101:003,00[U  ]| <PRIDE & PREJUDICE.>
101:003,01['  ]| It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man
101:003,02['  ]| in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
101:003,03['  ]| However little known the feelings or views of such a
101:003,04['  ]| man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this
101:003,05['  ]| truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding
101:003,06['  ]| families, that he is considered as the rightful property of
101:003,07['  ]| some one or other of their daughters.
101:003,08[D  ]| "My dear Mr%*Bennet,"
101:003,08['  ]| said his lady to him one day,
101:003,09[D  ]| "have you heard that Netherfield*Park is let at last?"
101:003,10['  ]| Mr%*Bennet replied that he had not.
101:003,11[D  ]| "But it is,"
101:003,11['  ]| returned she;
101:003,11[D  ]| "for Mrs%*Long has just
101:003,12[D  ]| been here, and she told me all about it."
101:003,13['  ]| Mr%*Bennett made no answer.
101:003,14[D  ]| "Do not you want to know who has taken it?"
101:003,14['  ]| cried
101:003,15['  ]| his wife impatiently.
101:003,16[C  ]| "\You\ want to tell me, and I have no objection to
101:003,17[C  ]| hearing it."
101:003,18['  ]| This was invitation enough.
101:003,19[D  ]| "Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs%*Long says that
101:003,20[D  ]| Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from
101:003,21[D  ]| the north of England; that he came down on Monday
101:003,22[D  ]| in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much
101:003,23[D  ]| delighted with it that he agreed with Mr%*Morris immediately;
101:003,24[D  ]| that he is to take possession before Michaelmas,
101:003,25[D  ]| and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end
101:003,26[D  ]| of next week."
101:003,27[C  ]| "What is his name?"
101:003,28[D  ]| "Bingley."
101:003,29[C  ]| "Is he married or single?"
101:003,30[D  ]| "Oh! single, my dear, to be sure!  A single man of
101:004,01[D  ]| large fortune; four or five thousand a year.  What a fine
101:004,02[D  ]| thing for our girls!"
101:004,03[C  ]| "How so? how can it affect them?"
101:004,04[D  ]| "My dear Mr%*Bennet,"
101:004,04['  ]| replied his wife,
101:004,04[D  ]| "how can you
101:004,05[D  ]| be so tiresome!  You must know that I am thinking of his
101:004,06[D  ]| marrying one of them."
101:004,07[C  ]| "Is that his design in settling here?"
101:004,08[D  ]| "Design! nonsense, how can you talk so!  But it is
101:004,09[D  ]| very likely that he \may\ fall in love with one of them, and
101:004,10[D  ]| therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes."
101:004,11[C  ]| "I see no occasion for that.  You and the girls may go,
101:004,12[C  ]| or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will
101:004,13[C  ]| be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them,
101:004,14[C  ]| Mr%*Bingley might like you the best of the party."
101:004,15[D  ]| "My dear, you flatter me.  I certainly \have\ had my
101:004,16[D  ]| share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be any*thing extraordinary
101:004,17[D  ]| now.  When a woman has five grown*up daughters,
101:004,18[D  ]| she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty."
101:004,19[C  ]| "In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty
101:004,20[C  ]| to think of."
101:004,21[D  ]| "But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr%*Bingley
101:004,22[D  ]| when he comes into the neighbourhood."
101:004,23[C  ]| "It is more than I engage for, I assure you."
101:004,24[D  ]| "But consider your daughters.  Only think what an
101:004,25[D  ]| establishment it would be for one of them.  Sir*William
101:004,26[D  ]| and Lady*Lucas are determined to go, merely on that
101:004,27[D  ]| account, for in general you know they visit no new*comers.
101:004,28[D  ]| Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to
101:004,29[D  ]| visit him, if you do not."
101:004,30[C  ]| "You are over scrupulous surely.  I dare say Mr%*Bingley
101:004,31[C  ]| will be very glad to see you; and I will send
101:004,32[C  ]| a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent
101:004,33[C  ]| to his marrying which*ever he chuses of the girls; though
101:004,34[C  ]| I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy."
101:004,35[D  ]| "I desire you will do no such thing.  Lizzy is not
101:004,36[D  ]| a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half
101:004,37[D  ]| so handsome as Jane, nor half so good*humoured as Lydia.
101:004,38[D  ]| But you are always giving \her\ the preference."
101:005,01[C  ]| "They have none of them much to recommend them,"
101:005,02['  ]| replied he;
101:005,02[C  ]| "they are all silly and ignorant like other
101:005,03[C  ]| girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness
101:005,04[C  ]| than her sisters."
101:005,05[D  ]| "Mr%*Bennet, how can you abuse your own children
101:005,06[D  ]| in such a way?  You take delight in vexing me.  You
101:005,07[D  ]| have no compassion on my poor nerves."
101:005,08[C  ]| "You mistake me, my dear.  I have a high respect for
101:005,09[C  ]| your nerves.  They are my old friends.  I have heard you
101:005,10[C  ]| mention them with consideration these twenty years at
101:005,11[C  ]| least."
101:005,12[D  ]| "Ah! you do not know what I suffer."
101:005,13[C  ]| "But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many
101:005,14[C  ]| young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood."
101:005,15[C  ]|
101:005,16[D  ]| "It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come
101:005,17[D  ]| since you will not visit them."
101:005,18[C  ]| "Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty,
101:005,19[C  ]| I will visit them all."
101:005,20['  ]| Mr%*Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic
101:005,21['  ]| humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three*and*twenty
101:005,22['  ]| years had been insufficient to make his wife
101:005,23['  ]| understand his character.  \Her\ mind was less difficult to
101:005,24['  ]| develope.  She was a woman of mean understanding, little
101:005,25['  ]| information, and uncertain temper.  When she was discontented
101:005,26['  ]| she fancied herself nervous.  The business of her
101:005,27['  ]| life was to get her daughters married; its solace was
101:005,28['  ]| visiting and news.
102:006,01['  ]| Mr%*Bennet was among the earliest of those who
102:006,02['  ]| waited on Mr%*Bingley.  He had always intended to visit
102:006,03['  ]| him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he
102:006,04['  ]| should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid,
102:006,05['  ]| she had no knowledge of it.  It was then disclosed in the
102:006,06['  ]| following manner.  Observing his second daughter employed
102:006,07['  ]| in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with,
102:006,08[C  ]| "I hope Mr%*Bingley will like it Lizzy."
102:006,09[D  ]| "We are not in a way to know \what\ Mr%*Bingley likes,"
102:006,10['  ]| said her mother resentfully,
102:006,10[D  ]| "since we are not to visit."
102:006,11[A  ]| "But you forget, mama,"
102:006,11['  ]| said Elizabeth,
102:006,11[A  ]| "that we
102:006,12[A  ]| shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs%*Long has
102:006,13[A  ]| promised to introduce him."
102:006,14[D  ]| "I do not believe Mrs%*Long will do any such thing.
102:006,15[D  ]| She has two neices of her own.  She is a selfish, hypocritical
102:006,16[D  ]| woman, and I have no opinion of her."
102:006,17[C  ]| "No more have I,"
102:006,17['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet;
102:006,17[C  ]| "and I am glad
102:006,18[C  ]| to find that you do not depend on her serving you."
102:006,19['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet deigned not to make any reply; but
102:006,20['  ]| unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her
102:006,21['  ]| daughters.
102:006,22[D  ]| "Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake!
102:006,23[D  ]| Have a little compassion on my nerves.  You tear them
102:006,24[D  ]| to pieces."
102:006,25[C  ]| "Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,"
102:006,25['  ]| said her
102:006,26['  ]| father;
102:006,26[C  ]| "she times them ill."
102:006,27[G  ]| "I do not cough for my own amusement,"
102:006,27['  ]| replied
102:006,28['  ]| Kitty fretfully.
102:006,29[C  ]| "When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"
102:006,30[A  ]| "To-morrow fortnight."
102:006,31[D  ]| "Aye, so it is,"
102:006,31['  ]| cried her mother,
102:006,31[D  ]| "and Mrs%*Long
102:006,32[D  ]| does not come back till the day before; so, it will be
102:006,33[D  ]| impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know
102:006,34[D  ]| him herself."
102:007,01[C  ]| "Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your
102:007,02[C  ]| friend, and introduce Mr%*Bingley to \her\."
102:007,03[D  ]| "Impossible, Mr%*Bennet, impossible, when I am
102:007,04[D  ]| not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so
102:007,05[D  ]| teazing?"
102:007,06[C  ]| "I honour your circumspection.  A fortnight's acquaintance
102:007,07[C  ]| is certainly very little.  One cannot know what
102:007,08[C  ]| a man really is by the end of a fortnight.  But if \we\ do
102:007,09[C  ]| not venture, somebody else will; and after all, Mrs%*Long
102:007,10[C  ]| and her neices must stand their chance; and therefore,
102:007,11[C  ]| as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the
102:007,12[C  ]| office, I will take it on myself."
102:007,13['  ]| The girls stared at their father.  Mrs%*Bennet said only,
102:007,14[D  ]| "Nonsense, nonsense!"
102:007,15[C  ]| "What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?"
102:007,16['  ]| cried he.
102:007,16[C  ]| "Do you consider the forms of introduction,
102:007,17[C  ]| and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense?
102:007,18[C  ]| I cannot quite agree with you \there\.  What say you,
102:007,19[C  ]| Mary? for you are a young lady of deep reflection I know,
102:007,20[C  ]| and read great books, and make extracts."
102:007,21['  ]| Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew
102:007,22['  ]| not how.
102:007,23[C  ]| "While Mary is adjusting her ideas,"
102:007,23['  ]| he continued,
102:007,24[C  ]| "let us return to Mr%*Bingley."
102:007,25[D  ]| "I am sick of Mr%*Bingley,"
102:007,25['  ]| cried his wife.
102:007,26[C  ]| "I am sorry to hear \that\; but why did not you tell
102:007,27[C  ]| me so before?  If I had known as much this morning,
102:007,28[C  ]| I certainly would not have called on him.  It is very
102:007,29[C  ]| unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot
102:007,30[C  ]| escape the acquaintance now."
102:007,31['  ]| The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished;
102:007,32['  ]| that of Mrs%*Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though
102:007,33['  ]| when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare
102:007,34['  ]| that it was what she had expected all the while.
102:007,35[D  ]| "How good it was in you, my dear Mr%*Bennet!  But
102:007,36[D  ]| I knew I should persuade you at last.  I was sure you
102:007,37[D  ]| loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance.
102:007,38[D  ]| Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too,
102:008,01[D  ]| that you should have gone this morning, and never said
102:008,02[D  ]| a word about it till now."
102:008,03[C  ]| "Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you chuse,"
102:008,04['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room,
102:008,05['  ]| fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
102:008,06[D  ]| "What an excellent father you have, girls,"
102:008,06['  ]| said she,
102:008,07['  ]| when the door was shut.
102:008,07[D  ]| "I do not know how you will
102:008,08[D  ]| ever make him amends for his kindness; or me either,
102:008,09[D  ]| for that matter.  At our time of life, it is not so pleasant
102:008,10[D  ]| I can tell you, to be making new acquaintance every day;
102:008,11[D  ]| but for your sakes, we would do any*thing.  Lydia, my
102:008,12[D  ]| love, though you \are\ the youngest, I dare say Mr%*Bingley
102:008,13[D  ]| will dance with you at the next ball."
102:008,14[H  ]| "Oh!"
102:008,14['  ]| said Lydia stoutly,
102:008,14[H  ]| "I am not afraid; for
102:008,15[H  ]| though I \am\ the youngest, I'm the tallest."
102:008,16['  ]| The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how
102:008,17['  ]| soon he would return Mr%*Bennet's visit, and determining
102:008,18['  ]| when they should ask him to dinner.
103:009,01['  ]| Not all that Mrs%*Bennet, however, with the assistance
103:009,02['  ]| of her five daughters, could ask on the subject was sufficient
103:009,03['  ]| to draw from her husband any satisfactory description
103:009,04['  ]| of Mr%*Bingley.  They attacked him in various ways;
103:009,05['  ]| with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and
103:009,06['  ]| distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all;
103:009,07['  ]| and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand
103:009,08['  ]| intelligence of their neighbour Lady*Lucas.  Her report
103:009,09['  ]| was highly favourable.
103:009,09@v   | Sir*William had been delighted
103:009,10@v   | with him.  He was quite young, wonderfully handsome,
103:009,11@v   | extremely agreeable, and to crown the whole, he meant to
103:009,12@v   | be at the next assembly with a large party.  Nothing
103:009,13@v   | could be more delightful!
103:009,13['  ]| To be fond of dancing was
103:009,14['  ]| a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively
103:009,15['  ]| hopes of Mr%*Bingley's heart were entertained.
103:009,16[D  ]| "If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled
103:009,17[D  ]| at Netherfield,"
103:009,17['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet to her husband,
103:009,17[D  ]| "and
103:009,18[D  ]| all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing
103:009,19[D  ]| to wish for."
103:009,20['  ]| In a few days Mr%*Bingley returned Mr%*Bennet's visit,
103:009,21['  ]| and sat about ten minutes with him in his library.  He
103:009,22['  ]| had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the
103:009,23['  ]| young ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but
103:009,24['  ]| he saw only the father.  The ladies were somewhat more
103:009,25['  ]| fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from
103:009,26['  ]| an upper window, that he wore a blue coat and rode a black
103:009,27['  ]| horse.
103:009,28['  ]| An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched;
103:009,29['  ]| and already had Mrs%*Bennet planned the courses that were
103:009,30['  ]| to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived
103:009,31['  ]| which deferred it all.
103:009,31@i   | Mr%*Bingley was obliged to be in
103:009,32@i   | town the following day, and consequently unable to accept
103:009,33@i   | the honour of their invitation, &c%
103:009,33['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was
103:010,01['  ]| quite disconcerted.
103:010,01@d   | She could not imagine what business
103:010,02@d   | he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire;
103:010,03@d   | and she began to fear that he might be always
103:010,04@d   | flying about from one place to another, and never settled
103:010,05@d   | at Netherfield as he ought to be.
103:010,05['  ]| Lady*Lucas quieted her
103:010,06['  ]| fears a little by starting the idea of his being gone to
103:010,07['  ]| London only to get a large party for the ball; and a report
103:010,08['  ]| soon followed that Mr%*Bingley was to bring twelve ladies
103:010,09['  ]| and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly.  The girls
103:010,10['  ]| grieved over such a number of ladies; but were comforted
103:010,11['  ]| the day before the ball by hearing, that instead of twelve,
103:010,12['  ]| he had brought only six with him from London, his five
103:010,13['  ]| sisters and a cousin.  And when the party entered the
103:010,14['  ]| assembly room, it consisted of only five altogether;
103:010,15['  ]| Mr%*Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest,
103:010,16['  ]| and another young man.
103:010,17['  ]| Mr%*Bingley was good*looking and gentlemanlike; he
103:010,18['  ]| had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners.
103:010,19['  ]| His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion.
103:010,20['  ]| His brother-in-law, Mr%*Hurst, merely looked the gentleman;
103:010,21['  ]| but his friend Mr%*Darcy soon drew the attention
103:010,22['  ]| of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features,
103:010,23['  ]| noble mien; and the report which was in general circulation
103:010,24['  ]| within five minutes after his entrance, of his having
103:010,25['  ]| ten thousand a year.  The gentlemen pronounced him to
103:010,26['  ]| be
103:010,26@x   | a fine figure of a man,
103:010,26['  ]| the ladies declared
103:010,26@x   | he was much
103:010,27@x   | handsomer than Mr%*Bingley,
103:010,27['  ]| and he was looked at with
103:010,28['  ]| great admiration for about half the evening, till his
103:010,29['  ]| manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his
103:010,30['  ]| popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be
103:010,31['  ]| above his company, and above being pleased; and not
103:010,32['  ]| all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from
103:010,33['  ]| having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and
103:010,34['  ]| being unworthy to be compared with his friend.
103:010,35['  ]| Mr%*Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with
103:010,36['  ]| all the principal people in the room; he was lively and
103:010,37['  ]| unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball
103:010,38['  ]| closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield.
103:011,01['  ]| Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves.
103:011,02['  ]| What a contrast between him and his friend!  Mr%*Darcy
103:011,03['  ]| danced only once with Mrs%*Hurst and once with Miss*Bingley,
103:011,04['  ]| declined being introduced to any other lady, and
103:011,05['  ]| spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room,
103:011,06['  ]| speaking occasionally to one of his own party.  His character
103:011,07['  ]| was decided.
103:011,07@x   | He was the proudest, most disagreeable
103:011,08@x   | man in the world,
103:011,08['  ]| and every*body hoped that he would
103:011,09['  ]| never come there again.  Amongst the most violent
103:011,10['  ]| against him was Mrs%*Bennet, whose dislike of his general
103:011,11['  ]| behaviour, was sharpened into particular resentment, by
103:011,12['  ]| his having slighted one of her daughters.
103:011,13['  ]| Elizabeth*Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of
103:011,14['  ]| gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part
103:011,15['  ]| of that time, Mr%*Darcy had been standing near enough
103:011,16['  ]| for her to overhear a conversation between him and
103:011,17['  ]| Mr%*Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes,
103:011,18['  ]| to press his friend to join it.
103:011,19[I  ]| "Come, Darcy,"
103:011,19['  ]| said he,
103:011,19[I  ]| "I must have you dance.
103:011,20[I  ]| I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid
103:011,21[I  ]| manner.  You had much better dance."
103:011,22[B  ]| "I certainly shall not.  You know how I detest it,
103:011,23[B  ]| unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner.  At
103:011,24[B  ]| such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable.
103:011,25[B  ]| Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman
103:011,26[B  ]| in the room, whom it would not be a punishment to me
103:011,27[B  ]| to stand up with."
103:011,28[I  ]| "I would not be so fastidious as you are,"
103:011,28['  ]| cried Bingley,
103:011,29[I  ]| "for a kingdom!  Upon my honour, I never met with
103:011,30[I  ]| so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening;
103:011,31[I  ]| and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."
103:011,32[B  ]| "\You\ are dancing with the only handsome girl in the
103:011,33[B  ]| room,"
103:011,33['  ]| said Mr%*Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss*Bennet.
103:011,34[I  ]| "Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!
103:011,35[I  ]| But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind
103:011,36[I  ]| you, who is very pretty, and I dare say, very agreeable.
103:011,37[I  ]| Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."
103:011,38[B  ]| "Which do you mean?"
103:011,38['  ]| and turning round, he looked
103:012,01['  ]| for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew
103:012,02['  ]| his own and coldly said,
103:012,02[B  ]| "She is tolerable; but not
103:012,03[B  ]| handsome enough to tempt \me\; and I am in no humour
103:012,04[B  ]| at present to give consequence to young ladies who are
103:012,05[B  ]| slighted by other men.  You had better return to your
103:012,06[B  ]| partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your
103:012,07[B  ]| time with me."
103:012,08['  ]| Mr%*Bingley followed his advice.  Mr%*Darcy walked off;
103:012,09['  ]| and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings
103:012,10['  ]| towards him.  She told the story however with great
103:012,11['  ]| spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful
103:012,12['  ]| disposition, which delighted in any*thing ridiculous.
103:012,13['  ]| The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the
103:012,14['  ]| whole family.  Mrs%*Bennet had seen her eldest daughter
103:012,15['  ]| much admired by the Netherfield party.  Mr%*Bingley had
103:012,16['  ]| danced with her twice, and she had been distinguished
103:012,17['  ]| by his sisters.  Jane was as much gratified by this, as
103:012,18['  ]| her mother could be, though in a quieter way.  Elizabeth
103:012,19['  ]| felt Jane's pleasure.  Mary had heard herself mentioned
103:012,20['  ]| to Miss*Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the
103:012,21['  ]| neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been
103:012,22['  ]| fortunate enough to be never without partners, which
103:012,23['  ]| was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball.
103:012,24['  ]| They returned therefore in good spirits to Longbourn, the
103:012,25['  ]| village where they lived, and of which they were the
103:012,26['  ]| principal inhabitants.  They found Mr%*Bennet still up.
103:012,27['  ]| With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present
103:012,28['  ]| occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event
103:012,29['  ]| of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations.
103:012,30['  ]| He had rather hoped that all his wife's views on the
103:012,31['  ]| stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found that
103:012,32['  ]| he had a very different story to hear.
103:012,33[D  ]| "Oh! my dear Mr%*Bennet,"
103:012,33['  ]| as she entered the room,
103:012,34[D  ]| "we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellent
103:012,35[D  ]| ball.  I wish you had been there.  Jane was so admired,
103:012,36[D  ]| nothing could be like it.  Every*body said how well she
103:012,37[D  ]| looked; and Mr%*Bingley thought her quite beautiful,
103:012,38[D  ]| and danced with her twice.  Only think of \that\ my dear;
103:013,01[D  ]| he actually danced with her twice; and she was the only
103:013,02[D  ]| creature in the room that he asked a second time.  First
103:013,03[D  ]| of all, he asked Miss*Lucas.  I was so vexed to see him
103:013,04[D  ]| stand up with her; but, however, he did not admire her
103:013,05[D  ]| at all:  indeed, nobody can, you know; and he seemed
103:013,06[D  ]| quite struck with Jane as she was going down the dance.
103:013,07[D  ]| So, he enquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked
103:013,08[D  ]| her for the two next.  Then, the two third he danced with
103:013,09[D  ]| Miss*King, and the two fourth with Maria*Lucas, and the
103:013,10[D  ]| two fifth with Jane again, and the two sixth with Lizzy,
103:013,11[D  ]| and the Boulanger ~~"
103:013,12[C  ]| "If he had had any compassion for \me\,"
103:013,13['  ]| cried her
103:013,14['  ]| husband impatiently,
103:013,14[C  ]| "he would not have danced half
103:013,15[C  ]| so much!  For God's sake, say no more of his partners.
103:013,16[C  ]| Oh! that he had sprained his ancle in the first dance!"
103:013,17[D  ]| "Oh! my dear,"
103:013,17['  ]| continued Mrs%*Bennet,
103:013,17[D  ]| "I am quite
103:013,18[D  ]| delighted with him.  He is so excessively handsome! and
103:013,19[D  ]| his sisters are charming women.  I never in my life saw
103:013,20[D  ]| any*thing more elegant than their dresses.  I dare say the
103:013,21[D  ]| lace upon Mrs%*Hurst's gown ~~"
103:013,22['  ]| Here she was interrupted again.  Mr%*Bennet protested
103:013,23['  ]| against any description of finery.  She was therefore
103:013,24['  ]| obliged to seek another branch of the subject, and related,
103:013,25['  ]| with much bitterness of spirit and some exaggeration, the
103:013,26['  ]| shocking rudeness of Mr%*Darcy.
103:013,27[D  ]| "But I can assure you,"
103:013,27['  ]| she added,
103:013,27[D  ]| "that Lizzy does
103:013,28[D  ]| not lose much by not suiting \his\ fancy; for he is a most
103:013,29[D  ]| disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing.  So
103:013,30[D  ]| high and so conceited that there was no enduring him!
103:013,31[D  ]| He walked here, and walked there, fancying himself
103:013,32[D  ]| so very great!  Not handsome enough to dance with!
103:013,33[D  ]| I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him
103:013,34[D  ]| one of your set*downs.  I quite detest the man."
104:014,01['  ]| When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who
104:014,02['  ]| had been cautious in her praise of Mr%*Bingley before,
104:014,03['  ]| expressed to her sister how very much she admired him.
104:014,04[E  ]| "He is just what a young man ought to be,"
104:014,04['  ]| said she,
104:014,05[E  ]| "sensible, good*humoured, lively; and I never saw such
104:014,06[E  ]| happy manners! ~~ so much ease, with such perfect good*breeding!"
104:014,07[E  ]|
104:014,08[A  ]| "He is also handsome,"
104:014,08['  ]| said Elizabeth,
104:014,08[A  ]| "which
104:014,09[A  ]| a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can.
104:014,10[A  ]| His character is thereby complete."
104:014,11[E  ]| "I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance
104:014,12[E  ]| a second time.  I did not expect such a compliment."
104:014,13[A  ]| "Did not you?  \I\ did for you.  But that is one great
104:014,14[A  ]| difference between us.  Compliments always take \you\ by
104:014,15[A  ]| surprise, and \me\ never.  What could be more natural than
104:014,16[A  ]| his asking you again?  He could not help seeing that you
104:014,17[A  ]| were about five times as pretty as every other woman in
104:014,18[A  ]| the room.  No thanks to his gallantry for that.  Well,
104:014,19[A  ]| he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to
104:014,20[A  ]| like him.  You have liked many a stupider person."
104:014,21[E  ]| "Dear Lizzy!"
104:014,22[A  ]| "Oh! you are a great deal too apt you know, to like
104:014,23[A  ]| people in general.  You never see a fault in any*body.
104:014,24[A  ]| All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes.  I never
104:014,25[A  ]| heard you speak ill of a human being in my life."
104:014,26[E  ]| "I would wish not to be hasty in censuring any*one;
104:014,27[E  ]| but I always speak what I think."
104:014,28[A  ]| "I know you do; and it is \that\ which makes the wonder.
104:014,29[A  ]| With \your\ good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies
104:014,30[A  ]| and nonsense of others!  Affectation of candour is common
104:014,31[A  ]| enough; ~~ one meets it every*where.  But to be candid
104:014,32[A  ]| without ostentation or design ~~ to take the good of every*body's
104:014,33[A  ]| character and make it still better, and say nothing
104:015,01[A  ]| of the bad ~~ belongs to you alone.  And so, you like this
104:015,02[A  ]| man's sisters too, do you?  Their manners are not equal
104:015,03[A  ]| to his."
104:015,04[E  ]| "Certainly not; at first.  But they are very pleasing
104:015,05[E  ]| women when you converse with them.  Miss*Bingley
104:015,06[E  ]| is to live with her brother and keep his house; and I am
104:015,07[E  ]| much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming
104:015,08[E  ]| neighbour in her."
104:015,09['  ]| Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced;
104:015,10['  ]| their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated
104:015,11['  ]| to please in general; and with more quickness of observation
104:015,12['  ]| and less pliancy of temper than her sister, and
104:015,13['  ]| with a judgment too unassailed by any attention to herself,
104:015,14['  ]| she was very little disposed to approve them.  They were
104:015,15['  ]| in fact very fine ladies; not deficient in good*humour
104:015,16['  ]| when they were pleased, nor in the power of being agreeable
104:015,17['  ]| where they chose it; but proud and conceited.  They
104:015,18['  ]| were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the
104:015,19['  ]| first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty
104:015,20['  ]| thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than
104:015,21['  ]| they ought, and of associating with people of rank; and
104:015,22['  ]| were therefore in every respect entitled to think well of
104:015,23['  ]| themselves, and meanly of others.  They were of a respectable
104:015,24['  ]| family in the north of England; a circumstance more
104:015,25['  ]| deeply impressed on their memories than that their
104:015,26['  ]| brother's fortune and their own had been acquired by
104:015,27['  ]| trade.
104:015,28['  ]| Mr%*Bingley inherited property to the amount of nearly
104:015,29['  ]| an hundred thousand pounds from his father, who had
104:015,30['  ]| intended to purchase an estate, but did not live to do it. ~~
104:015,31['  ]| Mr%*Bingley intended it likewise, and sometimes made
104:015,32['  ]| choice of his county; but as he was now provided with
104:015,33['  ]| a good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful
104:015,34['  ]| to many of those who best knew the easiness of his
104:015,35['  ]| temper, whether he might not spend the remainder of his
104:015,36['  ]| days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation to
104:015,37['  ]| purchase.
104:015,38['  ]| His sisters were very anxious for his having an estate
104:016,01['  ]| of his own; but though he was now established only as
104:016,02['  ]| a tenant, Miss*Bingley was by no means unwilling to
104:016,03['  ]| preside at his table, nor was Mrs%*Hurst, who had married
104:016,04['  ]| a man of more fashion than fortune, less disposed to
104:016,05['  ]| consider his house as her home when it suited her.  Mr%*Bingley
104:016,06['  ]| had not been of age two years, when he was
104:016,07['  ]| tempted by an accidental recommendation to look at
104:016,08['  ]| Netherfield*House.  He did look at it and into it for half
104:016,09['  ]| an hour, was pleased with the situation and the principal
104:016,10['  ]| rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise,
104:016,11['  ]| and took it immediately.
104:016,12['  ]| Between him and Darcy there was a very steady
104:016,13['  ]| friendship, in spite of a great opposition of character. ~~
104:016,14['  ]| Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness,
104:016,15['  ]| ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer
104:016,16['  ]| a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he
104:016,17['  ]| never appeared dissatisfied.  On the strength of Darcy's
104:016,18['  ]| regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment
104:016,19['  ]| the highest opinion.  In understanding Darcy was
104:016,20['  ]| the superior.  Bingley was by no means deficient, but
104:016,21['  ]| Darcy was clever.  He was at the same time haughty,
104:016,22['  ]| reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well
104:016,23['  ]| bred, were not inviting.  In that respect his friend had
104:016,24['  ]| greatly the advantage.  Bingley was sure of being liked
104:016,25['  ]| wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving
104:016,26['  ]| offence.
104:016,27['  ]| The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton
104:016,28['  ]| assembly was sufficiently characteristic.  Bingley
104:016,28@i   | had
104:016,29@i   | never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his
104:016,30@i   | life; every*body had been most kind and attentive to
104:016,31@i   | him, there had been no formality, no stiffness, he had
104:016,32@i   | soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as to Miss*Bennet,
104:016,33@i   | he could not conceive an angel more beautiful.
104:016,34['  ]| Darcy, on the contrary,
104:016,34@b   | had seen a collection of people
104:016,35@b   | in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none
104:016,36@b   | of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none
104:016,37@b   | received either attention or pleasure.  Miss*Bennet he
104:016,38@b   | acknowledged to be pretty, but she smiled too much.
104:017,01['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so ~~
104:017,01@y   | but still
104:017,02@y   | they admired her and liked her,
104:017,02['  ]| and pronounced her to
104:017,03['  ]| be
104:017,03@y   | a sweet girl, and one whom they should not object to
104:017,04@y   | know more of.
104:017,04['  ]| Miss*Bennet was therefore established as
104:017,05['  ]| a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorised by such
104:017,06['  ]| commendation to think of her as he chose.
105:018,01['  ]| Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with
105:018,02['  ]| whom the Bennets were particularly intimate.  Sir*William*Lucas
105:018,03['  ]| had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had
105:018,04['  ]| made a tolerable fortune and risen to the honour of knighthood
105:018,05['  ]| by an address to the King, during his mayoralty.  The
105:018,06['  ]| distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly.  It had given
105:018,07['  ]| him a disgust to his business and to his residence in a small
105:018,08['  ]| market town; and quitting them both, he had removed
105:018,09['  ]| with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton,
105:018,10['  ]| denominated from that period Lucas*Lodge, where he
105:018,11['  ]| could think with pleasure of his own importance, and
105:018,12['  ]| unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being
105:018,13['  ]| civil to all the world.  For though elated by his rank,
105:018,14['  ]| it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he
105:018,15['  ]| was all attention to every*body.  By nature inoffensive,
105:018,16['  ]| friendly and obliging, his presentation at St%*James's had
105:018,17['  ]| made him courteous.
105:018,18['  ]| Lady*Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too
105:018,19['  ]| clever to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs%*Bennet. ~~ They
105:018,20['  ]| had several children.  The eldest of them, a sensible,
105:018,21['  ]| intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth's
105:018,22['  ]| intimate friend.
105:018,23['  ]| That the Miss*Lucases and the Miss*Bennets should
105:018,24['  ]| meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and
105:018,25['  ]| the morning after the assembly brought the former to
105:018,26['  ]| Longbourn to hear and to communicate.
105:018,27[D  ]| "\You\ began the evening well, Charlotte,"
105:018,27['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet
105:018,28['  ]| with civil self-command to Miss*Lucas.
105:018,28[D  ]| "\You\
105:018,29[D  ]| were Mr%*Bingley's first choice."
105:018,30[Q  ]| "Yes; ~~ but he seemed to like his second better."
105:018,31[D  ]| "Oh! ~~ you mean Jane, I suppose ~~ because he danced
105:018,32[D  ]| with her twice.  To be sure that \did\ seem as if he admired
105:018,33[D  ]| her ~~ indeed I rather believe he \did\ ~~ I heard something
105:019,01[D  ]| about it ~~ but I hardly know what ~~ something about
105:019,02[D  ]| Mr%*Robinson."
105:019,03[Q  ]| "Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him
105:019,04[Q  ]| and Mr%*Robinson; did not I mention it to you?  Mr%*Robinson's
105:019,05[Q  ]| asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies,
105:019,06[Q  ]| and whether he did not think there were a great
105:019,07[Q  ]| many pretty women in the room, and \which\ he thought
105:019,08[Q  ]| the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last
105:019,09[Q  ]| question ~~ Oh! the eldest Miss*Bennet beyond a doubt,
105:019,10[Q  ]| there cannot be two opinions on that point."
105:019,11[D  ]| "Upon my word! ~~ Well, that was very decided indeed
105:019,12[D  ]| ~~ that does seem as if ~~ but however, it may all come
105:019,13[D  ]| to nothing you know."
105:019,14[Q  ]| "\My\ overhearings were more to the purpose than \yours\,
105:019,15[Q  ]| Eliza,"
105:019,15['  ]| said Charlotte.
105:019,15[Q  ]| "Mr%*Darcy is not so well worth
105:019,16[Q  ]| listening to as his friend, is he? ~~ Poor Eliza! ~~ to be only
105:019,17[Q  ]| just \tolerable\."
105:019,18[D  ]| "I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to
105:019,19[D  ]| be vexed by his ill-treatment; for he is such a disagreeable
105:019,20[D  ]| man that it would be quite a misfortune to be
105:019,21[D  ]| liked by him.  Mrs%*Long told me last night that he
105:019,22[D  ]| sat close to her for half an hour without once opening his
105:019,23[D  ]| lips."
105:019,24[E  ]| "Are you quite sure, Ma'am? ~~ is not there a little
105:019,25[E  ]| mistake?"
105:019,25['  ]| said Jane. ~~
105:019,25[E  ]| "I certainly saw Mr%*Darcy
105:019,26[E  ]| speaking to her."
105:019,27[D  ]| "Aye ~~ because she asked him at last how he liked
105:019,28[D  ]| Netherfield, and he could not help answering her; ~~ but
105:019,29[D  ]| she said he seemed very angry at being spoke to."
105:019,30[E  ]| "Miss*Bingley told me,"
105:019,30['  ]| said Jane,
105:019,30[E  ]| "that he never
105:019,31[E  ]| speaks much unless among his intimate acquaintance.
105:019,32[E  ]| With \them\ he is remarkably agreeable."
105:019,33[D  ]| "I do not believe a word of it, my dear.  If he had been
105:019,34[D  ]| so very agreeable he would have talked to Mrs%*Long.
105:019,35[D  ]| But I can guess how it was; every*body says that he is
105:019,36[D  ]| ate up with pride, and I dare say he had heard somehow
105:019,37[D  ]| that Mrs%*Long does not keep a carriage, and had come
105:019,38[D  ]| to the ball in a hack chaise."
105:020,01[Q  ]| "I do not mind his not talking to Mrs%*Long,"
105:020,01['  ]| said
105:020,02['  ]| Miss*Lucas,
105:020,02[Q  ]| "but I wish he had danced with Eliza."
105:020,03[D  ]| "Another time, Lizzy,"
105:020,03['  ]| said her mother,
105:020,03[D  ]| "I would not
105:020,04[D  ]| dance with \him\, if I were you."
105:020,05[A  ]| "I believe, Ma'am, I may safely promise you \never\ to
105:020,06[A  ]| dance with him."
105:020,07[Q  ]| "His pride,"
105:020,07['  ]| said Miss*Lucas,
105:020,07[Q  ]| "does not offend \me\ so
105:020,08[Q  ]| much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it.
105:020,09[Q  ]| One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with
105:020,10[Q  ]| family, fortune, every*thing in his favour, should think
105:020,11[Q  ]| highly of himself.  If I may so express it, he has a \right\
105:020,12[Q  ]| to be proud."
105:020,13[A  ]| "That is very true,"
105:020,13['  ]| replied Elizabeth,
105:020,13[A  ]| "and I could
105:020,14[A  ]| easily forgive \his\ pride, if he had not mortified \mine\."
105:020,15[F  ]| "Pride,"
105:020,15['  ]| observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the
105:020,16['  ]| solidity of her reflections,
105:020,16[F  ]| "is a very common failing I
105:020,17[F  ]| believe.  By all that I have ever read, I am convinced
105:020,18[F  ]| that it is very common indeed, that human nature is
105:020,19[F  ]| particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of
105:020,20[F  ]| us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on
105:020,21[F  ]| the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.
105:020,22[F  ]| Vanity and pride are different things, though the words
105:020,23[F  ]| are often used synonimously.  A person may be proud
105:020,24[F  ]| without being vain.  Pride relates more to our opinion
105:020,25[F  ]| of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think
105:020,26[F  ]| of us."
105:020,27[W  ]| "If I were as rich as Mr%*Darcy,"
105:020,27['  ]| cried a young Lucas
105:020,28['  ]| who came with his sisters,
105:020,28[W  ]| "I should not care how proud
105:020,29[W  ]| I was.  I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink
105:020,30[W  ]| a bottle of wine every day."
105:020,31[D  ]| "Then you would drink a great deal more than you
105:020,32[D  ]| ought,"
105:020,33['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet;
105:020,34[D  ]| "and if I were to see you at
105:020,35[D  ]| it I should take away your bottle directly."
105:020,36['  ]| The boy protested that she should not; she continued
105:020,37['  ]| to declare that she would, and the argument ended only
105:020,38['  ]| with the visit.
106:021,01['  ]| The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of
106:021,02['  ]| Netherfield.  The visit was returned in due form.  Miss*Bennet's
106:021,03['  ]| pleasing manners grew on the good*will of Mrs%*Hurst
106:021,04['  ]| and Miss*Bingley; and though the mother was
106:021,05['  ]| found to be intolerable and the younger sisters not worth
106:021,06['  ]| speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with \them\,
106:021,07['  ]| was expressed towards the two eldest.  By Jane this
106:021,08['  ]| attention was received with the greatest pleasure; but
106:021,09['  ]| Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of
106:021,10['  ]| every*body, hardly excepting even her sister, and could
106:021,11['  ]| not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it
106:021,12['  ]| was, had a value as arising in all probability from the
106:021,13['  ]| influence of their brother's admiration.  It was generally
106:021,14['  ]| evident whenever they met, that he \did\ admire her; and
106:021,15['  ]| to \her\ it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the
106:021,16['  ]| preference which she had begun to entertain for him from
106:021,17['  ]| the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but
106:021,18['  ]| she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be
106:021,19['  ]| discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with
106:021,20['  ]| great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a
106:021,21['  ]| uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her
106:021,22['  ]| from the suspicions of the impertinent.  She mentioned
106:021,23['  ]| this to her friend Miss*Lucas.
106:021,24[Q  ]| "It may perhaps be pleasant,"
106:021,24['  ]| replied Charlotte,
106:021,24[Q  ]| "to
106:021,25[Q  ]| be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is
106:021,26[Q  ]| sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded.  If
106:021,27[Q  ]| a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from
106:021,28[Q  ]| the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing
106:021,29[Q  ]| him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe
106:021,30[Q  ]| the world equally in the dark.  There is so much of gratitude
106:021,31[Q  ]| or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not
106:021,32[Q  ]| safe to leave any to itself.  We can all \begin\ freely ~~ a slight
106:021,33[Q  ]| preference is natural enough; but there are very few of
106:022,01[Q  ]| us who have heart enough to be really in love without
106:022,02[Q  ]| encouragement.  In nine cases out of ten, a woman had
106:022,03[Q  ]| better shew \more\ affection than she feels.  Bingley likes
106:022,04[Q  ]| your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than
106:022,05[Q  ]| like her, if she does not help him on."
106:022,06[A  ]| "But she does help him on, as much as her nature will
106:022,07[A  ]| allow.  If \I\ can perceived her regard for him, he must be
106:022,08[A  ]| a simpleton indeed not to discover it too."
106:022,09[Q  ]| "Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's
106:022,10[Q  ]| disposition as you do."
106:022,11[A  ]| "But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not
106:022,12[A  ]| endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out."
106:022,13[Q  ]| "Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her.  But
106:022,14[Q  ]| though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never
106:022,15[Q  ]| for many hours together; and as they always see each
106:022,16[Q  ]| other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every
106:022,17[Q  ]| moment should be employed in conversing together.
106:022,18[Q  ]| Jane should therefore make the most of every half hour
106:022,19[Q  ]| in which she can command his attention.  When she is
106:022,20[Q  ]| secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as
106:022,21[Q  ]| much as she chuses."
106:022,22[A  ]| "Your plan is a good one,"
106:022,22['  ]| replied Elizabeth,
106:022,22[A  ]| "where
106:022,23[A  ]| nothing is in question but the desire of being well married;
106:022,24[A  ]| and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any
106:022,25[A  ]| husband, I dare say I should adopt it.  But these are
106:022,26[A  ]| not Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design.  As yet,
106:022,27[A  ]| she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own
106:022,28[A  ]| regard, nor of its reasonableness.  She has known him only
106:022,29[A  ]| a fortnight.  She danced four dances with him at Meryton;
106:022,30[A  ]| she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since
106:022,31[A  ]| dined in company with him four times.  This is not quite
106:022,32[A  ]| enough to make her understand his character."
106:022,33[Q  ]| "Not as you represent it.  Had she merely \dined\ with
106:022,34[Q  ]| him, she might only have discovered whether he had
106:022,35[Q  ]| a good appetite; but you must remember that four
106:022,36[Q  ]| evenings have been also spent together ~~ and four evenings
106:022,37[Q  ]| may do a great deal."
106:022,38[A  ]| "Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to
106:023,01[A  ]| ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce;
106:023,02[A  ]| but with respect to any other leading characteristic,
106:023,03[A  ]| I do not imagine that much has been unfolded."
106:023,04[Q  ]| "Well,"
106:023,04['  ]| said Charlotte,
106:023,04[Q  ]| "I wish Jane success with all
106:023,05[Q  ]| my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow,
106:023,06[Q  ]| I should think she had as good a chance of happiness, as
106:023,07[Q  ]| if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth.
106:023,08[Q  ]| Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of
106:023,09[Q  ]| chance.  If the dispositions of the parties are ever so
106:023,10[Q  ]| well known to each other, or ever so similar before-hand,
106:023,11[Q  ]| it does not advance their felicity in the least.  They
106:023,12[Q  ]| always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to
106:023,13[Q  ]| have their share of vexation; and it is better to know
106:023,14[Q  ]| as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom
106:023,15[Q  ]| you are to pass your life."
106:023,16[A  ]| "You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound.
106:023,17[A  ]| You know it is not sound, and that you would never
106:023,18[A  ]| act in this way yourself."
106:023,19['  ]| Occupied in observing Mr%*Bingley's attentions to her
106:023,20['  ]| sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was
106:023,21['  ]| herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes
106:023,22['  ]| of his friend.  Mr%*Darcy had at first scarcely allowed
106:023,23['  ]| her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration
106:023,24['  ]| at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her
106:023,25['  ]| only to criticise.  But no sooner had he made it clear to
106:023,26['  ]| himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature
106:023,27['  ]| in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly
106:023,28['  ]| intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark
106:023,29['  ]| eyes.  To this discovery succeeded some others equally
106:023,30['  ]| mortifying.  Though he had detected with a critical eye
106:023,31['  ]| more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form,
106:023,32['  ]| he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and
106:023,33['  ]| pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners
106:023,34['  ]| were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught
106:023,35['  ]| by their easy playfulness.  Of this she was perfectly
106:023,36['  ]| unaware; ~~ to her he was only the man who made himself
106:023,37['  ]| agreeable no*where, and who had not thought her handsome
106:023,38['  ]| enough to dance with.
106:024,01['  ]| He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step
106:024,02['  ]| towards conversing with her himself, attended to her
106:024,03['  ]| conversation with others.  His doing so drew her notice.
106:024,04['  ]| It was at Sir*William*Lucas's, where a large party were
106:024,05['  ]| assembled.
106:024,06[A  ]| "What does Mr%*Darcy mean,"
106:024,06['  ]| said she to Charlotte,
106:024,07[A  ]| "by listening to my conversation with Colonel*Forster?"
106:024,08[Q  ]| "That is a question which Mr%*Darcy only can answer."
106:024,09[A  ]| "But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him
106:024,10[A  ]| know that I see what he is about.  He has a very satirical
106:024,11[A  ]| eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself,
106:024,12[A  ]| I shall soon grow afraid of him."
106:024,13['  ]| On his approaching them soon afterwards, though
106:024,14['  ]| without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Miss*Lucas
106:024,15['  ]| defied her friend to mention such a subject to him,
106:024,16['  ]| which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, she
106:024,17['  ]| turned to him and said,
106:024,18[A  ]| "Did not you think, Mr%*Darcy, that I expressed myself
106:024,19[A  ]| uncommonly well just now, when I was teazing Colonel*Forster
106:024,20[A  ]| to give us a ball at Meryton?"
106:024,21[B  ]| "With great energy; ~~ but it is a subject which always
106:024,22[B  ]| makes a lady energetic."
106:024,23[A  ]| "You are severe on us."
106:024,24[Q  ]| "It will be \her\ turn soon to be teazed,"
106:024,24['  ]| said Miss*Lucas.
106:024,25[Q  ]| "I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and
106:024,26[Q  ]| you know what follows."
106:024,27[A  ]| "You are a very strange creature by way of a friend! ~~
106:024,28[A  ]| always wanting me to play and sing before any*body and
106:024,29[A  ]| every*body! ~~ If my vanity had taken a musical turn,
106:024,30[A  ]| you would have been invaluable, but as it is, I would
106:024,31[A  ]| really rather not sit down before those who must be in
106:024,32[A  ]| the habit of hearing the very best performers."
106:024,32['  ]| On Miss*Lucas's
106:024,33['  ]| persevering, however, she added,
106:024,33[A  ]| "Very well;
106:024,34[A  ]| if it must be so, it must."
106:024,34['  ]| And gravely glancing at
106:024,35['  ]| Mr%*Darcy,
106:024,35[A  ]| "There is a fine old saying, which every*body
106:024,36[A  ]| here is of course familiar with ~~ ""Keep your breath to cool
106:024,37[A  ]| your porridge,"" ~~ and I shall keep mine to swell my
106:024,38[A  ]| song."
106:025,01['  ]| Her performance was pleasing, though by no means
106:025,02['  ]| capital.  After a song or two, and before she could reply
106:025,03['  ]| to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she
106:025,04['  ]| was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister
106:025,05['  ]| Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain
106:025,06['  ]| one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments,
106:025,07['  ]| was always impatient for display.
106:025,08['  ]| Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity
106:025,09['  ]| had given her application, it had given her likewise a
106:025,10['  ]| pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have
106:025,11['  ]| injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.
106:025,12['  ]| Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with
106:025,13['  ]| much more pleasure, though not playing half so well;
106:025,14['  ]| and Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase
106:025,15['  ]| praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at
106:025,16['  ]| the request of her younger sisters, who with some of the
106:025,17['  ]| Lucases and two or three officers joined eagerly in dancing
106:025,18['  ]| at one end of the room.
106:025,19['  ]| Mr%*Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such
106:025,20['  ]| a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation,
106:025,21['  ]| and was too much engrossed by his own thoughts
106:025,22['  ]| to perceive that Sir*William*Lucas was his neighbour, till
106:025,23['  ]| Sir*William thus began.
106:025,24[R  ]| "What a charming amusement for young people this
106:025,25[R  ]| is, Mr%*Darcy! ~~ There is nothing like dancing after all. ~~
106:025,26[R  ]| I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished
106:025,27[R  ]| societies."
106:025,28[B  ]| "Certainly, Sir; ~~ and it has the advantage also of
106:025,29[B  ]| being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the
106:025,30[B  ]| world. ~~ Every savage can dance."
106:025,31['  ]| Sir*William only smiled.
106:025,31[R  ]| "Your friend performs
106:025,32[R  ]| delightfully;"
106:025,32['  ]| he continued after a pause, on seeing
106:025,33['  ]| Bingley join the group; ~~
106:025,33[R  ]| "and I doubt not that you are
106:025,34[R  ]| an adept in the science yourself, Mr%*Darcy."
106:025,35[B  ]| "You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, Sir."
106:025,36[R  ]| "Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure
106:025,37[R  ]| from the sight.  Do you often dance at St%*James's?"
106:025,38[B  ]| "Never, sir."
106:026,01[R  ]| "Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to
106:026,02[R  ]| the place?"
106:026,03[B  ]| "It is a compliment which I never pay to any place
106:026,04[B  ]| if I can avoid it."
106:026,05[R  ]| "You have a house in town, I conclude?"
106:026,06['  ]| Mr%*Darcy bowed.
106:026,07[R  ]| "I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself ~~
106:026,08[R  ]| for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel
106:026,09[R  ]| quite certain that the air of London would agree with
106:026,10[R  ]| Lady*Lucas."
106:026,11['  ]| He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion
106:026,12['  ]| was not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that
106:026,13['  ]| instant moving towards them, he was struck with the
106:026,14['  ]| notion of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her,
106:026,15[R  ]| "My dear Miss*Eliza, why are not you dancing? ~~
106:026,16[R  ]| Mr%*Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady
106:026,17[R  ]| to you as a very desirable partner. ~~ You cannot refuse
106:026,18[R  ]| to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you."
106:026,19['  ]| And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr%*Darcy,
106:026,20['  ]| who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to
106:026,21['  ]| receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with
106:026,22['  ]| some discomposure to Sir*William,
106:026,23[A  ]| "Indeed, Sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. ~~
106:026,24[A  ]| I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in
106:026,25[A  ]| order to beg for a partner."
106:026,26['  ]| Mr%*Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed
106:026,27['  ]| the honour of her hand; but in vain.  Elizabeth was determined;
106:026,28['  ]| nor did Sir*William at all shake her purpose by his
106:026,29['  ]| attempt at persuasion.
106:026,30[R  ]| "You excel so much in the dance, Miss*Eliza, that it is
106:026,31[R  ]| cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though
106:026,32[R  ]| this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can
106:026,33[R  ]| have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half hour."
106:026,34[A  ]| "Mr%*Darcy is all politeness,"
106:026,34['  ]| said Elizabeth, smiling.
106:026,35[R  ]| "He is indeed ~~ but considering the inducement, my
106:026,36[R  ]| dear Miss*Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance;
106:026,37[R  ]| for who would object to such a partner?"
106:026,38['  ]| Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away.  Her
106:027,01['  ]| resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and
106:027,02['  ]| he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus
106:027,03['  ]| accosted by Miss*Bingley,
106:027,04[J  ]| "I can guess the subject of your reverie."
106:027,05[B  ]| "I should imagine not."
106:027,06[J  ]| "You are considering how insupportable it would be
106:027,07[J  ]| to pass many evenings in this manner ~~ in such society;
106:027,08[J  ]| and indeed I am quite of your opinion.  I was never
106:027,09[J  ]| more annoyed!  The insipidity and yet the noise; the
106:027,10[J  ]| nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these
106:027,11[J  ]| people! ~~ What would I give to hear your strictures on
106:027,12[J  ]| them!"
106:027,13[B  ]| "Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you.  My
106:027,14[B  ]| mind was more agreeably engaged.  I have been meditating
106:027,15[B  ]| on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes
106:027,16[B  ]| in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."
106:027,17['  ]| Miss*Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face,
106:027,18['  ]| and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit
106:027,19['  ]| of inspiring such reflections.  Mr%*Darcy replied with
106:027,20['  ]| great intrepidity,
106:027,21[B  ]| "Miss*Elizabeth*Bennet."
106:027,22[J  ]| "Miss*Elizabeth*Bennet!"
106:027,22['  ]| repeated Miss*Bingley.
106:027,23[J  ]| "I am all astonishment.  How long has she been such
106:027,24[J  ]| a favourite? ~~ and pray when am I to wish you joy?"
106:027,25[B  ]| "That is exactly the question which I expected you
106:027,26[B  ]| to ask.  A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps
106:027,27[B  ]| from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a
106:027,28[B  ]| moment.  I knew you would be wishing me joy."
106:027,29[J  ]| "Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider
106:027,30[J  ]| the matter as absolutely settled.  You will have a charming
106:027,31[J  ]| mother-in-law, indeed, and of course she will be always
106:027,32[J  ]| at Pemberley with you."
106:027,33['  ]| He listened to her with perfect indifference, while she
106:027,34['  ]| chose to entertain herself in this manner, and as his composure
106:027,35['  ]| convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.
107:028,01['  ]| Mr%*Bennet's property consisted almost entirely in an
107:028,02['  ]| estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for
107:028,03['  ]| his daughters, was entailed in default of heirs male, on
107:028,04['  ]| a distant relation; and their mother's fortune, though
107:028,05['  ]| ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply the
107:028,06['  ]| deficiency of his.  Her father had been an attorney in
107:028,07['  ]| Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds.
107:028,08['  ]| She had a sister married to a Mr%*Phillips, who had
107:028,09['  ]| been a clerk to their father, and succeeded him in the
107:028,10['  ]| business, and a brother settled in London in a respectable
107:028,11['  ]| line of trade.
107:028,12['  ]| The village of Longbourn was only one mile from
107:028,13['  ]| Meryton; a most convenient distance for the young
107:028,14['  ]| ladies, who were usually tempted thither three or four
107:028,15['  ]| times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt and to a
107:028,16['  ]| milliner's shop just over the way.  The two youngest
107:028,17['  ]| of the family, Catherine and Lydia, were particularly
107:028,18['  ]| frequent in these attentions; their minds were more
107:028,19['  ]| vacant than their sisters', and when nothing better offered,
107:028,20['  ]| a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morning
107:028,21['  ]| hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and
107:028,22['  ]| however bare of news the country in general might be,
107:028,23['  ]| they always contrived to learn some from their aunt.
107:028,24['  ]| At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news
107:028,25['  ]| and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment
107:028,26['  ]| in the neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter,
107:028,27['  ]| and Meryton was the head*quarters.
107:028,28['  ]| Their visits to Mrs%*Philips were now productive of
107:028,29['  ]| the most interesting intelligence.  Every day added
107:028,30['  ]| something to their knowledge of the officers' names and
107:028,31['  ]| connections.  Their lodgings were not long a secret, and
107:028,32['  ]| at length they began to know the officers themselves.
