<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed . Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise . (September 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed . Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise . (September 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The novel opens with Mrs. Bennet trying to persuade Mr. Bennet to visit Mr. Bingley, an eligible bachelor who has arrived in the neighborhood . After some verbal sparring with Mr. Bennet baiting his wife, it transpires that this visit has already taken place at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley's rented house . The visit is followed by an invitation to a ball at the local assembly rooms that the whole neighbourhood will attend . </P> <P> At the ball, Mr. Bingley is open and cheerful, popular with all the guests, and appears to be very attracted to the beautiful Miss Jane Bennet . His friend, Mr. Darcy, is reputed to be twice as wealthy; however, he is haughty and aloof . He declines to dance with Elizabeth, suggesting that she is not pretty enough to tempt him . She finds this amusing and jokes about the statement with her friends . Mr. Bingley's sister, Caroline, later invites Jane to visit . </P>

How old are the daughters in pride and prejudice