] 2. I believe I have heard it said that the person of higher rank must request the introduction: "Elizabeth had mentioned her (Lady C's) name to her mother, on her ladyship's entrance, though no request of introduction had been made." This would seem to confirm this rule of etiquette.

Situations related to this rule arose a couple of different times in the book. At the Assembley in Chapter 3, Darcy is protected from having to interact with all those unlovely, unfashionable, and uninteresting people, because as the person of highest rank, he would have to request an introduction or give permission to be have someone introduced to him. However, he "declined being introduced to any other lady (than the two in his party)." Also, Mr. Collins committed a faux pas when he approached Mr. Darcy without having been introduced at the Netherfield Ball.