107:028,33['  ]| Mr%*Philips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces
107:029,01['  ]| a source of felicity unknown before.  They could talk of
107:029,02['  ]| nothing but officers; and Mr%*Bingley's large fortune,
107:029,03['  ]| the mention of which gave animation to their mother,
107:029,04['  ]| was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals
107:029,05['  ]| of an ensign.
107:029,06['  ]| After listening one morning to their effusions on this
107:029,07['  ]| subject, Mr%*Bennet coolly observed,
107:029,08[C  ]| "From all that I can collect by your manner of talking,
107:029,09[C  ]| you must be two of the silliest girls in the country.  I have
107:029,10[C  ]| suspected it some time, but I am now convinced."
107:029,11['  ]| Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; but
107:029,12['  ]| Lydia, with perfect indifference, continued to express her
107:029,13['  ]| admiration of Captain*Carter, and her hope of seeing him
107:029,14['  ]| in the course of the day, as he was going the next morning
107:029,15['  ]| to London.
107:029,16[D  ]| "I am astonished, my dear,"
107:029,16['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet,
107:029,16[D  ]| "that
107:029,17[D  ]| you should be so ready to think your own children silly.
107:029,18[D  ]| If I wished to think slightingly of any*body's children,
107:029,19[D  ]| it should not be of my own however."
107:029,20[C  ]| "If my children are silly I must hope to be always
107:029,21[C  ]| sensible of it."
107:029,22[D  ]| "Yes ~~ but as it happens, they are all of them very
107:029,23[D  ]| clever."
107:029,24[C  ]| "This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we
107:029,25[C  ]| do not agree.  I had hoped that our sentiments coincided
107:029,26[C  ]| in every particular, but I must so far differ from you
107:029,27[C  ]| as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly
107:029,28[C  ]| foolish."
107:029,29[D  ]| "My dear Mr%*Bennet, you must not expect such girls
107:029,30[D  ]| to have the sense of their father and mother. ~~ When
107:029,31[D  ]| they get to our age I dare say they will not think about
107:029,32[D  ]| officers any more than we do.  I remember the time when
107:029,33[D  ]| I liked a red coat myself very well ~~ and indeed so I do
107:029,34[D  ]| still at my heart; and if a smart young colonel, with
107:029,35[D  ]| five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls,
107:029,36[D  ]| I shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel*Forster
107:029,37[D  ]| looked very becoming the other night at Sir*William's in
107:029,38[D  ]| his regimentals."
107:030,01[H  ]| "Mama,"
107:030,01['  ]| cried Lydia,
107:030,01[H  ]| "my aunt says that Colonel*Forster
107:030,02[H  ]| and Captain*Carter do not go so often to Miss*Watson's
107:030,03[H  ]| as they did when they first came; she sees
107:030,04[H  ]| them now very often standing in Clarke's library."
107:030,05['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of
107:030,06['  ]| the footman with a note for Miss*Bennet; it came from
107:030,07['  ]| Netherfield, and the servant waited for an answer.  Mrs%*Bennet's
107:030,08['  ]| eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly
107:030,09['  ]| calling out, while her daughter read,
107:030,10[D  ]| "Well, Jane, who is it from?  what is it about?  what
107:030,11[D  ]| does he say?  Well, Jane make haste and tell us; make
107:030,12[D  ]| haste, my love."
107:030,13[E  ]| "It is from Miss*Bingley,"
107:030,13['  ]| said Jane, and then read
107:030,14['  ]| it aloud.
107:030,15['  ]|
107:030,16[J  ]| "My dear Friend,
107:030,17[J  ]| "If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day
107:030,18[J  ]| with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each
107:030,19[J  ]| other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's te^te-a`-te^te
107:030,20[J  ]| between two women can never end without a quarrel.
107:030,21[J  ]| Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this.  My
107:030,22[J  ]| brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.
107:030,23[J  ]| Yours ever,
107:030,24[J  ]| "CAROLINE*BINGLEY."
107:030,25[J  ]|
107:030,26[H  ]| "With the officers!"
107:030,26['  ]| cried Lydia.
107:030,26[H  ]| "I wonder my
107:030,27[H  ]| aunt did not tell us of \that\."
107:030,28[D  ]| "Dining out,"
107:030,28['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet,
107:030,28[D  ]| "that is very unlucky."
107:030,29[D  ]|
107:030,30[E  ]| "Can I have the carriage?"
107:030,30['  ]| said Jane.
107:030,31[D  ]| "No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because
107:030,32[D  ]| it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night."
107:030,33[A  ]| "That would be a good scheme,"
107:030,33['  ]| said Elizabeth,
107:030,33[A  ]| "if you
107:030,34[A  ]| were sure that they would not offer to send her home."
107:030,35[D  ]| "Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr%*Bingley's chaise
107:030,36[D  ]| to go to Meryton; and the Hursts have no horses to
107:030,37[D  ]| theirs."
107:030,38[E  ]| "I had much rather go in the coach."
107:030,39[D  ]| "But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses,
107:031,01[D  ]| I am sure.  They are wanted in the farm, Mr%*Bennett,
107:031,02[D  ]| are not they?"
107:031,03[C  ]| "They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can
107:031,04[C  ]| get them."
107:031,05[A  ]| "But if you have got them to*day,"
107:031,05['  ]| said Elizabeth,
107:031,06[A  ]| "my mother's purpose will be answered."
107:031,07['  ]| She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment
107:031,08['  ]| that the horses were engaged.  Jane was therefore
107:031,09['  ]| obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended her
107:031,10['  ]| to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day.
107:031,11['  ]| Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long
107:031,12['  ]| before it rained hard.  Her sisters were uneasy for her, but
107:031,13['  ]| her mother was delighted.  The rain continued the whole
107:031,14['  ]| evening without intermission; Jane certainly could not
107:031,15['  ]| come back.
107:031,16[D  ]| "This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!"
107:031,16['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet,
107:031,17['  ]| more than once, as if the credit of making it rain
107:031,18['  ]| were all her own.  Till the next morning, however, she
107:031,19['  ]| was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance.  Breakfast
107:031,20['  ]| was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield
107:031,21['  ]| brought the following note for Elizabeth:
107:031,22[E  ]| "My dearest Lizzy,
107:031,23[E  ]| "I find myself very unwell this morning, which,
107:031,24[E  ]| I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through
107:031,25[E  ]| yesterday.  My kind friends will not hear of my returning
107:031,26[E  ]| home till I am better.  They insist also on my seeing
107:031,27[E  ]| Mr%*Jones ~~ therefore do not be alarmed if you should
107:031,28[E  ]| hear of his having been to me ~~ and excepting a sore-throat
107:031,29[E  ]| and head-ache there is not much the matter with
107:031,30[E  ]| me.
107:031,31[E  ]| "Yours, &c%"
107:031,32[C  ]| "Well, my dear,"
107:031,32['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet, when Elizabeth had
107:031,33['  ]| read the note aloud,
107:031,33[C  ]| "if your daughter should have a
107:031,34[C  ]| dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be
107:031,35[C  ]| a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr%*Bingley,
107:031,36[C  ]| and under your orders."
107:031,37[D  ]| "Oh!  I am not at all afraid of her dying.  People
107:031,38[D  ]| do not die of little trifling colds.  She will be taken good
107:032,01[D  ]| care of.  As long as she stays there, it is all very well.
107:032,02[D  ]| I would go and see her, if I could have the carriage."
107:032,03['  ]| Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go
107:032,04['  ]| to her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as
107:032,05['  ]| she was no horse-woman, walking was her only alternative.
107:032,06['  ]| She declared her resolution.
107:032,07[D  ]| "How can you be so silly,"
107:032,07['  ]| cried her mother,
107:032,07[D  ]| "as to
107:032,08[D  ]| think of such a thing, in all this dirt!  You will not be
107:032,09[D  ]| fit to be seen when you get there."
107:032,10[A  ]| "I shall be very fit to see Jane ~~ which is all I want."
107:032,11[C  ]| "Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,"
107:032,11['  ]| said her father,
107:032,11[C  ]| "to send
107:032,12[C  ]| for the horses?"
107:032,13[A  ]| "No, indeed.  I do not wish to avoid the walk.  The
107:032,14[A  ]| distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three
107:032,15[A  ]| miles.  I shall be back by dinner."
107:032,16[F  ]| "I admire the activity of your benevolence,"
107:032,16['  ]| observed
107:032,17['  ]| Mary,
107:032,17[F  ]| "but every impulse of feeling should be guided by
107:032,18[F  ]| reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be
107:032,19[F  ]| in proportion to what is required."
107:032,20[Y  ]| "We will go as far as Meryton with you,"
107:032,20['  ]| said Catherine
107:032,21['  ]| and Lydia. ~~ Elizabeth accepted their company, and the
107:032,22['  ]| three young ladies set off together.
107:032,23[H  ]| "If we make haste,"
107:032,23['  ]| said Lydia, as they walked along,
107:032,24[H  ]| "perhaps we may see something of Captain*Carter before
107:032,25[H  ]| he goes."
107:032,26['  ]| In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired
107:032,27['  ]| to the lodgings of one of the officers' wives, and Elizabeth
107:032,28['  ]| continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a
107:032,29['  ]| quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles
107:032,30['  ]| with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within
107:032,31['  ]| view of the house, with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and
107:032,32['  ]| a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.
107:032,33['  ]| She was shewn into the breakfast-parlour, where all
107:032,34['  ]| but Jane were assembled, and where her appearance
107:032,35['  ]| created a great deal of surprise. ~~ That she should have
107:032,36['  ]| walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty
107:032,37['  ]| weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs%*Hurst
107:032,38['  ]| and Miss*Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced
107:033,01['  ]| that they held her in contempt for it.  She was received,
107:033,02['  ]| however, very politely by them; and in their brother's
107:033,03['  ]| manners there was something better than politeness;
107:033,04['  ]| there was good*humour and kindness. ~~ Mr%*Darcy said
107:033,05['  ]| very little, and Mr%*Hurst nothing at all.  The former
107:033,06['  ]| was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which
107:033,07['  ]| exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to
107:033,08['  ]| the occasion's justifying her coming so far alone.  The
107:033,09['  ]| latter was thinking only of his breakfast.
107:033,10['  ]| Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably
107:033,11['  ]| answered.
107:033,11@x   | Miss*Bennet had slept ill, and though up,
107:033,12@x   | was very feverish and not well enough to leave her room.
107:033,13['  ]| Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and
107:033,14['  ]| Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving
107:033,15['  ]| alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in her note how
107:033,16['  ]| much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her
107:033,17['  ]| entrance.  She was not equal, however, to much conversation,
107:033,18['  ]| and when Miss*Bingley left them together,
107:033,19['  ]| could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for
107:033,20['  ]| the extraordinary kindness she was treated with.  Elizabeth
107:033,21['  ]| silently attended her.
107:033,22['  ]| When breakfast was over, they were joined by the
107:033,23['  ]| sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when
107:033,24['  ]| she saw how much affection and solicitude they shewed
107:033,25['  ]| for Jane.  The apothecary came, and having examined
107:033,26['  ]| his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had
107:033,27['  ]| caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to
107:033,28['  ]| get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and
107:033,29['  ]| promised her some draughts.  The advice was followed
107:033,30['  ]| readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her
107:033,31['  ]| head ached acutely.  Elizabeth did not quit her room
107:033,32['  ]| for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent;
107:033,33['  ]| the gentlemen being out, they had in fact nothing to do
107:033,34['  ]| elsewhere.
107:033,35['  ]| When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she
107:033,36['  ]| must go; and very unwillingly said so.  Miss*Bingley
107:033,37['  ]| offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little
107:033,38['  ]| pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern
107:034,01['  ]| in parting with her, that Miss*Bingley was obliged to
107:034,02['  ]| convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to remain
107:034,03['  ]| at Netherfield for the present.  Elizabeth most thankfully
107:034,04['  ]| consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn
107:034,05['  ]| to acquaint the family with her stay, and bring back
107:034,06['  ]| a supply of clothes.
108:035,01['  ]| At five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and
108:035,02['  ]| at half past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner.  To
108:035,03['  ]| the civil enquiries which then poured in, and amongst
108:035,04['  ]| which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the much
108:035,05['  ]| superior solicitude of Mr%*Bingley's, she could not make
108:035,06['  ]| a very favourable answer.
108:035,06@a   | Jane was by no means better.
108:035,07['  ]| The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times
108:035,08@y   | how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have
108:035,09@y   | a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill
108:035,10@y   | themselves;
108:035,10['  ]| and then thought no more of the matter:
108:035,11['  ]| and their indifference towards Jane when not immediately
108:035,12['  ]| before them, restored Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all
108:035,13['  ]| her original dislike.
108:035,14['  ]| Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party
108:035,15['  ]| whom she could regard with any complacency.  His
108:035,16['  ]| anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herself
108:035,17['  ]| most pleasing, and they prevented her feeling herself so
108:035,18['  ]| much an intruder as she believed she was considered by
108:035,19['  ]| the others.  She had very little notice from any but him.
108:035,20['  ]| Miss*Bingley was engrossed by Mr%*Darcy, her sister
108:035,21['  ]| scarcely less so; and as for Mr%*Hurst, by whom Elizabeth
108:035,22['  ]| sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink,
108:035,23['  ]| and play at cards, who when he found her prefer a plain
108:035,24['  ]| dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her.
108:035,25['  ]| When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane,
108:035,26['  ]| and Miss*Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was
108:035,27['  ]| out of the room.  Her manners were pronounced to be
108:035,28@j   | very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence;
108:035,29@j   | she had no conversation, no stile, no taste, no beauty.
108:035,30['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst thought the same, and added,
108:035,31[V  ]| "She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but
108:035,32[V  ]| being an excellent walker.  I shall never forget her
108:035,33[V  ]| appearance this morning.  She really looked almost wild."
108:036,01[J  ]| "She did indeed, Louisa.  I could hardly keep my
108:036,02[J  ]| countenance.  Very nonsensical to come at all!  Why
108:036,03[J  ]| must \she\ be scampering about the country, because her
108:036,04[J  ]| sister had a cold?  Her hair so untidy, so blowsy!"
108:036,05[V  ]| "Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat,
108:036,06[V  ]| six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the
108:036,07[V  ]| gown which had been let down to hide it, not doing its
108:036,08[V  ]| office."
108:036,09[I  ]| "Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,"
108:036,09['  ]| said
108:036,10['  ]| Bingley;
108:036,10[I  ]| "but this was all lost upon me.  I thought
108:036,11[I  ]| Miss*Elizabeth*Bennet looked remarkably well, when she
108:036,12[I  ]| came into the room this morning.  Her dirty petticoat
108:036,13[I  ]| quite escaped my notice."
108:036,14[J  ]| "\You\ observed it, Mr%*Darcy, I am sure,"
108:036,14['  ]| said Miss*Bingley;
108:036,15[J  ]| "and I am inclined to think that you would
108:036,16[J  ]| not wish to see \your\ \sister\ make such an exhibition."
108:036,17[B  ]| "Certainly not."
108:036,18[J  ]| "To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or
108:036,19[J  ]| whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite
108:036,20[J  ]| alone! what could she mean by it?  It seems to me
108:036,21[J  ]| to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence,
108:036,22[J  ]| a most country*town indifference to decorum."
108:036,23[I  ]| "It shews an affection for her sister that is very
108:036,24[I  ]| pleasing,"
108:036,24['  ]| said Bingley.
108:036,25[J  ]| "I am afraid, Mr%*Darcy,"
108:036,25['  ]| observed Miss*Bingley, in
108:036,26['  ]| a half whisper,
108:036,26[J  ]| "that this adventure has rather affected
108:036,27[J  ]| your admiration of her fine eyes."
108:036,28[B  ]| "Not at all,"
108:036,28['  ]| he replied;
108:036,28[B  ]| "they were brightened by
108:036,29[B  ]| the exercise." ~~
108:036,29['  ]| A short pause followed this speech, and
108:036,30['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst began again.
108:036,31[V  ]| "I have an excessive regard for Jane*Bennet, she is
108:036,32[V  ]| really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she
108:036,33[V  ]| were well settled.  But with such a father and mother, and
108:036,34[V  ]| such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it."
108:036,35[J  ]| "I think I have heard you say, that their uncle is an
108:036,36[J  ]| attorney in Meryton."
108:036,37[V  ]| "Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere
108:036,38[V  ]| near Cheapside."
108:037,01[J  ]| "That is capital,"
108:037,01['  ]| added her sister, and they both
108:037,02['  ]| laughed heartily.
108:037,03[I  ]| "If they had uncles enough to fill \all\ Cheapside,"
108:037,03['  ]| cried
108:037,04['  ]| Bingley,
108:037,04[I  ]| "it would not make them one jot less agreeable."
108:037,05[B  ]| "But it must very materially lessen their chance of
108:037,06[B  ]| marrying men of any consideration in the world,"
108:037,06['  ]| replied
108:037,07['  ]| Darcy.
108:037,08['  ]| To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters
108:037,09['  ]| gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for
108:037,10['  ]| some time at the expense of their dear friend's vulgar
108:037,11['  ]| relations.
108:037,12['  ]| With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired
108:037,13['  ]| to her room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with
108:037,14['  ]| her till summoned to coffee.  She was still very poorly,
108:037,15['  ]| and Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till late in the
108:037,16['  ]| evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her asleep,
108:037,17['  ]| and when it appeared to her rather right than pleasant
108:037,18['  ]| that she should go down*stairs herself.  On entering the
108:037,19['  ]| drawing-room she found the whole party at loo, and was
108:037,20['  ]| immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them
108:037,21['  ]| to be playing high she declined it, and making her sister
108:037,22['  ]| the excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short
108:037,23['  ]| time she could stay below with a book.  Mr%*Hurst looked
108:037,24['  ]| at her with astonishment.
108:037,25[W  ]| "Do you prefer reading to cards?"
108:037,25['  ]| said he;
108:037,25[W  ]| "that
108:037,26[W  ]| is rather singular."
108:037,27[J  ]| "Miss*Eliza*Bennet,"
108:037,27['  ]| said Miss*Bingley,
108:037,27[J  ]| "despises cards.
108:037,28[J  ]| She is a great reader and has no pleasure in any*thing else."
108:037,29[A  ]| "I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,"
108:037,29['  ]| cried
108:037,30['  ]| Elizabeth;
108:037,30[A  ]| "I am \not\ a great reader, and I have pleasure
108:037,31[A  ]| in many things."
108:037,32[I  ]| "In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,"
108:037,33['  ]| said Bingley;
108:037,33[I  ]| "and I hope it will soon be increased by
108:037,34[I  ]| seeing her quite well."
108:037,35['  ]| Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked
108:037,36['  ]| towards a table where a few books were lying.  He immediately
108:037,37['  ]| offered to fetch her others; all that his library
108:037,38['  ]| afforded.
108:038,01[I  ]| "And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit
108:038,02[I  ]| and my own credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though
108:038,03[I  ]| I have not many, I have more than I ever look into."
108:038,04['  ]| Elizabeth assured him that
108:038,04@a   | she could suit herself perfectly
108:038,05@a   | with those in the room.
108:038,06[J  ]| "I am astonished,"
108:038,06['  ]| said Miss*Bingley,
108:038,06[J  ]| "that my father
108:038,07[J  ]| should have left so small a collection of books. ~~ What
108:038,08[J  ]| a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr%*Darcy!"
108:038,09[B  ]| "It ought to be good,"
108:038,09['  ]| he replied,
108:038,09[B  ]| "it has been the
108:038,10[B  ]| work of many generations."
108:038,11[J  ]| "And then you have added so much to it yourself, you
108:038,12[J  ]| are always buying books."
108:038,13[B  ]| "I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library
108:038,14[B  ]| in such days as these."
108:038,15[J  ]| "Neglect!  I am sure you neglect nothing that can add
108:038,16[J  ]| to the beauties of that noble place.  Charles, when you
108:038,17[J  ]| build \your\ house, I wish it may be half as delightful as
108:038,18[J  ]| Pemberley."
108:038,19[I  ]| "I wish it may."
108:038,20[J  ]| "But I would really advise you to make your purchase in
108:038,21[J  ]| that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model.
108:038,22[J  ]| There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire."
108:038,23[I  ]| "With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if
108:038,24[I  ]| Darcy will sell it."
108:038,25[J  ]| "I am talking of possibilities, Charles."
108:038,26[I  ]| "Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more
108:038,27[I  ]| possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation."
108:038,28['  ]| Elizabeth was so much caught by what passed, as to
108:038,29['  ]| leave her very little attention for her book; and soon
108:038,30['  ]| laying it wholly aside, she drew near the card-table, and
108:038,31['  ]| stationed herself between Mr%*Bingley and his eldest sister,
108:038,32['  ]| to observe the game.
108:038,33[J  ]| "Is Miss*Darcy much grown since the spring?"
108:038,33['  ]| said
108:038,34['  ]| Miss*Bingley;
108:038,34[J  ]| "will she be as tall as I am?"
108:038,35[B  ]| "I think she will.  She is now about Miss*Elizabeth*Bennet's
108:038,36[B  ]| height, or rather taller."
108:038,37[J  ]| "How I long to see her again! I never met with
108:038,38[J  ]| anybody who delighted me so much.  Such a countenance,
108:039,01[J  ]| such manners! and so extremely accomplished for her
108:039,02[J  ]| age!  Her performance on the piano-forte is exquisite."
108:039,03[I  ]| "It is amazing to me,"
108:039,03['  ]| said Bingley,
108:039,03[I  ]| "how young
108:039,04[I  ]| ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished, as
108:039,05[I  ]| they all are."
108:039,06[J  ]| "All young ladies accomplished!  My dear Charles, what
108:039,07[J  ]| do you mean?"
108:039,08[I  ]| "Yes, all of them, I think.  They all paint tables,
108:039,09[I  ]| cover skreens and net purses.  I scarcely know any*one
108:039,10[I  ]| who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard
108:039,11[I  ]| a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being
108:039,12[I  ]| informed that she was very accomplished."
108:039,13[B  ]| "Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,"
108:039,14['  ]| said Darcy,
108:039,14[B  ]| "has too much truth.  The word is applied
108:039,15[B  ]| to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by
108:039,16[B  ]| netting a purse, or covering a skreen.  But I am very far
108:039,17[B  ]| from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in
108:039,18[B  ]| general.  I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen,
108:039,19[B  ]| in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are  really
108:039,20[B  ]| accomplished."
108:039,21[J  ]| "Nor I, I am sure,"
108:039,21['  ]| said Miss*Bingley.
108:039,22[A  ]| "Then,"
108:039,22['  ]| observed Elizabeth,
108:039,22[A  ]| "you must comprehend
108:039,23[A  ]| a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman."
108:039,24[B  ]| "Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it."
108:039,25[J  ]| "Oh! certainly,"
108:039,25['  ]| cried his faithful assistant,
108:039,25[J  ]| "no*one
108:039,26[J  ]| can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly
108:039,27[J  ]| surpass what is usually met with.  A woman must have
108:039,28[J  ]| a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing,
108:039,29[J  ]| and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides
108:039,30[J  ]| all this, she must possess a certain something in her
108:039,31[J  ]| air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address
108:039,32[J  ]| and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved."
108:039,33[B  ]| "All this she must possess,"
108:039,33['  ]| added Darcy,
108:039,33[B  ]| "and to
108:039,34[B  ]| all this she must yet add something more substantial, in
108:039,35[B  ]| the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
108:039,36[A  ]| "I am no longer surprised at your knowing \only\ six
108:039,37[A  ]| accomplished women.  I rather wonder now at your
108:039,38[A  ]| knowing \any\."
108:040,01[B  ]| "Are you so severe upon your own sex, as to doubt the
108:040,02[B  ]| possibility of all this?"
108:040,03[A  ]| "\I\ never saw such a woman.  \I\ never saw such capacity,
108:040,04[A  ]| and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe,
108:040,05[A  ]| united."
108:040,06['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst and Miss*Bingley both cried out against the
108:040,07['  ]| injustice of her implied doubt, and were both protesting that
108:040,08['  ]| they knew many women who answered this description,
108:040,09['  ]| when Mr%*Hurst called them to order, with bitter complaints
108:040,10['  ]| of their inattention to what was going forward.  As all
108:040,11['  ]| conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards
108:040,12['  ]| left the room.
108:040,13[J  ]| "Eliza*Bennet,"
108:040,13['  ]| said Miss*Bingley, when the door was
108:040,14['  ]| closed on her,
108:040,14[J  ]| "is one of those young ladies who seek to
108:040,15[J  ]| recommend themselves to the other sex, by undervaluing
108:040,16[J  ]| their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds.
108:040,17[J  ]| But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."
108:040,18[B  ]| "Undoubtedly,"
108:040,18['  ]| replied Darcy, to whom this remark
108:040,19['  ]| was chiefly addressed,
108:040,19[B  ]| "there is meanness in \all\ the arts
108:040,20[B  ]| which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation.
108:040,21[B  ]| Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable."
108:040,22['  ]| Miss*Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply
108:040,23['  ]| as to continue the subject.
108:040,24['  ]| Elizabeth joined them again only to say that
108:040,24@a   | her sister
108:040,25@a   | was worse, and that she could not leave her.
108:040,25['  ]| Bingley
108:040,26['  ]| urged Mr%*Jones's being sent for immediately; while his
108:040,27['  ]| sisters, convinced that no country advice could be of any
108:040,28['  ]| service, recommended an express to town for one of the
108:040,29['  ]| most eminent physicians.  This, she would not hear of;
108:040,30['  ]| but she was not so unwilling to comply with their brother's
108:040,31['  ]| proposal; and it was settled that Mr%*Jones should be
108:040,32['  ]| sent for early in the morning, if Miss*Bennet were not
108:040,33['  ]| decidedly better.  Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his
108:040,34['  ]| sisters declared that they were miserable.  They solaced
108:040,35['  ]| their wretchedness, however, by duets after supper, while
108:040,36['  ]| he could find no better relief to his feelings than by giving
108:040,37['  ]| his housekeeper directions that every possible attention
108:040,38['  ]| might be paid to the sick lady and her sister.
109:041,01['  ]| Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister's
109:041,02['  ]| room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able
109:041,03['  ]| to send a tolerable answer to the enquiries which she very
109:041,04['  ]| early received from Mr%*Bingley by a housemaid, and some
109:041,05['  ]| time afterwards from the two elegant ladies who waited
109:041,06['  ]| on his sisters.  In spite of his amendment, however, she
109:041,07['  ]| requested to have a note sent to Longbourn, desiring her
109:041,08['  ]| mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgment of her
109:041,09['  ]| situation.  The note was immediately dispatched, and its
109:041,10['  ]| contents as quickly complied with.  Mrs%*Bennet, accompanied
109:041,11['  ]| by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon
109:041,12['  ]| after the family breakfast.
109:041,13['  ]| Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs%*Bennet
109:041,14['  ]| would have been very miserable; but being
109:041,15['  ]| satisfied on seeing her that her illness was not alarming,
109:041,16['  ]| she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her
109:041,17['  ]| restoration to health would probably remove her from
109:041,18['  ]| Netherfield.  She would not listen therefore to her
109:041,19['  ]| daughter's proposal of being carried home; neither did
109:041,20['  ]| the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think
109:041,21['  ]| it at all advisable.  After sitting a little while with Jane,
109:041,22['  ]| on Miss*Bingley's appearance and invitation, the mother
109:041,23['  ]| and three daughters all attended her into the breakfast*parlour.
109:041,24['  ]| Bingley met them with
109:041,24@i   | hopes that Mrs%*Bennet
109:041,25@i   | had not found Miss*Bennet worse than she expected.
109:041,26[D  ]| "Indeed I have, Sir,"
109:041,26['  ]| was her answer.
109:041,26[D  ]| "She is a great
109:041,27[D  ]| deal too ill to be moved.  Mr%*Jones says we must not
109:041,28[D  ]| think of moving her.  We must trespass a little longer
109:041,29[D  ]| on your kindness."
109:041,30[I  ]| "Removed!"
109:041,30['  ]| cried Bingley.
109:041,30[I  ]| "It must not be
109:041,31[I  ]| thought of.  My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her
109:041,32[I  ]| removal."
109:041,33[J  ]| "You may depend upon it, Madam,"
109:041,33['  ]| said Miss*Bingley,
109:042,01['  ]| with cold civility,
109:042,01[J  ]| "that Miss*Bennet shall receive every
109:042,02[J  ]| possible attention while she remains with us."
109:042,03['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.
109:042,04[D  ]| "I am sure,"
109:042,04['  ]| she added,
109:042,04[D  ]| "if it was not for such good
109:042,05[D  ]| friends I do not know what would become of her, for she
109:042,06[D  ]| is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the
109:042,07[D  ]| greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with
109:042,08[D  ]| her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I
109:042,09[D  ]| ever met with.  I often tell my other girls they are nothing
109:042,10[D  ]| to \her\.  You have a sweet room here, Mr%*Bingley, and a
109:042,11[D  ]| charming prospect over that gravel walk.  I do not know
109:042,12[D  ]| a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield.  You
109:042,13[D  ]| will not think of quitting it in a hurry I hope, though
109:042,14[D  ]| you have but a short lease."
109:042,15[I  ]| "Whatever I do is done in a hurry,"
109:042,15['  ]| replied he;
109:042,15[I  ]| "and
109:042,16[I  ]| therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should
109:042,17[I  ]| probably be off in five minutes.  At present, however,
109:042,18[I  ]| I consider myself as quite fixed here."
109:042,19[A  ]| "That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,"
109:042,20['  ]| said Elizabeth.
109:042,21[I  ]| "You begin to comprehend me, do you?"
109:042,21['  ]| cried he,
109:042,22['  ]| turning towards her.
109:042,23[A  ]| "Oh! yes ~~ I understand you perfectly."
109:042,24[I  ]| "I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to
109:042,25[I  ]| be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful."
109:042,26[A  ]| "That is as it happens.  It does not necessarily follow
109:042,27[A  ]| that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable
109:042,28[A  ]| than such a one as yours."
109:042,29[D  ]| "Lizzy,"
109:042,29['  ]| cried her mother,
109:042,29[D  ]| "remember where you are,
109:042,30[D  ]| and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered
109:042,31[D  ]| to do at home."
109:042,32[I  ]| "I did not know before,"
109:042,32['  ]| continued Bingley immediately,
109:042,33[I  ]| "that you were a studier of character.  It must be
109:042,34[I  ]| an amusing study."
109:042,35[A  ]| "Yes; but intricate characters are the \most\ amusing.
109:042,36[A  ]| They have at least that advantage."
109:042,37[B  ]| "The country,"
109:042,37['  ]| said Darcy,
109:042,37[B  ]| "can in general supply but
109:042,38[B  ]| few subjects for such a study.  In a country neighbourhood
109:043,01[B  ]| you move in a very confined and unvarying
109:043,02[B  ]| society."
109:043,03[A  ]| "But people themselves alter so much, that there is
109:043,04[A  ]| something new to be observed in them for*ever."
109:043,05[D  ]| "Yes, indeed,"
109:043,05['  ]| cried Mrs%*Bennet, offended by his
109:043,06['  ]| manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood.
109:043,06[D  ]| "I
109:043,07[D  ]| assure you there is quite as much of \that\ going on in the
109:043,08[D  ]| country as in town."
109:043,09['  ]| Every*body was surprised; and Darcy, after looking
109:043,10['  ]| at her for a moment, turned silently away.  Mrs%*Bennet,
109:043,11['  ]| who fancied she had gained a complete victory over him,
109:043,12['  ]| continued her triumph.
109:043,13[D  ]| "I cannot see that London has any great advantage
109:043,14[D  ]| over the country for my part, except the shops and public
109:043,15[D  ]| places.  The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it,
109:043,16[D  ]| Mr%*Bingley?"
109:043,17[I  ]| "When I am in the country,"
109:043,17['  ]| he replied,
109:043,17[I  ]| "I never
109:043,18[I  ]| wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much
109:043,19[I  ]| the same.  They have each their advantages, and I can
109:043,20[I  ]| be equally happy in either."
109:043,21[D  ]| "Aye ~~ that is because you have the right disposition.
109:043,22[D  ]| But that gentleman,"
109:043,22['  ]| looking at Darcy,
109:043,22[D  ]| "seemed to think
109:043,23[D  ]| the country was nothing at all."
109:043,24[A  ]| "Indeed, Mama, you are mistaken,"
109:043,24['  ]| said Elizabeth,
109:043,25['  ]| blushing for her mother.
109:043,25[A  ]| "You quite mistook Mr%*Darcy.
109:043,26[A  ]| He only meant that there were not such a variety of people
109:043,27[A  ]| to be met with in the country as in town, which you must
109:043,28[A  ]| acknowledge to be true."
109:043,29[D  ]| "Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as
109:043,30[D  ]| to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood,
109:043,31[D  ]| I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger.  I know
109:043,32[D  ]| we dine with four*and*twenty families."
109:043,33['  ]| Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley
109:043,34['  ]| to keep his countenance.  His sister was less delicate, and
109:043,35['  ]| directed her eye towards Mr%*Darcy with a very expressive
109:043,36['  ]| smile.  Elizabeth, for the sake of saying something that
109:043,37['  ]| might turn her mother's thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte*Lucas
109:043,38['  ]| had been at Longbourn since \her\ coming away.
109:044,01[D  ]| "Yes, she called yesterday with her father.  What an
109:044,02[D  ]| agreeable man Sir*William is, Mr%*Bingley ~~ is not he?
109:044,03[D  ]| so much the man of fashion! so genteel and so easy! ~~
109:044,04[D  ]| He has always something to say to every*body. ~~ \That\ is
109:044,05[D  ]| my idea of good*breeding; and those persons who fancy
109:044,06[D  ]| themselves very important and never open their mouths,
109:044,07[D  ]| quite mistake the matter."
109:044,08[A  ]| "Did Charlotte dine with you?"
109:044,09[D  ]| "No, she would go home.  I fancy she was wanted
109:044,10[D  ]| about the mince pies.  For my part, Mr%*Bingley, \I\ always
109:044,11[D  ]| keep servants that can do their own work; \my\ daughters
109:044,12[D  ]| are brought up differently.  But every*body is to judge
109:044,13[D  ]| for themselves, and the Lucases are very good sort of
109:044,14[D  ]| girls, I assure you.  It is a pity they are not handsome!
109:044,15[D  ]| Not that \I\ think Charlotte so \very\ plain ~~ but then she is
109:044,16[D  ]| our particular friend."
109:044,17[I  ]| "She seems a very pleasant young woman,"
109:044,17['  ]| said
109:044,18['  ]| Bingley.
109:044,19[D  ]| "Oh! dear, yes; ~~ but you must own she is very plain.
109:044,20[D  ]| Lady*Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me
109:044,21[D  ]| Jane's beauty.  I do not like to boast of my own child,
109:044,22[D  ]| but to be sure, Jane ~~ one does not often see any*body
109:044,23[D  ]| better looking.  It is what every*body says.  I do not
109:044,24[D  ]| trust my own partiality.  When she was only fifteen,
109:044,25[D  ]| there was a gentleman at my brother Gardiner's in town,
109:044,26[D  ]| so much in love with her, that my sister-in-law was sure
109:044,27[D  ]| he would make her an offer before we came away.  But
109:044,28[D  ]| however he did not.  Perhaps he thought her too young.
109:044,29[D  ]| However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty
109:044,30[D  ]| they were."
109:044,31[A  ]| "And so ended his affection,"
109:044,31['  ]| said Elizabeth impatiently.
109:044,32[A  ]| "There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome
109:044,33[A  ]| in the same way.  I wonder who first discovered
109:044,34[A  ]| the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
109:044,35[B  ]| "I have been used to consider poetry as the \food\ of
109:044,36[B  ]| love,"
109:044,36['  ]| said Darcy.
109:044,37[A  ]| "Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may.  Every*thing
109:044,38[A  ]| nourishes what is strong already.  But if it be only a
109:045,01[A  ]| slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one
109:045,02[A  ]| good sonnet will starve it entirely away."
109:045,03['  ]| Darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensued
109:045,04['  ]| made Elizabeth tremble lest her mother should be exposing
109:045,05['  ]| herself again.  She longed to speak, but could think of
109:045,06['  ]| nothing to say; and after a short silence Mrs%*Bennet
109:045,07['  ]| began repeating her thanks to Mr%*Bingley for his kindness
109:045,08['  ]| to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with
109:045,09['  ]| Lizzy.  Mr%*Bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer,
109:045,10['  ]| and forced his younger sister to be civil also, and say what
109:045,11['  ]| the occasion required.  She performed her part indeed
109:045,12['  ]| without much graciousness, but Mrs%*Bennet was satisfied,
109:045,13['  ]| and soon afterwards ordered her carriage.  Upon this
109:045,14['  ]| signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward.
109:045,15['  ]| The two girls had been whispering to each other during
109:045,16['  ]| the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest
109:045,17['  ]| should tax Mr%*Bingley with having promised on his first
109:045,18['  ]| coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.
109:045,19['  ]| Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine
109:045,20['  ]| complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite
109:045,21['  ]| with her mother, whose affection had brought her into
109:045,22['  ]| public at an early age.  She had high animal spirits, and
109:045,23['  ]| a sort of natural self-consequence, which the attentions
109:045,24['  ]| of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners and
109:045,25['  ]| her own easy manners recommended her, had increased
109:045,26['  ]| into assurance.  She was very equal therefore to address
109:045,27['  ]| Mr%*Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly
109:045,28['  ]| reminded him of his promise; adding, that
109:045,28@h   | it would be
109:045,29@h   | the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it.
109:045,30['  ]| His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their
109:045,31['  ]| mother's ear.
109:045,32[I  ]| "I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement;
109:045,33[I  ]| and when your sister is recovered, you shall if you
109:045,34[I  ]| please name the very day of the ball.  But you would not
109:045,35[I  ]| wish to be dancing while she is ill."
109:045,36['  ]| Lydia declared herself satisfied.
109:045,36[H  ]| "Oh! yes ~~ it would
109:045,37[H  ]| be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time
109:046,01[H  ]| most likely Captain*Carter would be at Meryton again.
109:046,02[H  ]| And when you have given \your\ ball,"
109:046,02['  ]| she added,
109:046,02[H  ]| "I shall
109:046,03[H  ]| insist on their giving one also.  I shall tell Colonel*Forster
109:046,04[H  ]| it will be quite a shame if he does not."
109:046,05['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet and her daughters then departed, and
109:046,06['  ]| Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own
109:046,07['  ]| and her relations' behaviour to the remarks of the two
109:046,08['  ]| ladies and Mr%*Darcy; the latter of whom, however,
109:046,09['  ]| could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of \her\,
109:046,10['  ]| in spite of all Miss*Bingley's witticisms on \fine\ \eyes\.
110:047,01['  ]| The day passed much as the day before had done.
110:047,02['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst and Miss*Bingley had spent some hours of the
110:047,03['  ]| morning with the invalid, who continued, though slowly,
110:047,04['  ]| to mend; and in the evening Elizabeth joined their party
110:047,05['  ]| in the drawing-room.  The loo*table, however, did not
110:047,06['  ]| appear.  Mr%*Darcy was writing, and Miss*Bingley, seated
110:047,07['  ]| near him, was watching the progress of his letter, and
110:047,08['  ]| repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his
110:047,09['  ]| sister.  Mr%*Hurst and Mr%*Bingley were at piquet, and
110:047,10['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst was observing their game.
110:047,11['  ]| Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was sufficiently
110:047,12['  ]| amused in attending to what passed between Darcy and
110:047,13['  ]| his companion.  The perpetual commendations of the
110:047,14['  ]| lady either on his hand-writing, or on the evenness of
110:047,15['  ]| his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfect
110:047,16['  ]| unconcern with which her praises were received, formed
110:047,17['  ]| a curious dialogue, and was exactly in unison with her
110:047,18['  ]| opinion of each.
110:047,19[J  ]| "How delighted Miss*Darcy will be to receive such
110:047,20[J  ]| a letter!"
110:047,21['  ]| He made no answer.
110:047,22[J  ]| "You write uncommonly fast."
110:047,23[B  ]| "You are mistaken.  I write rather slowly."
110:047,24[J  ]| "How many letters you must have occasion to write
110:047,25[J  ]| in the course of the year!  Letters of business too!  How
110:047,26[J  ]| odious I should think them!"
110:047,27[B  ]| "It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead
110:047,28[B  ]| of to yours."
110:047,29[J  ]| "Pray tell your sister that I long to see her."
110:047,30[B  ]| "I have already told her so once, by your desire."
110:047,31[J  ]| "I am afraid you do not like your pen.  Let me mend
110:047,32[J  ]| it for you.  I mend pens remarkably well."
110:047,33[B  ]| "Thank you ~~ but I always mend my own."
110:048,01[J  ]| "How can you contrive to write so even?"
110:048,02['  ]| He was silent.
110:048,03[J  ]| "Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her improvement
110:048,04[J  ]| on the harp, and pray let her know that I am quite
110:048,05[J  ]| in raptures with her beautiful little design for a table,
110:048,06[J  ]| and I think it infinitely superior to Miss*Grantley's."
110:048,07[B  ]| "Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till
110:048,08[B  ]| I write again? ~~ At present I have not room to do them
110:048,09[B  ]| justice."
110:048,10[J  ]| "Oh! it is of no consequence.  I shall see her in January.
110:048,11[J  ]| But do you always write such charming long letters to
110:048,12[J  ]| her, Mr%*Darcy?"
110:048,13[B  ]| "They are generally long; but whether always charming,
110:048,14[B  ]| it is not for me to determine."
110:048,15[J  ]| "It is a rule with me, that a person who can write
110:048,16[J  ]| a long letter, with ease, cannot write ill."
110:048,17[I  ]| "That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline,"
110:048,18['  ]| cried her brother ~~
110:048,18[I  ]| "because he does \not\ write with ease.
110:048,19[I  ]| He studies too much for words of four syllables. ~~ Do not
110:048,20[I  ]| you, Darcy?"
110:048,21[B  ]| "My stile of writing is very different from yours."
110:048,22[J  ]| "Oh!"
110:048,22['  ]| cried Miss*Bingley,
110:048,22[J  ]| "Charles writes in the most
110:048,23[J  ]| careless way imaginable.  He leaves out half his words,
110:048,24[J  ]| and blots the rest."
110:048,25[I  ]| "My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to
110:048,26[I  ]| express them ~~ by which means my letters sometimes
110:048,27[I  ]| convey no ideas at all to my correspondents."
110:048,28[A  ]| "Your humility, Mr%*Bingley,"
110:048,28['  ]| said Elizabeth,
110:048,28[A  ]| "must
110:048,29[A  ]| disarm reproof."
110:048,30[B  ]| "Nothing is more deceitful,"
110:048,30['  ]| said Darcy,
110:048,30[B  ]| "than the
110:048,31[B  ]| appearance of humility.  It is often only carelessness of
110:048,32[B  ]| opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast."
110:048,33[I  ]| "And which of the two do you call \my\ little recent
110:048,34[I  ]| piece of modesty?"
110:048,35[B  ]| "The indirect boast; ~~ for you are really proud of your
110:048,36[B  ]| defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding
110:048,37[B  ]| from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of
110:048,38[B  ]| execution, which if not estimable, you think at least
110:049,01[B  ]| highly interesting.  The power of doing any*thing with
110:049,02[B  ]| quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and
110:049,03[B  ]| often without any attention to the imperfection of the
110:049,04[B  ]| performance.  When you told Mrs%*Bennet this morning
110:049,05[B  ]| that if you ever resolved on quitting Netherfield you
110:049,06[B  ]| should be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort
110:049,07[B  ]| of panegyric, of compliment to yourself ~~ and yet what
110:049,08[B  ]| is there so very laudable in a precipitance which must
110:049,09[B  ]| leave very necessary business undone, and can be of no real
110:049,10[B  ]| advantage to yourself or any*one else?"
110:049,11[I  ]| "Nay,"
110:049,11['  ]| cried Bingley,
110:049,11[I  ]| "this is too much, to remember
110:049,12[I  ]| at night all the foolish things that were said in the morning.
110:049,13[I  ]| And yet, upon my honour, I believed what I said to myself
110:049,14[I  ]| to be true, and I believe it at this moment.  At least,
110:049,15[I  ]| therefore, I did not assume the character of needless
110:049,16[I  ]| precipitance merely to shew off before the ladies."
110:049,17[B  ]| "I dare say you believed it; but I am by no means
110:049,18[B  ]| convinced that you would be gone with such celerity.
110:049,19[B  ]| Your conduct would be quite as dependant on chance as
110:049,20[B  ]| that of any man I know; and if, as you were mounting
110:049,21[B  ]| your horse, a friend were to say, ""Bingley, you had better
110:049,22[B  ]| stay till next week,"" you would probably do it, you would
110:049,23[B  ]| probably not go ~~ and, at another word, might stay a
110:049,24[B  ]| month."
110:049,25[A  ]| "You have only proved by this,"
110:049,25['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
110:049,26[A  ]| "that Mr%*Bingley did not do justice to his own disposition.
110:049,27[A  ]| You have shewn him off now much more than
110:049,28[A  ]| he did himself."
110:049,29[I  ]| "I am exceedingly gratified,"
110:049,29['  ]| said Bingley,
110:049,29[I  ]| "by your
110:049,30[I  ]| converting what my friend says into a compliment on the
110:049,31[I  ]| sweetness of my temper.  But I am afraid you are giving
110:049,32[I  ]| it a turn which that gentleman did by no means intend;
110:049,33[I  ]| for he would certainly think the better of me, if under
110:049,34[I  ]| such a circumstance I were to give a flat denial, and ride
110:049,35[I  ]| off as fast as I could."
110:049,36[A  ]| "Would Mr%*Darcy then consider the rashness of your
110:049,37[A  ]| original intention as atoned for by your obstinacy in
110:049,38[A  ]| adhering to it?"
110:050,01[I  ]| "Upon my word I cannot exactly explain the matter,
110:050,02[I  ]| Darcy must speak for himself."
110:050,03[B  ]| "You expect me to account for opinions which you
110:050,04[B  ]| chuse to call mine, but which I have never acknowledged.
110:050,05[B  ]| Allowing the case, however, to stand according to your
110:050,06[B  ]| representation, you must remember, Miss*Bennet, that the
110:050,07[B  ]| friend who is supposed to desire his return to the house,
110:050,08[B  ]| and the delay of his plan, has merely desired it, asked it
110:050,09[B  ]| without offering one argument in favour of its propriety."
110:050,10[A  ]|  "To yield readily ~~ easily ~~ to the \persuasion\ of a friend
110:050,11[A  ]| is no merit with you."
110:050,12[B  ]| "To yield without conviction is no compliment to the
110:050,13[B  ]| understanding of either."
110:050,14[A  ]| "You appear to me, Mr%*Darcy, to allow nothing for
110:050,15[A  ]| the influence of friendship and affection.  A regard for
110:050,16[A  ]| the requester would often make one readily yield to a
110:050,17[A  ]| request, without waiting for arguments to reason one into
110:050,18[A  ]| it.  I am not particularly speaking of such a case as you
110:050,19[A  ]| have supposed about Mr%*Bingley.  We may as well wait,
110:050,20[A  ]| perhaps, till the circumstance occurs, before we discuss
110:050,21[A  ]| the discretion of his behaviour thereupon.  But in general
110:050,22[A  ]| and ordinary cases between friend and friend, where one
110:050,23[A  ]| of them is desired by the other to change a resolution
110:050,24[A  ]| of no very great moment, should you think ill of that person
110:050,25[A  ]| for complying with the desire, without waiting to be
110:050,26[A  ]| argued into it?"
110:050,27[B  ]| "Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this
110:050,28[B  ]| subject, to arrange with rather more precision the degree
110:050,29[B  ]| of importance which is to appertain to this request, as well
110:050,30[B  ]| as the degree of intimacy subsisting between the parties?"
110:050,31[I  ]| "By all means,"
110:050,31['  ]| cried Bingley;
110:050,31[I  ]| "let us hear all the
110:050,32[I  ]| particulars, not forgetting their comparative height and
110:050,33[I  ]| size; for that will have more weight in the argument,
110:050,34[I  ]| Miss*Bennet, than you may be aware of.  I assure you
110:050,35[I  ]| that if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison
110:050,36[I  ]| with myself, I should not pay him half so much
110:050,37[I  ]| deference.  I declare I do not know a more aweful object
110:050,38[I  ]| than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular
110:051,01[I  ]| places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday
110:051,02[I  ]| evening when he has nothing to do."
110:051,03['  ]| Mr%*Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could
110:051,04['  ]| perceive that he was rather offended; and therefore
110:051,05['  ]| checked her laugh.  Miss*Bingley warmly resented the
110:051,06['  ]| indignity he had received, in an expostulation with her
110:051,07['  ]| brother for talking such nonsense.
110:051,08[B  ]| "I see your design, Bingley,"
110:051,08['  ]| said his friend. ~~
110:051,08[B  ]| "You
110:051,09[B  ]| dislike an argument, and want to silence this."
110:051,10[I  ]| "Perhaps I do.  Arguments are too much like disputes.
110:051,11[I  ]| If you and Miss*Bennet will defer yours till I am out of
110:051,12[I  ]| the room, I shall be very thankful; and then you may
110:051,13[I  ]| say whatever you like of me."
110:051,14[A  ]| "What you ask,"
110:051,14['  ]| said Elizabeth,
110:051,14[A  ]| "is no sacrifice on
110:051,15[A  ]| my side; and Mr%*Darcy had much better finish his letter."
110:051,16['  ]| Mr%*Darcy took her advice, and did finish his letter.
110:051,17['  ]| When that business was over, he applied to Miss*Bingley
110:051,18['  ]| and Elizabeth for the indulgence of some music.  Miss*Bingley
110:051,19['  ]| moved with alacrity to the piano-forte, and after
110:051,20['  ]| a polite request that Elizabeth would lead the way, which
110:051,21['  ]| the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she
110:051,22['  ]| seated herself.
110:051,23['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were
110:051,24['  ]| thus employed Elizabeth could not help observing as she
110:051,25['  ]| turned over some music books that lay on the instrument,
110:051,26['  ]| how frequently Mr%*Darcy's eyes were fixed on her.
110:051,26@a   | She
110:051,27@a   | hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object
110:051,28@a   | of admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should
110:051,29@a   | look at her because he disliked her, was still more strange.
110:051,30@a   | She could only imagine however at last, that she drew
110:051,31@a   | his notice because there was a something about her more
110:051,32@a   | wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right,
110:051,33@a   | than in any other person present.
110:051,33['  ]| The supposition did
110:051,34['  ]| not pain her.  She liked him too little to care for his
110:051,35['  ]| approbation.
110:051,36['  ]| After playing some Italian songs, Miss*Bingley varied
110:051,37['  ]| the charm by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards
110:051,38['  ]| Mr%*Darcy, drawing near Elizabeth, said to her ~~
110:052,01[B  ]| "Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss*Bennet, to
110:052,02[B  ]| seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?"
110:052,03['  ]| She smiled, but made no answer.  He repeated the
110:052,04['  ]| question, with some surprise at her silence.
110:052,05[A  ]| "Oh!"
110:052,05['  ]| said she,
110:052,05[A  ]| "I heard you before; but I could not
110:052,06[A  ]| immediately determine what to say in reply.  You wanted
110:052,07[A  ]| me, I know, to say ""Yes,"" that you might have the pleasure
110:052,08[A  ]| of despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing
110:052,09[A  ]| those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their
110:052,10[A  ]| premeditated contempt.  I have therefore made up my
110:052,11[A  ]| mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance a reel at all ~~
110:052,12[A  ]| and now despise me if you dare."
110:052,13[B  ]| "Indeed I do not dare."
110:052,14['  ]| Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was
110:052,15['  ]| amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture of
110:052,16['  ]| sweetness and archness in her manner which made it
110:052,17['  ]| difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never
110:052,18['  ]| been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her.  He
110:052,19['  ]| really believed, that
110:052,19@b   | were it not for the inferiority of her
110:052,20@b   | connections, he should be in some danger.
110:052,21['  ]| Miss*Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous;
110:052,22['  ]| and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend
110:052,23['  ]| Jane, received some assistance from her desire of getting
110:052,24['  ]| rid of Elizabeth.
110:052,25['  ]| She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking her
110:052,26['  ]| guest, by talking of their supposed marriage, and planning
110:052,27['  ]| his happiness in such an alliance.
110:052,28[J  ]| "I hope,"
110:052,28['  ]| said she, as they were walking together in
110:052,29['  ]| the shrubbery the next day,
110:052,29[J  ]| "you will give your mother-in-law
110:052,30[J  ]| a few hints, when this desirable event takes place,
110:052,31[J  ]| as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you
110:052,32[J  ]| can compass it, do cure the younger girls of running after
110:052,33[J  ]| the officers. ~~ And, if I may mention so delicate a subject,
110:052,34[J  ]| endeavour to check that little something, bordering on
110:052,35[J  ]| conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses."
110:052,36[B  ]| "Have you any*thing else to propose for my domestic
110:052,37[B  ]| felicity?"
110:052,38[J  ]| "Oh! yes. ~~ Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt
110:053,01[J  ]| Philips be placed in the gallery at Pemberley.  Put them
110:053,02[J  ]| next to your great uncle the judge.  They are in the
110:053,03[J  ]| same profession, you know; only in different lines.  As for
110:053,04[J  ]| your Elizabeth's picture, you must not attempt to have it
110:053,05[J  ]| taken, for what painter could do justice to those beautiful
110:053,06[J  ]| eyes?"
110:053,07[B  ]| "It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression,
110:053,08[B  ]| but their colour and shape, and the eye-lashes, so remarkably
110:053,09[B  ]| fine, might be copied."
110:053,10['  ]| At that moment they were met from another walk, by
110:053,11['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst and Elizabeth herself.
110:053,12[J  ]| "I did not know that you intended to walk,"
110:053,12['  ]| said
110:053,13['  ]| Miss*Bingley, in some confusion, lest they had been
110:053,14['  ]| overheard.
110:053,15[V  ]| "You used us abominably ill,"
110:053,15['  ]| answered Mrs%*Hurst,
110:053,16[V  ]| "in running away without telling us that you were coming
110:053,17[V  ]| out."
110:053,18['  ]| Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr%*Darcy, she left
110:053,19['  ]| Elizabeth to walk by herself.  The path just admitted
110:053,20['  ]| three.  Mr%*Darcy felt their rudeness and immediately
110:053,21['  ]| said, ~~
110:053,22[B  ]| "This walk is not wide enough for our party.  We had
110:053,23[B  ]| better go into the avenue."
