Charles Bingley

Also known as: Bingley / Bingley's / Charles / Mr. Bingley / his friend · Family: Bingley · Role: wealthy single man and prospective tenant · First appears: Chapter 1

Before Michaelmas, Charles Bingley agreed with Mr. Morris to take Netherfield Park, having inspected it and approved of it immediately: “he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately”. After inheriting nearly one hundred thousand pounds from Bingley's father, he settled at Netherfield with Louisa Hurst, Caroline Bingley, and Mr. Hurst, while maintaining a steady friendship with Fitzwilliam Darcy. At the assembly, he danced twice with Jane Bennet, whom he thought beautiful, and his regard for her strengthened as Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst praised her; he also planned and later arranged a ball at Netherfield, and when Jane Bennet fell ill, directed his housekeeper to attend to her and Elizabeth Bennet.

After the Netherfield party left for London, Caroline Bingley confirmed that Charles Bingley would remain there for the winter, and the report spread that he would not return. Fitzwilliam Darcy later admitted that he had deliberately separated his friend from Jane Bennet and persuaded him to abandon the intended marriage, concealing Jane’s presence in London from him. He explained, “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success.”

Charles Bingley eventually returned to Netherfield with Fitzwilliam Darcy and resumed contact with the Bennet family. At Longbourn he placed himself beside Jane Bennet, who accepted his proposal; from then on he became a daily visitor there. He learned that Caroline Bingley had concealed Jane’s presence in London, and that Fitzwilliam Darcy had interfered in their courtship, but later forgave him. Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet married, and he bought an estate in a neighbouring county to Derbyshire, bringing Jane and Elizabeth Bennet within thirty miles of each other.