, rejoice at the news and take off at once to their uncle's house. Their uncle has great connections with the regiments; therefore, he always has part of the militia at his house for dinner. The girls spend every afternoon at their uncle's until one day, their father informs them of a special guest that would be joining them for the weekend. When he arrives, he is very polite and formal with the family. (He uses formal register... hehehe) He seems to already know plenty about the Bennet family, which makes them, especially the younger ones, feel very popular.

During the visit, the girls are bored to tears. They try to show interest in what Mr. Collins has to say, but his monotone voice and praise for his "fortunate patroness, Lady Catherine De Bourgh." (pg. 49) Soon enough, they persuade Mr. Collins and their parents to let them go to Meryton for the evening, and surely enough the permission is granted. Whilst in town, the girls ran into officer Denny who introduced them to officer Whickham. As this took place, Mr. Bingley, along with Mr. Darcy, rode into town. They came straight up to the girls and said hello. To this, Mr. Collins saw the Bennet girls as well connected with the higher society. He thought this as good news to bring back to his patroness. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham exchanged cold looks and then parted ways. This gave Elizabeth curiosity as to what may have happened in the past, but she did not inquire, in case it was a touchy subject.

Everywhere the girls went, men's eyes followed eagerly. They charmed all they met. Their uncle's happened to have a dinner the following evening, to which the girls were invited. Here, the girls flirted and talked to many officers who were staying in Meryton, and Elizabeth finally found out what she had been inquiring all along.