110:053,24['  ]| But Elizabeth, who had not the least inclination to
110:053,25['  ]| remain with them, laughingly answered,
110:053,26[A  ]| "No, no; stay where you are. ~~ You are charmingly
110:053,27[A  ]| group'd, and appear to uncommon advantage.  The
110:053,28[A  ]| picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a fourth.
110:053,29[A  ]| Good*bye."
110:053,30['  ]| She then ran gaily off, rejoicing as she rambled about,
110:053,31['  ]| in the hope of being at home again in a day or two.  Jane
110:053,32['  ]| was already so much recovered as to intend leaving her
110:053,33['  ]| room for a couple of hours that evening.
111:054,01['  ]| When the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran
111:054,02['  ]| up to her sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold,
111:054,03['  ]| attended her into the drawing-room; where she was
111:054,04['  ]| welcomed by her two friends with many professions of
111:054,05['  ]| pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable
111:054,06['  ]| as they were during the hour which passed before
111:054,07['  ]| the gentlemen appeared.  Their powers of conversation
111:054,08['  ]| were considerable.  They could describe an entertainment
111:054,09['  ]| with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh
111:054,10['  ]| at their acquaintance with spirit.
111:054,11['  ]| But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer
111:054,12['  ]| the first object.  Miss*Bingley's eyes were instantly turned
111:054,13['  ]| towards Darcy, and she had something to say to him
111:054,14['  ]| before he had advanced many steps.  He addressed himself
111:054,15['  ]| directly to Miss*Bennet, with a polite congratulation;
111:054,16['  ]| Mr%*Hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he was
111:054,17[W  ]| "very glad;"
111:054,17['  ]| but diffuseness and warmth remained for
111:054,18['  ]| Bingley's salutation.  He was full of joy and attention.
111:054,19['  ]| The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she
111:054,20['  ]| should suffer from the change of room; and she removed
111:054,21['  ]| to his desire to the other side of the fire-place, that she
111:054,22['  ]| might be farther from the door.  He then sat down by
111:054,23['  ]| her, and talked scarcely to any*one else.  Elizabeth, at
111:054,24['  ]| work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great delight.
111:054,25['  ]| When tea was over, Mr%*Hurst reminded his sister-in-law
111:054,26['  ]| of the card-table ~~ but in vain.  She had obtained
111:054,27['  ]| private intelligence that Mr%*Darcy did not wish for cards;
111:054,28['  ]| and Mr%*Hurst soon found even his open petition rejected.
111:054,29['  ]| She assured him that no*one intended to play, and the
111:054,30['  ]| silence of the whole party on the subject, seemed to justify
111:054,31['  ]| her.  Mr%*Hurst had therefore nothing to do, but to stretch
111:054,32['  ]| himself on one of the sophas and go to sleep.  Darcy took
111:054,33['  ]| up a book; Miss*Bingley did the same; and Mrs%*Hurst,
111:055,01['  ]| principally occupied in playing with her bracelets and rings,
111:055,02['  ]| joined now and then in her brother's conversation with
111:055,03['  ]| Miss*Bennet.
111:055,04['  ]| Miss*Bingley's attention was quite as much engaged in
111:055,05['  ]| watching Mr%*Darcy's progress through \his\ book, as in
111:055,06['  ]| reading her own; and she was perpetually either making
111:055,07['  ]| some inquiry, or looking at his page.  She could not win
111:055,08['  ]| him, however, to any conversation; he merely answered
111:055,09['  ]| her question, and read on.  At length, quite exhausted
111:055,10['  ]| by the attempt to be amused with her own book, which
111:055,11['  ]| she had only chosen because it was the second volume
111:055,12['  ]| of his, she gave a great yawn and said,
111:055,12[J  ]| "How pleasant
111:055,13[J  ]| it is to spend an evening in this way!  I declare after all
111:055,14[J  ]| there is no enjoyment like reading!  How much sooner
111:055,15[J  ]| one tires of any*thing than of a book! ~~ When I have
111:055,16[J  ]| a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an
111:055,17[J  ]| excellent library."
111:055,18['  ]| No*one made any reply.  She then yawned again, threw
111:055,19['  ]| aside her book, and cast her eyes round the room in
111:055,20['  ]| quest of some amusement; when hearing her brother
111:055,21['  ]| mentioning a ball to Miss*Bennet, she turned suddenly
111:055,22['  ]| towards him and said,
111:055,23[J  ]| "By*the*bye, Charles, are you really serious in meditating
111:055,24[J  ]| a dance at Netherfield? ~~ I would advise you, before
111:055,25[J  ]| you determine on it, to consult the wishes of the present
111:055,26[J  ]| party; I am much mistaken if there are not some among
111:055,27[J  ]| us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than
111:055,28[J  ]| a pleasure."
111:055,29[I  ]| "If you mean Darcy,"
111:055,29['  ]| cried her brother,
111:055,29[I  ]| "he may go
111:055,30[I  ]| to bed, if he chuses, before it begins ~~ but as for the ball,
111:055,31[I  ]| it is quite a settled thing; and as soon as Nicholls has
111:055,32[I  ]| made white soup enough I shall send round my cards."
111:055,33[J  ]| "I should like balls infinitely better,"
111:055,33['  ]| she replied,
111:055,33[J  ]| "if
111:055,34[J  ]| they were carried on in a different manner; but there is
111:055,35[J  ]| something insufferably tedious in the usual process of
111:055,36[J  ]| such a meeting.  It would surely be much more rational
111:055,37[J  ]| if conversation instead of dancing made the order of
111:055,38[J  ]| the day."
111:056,01[I  ]| "Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say
111:056,02[I  ]| but it would not be near so much like a ball."
111:056,03['  ]| Miss*Bingley made no answer; and soon afterwards
111:056,04['  ]| got up and walked about the room.  Her figure was
111:056,05['  ]| elegant, and she walked well; ~~ but Darcy, at whom it
111:056,06['  ]| was all aimed, was still inflexibly studious.  In the desperation
111:056,07['  ]| of her feeling she resolved on one effort more; and,
111:056,08['  ]| turning to Elizabeth, said,
111:056,09[J  ]| "Miss*Eliza*Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my
111:056,10[J  ]| example, and take a turn about the room. ~~ I assure you
111:056,11[J  ]| it is very refreshing after sitting so long in one attitude."
111:056,12['  ]| Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately.
111:056,13['  ]| Miss*Bingley succeeded no less in the real object of her
111:056,14['  ]| civility; Mr%*Darcy looked up.  He was as much awake
111:056,15['  ]| to the novelty of attention in that quarter as Elizabeth
111:056,16['  ]| herself could be, and unconsciously closed his book.  He
111:056,17['  ]| was directly invited to join their party, but he declined
111:056,18['  ]| it, observing, that
111:056,18@b   | he could imagine but two motives for
111:056,19@b   | their chusing to walk up and down the room together,
111:056,20@b   | with either of which motives his joining them would
111:056,21@b   | interfere.
111:056,21[J  ]| "What could he mean? she was dying to
111:056,22[J  ]| know what could be his meaning" ~~
111:056,22['  ]| and asked Elizabeth
111:056,23['  ]| whether she could at all understand him?
111:056,24[A  ]| "Not at all,"
111:056,24['  ]| was her answer;
111:056,24[A  ]| "but depend upon it,
111:056,25[A  ]| he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing
111:056,26[A  ]| him, will be to ask nothing about it."
111:056,27['  ]| Miss*Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing
111:056,28['  ]| Mr%*Darcy in any*thing, and persevered therefore in
111:056,29['  ]| requiring an explanation of his two motives.
111:056,30[B  ]| "I have not the smallest objection to explaining them,"
111:056,31['  ]| said he, as soon as she allowed him to speak.
111:056,31[B  ]| "You
111:056,32[B  ]| either chuse this method of passing the evening because
111:056,33[B  ]| you are in each other's confidence and have secret affairs
111:056,34[B  ]| to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures
111:056,35[B  ]| appear to the greatest advantage in walking; ~~ if the first,
111:056,36[B  ]| I should be completely in your way; ~~ and if the second,
111:056,37[B  ]| I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire."
111:056,38[J  ]| "Oh! shocking?"
111:056,38['  ]| cried Miss*Bingley.
111:056,38[J  ]| "I never heard
111:057,01[J  ]| any*thing so abominable.  How shall we punish him for
111:057,02[J  ]| such a speech?"
111:057,03[A  ]| "Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination,"
111:057,04['  ]| said Elizabeth.
111:057,04[A  ]| "We can all plague and punish one
111:057,05[A  ]| another.  Teaze him ~~ laugh at him. ~~ Intimate as you
111:057,06[A  ]| are, you must know how it is to be done."
111:057,07[J  ]| "But upon my honour I do \not\.  I do assure you that
111:057,08[J  ]| my intimacy has not yet taught me \that\.  Teaze calmness of
111:057,09[J  ]| temper and presence of mind!  No, no ~~ I feel he may defy
111:057,10[J  ]| us there.  And as to laughter, we will not expose ourselves,
111:057,11[J  ]| if you please, by attempting to laugh without a subject.
111:057,12[J  ]| Mr%*Darcy may hug himself."
111:057,13[A  ]| "Mr%*Darcy is not to be laughed at!"
111:057,13['  ]| cried Elizabeth.
111:057,14[A  ]| "That is an uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope
111:057,15[A  ]| it will continue, for it would be a great loss to \me\ to have
111:057,16[A  ]| many such acquaintance.  I dearly love a laugh."
111:057,17[B  ]| "Miss*Bingley,"
111:057,17['  ]| said he,
111:057,17[B  ]| "has given me credit for more
111:057,18[B  ]| than can be.  The wisest and the best of men, nay, the
111:057,19[B  ]| wisest and best of their actions, may be rendered ridiculous
111:057,20[B  ]| by a person whose first object in life is a joke."
111:057,21[A  ]| "Certainly,"
111:057,21['  ]| replied Elizabeth ~~
111:057,21[A  ]| "there are such people,
111:057,22[A  ]| but I hope I am not one of \them\.  I hope I never ridicule
111:057,23[A  ]| what is wise or good.  Follies and nonsense, whims and
111:057,24[A  ]| inconsistencies \do\ divert me, I own, and I laugh at them
111:057,25[A  ]| whenever I can. ~~ But these, I suppose, are precisely what
111:057,26[A  ]| you are without."
111:057,27[B  ]| "Perhaps that is not possible for any*one.  But it has
111:057,28[B  ]| been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which
111:057,29[B  ]| often expose a strong understanding to ridicule."
111:057,30[A  ]| "Such as vanity and pride."
111:057,31[B  ]| "Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed.  But pride ~~ where
111:057,32[B  ]| there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always
111:057,33[B  ]| under good regulation."
111:057,34['  ]| Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.
111:057,35[J  ]| "Your examination of Mr%*Darcy is over, I presume,"
111:057,36['  ]| said Miss*Bingley; ~~
111:057,36[J  ]| "and pray what is the result?"
111:057,37[A  ]| "I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr%*Darcy has
111:057,38[A  ]| no defect.  He owns it himself without disguise."
111:058,01[B  ]| "No" ~~
111:058,01['  ]| said Darcy,
111:058,01[B  ]| "I have made no such pretension.
111:058,02[B  ]| I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding.
111:058,03[B  ]| My temper I dare not vouch for. ~~ It is I believe
111:058,04[B  ]| too little yielding ~~ certainly too little for the convenience
111:058,05[B  ]| of the world.  I cannot forget the follies and vices of others
111:058,06[B  ]| so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself.
111:058,07[B  ]| My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to
111:058,08[B  ]| move them.  My temper would perhaps be called resentful.
111:058,09[B  ]| My good opinion once lost is lost for*ever."
111:058,10[A  ]| "\That\ is a failing indeed!" ~~
111:058,10['  ]| cried Elizabeth.
111:058,10[A  ]| "Implacable
111:058,11[A  ]| resentment \is\ a shade in a character.  But you
111:058,12[A  ]| have chosen your fault well. ~~ I really cannot \laugh\ at it.
111:058,13[A  ]| You are safe from me."
111:058,14[B  ]| "There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency
111:058,15[B  ]| to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even
111:058,16[B  ]| the best education can overcome."
111:058,17[A  ]| "And \your\ defect is a propensity to hate every*body."
111:058,18[B  ]| "And yours,"
111:058,18['  ]| he replied with a smile,
111:058,18[B  ]| "is wilfully to
111:058,19[B  ]| misunderstand them."
111:058,20[J  ]| "Do let us have a little music," ~~
111:058,20['  ]| cried Miss*Bingley,
111:058,21['  ]| tired of a conversation in which she had no share. ~~
111:058,22[J  ]| "Louisa, you will not mind my waking Mr%*Hurst."
111:058,23['  ]| Her sister made not the smallest objection, and the
111:058,24['  ]| piano*forte was opened, and Darcy, after a few moments
111:058,25['  ]| recollection, was not sorry for it.  He began to feel the
111:058,26['  ]| danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.
112:059,01['  ]| In consequence of an agreement between the sisters,
112:059,02['  ]| Elizabeth wrote the next morning to her mother, to beg
112:059,03['  ]| that the carriage might be sent for them in the course
112:059,04['  ]| of the day.  But Mrs%*Bennet, who had calculated on her
112:059,05['  ]| daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following
112:059,06['  ]| Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week, could
112:059,07['  ]| not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before.
112:059,08['  ]| Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to
112:059,09['  ]| Elizabeth's wishes, for she was impatient to get home.
112:059,10['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly
112:059,11['  ]| have the carriage before Tuesday; and in her postscript
112:059,12['  ]| it was added, that
112:059,12@d   | if Mr%*Bingley and his sister pressed them
112:059,13@d   | to stay longer, she could spare them very well. ~~
112:059,13['  ]| Against
112:059,14['  ]| staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively resolved
112:059,15['  ]| ~~ nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful,
112:059,16['  ]| on the contrary, as being considered as intruding themselves
112:059,17['  ]| needlessly long, she urged Jane to borrow Mr%*Bingley's
112:059,18['  ]| carriage immediately, and at length it was
112:059,19['  ]| settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield
112:059,20['  ]| that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.
112:059,21['  ]| The communication excited many professions of concern;
112:059,22['  ]| and enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till
112:059,23['  ]| the following day to work on Jane; and till the morrow,
112:059,24['  ]| their going was deferred.  Miss*Bingley was then sorry that
112:059,25['  ]| she had proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike
112:059,26['  ]| of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other.
112:059,27['  ]| The master of the house heard with real sorrow that
112:059,28['  ]| they were to go so soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade
112:059,29['  ]| Miss*Bennet that
112:059,29@i   | it would not be safe for her ~~ that she
112:059,30@i   | was not enough recovered;
112:059,30['  ]| but Jane was firm where she
112:059,31['  ]| felt herself to be right.
112:059,32['  ]| To Mr%*Darcy it was welcome intelligence ~~
112:059,32@b   | Elizabeth
112:059,33@b   | had been at Netherfield long enough.  She attracted him
112:059,34@b   | more than he liked ~~ and Miss*Bingley was uncivil to \her\,
112:060,01@b   | and more teazing than usual to himself.
112:060,01['  ]| He wisely
112:060,02['  ]| resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration
112:060,03['  ]| should \now\ escape him, nothing that could elevate
112:060,04['  ]| her with the hope of influencing his felicity; sensible that
112:060,05['  ]| if such an idea had been suggested, his behaviour during
112:060,06['  ]| the last day must have material weight in confirming or
112:060,07['  ]| crushing it.  Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten
112:060,08['  ]| words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though
112:060,09['  ]| they were at one time left by themselves for half an hour,
112:060,10['  ]| he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would
112:060,11['  ]| not even look at her.
112:060,12['  ]| On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so
112:060,13['  ]| agreeable to almost all, took place.  Miss*Bingley's civility
112:060,14['  ]| to Elizabeth increased at last very rapidly, as well as her
112:060,15['  ]| affection for Jane; and when they parted, after assuring
112:060,16['  ]| the latter of the pleasure it would always give her to see her
112:060,17['  ]| either at Longbourn or Netherfield, and embracing her most
112:060,18['  ]| tenderly, she even shook hands with the former. ~~ Elizabeth
112:060,19['  ]| took leave of the whole party in the liveliest spirits.
112:060,20['  ]| They were not welcomed home very cordially by their
112:060,21['  ]| mother.  Mrs%*Bennet
112:060,21@d   | wondered at their coming, and
112:060,22@d   | thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and
112:060,23@d   | was sure Jane would have caught cold again. ~~
112:060,23['  ]| But their
112:060,24['  ]| father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure,
112:060,25['  ]| was really glad to see them; he had felt their importance
112:060,26['  ]| in the family circle.  The evening conversation, when they
112:060,27['  ]| were all assembled, had lost much of its animation, and
112:060,28['  ]| almost all its sense, by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth.
112:060,29['  ]| They found Mary, as usual, deep in the study of thorough*bass
112:060,30['  ]| and human nature; and had some new extracts to
112:060,31['  ]| admire, and some new observations of thread-bare morality
112:060,32['  ]| to listen to.  Catherine and Lydia had information for
112:060,33['  ]| them of a different sort.  Much had been done, and much
112:060,34['  ]| had been said in the regiment since the preceding Wednesday;
112:060,35['  ]| several of the officers had dined lately with their
112:060,36['  ]| uncle, a private had been flogged, and it had actually
112:060,37['  ]| been hinted that Colonel*Forster was going to be married.
113:061,01[C  ]| "I hope, my dear,"
113:061,01['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet to his wife, as
113:061,02['  ]| they were at breakfast the next morning,
113:061,02[C  ]| "that you have
113:061,03[C  ]| ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to
113:061,04[C  ]| expect an addition to our family party."
113:061,05[D  ]| "Who do you mean, my dear?  I know of nobody that
113:061,06[D  ]| is coming I am sure, unless Charlotte*Lucas should happen
113:061,07[D  ]| to call in, and I hope \my\ dinners are good enough for her.
113:061,08[D  ]| I do not believe she often sees such at home."
113:061,09[C  ]| "The person of whom I speak, is a gentleman and a
113:061,10[C  ]| stranger."
113:061,10['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet's eyes sparkled. ~~
113:061,10[D  ]| "A gentleman
113:061,11[D  ]| and a stranger!  It is Mr%*Bingley I am sure.  Why Jane
113:061,12[D  ]| ~~ you never dropt a word of this; you sly thing!  Well,
113:061,13[D  ]| I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr%*Bingley. ~~
113:061,14[D  ]| But ~~ good lord! how unlucky! there is not a bit of fish
113:061,15[D  ]| to be got to-day.  Lydia, my love, ring the bell.  I must
113:061,16[D  ]| speak to Hill, this moment."
113:061,17[C  ]| "It is \not\ Mr%*Bingley,"
113:061,17['  ]| said her husband;
113:061,17[C  ]| "it is
113:061,18[C  ]| a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my
113:061,19[C  ]| life."
113:061,20['  ]| This roused a general astonishment; and he had the
113:061,21['  ]| pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five
113:061,22['  ]| daughters at once.
113:061,23['  ]| After amusing himself some time with their curiosity,
113:061,24['  ]| he thus explained.
113:061,24[C  ]| "About a month ago I received this
113:061,25[C  ]| letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I
113:061,26[C  ]| thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early
113:061,27[C  ]| attention.  It is from my cousin, Mr%*Collins, who, when
113:061,28[C  ]| I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as
113:061,29[C  ]| he pleases."
113:061,29[D  ]| "Oh! my dear,"
113:061,29['  ]| cried his wife,
113:061,30[D  ]| "I cannot bear to
113:061,31[D  ]| hear that mentioned.  Pray do not talk of that odious
113:061,32[D  ]| man.  I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that
113:061,33[D  ]| your estate should be entailed away from your own
113:062,01[D  ]| children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should have
113:062,02[D  ]| tried long ago to do something or other about it."
113:062,03['  ]| Jane and Elizabeth attempted to explain to her the
113:062,04['  ]| nature of an entail.  They had often attempted it before,
113:062,05['  ]| but it was a subject on which Mrs%*Bennet was beyond
113:062,06['  ]| the reach of reason; and she continued to rail bitterly
113:062,07['  ]| against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family
113:062,08['  ]| of five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared
113:062,09['  ]| anything about.
113:062,10[C  ]| "It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,"
113:062,10['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet,
113:062,11[C  ]| "and nothing can clear Mr%*Collins from the guilt
113:062,12[C  ]| of inheriting Longbourn.  But if you will listen to his
113:062,13[C  ]| letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner
113:062,14[C  ]| of expressing himself."
113:062,15[D  ]| "No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it was
113:062,16[D  ]| very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very
113:062,17[D  ]| hypocritical.  I hate such false friends.  Why could not
113:062,18[D  ]| he keep on quarrelling with you, as his father did before
113:062,19[D  ]| him?"
113:062,20[C  ]| "Why, indeed, he does seem to have had some filial
113:062,21[C  ]| scruples on that head, as you will hear."
113:062,22[C  ]|
113:062,23[K  ]| \Hunsford\, \near\ \Westerham\, \Kent\,
113:062,24[K  ]| \15th\ \October\.
113:062,25[K  ]| DEAR SIR,
113:062,26[K  ]| The disagreement subsisting between yourself and
113:062,27[K  ]| my late honoured father, always gave me much uneasiness,
113:062,28[K  ]| and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have
113:062,29[K  ]| frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time
113:062,30[K  ]| I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might
113:062,31[K  ]| seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good
113:062,32[K  ]| terms with any*one, with whom it had always pleased
113:062,33[K  ]| him to be at variance.
113:062,33[C  ]| "There, Mrs%*Bennet." ~~
113:062,33[K  ]| My mind
113:062,34[K  ]| however is now made up on the subject, for having received
113:062,35[K  ]| ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be
113:062,36[K  ]| distinguished by the patronage of
the*Right*Honourable*Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh,
113:062,37[K  ]| widow of Sir*Lewis*de*Bourgh,
113:062,38[K  ]| whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the
113:063,01[K  ]| valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my
113:063,02[K  ]| earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect
113:063,03[K  ]| towards her Ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those
113:063,04[K  ]| rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church
113:063,05[K  ]| of England.  As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty
113:063,06[K  ]| to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families
113:063,07[K  ]| within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds
113:063,08[K  ]| I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will
113:063,09[K  ]| are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of
113:063,10[K  ]| my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate, will be
113:063,11[K  ]| kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject
113:063,12[K  ]| the offered olive branch.  I cannot be otherwise than
113:063,13[K  ]| concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable
113:063,14[K  ]| daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to
113:063,15[K  ]| assure you of my readiness to make them every possible
113:063,16[K  ]| amends, ~~ but of this hereafter.  If you should have no
113:063,17[K  ]| objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself
113:063,18[K  ]| the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family,
113:063,19[K  ]| Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and shall
113:063,20[K  ]| probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday
113:063,21[K  ]| se'night following, which I can do without any inconvenience,
113:063,22[K  ]| as Lady*Catherine is far from objecting to
113:063,23[K  ]| my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some
113:063,24[K  ]| other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.
113:063,25[K  ]| I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your
113:063,26[K  ]| lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
113:063,27[K  ]| WILLIAM*COLLINS."
113:063,28[K  ]|
113:063,29[C  ]| "At four o'clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making
113:063,30[C  ]| gentleman,"
113:063,30['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet, as he folded up the
113:063,31['  ]| letter.
113:063,31[C  ]| "He seems to be a most conscientious and polite
113:063,32[C  ]| young man, upon my word; and I doubt not will prove
113:063,33[C  ]| a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady*Catherine
113:063,34[C  ]| should be so indulgent as to let him come to us again."
113:063,35[D  ]| "There is some sense in what he says about the girls
113:063,36[D  ]| however; and if he is disposed to make them any amends,
113:063,37[D  ]| I shall not be the person to discourage him."
113:063,38[E  ]| "Though it is difficult,"
113:063,38['  ]| said Jane,
113:063,38[E  ]| "to guess in what
113:064,01[E  ]| way he can mean to make us the atonement he thinks
113:064,02[E  ]| our due, the wish is certainly to his credit."
113:064,03['  ]| Elizabeth was chiefly struck with his extraordinary
113:064,04['  ]| deference for Lady*Catherine, and his kind intention of
113:064,05['  ]| christening, marrying, and burying his parishioners whenever
113:064,06['  ]| it were required.
113:064,07[A  ]| "He must be an oddity, I think,"
113:064,07['  ]| said she,
113:064,07[A  ]| "I cannot
113:064,08[A  ]| make him out. ~~ There is something very pompous in his
113:064,09[A  ]| stile. ~~ And what can he mean by apologizing for being
113:064,10[A  ]| next in the entail? ~~ We cannot suppose he would help
113:064,11[A  ]| it, if he could. ~~ Can he be a sensible man, sir?"
113:064,12[C  ]| "No, my dear; I think not.  I have great hopes of
113:064,13[C  ]| finding him quite the reverse.  There is a mixture of
113:064,14[C  ]| servility and self-importance in his letter, which promises
113:064,15[C  ]| well.  I am impatient to see him."
113:064,16[F  ]| "In point of composition,"
113:064,16['  ]| said Mary,
113:064,16[F  ]| "his letter does
113:064,17[F  ]| not seem defective.  The idea of the olive branch perhaps
113:064,18[F  ]| is not wholly new, yet I think it is well expressed."
113:064,19['  ]| To Catherine and Lydia, neither the letter nor its
113:064,20['  ]| writer were in any degree interesting.  It was next to
113:064,21['  ]| impossible that their cousin should come in a scarlet coat,
113:064,22['  ]| and it was now some weeks since they had received
113:064,23['  ]| pleasure from the society of a man in any other colour.
113:064,24['  ]| As for their mother, Mr%*Collins's letter had done away
113:064,25['  ]| much of her ill-will, and she was preparing to see him
113:064,26['  ]| with a degree of composure, which astonished her husband
113:064,27['  ]| and daughters.
113:064,28['  ]| Mr%*Collins was punctual to his time, and was received
113:064,29['  ]| with great politeness by the whole family.  Mr%*Bennet
113:064,30['  ]| indeed said little; but the ladies were ready enough to
113:064,31['  ]| talk, and Mr%*Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement,
113:064,32['  ]| nor inclined to be silent himself.  He was a tall, heavy looking
113:064,33['  ]| young man of five*and*twenty.  His air was grave
113:064,34['  ]| and stately, and his manners were very formal.  He had
113:064,35['  ]| not been long seated before he complimented Mrs%*Bennet
113:064,36['  ]| on having so fine a family of daughters, said
113:064,36@k   | he had heard
113:064,37@k   | much of their beauty, but that, in this instance, fame had
113:064,38@k   | fallen short of the truth;
113:064,38['  ]| and added, that
113:064,38@k   | he did not
113:065,01@k   | doubt her seeing them all in due time well disposed of in
113:065,02@k   | marriage.
113:065,02['  ]| This gallantry was not much to the taste of
113:065,03['  ]| some of his hearers, but Mrs%*Bennet, who quarrelled with
113:065,04['  ]| no compliments, answered most readily,
113:065,05[D  ]| "You are very kind, sir, I am sure; and I wish with all
113:065,06[D  ]| my heart it may prove so; for else they will be destitute
113:065,07[D  ]| enough.  Things are settled so oddly."
113:065,08[K  ]| "You allude perhaps to the entail of this estate."
113:065,09[D  ]| "Ah! sir, I do indeed.  It is a grievous affair to my
113:065,10[D  ]| poor girls, you must confess.  Not that I mean to find
113:065,11[D  ]| fault with \you\, for such things I know are all chance in
113:065,12[D  ]| this world.  There is no knowing how estates will go when
113:065,13[D  ]| once they come to be entailed."
113:065,14[K  ]| "I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my
113:065,15[K  ]| fair cousins, ~~ and could say much on the subject, but that
113:065,16[K  ]| I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate.
113:065,17[K  ]| But I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared
113:065,18[K  ]| to admire them.  At present I will not say more, but
113:065,19[K  ]| perhaps when we are better acquainted ~"
113:065,20['  ]| He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the
113:065,21['  ]| girls smiled on each other.  They were not the only objects
113:065,22['  ]| of Mr%*Collins's admiration.  The hall, the dining-room,
113:065,23['  ]| and all its furniture were examined and praised; and his
113:065,24['  ]| commendation of every*thing would have touched Mrs%*Bennet's
113:065,25['  ]| heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his
113:065,26['  ]| viewing it all as his own future property.  The dinner too
113:065,27['  ]| in its turn was highly admired; and he begged to know
113:065,28@k   | to which of his fair cousins, the excellence of its cookery
113:065,29@k   | was owing.
113:065,29['  ]| But here he was set right by Mrs%*Bennet,
113:065,30['  ]| who assured him with some asperity that
113:065,30@d   | they were very
113:065,31@d   | well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had
113:065,32@d   | nothing to do in the kitchen.
113:065,32['  ]| He begged pardon for having
113:065,33['  ]| displeased her.  In a softened tone she declared herself
113:065,34['  ]| not at all offended; but he continued to apologise for
113:065,35['  ]| about a quarter of an hour.
114:066,01['  ]| During dinner, Mr%*Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but
114:066,02['  ]| when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time
114:066,03['  ]| to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore
114:066,04['  ]| started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by
114:066,05['  ]| observing that
114:066,05@c   | he seemed very fortunate in his patroness.
114:066,06@c   | Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and
114:066,07@c   | consideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable.
114:066,08['  ]| Mr%*Bennet could not have chosen better.  Mr%*Collins
114:066,09['  ]| was eloquent in her praise.  The subject elevated him to
114:066,10['  ]| more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most
114:066,11['  ]| important aspect he protested that
114:066,11@k   | he had never in his
114:066,12@k   | life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank ~~ such
114:066,13@k   | affability and condescension, as he had himself experienced
114:066,14@k   | from Lady*Catherine.  She had been graciously pleased
114:066,15@k   | to approve of both the discourses, which he had already
114:066,16@k   | had the honour of preaching before her.  She had also
114:066,17@k   | asked him twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him
114:066,18@k   | only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of quadrille
114:066,19@k   | in the evening.  Lady*Catherine was reckoned proud by
114:066,20@k   | many people he knew, but \he\ had never seen any*thing
114:066,21@k   | but affability in her.  She had always spoken to him as
114:066,22@k   | she would to any other gentleman; she made not the
114:066,23@k   | smallest objection to his joining in the society of the
114:066,24@k   | neighbourhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally
114:066,25@k   | for a week or two, to visit his relations. She had even
114:066,26@k   | condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could,
114:066,27@k   | provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid
114:066,28@k   | him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had
114:066,29@k   | perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making,
114:066,30@k   | and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself, ~~ some
114:066,31@k   | shelves in the closets up*stairs."
114:066,32[D  ]| "That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,"
114:066,32['  ]| said
114:066,33['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet,
114:066,33[D  ]| "and I dare say she is a very agreeable
114:067,01[D  ]| woman.  It is a pity that great ladies in general are not
114:067,02[D  ]| more like her. Does she live near you, sir?"
114:067,03[K  ]| "The garden in which stands my humble abode, is
114:067,04[K  ]| separated only by a lane from Rosings*Park, her ladyship's
114:067,05[K  ]| residence."
114:067,06[D  ]| "I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any
114:067,07[D  ]| family?"
114:067,08[K  ]| "She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings,
114:067,09[K  ]| and of very extensive property."
114:067,10[D  ]| "Ah!"
114:067,10['  ]| cried Mrs%*Bennet, shaking her head,
114:067,10[D  ]| "then
114:067,11[D  ]| she is better off than many girls.  And what sort of young
114:067,12[D  ]| lady is she?  is she handsome?"
114:067,13[K  ]| "She is a most charming young lady indeed.  Lady*Catherine
114:067,14[K  ]| herself says that in point of true beauty, Miss*De*Bourgh
114:067,15[K  ]| is far superior to the handsomest of her sex;
114:067,16[K  ]| because there is that in her features which marks the
114:067,17[K  ]| young woman of distinguished birth.  She is unfortunately
114:067,18[K  ]| of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her
114:067,19[K  ]| making that progress in many accomplishments, which
114:067,20[K  ]| she could not otherwise have failed of; as I am informed
114:067,21[K  ]| by the lady who superintended her education, and who
114:067,22[K  ]| still resides with them.  But she is perfectly amiable,
114:067,23[K  ]| and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in
114:067,24[K  ]| her little phaeton and ponies."
114:067,25[D  ]| "Has she been presented?  I do not remember her
114:067,26[D  ]| name among the ladies at court."
114:067,27[K  ]| "Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents
114:067,28[K  ]| her being in town; and by that means, as I told Lady*Catherine
114:067,29[K  ]| myself one day, has deprived the British court
114:067,30[K  ]| of its brightest ornament.  Her ladyship seemed pleased
114:067,31[K  ]| with the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy
114:067,32[K  ]| on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments
114:067,33[K  ]| which are always acceptable to ladies.  I have
114:067,34[K  ]| more than once observed to Lady*Catherine, that her
114:067,35[K  ]| charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that
114:067,36[K  ]| the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence,
114:067,37[K  ]| would be adorned by her. ~~ These are the kind of little
114:067,38[K  ]| things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of
114:068,01[K  ]| attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to
114:068,02[K  ]| pay."
114:068,03[C  ]| "You judge very properly,"
114:068,03['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet,
114:068,03[C  ]| "and it
114:068,04[C  ]| is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering
114:068,05[C  ]| with delicacy.  May I ask whether these pleasing attentions
114:068,06[C  ]| proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the
114:068,07[C  ]| result of previous study?"
114:068,08[K  ]| "They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time,
114:068,09[K  ]| and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting
114:068,10[K  ]| and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be
114:068,11[K  ]| adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them
114:068,12[K  ]| as unstudied an air as possible."
114:068,13['  ]| Mr%*Bennet's expectations were fully answered.  His
114:068,14['  ]| cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened
114:068,15['  ]| to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the
114:068,16['  ]| same time the most resolute composure of countenance,
114:068,17['  ]| and except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring
114:068,18['  ]| no partner in his pleasure.
114:068,19['  ]| By tea-time however the dose had been enough, and
114:068,20['  ]| Mr%*Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room
114:068,21['  ]| again, and when tea was over, glad to invite him
114:068,22['  ]| to read aloud to the ladies.  Mr%*Collins readily assented,
114:068,23['  ]| and a book was produced; but on beholding it, (for
114:068,24['  ]| every*thing announced it to be from a circulating library,)
114:068,25['  ]| he started back, and begging pardon, protested that he
114:068,26['  ]| never read novels. ~~ Kitty stared at him, and Lydia
114:068,27['  ]| exclaimed. ~~ Other books were produced, and after some
114:068,28['  ]| deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons.  Lydia gaped
114:068,29['  ]| as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very
114:068,30['  ]| monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted
114:068,31['  ]| him with,
114:068,32[H  ]| "Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks
114:068,33[H  ]| of turning away Richard, and if he does, Colonel*Forster
114:068,34[H  ]| will hire him.  My aunt told me so herself on Saturday.
114:068,35[H  ]| I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more about
114:068,36[H  ]| it, and to ask when Mr%*Denny comes back from
114:068,37[H  ]| town."
114:068,38['  ]| Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her
114:069,01['  ]| tongue; but Mr%*Collins, much offended, laid aside his
114:069,02['  ]| book, and said,
114:069,03[K  ]| "I have often observed how little young ladies are
114:069,04[K  ]| interested by books of a serious stamp, though written
114:069,05[K  ]| solely for their benefit.  It amazes me, I confess; ~~ for
114:069,06[K  ]| certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to them
114:069,07[K  ]| as instruction.  But I will no longer importune my young
114:069,08[K  ]| cousin."
114:069,09['  ]| Then turning to Mr%*Bennet he offered himself as his
114:069,10['  ]| antagonist at backgammon.  Mr%*Bennet accepted the
114:069,11['  ]| challenge, observing that
114:069,11@c   | he acted very wisely in leaving
114:069,12@c   | the girls to their own trifling amusements.
114:069,12['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet
114:069,13['  ]| and her daughters apologised most civilly for Lydia's
114:069,14['  ]| interruption, and promised that it should not occur again,
114:069,15['  ]| if he would resume his book; but Mr%*Collins, after
114:069,16['  ]| assuring them that
114:069,16@k   | he bore his young cousin no ill*will,
114:069,17@k   | and should never resent her behaviour as any affront,
114:069,18['  ]| seated himself at another table with Mr%*Bennet, and
114:069,19['  ]| prepared for backgammon.
115:070,01['  ]| Mr%*Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency
115:070,02['  ]| of nature had been but little assisted by education or
115:070,03['  ]| society; the greatest part of his life having been spent
115:070,04['  ]| under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father;
115:070,05['  ]| and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had
115:070,06['  ]| merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it
115:070,07['  ]| any useful acquaintance.  The subjection in which his
115:070,08['  ]| father had brought him up, had given him originally great
115:070,09['  ]| humility of manner, but it was now a good deal counteracted
115:070,10['  ]| by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement,
115:070,11['  ]| and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected
115:070,12['  ]| prosperity.  A fortunate chance had recommended
115:070,13['  ]| him to Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh when the living of
115:070,14['  ]| Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for
115:070,15['  ]| her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness,
115:070,16['  ]| mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his
115:070,17['  ]| authority as a clergyman, and his rights as a rector, made
115:070,18['  ]| him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness,
115:070,19['  ]| self-importance and humility.
115:070,20['  ]| Having now a good house and very sufficient income,
115:070,21['  ]| he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation
115:070,22['  ]| with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he
115:070,23['  ]| meant to chuse one of the daughters, if he found them
115:070,24['  ]| as handsome and amiable as they were represented by
115:070,25['  ]| common report.  This was his plan of amends ~~ of atonement ~~
115:070,26['  ]| for inheriting their father's estate; and he thought
115:070,27['  ]| it an excellent one, full of eligibility and suitableness,
115:070,28['  ]| and excessively generous and disinterested on his own
115:070,29['  ]| part.
115:070,30['  ]| His plan did not vary on seeing them. ~~ Miss*Bennet's
115:070,31['  ]| lovely face confirmed his views, and established all his
115:070,32['  ]| strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for
115:070,33['  ]| the first evening \she\ was his settled choice.  The next
115:071,01['  ]| morning, however, made an alteration; for in a quarter
115:071,02['  ]| of an hour's te^te-a`-te^te with Mrs%*Bennet before breakfast,
115:071,03['  ]| a conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and
115:071,04['  ]| leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress
115:071,05['  ]| for it might be found at Longbourn, produced from her,
115:071,06['  ]| amid very complaisant smiles and general encouragement,
115:071,07['  ]| a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. ~~
115:071,07[D  ]| "As
115:071,08[D  ]| to her \younger\ daughters she could not take upon her to
115:071,09[D  ]| say ~~ she could not positively answer ~~ but she did not
115:071,10[D  ]| \know\ of any prepossession; ~~ her \eldest\ daughter, she must
115:071,11[D  ]| just mention ~~ she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was
115:071,12[D  ]| likely to be very soon engaged."
115:071,13['  ]| Mr%*Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth ~~
115:071,14['  ]| and it was soon done ~~ done while Mrs%*Bennet was
115:071,15['  ]| stirring the fire.  Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth
115:071,16['  ]| and beauty, succeeded her of course.
115:071,17['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she
115:071,18['  ]| might soon have two daughters married; and the man
115:071,19['  ]| whom she could not bear to speak of the day before, was
115:071,20['  ]| now high in her good graces.
115:071,21['  ]| Lydia's intention of walking to Meryton was not
115:071,22['  ]| forgotten; every sister except Mary agreed to go with
115:071,23['  ]| her; and Mr%*Collins was to attend them, at the request
115:071,24['  ]| of Mr%*Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him,
115:071,25['  ]| and have his library to himself; for thither Mr%*Collins
115:071,26['  ]| had followed him after breakfast, and there he would
115:071,27['  ]| continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios
115:071,28['  ]| in the collection, but really talking to Mr%*Bennet, with
115:071,29['  ]| little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford.
115:071,30['  ]| Such doings discomposed Mr%*Bennet exceedingly.  In his
115:071,31['  ]| library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquillity;
115:071,32['  ]| and
115:071,32@c   | though prepared,
115:071,32['  ]| as he told Elizabeth,
115:071,32@c   | to meet with
115:071,33@c   | folly and conceit in every other room in the house, he was
115:071,34@c   | used to be free from them there;
115:071,34['  ]| his civility, therefore,
115:071,35['  ]| was most prompt in inviting Mr%*Collins to join his
115:071,36['  ]| daughters in their walk; and Mr%*Collins, being in fact
115:071,37['  ]| much better fitted for a walker than a reader, was extremely
115:071,38['  ]| well pleased to close his large book, and go.
115:072,01['  ]| In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on
115:072,02['  ]| that of his cousins, their time passed till they entered
115:072,03['  ]| Meryton.  The attention of the younger ones was then
115:072,04['  ]| no longer to be gained by \him\.  Their eyes were immediately
115:072,05['  ]| wandering up in the street in quest of the officers,
115:072,06['  ]| and nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed, or
115:072,07['  ]| a really new muslin in a shop window, could recal them.
115:072,08['  ]| But the attention of every lady was soon caught by
115:072,09['  ]| a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most
115:072,10['  ]| gentlemanlike appearance, walking with an officer on the
115:072,11['  ]| other side of the way.  The officer was the very Mr%*Denny,
115:072,12['  ]| concerning whose return from London Lydia came to
115:072,13['  ]| inquire, and he bowed as they passed.  All were struck
115:072,14['  ]| with the stranger's air, all wondered who he could be, and
115:072,15['  ]| Kitty and Lydia, determined if possible to find out, led
115:072,16['  ]| the way across the street, under pretence of wanting
115:072,17['  ]| something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just
115:072,18['  ]| gained the pavement when the two gentlemen turning
115:072,19['  ]| back had reached the same spot.  Mr%*Denny addressed
115:072,20['  ]| them directly, and
115:072,20@w   | entreated permission to introduce his
115:072,21@w   | friend, Mr%*Wickham, who had returned with him the day
115:072,22@w   | before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted
115:072,23@w   | a commission in their corps.
115:072,23['  ]| This was exactly as it should
115:072,24['  ]| be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make
115:072,25['  ]| him completely charming.  His appearance was greatly
115:072,26['  ]| in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine
115:072,27['  ]| countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.
115:072,28['  ]| The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy
115:072,29['  ]| readiness of conversation ~~ a readiness at the same time
115:072,30['  ]| perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole party
115:072,31['  ]| were still standing and talking together very agreeably,
115:072,32['  ]| when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy
115:072,33['  ]| and Bingley were seen riding down the street.  On distinguishing
115:072,34['  ]| the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen
115:072,35['  ]| came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities.
115:072,36['  ]| Bingley was the principal spokesman, and Miss*Bennet the
115:072,37['  ]| principal object.
115:072,37@i   | He was then,
115:072,37['  ]| he said,
115:072,37@i   | on his way to
115:072,38@i   | Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her.
115:072,38['  ]| Mr%*Darcy
115:073,01['  ]| corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine
115:073,02['  ]| not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were
115:073,03['  ]| suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and
115:073,04['  ]| Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as
115:073,05['  ]| they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the
115:073,06['  ]| effect of the meeting.
115:073,06@a   | Both changed colour, one looked
115:073,07@a   | white, the other red.  Mr%*Wickham, after a few moments,
115:073,08@a   | touched his hat ~~ a salutation which Mr%*Darcy just
115:073,09@a   | deigned to return.  What could be the meaning of it? ~~
115:073,10@a   | It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to
115:073,11@a   | long to know.
115:073,12['  ]| In another minute Mr%*Bingley, but without seeming
115:073,13['  ]| to have noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with
115:073,14['  ]| his friend.
115:073,15['  ]| Mr%*Denny and Mr%*Wickham walked with the young
115:073,16['  ]| ladies to the door of Mr%*Philips's house, and then made
115:073,17['  ]| their bows, in spite of Miss*Lydia's pressing entreaties
115:073,18['  ]| that they would come in, and even in spite of Mrs%*Philips'
115:073,19['  ]| throwing up the parlour window, and loudly seconding the
115:073,20['  ]| invitation.
115:073,21['  ]| Mrs%*Philips was always glad to see her nieces, and the
115:073,22['  ]| two eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly
115:073,23['  ]| welcome, and she was eagerly expressing
115:073,23@v   | her surprise at
115:073,24@v   | their sudden return home, which, as their own carriage
115:073,25@v   | had not fetched them, she should have known nothing
115:073,26@v   | about, if she had not happened to see Mr%*Jones's shop*boy
115:073,27@v   | in the street, who had told her that they were not to send
115:073,28@v   | any more draughts to Netherfield because the Miss*Bennets
115:073,29@v   | were come away,
115:073,29['  ]| when her civility was claimed
115:073,30['  ]| towards Mr%*Collins by Jane's introduction of him.  She
115:073,31['  ]| received him with her very best politeness, which he
115:073,32['  ]| returned with as much more, apologising for his intrusion,
115:073,33['  ]| without any previous acquaintance with her, which he
115:073,34['  ]| could not help flattering himself however might be justified
115:073,35['  ]| by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced
115:073,36['  ]| him to her notice.  Mrs%*Philips was quite awed by such
115:073,37['  ]| an excess of good*breeding; but her contemplation of
115:073,38['  ]| one stranger was soon put an end to by exclamations and
115:074,01['  ]| inquiries about the other, of whom, however, she could
115:074,02['  ]| only tell her nieces what they already knew, that
115:074,02@v   | Mr%*Denny
115:074,03@v   | had brought him from London, and that he was
115:074,04@v   | to have a lieutenant's commission in the *****shire.  She
115:074,05@v   | had been watching him the last hour,
115:074,05['  ]| she said,
115:074,05@v   | as he walked
115:074,06@v   | up and down the street,
115:074,06['  ]| and had Mr%*Wickham appeared
115:074,07['  ]| Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the
115:074,08['  ]| occupation, but unluckily no*one passed the window
115:074,09['  ]| now except a few of the officers, who in comparison with
115:074,10['  ]| the stranger, were become
115:074,10[Y  ]| "stupid, disagreeable fellows."
115:074,11['  ]| Some of them were to dine with the Philipses the next
115:074,12['  ]| day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call
115:074,13['  ]| on Mr%*Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the
115:074,14['  ]| family from Longbourn would come in the evening.  This
115:074,15['  ]| was agreed to, and Mrs%*Philips protested that
115:074,15@v   | they would
115:074,16@v   | have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets, and
115:074,17@v   | a little bit of hot supper afterwards.
115:074,17['  ]| The prospect of
115:074,18['  ]| such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual
115:074,19['  ]| good spirits.  Mr%*Collins repeated his apologies in quitting
115:074,20['  ]| the room, and was assured with unwearying civility that
115:074,21['  ]| they were perfectly needless.
115:074,22['  ]| As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what
115:074,23['  ]| she had seen pass between the two gentlemen; but though
115:074,24['  ]| Jane would have defended either or both, had they
115:074,25['  ]| appeared to be wrong, she could no more explain such
115:074,26['  ]| behaviour than her sister.
115:074,27['  ]| Mr%*Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs%*Bennet
115:074,28['  ]| by admiring Mrs%*Philips's manners and politeness.  He
115:074,29['  ]| protested that
115:074,29@k   | except Lady*Catherine and her daughter,
115:074,30@k   | he had never seen a more elegant woman; for she had
115:074,31@k   | not only received him with the utmost civility, but had
115:074,32@k   | even pointedly included him in her invitation for the next
115:074,33@k   | evening, although utterly unknown to her before.  Something
115:074,34@k   | he supposed might be attributed to his connection
115:074,35@k   | with them, but yet he had never met with so much
115:074,36@k   | attention in the whole course of his life.
116:075,01['  ]| As no objection was made to the young people's engagement
116:075,02['  ]| with their aunt, and all Mr%*Collins's scruples of
116:075,03['  ]| leaving Mr% and Mrs%*Bennet for a single evening during
116:075,04['  ]| his visit were most steadily resisted, the coach conveyed
116:075,05['  ]| him and his five cousins at a suitable hour to Meryton;
116:075,06['  ]| and the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered
116:075,07['  ]| the drawing-room, that Mr%*Wickham had accepted their
116:075,08['  ]| uncle's invitation, and was then in the house.
116:075,09['  ]| When this information was given, and they had all
116:075,10['  ]| taken their seats, Mr%*Collins was at leisure to look around
116:075,11['  ]| him and admire, and he was so much struck with the size
116:075,12['  ]| and furniture of the apartment, that he declared
116:075,12@k   | he might
116:075,13@k   | almost have supposed himself in the small summer
116:075,14@k   | breakfast*parlour at Rosings;
116:075,14['  ]| a comparison that did not
116:075,15['  ]| at first convey much gratification; but when Mrs%*Philips
116:075,16['  ]| understood from him what Rosings was, and who was its
116:075,17['  ]| proprietor, when she had listened to the description of
116:075,18['  ]| only one of Lady*Catherine's drawing-rooms, and found
116:075,19['  ]| that the chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred
116:075,20['  ]| pounds, she felt all the force of the compliment, and would
116:075,21['  ]| hardly have resented a comparison with the housekeeper's
116:075,22['  ]| room.
116:075,23['  ]| In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady*Catherine
116:075,24['  ]| and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of
116:075,25['  ]| his own humble abode, and the improvements it was
116:075,26['  ]| receiving, he was happily employed until the gentlemen
116:075,27['  ]| joined them; and he found in Mrs%*Philips a very attentive
116:075,28['  ]| listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with
116:075,29['  ]| what she heard, and who was resolving to retail it all
116:075,30['  ]| among her neighbours as soon as she could.  To the girls,
116:075,31['  ]| who could not listen to their cousin, and who had nothing
116:075,32['  ]| to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine their
116:075,33['  ]| own indifferent imitations of china on the mantlepiece, the
116:076,01['  ]| interval of waiting appeared very long.  It was over at
116:076,02['  ]| last however.  The gentlemen did approach; and when
116:076,03['  ]| Mr%*Wickham walked into the room, Elizabeth felt that
116:076,04['  ]| she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking of him
116:076,05['  ]| since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration.
116:076,06@a   | The officers of the *****shire were in general a very creditable,
116:076,07@a   | gentlemanlike set, and the best of them were of the
116:076,08@a   | present party; but Mr%*Wickham was as far beyond them
116:076,09@a   | all in person, countenance, air, and walk, as \they\ were
116:076,10@a   | superior to the broad-faced stuffy uncle Philips, breathing
116:076,11@a   | port wine, who followed them into the room.
116:076,12['  ]| Mr%*Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost
116:076,13['  ]| every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the
116:076,14['  ]| happy woman by whom he finally seated himself; and
116:076,15['  ]| the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into
116:076,16['  ]| conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night,
116:076,17['  ]| and on the probability of a rainy season, made her feel
116:076,18['  ]| that
116:076,18@a   | the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might
116:076,19@a   | be rendered interesting by the skill of the speaker.
116:076,20['  ]| With such rivals for the notice of the fair, as Mr%*Wickham
116:076,21['  ]| and the officers, Mr%*Collins seemed likely to sink
116:076,22['  ]| into insignificance; to the young ladies he certainly was
116:076,23['  ]| nothing; but he had still at intervals a kind listener in
116:076,24['  ]| Mrs%*Philips, and was, by her watchfulness, most abundantly
116:076,25['  ]| supplied with coffee and muffin.
116:076,26['  ]| When the card*tables were placed, he had an opportunity
116:076,27['  ]| of obliging her in return, by sitting down to whist.
116:076,28[K  ]| "I know little of the game, at present,"
116:076,28['  ]| said he,
116:076,28[K  ]| "but
116:076,29[K  ]| I shall be glad to improve myself, for in my situation of
116:076,30[K  ]| life ~"
116:076,30['  ]| Mrs%*Philips was very thankful for his compliance,
116:076,31['  ]| but could not wait for his reason.
116:076,32['  ]| Mr%*Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready
116:076,33['  ]| delight was he received at the other table between Elizabeth
116:076,34['  ]| and Lydia.  At first there seemed danger of Lydia's
116:076,35['  ]| engrossing him entirely, for she was a most determined
116:076,36['  ]| talker; but being likewise extremely fond of lottery
116:076,37['  ]| tickets, she soon grew too much interested in the game,
116:076,38['  ]| too eager in making bets and exclaiming after prizes, to
116:077,01['  ]| have attention for any*one in particular.  Allowing for
116:077,02['  ]| the common demands of the game, Mr%*Wickham was
116:077,03['  ]| therefore at leisure to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very
116:077,04['  ]| willing to hear him, though what she chiefly wished to
116:077,05['  ]| hear she could not hope to be told, the history of his
116:077,06['  ]| acquaintance with Mr%*Darcy.  She dared not even
116:077,07['  ]| mention that gentleman.  Her curiosity however was
116:077,08['  ]| unexpectedly relieved.  Mr%*Wickham began the subject
116:077,09['  ]| himself.  He inquired how far Netherfield was from
116:077,10['  ]| Meryton; and, after receiving her answer, asked in an
116:077,11['  ]| hesitating manner how long Mr%*Darcy had been staying
116:077,12['  ]| there.
116:077,13[A  ]| "About a month,"
116:077,13['  ]| said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling
116:077,14['  ]| to let the subject drop, added,
116:077,14[A  ]| "He is a man of very large
116:077,15[A  ]| property in Derbyshire, I understand."
116:077,16[P  ]| "Yes,"
116:077,16['  ]| replied Wickham; ~~
116:077,16[P  ]| "his estate there is a noble
116:077,17[P  ]| one.  A clear ten thousand per*annum.  You could not
116:077,18[P  ]| have met with a person more capable of giving you certain
116:077,19[P  ]| information on that head than myself ~~ for I have been
116:077,20[P  ]| connected with his family in a particular manner from my
116:077,21[P  ]| infancy."
116:077,22['  ]| Elizabeth could not but look surprised.
116:077,23[P  ]| "You may well be surprised, Miss*Bennet, at such an
116:077,24[P  ]| assertion, after seeing, as you probably might, the very
116:077,25[P  ]| cold manner of our meeting yesterday. ~~ Are you much
116:077,26[P  ]| acquainted with Mr%*Darcy?"
116:077,27[A  ]| "As much as I ever wish to be,"
116:077,27['  ]| cried Elizabeth
116:077,28['  ]| warmly, ~~
116:077,28[A  ]| "I have spent four days in the same house
116:077,29[A  ]| with him, and I think him very disagreeable."
116:077,30[P  ]| "I have no right to give \my\ opinion,"
116:077,30['  ]| said Wickham,
116:077,31[P  ]| "as to his being agreeable or otherwise.  I am not qualified
116:077,32[P  ]| to form one.  I have known him too long and too well to
116:077,33[P  ]| be a fair judge.  It is impossible for \me\ to be impartial.
