[MaggieScratch]

That's what I meant, BOb, how could they tell the temperature? But how clever with the flour test. It makes all kinds of sense now.

@Zelda--how would such things be known? Gossip, of course. Darcy's income was spread all around the Meryton assembly within a few moments after he entered. I suspect the "good-natured, gossiping Lucases" of being involved. Likely Sir William Lucas knew the agent that rented Netherfield to Bingley who likely heard it from Bingley's agent (who would be in a position to know at least Bingley's income--and possibly gossiped himself with Darcy's agent) and then told all. :-) Though Jane Austen didn't talk much about servants and employees, I think they were probably a really good conduit of information. And I think it was pretty much widely known or easy to determine what a certain estate was worth. Darcy owned Pemberley, it was worth ten thousand a year, so everyone knew his income.

Speaking of rich men--Jane's brother Edward, who was adopted by rich, childless cousins as their heir, was richer than Darcy.