Everyone did admire him at first, based on a superficial look at him. What did Darcy say or do in the course of the evening to "turn the tide" of his popularity? Mr. Darcy ... spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and every body hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment, by his having slighted one of her daughters.

What are the Assembly-goers objecting so strongly to? That a stranger in their midst does not engage with them? I understand that a gentleman should have undertaken to be much more civil than Darcy apparently was at this Assembly, and I don't mean to give him a pass, but I wonder if the general reaction to him is not a bit overblown?

Also, interesting that the ON describes the general consensus about Darcy, but mentions the slight to Mrs. Bennet's daughter before telling us about it!