116:077,34[P  ]| But I believe your opinion of him would in general
116:077,35[P  ]| astonish ~~ and perhaps you would not express it quite so
116:077,36[P  ]| strongly anywhere else. ~~ Here you are in your own family."
116:077,37[A  ]| "Upon my word I say no more \here\ than I might say
116:077,38[A  ]| in any house in the neighbourhood, except Netherfield.
116:078,01[A  ]| He is not at all liked in Hertfordshire.  Every*body is
116:078,02[A  ]| disgusted with his pride.  You will not find him more
116:078,03[A  ]| favourably spoken of by any*one."
116:078,04[P  ]| "I cannot pretend to be sorry,"
116:078,04['  ]| said Wickham, after
116:078,05['  ]| a short interruption,
116:078,05[P  ]| "that he or that any man should
116:078,06[P  ]| not be estimated beyond their deserts; but with \him\
116:078,07[P  ]| I believe it does not often happen.  The world is blinded
116:078,08[P  ]| by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high
116:078,09[P  ]| and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chuses to
116:078,10[P  ]| be seen."
116:078,11[A  ]| "I should take him, even on \my\ slight acquaintance,
116:078,12[A  ]| to be an ill-tempered man."
116:078,12['  ]| Wickham only shook his
116:078,13['  ]| head.
116:078,14[P  ]| "I wonder,"
116:078,14['  ]| said he, at the next opportunity of speaking,
116:078,15[P  ]| "whether he is likely to be in this country much
116:078,16[P  ]| longer."
116:078,17[A  ]| "I do not at all know; but I \heard\ nothing of his going
116:078,18[A  ]| away when I was at Netherfield.  I hope your plans in
116:078,19[A  ]| favour of the *****shire will not be affected by his being
116:078,20[A  ]| in the neighbourhood."
116:078,21[P  ]| "Oh! no ~~ it is not for \me\ to be driven away by
116:078,22[P  ]| Mr%*Darcy.  If \he\ wishes to avoid seeing \me\, he must go.
116:078,23[P  ]| We are not on friendly terms, and it always gives me pain
116:078,24[P  ]| to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding \him\
116:078,25[P  ]| but what I might proclaim to all the world; a sense of
116:078,26[P  ]| very great ill*usage, and most painful regrets at his being
116:078,27[P  ]| what he is.  His father, Miss*Bennet, the late Mr%*Darcy,
116:078,28[P  ]| was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest
116:078,29[P  ]| friend I ever had; and I can never be in company with
116:078,30[P  ]| this Mr%*Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a
116:078,31[P  ]| thousand tender recollections.  His behaviour to myself
116:078,32[P  ]| has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive
116:078,33[P  ]| him any*thing and every*thing, rather than his disappointing
116:078,34[P  ]| the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father."
116:078,35['  ]| Elizabeth found the interest of the subject increase, and
116:078,36['  ]| listened with all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented
116:078,37['  ]| farther inquiry.
116:078,38['  ]| Mr%*Wickham began to speak on more general topics,
116:079,01['  ]| Meryton, the neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly
116:079,02['  ]| pleased with all that he had yet seen, and speaking of the
116:079,03['  ]| latter especially, with gentle but very intelligible gallantry.
116:079,04[P  ]| "It was the prospect of constant society, and good
116:079,05[P  ]| society,"
116:079,05['  ]| he added,
116:079,05[P  ]| "which was my chief inducement to
116:079,06[P  ]| enter the *****shire.  I knew it to be a most respectable,
116:079,07[P  ]| agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me farther
116:079,08[P  ]| by his account of their present quarters, and the very great
116:079,09[P  ]| attentions and excellent acquaintance Meryton had procured
116:079,10[P  ]| them.  Society, I own, is necessary to me.  I have
116:079,11[P  ]| been a disappointed man, and my spirits will not bear
116:079,12[P  ]| solitude.  I \must\ have employment and society.  A
116:079,13[P  ]| military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances
116:079,14[P  ]| have now made it eligible.  The church \ought\ to
116:079,15[P  ]| have been my profession ~~ I was brought up for the church,
116:079,16[P  ]| and I should at this time have been in possession of a most
116:079,17[P  ]| valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we were
116:079,18[P  ]| speaking of just now."
116:079,19[A  ]| "Indeed!"
116:079,20[P  ]| "Yes ~~ the late Mr%*Darcy bequeathed me the next
116:079,21[P  ]| presentation of the best living in his gift.  He was my
116:079,22[P  ]| godfather, and excessively attached to me.  I cannot do
116:079,23[P  ]| justice to his kindness.  He meant to provide for me
116:079,24[P  ]| amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living
116:079,25[P  ]| fell, it was given elsewhere."
116:079,26[A  ]| "Good heavens!"
116:079,26['  ]| cried Elizabeth;
116:079,26[A  ]| "but how could
116:079,27[A  ]| \that\ be? ~~ How could his will be disregarded? ~~ Why did
116:079,28[A  ]| not you seek legal redress?"
116:079,29[P  ]| "There was just such an informality in the terms of
116:079,30[P  ]| the bequest as to give me no hope from law.  A man of
116:079,31[P  ]| honour could not have doubted the intention, but Mr%*Darcy
116:079,32[P  ]| chose to doubt it ~~ or to treat it as a merely conditional
116:079,33[P  ]| recommendation, and to assert that I had forfeited
116:079,34[P  ]| all claim to it by extravagance, imprudence, in short
116:079,35[P  ]| any*thing or nothing.  Certain it is, that the living became
116:079,36[P  ]| vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold
116:079,37[P  ]| it, and that it was given to another man; and no less
116:079,38[P  ]| certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really
116:080,01[P  ]| done any*thing to deserve to lose it.  I have a warm,
116:080,02[P  ]| unguarded temper, and I may perhaps have sometimes
116:080,03[P  ]| spoken my opinion \of\ him, and \to\ him, too freely.  I can
116:080,04[P  ]| recal nothing worse.  But the fact is, that we are very
116:080,05[P  ]| different sort of men, and that he hates me."
116:080,06[A  ]| "This is quite shocking! ~~ He deserves to be publicly
116:080,07[A  ]| disgraced."
116:080,08[P  ]| "Some*time or other he \will\ be ~~ but it shall not be
116:080,09[P  ]| by \me\.  Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or
116:080,10[P  ]| expose \him\."
116:080,11['  ]| Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought
116:080,12['  ]| him handsomer than ever as he expressed them.
116:080,13[A  ]| "But what,"
116:080,13['  ]| said she, after a pause,
116:080,13[A  ]| "can have been
116:080,14[A  ]| his motive? ~~ what can have induced him to behave so
116:080,15[A  ]| cruelly?"
116:080,16[P  ]| "A thorough, determined dislike of me ~~ a dislike which
116:080,17[P  ]| I cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy.  Had
116:080,18[P  ]| the late Mr%*Darcy liked me less, his son might have borne
116:080,19[P  ]| with me better; but his father's uncommon attachment
116:080,20[P  ]| to me, irritated him I believe very early in life.  He had
116:080,21[P  ]| not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we
116:080,22[P  ]| stood ~~ the sort of preference which was often given me."
116:080,23[A  ]| "I had not thought Mr%*Darcy so bad as this ~~ though
116:080,24[A  ]| I have never liked him, I had not thought so very ill of
116:080,25[A  ]| him ~~ I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures
116:080,26[A  ]| in general, but did not suspect him of descending
116:080,27[A  ]| to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity
116:080,28[A  ]| as this!"
116:080,29['  ]| After a few minutes reflection, however, she continued,
116:080,30[A  ]| "I \do\ remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of
116:080,31[A  ]| the implacability of his resentments, of his having an
116:080,32[A  ]| unforgiving temper.  His disposition must be dreadful."
116:080,33[P  ]| "I will not trust myself on the subject,"
116:080,33['  ]| replied Wickham,
116:080,34[P  ]| "\I\ can hardly be just to him."
116:080,35['  ]| Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time
116:080,36['  ]| exclaimed,
116:080,36[A  ]| "To treat in such a manner, the godson, the
116:080,37[A  ]| friend, the favourite of his father!" ~~
116:080,37['  ]| She could have
116:080,38['  ]| added,
116:080,38@a   | "A young man too, like \you\, whose very countenance
116:081,01@a   | may vouch for your being amiable? ~~
116:081,01['  ]| but she
116:081,02['  ]| contented herself with
116:081,02[A  ]| "And one, too, who had probably
116:081,03[A  ]| been his own companion from childhood, connected
116:081,04[A  ]| together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!"
116:081,05[P  ]| "We were born in the same parish, within the same
116:081,06[P  ]| park, the greatest part of our youth was passed together;
116:081,07[P  ]| inmates of the same house, sharing the same amusements,
116:081,08[P  ]| objects of the same parental care.  \My\ father began life
116:081,09[P  ]| in the profession which your uncle, Mr%*Philips, appears
116:081,10[P  ]| to do so much credit to ~~ but he gave up every*thing to
116:081,11[P  ]| be of use to the late Mr%*Darcy, and devoted all his time
116:081,12[P  ]| to the care of the Pemberley property.  He was most
116:081,13[P  ]| highly esteemed by Mr%*Darcy, a most intimate, confidential
116:081,14[P  ]| friend.  Mr%*Darcy often acknowledged himself to
116:081,15[P  ]| be under the greatest obligations to my father's active
116:081,16[P  ]| superintendance, and when immediately before my father's
116:081,17[P  ]| death, Mr%*Darcy gave him a voluntary promise of providing
116:081,18[P  ]| for me, I am convinced that he felt it to be as much
116:081,19[P  ]| a debt of gratitude to \him\, as of affection to myself."
116:081,20[A  ]| "How strange!"
116:081,20['  ]| cried Elizabeth.
116:081,20[A  ]| "How abominable! ~~
116:081,21[A  ]| I wonder that the very pride of this Mr%*Darcy
116:081,22[A  ]| has not made him just to you! ~~ If from no better motive,
116:081,23[A  ]| that he should not have been too proud to be dishonest, ~~
116:081,24[A  ]| for dishonesty I must call it."
116:081,25[P  ]| "It \is\ wonderful," ~~
116:081,25['  ]| replied Wickham, ~~
116:081,25[P  ]| "for almost
116:081,26[P  ]| all his actions may be traced to pride; ~~ and pride has
116:081,27[P  ]| often been his best friend.  It has connected him nearer
116:081,28[P  ]| with virtue than any other feeling.  But we are none of
116:081,29[P  ]| us consistent; and in his behaviour to me, there were
116:081,30[P  ]| stronger impulses even than pride."
116:081,31[A  ]| "Can such abominable pride as his, have ever done
116:081,32[A  ]| him good?"
116:081,33[P  ]| "Yes.  It has often led him to be liberal and generous, ~~
116:081,34[P  ]| to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist
116:081,35[P  ]| his tenants, and relieve the poor.  Family pride, and \filial\
116:081,36[P  ]| pride, for he is very proud of what his father was, have
116:081,37[P  ]| done this.  Not to appear to disgrace his family, to degenerate
116:081,38[P  ]| from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of the
116:082,01[P  ]| Pemberley*House, is a powerful motive.  He has also
116:082,02[P  ]| \brotherly\ pride, which with \some\ brotherly affection, makes
116:082,03[P  ]| him a very kind and careful guardian of his sister; and you
116:082,04[P  ]| will hear him generally cried up as the most attentive and
116:082,05[P  ]| best of brothers."
116:082,06[A  ]| "What sort of a girl is Miss*Darcy?"
116:082,07['  ]| He shook his head. ~~
116:082,07[P  ]| "I wish I could call her amiable.
116:082,08[P  ]| It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy.  But she is too
116:082,09[P  ]| much like her brother, ~~ very, very proud. ~~ As a child,
116:082,10[P  ]| she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of
116:082,11[P  ]| me; and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement.
116:082,12[P  ]| But she is nothing to me now.  She is a handsome
116:082,13[P  ]| girl, about fifteen or sixteen, and I understand highly
116:082,14[P  ]| accomplished.  Since her father's death, her home has
116:082,15[P  ]| been London, where a lady lives with her, and superintends
116:082,16[P  ]| her education."
116:082,17['  ]| After many pauses and many trials of other subjects,
116:082,18['  ]| Elizabeth could not help reverting once more to the first,
116:082,19['  ]| and saying,
116:082,20[A  ]| "I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr%*Bingley!
116:082,21[A  ]| How can Mr%*Bingley, who seems good*humour itself, and
116:082,22[A  ]| is, I really believe, truly amiable, be in friendship with
116:082,23[A  ]| such a man?  How can they suit each other? ~~ Do you
116:082,24[A  ]| know Mr%*Bingley?"
116:082,25[P  ]| "Not at all."
116:082,26[A  ]| "He is a sweet tempered, amiable, charming man.
116:082,27[A  ]| He cannot know what Mr%*Darcy is."
116:082,28[P  ]| "Probably not; ~~ but Mr%*Darcy can please where he
116:082,29[P  ]| chuses.  He does not want abilities.  He can be a conversible
116:082,30[P  ]| companion if he thinks it worth his while.  Among
116:082,31[P  ]| those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very
116:082,32[P  ]| different man from what he is to the less prosperous.
116:082,33[P  ]| His pride never deserts him; but with the rich, he is
116:082,34[P  ]| liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and
116:082,35[P  ]| perhaps agreeable, ~~ allowing something for fortune and
116:082,36[P  ]| figure."
116:082,37['  ]| The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players
116:082,38['  ]| gathered round the other table, and Mr%*Collins took his
116:083,01['  ]| station between his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs%*Philips. ~~
116:083,02['  ]| The usual inquiries as to his success were made by the latter.
116:083,03['  ]| It had not been very great; he had lost every point;
116:083,04['  ]| but when Mrs%*Philips began to express her concern thereupon,
116:083,05['  ]| he assured her with much earnest gravity that
116:083,05@k   | it
116:083,06@k   | was not of the least importance, that he considered the
116:083,07@k   | money as a mere trifle, and begged she would not make
116:083,08@k   | herself uneasy.
116:083,09[K  ]| "I know very well, madam,"
116:083,09['  ]| said he,
116:083,09[K  ]| "that when
116:083,10[K  ]| persons sit down to a card*table, they must take their
116:083,11[K  ]| chance of these things, ~~ and happily I am not in such
116:083,12[K  ]| circumstances as to make five shillings any object.  There
116:083,13[K  ]| are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but
116:083,14[K  ]| thanks to Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh, I am removed far
116:083,15[K  ]| beyond the necessity of regarding little matters."
116:083,16['  ]| Mr%*Wickham's attention was caught; and after observing
116:083,17['  ]| Mr%*Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in
116:083,18['  ]| a low voice whether her relation were very intimately
116:083,19['  ]| acquainted with the family of de*Bourgh.
116:083,20[A  ]| "Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh,"
116:083,20['  ]| she replied,
116:083,20[A  ]| "has very
116:083,21[A  ]| lately given him a living.  I hardly know how Mr%*Collins
116:083,22[A  ]| was first introduced to her notice, but he certainly has
116:083,23[A  ]| not known her long."
116:083,24[P  ]| "You know of course that Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh
116:083,25[P  ]| and Lady*Anne*Darcy were sisters; consequently that
116:083,26[P  ]| she is aunt to the present Mr%*Darcy."
116:083,27[A  ]| "No, indeed, I did not. ~~ I knew nothing at all of Lady*Catherine's
116:083,28[A  ]| connections.  I never heard of her existence
116:083,29[A  ]| till the day before yesterday."
116:083,30[P  ]| "Her daughter, Miss*de*Bourgh, will have a very large
116:083,31[P  ]| fortune, and it is believed that she and her cousin will
116:083,32[P  ]| unite the two estates."
116:083,33['  ]| This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought
116:083,34['  ]| of poor Miss*Bingley.
116:083,34@a   | Vain indeed must be all her attentions,
116:083,35@a   | vain and useless her affection for his sister and her
116:083,36@a   | praise of himself, if he were already self-destined to
116:083,37@a   | another.
116:083,38[A  ]| "Mr%*Collins,"
116:083,38['  ]| said she,
116:083,38[A  ]| "speaks highly both of Lady*Catherine
116:084,01[A  ]| and her daughter; but from some particulars
116:084,02[A  ]| that he has related of her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude
116:084,03[A  ]| misleads him, and that in spite of her being his patroness,
116:084,04[A  ]| she is an arrogant, conceited woman."
116:084,05[P  ]| "I believe her to be both in a great degree,"
116:084,05['  ]| replied
116:084,06['  ]| Wickham;
116:084,06[P  ]| "I have not seen her for many years, but
116:084,07[P  ]| I very well remember that I never liked her, and that
116:084,08[P  ]| her manners were dictatorial and insolent.  She has the
116:084,09[P  ]| reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but
116:084,10[P  ]| I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her
116:084,11[P  ]| rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner,
116:084,12[P  ]| and the rest from the pride of her nephew, who chuses
116:084,13[P  ]| that every*one connected with him should have an understanding
116:084,14[P  ]| of the first class."
116:084,15['  ]| Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational
116:084,16['  ]| account of it, and they continued talking together with
116:084,17['  ]| mutual satisfaction till supper put an end to cards; and
116:084,18['  ]| gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr%*Wickham's
116:084,19['  ]| attentions.  There could be no conversation in the noise
116:084,20['  ]| of Mrs%*Philips's supper party, but his manners recommended
116:084,21['  ]| him to every*body.  Whatever he said, was said
116:084,22['  ]| well; and whatever he did, done gracefully.  Elizabeth
116:084,23['  ]| went away with her head full of him.  She could think of
116:084,24['  ]| nothing but of Mr%*Wickham, and of what he had told her,
116:084,25['  ]| all the way home; but there was not time for her even
116:084,26['  ]| to mention his name as they went, for neither Lydia nor
116:084,27['  ]| Mr%*Collins were once silent.  Lydia talked incessantly of
116:084,28['  ]| lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the fish she had
116:084,29['  ]| won, Mr%*Collins, in describing the civility of Mr% and
116:084,30['  ]| Mrs%*Philips, protesting that he did not in the least regard
116:084,31['  ]| his losses at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper,
116:084,32['  ]| and repeatedly fearing that he crouded his cousins, had
116:084,33['  ]| more to say than he could well manage before the carriage
116:084,34['  ]| stopped at Longbourn*House.
117:085,01['  ]| Elizabeth related to Jane the next day, what had
117:085,02['  ]| passed between Mr%*Wickham and herself.  Jane listened
117:085,03['  ]| with astonishment and concern; ~~ she knew not how to
117:085,04['  ]| believe that Mr%*Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr%*Bingley's
117:085,05['  ]| regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to
117:085,06['  ]| question the veracity of a young man of such amiable
117:085,07['  ]| appearance as Wickham. ~~ The possibility of his having
117:085,08['  ]| really endured such unkindness, was enough to interest
117:085,09['  ]| all her tender feelings; and nothing therefore remained
117:085,10['  ]| to be done, but to think well of them both, to defend the
117:085,11['  ]| conduct of each, and throw into the account of accident
117:085,12['  ]| or mistake, whatever could not be otherwise explained.
117:085,13[E  ]| "They have both,"
117:085,13['  ]| said she,
117:085,13[E  ]| "been deceived, I dare
117:085,14[E  ]| say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea.
117:085,15[E  ]| Interested people have perhaps misrepresented each to
117:085,16[E  ]| the other.  It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture
117:085,17[E  ]| the causes or circumstances which may have alienated
117:085,18[E  ]| them, without actual blame on either side."
117:085,19[A  ]| "Very true, indeed; ~~ and now, my dear Jane, what
117:085,20[A  ]| have you got to say in behalf of the interested people
117:085,21[A  ]| who have probably been concerned in the business? ~~
117:085,22[A  ]| Do clear \them\ too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of
117:085,23[A  ]| somebody."
117:085,24[E  ]| "Laugh as much as you chuse, but you will not laugh
117:085,25[E  ]| me out of my opinion.  My dearest Lizzy, do but consider
117:085,26[E  ]| in what a disgraceful light it places Mr%*Darcy, to be
117:085,27[E  ]| treating his father's favourite in such a manner, ~~ one,
117:085,28[E  ]| whom his father had promised to provide for. ~~ It is impossible.
117:085,29[E  ]| No man of common humanity, no man who had
117:085,30[E  ]| any value for his character, could be capable of it.  Can
117:085,31[E  ]| his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived in
117:085,32[E  ]| him? oh! no."
117:085,33[A  ]| "I can much more easily believe Mr%*Bingley's being
117:086,01[A  ]| imposed on, than that Mr%*Wickham should invent such
117:086,02[A  ]| a history of himself as he gave me last night; names,
117:086,03[A  ]| facts, every*thing mentioned without ceremony. ~~ If it be
117:086,04[A  ]| not so, let Mr%*Darcy contradict it.  Besides, there was
117:086,05[A  ]| truth in his looks."
117:086,06[E  ]| "It is difficult indeed ~~ it is distressing. ~~ One does not
117:086,07[E  ]| know what to think."
117:086,08[A  ]| "I beg your pardon; ~~ one knows exactly what to
117:086,09[A  ]| think."
117:086,10['  ]| But Jane could think with certainty on only one
117:086,11['  ]| point, ~~ that Mr%*Bingley, if he \had\ \been\ imposed on,
117:086,12['  ]| would have much to suffer when the affair became public.
117:086,13['  ]| The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery
117:086,14['  ]| where this conversation passed, by the arrival of
117:086,15['  ]| some of the very persons of whom they had been speaking;
117:086,16['  ]| Mr%*Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal
117:086,17['  ]| invitation for the long expected ball at Netherfield, which
117:086,18['  ]| was fixed for the following Tuesday.  The two ladies were
117:086,19@y   | delighted to see their dear friend again,
117:086,19['  ]| called it
117:086,19@y   | an age
117:086,20@y   | since they had met,
117:086,20['  ]| and repeatedly asked
117:086,20@y   | what she had
117:086,21@y   | been doing with herself since their separation.
117:086,21['  ]| To the rest
117:086,22['  ]| of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs%*Bennet
117:086,23['  ]| as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth,
117:086,24['  ]| and nothing at all to the others.  They were soon gone
117:086,25['  ]| again, rising from their seats with an activity which took
117:086,26['  ]| their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if eager
117:086,27['  ]| to escape from Mrs%*Bennet's civilities.
117:086,28['  ]| The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely
117:086,29['  ]| agreeable to every female of the family.  Mrs%*Bennet
117:086,30['  ]| chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest
117:086,31['  ]| daughter, and was particularly flattered by receiving the
117:086,32['  ]| invitation from Mr%*Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious
117:086,33['  ]| card.  Jane pictured to herself a happy evening
117:086,34['  ]| in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of their
117:086,35['  ]| brother; and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing
117:086,36['  ]| a great deal with Mr%*Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation
117:086,37['  ]| of every*thing in Mr%*Darcy's looks and behaviour.
117:086,38['  ]| The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia,
117:087,01['  ]| depended less on any single event, or any particular
117:087,02['  ]| person, for though they each, like Elizabeth, meant to
117:087,03['  ]| dance half the evening with Mr%*Wickham, he was by no
117:087,04['  ]| means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball
117:087,05['  ]| was at any rate, a ball.  And even Mary could assure her
117:087,06['  ]| family that she had no disinclination for it.
117:087,07[F  ]| "While I can have my mornings to myself,"
117:087,07['  ]| said she,
117:087,08[F  ]| "it is enough. ~~ I think it no sacrifice to join occasionally
117:087,09[F  ]| in evening engagements.  Society has claims on us all;
117:087,10[F  ]| and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals
117:087,11[F  ]| of recreation and amusement as desirable for every*body."
117:087,12['  ]| Elizabeth's spirits were so high on the occasion, that
117:087,13['  ]| though she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr%*Collins,
117:087,14['  ]| she could not help asking him whether he intended to
117:087,15['  ]| accept Mr%*Bingley's invitation, and if he did, whether
117:087,16['  ]| he would think it proper to join in the evening's amusement;
117:087,17['  ]| and she was rather surprised to find that he entertained
117:087,18['  ]| no scruple whatever on that head, and was very
117:087,19['  ]| far from dreading a rebuke either from the Archbishop,
117:087,20['  ]| or Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh, by venturing to dance.
117:087,21[K  ]| "I am by no means of opinion, I assure you,"
117:087,21['  ]| said he,
117:087,22[K  ]| "that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of character,
117:087,23[K  ]| to respectable people, can have any evil tendency;
117:087,24[K  ]| and I am so far from objecting to dancing myself that
117:087,25[K  ]| I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair
117:087,26[K  ]| cousins in the course of the evening, and I take this opportunity
117:087,27[K  ]| of soliciting yours, Miss*Elizabeth, for the two first
117:087,28[K  ]| dances especially, ~~ a preference which I trust my cousin
117:087,29[K  ]| Jane will attribute to the right cause, and not to any
117:087,30[K  ]| disrespect for her."
117:087,31['  ]| Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in.  She had
117:087,32['  ]| fully proposed being engaged by Wickham for those
117:087,33['  ]| very dances: ~~ and to have Mr%*Collins instead! her liveliness
117:087,34['  ]| had been never worse timed. There was no help for
117:087,35['  ]| it however.  Mr%*Wickham's happiness and her own was
117:087,36['  ]| per*force delayed a little longer, and Mr%*Collins's proposal
117:087,37['  ]| accepted with as good a grace as she could. She was not
117:087,38['  ]| the better pleased with his gallantry, from the idea it
117:088,01['  ]| suggested of something more. ~~ It now first struck her,
117:088,02['  ]| that
117:088,02@a   | \she\ was selected from among her sisters as worthy
117:088,03@a   | of being the mistress of Hunsford*Parsonage, and of
117:088,04@a   | assisting to form a quadrille*table at Rosings, in the
117:088,05@a   | absence of more eligible visitors.
117:088,05['  ]| The idea soon reached
117:088,06['  ]| to conviction, as she observed his increasing civilities
117:088,07['  ]| toward herself, and heard his frequent attempt at a compliment
117:088,08['  ]| on her wit and vivacity; and though more astonished
117:088,09['  ]| than gratified herself, by this effect of her charms,
117:088,10['  ]| it was not long before her mother gave her to understand
117:088,11['  ]| that the probability of their marriage was exceedingly
117:088,12['  ]| agreeable to \her\.  Elizabeth however did not chuse to take
117:088,13['  ]| the hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be
117:088,14['  ]| the consequence of any reply.
117:088,14@a   | Mr%*Collins might never
117:088,15@a   | make the offer, and till he did, it was useless to quarrel
117:088,16@a   | about him.
117:088,17['  ]| If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for
117:088,18['  ]| and talk of, the younger Miss*Bennets would have been
117:088,19['  ]| in a pitiable state at this time, for from the day of the
117:088,20['  ]| invitation, to the day of the ball, there was such a succession
117:088,21['  ]| of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton once.
117:088,22['  ]| No aunt, no officers, no news could be sought after; ~~ the
117:088,23['  ]| very shoe-roses for Netherfield were got by proxy.  Even
117:088,24['  ]| Elizabeth might have found some trial of her patience
117:088,25['  ]| in weather, which totally suspended the improvement of
117:088,26['  ]| her acquaintance with Mr%*Wickham; and nothing less
117:088,27['  ]| than a dance on Tuesday, could have made such a Friday,
117:088,28['  ]| Saturday, Sunday and Monday, endurable to Kitty and
117:088,29['  ]| Lydia.
118:089,01['  ]| Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield
118:089,02['  ]| and looked in vain for Mr%*Wickham among the cluster
118:089,03['  ]| of red coats there assembled, a doubt of his being present
118:089,04['  ]| had never occurred to her.  The certainty of meeting him
118:089,05['  ]| had not been checked by any of those recollections that
118:089,06['  ]| might not unreasonably have alarmed her.  She had
118:089,07['  ]| dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in the
118:089,08['  ]| highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained
118:089,09['  ]| unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more
118:089,10['  ]| than might be won in the course of the evening.  But
118:089,11['  ]| in an instant arose the dreadful suspicion of his being
118:089,12['  ]| purposely omitted for Mr%*Darcy's pleasure in the Bingleys'
118:089,13['  ]| invitation to the officers; and though this was not exactly
118:089,14['  ]| the case, the absolute fact of his absence was pronounced
118:089,15['  ]| by his friend Mr%*Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly applied,
118:089,16['  ]| and who told them that Wickham had been obliged to go
118:089,17['  ]| to town on business the day before, and was not yet
118:089,18['  ]| returned; adding, with a significant smile,
118:089,19[W  ]| "I do not imagine his business would have called him
118:089,20[W  ]| away just now, if he had not wished to avoid a certain
118:089,21[W  ]| gentleman here."
118:089,22['  ]| This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia,
118:089,23['  ]| was caught by Elizabeth, and as it assured her that Darcy
118:089,24['  ]| was not less answerable for Wickham's absence than if her
118:089,25['  ]| first surmise had been just, every feeling of displeasure
118:089,26['  ]| against the former was so sharpened by immediate disappointment,
118:089,27['  ]| that she could hardly reply with tolerable
118:089,28['  ]| civility to the polite inquiries which he directly afterwards
118:089,29['  ]| approached to make. ~~
118:089,29@a   | Attention, forbearance, patience
118:089,30@a   | with Darcy, was injury to Wickham.
118:089,30['  ]| She was resolved
118:089,31['  ]| against any sort of conversation with him, and turned
118:089,32['  ]| away with a degree of ill*humour, which she could not
118:090,01['  ]| wholly surmount even in speaking to Mr%*Bingley, whose
118:090,02['  ]| blind partiality provoked her.
118:090,03['  ]| But Elizabeth was not formed for ill-humour; and
118:090,04['  ]| though every prospect of her own was destroyed for the
118:090,05['  ]| evening, it could not dwell long on her spirits; and
118:090,06['  ]| having told all her griefs to Charlotte*Lucas, whom she
118:090,07['  ]| had not seen for a week, she was soon able to make a
118:090,08['  ]| voluntary transition to the oddities of her cousin, and
118:090,09['  ]| to point him out to her particular notice.  The two first
118:090,10['  ]| dances, however, brought a return of distress; they were
118:090,11['  ]| dances of mortification.  Mr%*Collins, awkward and solemn,
118:090,12['  ]| apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong
118:090,13['  ]| without being aware of it, gave her all the shame and
118:090,14['  ]| misery which a disagreeable partner for a couple of dances
118:090,15['  ]| can give.  The moment of her release from him was exstacy.
118:090,16['  ]| She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment
118:090,17['  ]| of talking of Wickham, and of hearing that he was
118:090,18['  ]| universally liked.  When those dances were over she
118:090,19['  ]| returned to Charlotte*Lucas, and was in conversation
118:090,20['  ]| with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by
118:090,21['  ]| Mr%*Darcy, who took her so much by surprise in his
118:090,22['  ]| application for her hand, that, without knowing what she
118:090,23['  ]| did, she accepted him.  He walked away again immediately,
118:090,24['  ]| and she was left to fret over her own want of presence
118:090,25['  ]| of mind; Charlotte tried to console her.
118:090,26[Q  ]| "I dare say you will find him very agreeable."
118:090,27[A  ]| "Heaven forbid! ~~ \That\ would be the greatest misfortune
118:090,28[A  ]| of all! ~~ To find a man agreeable whom one is
118:090,29[A  ]| determined to hate! ~~ Do not wish me such an evil."
118:090,30['  ]| When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy
118:090,31['  ]| approached to claim her hand, Charlotte could not help
118:090,32['  ]| cautioning her in a whisper
118:090,32@q   | not to be a simpleton and
118:090,33@q   | allow her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant
118:090,34@q   | in the eyes of a man of ten times his consequence.
118:090,35['  ]| Elizabeth made no answer, and took her place in the set,
118:090,36['  ]| amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived in being
118:090,37['  ]| allowed to stand opposite to Mr%*Darcy, and reading in her
118:090,38['  ]| neighbours' looks their equal amazement in beholding it.
118:091,01['  ]| They stood for some time without speaking a word; and
118:091,02['  ]| she began to imagine that their silence was to last through
118:091,03['  ]| the two dances, and at first was resolved not to break it;
118:091,04['  ]| till suddenly fancying that it would be the greater punishment
118:091,05['  ]| to her partner to oblige him to talk, she made some
118:091,06['  ]| slight observation on the dance.  He replied, and was
118:091,07['  ]| again silent.  After a pause of some minutes she addressed
118:091,08['  ]| him a second time with
118:091,09[A  ]| "It is \your\ turn to say something now, Mr%*Darcy. ~~
118:091,10[A  ]| \I\ talked about the dance, and \you\ ought to make some
118:091,11[A  ]| kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number
118:091,12[A  ]| of couples."
118:091,13['  ]| He smiled, and assured her that
118:091,13@b   | whatever she wished
118:091,14@b   | him to say should be said.
118:091,15[A  ]| "Very well. ~~ That reply will do for the present. ~~
118:091,16[A  ]| Perhaps by*and*bye I may observe that private balls are
118:091,17[A  ]| much pleasanter than public ones. ~~ But \now\ we may be
118:091,18[A  ]| silent."
118:091,19[B  ]| "Do you talk by rule then, while you are dancing?"
118:091,20[A  ]| "Sometimes.  One must speak a little, you know.  It
118:091,21[A  ]| would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour
118:091,22[A  ]| together, and yet for the advantage of \some\, conversation
118:091,23[A  ]| ought to be so arranged as that they may have the trouble
118:091,24[A  ]| of saying as little as possible."
118:091,25[B  ]| "Are you consulting your own feelings in the present
118:091,26[B  ]| case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?"
118:091,27[A  ]| "Both,"
118:091,27['  ]| replied Elizabeth archly;
118:091,27[A  ]| "for I have always
118:091,28[A  ]| seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. ~~ We are
118:091,29[A  ]| each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to
118:091,30[A  ]| speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze
118:091,31[A  ]| the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with
118:091,32[A  ]| all the eclat of a proverb."
118:091,33[B  ]| "This is no very striking resemblance of your own
118:091,34[B  ]| character, I am sure,"
118:091,34['  ]| said he.
118:091,34[B  ]| "How near it may be
118:091,35[B  ]| to \mine\, I cannot pretend to say. ~~ \You\ think it a faithful
118:091,36[B  ]| portrait undoubtedly."
118:091,37[A  ]| "I must not decide on my own performance."
118:091,38['  ]| He made no answer, and they were again silent till they
118:092,01['  ]| had gone down the dance, when he asked her if she and
118:092,02['  ]| her sisters did not very often walk to Meryton.  She
118:092,03['  ]| answered in the affirmative, and, unable to resist the
118:092,04['  ]| temptation, added,
118:092,04[A  ]| "When you met us there the other
118:092,05[A  ]| day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance."
118:092,06['  ]| The effect was immediate.  A deeper shade of hauteur
118:092,07['  ]| overspread his features, but he said not a word, and
118:092,08['  ]| Elizabeth, though blaming herself for her own weakness,
118:092,09['  ]| could not go on.  At length Darcy spoke, and in a constrained
118:092,10['  ]| manner said,
118:092,11[B  ]| "Mr%*Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as
118:092,12[B  ]| may ensure his \making\ friends ~~ whether he may be equally
118:092,13[B  ]| capable of \retaining\ them, is less certain."
118:092,14[A  ]| "He has been so unlucky as to lose \your\ friendship,"
118:092,15['  ]| replied Elizabeth with emphasis,
118:092,15[A  ]| "and in a manner which
118:092,16[A  ]| he is likely to suffer from all his life."
118:092,17['  ]| Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing
118:092,18['  ]| the subject.  At that moment Sir*William*Lucas appeared
118:092,19['  ]| close to them, meaning to pass through the set to the other
118:092,20['  ]| side of the room; but on perceiving Mr%*Darcy he stopt
118:092,21['  ]| with a bow of superior courtesy to compliment him on
118:092,22['  ]| his dancing and his partner.
118:092,23[R  ]| "I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear Sir.
118:092,24[R  ]| Such very superior dancing is not often seen.  It is evident
118:092,25[R  ]| that you belong to the first circles.  Allow me to say,
118:092,26[R  ]| however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you,
118:092,27[R  ]| and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated,
118:092,28[R  ]| especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Miss*Eliza,
118:092,29['  ]| (glancing at her sister and Bingley,)
118:092,29[R  ]| shall take place.
118:092,30[R  ]| What congratulations will then flow in!  I appeal to
118:092,31[R  ]| Mr%*Darcy: ~~ but let me not interrupt you, Sir. ~~ You will
118:092,32[R  ]| not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching
118:092,33[R  ]| converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also
118:092,34[R  ]| upbraiding me."
118:092,35['  ]| The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by
118:092,36['  ]| Darcy; but Sir*William's allusion to his friend seemed to
118:092,37['  ]| strike him forcibly, and his eyes were directed with a very
118:092,38['  ]| serious expression towards Bingley and Jane, who were
118:093,01['  ]| dancing together.  Recovering himself, however, shortly,
118:093,02['  ]| he turned to his partner, and said,
118:093,03[B  ]| "Sir*William's interruption has made me forget what
118:093,04[B  ]| we were talking of."
118:093,05[A  ]| "I do not think we were speaking at all.  Sir*William
118:093,06[A  ]| could not have interrupted any two people in the room
118:093,07[A  ]| who had less to say for themselves. ~~ We have tried two
118:093,08[A  ]| or three subjects already without success, and what we
118:093,09[A  ]| are to talk of next I cannot imagine."
118:093,10[B  ]| "What think you of books?"
118:093,10['  ]| said he, smiling.
118:093,11[A  ]| "Books ~~ Oh! no. ~~ I am sure we never read the same,
118:093,12[A  ]| or not with the same feelings."
118:093,13[B  ]| "I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case,
118:093,14[B  ]| there can at least be no want of subject. ~~ We may
118:093,15[B  ]| compare our different opinions."
118:093,16[A  ]| "No ~~ I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head
118:093,17[A  ]| is always full of something else."
118:093,18[B  ]| "The \present\ always occupies you in such scenes ~~ does
118:093,19[B  ]| it?"
118:093,19['  ]| said he, with a look of doubt.
118:093,20[A  ]| "Yes, always,"
118:093,20['  ]| she replied, without knowing what she
118:093,21['  ]| said, for her thoughts had wandered far from the subject,
118:093,22['  ]| as soon afterwards appeared by her suddenly exclaiming,
118:093,23[A  ]| "I remember hearing you once say, Mr%*Darcy, that you
118:093,24[A  ]| hardly ever forgave, that your resentment once created
118:093,25[A  ]| was unappeasable.  You are very cautious, I suppose,
118:093,26[A  ]| as to its \being\ \created\."
118:093,27[B  ]| "I am,"
118:093,27['  ]| said he, with a firm voice.
118:093,28[A  ]| "And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?"
118:093,29[B  ]| "I hope not."
118:093,30[A  ]| "It is particularly incumbent on those who never change
118:093,31[A  ]| their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first."
118:093,32[B  ]| "May I ask to what these questions tend?"
118:093,33[A  ]| "Merely to the illustration of \your\ character,"
118:093,33['  ]| said she,
118:093,34['  ]| endeavouring to shake off her gravity.
118:093,34[A  ]| "I am trying to
118:093,35[A  ]| make it out."
118:093,36[B  ]| "And what is your success?"
118:093,37['  ]| She shook her head.
118:093,37[A  ]| "I do not get on at all.  I hear
118:093,38[A  ]| such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly."
118:094,01[B  ]| "I can readily believe,"
118:094,01['  ]| answered he gravely,
118:094,01[B  ]| "that
118:094,02[B  ]| report may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could
118:094,03[B  ]| wish, Miss*Bennet, that you were not to sketch my
118:094,04[B  ]| character at the present moment, as there is reason to
118:094,05[B  ]| fear that the performance would reflect no credit on
118:094,06[B  ]| either."
118:094,07[A  ]| "But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never
118:094,08[A  ]| have another opportunity."
118:094,09[B  ]| "I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,"
118:094,10['  ]| he coldly replied.  She said no more, and they went down
118:094,11['  ]| the other dance and parted in silence; on each side
118:094,12['  ]| dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree, for in Darcy's
118:094,13['  ]| breast there was a tolerable powerful feeling towards her,
118:094,14['  ]| which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger
118:094,15['  ]| against another.
118:094,16['  ]| They had not long separated when Miss*Bingley came
118:094,17['  ]| towards her, and with an expression of civil disdain thus
118:094,18['  ]| accosted her,
118:094,19[J  ]| "So, Miss*Eliza, I hear you are quite delighted with
118:094,20[J  ]| George*Wickham! ~~ Your sister has been talking to me
118:094,21[J  ]| about him, and asking me a thousand questions; and
118:094,22[J  ]| I find that the young man forgot to tell you, among his
118:094,23[J  ]| other communications, that he was the son of old Wickham,
118:094,24[J  ]| the late Mr%*Darcy's steward.  Let me recommend you,
118:094,25[J  ]| however, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all
118:094,26[J  ]| his assertions; for as to Mr%*Darcy's using him ill, it is
118:094,27[J  ]| perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has been always
118:094,28[J  ]| remarkably kind to him, though George*Wickham has
118:094,29[J  ]| treated Mr%*Darcy in a most infamous manner.  I do not
118:094,30[J  ]| know the particulars, but I know very well that Mr%*Darcy
118:094,31[J  ]| is not in the least to blame, that he cannot bear to hear
118:094,32[J  ]| George*Wickham mentioned, and that though my brother
118:094,33[J  ]| thought he could not well avoid including him in his
118:094,34[J  ]| invitation to the officers, he was excessively glad to find
118:094,35[J  ]| that he had taken himself out of the way.  His coming
118:094,36[J  ]| into the country at all, is a most insolent thing indeed,
118:094,37[J  ]| and I wonder how he could presume to do it.  I pity you,
118:094,38[J  ]| Miss*Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite's guilt;
118:095,01[J  ]| but really considering his descent, one could not expect
118:095,02[J  ]| much better."
118:095,03[A  ]| "His guilt and his descent appear by your account to
118:095,04[A  ]| be the same,"
118:095,04['  ]| said Elizabeth angrily;
118:095,04[A  ]| "for I have heard
118:095,05[A  ]| you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son
118:095,06[A  ]| of Mr%*Darcy's steward, and of \that\, I can assure you, he
118:095,07[A  ]| informed me himself."
118:095,08[J  ]| "I beg your pardon,"
118:095,08['  ]| replied Miss*Bingley, turning
118:095,09['  ]| away with a sneer.
118:095,09[J  ]| "Excuse my interference. ~~ It was
118:095,10[J  ]| kindly meant."
118:095,11[A  ]| "Insolent girl!"
118:095,11['  ]| said Elizabeth to herself. ~~
118:095,11[A  ]| "You are
118:095,12[A  ]| much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such
118:095,13[A  ]| a paltry attack as this.  I see nothing in it but your own
118:095,14[A  ]| wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr%*Darcy."
118:095,14['  ]| She then
118:095,15['  ]| sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make
118:095,16['  ]| inquiries on the same subject of Bingley.  Jane met her
118:095,17['  ]| with a smile of such sweet complacency, a glow of such
118:095,18['  ]| happy expression, as sufficiently marked how well she was
118:095,19['  ]| satisfied with the occurrences of the evening. ~~ Elizabeth
118:095,20['  ]| instantly read her feelings, and at that moment solicitude
118:095,21['  ]| for Wickham, resentment against his enemies, and every*thing
118:095,22['  ]| else gave way before the hope of Jane's being in the
118:095,23['  ]| fairest way for happiness.
118:095,24[A  ]| "I want to know,"
118:095,24['  ]| said she, with a countenance no
118:095,25['  ]| less smiling than her sister's,
118:095,25[A  ]| "what you have learnt
118:095,26[A  ]| about Mr%*Wickham.  But perhaps you have been too
118:095,27[A  ]| pleasantly engaged to think of any third person; in which
118:095,28[A  ]| case you may be sure of my pardon."
118:095,29[E  ]| "No,"
118:095,29['  ]| replied Jane,
118:095,29[E  ]| "I have not forgotten him; but
118:095,30[E  ]| I have nothing satisfactory to tell you.  Mr%*Bingley does
118:095,31[E  ]| not know the whole of his history, and is quite ignorant
118:095,32[E  ]| of the circumstances which have principally offended
118:095,33[E  ]| Mr%*Darcy; but he will vouch for the good conduct, the
118:095,34[E  ]| probity and honour of his friend, and is perfectly convinced
118:095,35[E  ]| that Mr%*Wickham has deserved much less attention from
118:095,36[E  ]| Mr%*Darcy than he has received; and I am sorry to say
118:095,37[E  ]| that by his account as well as his sister's, Mr%*Wickham
118:095,38[E  ]| is by no means a respectable young man.  I am afraid
118:096,01[E  ]| he has been very imprudent, and has deserved to lose
118:096,02[E  ]| Mr%*Darcy's regard."
118:096,03[A  ]| "Mr%*Bingley does not know Mr%*Wickham himself?"
118:096,04[E  ]| "No; he never saw him till the other morning at
118:096,05[E  ]| Meryton."
118:096,06[A  ]| "This account then is what he has received from
118:096,07[A  ]| Mr%*Darcy.  I am perfectly satisfied.  But what does he
118:096,08[A  ]| say of the living?"
118:096,09[E  ]| "He does not exactly recollect the circumstances,
118:096,10[E  ]| though he has heard them from Mr%*Darcy more than
118:096,11[E  ]| once, but he believes that it was left to him \conditionally\
118:096,12[E  ]| only."
118:096,13[A  ]| "I have not a doubt of Mr%*Bingley's sincerity,"
118:096,13['  ]| said
118:096,14['  ]| Elizabeth warmly;
118:096,14[A  ]| "but you must excuse my not being
118:096,15[A  ]| convinced by assurances only.  Mr%*Bingley's defence of
118:096,16[A  ]| his friend was a very able one I dare say, but since he
118:096,17[A  ]| is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has
118:096,18[A  ]| learnt the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture
118:096,19[A  ]| still to think of both gentlemen as I did before."
118:096,20['  ]| She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying
118:096,21['  ]| to each, and on which there could be no difference of
118:096,22['  ]| sentiment.  Elizabeth listened with delight to the happy,
118:096,23['  ]| though modest hopes which Jane entertained of Bingley's
118:096,24['  ]| regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence
118:096,25['  ]| in it.  On their being joined by Mr%*Bingley
118:096,26['  ]| himself, Elizabeth withdrew to Miss*Lucas; to whose
118:096,27['  ]| inquiry after the pleasantness of her last partner she had
118:096,28['  ]| scarcely replied, before Mr%*Collins came up to them and
118:096,29['  ]| told her with great exultation that he had just been so
118:096,30['  ]| fortunate as to make a most important discovery.
118:096,31[K  ]| "I have found out,"
118:096,31['  ]| said he,
118:096,31[K  ]| "by a singular accident,
118:096,32[K  ]| that there is now in the room a near relation of my
118:096,33[K  ]| patroness.  I happened to overhear the gentleman himself
118:096,34[K  ]| mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of
118:096,35[K  ]| this house the names of his cousin Miss*de*Bourgh, and of
118:096,36[K  ]| her mother Lady*Catherine.  How wonderfully these sort
118:096,37[K  ]| of things occur!  Who would have thought of my meeting
118:096,38[K  ]| with ~~ perhaps ~~ a nephew of Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh
118:097,01[K  ]| in this assembly! ~~ I am most thankful that the discovery
118:097,02[K  ]| is made in time for me to pay my respects to him, which
118:097,03[K  ]| I am now going to do, and trust he will excuse my not
118:097,04[K  ]| having done it before.  My total ignorance of the connection
118:097,05[K  ]| must plead my apology."
118:097,06[A  ]| "You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr%*Darcy?"
118:097,07[A  ]|
118:097,08[K  ]| "Indeed I am.  I shall intreat his pardon for not
118:097,09[K  ]| having done it earlier.  I believe him to be Lady*Catherine's
118:097,10[K  ]| \nephew\.  It will be in my power to assure him that her
118:097,11[K  ]| ladyship was quite well yesterday se'nnight."
118:097,12['  ]| Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a
118:097,13['  ]| scheme; assuring him that Mr%*Darcy would consider his
118:097,14['  ]| addressing him without introduction as an impertinent
118:097,15['  ]| freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt; that it
118:097,16['  ]| was not in the least necessary there should be any notice
118:097,17['  ]| on either side, and that if it were, it must belong to
118:097,18['  ]| Mr%*Darcy, the superior in consequence, to begin the
118:097,19['  ]| acquaintance. ~~ Mr%*Collins listened to her with the determined
118:097,20['  ]| air of following his own inclination, and when she
118:097,21['  ]| ceased speaking, replied thus,
118:097,22[K  ]| "My dear Miss*Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion
118:097,23[K  ]| in the world of your excellent judgment in all matters
118:097,24[K  ]| within the scope of your understanding, but permit me
118:097,25[K  ]| to say that there must be a wide difference between the
118:097,26[K  ]| established forms of ceremony amongst the laity, and those
118:097,27[K  ]| which regulate the clergy; for give me leave to observe
118:097,28[K  ]| that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of
118:097,29[K  ]| dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom ~~ provided
118:097,30[K  ]| that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time
118:097,31[K  ]| maintained.  You must therefore allow me to follow the
118:097,32[K  ]| dictates of my conscience on this occasion, which leads
118:097,33[K  ]| me to perform what I look on as a point of duty.  Pardon
118:097,34[K  ]| me for neglecting to profit by your advice, which on every
118;097,35[K  ]| other subject shall be my constant guide, though in the
118:097,36[K  ]| case before us I consider myself more fitted by education
118:097,37[K  ]| and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young
118:097,38[K  ]| lady like yourself."
118:097,38['  ]| And with a low bow he left her to
118:098,01['  ]| attack Mr%*Darcy, whose reception of his advances she
118:098,02['  ]| eagerly watched, and whose astonishment at being so
118:098,03['  ]| addressed was very evident.  Her cousin prefaced his
118:098,04['  ]| speech with a solemn bow, and though she could not hear
118:098,05['  ]| a word of it, she felt as if hearing it all, and saw in the
118:098,06['  ]| motion of his lips the words
118:098,06[K  ]| "apology", "Hunsford," and
118:098,07[K  ]| "Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh." ~~
118:098,07['  ]| It vexed her to see him
118:098,08['  ]| expose himself to such a man.  Mr%*Darcy was eyeing him
118:098,09['  ]| with unrestrained wonder, and when at last Mr%*Collins
118:098,10['  ]| allowed him time to speak, replied with an air of distant
118:098,11['  ]| civility.  Mr%*Collins, however, was not discouraged from
118:098,12['  ]| speaking again, and Mr%*Darcy's contempt seemed abundantly
118:098,13['  ]| increasing with the length of his second speech,
118:098,14['  ]| and at the end of it he only made him a slight bow,
118:098,15['  ]| and moved another way.  Mr%*Collins then returned to
118:098,16['  ]| Elizabeth.
118:098,17[K  ]| "I have no reason, I assure you,"
118:098,17['  ]| said he,
118:098,17[K  ]| "to be
118:098,18[K  ]| dissatisfied with my reception.  Mr%*Darcy seemed much
118:098,19[K  ]| pleased with the attention.  He answered me with the
118:098,20[K  ]| utmost civility, and even paid me the compliment of
118:098,21[K  ]| saying, that he was so well convinced of Lady*Catherine's
118:098,22[K  ]| discernment as to be certain she could never bestow
118:098,23[K  ]| a favour unworthily.  It was really a very handsome
118:098,24[K  ]| thought.  Upon the whole, I am much pleased with him."
118:098,25['  ]| As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to
118:098,26['  ]| pursue, she turned her attention almost entirely on her
118:098,27['  ]| sister and Mr%*Bingley, and the train of agreeable reflections
118:098,28['  ]| which her observations gave birth to, made her
118:098,29['  ]| perhaps almost as happy as Jane.  She saw her in idea
118:098,30['  ]| settled in that very house in all the felicity which a marriage
118:098,31['  ]| of true affection could bestow; and she felt capable
118:098,32['  ]| under such circumstances, of endeavouring even to like
118:098,33['  ]| Bingley's two sisters.  Her mother's thoughts she plainly
118:098,34['  ]| saw were bent the same way, and she determined not to
118:098,35['  ]| venture near her, lest she might hear too much.  When they
118:098,36['  ]| sat down to supper, therefore, she considered it a most
118:098,37['  ]| unlucky perverseness which placed them within one of
118:098,38['  ]| each other; and deeply was she vexed to find that her
118:099,01['  ]| mother was talking to that one person (Lady*Lucas)
118:099,02['  ]| freely, openly, and of nothing else but of her expectation
118:099,03['  ]| that Jane would be soon married to Mr%*Bingley. ~~ It was
118:099,04['  ]| an animating subject, and Mrs%*Bennet seemed incapable
118:099,05['  ]| of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match.
118:099,06@d   | His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and
118:099,07@d   | living but three miles from them,
118:099,07['  ]| were the first points
118:099,08['  ]| of self-gratulation;
118:099,08@d   | and then it was such a comfort to
118:099,09@d   | think how fond the two sisters were of Jane, and to be
118:099,10@d   | certain that they must desire the connection as much as
118:099,11@d   | she could do.  It was, moreover, such a promising thing for
118:099,12@d   | her younger daughters, as Jane's marrying so greatly
118:099,13@d   | must throw them in the way of other rich men; and
118:099,14@d   | lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able to
118:099,15@d   | consign her single daughters to the care of their sister,
118:099,16@d   | that she might not be obliged to go into company more
118:099,17@d   | than she liked.
118:099,17['  ]| It was necessary to make this circumstance
118:099,18['  ]| a matter of pleasure, because on such occasions
118:099,19['  ]| it is the etiquette; but no*one was less likely than
118:099,20['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet to find comfort in staying at home at any period
118:099,21['  ]| of her life.  She concluded with many good wishes that
118:099,22['  ]| Lady*Lucas might soon be equally fortunate, though
118:099,23['  ]| evidently and triumphantly believing there was no chance
118:099,24['  ]| of it.
118:099,25['  ]| In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity
118:099,26['  ]| of her mother's words, or persuade her to describe her
118:099,27['  ]| felicity in a less audible whisper; for to her inexpressible
118:099,28['  ]| vexation, she could perceive that the chief of it
118:099,29['  ]| was overheard by Mr%*Darcy, who sat opposite to them.
118:099,30['  ]| Her mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.
118:099,31[D  ]| "What is Mr%*Darcy to me, pray, that I should be
118:099,32[D  ]| afraid of him?  I am sure we owe him no such particular
118:099,33[D  ]| civility as to be obliged to say nothing \he\ may not like
118:099,34[D  ]| to hear."
