]I have no objection to hearing it.

;-) Have you not? ok then...

] The Bingley sisters' "behavior at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general". So why don't the locals think as poorly of them as they do of Darcy?

Might it be because they are not nearly as interesting as a future investment? I mean, if Miss Bingley were to refuse an invitation to dance from the son of a local squire, it can't have been half as frustrating as 'tall & handsome 10.000£per annum' walking about the room and staying just out of reach?

]Why do the Lucases have a pianoforte? None of the Miss Lucases appear to be musical.

As others have said, it was partly a show off thing and they were probably able to play tolerably ;-} ,though perhaps not as well as Mary or Lizzy. We must keep in mind, also that Sir William considered dancing one of the refinements of polished society and thus music would be essential.

]"Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her." But she did leave Jane -- to inform the others! Why didn't she just give a servant the message?

Perhaps this was a matter of polite behaviour? Chapter 8. "... Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till late in the evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her asleep, and when it appeared to her rather right than pleasant that she should go downstairs herself." Besides we know she was worried (sending for the apotecary & Mrs Bennet the very next morning)so there was a problem to discuss with the Bingleys.