Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The novel opens with Mrs Bennet trying to persuade Mr Bennet to visit Mr Bingley, a rich bachelor who has arrived in the neighbourhood. After some verbal sparring with Mr Bennet baiting his wife, she believes he will not visit. A little while later, he does make the visit to Netherfield, Mr Bingley's rented house, much to the delight of Mrs Bennet and her daughters. The visit is followed by an invitation to a ball at the local assembly rooms that the whole neighbourhood will attend.