118:099,35[A  ]| "For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. ~~ What
118:099,36[A  ]| advantage can it be to you to offend Mr%*Darcy? ~~ You
118:099,37[A  ]| will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing."
118:099,38['  ]| Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence.
118:100,01['  ]| Her mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible
118:100,02['  ]| tone.  Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame
118:100,03['  ]| and vexation.  She could not help frequently glancing her
118:100,04['  ]| eye at Mr%*Darcy, though every glance convinced her of
118:100,05['  ]| what she dreaded; for though he was not always looking
118:100,06['  ]| at her mother, she was convinced that his attention was
118:100,07['  ]| invariably fixed by her.  The expression of his face changed
118:100,08['  ]| gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and
118:100,09['  ]| steady gravity.
118:100,10['  ]| At length however Mrs%*Bennet had no more to say;
118:100,11['  ]| and Lady*Lucas, who had been long yawning at the
118:100,12['  ]| repetition of delights which she saw no likelihood of
118:100,13['  ]| sharing, was left to the comforts of cold ham and chicken.
118:100,14['  ]| Elizabeth now began to revive.  But not long was the
118:100,15['  ]| interval of tranquillity; for when supper was over, singing
118:100,16['  ]| was talked of, and she had the mortification of seeing
118:100,17['  ]| Mary, after very little entreaty, preparing to oblige the
118:100,18['  ]| company.  By many significant looks and silent entreaties,
118:100,19['  ]| did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance,
118:100,20['  ]| ~~ but in vain; Mary would not understand them; such
118:100,21['  ]| an opportunity of exhibiting was delightful to her, and
118:100,22['  ]| she began her song.  Elizabeth's eyes were fixed on her
118:100,23['  ]| with most painful sensations; and she watched her progress
118:100,24['  ]| through the several stanzas with an impatience which was
118:100,25['  ]| very ill rewarded at their close; for Mary, on receiving
118:100,26['  ]| amongst the thanks of the table, the hint of a hope that
118:100,27['  ]| she might be prevailed on to favour them again, after the
118:100,28['  ]| pause of half a minute began another.  Mary's powers
118:100,29['  ]| were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice
118:100,30['  ]| was weak, and her manner affected. ~~ Elizabeth was in
118:100,31['  ]| agonies.  She looked at Jane, to see how she bore it; but
118:100,32['  ]| Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley.  She looked
118:100,33['  ]| at his two sisters, and saw them making signs of derision
118:100,34['  ]| at each other, and at Darcy, who continued however
118:100,35['  ]| impenetrably grave.  She looked at her father to entreat
118:100,36['  ]| his interference, lest Mary should be singing all night.
118:100,37['  ]| He took the hint, and when Mary had finished her second
118:100,38['  ]| song, said aloud,
118:101,01[C  ]| "That will do extremely well, child.  You have delighted
118:101,02[C  ]| us long enough.  Let the other young ladies have time
118:101,03[C  ]| to exhibit."
118:101,04['  ]| Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat
118:101,05['  ]| disconcerted; and Elizabeth sorry for her, and sorry for
118:101,06['  ]| her father's speech, was afraid her anxiety had done no
118:101,07['  ]| good. ~~ Others of the party were now applied to.
118:101,08[K  ]| "If I,"
118:101,08['  ]| said Mr%*Collins,
118:101,08[K  ]| "were so fortunate as to be
118:101,09[K  ]| able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in
118:101,10[K  ]| obliging the company with an air; for I consider music
118:101,11[K  ]| as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible
118:101,12[K  ]| with the profession of a clergyman. ~~ I do not mean however
118:101,13[K  ]| to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much
118:101,14[K  ]| of our time to music, for there are certainly other things
118:101,15[K  ]| to be attended to.  The rector of a parish has much to do. ~~
118:101,16[K  ]| In the first place, he must make such an agreement for
118:101,17[K  ]| tythes as may be beneficial to himself and not offensive
118:101,18[K  ]| to his patron.  He must write his own sermons; and the
118:101,19[K  ]| time that remains will not be too much for his parish
118:101,20[K  ]| duties, and the care and improvement of his dwelling,
118:101,21[K  ]| which he cannot be excused from making as comfortable
118:101,22[K  ]| as possible.  And I do not think it of light importance that
118:101,23[K  ]| he should have attentive and conciliatory manners towards
118:101,24[K  ]| every*body, especially towards those to whom he owes
118:101,25[K  ]| his preferment.  I cannot acquit him of that duty; nor
118:101,26[K  ]| could I think well of the man who should omit an occasion
118:101,27[K  ]| of testifying his respect towards any*body connected with
118:101,28[K  ]| the family."
118:101,28['  ]| And with a bow to Mr%*Darcy, he concluded
118:101,29['  ]| his speech, which had been spoken so loud as to be heard
118:101,30['  ]| by half the room. ~~ Many stared. ~~ Many smiled; but no*one
118:101,31['  ]| looked more amused than Mr%*Bennet himself, while
118:101,32['  ]| his wife seriously commended Mr%*Collins for having spoken
118:101,33['  ]| so sensibly, and observed in a half-whisper to Lady*Lucas,
118:101,34['  ]| that
118:101,34@d   | he was a remarkably clever, good kind of young man.
118:101,35['  ]| To Elizabeth it appeared, that
118:101,35@a   | had her family made
118:101,36@a   | an agreement to expose themselves as much as they
118:101,37@a   | could during the evening, it would have been impossible
118:101,38@a   | for them to play their parts with more spirit, or finer
118:102,01@a   | success; and happy did she think it for Bingley and her
118:102,02@a   | sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his notice,
118:102,03@a   | and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed
118:102,04@a   | by the folly which he must have witnessed.  That
118:102,05@a   | his two sisters and Mr%*Darcy, however, should have such
118:102,06@a   | an opportunity of ridiculing her relations was bad enough,
118:102,07@a   | and she could not determine whether the silent contempt
118:102,08@a   | of the gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were
118:102,09@a   | more intolerable.
118:102,10['  ]| The rest of the evening brought her little amusement.
118:102,11['  ]| She was teazed by Mr%*Collins, who continued most perseveringly
118:102,12['  ]| by her side, and though he could not prevail
118:102,13['  ]| with her to dance with him again, put it out of her power
118:102,14['  ]| to dance with others.  In vain did she entreat him to stand
118:102,15['  ]| up with somebody else, and offer to introduce him to any
118:102,16['  ]| young lady in the room.  He assured her that
118:102,16@k   | as to dancing,
118:102,17@k   | he was perfectly indifferent to it; that his chief object
118:102,18@k   | was by delicate attentions to recommend himself to her,
118:102,19@k   | and that he should therefore make a point of remaining
118:102,20@k   | close to her the whole evening.
118:102,20['  ]| There was no arguing
118:102,21['  ]| upon such a project.  She owed her greatest relief to her
118:102,22['  ]| friend Miss*Lucas, who often joined them, and good-naturedly
118:102,23['  ]| engaged Mr%*Collins's conversation to herself.
118:102,24['  ]| She was at least free from the offence of Mr%*Darcy's
118:102,25['  ]| farther notice; though often standing within a very short
118:102,26['  ]| distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came near
118:102,27['  ]| enough to speak.  She felt it to be the probable consequence
118:102,28['  ]| of her allusions to Mr%*Wickham, and rejoiced in it.
118:102,29['  ]| The Longbourn party were the last of all the company
118:102,30['  ]| to depart; and by a mano*euvre of Mrs%*Bennet had to
118:102,31['  ]| wait for their carriages a quarter of an hour after every*body
118:102,32['  ]| else was gone, which gave them time to see how
118:102,33['  ]| heartily they were wished away by some of the family.
118:102,34['  ]| Mrs%*Hurst and her sister scarcely opened their mouths
118:102,35['  ]| except to complain of fatigue, and were evidently impatient
118:102,36['  ]| to have the house to themselves.  They repulsed every
118:102,37['  ]| attempt of Mrs%*Bennet at conversation, and by so doing,
118:102,38['  ]| threw a languor over the whole party, which was very
118:103,01['  ]| little relieved by the long speeches of Mr%*Collins, who was
118:103,02['  ]| complimenting Mr%*Bingley and his sisters on the elegance
118:103,03['  ]| of their entertainment, and the hospitality and politeness
118:103,04['  ]| which had marked their behaviour to their guests.  Darcy
118:103,05['  ]| said nothing at all.  Mr%*Bennet, in equal silence, was
118:103,06['  ]| enjoying the scene.  Mr%*Bingley and Jane were standing
118:103,07['  ]| together, a little detached from the rest, and talked only
118:103,08['  ]| to each other.  Elizabeth preserved as steady a silence as
118:103,09['  ]| either Mrs%*Hurst or Miss*Bingley; and even Lydia was
118:103,10['  ]| too much fatigued to utter more than the occasional
118:103,11['  ]| exclamation of
118:103,11[H  ]| "Lord, how tired I am!"
118:103,11['  ]| accompanied
118:103,12['  ]| by a violent yawn.
118:103,13['  ]| When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs%*Bennet
118:103,14['  ]| was most pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole
118:103,15['  ]| family soon at Longbourn; and addressed herself particularly
118:103,16['  ]| to Mr%*Bingley, to assure him
118:103,16@d   | how happy he would
118:103,17@d   | make them, by eating a family dinner with them at any
118:103,18@d   | time, without the ceremony of a formal invitation.
118:103,18['  ]| Bingley
118:103,19['  ]| was all grateful pleasure, and he readily engaged for taking
118:103,20['  ]| the earliest opportunity of waiting on her, after his return
118:103,21['  ]| from London, whither he was obliged to go the next day
118:103,22['  ]| for a short time.
118:103,23['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was perfectly satisfied; and quitted the
118:103,24['  ]| house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for
118:103,25['  ]| the necessary preparations of settlements, new carriages
118:103,26['  ]| and wedding*clothes, she should undoubtedly see her
118:103,27['  ]| daughter settled at Netherfield, in the course of three or
118:103,28['  ]| four months.  Of having another daughter married to
118:103,29['  ]| Mr%*Collins, she thought with equal certainty, and with
118:103,30['  ]| considerable, though not equal, pleasure.  Elizabeth was
118:103,31['  ]| the least dear to her of all her children; and
118:103,31@d   | though the
118:103,32@d   | man and the match were quite good enough for \her\,
118:103,33@d   | the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr%*Bingley and
118:103,34@d   | Netherfield.
119:104,01['  ]| The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn.
119:104,02['  ]| Mr%*Collins made his declaration in form.  Having resolved
119:104,03['  ]| to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence
119:104,04['  ]| extended only to the following Saturday, and having no
119:104,05['  ]| feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself
119:104,06['  ]| even at the moment, he set about it in a very orderly
119:104,07['  ]| manner, with all the observances which he supposed a
119:104,08['  ]| regular part of the business.  On finding Mrs%*Bennet,
119:104,09['  ]| Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon
119:104,10['  ]| after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words,
119:104,11[K  ]| "May I hope, Madam, for your interest with your fair
119:104,12[K  ]| daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a
119:104,13[K  ]| private audience with her in the course of this morning?"
119:104,14['  ]| Before Elizabeth had time for any*thing but a blush
119:104,15['  ]| of surprise, Mrs%*Bennet instantly answered,
119:104,16[D  ]| "Oh dear! ~~ Yes ~~ certainly. ~~ I am sure Lizzy will be
119:104,17[D  ]| very happy ~~ I am sure she can have no objection. ~~ Come,
119:104,18[D  ]| Kitty, I want you up*stairs."
119:104,18['  ]| And gathering her work
119:104,19['  ]| together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth called
119:104,20['  ]| out,
119:104,21[A  ]| "Dear Ma'am, do not go. ~~ I beg you will not go. ~~
119:104,22[A  ]| Mr%*Collins must excuse me. ~~ He can have nothing to
119:104,23[A  ]| say to me that any*body need not hear.  I am going away
119:104,24[A  ]| myself."
119:104,25[D  ]| "No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. ~~ I desire you will stay
119:104,26[D  ]| where you are." ~~
119:104,26['  ]| And upon Elizabeth's seeming really,
119:104,27['  ]| with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she
119:104,28['  ]| added,
119:104,28[D  ]| "Lizzy, I \insist\ upon your staying and hearing
119:104,29[D  ]| Mr%*Collins."
119:104,30['  ]| Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction ~~ and
119:104,31['  ]| a moment's consideration making her also sensible that
119:104,32@a   | it would be wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly
119:104,33@a   | as possible,
119:104,33['  ]| she sat down again, and tried to conceal by
119:105,01['  ]| incessant employment the feelings which were divided
119:105,02['  ]| between distress and diversion.  Mrs%*Bennet and Kitty
119:105,03['  ]| walked off, and as soon as they were gone Mr%*Collins
119:105,04['  ]| began.
119:105,05[K  ]| "Believe me, my dear Miss*Elizabeth, that your
119:105,06[K  ]| modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather
119:105,07[K  ]| adds to your other perfections.  You would have been
119:105,08[K  ]| less amiable in my eyes had there \not\ been this little
119:105,09[K  ]| unwillingness; but allow me to assure you that I have
119:105,10[K  ]| your respected mother's permission for this address.
119:105,11[K  ]| You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse,
119:105,12[K  ]| however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble;
119:105,13[K  ]| my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken.
119:105,14[K  ]| Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out
119:105,15[K  ]| as the companion of my future life.  But before I am run
119:105,16[K  ]| away with by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will
119:105,17[K  ]| be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying ~~
119:105,18[K  ]| and moreover for coming into Hertfordshire with the
119:105,19[K  ]| design of selecting a wife, as I certainly did."
119:105,20['  ]| The idea of Mr%*Collins, with all his solemn composure,
119:105,21['  ]| being run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so
119:105,22['  ]| near laughing that she could not use the short pause he
119:105,23['  ]| allowed in any attempt to stop him farther, and he continued:
119:105,24['  ]|
119:105,25[K  ]| "My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it
119:105,26[K  ]| a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances
119:105,27[K  ]| (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his
119:105,28[K  ]| parish.  Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very
119:105,29[K  ]| greatly to my happiness; and thirdly ~~ which perhaps
119:105,30[K  ]| I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular
119:105,31[K  ]| advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom
119:105,32[K  ]| I have the honour of calling patroness.  Twice has she
119:105,33[K  ]| condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!) on
119:105,34[K  ]| this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night
119:105,35[K  ]| before I left Hunsford ~~ between our pools at quadrille,
119:105,36[K  ]| while Mrs%*Jenkinson was arranging Miss*de*Bourgh's
119:105,37[K  ]| foot-stool, that she said,
119:105,37@l   | ""Mr%*Collins, you must marry.
119:105,38@l   | A clergyman like you must marry. ~~ Chuse properly, chuse
119:106,01@l   | a gentlewoman for \my\ sake; and for your \own\, let her
119:106,02@l   | be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high,
119:106,03@l   | but able to make a small income go a good way.  This is
119:106,04@l   | my advice.  Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring
119:106,05@l   | her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.""
119:106,05[K  ]| Allow me, by the
119:106,06[K  ]| way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon
119:106,07[K  ]| the notice and kindness of Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh
119:106,08[K  ]| as among the least of the advantages in my power to
119:106,09[K  ]| offer.  You will find her manners beyond any*thing I can
119:106,10[K  ]| describe; and your wit and vivacity I think must be
119:106,11[K  ]| acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the
119:106,12[K  ]| silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite.
119:106,13[K  ]| Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony;
119:106,14[K  ]| it remains to be told why my views were directed
119:106,15[K  ]| to Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where
119:106,16[K  ]| I assure you there are many amiable young women.
119:106,17[K  ]| But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate
119:106,18[K  ]| after the death of your honoured father, (who, however,
119:106,19[K  ]| may live many years longer,) I could not satisfy myself
119:106,20[K  ]| without resolving to chuse a wife from among his daughters,
119:106,21[K  ]| that the loss to them might be as little as possible, when
119:106,22[K  ]| the melancholy event takes place ~~ which, however, as
119:106,23[K  ]| I have already said, may not be for several years.  This
119:106,24[K  ]| has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself
119:106,25[K  ]| it will not sink me in your esteem.  And now nothing
119:106,26[K  ]| remains for me but to assure you in the most animated
119:106,27[K  ]| language of the violence of my affection.  To fortune I am
119:106,28[K  ]| perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that
119:106,29[K  ]| nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could
119:106,30[K  ]| not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds
119:106,31[K  ]| in the 4*per*cents% which will not be yours till after your
119:106,32[K  ]| mother's decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to.
119:106,33[K  ]| On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and
119:106,34[K  ]| you may assure youself that no ungenerous reproach
119:106,35[K  ]| shall ever pass my lips when we are married."
119:106,36['  ]| It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.
119:106,37[A  ]| "You are too hasty, Sir,"
119:106,37['  ]| she cried.
119:106,37[A  ]| "You forget that
119:106,38[A  ]| I have made no answer.  Let me do it without farther
119:107,01[A  ]| loss of time.  Accept my thanks for the compliment you
119:107,02[A  ]| are paying me.  I am very sensible of the honour of your
119:107,03[A  ]| proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise
119:107,04[A  ]| than decline them."
119:107,05[K  ]| "I am not now to learn,"
119:107,05['  ]| replied Mr%*Collins, with
119:107,06['  ]| a formal wave of the hand,
119:107,06[K  ]| "that it is usual with young
119:107,07[K  ]| ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they
119:107,08[K  ]| secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their
119:107,09[K  ]| favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a
119:107,10[K  ]| second or even a third time.  I am therefore by no means
119:107,11[K  ]| discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope
119:107,12[K  ]| to lead you to the altar ere long."
119:107,13[A  ]| "Upon my word, Sir,"
119:107,13['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
119:107,13[A  ]| "your hope is
119:107,14[A  ]| rather an extraordinary one after my declaration.  I do
119:107,15[A  ]| assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such
119:107,16[A  ]| young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their
119:107,17[A  ]| happiness on the chance of being asked a second time.
119:107,18[A  ]| I am perfectly serious in my refusal. ~~ You could not
119:107,19[A  ]| make \me\ happy, and I am convinced that I am the last
119:107,20[A  ]| woman in the world who would make \you\ so. ~~ Nay, were
119:107,21[A  ]| your friend Lady*Catherine to know me, I am persuaded
119:107,22[A  ]| she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the
119:107,23[A  ]| situation."
119:107,24[K  ]| "Were it certain that Lady*Catherine would think so,"
119:107,25['  ]| said Mr%*Collins very gravely ~~
119:107,25[K  ]| "but I cannot imagine
119:107,26[K  ]| that her ladyship would at all disapprove of you.  And
119:107,27[K  ]| you may be certain that when I have the honour of seeing
119:107,28[K  ]| her again I shall speak in the highest terms of your
119:107,29[K  ]| modesty, economy, and other amiable qualifications."
119:107,30[A  ]| "Indeed, Mr%*Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary.
119:107,31[A  ]| You must give me leave to judge for myself, and
119:107,32[A  ]| pay me the compliment of believing what I say.  I wish
119:107,33[A  ]| you very happy and very rich, and by refusing your hand,
119:107,34[A  ]| do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise.  In
119:107,35[A  ]| making me the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy
119:107,36[A  ]| of your feelings with regard to my family, and may take
119:107,37[A  ]| possession of Longbourn estate whenever it falls, without
119:107,38[A  ]| any self-reproach.  This matter may be considered, therefore,
119:108,01[A  ]| as finally settled."
119:108,01['  ]| And rising as she thus spoke, she
119:108,02['  ]| would have quitted the room, had not Mr%*Collins thus
119:108,03['  ]| addressed her,
119:108,04[K  ]| "When I do myself the honour of speaking to you
119:108,05[K  ]| next on this subject I shall hope to receive a more favourable
119:108,06[K  ]| answer than you have now given me; though I am
119:108,07[K  ]| far from accusing you of cruelty at present, because
119:108,08[K  ]| I know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject
119:108,09[K  ]| a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even
119:108,10[K  ]| now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent
119:108,11[K  ]| with the true delicacy of the female character."
119:108,12[A  ]| "Really, Mr%*Collins,"
119:108,12['  ]| cried Elizabeth with some
119:108,13['  ]| warmth,
119:108,13[A  ]| "you puzzle me exceedingly.  If what I have
119:108,14[A  ]| hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement,
119:108,15[A  ]| I know not how to express my refusal in such a way
119:108,16[A  ]| as may convince you of its being one."
119:108,17[K  ]| "You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear
119:108,18[K  ]| cousin, that your refusal of my addresses is merely
119:108,19[K  ]| words of course.  My reasons for believing it are briefly
119:108,20[K  ]| these: ~~ It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy
119:108,21[K  ]| your acceptance, or that the establishment I can
119:108,22[K  ]| offer would be any other than highly desirable.  My
119:108,23[K  ]| situation in life, my connections with the family of
119:108,24[K  ]| De*Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances
119:108,25[K  ]| highly in my favour; and you should take
119:108,26[K  ]| it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold
119:108,27[K  ]| attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer
119:108,28[K  ]| of marriage may ever be made you.  Your portion is
119:108,29[K  ]| unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the
119:108,30[K  ]| effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications.  As
119:108,31[K  ]| I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your
119:108,32[K  ]| rejection of me, I shall chuse to attribute it to your wish
119:108,33[K  ]| of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual
119:108,34[K  ]| practice of elegant females."
119:108,35[A  ]| "I do assure you, Sir, that I have no pretension
119:108,36[A  ]| whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in
119:108,37[A  ]| tormenting a respectable man.  I would rather be paid
119:109,01[A  ]| the compliment of being believed sincere.  I thank you
119:109,02[A  ]| again and again for the honour you have done me in
119:109,03[A  ]| your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible.
119:109,04[A  ]| My feelings in every respect forbid it.  Can
119:109,05[A  ]| I speak plainer?  Do not consider me now as an elegant
119:109,06[A  ]| female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature
119:109,07[A  ]| speaking the truth from her heart."
119:109,09[K  ]| "You are uniformly charming!"
119:109,09['  ]| cried he, with an air
119:109,10['  ]| of awkward gallantry;
119:109,10[K  ]| "and I am persuaded that when
119:109,11[K  ]| sanctioned by the express authority of both your excellent
119:109,12[K  ]| parents, my proposals will not fail of being acceptable."
119:109,13['  ]| To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth
119:109,14['  ]| would make no reply, and immediately and in silence
119:109,15['  ]| withdrew; determined, if he persisted in considering her
119:109,16['  ]| repeated refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply
119:109,17['  ]| to her father, whose negative might be uttered in such
119:109,18['  ]| a manner as must be decisive, and whose behaviour
119:109,19['  ]| at least could not be mistaken for the affectation and
119:109,20['  ]| coquetry of an elegant female.
120:110,01['  ]| Mr%*Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation
120:110,02['  ]| of his successful love; for Mrs%*Bennet, having dawdled
120:110,03['  ]| about in the vestibule to watch for the end of the conference,
120:110,04['  ]| no sooner saw Elizabeth open the door and with
120:110,05['  ]| quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she entered
120:110,06['  ]| the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself
120:110,07['  ]| in warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer
120:110,08['  ]| connection.  Mr%*Collins received and returned these
120:110,09['  ]| felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to
120:110,10['  ]| relate the particulars of their interview, with the result
120:110,11['  ]| of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied,
120:110,12['  ]| since the refusal which his cousin had stedfastly given
120:110,13['  ]| him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and
120:110,14['  ]| the genuine delicacy of her character.
120:110,15['  ]| This information, however, startled Mrs%*Bennet; ~~
120:110,16['  ]| she would have been glad to be equally satisfied that her
120:110,17['  ]| daughter had meant to encourage him by protesting
120:110,18['  ]| against his proposals, but she dared not to believe it, and
120:110,19['  ]| could not help saying so.
120:110,20[D  ]| "But depend upon it, Mr%*Collins,"
120:110,20['  ]| she added,
120:110,20[D  ]| "that
120:110,21[D  ]| Lizzy shall be brought to reason.  I will speak to her
120:110,22[D  ]| about it myself directly.  She is a very headstrong foolish
120:110,23[D  ]| girl, and does not know her own interest; but I will
120:110,24[D  ]| \make\ her know it."
120:110,25[K  ]| "Pardon me for interrupting you, Madam,"
120:110,25['  ]| cried
120:110,26['  ]| Mr%*Collins;
120:110,26[K  ]| "but if she is really headstrong and foolish,
120:110,27[K  ]| I know not whether she would altogether be a very
120:110,28[K  ]| desirable wife to a man in my situation, who naturally
120:110,29[K  ]| looks for happiness in the marriage state.  If therefore
120:110,30[K  ]| she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were
120:110,31[K  ]| better not to force her into accepting me, because if liable
120:110,32[K  ]| to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much
120:110,33[K  ]| to my felicity."
120:111,01[D  ]| "Sir, you quite misunderstand me,"
120:111,01['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet,
120:111,02['  ]| alarmed.
120:111,02[D  ]| "Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as
120:111,03[D  ]| these.  In every*thing else she is as good*natured a girl
120:111,04[D  ]| as ever lived.  I will go directly to Mr%*Bennet, and we
120:111,05[D  ]| shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure."
120:111,06['  ]| She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying
120:111,07['  ]| instantly to her husband, called out as she entered the
120:111,08['  ]| library,
120:111,09[D  ]| "Oh! Mr%*Bennet, you are wanted immediately; we
120:111,10[D  ]| are all in an uproar.  You must come and make Lizzy
120:111,11[D  ]| marry Mr%*Collins, for she vows she will not have him,
120:111,12[D  ]| and if you do not make haste he will change his mind and
120:111,13[D  ]| not have \her\."
120:111,14['  ]| Mr%*Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered,
120:111,15['  ]| and fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern which
120:111,16['  ]| was not in the least altered by her communication.
120:111,17[C  ]| "I have not the pleasure of understanding you,"
120:111,17['  ]| said
120:111,19['  ]| he, when she had finished her speech.
120:111,19[C  ]| "Of what are you
120:111,19[C  ]| talking?"
120:111,20[D  ]| "Of Mr%*Collins and Lizzy.  Lizzy declares she will not
120:111,21[D  ]| have Mr%*Collins, and Mr%*Collins begins to say that he
120:111,22[D  ]| will not have Lizzy."
120:111,23[C  ]| "And what am I to do on the occasion? ~~ It seems an
120:111,24[C  ]| hopeless business."
120:111,25[D  ]| "Speak to Lizzy about it yourself.  Tell her that you
120:111,26[D  ]| insist upon her marrying him."
120:111,27[C  ]| "Let her be called down.  She shall hear my opinion."
120:111,28['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet rang the bell, and Miss*Elizabeth was
120:111,29['  ]| summoned to the library.
120:111,30[C  ]| "Come here, child,"
120:111,30['  ]| cried her father as she appeared.
120:111,31[C  ]| "I have sent for you on an affair of importance.  I understand
120:111,32[C  ]| that Mr%*Collins has made you an offer of marriage.
120:111,33[C  ]| Is it true?"
120:111,33['  ]| Elizabeth replied that it was.
120:111,33[C  ]| "Very well ~~
120:111,34[C  ]| and this offer of marriage you have refused?"
120:111,35[A  ]| "I have, Sir."
120:111,36[C  ]| "Very well.  We now come to the point.  Your mother
120:111,37[C  ]| insists upon your accepting it.  Is not it so, Mrs%*Bennet?"
120:111,38[D  ]| "Yes, or I will never see her again."
120:112,01[C  ]| "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth.
120:112,02[C  ]| From this day you must be a stranger to one of your
120:112,03[C  ]| parents. ~~ Your mother will never see you again if you
120:112,04[C  ]| do \not\ marry Mr%*Collins, and I will never see you again
120:112,05[C  ]| if you \do\."
120:112,06['  ]| Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of
120:112,07['  ]| such a beginning; but Mrs%*Bennet, who had persuaded
120:112,08['  ]| herself that her husband regarded the affair as she wished,
120:112,09['  ]| was excessively disappointed.
120:112,10[D  ]| "What do you mean, Mr%*Bennet, by talking in this
120:112,11[D  ]| way?  You promised me to \insist\ upon her marrying him."
120:112,12[C  ]| "My dear,"
120:112,12['  ]| replied her husband,
120:112,12[C  ]| "I have two small
120:112,13[C  ]| favours to request.  First, that you will allow me the free
120:112,14[C  ]| use of my understanding on the present occasion; and
120:112,15[C  ]| secondly, of my room.  I shall be glad to have the library
120:112,16[C  ]| to myself as soon as may be."
120:112,17['  ]| Not yet, however, in spite of her disappointment in her
120:112,18['  ]| husband, did Mrs%*Bennet give up the point.  She talked
120:112,19['  ]| to Elizabeth again and again; coaxed and threatened her
120:112,20['  ]| by turns.  She endeavoured to secure Jane in her interest,
120:112,21['  ]| but Jane with all possible mildness declined interfering; ~~
120:112,22['  ]| and Elizabeth sometimes with real earnestness and sometimes
120:112,23['  ]| with playful gaiety replied to her attacks.  Though
120:112,24['  ]| her manner varied however, her determination never did.
120:112,25['  ]| Mr%*Collins, meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on
120:112,26['  ]| what had passed.  He thought too well of himself to comprehend
120:112,27['  ]| on what motive his cousin could refuse him; and
120:112,28['  ]| though his pride was hurt, he suffered in no other way.
120:112,29['  ]| His regard for her was quite imaginary; and the possibility
120:112,30['  ]| of her deserving her mother's reproach prevented his
120:112,31['  ]| feeling any regret.
120:112,32['  ]| While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte*Lucas
120:112,33['  ]| came to spend the day with them.  She was met
120:112,34['  ]| in the vestibule by Lydia, who, flying to her, cried in a
120:112,35['  ]| half whisper,
120:112,35[H  ]| "I am glad you are come, for there is such
120:112,36[H  ]| fun here! ~~ What do you think has happened this morning?
120:112,37[H  ]| ~~ Mr%*Collins has made an offer to Lizzy, and she will
120:112,38[H  ]| not have him."
120:113,01['  ]| Charlotte had hardly time to answer, before they were
120:113,02['  ]| joined by Kitty, who came to tell the same news, and no
120:113,03['  ]| sooner had they entered the breakfast-room, where Mrs%*Bennet
120:113,04['  ]| was alone, than she likewise began on the subject,
120:113,05['  ]| calling on Miss*Lucas for her compassion, and entreating
120:113,06['  ]| her to persuade her friend Lizzy to comply with the wishes
120:113,07['  ]| of all her family.
120:113,07[D  ]| "Pray do, my dear Miss*Lucas,"
120:113,07['  ]| she
120:113,08['  ]| added in a melancholy tone,
120:113,08[D  ]| "for nobody is on my side,
120:113,09[D  ]| nobody takes part with me, I am cruelly used, nobody
120:113,10[D  ]| feels for my poor nerves."
120:113,11['  ]| Charlotte's reply was spared by the entrance of Jane
120:113,12['  ]| and Elizabeth.
120:113,13[D  ]| "Aye, there she comes,"
120:113,13['  ]| continued Mrs%*Bennet,
120:113,14[D  ]| "looking as unconcerned as may be, and caring no more
120:113,15[D  ]| for us than if we were at York, provided she can have
120:113,16[D  ]| her own way. ~~ But I tell you what, Miss*Lizzy, if you
120:113,17[D  ]| take it into your head to go on refusing every offer of
120:113,18[D  ]| marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at
120:113,19[D  ]| all ~~ and I am sure I do not know who is to maintain you
120:113,20[D  ]| when your father is dead. ~~ \I\ shall not be able to keep
120:113,21[D  ]| you ~~ and so I warn you. ~~ I have done with you from
120:113,22[D  ]| this very day. ~~ I told you in the library, you know, that
120:113,23[D  ]| I should never speak to you again, and you will find me
120:113,24[D  ]| as good as my word.  I have no pleasure in talking to
120:113,25[D  ]| undutiful children. ~~ Not that I have much pleasure indeed
120:113,26[D  ]| in talking to any*body.  People who suffer as I do from
120:113,27[D  ]| nervous complaints can have no great inclination for
120:113,28[D  ]| talking.  Nobody can tell what I suffer! ~~ But it is always
120:113,29[D  ]| so.  Those who do not complain are never pitied."
120:113,30['  ]| Her daughters listened in silence to this effusion, sensible
120:113,31['  ]| that any attempt to reason with or sooth her would only
120:113,32['  ]| increase the irritation.  She talked on, therefore, without
120:113,33['  ]| interruption from any of them till they were joined by
120:113,34['  ]| Mr%*Collins, who entered with an air more stately than
120:113,35['  ]| usual, and on perceiving whom, she said to the the girls,
120:113,36[D  ]| "Now, I do insist upon it, that you, all of you, hold
120:113,37[D  ]| your tongues, and let Mr%*Collins and me have a little
120:113,38[D  ]| conversation together."
120:114,01['  ]| Elizabeth passed quietly out of the room, Jane and
120:114,02['  ]| Kitty followed, but Lydia stood her ground, determined
120:114,03['  ]| to hear all she could; and Charlotte, detained first by
120:114,04['  ]| the civility of Mr%*Collins, whose inquiries after herself
120:114,05['  ]| and all her family were very minute, and then by a little
120:114,06['  ]| curiosity, satisfied herself with walking to the window and
120:114,07['  ]| pretending not to hear.  In a doleful voice Mrs%*Bennet
120:114,08['  ]| thus began the projected conversation. ~~
120:114,08[D  ]| "Oh! Mr%*Collins!" ~~
120:114,09[D  ]|
120:114,10[K  ]| "My dear Madam,"
120:114,10['  ]| replied he,
120:114,10[K  ]| "let us be for*ever
120:114,11[K  ]| silent on this point.  Far be it from me,"
120:114,11['  ]| he presently
120:114,12['  ]| continued in a voice that marked his displeasure,
120:114,12[K  ]| "to
120:114,13[K  ]| resent the behaviour of your daughter.  Resignation to
120:114,14[K  ]| inevitable evils is the duty of us all; the peculiar duty
120:114,15[K  ]| of a young man who has been so fortunate as I have been
120:114,16[K  ]| in early preferment; and I trust I am resigned.  Perhaps
120:114,17[K  ]| not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness
120:114,18[K  ]| had my fair cousin honoured me with her hand;
120:114,19[K  ]| for I have often observed that resignation is never so
120:114,20[K  ]| perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat
120:114,21[K  ]| of its value in our estimation.  You will not, I hope,
120:114,22[K  ]| consider me as shewing any disrespect to your family,
120:114,23[K  ]| my dear Madam, by thus withdrawing my pretensions to
120:114,24[K  ]| your daughter's favour, without having paid yourself and
120:114,25[K  ]| Mr%*Bennet the compliment of requesting you to interpose
120:114,26[K  ]| your authority in my behalf.  My conduct may
120:114,27[K  ]| I fear be objectionable in having accepted my dismission
120:114,28[K  ]| from your daughter's lips instead of your own.  But we
120:114,29[K  ]| are all liable to error.  I have certainly meant well through
120:114,30[K  ]| the whole affair.  My object has been to secure an amiable
120:114,31[K  ]| companion for myself, with due consideration for the
120:114,32[K  ]| advantage of all your family, and if my \manner\ has been
120:114,33[K  ]| at all reprehensible, I here beg leave to apologise."
121:115,01['  ]| The discussion of Mr%*Collins's offer was now nearly at
121:115,02['  ]| an end, and Elizabeth had only to suffer from the uncomfortable
121:115,03['  ]| feelings necessarily attending it, and occasionally
121:115,04['  ]| from some peevish allusion of her mother.  As for the
121:115,05['  ]| gentleman himself, \his\ feelings were chiefly expressed, not
121:115,06['  ]| by embarrassment or dejection, or by trying to avoid her,
121:115,07['  ]| but by stiffness of manner and resentful silence.  He
121:115,08['  ]| scarcely ever spoke to her, and the assiduous attentions
121:115,09['  ]| which he had been so sensible of himself, were transferred
121:115,10['  ]| for the rest of the day to Miss*Lucas, whose civility in
121:115,11['  ]| listening to him, was a seasonable relief to them all, and
121:115,12['  ]| especially to her friend.
121:115,13['  ]| The morrow produced no abatement of Mrs%*Bennet's
121:115,14['  ]| ill*humour or ill*health.  Mr%*Collins was also in the
121:115,15['  ]| same state of angry pride.  Elizabeth had hoped that his
121:115,16['  ]| resentment might shorten his visit, but his plan did not
121:115,17['  ]| appear in the least affected by it.  He was always to have
121:115,18['  ]| gone on Saturday, and to Saturday he still meant to stay.
121:115,19['  ]| After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton to inquire
121:115,20['  ]| if Mr%*Wickham were returned, and to lament over his
121:115,21['  ]| absence from the Netherfield ball.  He joined them on
121:115,22['  ]| their entering the town and attended them to their aunt's,
121:115,23['  ]| where his regret and vexation, and the concern of every*body
121:115,24['  ]| was well talked over. ~~ To Elizabeth, however, he
121:115,25['  ]| voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his absence
121:115,26['  ]| \had\ been self*imposed.
121:115,27[P  ]| "I found,"
121:115,27['  ]| said he,
121:115,27[P  ]| "as the time drew near, that I had
121:115,28[P  ]| better not meet Mr%*Darcy; ~~ that to be in the same
121:115,29[P  ]| room, the same party with him for so many hours together,
121:115,30[P  ]| might be more than I could bear, and that scenes might
121:115,31[P  ]| arise unpleasant to more than myself."
121:115,32['  ]| She highly approved his forbearance, and they had
121:115,33['  ]| leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the commendation
121:116,01['  ]| which they civilly bestowed on each other,
121:116,02['  ]| as Wickham and another officer walked back with them
121:116,03['  ]| to Longbourn, and during the walk, he particularly
121:116,04['  ]| attended to her.  His accompanying them was a double
121:116,05['  ]| advantage; she felt all the compliment it offered to
121:116,06['  ]| herself, and it was most acceptable as an occasion of
121:116,07['  ]| introducing him to her father and mother.
121:116,08['  ]| Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss*Bennet;
121:116,09['  ]| it came from Netherfield, and was opened
121:116,10['  ]| immediately.  The envelope contained a sheet of elegant,
121:116,11['  ]| little, hot*pressed paper, well covered with a lady's fair,
121:116,12['  ]| flowing hand; and Elizabeth saw her sister's countenance
121:116,13['  ]| change as she read it, and saw her dwelling intently on
121:116,14['  ]| some particular passages.  Jane recollected herself soon,
121:116,15['  ]| and putting the letter away, tried to join with her usual
121:116,16['  ]| cheerfulness in the general conversation; but Elizabeth
121:116,17['  ]| felt an anxiety on the subject which drew off her attention
121:116,18['  ]| even from Wickham; and no sooner had he and his
121:116,19['  ]| companion taken leave, than a glance from Jane invited
121:116,20['  ]| her to follow her up*stairs.  When they had gained their
121:116,21['  ]| own room, Jane taking out the letter, said,
121:116,22[E  ]| "This is from Caroline*Bingley; what it contains, has
121:116,23[E  ]| surprised me a good deal.  The whole party have left
121:116,24[E  ]| Netherfield by this time, and are on their way to town;
121:116,25[E  ]| and without any intention of coming back again.  You
121:116,26[E  ]| shall hear what she says."
121:116,27['  ]| She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised
121:116,28['  ]| the information of their having just resolved to follow
121:116,29['  ]| their brother to town directly, and of their meaning to
121:116,30['  ]| dine that day in Grosvenor*street, where Mr%*Hurst had
121:116,31['  ]| a house.  The next was in these words.
121:116,31[J  ]| "I do not pretend
121:116,32[J  ]| to regret any*thing I shall leave in Hertfordshire, except
121:116,33[J  ]| your society, my dearest friend; but we will hope at
121:116,34[J  ]| some future period, to enjoy many returns of the delightful
121:116,35[J  ]| intercourse we have known, and in the mean*while may
121:116,36[J  ]| lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most
121:116,37[J  ]| unreserved correspondence.  I depend on you for that."
121:116,38['  ]| To these high*flown expressions, Elizabeth listened with all
121:117,01['  ]| the insensibility of distrust; and though the suddenness
121:117,02['  ]| of their removal surprised her, she saw nothing in it really
121:117,03['  ]| to lament; it was not to be supposed that their absence
121:117,04['  ]| from Netherfield would prevent Mr%*Bingley's being there;
121:117,05['  ]| and as to the loss of their society, she was persuaded that
121:117,06['  ]| Jane must soon cease to regard it, in the enjoyment of his.
121:117,07[A  ]| "It is unlucky,"
121:117,07['  ]| said she, after a short pause,
121:117,07[A  ]| "that
121:117,08[A  ]| you should not be able to see your friends before they
121:117,09[A  ]| leave the country.  But may we not hope that the period
121:117,10[A  ]| of future happiness to which Miss*Bingley looks forward,
121:117,11[A  ]| may arrive earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful
121:117,12[A  ]| intercourse you have known as friends, will be renewed
121:117,13[A  ]| with yet greater satisfaction as sisters? ~~ Mr%*Bingley will
121:117,14[A  ]| not be detained in London by them."
121:117,15[E  ]| "Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will
121:117,16[E  ]| return into Hertfordshire this winter.  I will read it to
121:117,17[E  ]| you ~~
121:117,18[J  ]| "When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined
121:117,19[J  ]| that the business which took him to London, might be
121:117,20[J  ]| concluded in three or four days, but as we are certain
121:117,21[J  ]| it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that
121:117,22[J  ]| when Charles gets to town, he will be in no hurry to leave
121:117,23[J  ]| it again, we have determined on following him thither,
121:117,24[J  ]| that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in
121:117,25[J  ]| a comfortless hotel.  Many of my acquaintance are already
121:117,26[J  ]| there for the winter; I wish I could hear that you, my
121:117,27[J  ]| dearest friend, had any intention of making one in the
121:117,28[J  ]| croud, but of that I despair.  I sincerely hope your Christmas
121:117,29[J  ]| in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which
121:117,30[J  ]| that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be
121:117,31[J  ]| so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three,
121:117,32[J  ]| of whom we shall deprive you."
121:117,33[E  ]| "It is evident by this,"
121:117,33['  ]| added Jane,
121:117,33[E  ]| "that he comes
121:117,34[E  ]| back no more this winter."
121:117,35[A  ]| "It is only evident that Miss*Bingley does not mean
121:117,36[A  ]| he \should\."
121:117,37[E  ]| "Why will you think so?  It must be his own doing. ~~
121:117,38[E  ]| He is his own master.  But you do not know \all\.  I \will\
121:118,01[E  ]| read you the passage which particularly hurts me.  I will
121:118,02[E  ]| have no reserves from \you\."
121:118,02[J  ]| "Mr%*Darcy is impatient
121:118,03[J  ]| to see his sister, and to confess the truth, \we\ are
121:118,04[J  ]| scarcely less eager to meet her again.  I really do
121:118,05[J  ]| not think Georgiana*Darcy has her equal for beauty,
121:118,06[J  ]| elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she
121:118,07[J  ]| inspires in Louisa and myself, is heightened into something
121:118,08[J  ]| still more interesting, from the hope we dare to
121:118,09[J  ]| entertain of her being hereafter our sister.  I do not
121:118,10[J  ]| know whether I ever before mentioned to you my
121:118,11[J  ]| feelings on this subject, but I will not leave the country
121:118,12[J  ]| without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem
121:118,13[J  ]| them unreasonable.  My brother admires her greatly
121:118,14[J  ]| already, he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing
121:118,15[J  ]| her on the most intimate footing, her relations all wish
121:118,16[J  ]| the connection as much as his own, and a sister's partiality
121:118,17[J  ]| is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most
121:118,18[J  ]| capable of engaging any woman's heart.  With all these
121:118,19[J  ]| circumstances to favour an attachment and nothing to prevent
121:118,20[J  ]| it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope
121:118,21[J  ]| of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?"
121:118,22[E  ]| "What think you of \this\ sentence, my dear Lizzy?" ~~
121:118,23['  ]| said Jane as she finished it.
121:118,23[E  ]| "Is it not clear enough? ~~
121:118,24[E  ]| Does it not expressly declare that Caroline neither expects
121:118,25[E  ]| nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is perfectly convinced
121:118,26[E  ]| of her brother's indifference, and that if she suspects
121:118,27[E  ]| the nature of my feelings for him, she means (most kindly!)
121:118,28[E  ]| to put me on my guard?  Can there be any other opinion
121:118,29[E  ]| on the subject?"
121:118,30[A  ]| "Yes, there can; for mine is totally different.  ~~ Will
121:118,31[A  ]| you hear it?"
121:118,32[E  ]| "Most willingly."
121:118,33[A  ]| "You shall have it in few words.  Miss*Bingley sees
121:118,34[A  ]| that her brother is in love with you, and wants him to
121:118,35[A  ]| marry Miss*Darcy.  She follows him to town in the hope
121:118,36[A  ]| of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he
121:118,37[A  ]| does not care about you."
121:118,38['  ]| Jane shook her head.
121:119,01[A  ]| "Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. ~~ No*one who
121:119,02[A  ]| has ever seen you together, can doubt his affection.  Miss*Bingley
121:119,03[A  ]| I am sure cannot.  She is not such a simpleton.
121:119,04[A  ]| Could she have seen half as much love in Mr%*Darcy for
121:119,05[A  ]| herself, she would have ordered her wedding*clothes.  But
121:119,06[A  ]| the case is this.  We are not rich enough, or grand enough
121:119,07[A  ]| for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss*Darcy
121:119,08[A  ]| for her brother, from the notion that when there has been
121:119,09[A  ]| \one\ intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving
121:119,10[A  ]| a second; in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and
121:119,11[A  ]| I dare say it would succeed, if Miss*de*Bourgh were out
121:119,12[A  ]| of the way.  But, my dearest Jane, you cannot seriously
121:119,13[A  ]| imagine that because Miss*Bingley tells you her brother
121:119,14[A  ]| greatly admires Miss*Darcy, he is in the smallest degree
121:119,15[A  ]| less sensible of \your\ merit than when he took leave of you
121:119,16[A  ]| on Tuesday, or that it will be in her power to persuade
121:119,17[A  ]| him that instead of being in love with you, he is very
121:119,18[A  ]| much in love with her friend."
121:119,19[E  ]| "If we thought alike of Miss*Bingley,"
121:119,19['  ]| replied Jane,
121:119,20[E  ]| "your representation of all this, might make me quite
121:119,21[E  ]| easy.  But I know the foundation is unjust.  Caroline is
121:119,22[E  ]| incapable of wilfully deceiving any*one; and all that
121:119,23[E  ]| I can hope in this case is, that she is deceived herself."
121:119,24[A  ]| "That is right. ~~ You could not have started a more
121:119,25[A  ]| happy idea, since you will not take comfort in mine.
121:119,26[A  ]| Believe her to be deceived by all means.  You have now
121:119,27[A  ]| done your duty by her, and must fret no longer."
121:119,28[E  ]| "But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing
121:119,29[E  ]| the best, in accepting a man whose sisters and friends are
121:119,30[E  ]| all wishing him to marry elsewhere?"
121:119,31[A  ]| "You must decide for yourself,"
121:119,31['  ]| said Elizabeth,
121:119,31[A  ]| "and
121:119,32[A  ]| if upon mature deliberation, you find that the misery of
121:119,33[A  ]| disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent to the
121:119,34[A  ]| happiness of being his wife, I advise you by all means
121:119,35[A  ]| to refuse him."
121:119,36[E  ]| "How can you talk so?" ~~
121:119,36['  ]| said Jane faintly smiling, ~~
121:119,37[E  ]| "You must know that though I should be exceedingly
121:119,38[E  ]| grieved at their disapprobation, I could not hesitate."
121:120,01[A  ]| "I did not think you would; ~~ and that being the case,
121:120,02[A  ]| I cannot consider your situation with much compassion."
121:120,03[E  ]| "But if he returns no more this winter, my choice will
121:120,04[E  ]| never be required.  A thousand things may arise in six
121:120,05[E  ]| months!"
121:120,06['  ]| The idea of his returning no more Elizabeth treated
121:120,07['  ]| with the utmost contempt.  It appeared to her merely the
121:120,08['  ]| suggestion of Caroline's interested wishes, and she could
121:120,09['  ]| not for a moment suppose that those wishes, however
121:120,10['  ]| openly or artfully spoken, could influence a young man so
121:120,11['  ]| totally independent of every*one.
121:120,12['  ]| She represented to her sister as forcibly as possible
121:120,13['  ]| what she felt on the subject, and had soon the pleasure
121:120,14['  ]| of seeing its happy effect.  Jane's temper was not desponding,
121:120,15['  ]| and she was gradually led to hope, though the
121:120,16['  ]| diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope, that
121:120,17['  ]| Bingley would return to Netherfield and answer every wish
121:120,18['  ]| of her heart.
121:120,19['  ]| They agreed that Mrs%*Bennet should only hear of the
121:120,20['  ]| departure of the family, without being alarmed on
121:120,21['  ]| the score of the gentleman's conduct; but even this
121:120,23['  ]| partial communication gave her a great deal of concern,
121:120,24['  ]| and she bewailed it as
121:120,24@d   | exceedingly unlucky that the ladies
121:120,25@d   | should happen to go away, just as they were all getting
121:120,26@d   | so intimate together.
121:120,26['  ]| After lamenting it however at some
121:120,27['  ]| length, she had the consolation of thinking that
121:120,27@d   | Mr%*Bingley
121:120,28@d   | would be soon down again and soon dining at
121:120,29@d   | Longbourn,
121:120,29['  ]| and the conclusion of all was the comfortable
121:120,30['  ]| declaration that,
121:120,30@d   | though he had been invited only to a
121:120,31@d   | family dinner, she would take care to have two full
121:120,32@d   | courses.
122:121,01['  ]| The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases,
122:121,02['  ]| and again during the chief of the day, was Miss*Lucas so
122:121,03['  ]| kind as to listen to Mr%*Collins.  Elizabeth took an opportunity
122:121,04['  ]| of thanking her.
122:121,04[A  ]| "It keeps him in good*humour,"
122:121,05['  ]| said she,
122:121,05[A  ]| "and I am more obliged to you than I can
122:121,06[A  ]| express."
122:121,06['  ]| Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction
122:121,07['  ]| in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little
122:121,08['  ]| sacrifice of her time.  This was very amiable, but Charlotte's
122:121,09['  ]| kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any
122:121,10['  ]| conception of; ~~ its object was nothing less, than to secure
122:121,11['  ]| her from any return of Mr%*Collins's addresses, by engaging
122:121,12['  ]| them towards herself.  Such was Miss*Lucas's scheme;
122:121,13['  ]| and appearances were so favourable that when they
122:121,14['  ]| parted at night, she would have felt almost sure of success
122:121,15['  ]| if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon.
122:121,16['  ]| But here, she did injustice to the fire and independence
122:121,17['  ]| of his character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn*House
122:121,18['  ]| the next morning with admirable slyness, and
122:121,19['  ]| hasten to Lucas*Lodge to throw himself at her feet.  He
122:121,20['  ]| was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from
122:121,21['  ]| a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not
122:121,22['  ]| fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to
122:121,23['  ]| have the attempt known till its success could be known
122:121,24['  ]| likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with
122:121,25['  ]| reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he
122:121,26['  ]| was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday.
122:121,27['  ]| His reception however was of the most flattering
122:121,28['  ]| kind.  Miss*Lucas perceived him from an upper window
122:121,29['  ]| as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out
122:121,30['  ]| to meet him accidentally in the lane.  But little had she
122:121,31['  ]| dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited
122:121,32['  ]| her there.
122:121,33['  ]| In as short a time as Mr%*Collins's long speeches would
122:122,01['  ]| allow, every*thing was settled between them to the satisfaction
122:122,02['  ]| of both; and as they entered the house, he earnestly
122:122,03['  ]| entreated her to
122:122,03@k   | name the day that was to make him the
122:122,04@k   | happiest of men;
122:122,04['  ]| and though such a solicitation must be
122:122,05['  ]| waved for the present, the lady felt no inclination to
122:122,06['  ]| trifle with his happiness.  The stupidity with which he
122:122,07['  ]| was favoured by nature, must guard his courtship from
122:122,08['  ]| any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance;
122:122,09['  ]| and Miss*Lucas, who accepted him solely from the
122:122,10['  ]| pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared
122:122,11['  ]| not how soon that establishment were gained.
122:122,12['  ]| Sir*William and Lady*Lucas were speedily applied to
122:122,13['  ]| for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most
122:122,14['  ]| joyful alacrity.  Mr%*Collins's present circumstances made
122:122,15['  ]| it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they
122:122,16['  ]| could give little fortune; and his prospects of future
122:122,17['  ]| wealth were exceedingly fair.  Lady*Lucas began directly
122:122,18['  ]| to calculate with more interest than the matter had ever
122:122,19['  ]| excited before, how many years longer Mr%*Bennet was
122:122,20['  ]| likely to live; and Sir*William gave it as his decided
122:122,21['  ]| opinion, that whenever Mr%*Collins should be in possession
122:122,22['  ]| of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient
122:122,23['  ]| that both he and his wife should make their appearance
122:122,24['  ]| at St%*James's.  The whole family in short were properly
122:122,25['  ]| overjoyed on the occasion.  The younger girls formed
122:122,26['  ]| hopes of \coming\ \out\ a year or two sooner than they might
122:122,27['  ]| otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from
122:122,28['  ]| their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid.
122:122,29['  ]| Charlotte herself was tolerably composed.  She had gained
122:122,30['  ]| her point, and had time to consider of it.  Her reflections
122:122,31['  ]| were in general satisfactory.
122:122,31@q   | Mr%*Collins to be sure was
122:122,32@q   | neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome,
122:122,33@q   | and his attachment to her must be imaginary.  But still
122:122,34@q   | he would be her husband. ~~
122:122,34['  ]| Without thinking highly either
122:122,35['  ]| of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her
122:122,36['  ]| object;
122:122,36@q   | it was the only honourable provision for well-educated
122:122,37@q   | young women of small fortune, and however
122:122,38@q   | uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest
122:123,01@q   | preservative from want.
122:123,01['  ]| This preservative she had now
122:123,02['  ]| obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having
122:123,03['  ]| ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it.  The
122:123,04['  ]| least agreeable circumstance in the business, was the surprise
122:123,05['  ]| it must occasion to Elizabeth*Bennet, whose friendship
122:123,06['  ]| she valued beyond that of any other person.
