Welcome to the Group Read!
First, my thanks to Hambet, who obliged me (and, at this writing, obliges me still) with a very early and very, very, very long nap while I tapped out my illiterate musings.
In case anyone needs it, a very brief plot summary of the first six chapters:
Chapter 1: Mrs Bennet tells Mr Bennet the exciting news: Netherfield Park, a nearby estate, has been rented by Mr Bingley, a young man with a more than comfortable income. Mrs Bennet is delighted by the possiblity that Mr Bingley might marry one of their five daughters, but is much vexed that Mr Bennet will not promise to visit Mr Bingley and begin the acquaintance.
We learn the names of three of the Bennet sisters: Jane, Elizabeth, and Lydia.
Chapter 2: After much teasing, Mr Bennet finally reveals that he has visited Mr Bingley.
We meet the other two Bennet sisters: Mary and Kitty (Catherine).
Chapter 3: Mr Bennet may have met Mr Bingley, but he does not cough up much information to the ladies of his household and they must turn to their neighbors. We meet Sir William Lucas, who is delighted with Mr. Bingley. Mr Bingley himself comes to call at the Bennets, but does not get to meet the young ladies. He is invited to dine, but cannot accept the invitation. He does attend the ball at the Meryton assembly-rooms, and brings guests: his sisters, Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley; his brother-in-law, Mr Hurst; and his friend, Mr. Darcy. Mr Bingley is lively and sociable, and a big hit at the ball. The neighborhood is ready to like Mr Darcy as well -- he is handsome and very rich -- but Mr Darcy quickly makes it plain that he is not interested in being liked. He only dances with Bingley's sisters, and flatly declines even being introduced to any other lady. Elizabeth Bennet overhears Bingley urging Darcy to loosen up a little. Bingley offers to ask someone to introduce Elizabeth to Darcy, but Darcy coldly refuses. Elizabeth is offended, but not crushed.
Chapter 4: Jane and Elizabeth discuss the ball (and Bingley's sisters.) The narrator gives us more information about the Bingley family, and shows us the Netherfield party's opinions of the ball.
We learn that the Bennets reside at Longbourn.
Chapter 5: The Lucases call upon the Bennets, and there is more discussion of the ball.
We learn more about Sir William Lucas and meet his wife, Lady Lucas, and their eldest daughter Charlotte.
Chapter 6: The Bennet sisters become better acquainted with Bingley's sisters. It is two weeks since the ball, and Jane and Bingley are growing fond of each other. Charlotte thinks that Jane should drop her guard a little and be more encouraging to Bingley.
We learn that Mr Darcy is growing interested in Elizabeth. He starts paying more attention to her. At the Lucas home, Elizabeth notices his attention and responds by teasing him a little. Charlotte invites Elizabeth to play at the pianoforte, Mary is next to play, and soon there is dancing. Sir William Lucas, that genial fellow, suggests that Darcy dance with Elizabeth, but Elizabeth declines. Darcy is not hurt; his interest only increases. He mentions his interest to Miss Bingley, who immediately starts teasing him about the happy life he will have with Mrs Bennet as a mother-in-law. Darcy ignores her as she prates on. We are given a strong hint that Miss Bingley might wish to herself capture Darcy's heart.