122:123,06@q   | Elizabeth
122:123,07@q   | would wonder, and probably would blame her;
122:123,07['  ]| and though
122:123,08['  ]| her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings must be
122:123,09['  ]| hurt by such disapprobation.  She resolved to give her
122:123,10['  ]| the information herself, and therefore charged Mr%*Collins
122:123,11['  ]| when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no
122:123,12['  ]| hint of what had passed before any of the family.  A promise
122:123,13['  ]| of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it
122:123,14['  ]| could not be kept without difficulty; for the curiosity
122:123,15['  ]| excited by his long absence, burst forth in such very
122:123,16['  ]| direct questions on his return, as required some ingenuity
122:123,17['  ]| to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great
122:123,18['  ]| self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.
122:123,19['  ]| As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow
122:123,20['  ]| to see any of the family, the ceremony of leave-taking
122:123,21['  ]| was performed when the ladies moved for the night; and
122:123,22['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet with great politeness and cordiality said how
122:123,23['  ]| happy they should be to see him at Longbourn again, whenever
122:123,24['  ]| his other engagements might allow him to visit them.
122:123,25[K  ]| "My dear Madam,"
122:123,25['  ]| he replied,
122:123,25[K  ]| "this invitation is
122:123,26[K  ]| particularly gratifying, because it is what I have been
122:123,27[K  ]| hoping to receive; and you may be very certain that I
122:123,28[K  ]| shall avail myself of it as soon as possible."
122:123,29['  ]| They were all astonished; and Mr%*Bennet, who could
122:123,30['  ]| by no means wish for so speedy a return, immediately said,
122:123,31[C  ]| "But is there not danger of Lady*Catherine's disapprobation
122:123,32[C  ]| here, my good sir? ~~ You had better neglect your
122:123,33[C  ]| relations, than run the risk of offending your patroness."
122:123,34[K  ]| "My dear sir,"
122:123,34['  ]| replied Mr%*Collins,
122:123,34[K  ]| "I am particularly
122:123,35[K  ]| obliged to you for this friendly caution, and you may
122:123,36[K  ]| depend upon my not taking so material a step without her
122:123,37[K  ]| ladyship's concurrence."
122:123,38[C  ]| "You cannot be too much on your guard.  Risk
122:124,01[C  ]| any*thing rather than her displeasure; and if you find it
122:124,02[C  ]| likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I
122:124,03[C  ]| should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home,
122:124,04[C  ]| and be satisfied that \we\ shall take no offence."
122:124,05[K  ]| "Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly
122:124,06[K  ]| excited by such affectionate attention; and depend upon
122:124,07[K  ]| it, you will speedily receive from me a letter of thanks for
122:124,08[K  ]| this, as well as for every other mark of your regard during
122:124,09[K  ]| my stay in Hertfordshire.  As for my fair cousins, though
122:124,10[K  ]| my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary,
122:124,11[K  ]| I shall now take the liberty of wishing them health and
122:124,12[K  ]| happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizabeth."
122:124,13['  ]| With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of
122:124,14['  ]| them equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick
122:124,15['  ]| return.  Mrs%*Bennet wished to understand by it that he
122:124,16['  ]| thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger
122:124,17['  ]| girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept
122:124,18['  ]| him.  She rated his abilities much higher than any of the
122:124,19['  ]| others;
122:124,19@f   | there was a solidity in his reflections which often
122:124,20@f   | struck her, and though by no means so clever as herself,
122:124,21['  ]| she thought that
122:124,21@f   | if encouraged to read and improve himself
122:124,22@f   | by such an example as her's, he might become a very
122:124,23@f   | agreeable companion.
122:124,23['  ]| But on the following morning,
122:124,24['  ]| every hope of this kind was done away.  Miss*Lucas called
122:124,25['  ]| soon after breakfast, and in a private conference with
122:124,26['  ]| Elizabeth related the event of the day before.
122:124,27['  ]| The possibility of Mr%*Collins's fancying himself in love
122:124,28['  ]| with her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the
122:124,29['  ]| last day or two; but that Charlotte could encourage him,
122:124,30['  ]| seemed almost as far from possibility as that she could
122:124,31['  ]| encourage him herself, and her astonishment was consequently
122:124,32['  ]| so great as to overcome at first the bounds of
122:124,33['  ]| decorum, and she could not help crying out,
122:124,34[A  ]| "Engaged to Mr%*Collins! my dear Charlotte, ~~
122:124,35[A  ]| impossible!"
122:124,36['  ]| The steady countenance which Miss*Lucas had commanded
122:124,37['  ]| in telling her story, gave way to a momentary
122:124,38['  ]| confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though,
122:125,01['  ]| as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her
122:125,02['  ]| composure, and calmly replied,
122:125,03[Q  ]| "Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? ~~ Do
122:125,04[Q  ]| you think it incredible that Mr%*Collins should be able to
122:125,05[Q  ]| procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so
122:125,06[Q  ]| happy as to succeed with you?"
122:125,07['  ]| But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a
122:125,08['  ]| strong effort for it, was able to assure her with tolerable firmness
122:125,09['  ]| that the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful
122:125,10['  ]| to her, and that she wished her all imaginable happiness.
122:125,11[Q  ]| "I see what you are feeling,"
122:125,11['  ]| replied Charlotte, ~~
122:125,11[Q  ]| "you
122:125,12[Q  ]| must be surprised, very much surprised, ~~ so lately as
122:125,13[Q  ]| Mr%*Collins was wishing to marry you.  But when you
122:125,14[Q  ]| have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be
122:125,15[Q  ]| satisfied with what I have done.  I am not romantic you
122:125,16[Q  ]| know.  I never was.  I ask only a comfortable home;
122:125,17[Q  ]| and considering Mr%*Collins's character, connections, and
122:125,18[Q  ]| situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness
122:125,19[Q  ]| with him is as fair, as most people can boast on
122:125,20[Q  ]| entering the marriage state."
122:125,21['  ]| Elizabeth quietly answered
122:125,21[A  ]| "Undoubtedly;" ~~
122:125,21['  ]| and
122:125,22['  ]| after an awkward pause, they returned to the rest of the
122:125,23['  ]| family.  Charlotte did not stay much longer, and Elizabeth
122:125,24['  ]| was then left to reflect on what she had heard.  It was
122:125,25['  ]| a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea
122:125,26['  ]| of so unsuitable a match.
122:125,26@a   | The strangeness of Mr%*Collins's
122:125,27@a   | making two offers of marriage within three days, was
122:125,28@a   | nothing in comparison of his being now accepted.  She
122:125,29@a   | had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony
122:125,30@a   | was not exactly like her own, but she could not have
122:125,31@a   | supposed it possible that when called into action, she
122:125,32@a   | would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly
122:125,33@a   | advantage.  Charlotte the wife of Mr%*Collins, was a most
122:125,34@a   | humiliating picture! ~~
122:125,34['  ]| And to the pang of a friend disgracing
122:125,35['  ]| herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the
122:125,36['  ]| distressing conviction that it was impossible for that
122:125,37['  ]| friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.
123:126,01['  ]| Elizabeth was sitting with her mother and sisters,
123:126,02['  ]| reflecting on what she had heard, and doubting whether
123:126,03['  ]| she were authorised to mention it, when Sir*William*Lucas
123:126,04['  ]| himself appeared, sent by his daughter to announce her
123:126,05['  ]| engagement to the family.  With many compliments to
123:126,06['  ]| them, and much self-gratulation on the prospect of a
123:126,07['  ]| connection between the two houses, he unfolded the matter, ~~
123:126,08['  ]| to an audience not merely wondering, but incredulous;
123:126,09['  ]| for Mrs%*Bennet, with more perseverance than politeness,
123:126,10['  ]| protested he must be entirely mistaken, and Lydia, always
123:126,11['  ]| unguarded and often uncivil, boisterously exclaimed,
123:126,12[H  ]| "Good Lord!  Sir*William, how can you tell such
123:126,13[H  ]| a story? ~~ Do not you know that Mr%*Collins wants to
123:126,14[H  ]| marry Lizzy?"
123:126,15['  ]| Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could
123:126,16['  ]| have borne without anger such treatment; but Sir*William's
123:126,17['  ]| good*breeding carried him through it all; and
123:126,18['  ]| though he begged leave to be positive as to the truth
123:126,19['  ]| of his information, he listened to all their impertinence
123:126,20['  ]| with the most forbearing courtesy.
123:126,21['  ]| Elizabeth, feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him
123:126,22['  ]| from so unpleasant a situation, now put herself forward
123:126,23['  ]| to confirm his account, by mentioning her prior knowledge
123:126,24['  ]| of it from Charlotte herself; and endeavoured to put
123:126,25['  ]| a stop to the exclamations of her mother and sisters, by
123:126,26['  ]| the earnestness of her congratulations to Sir*William,
123:126,27['  ]| in which she was readily joined by Jane, and by making
123:126,28['  ]| a variety of remarks on the happiness that might be
123:126,29['  ]| expected from the match, the excellent character of
123:126,30['  ]| Mr%*Collins, and the convenient distance of Hunsford from
123:126,31['  ]| London.
123:126,32['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to
123:126,33['  ]| say a great deal while Sir*William remained; but no
123:127,01['  ]| sooner had he left them than her feelings found a rapid
123:127,02['  ]| vent.
123:127,02@d   | In the first place, she persisted in disbelieving the
123:127,03@d   | whole of the matter; secondly, she was very sure that
123:127,04@d   | Mr%*Collins had been taken in; thirdly, she trusted that
123:127,05@d   | they would never be happy together; and fourthly, that
123:127,06@d   | the match might be broken off.  Two inferences, however,
123:127,07@d   | were plainly deduced from the whole; one, that Elizabeth
123:127,08@d   | was the real cause of all the mischief; and the other, that
123:127,09@d   | she herself had been barbarously used by them all;
123:127,09['  ]| and
123:127,10['  ]| on these two points she principally dwelt during the rest
123:127,11['  ]| of the day.  Nothing could console and nothing appease
123:127,12['  ]| her. ~~ Nor did that day wear out her resentment.  A week
123:127,13['  ]| elapsed before she could see Elizabeth without scolding
123:127,14['  ]| her, a month passed away before she could speak to
123:127,15['  ]| Sir*William or Lady*Lucas without being rude, and many
123:127,16['  ]| months were gone before she could at all forgive their
123:127,17['  ]| daughter.
123:127,18['  ]| Mr%*Bennet's emotions were much more tranquil on the
123:127,19['  ]| occasion, and such as he did experience he pronounced
123:127,20['  ]| to be of a most agreeable sort; for
123:127,20@c   | it gratified him,
123:127,20['  ]| he
123:127,21['  ]| said,
123:127,21@c   | to discover that Charlotte*Lucas, whom he had been
123:127,22@c   | used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife,
123:127,23@c   | and more foolish than his daughter!
123:127,24['  ]| Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match;
123:127,25['  ]| but she said less of her astonishment than of her earnest
123:127,26['  ]| desire for their happiness; nor could Elizabeth persuade
123:127,27['  ]| her to consider it as improbable.  Kitty and Lydia were
123:127,28['  ]| far from envying Miss*Lucas, for Mr%*Collins was only
123:127,29['  ]| a clergyman; and it affected them in no other way than
123:127,30['  ]| as a piece of news to spread at Meryton.
123:127,31['  ]| Lady*Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being
123:127,32['  ]| able to retort on Mrs%*Bennet the comfort of having a
123:127,33['  ]| daughter well married; and she called at Longbourn
123:127,34['  ]| rather oftener than usual to say how happy she was,
123:127,35['  ]| though Mrs%*Bennet's sour looks and ill-natured remarks
123:127,36['  ]| might have been enough to drive happiness away.
123:127,37['  ]| Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint
123:127,38['  ]| which kept them mutually silent on the subject; and
123:128,01['  ]| Elizabeth felt persuaded that no real confidence could
123:128,02['  ]| ever subsist between them again.  Her disappointment
123:128,03['  ]| in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard to her
123:128,04['  ]| sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her
123:128,05['  ]| opinion could never be shaken, and for whose happiness
123:128,06['  ]| she grew daily more anxious, as Bingley had now been
123:128,07['  ]| gone a week, and nothing was heard of his return.
123:128,08['  ]| Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter,
123:128,09['  ]| and was counting the days till she might reasonably hope
123:128,10['  ]| to hear again.  The promised letter of thanks from
123:128,11['  ]| Mr%*Collins arrived on Tuesday, addressed to their father,
123:128,12['  ]| and written with all the solemnity of gratitude which a
123:128,13['  ]| twelvemonth's abode in the family might have prompted.
123:128,14['  ]| After discharging his conscience on that head, he proceeded
123:128,15['  ]| to inform them, with many rapturous expressions,
123:128,16['  ]| of
123:128,16@k   | his happiness in having obtained the affection of their
123:128,17@k   | amiable neighbour, Miss*Lucas,
123:128,17['  ]| and then explained that
123:128,18@k   | it was merely with the view of enjoying her society that
123:128,19@k   | he had been so ready to close with their kind wish of
123:128,20@k   | seeing him again at Longbourn, whither he hoped to be
123:128,21@k   | able to return on Monday fortnight; for Lady*Catherine,
123:128,22['  ]| he added,
123:128,22@k   | so heartily approved his marriage, that she
123:128,23@k   | wished it to take place as soon as possible, which he trusted
123:128,24@k   | would be an unanswerable argument with his amiable
123:128,25@k   | Charlotte to name an early day for making him the happiest
123:128,26@k   | of men.
123:128,27['  ]| Mr%*Collins's return into Hertfordshire was no longer
123:128,28['  ]| a matter of pleasure to Mrs%*Bennet.  On the contrary
123:128,29['  ]| she was as much disposed to complain of it as her husband. ~~
123:128,30@d   | It was very strange that he should come to
123:128,31@d   | Longbourn instead of to Lucas*Lodge; it was also very
123:128,32@d   | inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome. ~~ She hated
123:128,33@d   | having visitors in the house while her health was so
123:128,34@d   | indifferent, and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable.
123:128,35['  ]| Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs%*Bennet,
123:128,36['  ]| and they gave way only to the greater distress of Mr%*Bingley's
123:128,37['  ]| continued absence.
123:129,01['  ]| Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this
123:129,02['  ]| subject.  Day after day passed away without bringing
123:129,03['  ]| any other tidings of him than the report which shortly
123:129,04['  ]| prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to Netherfield
123:129,05['  ]| the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs%*Bennet,
123:129,06['  ]| and which she never failed to contradict as a most
123:129,07['  ]| scandalous falsehood.
123:129,08['  ]| Even Elizabeth began to fear ~~ not that Bingley was
123:129,09['  ]| indifferent ~~ but that his sisters would be successful in
123:129,10['  ]| keeping him away.  Unwilling as she was to admit an
123:129,11['  ]| idea so destructive of Jane's happiness, and so dishonourable
123:129,12['  ]| to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent
123:129,13['  ]| its frequently recurring.
123:129,13@a   | The united efforts of his two
123:129,14@a   | unfeeling sisters and of his overpowering friend, assisted
123:129,15@a   | by the attractions of Miss*Darcy and the amusements
123:129,16@a   | of London, might be too much,
123:129,16['  ]| she feared,
123:129,16@a   | for the strength
123:129,17@a   | of his attachment.
123:129,18['  ]| As for Jane, \her\ anxiety under this suspence was, of
123:129,19['  ]| course, more painful than Elizabeth's; but whatever she
123:129,20['  ]| felt she was desirous of concealing, and between herself
123:129,21['  ]| and Elizabeth, therefore, the subject was never alluded to.
123:129,22['  ]| But as no such delicacy restrained her mother, an hour
123:129,23['  ]| seldom passed in which she did not talk of Bingley, express
123:129,24['  ]| her impatience for his arrival, or even require Jane to
123:129,25['  ]| confess that if he did not come back, she should think
123:129,26['  ]| herself very ill*used.  It needed all Jane's steady mildness
123:129,27['  ]| to bear these attacks with tolerable tranquillity.
123:129,28['  ]| Mr%*Collins returned most punctually on the Monday
123:129,29['  ]| fortnight, but his reception at Longbourn was not quite
123:129,30['  ]| so gracious as it had been on his first introduction.  He
123:129,31['  ]| was too happy, however, to need much attention; and
123:129,32['  ]| luckily for the others, the business of love-making relieved
123:129,33['  ]| them from a great deal of his company.  The chief of
123:129,34['  ]| every day was spent by him at Lucas*Lodge, and he
123:129,35['  ]| sometimes returned to Longbourn only in time to make
123:129,36['  ]| an apology for his absence before the family went to bed.
123:129,37['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was really in a most pitiable state.  The
123:129,38['  ]| very mention of any*thing concerning the match threw
123:130,01['  ]| her into an agony of ill*humour, and wherever she went
123:130,02['  ]| she was sure of hearing it talked of.  The sight of Miss*Lucas
123:130,03['  ]| was odious to her.  As her successor in that house,
123:130,04['  ]| she regarded her with jealous abhorrence.  Whenever
123:130,05['  ]| Charlotte came to see them she concluded her to be
123:130,06['  ]| anticipating the hour of possession; and whenever she
123:130,07['  ]| spoke in a low voice to Mr%*Collins, was convinced that
123:130,08['  ]| they were talking of the Longbourn estate, and resolving
123:130,09['  ]| to turn herself and her daughters out of the house, as soon
123:130,10['  ]| as Mr%*Bennet were dead.  She complained bitterly of all
123:130,11['  ]| this to her husband.
123:130,12[D  ]| "Indeed, Mr%*Bennet,"
123:130,12['  ]| said she,
123:130,12[D  ]| "it is very hard to
123:130,13[D  ]| think that Charlotte*Lucas should ever be mistress of
123:130,14[D  ]| this house, that \I\ should be forced to make way for \her\,
123:130,15[D  ]| and live to see her take my place in it!"
123:130,16[C  ]| "My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts.
123:130,17[C  ]| Let us hope for better things.  Let us flatter ourselves
123:130,18[C  ]| that \I\ may be the survivor."
123:130,19['  ]| This was not very consoling to Mrs%*Bennet, and, therefore,
123:130,20['  ]| instead of making any answer, she went on as before,
123:130,21[D  ]| "I cannot bear to think that they should have all
123:130,22[D  ]| this estate.  If it was not for the entail I should not
123:130,23[D  ]| mind it."
123:130,24[C  ]| "What should not you mind?"
123:130,25[D  ]| "I should not mind any*thing at all."
123:130,26[C  ]| "Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state
123:130,27[C  ]| of such insensibility."
123:130,28[D  ]| "I never can be thankful, Mr%*Bennet, for any*thing
123:130,29[D  ]| about the entail.  How any*one could have the conscience
123:130,30[D  ]| to entail away an estate from one's own daughters
123:130,31[D  ]| I cannot understand; and all for the sake of Mr%*Collins
123:130,32[D  ]| too! ~~ Why should \he\ have it more than anybody else?"
123:130,33[C  ]| "I leave it to yourself to determine,"
123:130,33['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet.
201:133,01['  ]| Miss*Bingley's letter arrived, and put an end to doubt.
201:133,02['  ]| The very first sentence conveyed the assurance of
201:133,02@j   | their
201:133,03@j   | being all settled in London for the winter,
201:133,03['  ]| and concluded
201:133,04['  ]| with
201:133,04@j   | her brother's regret at not having had time to pay
201:133,05@j   | his respects to his friends in Hertfordshire before he left
201:133,06@j   | the country.
201:133,07@e   | Hope was over, entirely over;
201:133,07['  ]| and when Jane could
201:133,08['  ]| attend to the rest of the letter, she found little, except
201:133,09['  ]| the professed affection of the writer, that could give her
201:133,10['  ]| any comfort. Miss*Darcy's praise occupied the chief of it.
201:133,11['  ]| Her many attractions were again dwelt on, and Caroline
201:133,12['  ]| boasted joyfully of their increasing intimacy, and ventured
201:133,13['  ]| to predict the accomplishment of the wishes which had
201:133,14['  ]| been unfolded in her former letter.  She wrote also with
201:133,15['  ]| great pleasure of her brother's being an inmate of Mr%*Darcy's
201:133,16['  ]| house, and mentioned with raptures, some plans
201:133,17['  ]| of the latter with regard to new furniture.
201:133,18['  ]| Elizabeth, to whom Jane very soon communicated the
201:133,19['  ]| chief of all this, heard it in silent indignation.  Her heart
201:133,20['  ]| was divided between concern for her sister, and resentment
201:133,21['  ]| against all the others.  To Caroline's assertion of her
201:133,22['  ]| brother's being partial to Miss*Darcy she paid no credit.
201:133,23['  ]| That he was really fond of Jane, she doubted no more than
201:133,24['  ]| she had ever done; and much as she had always been
201:133,25['  ]| disposed to like him, she could not think without anger,
201:133,26['  ]| hardly without contempt, on
201:133,26@a   | that easiness of temper, that
201:133,27@a   | want of proper resolution which now made him the slave
201:133,28@a   | of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice his own
201:133,29@a   | happiness to the caprice of their inclinations.  Had his
201:133,30@a   | own happiness, however, been the only sacrifice, he might
201:134,01@a   | have been allowed to sport with it in what*ever manner
201:134,02@a   | he thought best; but her sister's was involved in it, as
201:134,03['  ]| she thought
201:134,03@a   | he must be sensible himself.
201:134,03['  ]| It was a subject,
201:134,04['  ]| in short, on which reflection would be long indulged, and
201:134,05['  ]| must be unavailing.  She could think of nothing else,
201:134,05@a   | and
201:134,06@a   | yet whether Bingley's regard had really died away, or
201:134,07@a   | were suppressed by his friends' interference; whether
201:134,08@a   | he had been aware of Jane's attachment, or whether it
201:134,09@a   | had escaped his observation; whichever were the case,
201:134,10@a   | though her opinion of him must be materially affected
201:134,11@a   | by the difference, her sister's situation remained the same,
201:134,12@a   | her peace equally wounded.
201:134,13['  ]| A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak
201:134,14['  ]| of her feelings to Elizabeth; but at last on Mrs%*Bennet's
201:134,15['  ]| leaving them together, after a longer irritation than usual
201:134,16['  ]| about Netherfield and its master, she could not help
201:134,17['  ]| saying,
201:134,18[E  ]| "Oh! that my dear mother had more command over
201:134,19[E  ]| herself; she can have no idea of the pain she gives me
201:134,20[E  ]| by her continual reflections on him.  But I will not
201:134,21[E  ]| repine.  It cannot last long.  He will be forgot, and we
201:134,22[E  ]| shall all be as we were before."
201:134,23['  ]| Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude,
201:134,24['  ]| but said nothing.
201:134,25[E  ]| "You doubt me,"
201:134,25['  ]| cried Jane, slightly colouring;
201:134,26[E  ]| "indeed you have no reason.  He may live in my memory
201:134,27[E  ]| as the most amiable man of my acquaintance, but that
201:134,28[E  ]| is all.  I have nothing either to hope or fear, and nothing
201:134,29[E  ]| to reproach him with.  Thank God!  I have not \that\
201:134,30[E  ]| pain.  A little time therefore. ~~ I shall certainly try to
201:134,31[E  ]| get the better."
201:134,32['  ]| With a stronger voice she soon added,
201:134,32[E  ]| "I have this
201:134,33[E  ]| comfort immediately, that it has not been more than an
201:134,34[E  ]| error of fancy on my side, and that it has done no harm
201:134,35[E  ]| to any*one but myself."
201:134,36[A  ]| "My dear Jane!"
201:134,36['  ]| exclaimed Elizabeth,
201:134,36[A  ]| "you are too
201:134,37[A  ]| good.  Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really
201:134,38[A  ]| angelic; I do not know what to say to you.  I feel as if
201:135,01[A  ]| I had never done you justice, or loved you as you
201:135,02[A  ]| deserve."
201:135,03['  ]| Miss*Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit,
201:135,04['  ]| and threw back the praise on her sister's warm affection.
201:135,05[A  ]| "Nay,"
201:135,05['  ]| said Elizabeth,
201:135,05[A  ]| "this is not fair. \You\ wish to
201:135,06[A  ]| think all the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill
201:135,07[A  ]| of any*body.  \I\ only want to think \you\ perfect, and you
201:135,08[A  ]| set yourself against it.  Do not be afraid of my running
201:135,09[A  ]| into any excess, of my encroaching on your privilege of
201:135,10[A  ]| universal good*will.  You need not.  There are few people
201:135,11[A  ]| whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well.
201:135,12[A  ]| The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied
201:135,13[A  ]| with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency
201:135,14[A  ]| of all human characters, and of the little dependence
201:135,15[A  ]| that can be placed on the appearance of either merit
201:135,16[A  ]| or sense.  I have met with two instances lately; one
201:135,17[A  ]| I will not mention; the other is Charlotte's marriage.
201:135,18[A  ]| It is unaccountable! in every view it is unaccountable!"
201:135,19[E  ]| "My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as
201:135,20[E  ]| these.  They will ruin your happiness.  You do not make
201:135,21[E  ]| allowance enough for difference of situation and temper.
201:135,22[E  ]| Consider Mr%*Collins's respectability, and Charlotte's
201:135,23[E  ]| prudent, steady character.  Remember that she is one of
201:135,24[E  ]| a large family; that as to fortune, it is a most eligible
201:135,25[E  ]| match; and be ready to believe, for every*body's sake,
201:135,26[E  ]| that she may feel something like regard and esteem for
201:135,27[E  ]| our cousin."
201:135,28[A  ]| "To oblige you, I would try to believe almost any*thing
201:135,29[A  ]| but no*one else could be benefited by such a belief
201:135,30[A  ]| as this; for were I persuaded that Charlotte had any
201:135,31[A  ]| regard for him, I should only think worse of her understanding,
201:135,32[A  ]| than I now do of her heart.  My dear Jane,
201:135,33[A  ]| Mr%*Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly
201:135,34[A  ]| man; you know he is, as well as I do; and you must
201:135,35[A  ]| feel, as well as I do, that the woman who marries him,
201:135,36[A  ]| cannot have a proper way of thinking.  You shall not
201:135,37[A  ]| defend her, though it is Charlotte*Lucas.  You shall
201:135,38[A  ]| not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning
201:136,01[A  ]| of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade
201:136,02[A  ]| yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility
201:136,03[A  ]| of danger, security for happiness."
201:136,04[E  ]| "I must think your language too strong in speaking
201:136,05[E  ]| of both,"
201:136,05['  ]| replied Jane,
201:136,05[E  ]| "and I hope you will be convinced
201:136,06[E  ]| of it, by seeing them happy together.  But enough of this.
201:136,07[E  ]| You alluded to something else.  You mentioned \two\
201:136,08[E  ]| instances.  I cannot misunderstand you, but I intreat
201:136,09[E  ]| you, dear Lizzy, not to pain me by thinking \that\ \person\
201:136,10[E  ]| to blame, and saying your opinion of him is sunk.  We
201:136,11[E  ]| must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally
201:136,12[E  ]| injured.  We must not expect a lively young man to be
201:136,13[E  ]| always so guarded and circumspect.  It is very often
201:136,14[E  ]| nothing but our own vanity that deceives us.  Woman
201:136,15[E  ]| fancy admiration means more than it does."
201:136,16[A  ]| "And men take care that they should."
201:136,17[E  ]| "If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified;
201:136,18[E  ]| but I have no idea of there being so much design in the
201:136,19[E  ]| world as some persons imagine."
201:136,20[A  ]| "I am far from attributing any part of Mr%*Bingley's
201:136,21[A  ]| conduct to design,"
201:136,21['  ]| said Elizabeth;
201:136,21[A  ]| "but without
201:136,22[A  ]| scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there
201:136,23[A  ]| may be error, and there may be misery.  Thoughtlessness,
201:136,24[A  ]| want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of
201:136,25[A  ]| resolution, will do the business."
201:136,26[E  ]| "And do you impute it to either of those?'
201:136,27[A  ]| "Yes; to the last.  But if I go on, I shall displease
201:136,28[A  ]| you by saying what I think of persons you esteem.  Stop
201:136,29[A  ]| me whilst you can."
201:136,30[E  ]| "You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence
201:136,31[E  ]| him."
201:136,32[A  ]| "Yes, in conjunction with his friend."
201:136,33[E  ]| "I cannot believe it.  Why should they try to influence
201:136,34[E  ]| him?  They can only wish his happiness, and if he is
201:136,35[E  ]| attached to me, no other woman can secure it."
201:136,36[A  ]| "Your first position is false.  They may wish many
201:136,37[A  ]| things besides his happiness; they may wish his increase
201:136,38[A  ]| of wealth and consequence; they may wish him to marry
201:137,01[A  ]| a girl who has all the importance of money, great connections,
201:137,02[A  ]| and pride."
201:137,03[E  ]| "Beyond a doubt, they \do\ wish him to chuse Miss*Darcy,"
201:137,04['  ]| replied Jane;
201:137,04[E  ]| "but this may be from better
201:137,05[E  ]| feelings than you are supposing.  They have known her
201:137,06[E  ]| much longer than they have known me; no wonder if they
201:137,07[E  ]| love her better.  But, whatever may be their own wishes,
201:137,08[E  ]| it is very unlikely they should have opposed their brother's.
201:137,09[E  ]| What sister would think herself at liberty to do it, unless
201:137,10[E  ]| there were something very objectionable?  If they believed
201:137,11[E  ]| him attached to me, they would not try to part us; if he
201:137,12[E  ]| were so, they could not succeed.  By supposing such an
201:137,13[E  ]| affection, you make every*body acting unnaturally and
201:137,14[E  ]| wrong, and me most unhappy.  Do not distress me by the
201:137,15[E  ]| idea.  I am not ashamed of having been mistaken ~~ or,
201:137,16[E  ]| at least, it is slight, it is nothing in comparison of what
201:137,17[E  ]| I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters.  Let me
201:137,18[E  ]| take it in the best light, in the light in which it may be
201:137,19[E  ]| understood."
201:137,20['  ]| Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish; and from this
201:137,21['  ]| time Mr%*Bingley's name was scarcely ever mentioned
201:137,22['  ]| between them.
201:137,23['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at
201:137,24['  ]| his returning no more, and though a day seldom passed
201:137,25['  ]| in which Elizabeth did not account for it clearly, there
201:137,26['  ]| seemed little chance of her ever considering it with less
201:137,27['  ]| perplexity.  Her daughter endeavoured to convince her
201:137,28['  ]| of what she did not believe herself, that his attentions
201:137,29['  ]| to Jane had been merely the effect of a common and
201:137,30['  ]| transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no more;
201:137,31['  ]| but though the probability of the statement was admitted
201:137,32['  ]| at the time, she had the same story to repeat every day.
201:137,33['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet's best comfort was, that
201:137,33@d   | Mr%*Bingley must
201:137,34@d   | be down again in the summer.
201:137,35['  ]| Mr%*Bennet treated the matter differently.
201:137,35[C  ]| "So,
201:137,36[C  ]| Lizzy,"
201:137,36['  ]| said he one day,
201:137,36[C  ]| "your sister is crossed in love
201:137,37[C  ]| I find.  I congratulate her.  Next to being married, a girl
201:137,38[C  ]| likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.  It is
201:138,01[C  ]| something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction
201:138,02[C  ]| among her companions.  When is your turn to come?
201:138,03[C  ]| You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane.  Now
201:138,04[C  ]| is your time.  Here are officers enough at Meryton to
201:138,05[C  ]| disappoint all the young ladies in the country.  Let
201:138,06[C  ]| Wickham be \your\ man.  He is a pleasant fellow, and would
201:138,07[C  ]| jilt you creditably."
201:138,08[A  ]| "Thank you, Sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy
201:138,09[A  ]| me.  We must not all expect Jane's good fortune."
201:138,10[C  ]| "True,"
201:138,10['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet,
201:138,10[C  ]| "but it is a comfort to think
201:138,11[C  ]| that, whatever of that kind may befal you, you have an
201:138,12[C  ]| affectionate mother who will always make the most of it."
201:138,13['  ]| Mr%*Wickham's society was of material service in dispelling
201:138,14['  ]| the gloom, which the late perverse occurrences had
201:138,15['  ]| thrown on many of the Longbourn family.  They saw
201:138,16['  ]| him often, and to his other recommendations was now
201:138,17['  ]| added that of general unreserve.  The whole of what
201:138,18['  ]| Elizabeth had already heard, his claims on Mr%*Darcy,
201:138,19['  ]| and all that he had suffered from him, was now openly
201:138,20['  ]| acknowledged and publicly canvassed; and every*body
201:138,21['  ]| was pleased to think how much they had always disliked
201:138,22['  ]| Mr%*Darcy before they had known any*thing of the matter.
201:138,23['  ]| Miss*Bennet was the only creature who could suppose
201:138,24['  ]| there might be any extenuating circumstances in the case,
201:138,25['  ]| unknown to the society of Hertfordshire; her mild and
201:138,26['  ]| steady candour always pleaded for allowances, and urged
201:138,27['  ]| the possibility of mistakes ~~ but by everybody else
201:138,28['  ]| Mr%*Darcy was condemned as the worst of men.
202:139,01['  ]| After a week spent in professions of love and schemes
202:139,02['  ]| of felicity, Mr%*Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte
202:139,03['  ]| by the arrival of Saturday.  The pain of separation,
202:139,04['  ]| however, might be alleviated on his side, by preparations
202:139,05['  ]| for the reception of his bride, as he had reason to hope,
202:139,06['  ]| that shortly after his next return into Hertfordshire, the
202:139,07['  ]| day would be fixed that was to make him the happiest
202:139,08['  ]| of men.  He took leave of his relations at Longbourn
202:139,09['  ]| with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair cousins
202:139,10['  ]| health and happiness again, and promised their father
202:139,11['  ]| another letter of thanks.
202:139,12['  ]| On the following Monday, Mrs%*Bennet had the pleasure
202:139,13['  ]| of receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual
202:139,14['  ]| to spend the Christmas at Longbourn.  Mr%*Gardiner was
202:139,15['  ]| a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his
202:139,16['  ]| sister as well by nature as education.  The Netherfield
202:139,17['  ]| ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man
202:139,18['  ]| who lived by trade, and within view of his own warehouses,
202:139,19['  ]| could have been so well*bred and agreeable.  Mrs%*Gardiner,
202:139,20['  ]| who was several years younger than Mrs%*Bennet and
202:139,21['  ]| Mrs%*Philips, was an amiable, intelligent, elegant woman,
202:139,22['  ]| and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces.
202:139,23['  ]| Between the two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted
202:139,24['  ]| a very particular regard.  They had frequently
202:139,25['  ]| been staying with her in town.
202:139,26['  ]| The first part of Mrs%*Gardiner's business on her arrival,
202:139,27['  ]| was to distribute her presents and describe the newest
202:139,28['  ]| fashions.  When this was done, she had a less active part
202:139,29['  ]| to play.  It became her turn to listen.  Mrs%*Bennet had
202:139,30['  ]| many grievances to relate, and much to complain of.
202:139,31@d   | They had all been very ill-used since she last saw her
202:139,32@d   | sister.  Two of her girls had been on the point of marriage,
202:139,33@d   | and after all there was nothing in it.
202:140,01[D  ]| "I do not blame Jane,"
202:140,01['  ]| she continued,
202:140,01[D  ]| "for Jane
202:140,02[D  ]| would have got Mr%*Bingley, if she could.  But, Lizzy!
202:140,03[D  ]| Oh, sister! it is very hard to think that she might have
202:140,04[D  ]| been Mr%*Collins's wife by this time, had not it been for
202:140,05[D  ]| her own perverseness.  He made her an offer in this very
202:140,06[D  ]| room, and she refused him.  The consequence of it is,
202:140,07[D  ]| that Lady*Lucas will have a daughter married before I
202:140,08[D  ]| have, and that Longbourn estate is just as much entailed
202:140,09[D  ]| as ever.  The Lucases are very artful people indeed, sister.
202:140,10[D  ]| They are all for what they can get.  I am sorry to say
202:140,11[D  ]| it of them, but so it is.  It makes me very nervous and
202:140,12[D  ]| poorly, to be thwarted so in my own family, and to have
202:140,13[D  ]| neighbours who think of themselves before anybody else.
202:140,14[D  ]| However, your coming just at this time is the greatest
202:140,15[D  ]| of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell
202:140,16[D  ]| us, of long sleeves."
202:140,17['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner, to whom the chief of this news had been
202:140,18['  ]| given before, in the course of Jane and Elizabeth's
correspondence
202:140,19['  ]| with her, made her sister a slight answer, and
202:140,20['  ]| in compassion to her nieces turned the conversation.
202:140,21['  ]| When alone with Elizabeth afterwards, she spoke more
202:140,22['  ]| on the subject.
202:140,22[O  ]| "It seems likely to have been a desirable
202:140,23[O  ]| match for Jane,"
202:140,23['  ]| said she.
202:140,23[O  ]| "I am sorry it went off.
202:140,24[O  ]| But these things happen so often!  A young man, such as
202:140,25[O  ]| you describe Mr%*Bingley, so easily falls in love with
202:140,26[O  ]| a pretty girl for a few weeks, and when accident separates
202:140,27[O  ]| them, so easily forgets her, that these sort of inconstancies
202:140,28[O  ]| are very frequent."
202:140,29[A  ]| "An excellent consolation in its way,"
202:140,29['  ]| said Elizabeth,
202:140,30[A  ]| "but it will not do for \us\.  We do not suffer by \accident\.
202:140,31[A  ]| It does not often happen that the interference of friends
202:140,32[A  ]| will persuade a young man of independent fortune to
202:140,33[A  ]| think no more of a girl, whom he was violently in love
202:140,34[A  ]| with only a few days before."
202:140,35[O  ]| "But that expression of ""violently in love"" is so
202:140,36[O  ]| hackneyed, so doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me
202:140,37[O  ]| very little idea.  It is as often applied to feelings which
202:140,38[O  ]| arise from an half-hour's acquaintance, as to a real,
202:141,01[O  ]| strong attachment.  Pray, how \violent\ \was\ Mr%*Bingley's
202:141,02[O  ]| love?"
202:141,03[A  ]| "I never saw a more promising inclination.  He was
202:141,04[A  ]| growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly
202:141,05[A  ]| engrossed by her.  Every time they met, it was more
202:141,06[A  ]| decided and remarkable.  At his own ball he offended two
202:141,07[A  ]| or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance, and
202:141,08[A  ]| I spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer.
202:141,09[A  ]| Could there be finer symptoms?  Is not general incivility
202:141,10[A  ]| the very essence of love?"
202:141,11[O  ]| "Oh, yes! ~~ of that kind of love which I suppose him
202:141,12[O  ]| to have felt.  Poor Jane!  I am sorry for her, because,
202:141,13[O  ]| with her disposition, she may not get over it immediately.
202:141,14[O  ]| It had better have happened to \you\, Lizzy; you would
202:141,15[O  ]| have laughed yourself out of it sooner.  But do you think
202:141,16[O  ]| she would be prevailed on to go back with us?  Change
202:141,17[O  ]| of scene might be of service ~~ and perhaps a little relief
202:141,18[O  ]| from home, may be as useful as anything."
202:141,19['  ]| Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal,
202:141,20['  ]| and felt persuaded of her sister's ready acquiescence.
202:141,21[O  ]| "I hope,"
202:141,21['  ]| added Mrs%*Gardiner,
202:141,21[O  ]| "that no consideration
202:141,22[O  ]| with regard to this young man will influence her.  We live
202:141,23[O  ]| in so different a part of town, all our connections are so
202:141,24[O  ]| different, and, as you well know, we go out so little, that
202:141,25[O  ]| it is very improbable they should meet at all, unless he
202:141,26[O  ]| really comes to see her."
202:141,27[A  ]| "And \that\ is quite impossible; for he is now in the
202:141,28[A  ]| custody of his friend, and Mr%*Darcy would no more suffer
202:141,29[A  ]| him to call on Jane in such a part of London!  My dear
202:141,30[A  ]| aunt, how could you think of it?  Mr%*Darcy may perhaps
202:141,31[A  ]| have \heard\ of such a place as Gracechurch*Street, but he
202:141,32[A  ]| would hardly think a month's ablution enough to cleanse
202:141,33[A  ]| him from its impurities, were he once to enter it; and
202:141,34[A  ]| depend upon it, Mr%*Bingley never stirs without him."
202:141,35[O  ]| "So much the better.  I hope they will not meet at
202:141,36[O  ]| all.  But does not Jane correspond with the sister?  \She\
202:141,37[O  ]| will not be able to help calling."
202:141,38[A  ]| "She will drop the acquaintance entirely."
202:142,01['  ]| But in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth affected
202:142,02['  ]| to place this point, as well as the still more interesting
202:142,03['  ]| one of Bingley's being withheld from seeing Jane, she
202:142,04['  ]| felt a solicitude on the subject which convinced her, on
202:142,05['  ]| examination, that she did not consider it entirely hopeless.
202:142,06['  ]| It was possible, and sometimes she thought it probable,
202:142,07['  ]| that his affection might be re-animated, and the influence
202:142,08['  ]| of his friends successfully combated by the more natural
202:142,09['  ]| influence of Jane's attractions.
202:142,10['  ]| Miss*Bennet accepted her aunt's invitation with
202:142,11['  ]| pleasure; and the Bingleys were no otherwise in her
202:142,12['  ]| thoughts at the time, than as she hoped that,
202:142,12@e   | by Caroline's
202:142,13@e   | not living in the same house with her brother, she might
202:142,14@e   | occasionally spend a morning with her, without any danger
202:142,15@e   | of seeing him.
202:142,16['  ]| The Gardiners staid a week at Longbourn; and what
202:142,17['  ]| with the Philipses, the Lucases, and the officers, there
202:142,18['  ]| was not a day without its engagement.  Mrs%*Bennet
202:142,19['  ]| had so carefully provided for the entertainment of her
202:142,20['  ]| brother and sister, that they did not once sit down to
202:142,21['  ]| a family dinner.  When the engagement was for home,
202:142,22['  ]| some of the officers always made part of it, of which officers
202:142,23['  ]| Mr%*Wickham was sure to be one; and on these occasions,
202:142,24['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner, rendered suspicious by Elizabeth's warm
202:142,25['  ]| commendation of him, narrowly observed them both.
202:142,26['  ]| Without supposing them, from what she saw, to be very
202:142,27['  ]| seriously in love, their preference of each other was plain
202:142,28['  ]| enough to make her a little uneasy; and she resolved to
202:142,29['  ]| speak to Elizabeth on the subject before she left Hertfordshire,
202:142,30['  ]| and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging
202:142,31['  ]| such an attachment.
202:142,32['  ]| To Mrs%*Gardiner, Wickham had one means of affording
202:142,33['  ]| pleasure, unconnected with his general powers.  About
202:142,34['  ]| ten or a dozen years ago, before her marriage, she had
202:142,35['  ]| spent a considerable time in that very part of Derbyshire,
202:142,36['  ]| to which he belonged.  They had, therefore, many acquaintance
202:142,37['  ]| in common; and, though Wickham had been little
202:142,38['  ]| there since the death of Darcy's father, five years before,
202:143,01['  ]| it was yet in his power to give her fresher intelligence of
202:143,02['  ]| her former friends, than she had been in the way of
202:143,03['  ]| procuring.
202:143,04['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner had seen Pemberley, and known the late
202:143,05['  ]| Mr%*Darcy by character perfectly well.  Here consequently
202:143,06['  ]| was an inexhaustible subject of discourse.  In comparing
202:143,07['  ]| her recollection of Pemberley, with the minute description
202:143,08['  ]| which Wickham could give, and in bestowing her tribute
202:143,09['  ]| of praise on the character of its late possessor, she was
202:143,10['  ]| delighting both him and herself.  On being made acquainted
202:143,11['  ]| with the present Mr%*Darcy's treatment of him, she tried
202:143,12['  ]| to remember something of that gentleman's reputed disposition
202:143,13['  ]| when quite a lad, which might agree with it, and
202:143,14['  ]| was confident at last, that she recollected having heard
202:143,15['  ]| Mr%*Fitzwilliam*Darcy formerly spoken of as a very proud,
202:143,16['  ]| ill-natured boy.
203:144,01['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually
203:144,02['  ]| and kindly given on the first favourable opportunity of
203:144,03['  ]| speaking to her alone; after honestly telling her what
203:144,04['  ]| she thought, she thus went on:
203:144,05[O  ]| "You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love
203:144,06[O  ]| merely because you are warned against it; and, therefore,
203:144,07[O  ]| I am not afraid of speaking openly.  Seriously, I would
203:144,08[O  ]| have you be on your guard.  Do not involve yourself,
203:144,09[O  ]| or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the
203:144,10[O  ]| want of fortune would make so very imprudent.  I have
203:144,11[O  ]| nothing to say against \him\; he is a most interesting
203:144,12[O  ]| young man; and if he had the fortune he ought to have,
203:144,13[O  ]| I should think you could not do better.  But as it is ~~ you
203:144,14[O  ]| must not let your fancy run away with you.  You have
203:144,15[O  ]| sense, and we all expect you to use it.  Your father would
203:144,16[O  ]| depend on \your\ resolution and good conduct, I am sure.
203:144,17[O  ]| You must not disappoint your father."
203:144,18[A  ]| "My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed."
203:144,19[O  ]| "Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise."
203:144,20[O  ]|
203:144,21[A  ]| "Well, then, you need not be under any alarm.  I will
203:144,22[A  ]| take care of myself, and of Mr%*Wickham too.  He shall
203:144,23[A  ]| not be in love with me, if I can prevent it."
203:144,24[O  ]| "Elizabeth, you are not serious now."
203:144,25[A  ]| "I beg your pardon.  I will try again.  At present I am
203:144,26[A  ]| not in love with Mr%*Wickham; no, I certainly am not.
203:144,27[A  ]| But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable
203:144,28[A  ]| man I ever saw ~~ and if he becomes really attached to me ~~
203:144,29[A  ]| I believe it will be better that he should not.  I see the
203:144,30[A  ]| imprudence of it. ~~ Oh! \that\ abominable Mr%*Darcy! ~~
203:144,31[A  ]| My father's opinion of me does me the greatest honor;
203:144,32[A  ]| and I should be miserable to forfeit it.  My father, however,
203:144,33[A  ]| is partial to Mr%*Wickham.  In short, my dear aunt,
203:145,01[A  ]| I should be very sorry to be the means of making any
203:145,02[A  ]| of you unhappy; but since we see every day that where
203:145,03[A  ]| there is affection, young people are seldom withheld by
203:145,04[A  ]| immediate want of fortune, from entering into engagements
203:145,05[A  ]| with each other, how can I promise to be wiser
203:145,06[A  ]| than so many of my fellow creatures if I am tempted,
203:145,07[A  ]| or how am I even to know that it would be wisdom to
203:145,08[A  ]| resist?  All that I can promise you, therefore, is not to
203:145,09[A  ]| be in a hurry.  I will not be in a hurry to believe myself
203:145,10[A  ]| his first object.  When I am in company with him, I will
203:145,11[A  ]| not be wishing.  In short, I will do my best."
203:145,12[O  ]| "Perhaps it will be as well, if you discourage his coming
203:145,13[O  ]| here so very often.  At least, you should not \remind\ your
203:145,14[O  ]| Mother of inviting him."
203:145,15[A  ]| "As I did the other day,"
203:145,15['  ]| said Elizabeth, with a conscious
203:145,16['  ]| smile;
203:145,16[A  ]| "very true, it will be wise in me to
203:145,17[A  ]| refrain from \that\.  But do not imagine that he is always
203:145,18[A  ]| here so often.  It is on your account that he has been so
203:145,19[A  ]| frequently invited this week.  You know my mother's
203:145,20[A  ]| ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her
203:145,21[A  ]| friends.  But really, and upon my honour, I will try to
203:145,22[A  ]| do what I think to be wisest; and now, I hope you are
203:145,23[A  ]| satisfied."
203:145,24['  ]| Her aunt assured her that she was; and Elizabeth
203:145,25['  ]| having thanked her for the kindness of her hints, they
203:145,26['  ]| parted; a wonderful instance of advice being given on
203:145,27['  ]| such a point, without being resented.
203:145,28['  ]| Mr%*Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had
203:145,29['  ]| been quitted by the Gardiners and Jane; but as he took
203:145,30['  ]| up his abode with the Lucases, his arrival was no great
203:145,31['  ]| inconvenience to Mrs%*Bennet.  His marriage was now
203:145,32['  ]| fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned
203:145,33['  ]| as to think it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say in
203:145,34['  ]| an ill-natured tone that she
203:145,34[D  ]| "\wished\ they might be happy."
203:145,35['  ]| Thursday was to be the wedding*day, and on Wednesday
203:145,36['  ]| Miss*Lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she rose
203:145,37['  ]| to take leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother's ungracious
203:146,01['  ]| and reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected
203:146,02['  ]| herself, accompanied her out of the room.  As they went
203:146,03['  ]| down*stairs together, Charlotte said,
203:146,04[Q  ]| "I shall depend on hearing from you very often,
203:146,05[Q  ]| Eliza."
203:146,06[A  ]| "\That\ you certainly shall."
203:146,07[Q  ]| "And I have another favour to ask.  Will you come
203:146,08[Q  ]| and see me?"
203:146,09[A  ]| "We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire."
203:146,10[Q  ]| "I am not likely to leave Kent for some time.  Promise
203:146,11[Q  ]| me, therefore, to come to Hunsford."
203:146,12['  ]| Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little
203:146,13['  ]| pleasure in the visit.
203:146,14[Q  ]| "My father and Maria are to come to me in March,"
203:146,15['  ]| added Charlotte,
203:146,15[Q  ]| "and I hope you will consent to be of
203:146,16[Q  ]| the party.  Indeed, Eliza, you will be as welcome to me
203:146,17[Q  ]| as either of them."
203:146,18['  ]| The wedding took place; the bride and bridegroom set
203:146,19['  ]| off for Kent from the church door, and every*body had
203:146,20['  ]| as much to say or to hear on the subject as usual.  Elizabeth
203:146,21['  ]| soon heard from her friend; and their correspondence
203:146,22['  ]| was as regular and frequent as it had ever been;
203:146,23['  ]| that it should be equally unreserved was impossible.
203:146,24['  ]| Elizabeth could never address her without feeling that
203:146,25['  ]| all the comfort of intimacy was over, and, though
203:146,26['  ]| determined not to slacken as a correspondent, it was for
203:146,27['  ]| the sake of what had been, rather than what was.  Charlotte's
203:146,28['  ]| first letters were received with a good deal of
203:146,29['  ]| eagerness; there could not but be curiosity to know how
203:146,30['  ]| she would speak of her new home, how she would like
203:146,31['  ]| Lady*Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce
203:146,32['  ]| herself to be; though, when the letters were read, Elizabeth
203:146,33['  ]| felt that Charlotte expressed herself on every point
203:146,34['  ]| exactly as she might have foreseen.  She wrote cheerfully,
203:146,35['  ]| seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing
203:146,36['  ]| which she could not praise.  The house, furniture, neighbourhood,
203:146,37['  ]| and roads, were all to her taste, and Lady*Catherine's
203:146,38['  ]| behaviour was most friendly and obliging.
203:147,01['  ]| It was Mr%*Collins's picture of Hunsford and Rosings
203:147,02['  ]| rationally softened; and Elizabeth perceived that she
203:147,03['  ]| must wait for her own visit there, to know the rest.
203:147,04['  ]| Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to
203:147,05['  ]| announce their safe arrival in London; and when she
203:147,06['  ]| wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power
203:147,07['  ]| to say something of the Bingleys.
203:147,08['  ]| Her impatience for this second letter was as well
203:147,09['  ]| rewarded as impatience generally is.  Jane had been a week
203:147,10['  ]| in town, without either seeing or hearing from Caroline.
203:147,11['  ]| She accounted for it, however, by supposing that her last
203:147,12['  ]| letter to her friend from Longbourn, had by some accident
203:147,13['  ]| been lost.
203:147,14[E  ]| "My aunt,"
203:147,14['  ]| she continued,
203:147,14[E  ]| "is going to-morrow into
203:147,15[E  ]| that part of the town, and I shall take the opportunity
203:147,16[E  ]| of calling in Grosvenor-street."
203:147,17['  ]| She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had
203:147,18['  ]| seen Miss*Bingley.
203:147,18[E  ]| "I did not think Caroline in spirits,"
203:147,19['  ]| were her words,
203:147,19[E  ]| "but she was very glad to see me, and
203:147,20[E  ]| reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to
203:147,21[E  ]| London.  I was right, therefore; my last letter had never
203:147,22[E  ]| reached her.  I enquired after their brother, of course.
203:147,23[E  ]| He was well, but so much engaged with Mr%*Darcy, that
203:147,24[E  ]| they scarcely ever saw him.  I found that Miss*Darcy
203:147,25[E  ]| was expected to dinner.  I wish I could see her.  My
203:147,26[E  ]| visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs%*Hurst were going
203:147,27[E  ]| out.  I dare say I shall soon see them here."
203:147,28['  ]| Elizabeth shook her head over this letter.  It convinced
203:147,29['  ]| her, that accident only could discover to Mr%*Bingley
203:147,30['  ]| her sister's being in town.
203:147,31['  ]| Four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him.
203:147,32['  ]| She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not
203:147,33['  ]| regret it; but she could no longer be blind to Miss*Bingley's
203:147,34['  ]| inattention.  After waiting at home every morning for
203:147,35['  ]| a fortnight, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse
203:147,36['  ]| for her, the visitor did at last appear; but the shortness
203:147,37['  ]| of her stay, and yet more, the alteration of her manner,
203:147,38['  ]| would allow Jane to deceive herself no longer.  The letter
203:148,01['  ]| which she wrote on this occasion to her sister, will prove
203:148,02['  ]| what she felt.
203:148,03['  ]|
203:148,04[E  ]| "My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of
203:148,05[E  ]| triumphing in her better judgment, at my expense, when
203:148,06[E  ]| I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss*Bingley's
203:148,07[E  ]| regard for me.  But, my dear sister, though
203:148,08[E  ]| the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate
203:148,09[E  ]| if I still assert, that, considering what her behaviour was,
203:148,10[E  ]| my confidence was as natural as your suspicion.  I do
203:148,11[E  ]| not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate
203:148,12[E  ]| with me, but if the same circumstances were to happen
203:148,13[E  ]| again, I am sure I should be deceived again.  Caroline
203:148,14[E  ]| did not return my visit till yesterday; and not a note,
203:148,15[E  ]| not a line, did I receive in the mean*time.  When she did
203:148,16[E  ]| come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it;
203:148,17[E  ]| she made a slight, formal, apology, for not calling before,
203:148,18[E  ]| said not a word of wishing to see me again, and was in
203:148,19[E  ]| every respect so altered a creature, that when she went
203:148,20[E  ]| away, I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance
203:148,21[E  ]| no longer.  I pity, though I cannot help blaming her.
203:148,22[E  ]| She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can
203:148,23[E  ]| safely say, that every advance to intimacy began on her
203:148,24[E  ]| side.  But I pity her, because she must feel that she has
203:148,25[E  ]| been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that
203:148,26[E  ]| anxiety for her brother is the cause of it.  I need not
203:148,27[E  ]| explain myself farther; and though \we\ know this anxiety
203:148,28[E  ]| to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily account
203:148,29[E  ]| for her behaviour to me; and so deservedly dear as he
203:148,30[E  ]| is to his sister, whatever anxiety she may feel on his
203:148,31[E  ]| behalf, is natural and amiable.  I cannot but wonder,
203:148,32[E  ]| however, at her having any such fears now, because, if
203:148,33[E  ]| he had at all cared about me, we must have met long,
203:148,34[E  ]| long ago.  He knows of my being in town, I am certain,
203:148,35[E  ]| from something she said herself; and yet it should seem
203:148,36[E  ]| by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade
203:148,37[E  ]| herself that he is really partial to Miss*Darcy.  I cannot
203:148,38[E  ]| understand it.  If I were not afraid of judging harshly,
203:149,01[E  ]| I should be almost tempted to say, that there is a strong
203:149,02[E  ]| appearance of duplicity in all this.  But I will endeavour
203:149,03[E  ]| to banish every painful thought, and think only of what
203:149,04[E  ]| will make me happy, your affection, and the invariable
203:149,05[E  ]| kindness of my dear uncle and aunt.  Let me hear from
203:149,06[E  ]| you very soon.  Miss*Bingley said something of his never
203:149,07[E  ]| returning to Netherfield again, of giving up the house,
203:149,08[E  ]| but not with any certainty.  We had better not mention it.
203:149,09[E  ]| I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts
203:149,10[E  ]| from our friends at Hunsford.  Pray go to see them, with
203:149,11[E  ]| Sir*William and Maria.  I am sure you will be very
203:149,12[E  ]| comfortable there.
203:149,13[E  ]| "Your's, &c%"
203:149,14[E  ]|
203:149,15['  ]| This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits
203:149,16['  ]| returned as she considered that
203:149,16@a   | Jane would no longer be
203:149,17@a   | duped, by the sister at least. All expectation from the
203:149,18@a   | brother was now absolutely over.  She would not even
203:149,19@a   | wish for any renewal of his attentions.  His character
203:149,20@a   | sunk on every review of it; and as a punishment for
203:149,21@a   | him, as well as a possible advantage to Jane, she seriously
203:149,22@a   | hoped he might really soon marry Mr%*Darcy's sister, as,
203:149,23@a   | by Wickham's account, she would make him abundantly
203:149,24@a   | regret what he had thrown away.
203:149,25['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of
203:149,26['  ]| her promise concerning that gentleman, and required
203:149,27['  ]| information; and Elizabeth had such to send as might
203:149,28['  ]| rather give contentment to her aunt than to herself.
203:149,29['  ]| His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were
203:149,30['  ]| over, he was the admirer of some*one else.  Elizabeth
203:149,31['  ]| was watchful enough to see it all, but she could see it
203:149,32['  ]| and write of it without material pain.  Her heart had
203:149,33['  ]| been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied
203:149,34['  ]| with believing that \she\ would have been his only choice,
203:149,35['  ]| had fortune permitted it.  The sudden acquisition of ten
203:149,36['  ]| thousand pounds was the most remarkable charm of the
203:149,37['  ]| young lady, to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable;
203:149,38['  ]| but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in his
203:150,01['  ]| case than in Charlotte's, did not quarrel with him for his
203:150,02['  ]| wish of independence.
203:150,02@a   | Nothing, on the contrary, could
203:150,03@a   | be more natural;
203:150,03['  ]| and while able to suppose that it cost
203:150,04['  ]| him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was ready to
203:150,05['  ]| allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could
203:150,06['  ]| very sincerely wish him happy.
203:150,07['  ]| All this was acknowledged to Mrs%*Gardiner; and after
203:150,08['  ]| relating the circumstances, she thus went on; ~~
203:150,08[A  ]| "I am
203:150,09[A  ]| now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much
203:150,10[A  ]| in love; for had I really experienced that pure and
203:150,11[A  ]| elevating passion, I should at present detest his very
203:150,12[A  ]| name, and wish him all manner of evil.  But my feelings
203:150,13[A  ]| are not only cordial towards \him\; they are even impartial
203:150,14[A  ]| towards Miss*King.  I cannot find out that I hate her
203:150,15[A  ]| at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her
203:150,16[A  ]| a very good sort of girl.  There can be no love in all this.
203:150,17[A  ]| My watchfulness has been effectual; and though I should
203:150,18[A  ]| certainly be a more interesting object to all my acquaintance,
203:150,19[A  ]| were I distractedly in love with him, I cannot say
203:150,20[A  ]| that I regret my comparative insignificance.  Importance
203:150,21[A  ]| may sometimes be purchased too dearly.  Kitty and Lydia
203:150,22[A  ]| take his defection much more to heart than I do.  They are
203:150,23[A  ]| young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the
203:150,24[A  ]| mortifying conviction that handsome young men must
203:150,25[A  ]| have something to live on, as well as the plain."
204:151,01['  ]| With no greater events than these in the Longbourn
204:151,02['  ]| family, and otherwise diversified by little beyond the walks
204:151,03['  ]| to Meryton, sometimes dirty and sometimes cold, did
204:151,04['  ]| January and February pass away.  March was to take
204:151,05['  ]| Elizabeth to Hunsford.  She had not at first thought very
204:151,06['  ]| seriously of going thither; but Charlotte, she soon found,
204:151,07['  ]| was depending on the plan, and she gradually learned to
204:151,08['  ]| consider it herself with greater pleasure as well as greater
204:151,09['  ]| certainty.  Absence had increased her desire of seeing
204:151,10['  ]| Charlotte again, and weakened her disgust of Mr%*Collins.
204:151,11['  ]| There was novelty in the scheme, and as, with such a
204:151,12['  ]| mother and such uncompanionable sisters, home could
204:151,13['  ]| not be faultless, a little change was not unwelcome for
204:151,14['  ]| its own sake.  The journey would moreover give her a peep
204:151,15['  ]| at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would
204:151,16['  ]| have been very sorry for any delay.  Every*thing, however,
204:151,17['  ]| went on smoothly, and was finally settled according to
204:151,18['  ]| Charlotte's first sketch.  She was to accompany Sir*William
204:151,19['  ]| and his second daughter.  The improvement of spending
204:151,20['  ]| a night in London was added in time, and the plan became
204:151,21['  ]| perfect as plan could be.
204:151,22['  ]| The only pain was in leaving her father, who would
204:151,23['  ]| certainly miss her, and who, when it came to the point,
204:151,24['  ]| so little liked her going, that he told her to write to him,
204:151,25['  ]| and almost promised to answer her letter.
204:151,26['  ]| The farewell between herself and Mr%*Wickham was
204:151,27['  ]| perfectly friendly; on his side even more.  His present
204:151,28['  ]| pursuit could not make him forget that Elizabeth had
204:151,29['  ]| been the first to excite and to deserve his attention, the
204:151,30['  ]| first to listen and to pity, the first to be admired; and
204:151,31['  ]| in his manner of bidding her adieu, wishing her every
204:151,32['  ]| enjoyment, reminding her of what she was to expect in
204:151,33['  ]| Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh, and trusting their opinion of
204:152,01['  ]| her ~~ their opinion of every*body ~~ would always coincide,
204:152,02['  ]| there was a solicitude, an interest which she felt must
204:152,03['  ]| ever attach her to him with a most sincere regard; and
204:152,04['  ]| she parted from him convinced, that whether married or
204:152,05['  ]| single, he must always be her model of the amiable and
204:152,06['  ]| pleasing.
204:152,07['  ]| Her fellow-travellers the next day, were not of a kind
204:152,08['  ]| to make her think him less agreeable.  Sir*William*Lucas,
204:152,09['  ]| and his daughter Maria, a good*humoured girl, but as
204:152,10['  ]| empty-headed as himself, had nothing to say that could
204:152,11['  ]| be worth hearing, and were listened to with about as much
204:152,12['  ]| delight as the rattle of the chaise.  Elizabeth loved
204:152,13['  ]| absurdities, but she had known Sir*William's too long.
204:152,14['  ]| He could tell her nothing new of the wonders of his
204:152,15['  ]| presentation and knighthood; and his civilities were worn
204:152,16['  ]| out like his information.
204:152,17['  ]| It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they
204:152,18['  ]| began it so early as to be in Gracechurch-street by noon.
204:152,19['  ]| As they drove to Mr%*Gardiner's door, Jane was at a
204:152,20['  ]| drawing-room window watching their arrival; when they
204:152,21['  ]| entered the passage she was there to welcome them, and
204:152,22['  ]| Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see
204:152,23['  ]| it healthful and lovely as ever.  On the stairs were a troop of
204:152,24['  ]| little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their cousin's
204:152,25['  ]| appearance would not allow them to wait in the drawing-room,
204:152,26['  ]| and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a
204:152,27['  ]| twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower.  All was joy
204:152,28['  ]| and kindness.  The day passed most pleasantly away;
204:152,29['  ]| the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at
204:152,30['  ]| one of the theatres.
204:152,31['  ]| Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt.  Their
204:152,32['  ]| first subject was her sister; and she was more grieved
204:152,33['  ]| than astonished to hear, in reply to her minute enquiries,
204:152,34['  ]| that though Jane always struggled to support her spirits,
204:152,35['  ]| there were periods of dejection.  It was reasonable, however,
204:152,36['  ]| to hope, that they would not continue long.  Mrs%*Gardiner
204:152,37['  ]| gave her the particulars also of Miss*Bingley's
204:152,38['  ]| visit in Gracechurch-street, and repeated conversations
204:153,01['  ]| occurring at different times between Jane and herself,
204:153,02['  ]| which proved that the former had, from her heart, given
204:153,03['  ]| up the acquaintance.
204:153,04['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham's
204:153,05['  ]| desertion, and complimented her on bearing it so well.
204:153,06[O  ]| "But, my dear Elizabeth,"
204:153,06['  ]| she added,
204:153,06[O  ]| "what sort of
204:153,07[O  ]| girl is Miss*King?  I should be sorry to think our friend
204:153,08[O  ]| mercenary."
204:153,09[A  ]| "Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial
204:153,10[A  ]| affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent
204:153,11[A  ]| motive?  Where does discretion end, and avarice begin?
204:153,12[A  ]| Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me,
204:153,13[A  ]| because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is
204:153,14[A  ]| trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you
204:153,15[A  ]| want to find out that he is mercenary."
204:153,16[O  ]| "If you will only tell me what sort of girl Miss*King is,
204:153,17[O  ]| I shall know what to think."
204:153,18[A  ]| "She is a very good kind of girl, I believe.  I know no
204:153,19[A  ]| harm of her."
204:153,20[O  ]| "But he paid her not the smallest attention, till her
204:153,21[O  ]| grandfather's death made her mistress of this fortune."
204:153,22[A  ]| "No ~~ why should he?  If it was not allowable for
204:153,23[A  ]| him to gain \my\ affections, because I had no money, what
204:153,24[A  ]| occasion could there be for making love to a girl whom
204:153,25[A  ]| he did not care about, and who was equally poor?"
204:153,26[O  ]| "But there seems indelicacy in directing his attentions
204:153,27[O  ]| towards her, so soon after this event."
204:153,28[A  ]| "A man in distressed circumstances has not time for
204:153,29[A  ]| all those elegant decorums which other people may
204:153,30[A  ]| observe.  If \she\ does not object to it, why should \we\?"
204:153,31[O  ]| "\Her\ not objecting, does not justify \him\.  It only
204:153,32[O  ]| shews her being deficient in something herself ~~ sense or
204:153,33[O  ]| feeling."
204:153,34[A  ]| "Well,"
204:153,34['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
204:153,34[A  ]| "have it as you choose.  \He\
204:153,35[A  ]| shall be mercenary, and \she\ shall be foolish."
204:153,36[O  ]| "No, Lizzy, that is what I do \not\ choose.  I should be
204:153,37[O  ]| sorry, you know, to think ill of a young man who has lived
204:153,38[O  ]| so long in Derbyshire."
204:154,01[A  ]| "Oh! if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young
204:154,02[A  ]| men who live in Derbyshire; and their intimate friends
204:154,03[A  ]| who live in Hertfordshire are not much better.  I am sick
204:154,04[A  ]| of them all.  Thank Heaven!  I am going to-morrow where
204:154,05[A  ]| I shall find a man who has not one agreeable quality, who
204:154,06[A  ]| has neither manner nor sense to recommend him.  Stupid
204:154,07[A  ]| men are the only ones worth knowing, after all."
204:154,08[O  ]| "Take care, Lizzy; that speech savours strongly of
204:154,09[O  ]| disappointment."
204:154,10['  ]| Before they were separated by the conclusion of the
204:154,11['  ]| play, she had the unexpected happiness of an invitation
204:154,12['  ]| to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour of pleasure
204:154,13['  ]| which they proposed taking in the summer.
204:154,14[O  ]| "We have not quite determined how far it shall carry
204:154,15[O  ]| us,"
204:154,15['  ]| said Mrs%*Gardiner,
204:154,16[O  ]| "but perhaps to the Lakes."
204:154,17['  ]| No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth,
204:154,18['  ]| and her acceptance of the invitation was most ready and
204:154,19['  ]| grateful.
204:154,19[A  ]| "My dear, dear aunt,"
204:154,19['  ]| she rapturously cried,
204:154,20[A  ]| "what delight! what felicity!  You give me fresh life
204:154,21[A  ]| and vigour.  Adieu to disappointment and spleen.  What
204:154,22[A  ]| are men to rocks and mountains?  Oh! what hours of
204:154,23[A  ]| transport we shall spend!  And when we \do\ return, it shall
204:154,24[A  ]| not be like other travellers, without being able to give
204:154,25[A  ]| one accurate idea of any*thing.  We \will\ know where we
204:154,26[A  ]| have gone ~~ we \will\ recollect what we have seen.  Lakes,
204:154,27[A  ]| mountains, and rivers, shall not be jumbled together in our
204:154,28[A  ]| imaginations; nor, when we attempt to describe any
204:154,29[A  ]| particular scene, will we begin quarrelling about its relative
204:154,30[A  ]| situation.  Let \our\ first effusions be less insupportable
204:154,31[A  ]| than those of the generality of travellers."
205:155,01['  ]| Every object in the next day's journey was new and
205:155,02['  ]| interesting to Elizabeth; and her spirits were in a state
205:155,03['  ]| for enjoyment; for she had seen her sister looking so well
205:155,04['  ]| as to banish all fear for her health, and the prospect of her
205:155,05['  ]| northern tour was a constant source of delight.
205:155,06['  ]| When they left the high road for the lane to Hunsford,
205:155,07['  ]| every eye was in search of the Parsonage, and every
205:155,08['  ]| turning expected to bring it in view.  The paling of Rosings*Park
205:155,09['  ]| was their boundary on one side.  Elizabeth smiled
205:155,10['  ]| at the recollection of all that she had heard of its inhabitants.
205:155,11['  ]|
205:155,12['  ]| At length the Parsonage was discernible.  The garden
205:155,13['  ]| sloping to the road, the house standing in it, the green
205:155,14['  ]| pales and the laurel hedge, every*thing declared they
205:155,15['  ]| were arriving.  Mr%*Collins and Charlotte appeared at the
205:155,16['  ]| door, and the carriage stopped at the small gate, which
205:155,17['  ]| led by a short gravel walk to the house, amidst the nods
205:155,18['  ]| and smiles of the whole party.  In a moment they were
205:155,19['  ]| all out of the chaise, rejoicing at the sight of each other.
205:155,20['  ]| Mrs%*Collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure,
205:155,21['  ]| and Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with coming,
205:155,22['  ]| when she found herself so affectionately received.  She
205:155,23['  ]| saw instantly that her cousin's manners were not altered
205:155,24['  ]| by his marriage; his formal civility was just what it had
205:155,25['  ]| been, and he detained her some minutes at the gate to
205:155,26['  ]| hear and satisfy his enquiries after all her family.  They
205:155,27['  ]| were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the
205:155,28['  ]| neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as
205:155,29['  ]| soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them a
205:155,30['  ]| second time with ostentatious formality to his humble
205:155,31['  ]| abode, and punctually repeated all his wife's offers of
205:155,32['  ]| refreshment.
205:155,33['  ]| Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and
205:156,01['  ]| she could not help fancying that in displaying the good
205:156,02['  ]| proportion of the room, its aspect and its furniture, he
205:156,03['  ]| addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to
205:156,04['  ]| make her feel what she had lost in refusing him.  But
205:156,05['  ]| though every*thing seemed neat and comfortable, she
205:156,06['  ]| was not able to gratify him by any sigh of repentance;
205:156,07['  ]| and rather looked with wonder at her friend that she
205:156,08['  ]| could have so cheerful an air, with such a companion.
205:156,09['  ]| When Mr%*Collins said any*thing of which his wife might
205:156,10['  ]| reasonably be ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom,
205:156,11['  ]| she involuntarily turned her eye on Charlotte.  Once or
205:156,12['  ]| twice she could discern a faint blush; but in general
205:156,13['  ]| Charlotte wisely did not hear.  After sitting long enough
205:156,14['  ]| to admire every article of furniture in the room, from the
205:156,15['  ]| sideboard to the fender, to give an account of their journey
205:156,16['  ]| and of all that had happened in London, Mr%*Collins
205:156,17['  ]| invited them to take a stroll in the garden, which was large
205:156,18['  ]| and well laid out, and to the cultivation of which he
205:156,19['  ]| attended himself.  To work in his garden was one of his
205:156,20['  ]| most respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth admired the
205:156,21['  ]| command of countenance with which Charlotte talked of
205:156,22['  ]| the healthfulness of the exercise, and owned she encouraged
205:156,23['  ]| it as much as possible.  Here, leading the way through
205:156,24['  ]| every walk and cross walk, and scarcely allowing them an
205:156,25['  ]| interval to utter the praises he asked for, every view was
205:156,26['  ]| pointed out with a minuteness which left beauty entirely
205:156,27['  ]| behind.  He could number the fields in every direction,
205:156,28['  ]| and could tell how many trees there were in the most
205:156,29['  ]| distant clump.  But of all the views which his garden,
205:156,30['  ]| or which the country, or the kingdom could boast, none
205:156,31['  ]| were to be compared with the prospect of Rosings, afforded
205:156,32['  ]| by an opening in the trees that bordered the park nearly
205:156,33['  ]| opposite the front of his house.  It was a handsome
205:156,34['  ]| modern building, well situated on rising ground.
205:156,35['  ]| From his garden, Mr%*Collins would have led them round
205:156,36['  ]| his two meadows, but the ladies not having shoes to
205:156,37['  ]| encounter the remains of the white frost, turned back; and
205:156,38['  ]| while Sir*William accompanied him, Charlotte took her
205:157,01['  ]| sister and friend over the house, extremely well*pleased,
205:157,02['  ]| probably, to have the opportunity of shewing it without
205:157,03['  ]| her husband's help.  It was rather small, but well built
205:157,04['  ]| and convenient; and every*thing was fitted up and
205:157,05['  ]| arranged with a neatness and consistency of which Elizabeth
205:157,06['  ]| gave Charlotte all the credit.  When Mr%*Collins
205:157,07['  ]| could be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort
205:157,08['  ]| throughout, and by Charlotte's evident enjoyment of it,
205:157,09['  ]| Elizabeth supposed he must be often forgotten.
205:157,10['  ]| She had already learnt that Lady*Catherine was still
205:157,11['  ]| in the country.  It was spoken of again while they were
205:157,12['  ]| at dinner, when Mr%*Collins joining in, observed,
205:157,13[K  ]| "Yes, Miss*Elizabeth, you will have the honour of
205:157,14[K  ]| seeing Lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday
205:157,15[K  ]| at church, and I need not say you will be delighted with
205:157,16[K  ]| her.  She is all affability and condescension, and I doubt not
205:157,17[K  ]| but you will be honoured with some portion of her notice
205:157,18[K  ]| when service is over.  I have scarcely any hesitation in saying
205:157,19[K  ]| that she will include you and my sister Maria in every
205:157,20[K  ]| invitation with which she honours us during your stay
205:157,21[K  ]| here.  Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte is charming.
205:157,22[K  ]| We dine at Rosings twice every week, and are never
205:157,23[K  ]| allowed to walk home.  Her ladyship's carriage is regularly
205:157,24[K  ]| ordered for us.  I \should\ say, one of her ladyship's carriages,
205:157,25[K  ]| for she has several."
205:157,26[Q  ]| "Lady*Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman
205:157,27[Q  ]| indeed,"
205:157,27['  ]| added Charlotte,
205:157,27[Q  ]| "and a most attentive neighbour."
205:157,28[Q  ]
205:157,29[K  ]| "Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say.  She
205:157,30[K  ]| is the sort of woman whom one cannot regard with too
205:157,31[K  ]| much deference."
205:157,32['  ]| The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire
205:157,33['  ]| news, and telling again what had been already
205:157,34['  ]| written; and when it closed, Elizabeth in the solitude
205:157,35['  ]| of her chamber had to meditate upon Charlotte's degree
205:157,36['  ]| of contentment, to understand her address in guiding,
205:157,37['  ]| and composure in bearing with her husband, and to
205:157,38['  ]| acknowledge that it was all done very well.  She had also
205:158,01['  ]| to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenor
205:158,02['  ]| of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions
205:158,03['  ]| of Mr%*Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with
205:158,04['  ]| Rosings.  A lively imagination soon settled it all.
205:158,05['  ]| About the middle of the next day, as she was in her
205:158,06['  ]| room getting ready for the walk, a sudden noise below
205:158,07['  ]| seemed to speak the whole house in confusion; and after
205:158,08['  ]| listening a moment, she heard somebody running up*stairs
205:158,09['  ]| in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her.  She
205:158,10['  ]| opened the door, and met Maria in the landing*place, who,
205:158,11['  ]| breathless with agitation, cried out,
205:158,12[V  ]| "Oh, my dear Eliza! pray make haste and come
205:158,13[V  ]| into the dining-room, for there is such a sight to be seen!
205:158,14[V  ]| I will not tell you what it is.  Make haste, and come down
205:158,15[V  ]| this moment."
205:158,16['  ]| Elizabeth asked questions in vain; Maria would tell
205:158,17['  ]| her nothing more, and down they ran into the dining-room,
205:158,18['  ]| which fronted the lane, in quest of this wonder;
205:158,19['  ]| it was two ladies stopping in a low phaeton at the garden
205:158,20['  ]| gate.
205:158,21[A  ]| "And is this all?"
205:158,21['  ]| cried Elizabeth.
205:158,21[A  ]| "I expected at
205:158,22[A  ]| least that the pigs were got into the garden, and here is
205:158,23[A  ]| nothing but Lady*Catherine and her daughter!"
205:158,24[V  ]| "La! my dear,"
205:158,24['  ]| said Maria quite shocked at the
205:158,25['  ]| mistake,
205:158,25[V  ]| "it is not Lady*Catherine.  The old lady is
205:158,26[V  ]| Mrs%*Jenkinson, who lives with them.  The other is
Miss*De*Bourgh.
205:158,27[V  ]| Only look at her.  She is quite a little
205:158,28[V  ]| creature.  Who would have thought she could be so thin
205:158,29[V  ]| and small!"
205:158,30[A  ]| "She is abominably rude to keep Charlotte out of doors
205:158,31[A  ]| in all this wind.  Why does she not come in?"
205:158,32[V  ]| "Oh! Charlotte says, she hardly ever does.  It is the
205:158,33[V  ]| greatest of favours when Miss*De*Bourgh comes in."
205:158,34[A  ]| "I like her appearance,"
205:158,34['  ]| said Elizabeth, struck with
205:158,35['  ]| other ideas.
205:158,35[A  ]| "She looks sickly and cross. ~~ Yes, she will
205:158,36[A  ]| do for him very well.  She will make him a very proper
205:158,37[A  ]| wife."
205:158,38['  ]| Mr%*Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the
205:159,01['  ]| gate in conversation with the ladies; and Sir*William,
205:159,02['  ]| to Elizabeth's high diversion, was stationed in the doorway,
205:159,03['  ]| in earnest contemplation of the greatness before
205:159,04['  ]| him, and constantly bowing whenever Miss*De*Bourgh
205:159,05['  ]| looked that way.
205:159,06['  ]| At length there was nothing more to be said; the
205:159,07['  ]| ladies drove on, and the others returned into the house.
205:159,08['  ]| Mr%*Collins no sooner saw the two girls than he began
205:159,09['  ]| to congratulate them on their good fortune, which Charlotte
205:159,10['  ]| explained by letting them know that the whole
205:159,11['  ]| party was asked to dine at Rosings the next day.
206:160,01['  ]| Mr%*Collins's triumph in consequence of this invitation
206:160,02['  ]| was complete.  The power of displaying the grandeur of
206:160,03['  ]| his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them
206:160,04['  ]| see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly
206:160,05['  ]| what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of
206:160,06['  ]| doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of
206:160,07['  ]| Lady*Catherine's condescension as he knew not how to
206:160,08['  ]| admire enough.
206:160,09[K  ]| "I confess,"
206:160,09['  ]| said he,
206:160,09[K  ]| "that I should not have been at
206:160,10[K  ]| all surprised by her Ladyship's asking us on Sunday to
206:160,11[K  ]| drink tea and spend the evening at Rosings.  I rather
206:160,12[K  ]| expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it
206:160,13[K  ]| would happen.  But who could have foreseen such an
206:160,14[K  ]| attention as this?  Who could have imagined that we
206:160,15[K  ]| should receive an invitation to dine there (an invitation
206:160,16[K  ]| moreover including the whole party) so immediately after
206:160,17[K  ]| your arrival!"
206:160,18[R  ]| "I am the less surprised at what has happened,"
206:160,19['  ]| replied Sir*William,
206:160,19[R  ]| "from the knowledge of what the
206:160,20[R  ]| manners of the great really are, which my situation in
206:160,21[R  ]| life has allowed me to acquire.  About the Court, such
206:160,22[R  ]| instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon."
206:160,23['  ]| Scarcely any*thing was talked of the whole day or next
206:160,24['  ]| morning, but their visit to Rosings.  Mr%*Collins was
206:160,25['  ]| carefully instructing them in what they were to expect,
206:160,26['  ]| that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and so
206:160,27['  ]| splendid a dinner might not wholly overpower them.
206:160,28['  ]| When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said
206:160,29['  ]| to Elizabeth.
206:160,30[K  ]| "Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about
206:160,31[K  ]| your apparel.  Lady*Catherine is far from requiring that
206:160,32[K  ]| elegance of dress in us, which becomes herself and daughter.
206:160,33[K  ]| I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your
206:161,01[K  ]| clothes is superior to the rest, there is no occasion for
206:161,02[K  ]| any*thing more.  Lady*Catherine will not think the worse
206:161,03[K  ]| of you for being simply dressed.  She likes to have the
206:161,04[K  ]| distinction of rank preserved."
206:161,05['  ]| While they were dressing, he came two or three times
206:161,06['  ]| to their different doors, to recommend their being quick,
206:161,07['  ]| as Lady*Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting
206:161,08['  ]| for her dinner. ~~ Such formidable accounts of her Ladyship,
206:161,09['  ]| and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria*Lucas,
206:161,10['  ]| who had been little used to company, and she looked
206:161,11['  ]| forward to her introduction at Rosings, with as much
206:161,12['  ]| apprehension, as her father had done to his presentation
206:161,13['  ]| at St%*James's.
206:161,14['  ]| As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of
206:161,15['  ]| about half a mile across the park. ~~ Every park has its
206:161,16['  ]| beauty and its prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to
206:161,17['  ]| be pleased with, though she could not be in such raptures
206:161,18['  ]| as Mr%*Collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but
206:161,19['  ]| slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in
206:161,20['  ]| front of the house, and his relation of what the glazing
206:161,21['  ]| altogether had originally cost Sir*Lewis*De*Bourgh.
206:161,22['  ]| When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria's
206:161,23['  ]| alarm was every moment increasing, and even Sir*William
206:161,24['  ]| did not look perfectly calm. ~~ Elizabeth's courage did not
206:161,25['  ]| fail her.
206:161,25@a   | She had heard nothing of Lady*Catherine that
206:161,26@a   | spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous
206:161,27@a   | virtue, and the mere stateliness of money and rank,
206:161,28['  ]| she thought
206:161,28@a   | she could witness without trepidation.
206:161,29['  ]| From the entrance hall, of which Mr%*Collins pointed
206:161,30['  ]| out, with a rapturous air, the fine proportion and finished
206:161,31['  ]| ornaments, they followed the servants through an anti-chamber,
206:161,32['  ]| to the room where Lady*Catherine, her daughter,
206:161,33['  ]| and Mrs%*Jenkinson were sitting. ~~ Her Ladyship, with
206:161,34['  ]| great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs%*Collins
206:161,35['  ]| had settled it with her husband that the office of
206:161,36['  ]| introduction should be her's, it was performed in a proper
206:161,37['  ]| manner, without any of those apologies and thanks which
206:161,38['  ]| he would have thought necessary.
206:162,01['  ]| In spite of having been at St%*James's, Sir*William was
206:162,02['  ]| so completely awed, by the grandeur surrounding him, that
206:162,03['  ]| he had but just courage enough to make a very low bow,
206:162,04['  ]| and take his seat without saying a word; and his daughter,
206:162,05['  ]| frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge of her
206:162,06['  ]| chair, not knowing which way to look.  Elizabeth found
206:162,07['  ]| herself quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three
206:162,08['  ]| ladies before her composedly. ~~ Lady*Catherine was a tall,
206:162,09['  ]| large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might
206:162,10['  ]| once have been handsome.  Her air was not conciliating, nor
206:162,11['  ]| was her manner of receiving them, such as to make her
206:162,12['  ]| visitors forget their inferior rank.  She was not rendered
206:162,13['  ]| formidable by silence; but whatever she said, was spoken
206:162,14['  ]| in so authoritative a tone, as marked her self-importance,
206:162,15['  ]| and brought Mr%*Wickham immediately to Elizabeth's
206:162,16['  ]| mind; and from the observation of the day altogether,
206:162,17['  ]| she believed Lady*Catherine to be exactly what he had
206:162,18['  ]| represented.
206:162,19['  ]| When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance
206:162,20['  ]| and deportment she soon found some resemblance
206:162,21['  ]| of Mr%*Darcy, she turned her eyes on the daughter, she
206:162,22['  ]| could almost have joined in Maria's astonishment, at her
206:162,23['  ]| being so thin, and so small.  There was neither in figure
206:162,24['  ]| nor face, any likeness between the ladies.  Miss*De*Bourgh
206:162,25['  ]| was pale and sickly; her features, though not plain, were
206:162,26['  ]| insignificant; and she spoke very little, except in a low
206:162,27['  ]| voice, to Mrs%*Jenkinson, in whose appearance there was
206:162,28['  ]| nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in
206:162,29['  ]| listening to what she said, and placing a screen in the
206:162,30['  ]| proper direction before her eyes.
206:162,31['  ]| After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one
206:162,32['  ]| of the windows, to admire the view, Mr%*Collins attending
206:162,33['  ]| them to point out its beauties, and Lady*Catherine kindly
206:162,34['  ]| informing them that it was much better worth looking at
206:162,35['  ]| in the summer.
206:162,36['  ]| The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were
206:162,37['  ]| all the servants, and all the articles of plate which Mr%*Collins
206:162,38['  ]| had promised; and, as he had likewise foretold,
206:163,01['  ]| he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her ladyship's
206:163,02['  ]| desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish
206:163,03['  ]| nothing greater. ~~ He carved, and ate, and praised with
206:163,04['  ]| delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended, first
206:163,05['  ]| by him, and then by Sir*William, who was now enough
206:163,06['  ]| recovered to echo whatever his son*in*law said, in a manner
206:163,07['  ]| which Elizabeth wondered Lady*Catherine could bear.
206:163,08['  ]| But Lady*Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive
206:163,09['  ]| admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when
206:163,10['  ]| any dish on the table proved a novelty to them.  The
206:163,11['  ]| party did not supply much conversation.  Elizabeth was
206:163,12['  ]| ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she
206:163,13['  ]| was seated between Charlotte and Miss*De*Bourgh ~~ the
206:163,14['  ]| former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady*Catherine,
206:163,15['  ]| and the latter said not a word to her all dinner*time.
206:163,16['  ]| Mrs%*Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how
206:163,17['  ]| little Miss*De*Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other
206:163,18['  ]| dish, and fearing she were indisposed.  Maria thought
206:163,19['  ]| speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did
206:163,20['  ]| nothing but eat and admire.
206:163,21['  ]| When the ladies returned to the drawing*room, there
206:163,22['  ]| was little to be done but to hear Lady*Catherine talk,
206:163,23['  ]| which she did without any intermission till coffee came
206:163,24['  ]| in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive
206:163,25['  ]| a manner as proved that she was not used to have her
206:163,26['  ]| judgment controverted.  She enquired into Charlotte's
206:163,27['  ]| domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, and gave her
206:163,28['  ]| a great deal of advice, as to the management of them all;
206:163,29['  ]| told her how every*thing ought to be regulated in so
206:163,30['  ]| small a family as her's, and instructed her as to the care
206:163,31['  ]| of her cows and her poultry.  Elizabeth found that
206:163,32['  ]| nothing was beneath this great Lady's attention, which
206:163,33['  ]| could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others.
206:163,34['  ]| In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs%*Collins, she
206:163,35['  ]| addressed a variety of questions to Maria and Elizabeth,
206:163,36['  ]| but especially to the latter, of whose connections she knew
206:163,37['  ]| the least, and who she observed to Mrs%*Collins, was
206:163,37@l   | a very
206:163,38@l   | genteel, pretty kind of girl.
206:163,38['  ]| She asked her at different
206:164,01['  ]| times,
206:164,01@l   | how many sisters she had, whether they were older
206:164,02@l   | or younger than herself, whether any of them were likely
206:164,03@l   | to be married, whether they were handsome, where they
206:164,04@l   | had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what
206:164,05@l   | had been her mother's maiden name? ~~
206:164,05['  ]| Elizabeth felt all
206:164,06['  ]| the impertinence of her questions, but answered them very
206:164,07['  ]| composedly. ~~ Lady*Catherine then observed,
206:164,08[L  ]| "Your father's estate is entailed on Mr%*Collins, I think.
206:164,09[L  ]| For your sake,"
206:164,09['  ]| turning to Charlotte,
206:164,09[L  ]| "I am glad of it;
206:164,10[L  ]| but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates from
206:164,11[L  ]| the female line. ~~ It was not thought necessary in
Sir*Lewis*de*Bourgh's
206:164,12[L  ]| family. ~~ Do you play and sing, Miss*Bennet?"
206:164,13[L  ]|
206:164,14[A  ]| "A little."
206:164,15[L  ]| "Oh! then ~~ some time or other we shall be happy to
206:164,16[L  ]| hear you.  Our instrument is a capital one, probably
206:164,17[L  ]| superior to ~~ You shall try it some day. ~~ Do your sisters
206:164,18[L  ]| play and sing?"
206:164,19[A  ]| "One of them does."
206:164,20[L  ]| "Why did not you all learn? ~~ You ought all to have
206:164,21[L  ]| learned.  The Miss*Webbs all play, and their father has
206:164,22[L  ]| not so good an income as your's. ~~ Do you draw?"
206:164,23[A  ]| "No, not at all."
206:164,24[L  ]| "What, none of you?"
206:164,25[A  ]| "Not one."
206:164,26[L  ]| "That is very strange.  But I suppose you had no
206:164,27[L  ]| opportunity.  Your mother should have taken you to
206:164,28[L  ]| town every spring for the benefit of masters."
206:164,29[A  ]| "My mother would have had no objection, but my
206:164,30[A  ]| father hates London."
206:164,31[L  ]| "Has your governess left you?"
206:164,32[A  ]| "We never had any governess."
206:164,33[L  ]| "No governess!  How was that possible?  Five
206:164,34[L  ]| daughters brought up at home without a governess! ~~
206:164,35[L  ]| I never heard of such a thing.  Your mother must have
206:164,36[L  ]| been quite a slave to your education."
206:164,37['  ]| Elizabeth could hardly help smiling, as she assured her
206:164,38['  ]| that had not been the case.
206:165,01[L  ]| "Then, who taught you? who attended to you?
206:165,02[L  ]| Without a governess you must have been neglected."
206:165,03[A  ]| "Compared with some families, I believe we were;
206:165,04[A  ]| but such of us as wished to learn, never wanted the
206:165,05[A  ]| means.  We were always encouraged to read, and had
206:165,06[A  ]| all the masters that were necessary.  Those who chose
206:165,07[A  ]| to be idle, certainly might."
206:165,08[L  ]| "Aye, no doubt; but that is what a governess will
206:165,09[L  ]| prevent, and if I had known your mother, I should have
206:165,10[L  ]| advised her most strenuously to engage one.  I always
206:165,11[L  ]| say that nothing is to be done in education without steady
206:165,12[L  ]| and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can
206:165,13[L  ]| give it.  It was wonderful how many families I have been
206:165,14[L  ]| the means of supplying in that way.  I am always glad
206:165,15[L  ]| to get a young person well placed out.  Four nieces of
206:165,16[L  ]| Mrs%*Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my
206:165,17[L  ]| means; and it was but the other day, that I recommended
206:165,18[L  ]| another young person, who was merely accidentally mentioned
206:165,19[L  ]| to me, and the family are quite delighted with her.
206:165,20[L  ]| Mrs%*Collins, did I tell you of Lady*Metcalfe's calling
206:165,21[L  ]| yesterday to thank me?  She finds Miss*Pope a treasure.
206:165,22[L  ]| ""Lady*Catherine,"" said she, ""you have given me a treasure.""
206:165,23[L  ]| Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss*Bennet?"
206:165,24[A  ]| "Yes, Ma'am, all."
206:165,25[L  ]| "All! ~~ What, all five out at once?  Very odd! ~~ And
206:165,26[L  ]| you only the second. ~~ The younger ones out before the
206:165,27[L  ]| elder are married! ~~ Your younger sisters must be very
206:165,28[L  ]| young?"
206:165,29[A  ]| "Yes, my youngest is not sixteen.  Perhaps \she\ is full
206:165,30[A  ]| young to be much in company.  But really, Ma'am,
206:165,31[A  ]| I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters, that
206:165,32[A  ]| they should not have their share of society and amusement
206:165,33[A  ]| because the elder may not have the means or inclination
206:165,34[A  ]| to marry early. ~~ The last born has as good a right to the
206:165,35[A  ]| pleasures of youth, as the first.  And to be kept back on
206:165,36[A  ]| \such\ a motive! ~~ I think it would not be very likely to
206:165,37[A  ]| promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind."
206:165,38[L  ]| "Upon my word,"
206:165,38['  ]| said her Ladyship,
206:165,38[L  ]| "you give your
206:166,01[L  ]| opinion very decidedly for so young a person. ~~ Pray, what
206:166,02[L  ]| is your age?"
206:166,03[A  ]| "With three younger sisters grown up,"
206:166,03['  ]| replied Elizabeth
206:166,04['  ]| smiling,
206:166,04[A  ]| "your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own
206:166,05[A  ]| it."
206:166,06['  ]| Lady*Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving
206:166,07['  ]| a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be
206:166,08['  ]| the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so
206:166,09['  ]| much dignified impertinence.
206:166,10[L  ]| "You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, ~~ therefore
206:166,11[L  ]| you need not conceal your age."
206:166,12[A  ]| "I am not one*and*twenty."
206:166,13['  ]| When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over,
206:166,14['  ]| the card*tables were placed.  Lady*Catherine, Sir*William,
206:166,15['  ]| and Mr% and Mrs%*Collins sat down to quadrille; and as
206:166,16['  ]| Miss*De*Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the two girls
206:166,17['  ]| had the honour of assisting Mrs%*Jenkinson to make up
206:166,18['  ]| her party.  Their table was superlatively stupid.  Scarcely
206:166,19['  ]| a syllable was uttered that did not relate to the game,
206:166,20['  ]| except when Mrs%*Jenkinson expressed her fears of Miss*De*Bourgh's
206:166,21['  ]| being too hot or too cold, or having too much
206:166,22['  ]| or too little light.  A great deal more passed at the other
206:166,23['  ]| table.  Lady*Catherine was generally speaking ~~ stating
206:166,24['  ]| the mistakes of the three others, or relating some anecdote
206:166,25['  ]| of herself.  Mr%*Collins was employed in agreeing to
206:166,26['  ]| every*thing her Ladyship said, thanking her for every
206:166,27['  ]| fish he won, and apologising if he thought he won too
206:166,28['  ]| many.  Sir*William did not say much.  He was storing
206:166,29['  ]| his memory with anecdotes and noble names.
206:166,30['  ]| When Lady*Catherine and her daughter had played as
206:166,31['  ]| long as they chose, the tables were broke up, the carriage
206:166,32['  ]| was offered to Mrs%*Collins, gratefully accepted, and
206:166,33['  ]| immediately ordered.  The party then gathered round the
206:166,34['  ]| fire to hear Lady*Catherine determine what weather they
206:166,35['  ]| were to have on the morrow.  From these instructions
206:166,36['  ]| they were summoned by the arrival of the coach, and
206:166,37['  ]| with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr%*Collins's side,
206:166,38['  ]| and as many bows on Sir*William's, they departed.  As
206:167,01['  ]| soon as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was
206:167,02['  ]| called on by her cousin, to give her opinion of all that she
206:167,03['  ]| had seen at Rosings, which, for Charlotte's sake, she made
206:167,04['  ]| more favourable than it really was.  But her commendation,
206:167,05['  ]| though costing her some trouble, could by no means
206:167,06['  ]| satisfy Mr%*Collins, and he was very soon obliged to take
206:167,07['  ]| her Ladyship's praise into his own hands.
207:168,01['  ]| Sir*William staid only a week at Hunsford; but his
207:168,02['  ]| visit was long enough to convince him of his daughter's
207:168,03['  ]| being most comfortably settled, and of her possessing such
207:168,04['  ]| a husband and such a neighbour as were not often met
207:168,05['  ]| with.  While Sir*William was with them, Mr%*Collins
207:168,06['  ]| devoted his mornings to driving him out in his gig, and
207:168,07['  ]| shewing him the country; but when he went away, the
207:168,08['  ]| whole family returned to their usual employments, and
207:168,09['  ]| Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not see more
207:168,10['  ]| of her cousin by the alteration, for the chief of the time
207:168,11['  ]| between breakfast and dinner was now passed by him
207:168,12['  ]| either at work in the garden, or in reading and writing, and
207:168,13['  ]| looking out of window in his own book*room, which fronted
207:168,14['  ]| the road.  The room in which the ladies sat was backwards.
207:168,15['  ]| Elizabeth at first had rather wondered that Charlotte should
207:168,16['  ]| not prefer the dining*parlour for common use; it was
207:168,17['  ]| a better sized room, and had a pleasanter aspect; but
207:168,18['  ]| she soon saw that her friend had an excellent reason for
207:168,19['  ]| what she did, for Mr%*Collins would undoubtedly have been
207:168,20['  ]| much less in his own apartment, had they sat in one
207:168,21['  ]| equally lively; and she gave Charlotte credit for the
207:168,22['  ]| arrangement.
207:168,23['  ]| From the drawing*room they could distinguish nothing
207:168,24['  ]| in the lane, and were indebted to Mr%*Collins for the
207:168,25['  ]| knowledge of what carriages went along, and how often
207:168,26['  ]| especially Miss*De*Bourgh drove by in her phaeton, which
207:168,27['  ]| he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened
207:168,28['  ]| almost every day.  She not unfrequently stopped
207:168,29['  ]| at the Parsonage, and had a few minutes' conversation
207:168,30['  ]| with Charlotte, but was scarcely ever prevailed on to
207:168,31['  ]| get out.
207:168,32['  ]| Very few days passed in which Mr%*Collins did not walk
207:168,33['  ]| to Rosings, and not many in which his wife did not think
207:169,01['  ]| it necessary to go likewise; and till Elizabeth recollected
207:169,02['  ]| that there might be other family livings to be disposed of,
207:169,03['  ]| she could not understand the sacrifice of so many hours.
207:169,04['  ]| Now and then, they were honoured with a call from her
207:169,05['  ]| Ladyship, and nothing escaped her observation that was
207:169,06['  ]| passing in the room during these visits.  She examined
207:169,07['  ]| into their employments, looked at their work, and advised
207:169,08['  ]| them to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement
207:169,09['  ]| of the furniture, or detected the housemaid in
207:169,10['  ]| negligence; and if she accepted any refreshment, seemed
207:169,11['  ]| to do it only for the sake of finding out that Mrs%*Collins's
207:169,12['  ]| joints of meat were too large for her family.
207:169,13['  ]| Elizabeth soon perceived that though this great lady
207:169,14['  ]| was not in the commission of the peace for the county,
207:169,15['  ]| she was a most active magistrate in her own parish, the
207:169,16['  ]| minutest concerns of which were carried to her by Mr%*Collins;
207:169,17['  ]| and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed
207:169,18['  ]| to be quarrelsome, discontented or too poor, she sallied
207:169,19['  ]| forth into the village to settle their differences, silence
207:169,20['  ]| their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty.
207:169,21['  ]| The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated
207:169,22['  ]| about twice a week; and, allowing for the loss of Sir*William,
207:169,23['  ]| and there being only one card*table in the
207:169,24['  ]| evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart
207:169,25['  ]| of the first.  Their other engagements were few; as the
207:169,26['  ]| style of living of the neighbourhood in general, was
207:169,27['  ]| beyond the Collinses' reach.  This however was no evil
207:169,28['  ]| to Elizabeth, and upon the whole she spent her time
207:169,29['  ]| comfortably enough; there were half hours of pleasant
207:169,30['  ]| conversation with Charlotte, and the weather was so fine
207:169,31['  ]| for the time of year, that she had often great enjoyment
207:169,32['  ]| out of doors.  Her favourite walk, and where she frequently
207:169,33['  ]| went while the others were calling on Lady*Catherine,
207:169,34['  ]| was along the open grove which edged that
207:169,35['  ]| side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path,
207:169,36['  ]| which no*one seemed to value but herself, and where she
207:169,37['  ]| felt beyond the reach of Lady*Catherine's curiosity.
207:169,38['  ]| In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon
207:170,01['  ]| passed away.  Easter was approaching, and the week
207:170,02['  ]| preceding it, was to bring an addition to the family at
207:170,03['  ]| Rosings, which in so small a circle must be important.
207:170,04['  ]| Elizabeth had heard soon after her arrival, that Mr%*Darcy
207:170,05['  ]| was expected there in the course of a few weeks, and
207:170,06@a   | though there were not many of her acquaintance whom
207:170,07@a   | she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively
207:170,08@a   | new to look at in their Rosings parties, and she
207:170,09@a   | might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss*Bingley's
207:170,10@a   | designs on him were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for
207:170,11@a   | whom he was evidently destined by Lady*Catherine;
207:170,12@a   | who talked of his coming with the greatest satisfaction,
207:170,13@a   | spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and
207:170,14@a   | seemed almost angry to find that he had already been
207:170,15@a   | frequently seen by Miss*Lucas and herself.
207:170,16['  ]| His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage, for
207:170,17['  ]| Mr%*Collins was walking the whole morning within view
207:170,18['  ]| of the lodges opening into Hunsford*Lane, in order to
207:170,19['  ]| have the earliest assurance of it; and after making his
207:170,20['  ]| bow as the carriage turned into the Park, hurried home
207:170,21['  ]| with the great intelligence.  On the following morning
207:170,22['  ]| he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects.  There were
207:170,23['  ]| two nephews of Lady*Catherine to require them, for
207:170,24['  ]| Mr%*Darcy had brought with him a Colonel*Fitzwilliam,
207:170,25['  ]| the younger son of his uncle, Lord***** and to the great
207:170,26['  ]| surprise of all the party, when Mr%*Collins returned the
207:170,27['  ]| gentlemen accompanied him.  Charlotte had seen them
207:170,28['  ]| from her husband's room, crossing the road, and immediately
207:170,29['  ]| running into the other, told the girls what an
207:170,30['  ]| honour they might expect, adding,
207:170,31[Q  ]| "I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility.
207:170,32[Q  ]| Mr%*Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon
207:170,33[Q  ]| me."
207:170,34['  ]| Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to
207:170,35['  ]| the compliment, before their approach was announced by
207:170,36['  ]| the door-bell, and shortly afterwards the three gentlemen
207:170,37['  ]| entered the room.  Colonel*Fitzwilliam, who led the way,
207:170,38['  ]| was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address
207:171,01['  ]| most truly the gentleman.  Mr%*Darcy looked just as he
207:171,02['  ]| had been used to look in Hertfordshire, paid his compliments,
207:171,03['  ]| with his usual reserve, to Mrs%*Collins; and
207:171,04['  ]| whatever might be his feelings towards her friend, met
207:171,05['  ]| her with every appearance of composure.  Elizabeth
207:171,06['  ]| merely curtseyed to him, without saying a word.
207:171,07['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly
207:171,08['  ]| with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked
207:171,09['  ]| very pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed
207:171,10['  ]| a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs%*Collins,
207:171,11['  ]| sat for some time without speaking to any*body.
207:171,12['  ]| At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as
207:171,13['  ]| to enquire of Elizabeth after the health of her family.
207:171,14['  ]| She answered him in the usual way, and after a moment's
207:171,15['  ]| pause, added,
207:171,16[A  ]| "My eldest sister has been in town these three months.
207:171,17[A  ]| Have you never happened to see her there?"
207:171,18['  ]| She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she
207:171,19['  ]| wished to see whether he would betray any consciousness
207:171,20['  ]| of what had passed between the Bingleys and Jane; and
207:171,21['  ]| she thought he looked a little confused as he answered
207:171,22['  ]| that
207:171,22@b   | he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss*Bennet.
207:171,23['  ]| The subject was pursued no farther, and the
207:171,24['  ]| gentlemen soon afterwards went away.
208:172,01['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired
208:172,02['  ]| at the parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he
208:172,03['  ]| must add considerably to the pleasure of their engagements
208:172,04['  ]| at Rosings.  It was some days, however, before
208:172,05['  ]| they received any invitation thither, for while there were
208:172,06['  ]| visitors in the house, they could not be necessary; and
208:172,07['  ]| it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after the gentlemen's
208:172,08['  ]| arrival, that they were honoured by such an attention,
208:172,09['  ]| and then they were merely asked on leaving church
208:172,10['  ]| to come there in the evening.  For the last week they had
208:172,11['  ]| seen very little of either Lady*Catherine or her daughter.
208:172,12['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam had called at the parsonage more than
208:172,13['  ]| once during the time, but Mr%*Darcy they had only seen
208:172,14['  ]| at church.
208:172,15['  ]| The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper
208:172,16['  ]| hour they joined the party in Lady*Catherine's drawing*room.
208:172,17['  ]| Her ladyship received them civilly, but it was
208:172,18['  ]| plain that their company was by no means so acceptable
208:172,19['  ]| as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact,
208:172,20['  ]| almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them,
208:172,21['  ]| especially to Darcy, much more than to any other person
208:172,22['  ]| in the room.
208:172,23['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them;
208:172,24['  ]| any*thing was a welcome relief to him at Rosings; and
208:172,25['  ]| Mrs%*Collins's pretty friend had moreover caught his fancy
208:172,26['  ]| very much.  He now seated himself by her, and talked
208:172,27['  ]| so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and
208:172,28['  ]| staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth
208:172,29['  ]| had never been half so well entertained in that room before;
208:172,30['  ]| and they conversed with so much spirit and flow, as to
208:172,31['  ]| draw the attention of Lady*Catherine herself, as well as
208:172,32['  ]| of Mr%*Darcy.  \His\ eyes had been soon and repeatedly
208:172,33['  ]| turned towards them with a look of curiosity; and that
208:173,01['  ]| her ladyship after a while shared the feeling, was more
208:173,02['  ]| openly acknowledged, for she did not scruple to call out,
208:173,03[L  ]| "What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam?  What is
208:173,04[L  ]| it you are talking of?  What are you telling Miss*Bennet?
208:173,05[L  ]| Let me hear what it is."
208:173,06[M  ]| "We are speaking of music, Madam,"
208:173,06['  ]| said he, when
208:173,07['  ]| no longer able to avoid a reply.
208:173,08[L  ]| "Of music!  Then pray speak aloud.  It is of all
208:173,09[L  ]| subjects my delight.  I must have my share in the conversation,
208:173,10[L  ]| if you are speaking of music.  There are few
208:173,11[L  ]| people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment
208:173,12[L  ]| of music than myself, or a better natural taste.
208:173,13[L  ]| If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.
208:173,14[L  ]| And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply.
208:173,15[L  ]| I am confident that she would have performed delightfully.
208:173,16[L  ]| How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?"
208:173,17['  ]| Mr%*Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister's
208:173,18['  ]| proficiency.
208:173,19[L  ]| "I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,"
208:173,20['  ]| said Lady*Catherine;
208:173,20[L  ]| "and pray tell her from me, that
208:173,21[L  ]| she cannot expect to excel, if she does not practise a great
208:173,22[L  ]| deal."
208:173,23[B  ]| "I assure you, Madam,"
208:173,23['  ]| he replied,
208:173,23[B  ]| "that she does
208:173,24[B  ]| not need such advice.  She practises very constantly."
208:173,25[L  ]| "So much the better.  It cannot be done too much;
208:173,26[L  ]| and when I next write to her, I shall charge her not to
208:173,27[L  ]| neglect it on any account.  I often tell young ladies,
208:173,28[L  ]| that no excellence in music is to be acquired, without
208:173,29[L  ]| constant practice.  I have told Miss*Bennet several times,
208:173,30[L  ]| that she will never play really well, unless she practises
208:173,31[L  ]| more; and though Mrs%*Collins has no instrument, she
208:173,32[L  ]| is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to
208:173,33[L  ]| Rosings every day, and play on the piano*forte in Mrs%*Jenkinson's
208:173,34[L  ]| room.  She would be in nobody's way, you
208:173,35[L  ]| know, in that part of the house."
208:173,36['  ]| Mr%*Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill*breeding,
208:173,37['  ]| and made no answer.
208:173,38['  ]| When coffee was over, Colonel*Fitzwilliam reminded
208:174,01['  ]| Elizabeth of having promised to play to him; and she
208:174,02['  ]| sat down directly to the instrument.  He drew a chair
208:174,03['  ]| near her.  Lady*Catherine listened to half a song, and
208:174,04['  ]| then talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the
208:174,05['  ]| latter walked away from her, and moving with his usual
208:174,06['  ]| deliberation towards the piano*forte, stationed himself so
208:174,07['  ]| as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance.
208:174,08['  ]| Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the
208:174,09['  ]| first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile,
208:174,10['  ]| and said,
208:174,11[A  ]| "You mean to frighten me, Mr%*Darcy, by coming in
208:174,12[A  ]| all this state to hear me?  But I will not be alarmed
208:174,13[A  ]| though your sister \does\ play so well.  There is a stubbornness
208:174,14[A  ]| about me that never can bear to be frightened at
208:174,15[A  ]| the will of others.  My courage always rises with every
208:174,16[A  ]| attempt to intimidate me."
208:174,17[B  ]| "I shall not say that you are mistaken,"
208:174,17['  ]| he replied,
208:174,18[B  ]| "because you could not really believe me to entertain
208:174,19[B  ]| any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure
208:174,20[B  ]| of your acquaintance long enough to know, that you find
208:174,21[B  ]| great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which
208:174,22[B  ]| in fact are not your own."
208:174,23['  ]| Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself,
208:174,24['  ]| and said to Colonel*Fitzwilliam,
208:174,24[A  ]| "Your cousin will give
208:174,25[A  ]| you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to
208:174,26[A  ]| believe a word I say.  I am particularly unlucky in meeting
208:174,27[A  ]| with a person so well able to expose my real character,
208:174,28[A  ]| in a part of the world, where I had hoped to pass myself
208:174,29[A  ]| off with some degree of credit.  Indeed, Mr%*Darcy, it is
208:174,30[A  ]| very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to
208:174,31[A  ]| my disadvantage in Hertfordshire ~~ and, give me leave
208:174,32[A  ]| to say, very impolitic too ~~ for it is provoking me to
208:174,33[A  ]| retaliate, and such things may come out, as will shock
208:174,34[A  ]| your relations to hear."
208:174,35[B  ]| "I am not afraid of you,"
208:174,35['  ]| said he, smilingly.
208:174,36[M  ]| "Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,"
208:174,37['  ]| cried Colonel*Fitzwilliam.
208:174,37[M  ]| "I should like to know how
208:174,38[M  ]| he behaves among strangers."
208:175,01[A  ]| "You shall hear then ~~ but prepare yourself for something
208:175,02[A  ]| very dreadful.  The first time of my ever seeing
208:175,03[A  ]| him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball ~~
208:175,04[A  ]| and at this ball, what do you think he did?  He danced
208:175,05[A  ]| only four dances!  I am sorry to pain you ~~ but so it was.
208:175,06[A  ]| He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were
208:175,07[A  ]| scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one
208:175,08[A  ]| young lady was sitting down in want of a partner.  Mr%*Darcy,
208:175,09[A  ]| you cannot deny the fact."
208:175,10[B  ]| "I had not at that time the honour of knowing any
208:175,11[B  ]| lady in the assembly beyond my own party."
208:175,12[A  ]| "True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball*room.
208:175,13[A  ]| Well, Colonel*Fitzwilliam, what do I play next?
208:175,14[A  ]| My fingers wait your orders."
208:175,15[B  ]| "Perhaps,"
208:175,15['  ]| said Darcy,
208:175,15[B  ]| "I should have judged better,
208:175,16[B  ]| had I sought an introduction, but I am ill qualified to
208:175,17[B  ]| recommend myself to strangers."
208:175,18[A  ]| "Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?"
208:175,18['  ]| said
208:175,19['  ]| Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel*Fitzwilliam.
208:175,19[A  ]| "Shall
208:175,20[A  ]| we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who
208:175,21[A  ]| has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself
208:175,22[A  ]| to strangers?"
208:175,23[M  ]| "I can answer your question,"
208:175,23['  ]| said Fitzwilliam,
208:175,23[M  ]| "without
208:175,24[M  ]| applying to him.  It is because he will not give himself
208:175,25[M  ]| the trouble."
208:175,26[B  ]| "I certainly have not the talent which some people
208:175,27[B  ]| possess,"
208:175,27['  ]| said Darcy,
208:175,27[B  ]| "of conversing easily with those
208:175,28[B  ]| I have never seen before.  I cannot catch their tone of
208:175,29[B  ]| conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as
208:175,30[B  ]| I often see done."
208:175,31[A  ]| "My fingers,"
208:175,31['  ]| said Elizabeth,
208:175,31[A  ]| "do not move over this
208:175,32[A  ]| instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many
208:175,33[A  ]| women's do.  They have not the same force or rapidity,
208:175,34[A  ]| and do not produce the same expression.  But then I have
208:175,35[A  ]| always supposed it to be my own fault ~~ because I would
208:175,36[A  ]| not take the trouble of practising.  It is not that I do not
208:175,37[A  ]| believe \my\ fingers as capable as any other woman's of
208:175,38[A  ]| superior execution."
208:176,01['  ]| Darcy smiled and said,
208:176,01[B  ]| "You are perfectly right.  You
208:176,02[B  ]| have employed your time much better.  No*one admitted
208:176,03[B  ]| to the privilege of hearing you, can think any*thing wanting.
208:176,04[B  ]| We neither of us perform to strangers."
208:176,05['  ]| Here they were interrupted by Lady*Catherine, who
208:176,06['  ]| called out to know what they were talking of.  Elizabeth
208:176,07['  ]| immediately began playing again.  Lady*Catherine
208:176,08['  ]| approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said
208:176,09['  ]| to Darcy,
208:176,10[L  ]| "Miss*Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised
208:176,11[L  ]| more, and could have the advantage of a London
208:176,12[L  ]| master.  She has a very good notion of fingering, though
208:176,13[L  ]| her taste is not equal to Anne's.  Anne would have been
208:176,14[L  ]| a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to
208:176,15[L  ]| learn."
208:176,16['  ]| Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he
208:176,17['  ]| assented to his cousin's praise; but neither at that
208:176,18['  ]| moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom
208:176,19['  ]| of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss*De*Bourgh
208:176,20['  ]| she derived this comfort for Miss*Bingley,
208:176,21['  ]| that he might have been just as likely to marry \her\, had
208:176,22['  ]| she been his relation.
208:176,23['  ]| Lady*Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth's
208:176,24['  ]| performance, mixing with them many instructions on
208:176,25['  ]| execution and taste.  Elizabeth received them with all
208:176,26['  ]| the forbearance of civility; and at the request of the
208:176,27['  ]| gentlemen remained at the instrument till her Ladyship's
208:176,28['  ]| carriage was ready to take them all home.
209:177,01['  ]| Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning, and
209:177,02['  ]| writing to Jane, while Mrs%*Collins and Maria were gone
209:177,03['  ]| on business into the village, when she was startled by a ring
209:177,04['  ]| at the door, the certain signal of a visitor.  As she had
209:177,05['  ]| heard no carriage, she thought it not unlikely to be
209:177,06['  ]| Lady*Catherine, and under that apprehension was putting
209:177,07['  ]| away her half-finished letter that she might escape all
209:177,08['  ]| impertinent questions, when the door opened, and to her
209:177,09['  ]| very great surprise, Mr%*Darcy, and Mr%*Darcy only,
209:177,10['  ]| entered the room.
209:177,11['  ]| He seemed astonished too on finding her alone, and
209:177,12['  ]| apologised for his intrusion, by letting her know that he
209:177,13['  ]| had understood all the ladies to be within.
209:177,14['  ]| They then sat down, and when her enquiries after
209:177,15['  ]| Rosings were made, seemed in danger of sinking into
209:177,16['  ]| total silence.  It was absolutely necessary, therefore, to
209:177,17['  ]| think of something, and in this emergence recollecting
209:177,18['  ]| \when\ she had seen him last in Hertfordshire, and feeling
209:177,19['  ]| curious to know what he would say on the subject of their
209:177,20['  ]| hasty departure, she observed,
209:177,21[A  ]| "How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last
209:177,22[A  ]| November, Mr%*Darcy!  It must have been a most agreeable
209:177,23[A  ]| surprise to Mr%*Bingley to see you all after him so
209:177,24[A  ]| soon; for, if I recollect right, he went but the day
209:177,25[A  ]| before.  He and his sisters were well, I hope, when you
209:177,26[A  ]| left London."
209:177,27[B  ]| "Perfectly so ~~ I thank you."
209:177,28['  ]| She found that she was to receive no other answer ~~
209:177,29['  ]| and, after a short pause, added,
209:177,30[A  ]| "I think I have understood that Mr%*Bingley has not
209:177,31[A  ]| much idea of ever returning to Netherfield again?"
209:177,32[B  ]| "I have never heard him say so; but it is probable
209:177,33[B  ]| that he may spend very little of his time there in future.
209:178,01[B  ]| He has many friends, and he is at a time of life when
209:178,02[B  ]| friends and engagements are continually increasing."
209:178,03[A  ]| "If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would
209:178,04[A  ]| be better for the neighbourhood that he should give up
209:178,05[A  ]| the place entirely, for then we might possibly get a
209:178,06[A  ]| settled family there.  But perhaps Mr%*Bingley did not
209:178,07[A  ]| take the house so much for the convenience of the neighbourhood
209:178,08[A  ]| as for his own, and we must expect him to keep
209:178,09[A  ]| or quit it on the same principle."
209:178,10[B  ]| "I should not be surprised,"
209:178,10['  ]| said Darcy,
209:178,10[B  ]| "if he were
209:178,11[B  ]| to give it up, as soon as any eligible purchase offers."
209:178,12['  ]| Elizabeth made no answer.  She was afraid of talking
209:178,13['  ]| longer of his friend; and, having nothing else to say,
209:178,14['  ]| was now determined to leave the trouble of finding a
209:178,15['  ]| subject to him.
209:178,16['  ]| He took the hint, and soon began with,
209:178,16[B  ]| "This seems
209:178,17[B  ]| a very comfortable house.  Lady*Catherine, I believe,
209:178,18[B  ]| did a great deal to it when Mr%*Collins first came to
209:178,19[B  ]| Hunsford."
209:178,20[A  ]| "I believe she did ~~ and I am sure she could not have
209:178,21[A  ]| bestowed her kindness on a more grateful object."
209:178,22[B  ]| "Mr%*Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of
209:178,23[B  ]| a wife."
209:178,24[A  ]| "Yes, indeed; his friends may well rejoice in his
209:178,25[A  ]| having met with one of the very few sensible women
209:178,26[A  ]| who would have accepted him, or have made him happy
209:178,27[A  ]| if they had.  My friend has an excellent understanding ~~
209:178,28[A  ]| though I am not certain that I consider her marrying
209:178,29[A  ]| Mr%*Collins as the wisest thing she ever did.  She seems
209:178,30[A  ]| perfectly happy, however, and in a prudential light, it is
209:178,31[A  ]| certainly a very good match for her."
209:178,32[B  ]| "It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within
209:178,33[B  ]| so easy a distance of her own family and friends."
209:178,34[A  ]| "An easy distance do you call it?  It is nearly fifty
209:178,35[A  ]| miles."
209:178,36[B  ]| "And what is fifty miles of good road?  Little more
209:178,37[B  ]| than half a day's journey.  Yes, I call it a \very\ easy
209:178,38[B  ]| distance."
209:179,01[A  ]| "I should never have considered the distance as one
209:179,02[A  ]| of the \advantages\ of the match,"
209:179,02['  ]| cried Elizabeth.
209:179,02[A  ]| "I
209:179,03[A  ]| should never have said Mrs%*Collins was settled \near\ her
209:179,04[A  ]| family."
209:179,05[B  ]| "It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire.
209:179,06[B  ]| Any*thing beyond the very neighbourhood of
209:179,07[B  ]| Longbourn, I suppose, would appear far."
209:179,08['  ]| As he spoke there was a sort of smile, which Elizabeth
209:179,09['  ]| fancied she understood;
209:179,09@a   | he must be supposing her to be
209:179,10@a   | thinking of Jane and Netherfield,
209:179,10['  ]| and she blushed as she
209:179,11['  ]| answered,
209:179,12[A  ]| "I do not mean to say that a woman may not be
209:179,13[A  ]| settled too near her family.  The far and the near must
209:179,14[A  ]| be relative, and depend on many varying circumstances.
209:179,15[A  ]| Where there is fortune to make the expence of travelling
209:179,16[A  ]| unimportant, distance becomes no evil.  But that is not
209:179,17[A  ]| the case \here\.  Mr% and Mrs%*Collins have a comfortable
209:179,18[A  ]| income, but not such a one as will allow of frequent
209:179,19[A  ]| journeys ~~ and I am persuaded my friend would not call
209:179,20[A  ]| herself \near\ her family under less than \half\ the present
209:179,21[A  ]| distance."
209:179,22['  ]| Mr%*Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and
209:179,23['  ]| said,
209:179,23[B  ]| "\You\ cannot have a right to such very strong
209:179,24[B  ]| local attachment.  \You\ cannot have been always at
209:179,25[B  ]| Longbourn."
209:179,26['  ]| Elizabeth looked surprised.  The gentleman experienced
209:179,27['  ]| some change of feeling; he drew back his chair, took
209:179,28['  ]| a newspaper from the table, and, glancing over it, said,
209:179,29['  ]| in a colder voice,
209:179,30[B  ]| "Are you pleased with Kent?"
209:179,31['  ]| A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued,
209:179,32['  ]| on either side calm and concise ~~ and soon put an end to
209:179,33['  ]| by the entrance of Charlotte and her sister, just returned
209:179,34['  ]| from their walk.  The te^te*a*te^te surprised them.  Mr%*Darcy
209:179,35['  ]| related the mistake which had occasioned his intruding
209:179,36['  ]| on Miss*Bennet, and after sitting a few minutes
209:179,37['  ]| longer without saying much to any*body, went away.
209:179,38[Q  ]| "What can be the meaning of this!"
209:179,38['  ]| said Charlotte,
209:180,01['  ]| as soon as he was gone.
209:180,01[Q  ]| "My dear Eliza he must be
209:180,02[Q  ]| in love with you, or he would never have called on us in
209:180,03[Q  ]| this familiar way."
209:180,04['  ]| But when Elizabeth told of his silence, it did not seem
209:180,05['  ]| very likely, even to Charlotte's wishes, to be the case;
209:180,06['  ]| and after various conjectures, they could at last only
209:180,07['  ]| suppose his visit to proceed from the difficulty of finding
209:180,08['  ]| any*thing to do, which was the more probable from the
209:180,09['  ]| time of year.  All field sports were over.  Within doors
209:180,10['  ]| there was Lady*Catherine, books, and a billiard*table,
209:180,11['  ]| but gentlemen cannot be always within doors; and in
209:180,12['  ]| the nearness of the Parsonage, or the pleasantness of the
209:180,13['  ]| walk to it, or of the people who lived in it, the two cousins
209:180,14['  ]| found a temptation from this period of walking thither
209:180,15['  ]| almost every day.  They called at various times of the
209:180,16['  ]| morning, sometimes separately, sometimes together, and
209:180,17['  ]| now and then accompanied by their aunt.  It was plain
209:180,18['  ]| to them all that Colonel*Fitzwilliam came because he had
209:180,19['  ]| pleasure in their society, a persuasion which of course
209:180,20['  ]| recommended him still more; and Elizabeth was reminded
209:180,21['  ]| by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by
209:180,22['  ]| his evident admiration for her, of her former favourite
209:180,23['  ]| George*Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she
209:180,24['  ]| saw there was less captivating softness in Colonel*Fitzwilliam's
209:180,25['  ]| manners, she believed he might have the best
209:180,26['  ]| informed mind.
209:180,27['  ]| But why Mr%*Darcy came so often to the parsonage,
209:180,28['  ]| it was more difficult to understand.
209:180,28@q   | It could not be for
209:180,29@q   | society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes together
209:180,30@q   | without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it
209:180,31@q   | seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice ~~ a
209:180,32@q   | sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself.  He
209:180,33@q   | seldom appeared really animated.
209:180,33['  ]| Mrs%*Collins knew not
209:180,34['  ]| what to make of him.
209:180,34@q   | Colonel*Fitzwilliam's occasionally
209:180,35@q   | laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was generally
209:180,36@q   | different, which her own knowledge of him could not
209:180,37@q   | have told her;
209:180,37['  ]| and as she would have liked to believe
209:180,38['  ]| this change the effect of love, and the object of that love,
209:181,01['  ]| her friend Eliza, she sat herself seriously to work to find
209:181,02['  ]| it out. ~~ She watched him whenever they were at Rosings,
209:181,03['  ]| and whenever he came to Hunsford; but without much
209:181,04['  ]| success.
209:181,04@q   | He certainly looked at her friend a great deal,
209:181,05@q   | but the expression of that look was disputable.  It was
209:181,06@q   | an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often doubted whether
209:181,07@q   | there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it seemed
209:181,08@q   | nothing but absence of mind.
209:181,09['  ]| She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the
209:181,10['  ]| possibility of his being partial to her, but Elizabeth
209:181,11['  ]| always laughed at the idea; and Mrs%*Collins did not
209:181,12['  ]| think it right to press the subject, from the danger of
209:181,13['  ]| raising expectations which might only end in disappointment;
209:181,14['  ]| for in her opinion it admitted not of a doubt,
209:181,15['  ]| that all her friend's dislike would vanish, if she could
209:181,16['  ]| suppose him to be in her power.
209:181,17['  ]| In her kind schemes for Elizabeth, she sometimes
209:181,18['  ]| planned her marrying Colonel*Fitzwilliam.
209:181,18@q   | He was beyond
209:181,19@q   | comparison the pleasantest man; he certainly admired
209:181,20@q   | her, and his situation in life was most eligible; but, to
209:181,21@q   | counterbalance these advantages, Mr%*Darcy had considerable
209:181,22@q   | patronage in the church, and his cousin could
209:181,23@q   | have none at all.
210:182,01['  ]| More than once did Elizabeth in her ramble within
210:182,02['  ]| the Park, unexpectedly meet Mr%*Darcy. ~~ She felt all the
210:182,03['  ]| perverseness of the mischance that should bring him where
210:182,04['  ]| no*one else was brought; and to prevent its ever happening
210:182,05['  ]| again, took care to inform him at first, that it was a
210:182,06['  ]| favourite haunt of hers. ~~
210:182,06@a   | How it could occur a second
210:182,07@a   | time therefore was very odd! ~~ Yet it did, and even a third.
210:182,08@a   | It seemed like wilful ill-nature, or a voluntary penance,
210:182,09@a   | for on these occasions it was not merely a few formal
210:182,10@a   | enquiries and an awkward pause and then away, but he
210:182,11@a   | actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with
210:182,12@a   | her.
210:182,12['  ]| He never said a great deal, nor did she give herself
210:182,13['  ]| the trouble of talking or of listening much; but it struck
210:182,14['  ]| her in the course of their third rencontre that he was
210:182,15['  ]| asking some odd unconnected questions ~~ about her
210:182,16['  ]| pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of solitary walks,
210:182,17['  ]| and her opinion of Mr% and Mrs%*Collins's happiness;
210:182,18['  ]| and that in speaking of Rosings and her not perfectly
210:182,19['  ]| understanding the house, he seemed to expect that whenever
210:182,20['  ]| she came into Kent again she would be staying \there\
210:182,21['  ]| too.
210:182,21@a   | His words seemed to imply it.  Could he have
210:182,22@a   | Colonel*Fitzwilliam in his thoughts?
210:182,22['  ]| She supposed,
210:182,22@a   | if he
210:182,23@a   | meant any*thing, he must mean an allusion to what might
210:182,24@a   | arise in that quarter.
210:182,24['  ]| It distressed her a little, and she
210:182,25['  ]| was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the pales
210:182,26['  ]| opposite the Parsonage.
210:182,27['  ]| She was engaged one day as she walked, in re-perusing
210:182,28['  ]| Jane's last letter, and dwelling on some passages which
210:182,29['  ]| proved that Jane had not written in spirits, when, instead
210:182,30['  ]| of being again surprised by Mr%*Darcy, she saw on looking
210:182,31['  ]| up that Colonel*Fitzwilliam was meeting her.  Putting
210:182,32['  ]| away the letter immediately and forcing a smile, she said,
210:182,33[A  ]| "I did not know before that you ever walked this way."
210:183,01[M  ]| "I have been making the tour of the Park,"
210:183,01['  ]| he replied,
210:183,02[M  ]| "as I generally do every year, and intend to close it with
210:183,03[M  ]| a call at the Parsonage.  Are you going much farther?"
210:183,04[A  ]| "No, I should have turned in a moment."
210:183,05['  ]| And accordingly she did turn, and they walked towards
210:183,06['  ]| the Parsonage together.
210:183,07[A  ]| "Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?"
210:183,07['  ]| said she.
210:183,08[M  ]| "Yes ~~ if Darcy does not put it off again.  But I am
210:183,09[M  ]| at his disposal.  He arranges the business just as he
210:183,10[M  ]| pleases."
210:183,11[A  ]| "And if not able to please himself in the arrangement,
210:183,12[A  ]| he has at least great pleasure in the power of choice.  I do
210:183,13[A  ]| not know any*body who seems more to enjoy the power
210:183,14[A  ]| of doing what he likes than Mr%*Darcy."
210:183,15[M  ]| "He likes to have his own way very well,"
210:183,15['  ]| replied
210:183,16['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam.
210:183,16[M  ]| "But so we all do.  It is only that
210:183,17[M  ]| he has better means of having it than many others,
210:183,18[M  ]| because he is rich, and many others are poor.  I speak
210:183,19[M  ]| feelingly.  A younger son, you know, must be inured to
210:183,20[M  ]| self-denial and dependence."
210:183,21[A  ]| "In my opinion, the younger son of an Earl can know
210:183,22[A  ]| very little of either.  Now, seriously, what have you ever
210:183,23[A  ]| known of self-denial and dependence?  When have you
210:183,24[A  ]| been prevented by want of money from going wherever
210:183,25[A  ]| you chose, or procuring any*thing you had a fancy for?"
210:183,26[M  ]| "These are home questions ~~ and perhaps I cannot say
210:183,27[M  ]| that I have experienced many hardships of that nature.
210:183,28[M  ]| But in matters of greater weight, I may suffer from the
210:183,29[M  ]| want of money.  Younger sons cannot marry where they
210:183,30[M  ]| like."
210:183,31[A  ]| "Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think
210:183,32[A  ]| they very often do."
210:183,33[M  ]| "Our habits of expence make us too dependant, and
210:183,34[M  ]| there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to
210:183,35[M  ]| marry without some attention to money."
210:183,36@a   | "Is this,"
210:183,36['  ]| thought Elizabeth,
210:183,36@a   | "meant for me?"
210:183,36['  ]| and
210:183,37['  ]| she coloured at the idea; but, recovering herself, said
210:183,38['  ]| in a lively tone,
210:183,38[A  ]| "And pray, what is the usual price of an
210:184,01[A  ]| Earl's younger son?  Unless the elder brother is very
210:184,02[A  ]| sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand
210:184,03[A  ]| pounds."
210:184,04['  ]| He answered her in the same style, and the subject
210:184,05['  ]| dropped.  To interrupt a silence which might make him
210:184,06['  ]| fancy her affected with what had passed, she soon afterwards
210:184,07['  ]| said,
210:184,08[A  ]| "I imagine your cousin brought you down with him
210:184,09[A  ]| chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal.
210:184,10[A  ]| I wonder he does not marry, to secure a lasting convenience
210:184,11[A  ]| of that kind.  But, perhaps his sister does as
210:184,12[A  ]| well for the present, and, as she is under his sole care,
210:184,13[A  ]| he may do what he likes with her."
210:184,14[M  ]| "No,"
210:184,14['  ]| said Colonel*Fitzwilliam,
210:184,14[M  ]| "that is an advantage
210:184,15[M  ]| which he must divide with me.  I am joined with him in
210:184,16[M  ]| the guardianship of Miss*Darcy."
210:184,17[A  ]| "Are you, indeed?  And pray what sort of guardians
210:184,18[A  ]| do you make?  Does your charge give you much trouble?
210:184,19[A  ]| Young ladies of her age, are sometimes a little difficult
210:184,20[A  ]| to manage, and if she has the true Darcy spirit, she may
210:184,21[A  ]| like to have her own way."
210:184,22['  ]| As she spoke, she observed him looking at her earnestly,
210:184,23['  ]| and the manner in which he immediately asked her why
210:184,24['  ]| she supposed Miss*Darcy likely to give them any uneasiness,
210:184,25['  ]| convinced her that she had somehow or other got
210:184,26['  ]| pretty near the truth.  She directly replied,
210:184,27[A  ]| "You need not be frightened.  I never heard any harm
210:184,28[A  ]| of her; and I dare say she is one of the most tractable
210:184,29[A  ]| creatures in the world.  She is a very great favourite with
210:184,30[A  ]| some ladies of my acquaintance, Mrs%*Hurst and Miss*Bingley.
210:184,31[A  ]| I think I have heard you say that you know
210:184,32[A  ]| them."
210:184,33[M  ]| "I know them a little.  Their brother is a pleasant
210:184,34[M  ]| gentleman-like man ~~ he is a great friend of Darcy's."
210:184,35[A  ]| "Oh! yes,"
210:184,35['  ]| said Elizabeth drily ~~
210:184,35[A  ]| "Mr%*Darcy is
210:184,36[A  ]| uncommonly kind to Mr%*Bingley, and takes a prodigious
210:184,37[A  ]| deal of care of him."
210:184,38[M  ]| "Care of him! ~~ Yes, I really believe Darcy \does\ take
210:185,01[M  ]| care of him in those points where he most wants care.
210:185,02[M  ]| From something that he told me in our journey hither,
210:185,03[M  ]| I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to
210:185,04[M  ]| him.  But I ought to beg his pardon, for I have no right
210:185,05[M  ]| to suppose that Bingley was the person meant.  It was
210:185,06[M  ]| all conjecture."
210:185,07[A  ]| "What is it you mean?"
210:185,08[M  ]| "It is a circumstance which Darcy of course would
210:185,09[M  ]| not wish to be generally known, because if it were to
210:185,10[M  ]| get round to the lady's family, it would be an unpleasant
210:185,11[M  ]| thing."
210:185,12[A  ]| "You may depend upon my not mentioning it."
210:185,13[M  ]| "And remember that I have not much reason for
210:185,14[M  ]| supposing it to be Bingley.  What he told me was merely
210:185,15[M  ]| this; that he congratulated himself on having lately saved
210:185,16[M  ]| a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent
210:185,17[M  ]| marriage, but without mentioning names or any other
210:185,18[M  ]| particulars, and I only suspected it to be Bingley from
210:185,19[M  ]| believing him the kind of young man to get into a scrape
210:185,20[M  ]| of that sort, and from knowing them to have been together
210:185,21[M  ]| the whole of last summer."
210:185,22[A  ]| "Did Mr%*Darcy give you his reasons for this interference?"
210:185,23[A  ]|
210:185,24[M  ]| "I understood that there were some very strong objections
210:185,25[M  ]| against the lady."
210:185,26[A  ]| "And what arts did he use to separate them?"
210:185,27[M  ]| "He did not talk to me of his own arts,"
210:185,27['  ]| said Fitzwilliam
210:185,28['  ]| smiling.
210:185,28[M  ]| "He only told me, what I have now
210:185,29[M  ]| told you."
210:185,30['  ]| Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart
210:185,31['  ]| swelling with indignation.  After watching her a little,
210:185,32['  ]| Fitzwilliam asked her why she was so thoughtful.
210:185,33[A  ]| "I am thinking of what you have been telling me,"
210:185,34['  ]| said she.
210:185,34[A  ]| "Your cousin's conduct does not suit my
210:185,35[A  ]| feelings.  Why was he to be the judge?"
210:185,36[M  ]| "You are rather disposed to call his interference
210:185,37[M  ]| officious?"
210:185,38[A  ]| "I do not see what right Mr%*Darcy had to decide on
210:186,01[A  ]| the propriety of his friend's inclination, or why, upon his
210:186,02[A  ]| own judgment alone, he was to determine and direct in
210:186,03[A  ]| what manner that friend was to be happy."  "But,"
210:186,03['  ]| she
210:186,04['  ]| continued, recollecting herself,
210:186,04[A  ]| "as we know none of the
210:186,05[A  ]| particulars, it is not fair to condemn him.  It is not to
210:186,06[A  ]| be supposed that there was much affection in the case."
210:186,07[M  ]| "That is not an unnatural surmise,"
210:186,07['  ]| said Fitzwilliam,
210:186,08[M  ]| "but it is lessening the honour of my cousin's triumph
210:186,09[M  ]| very sadly."
210:186,10['  ]| This was spoken jestingly, but it appeared to her so
210:186,11['  ]| just a picture of Mr%*Darcy, that she would not trust
210:186,12['  ]| herself with an answer; and, therefore, abruptly changing
210:186,13['  ]| the conversation, talked on indifferent matters till they
210:186,14['  ]| reached the parsonage.  There, shut into her own room,
210:186,15['  ]| as soon as their visitor left them, she could think without
210:186,16['  ]| interruption of all that she had heard.
210:186,16@a   | It was not to be
210:186,17@a   | supposed that any other people could be meant than those
210:186,18@a   | with whom she was connected.  There could not exist in
210:186,19@a   | the world \two\ men, over whom Mr%*Darcy could have such
210:186,20@a   | boundless influence.  That he had been concerned in the
210:186,21@a   | measures taken to separate Mr%*Bingley and Jane, she had
210:186,22@a   | never doubted; but she had always attributed to Miss*Bingley
210:186,23@a   | the principal design and arrangement of them.
210:186,24@a   | If his own vanity, however, did not mislead him, \he\ was
210:186,25@a   | the cause, his pride and caprice were the cause of all
210:186,26@a   | that Jane had suffered, and still continued to suffer.  He
210:186,27@a   | had ruined for a while every hope of happiness for the most
210:186,28@a   | affectionate, generous heart in the world; and no*one
210:186,29@a   | could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted.
210:186,30[M  ]| "There were some very strong objections against the
210:186,31[M  ]| lady,"
210:186,31@a   | were Colonel*Fitzwilliam's words, and these strong
210:186,32@a   | objections probably were, her having one uncle who was
210:186,33@a   | a country attorney, and another who was in business in
210:186,34@a   | London.
210:186,35[A  ]| "To Jane herself,"
210:186,35['  ]| she exclaimed,
210:186,35[A  ]| "there could be no
210:186,36[A  ]| possibility of objection.  All loveliness and goodness as
210:186,37[A  ]| she is!  Her understanding excellent, her mind improved,
210:186,38[A  ]| and her manners captivating.  Neither could any*thing
210:187,01[A  ]| be urged against my father, who, though with some
210:187,02[A  ]| peculiarities, has abilities which Mr%*Darcy himself need
210:187,03[A  ]| not disdain, and respectability which he will probably
210:187,04[A  ]| never reach."
210:187,04['  ]| When she thought of her mother indeed,
210:187,05['  ]| her confidence gave way a little, but she would not allow
210:187,06['  ]| that any objections \there\ had material weight with
210:187,07['  ]| Mr%*Darcy, whose pride, she was convinced, would receive
210:187,08['  ]| a deeper wound from the want of importance in his friend's
210:187,09['  ]| connections, than from their want of sense; and she was
210:187,10['  ]| quite decided at last, that he had been partly governed
210:187,11['  ]| by this worst kind of pride, and partly by the wish of
210:187,12['  ]| retaining Mr%*Bingley for his sister.
210:187,13['  ]| The agitation and tears which the subject occasioned,
210:187,14['  ]| brought on a headach; and it grew so much worse
210:187,15['  ]| towards the evening that, added to her unwillingness to
210:187,16['  ]| see Mr%*Darcy, it determined her not to attend her cousins
210:187,17['  ]| to Rosings, where they were engaged to drink tea.  Mrs%*Collins,
210:187,18['  ]| seeing that she was really unwell, did not press
210:187,19['  ]| her to go, and as much as possible prevented her husband
210:187,20['  ]| from pressing her, but Mr%*Collins could not conceal his
210:187,21['  ]| apprehension of Lady*Catherine's being rather displeased
210:187,22['  ]| by her staying at home.
211:188,01['  ]| When they were gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to
211:188,02['  ]| exasperate herself as much as possible against Mr%*Darcy,
211:188,03['  ]| chose for her employment the examination of all the letters
211:188,04['  ]| which Jane had written to her since her being in Kent.
211:188,05['  ]| They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any
211:188,06['  ]| revival of past occurrences, or any communication of
211:188,07['  ]| present suffering.  But in all, and in almost every line of
211:188,08['  ]| each, there was a want of that cheerfulness which had
211:188,09['  ]| been used to characterize her style, and which, proceeding
211:188,10['  ]| from the serenity of a mind at ease with itself, and kindly
211:188,11['  ]| disposed towards every*one, had been scarcely ever clouded.
211:188,12['  ]| Elizabeth noticed every sentence conveying the idea of
211:188,13['  ]| uneasiness, with an attention which it had hardly received
211:188,14['  ]| on the first perusal.  Mr%*Darcy's shameful boast of what
211:188,15['  ]| misery he had been able to inflict, gave her a keener sense
211:188,16['  ]| of her sister's sufferings.  It was some consolation to
211:188,17['  ]| think that his visit to Rosings was to end on the day after
211:188,18['  ]| the next, and a still greater, that in less than a fortnight
211:188,19['  ]| she should herself be with Jane again, and enabled to
211:188,20['  ]| contribute to the recovery of her spirits, by all that
211:188,21['  ]| affection could do.
211:188,22['  ]| She could not think of Darcy's leaving Kent, without
211:188,23['  ]| remembering that his cousin was to go with him;
211:188,23@a   | but
211:188,24@a   | Colonel*Fitzwilliam had made it clear that he had no
211:188,25@a   | intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, she did not
211:188,26@a   | mean to be unhappy about him.
211:188,27['  ]| While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by
211:188,28['  ]| the sound of the door*bell, and her spirits were a little
211:188,29['  ]| fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel*Fitzwilliam
211:188,30['  ]| himself, who had once before called late in the evening,
211:188,31['  ]| and might now come to enquire particularly after her.
211:188,32['  ]| But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits were
211:188,33['  ]| very differently affected, when, to her utter amazement,
211:189,01['  ]| she saw Mr%*Darcy walk into the room.  In an hurried
211:189,02['  ]| manner he immediately began an enquiry after her health,
211:189,03['  ]| imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were
211:189,04['  ]| better.  She answered him with cold civility.  He sat
211:189,05['  ]| down for a few moments, and then getting up walked
211:189,06['  ]| about the room.  Elizabeth was surprised, but said not
211:189,07['  ]| a word.  After a silence of several minutes he came
211:189,08['  ]| towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began,
211:189,09[B  ]| "In vain have I struggled.  It will not do.  My feelings
211:189,10[B  ]| will not be repressed.  You must allow me to tell you
211:189,11[B  ]| how ardently I admire and love you."
211:189,12['  ]| Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression.  She
211:189,13['  ]| stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent.  This he considered
211:189,14['  ]| sufficient encouragement, and the avowal of all
211:189,15['  ]| that he felt and had long felt for her, immediately followed.
211:189,16['  ]| He spoke well, but there were feelings besides those of the
211:189,17['  ]| heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the
211:189,18['  ]| subject of tenderness than of pride.  His sense of her
211:189,19['  ]| inferiority ~~ of its being a degradation ~~ of the family
211:189,20['  ]| obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination,
211:189,21['  ]| were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due
211:189,22['  ]| to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely
211:189,23['  ]| to recommend his suit.
211:189,24['  ]| In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be
211:189,25['  ]| insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection,
211:189,26['  ]| and though her intentions did not vary for an instant,
211:189,27['  ]| she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till,
211:189,28['  ]| roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost
211:189,29['  ]| all compassion in anger.  She tried, however, to compose
211:189,30['  ]| herself to answer him with patience, when he should have
211:189,31['  ]| done.  He concluded with representing to her the strength
211:189,32['  ]| of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours,
211:189,33['  ]| he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing
211:189,34['  ]| his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance
211:189,35['  ]| of his hand.  As he said this, she could easily see that he
211:189,36['  ]| had no doubt of a favourable answer.  He \spoke\ of apprehension
211:189,37['  ]| and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real
211:189,38['  ]| security.  Such a circumstance could only exasperate
211:190,01['  ]| farther, and when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks,
211:190,02['  ]| and she said,
211:190,03[A  ]| "In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established
211:190,04[A  ]| mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments
211:190,05[A  ]| avowed, however unequally they may be returned.  It is
211:190,06[A  ]| natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could \feel\
211:190,07[A  ]| gratitude, I would now thank you.  But I cannot ~~ I have
211:190,08[A  ]| never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly
211:190,09[A  ]| bestowed it most unwillingly.  I am sorry to have occasioned
211:190,10[A  ]| pain to any*one.  It has been most unconsciously
211:190,11[A  ]| done, however, and I hope will be of short duration.
211:190,12[A  ]| The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the
211:190,13[A  ]| acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty
211:190,14[A  ]| in overcoming it after this explanation."
211:190,15['  ]| Mr%*Darcy, who was leaning against the mantle-piece
211:190,16['  ]| with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words
211:190,17['  ]| with no less resentment than surprise.  His complexion
211:190,18['  ]| became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind
211:190,19['  ]| was visible in every feature.  He was struggling for the
211:190,20['  ]| appearance of composure, and would not open his lips,
211:190,21['  ]| till he believed himself to have attained it.  The pause
211:190,22['  ]| was to Elizabeth's feelings dreadful.  At length, in a voice
211:190,23['  ]| of forced calmness, he said,
211:190,24[B  ]| "And this is all the reply which I am to have the
211:190,25[B  ]| honour of expecting!  I might, perhaps, wish to be informed
211:190,26[B  ]| why, with so little \endeavour\ at civility, I am thus
211:190,27[B  ]| rejected.  But it is of small importance."
211:190,28[A  ]| "I might as well enquire,"
211:190,28['  ]| replied she,
211:190,28[A  ]| "why with so
211:190,29[A  ]| evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose
211:190,30[A  ]| to tell me that you liked me against your will, against
211:190,31[A  ]| your reason, and even against your character?  Was not
211:190,32[A  ]| this some excuse for incivility, if I \was\ uncivil?  But I have
211:190,33[A  ]| other provocations.  You know I have.  Had not my own
211:190,34[A  ]| feelings decided against you, had they been indifferent,
211:190,35[A  ]| or had they even been favourable, do you think that any
211:190,36[A  ]| consideration would tempt me to accept the man, who has
211:190,37[A  ]| been the means of ruining, perhaps for*ever, the happiness
211:190,38[A  ]| of a most beloved sister?"
211:191,01['  ]| As she pronounced these words, Mr%*Darcy changed
211:191,02['  ]| colour; but the emotion was short, and he listened
211:191,03['  ]| without attempting to interrupt her while she continued.
211:191,04[A  ]| "I have every reason in the world to think ill of you.
211:191,05[A  ]| No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part
211:191,06[A  ]| you acted \there\.  You dare not, you cannot deny that you
211:191,07[A  ]| have been the principal, if not the only means of dividing
211:191,08[A  ]| them from each other, of exposing one to the censure of
211:191,09[A  ]| the world for caprice and instability, the other to its
211:191,10[A  ]| derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both
211:191,11[A  ]| in misery of the acutest kind."
211:191,12['  ]| She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that
211:191,13['  ]| he was listening with an air which proved him wholly
211:191,14['  ]| unmoved by any feeling of remorse.  He even looked at
211:191,15['  ]| her with a smile of affected incredulity.
211:191,16[A  ]| "Can you deny that you have done it?"
211:191,16['  ]| she repeated.
211:191,17['  ]| With assumed tranquillity he then replied,
211:191,17[B  ]| "I have no wish
211:191,18[B  ]| of denying that I did every*thing in my power to separate
211:191,19[B  ]| my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success.
211:191,20[B  ]| Towards \him\ I have been kinder than towards myself."
211:191,21['  ]| Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil
211:191,22['  ]| reflection, but its meaning did not escape, nor was it
211:191,23['  ]| likely to conciliate her.
211:191,24[A  ]| "But it is not merely this affair,"
211:191,24['  ]| she continued,
211:191,24[A  ]| "on
211:191,25[A  ]| which my dislike is founded.  Long before it had taken
211:191,26[A  ]| place, my opinion of you was decided.  Your character
211:191,27[A  ]| was unfolded in the recital which I received many months
211:191,28[A  ]| ago from Mr%*Wickham.  On this subject, what can you
211:191,29[A  ]| have to say?  In what imaginary act of friendship can you
211:191,30[A  ]| here defend yourself?  or under what misrepresentation,
211:191,31[A  ]| can you here impose upon others?"
211:191,32[B  ]| "You take an eager interest in that gentleman's
211:191,33[B  ]| concerns,"
211:191,33['  ]| said Darcy in a less tranquil tone, and with
211:191,34['  ]| a heightened colour.
211:191,35[A  ]| "Who that knows what his misfortunes have been, can
211:191,36[A  ]| help feeling an interest in him?"
211:191,37[B  ]| "His misfortunes!"
211:191,37['  ]| repeated Darcy contemptuously;
211:191,38[B  ]| "yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed."
211:192,01[A  ]| "And of your infliction,"
211:192,01['  ]| cried Elizabeth with energy.
211:192,02[A  ]| "You have reduced him to his present state of poverty,
211:192,03[A  ]| comparative poverty.  You have withheld the advantages,
211:192,04[A  ]| which you must know to have been designed for him.
211:192,05[A  ]| You have deprived the best years of his life, of that independence
211:192,06[A  ]| which was no less his due than his desert.  You
211:192,07[A  ]| have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention
211:192,08[A  ]| of his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule."
211:192,09[B  ]| "And this,"
211:192,09['  ]| cried Darcy, as he walked with quick
211:192,10['  ]| steps across the room,
211:192,10[B  ]| "is your opinion of me!  This is
211:192,11[B  ]| the estimation in which you hold me!  I thank you
211:192,12[B  ]| for explaining it so fully.  My faults, according to this
211:192,13[B  ]| calculation, are heavy indeed!  But perhaps,"
211:192,13['  ]| added he,
211:192,14['  ]| stopping in his walk, and turning towards her,
211:192,14[B  ]| "these
211:192,15[B  ]| offences might have been overlooked, had not your pride
211:192,16[B  ]| been hurt by my honest confession of the scruples that
211:192,17[B  ]| had long prevented my forming any serious design.
211:192,18[B  ]| These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had
211:192,19[B  ]| I with greater policy concealed my struggles, and flattered
211:192,20[B  ]| you into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified,
211:192,21[B  ]| unalloyed inclination; by reason, by reflection, by
211:192,22[B  ]| every*thing.  But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence.
211:192,23[B  ]| Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related.  They
211:192,24[B  ]| were natural and just.  Could you expect me to rejoice
211:192,25[B  ]| in the inferiority of your connections?  To congratulate
211:192,26[B  ]| myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life
211:192,27[B  ]| is so decidedly beneath my own?"
211:192,28['  ]| Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment;
211:192,29['  ]| yet she tried to the utmost to speak with composure when
211:192,30['  ]| she said,
211:192,31[A  ]| "You are mistaken, Mr%*Darcy, if you suppose that
211:192,32[A  ]| the mode of your declaration affected me in any other
211:192,33[A  ]| way, than as it spared me the concern which I might
211:192,34[A  ]| have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more
211:192,35[A  ]| gentleman-like manner."
211:192,36['  ]| She saw him start at this, but he said nothing, and she
211:192,37['  ]| continued,
211:192,38[A  ]| "You could not have made me the offer of your hand
211:193,01[A  ]| in any possible way that would have tempted me to
211:193,02[A  ]| accept it."
211:193,03['  ]| Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked
211:193,04['  ]| at her with an expression of mingled incredulity and
211:193,05['  ]| mortification.  She went on.
211:193,06[A  ]| "From the very beginning, from the first moment
211:193,07[A  ]| I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your
211:193,08[A  ]| manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your
211:193,09[A  ]| arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the
211:193,10[A  ]| feelings of others, were such as to form that ground-work
211:193,11[A  ]| of disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built
211:193,12[A  ]| so immoveable a dislike; and I had not known you a
211:193,13[A  ]| month before I felt that you were the last man in the
211:193,14[A  ]| world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."
211:193,15[B  ]| "You have said quite enough, madam.  I perfectly
211:193,16[B  ]| comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be
211:193,17[B  ]| ashamed of what my own have been.  Forgive me for
211:193,18[B  ]| having taken up so much of your time, and accept my
211:193,19[B  ]| best wishes for your health and happiness."
211:193,20['  ]| And with these words he hastily left the room, and
211:193,21['  ]| Elizabeth heard him the next moment open the front door
211:193,22['  ]| and quit the house.
211:193,23['  ]| The tumult of her mind was now painfully great.  She
211:193,24['  ]| knew not how to support herself, and from actual weakness
211:193,25['  ]| sat down and cried for half an hour.  Her astonishment,
211:193,26['  ]| as she reflected on what had passed, was increased by
211:193,27['  ]| every review of it.
211:193,27@a   | That she should receive an offer of
211:193,28@a   | marriage from Mr%*Darcy!  that he should have been in
211:193,29@a   | love with her for so many months!  so much in love
211:193,30@a   | as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which
211:193,31@a   | had made him prevent his friend's marrying her sister, and
211:193,32@a   | which must appear at least with equal force in his own case,
211:193,33@a   | was almost incredible! it was gratifying to have inspired
211:193,34@a   | unconsciously so strong an affection.  But his pride, his
211:193,35@a   | abominable pride, his shameless avowal of what he had
211:193,36@a   | done with respect to Jane, his unpardonable assurance
211:193,37@a   | in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the
211:193,38@a   | unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr%*Wickham,
211:194,01@a   | his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to
211:194,02@a   | deny, soon overcame the pity which the consideration of
211:194,03@a   | his attachment had for a moment excited.
211:194,04['  ]| She continued in very agitating reflections till the sound
211:194,05['  ]| of Lady*Catherine's carriage made her feel how unequal
211:194,06['  ]| she was to encounter Charlotte's observation, and hurried
211:194,07['  ]| her away to her room.
212:195,01['  ]| Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same
212:195,02['  ]| thoughts and meditations which had at length closed her
212:195,03['  ]| eyes.  She could not yet recover from the surprise of what
212:195,04['  ]| had happened; it was impossible to think of any*thing
212:195,05['  ]| else, and totally indisposed for employment, she resolved
212:195,06['  ]| soon after breakfast to indulge herself in air and exercise.
212:195,07['  ]| She was proceeding directly to her favourite walk, when
212:195,08['  ]| the recollection of Mr%*Darcy's sometimes coming there
212:195,09['  ]| stopped her, and instead of entering the park, she turned
212:195,10['  ]| up the lane, which led her farther from the turnpike road.
212:195,11['  ]| The park paling was still the boundary on one side, and
212:195,12['  ]| she soon passed one of the gates into the ground.
212:195,13['  ]| After walking two or three times along that part of the
212:195,14['  ]| lane, she was tempted, by the pleasantness of the morning,
212:195,15['  ]| to stop at the gates and look into the park.  The five
212:195,16['  ]| weeks which she had now passed in Kent, had made
212:195,17['  ]| a great difference in the country, and every day was adding
212:195,18['  ]| to the verdure of the early trees.  She was on the point
212:195,19['  ]| of continuing her walk, when she caught a glimpse of
212:195,20['  ]| a gentleman within the sort of grove which edged the
212:195,21['  ]| park; he was moving that way; and fearful of its being
212:195,22['  ]| Mr%*Darcy, she was directly retreating.  But the person
212:195,23['  ]| who advanced, was now near enough to see her, and
212:195,24['  ]| stepping forward with eagerness, pronounced her name.
212:195,25['  ]| She had turned away, but on hearing herself called,
212:195,26['  ]| though in a voice which proved it to be Mr%*Darcy, she
212:195,27['  ]| moved again towards the gate.  He had by that time
212:195,28['  ]| reached it also, and holding out a letter, which she instinctively
212:195,29['  ]| took, said with a look of haughty composure,
212:195,30[B  ]| "I have been walking in the grove some time in the hope
212:195,31[B  ]| of meeting you.  Will you do me the honour of reading
212:195,32[B  ]| that letter?" ~~
212:195,32['  ]| And then, with a slight bow, turned again
212:195,33['  ]| into the plantation, and was soon out of sight.
212:196,01['  ]| With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest
212:196,02['  ]| curiosity, Elizabeth opened the letter, and to her still
212:196,03['  ]| increasing wonder, perceived an envelope containing two
212:196,04['  ]| sheets of letter paper, written quite through, in a very
212:196,05['  ]| close hand. ~~ The envelope itself was likewise full. ~~
212:196,06['  ]| Pursuing her way along the lane, she then began it.  It
212:196,07['  ]| was dated from Rosings, at eight o'clock in the morning,
212:196,08['  ]| and was as follows: ~~
212:196,09[B  ]| "Be not alarmed, Madam, on receiving this letter, by
212:196,10[B  ]| the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those
212:196,11[B  ]| sentiments, or renewal of those offers, which were last
212:196,12[B  ]| night so disgusting to you.  I write without any intention
212:196,13[B  ]| of paining you, or humbling myself, by dwelling on
212:196,14[B  ]| wishes, which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too
212:196,15[B  ]| soon forgotten; and the effort which the formation, and
212:196,16[B  ]| the perusal of this letter must occasion, should have been
212:196,17[B  ]| spared, had not my character required it to be written
212:196,18[B  ]| and read.  You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with
212:196,19[B  ]| which I demand your attention; your feelings, I know,
212:196,20[B  ]| will bestow it unwillingly, but I demand it of your justice.
212:196,21[B  ]| "Two offences of a very different nature, and by no
212:196,22[B  ]| means of equal magnitude, you last night laid to my
212:196,23[B  ]| charge.  The first mentioned was, that, regardless of the
212:196,24[B  ]| sentiments of either, I had detached Mr%*Bingley from
212:196,25[B  ]| your sister, ~~ and the other, that I had, in defiance of
212:196,26[B  ]| various claims, in defiance of honour and humanity, ruined
212:196,27[B  ]| the immediate prosperity, and blasted the prospects of
212:196,28[B  ]| Mr%*Wickham. ~~ Wilfully and wantonly to have thrown off
212:196,29[B  ]| the companion of my youth, the acknowledged favourite
212:196,30[B  ]| of my father, a young man who had scarcely any other
212:196,31[B  ]| dependence than on our patronage, and who had been
212:196,32[B  ]| brought up to expect its exertion, would be a depravity,
212:196,33[B  ]| to which the separation of two young persons, whose
212:196,34[B  ]| affection could be the growth of only a few weeks, could
212:196,35[B  ]| bear no comparison. ~~ But from the severity of that blame
212:196,36[B  ]| which was last night so liberally bestowed, respecting each
212:196,37[B  ]| circumstance, I shall hope to be in future secured, when
212:196,38[B  ]| the following account of my actions and their motives
212:197,01[B  ]| has been read. ~~ If, in the explanation of them which is
212:197,02[B  ]| due to myself, I am under the necessity of relating feelings
212:197,03[B  ]| which may be offensive to your's, I can only say that I am
212:197,04[B  ]| sorry. ~~ The necessity must be obeyed ~~ and farther apology
212:197,05[B  ]| would be absurd. ~~ I had not been long in Hertfordshire,
212:197,06[B  ]| before I saw, in common with others, that Bingley preferred
212:197,07[B  ]| your eldest sister, to any other young woman in the
212:197,08[B  ]| country. ~~ But it was not till the evening of the dance at
212:197,09[B  ]| Netherfield that I had any apprehension of his feeling
212:197,10[B  ]| a serious attachment. ~~ I had often seen him in love before.
212:197,11[B  ]| ~~ At that ball, while I had the honour of dancing with
212:197,12[B  ]| you, I was first made acquainted, by Sir*William*Lucas's
212:197,13[B  ]| accidental information, that Bingley's attentions to your
212:197,14[B  ]| sister had given rise to a general expectation of their
212:197,15[B  ]| marriage.  He spoke of it as a certain event, of which
212:197,16[B  ]| the time alone could be undecided.  From that moment
212:197,17[B  ]| I observed my friend's behaviour attentively; and I could
212:197,18[B  ]| then perceive that his partiality for Miss*Bennet was
212:197,19[B  ]| beyond what I had ever witnessed in him.  Your sister
212:197,20[B  ]| I also watched. ~~ Her look and manners were open,
212:197,21[B  ]| cheerful and engaging as ever, but without any symptom
212:197,22[B  ]| of peculiar regard, and I remained convinced from the
212:197,23[B  ]| evening's scrutiny, that though she received his attentions
212:197,24[B  ]| with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation
212:197,25[B  ]| of sentiment. ~~ If \you\ have not been mistaken here, \I\ must
212:197,26[B  ]| have been in an error.  Your superior knowledge of your
212:197,27[B  ]| sister must make the latter probable. ~~ If it be so, if I have
212:197,28[B  ]| been misled by such error, to inflict pain on her, your
212:197,29[B  ]| resentment has not been unreasonable.  But I shall not
212:197,30[B  ]| scruple to assert, that the serenity of your sister's countenance
212:197,31[B  ]| and air was such, as might have given the most
212:197,32[B  ]| acute observer, a conviction that, however amiable her
212:197,33[B  ]| temper, her heart was not likely to be easily touched. ~~
212:197,34[B  ]| That I was desirous of believing her indifferent is certain, ~~
212:197,35[B  ]| but I will venture to say that my investigations and
212:197,36[B  ]| decisions are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears.
212:197,37[B  ]| ~~ I did not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it; ~~
212:197,38[B  ]| I believed it on impartial conviction, as truly as I wished
212:198,01[B  ]| it in reason. ~~ My objections to the marriage were not
212:198,02[B  ]| merely those, which I last night acknowledged to have
212:198,03[B  ]| required the utmost force of passion to put aside, in my
212:198,04[B  ]| own case; the want of connection could not be so great
212:198,05[B  ]| an evil to my friend as to me. ~~ But there were other
212:198,06[B  ]| causes of repugnance; ~~ causes which, though still existing,
212:198,07[B  ]| and existing to an equal degree in both instances, I had
212:198,08[B  ]| myself endeavoured to forget, because they were not
212:198,09[B  ]| immediately before me. ~~ These causes must be stated,
212:198,10[B  ]| though briefly. ~~ The situation of your mother's family,
212:198,11[B  ]| though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that
212:198,12[B  ]| total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly
212:198,13[B  ]| betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and
212:198,14[B  ]| occasionally even by your father. ~~ Pardon me. ~~ It pains
212:198,15[B  ]| me to offend you.  But amidst your concern for the
212:198,16[B  ]| defects of your nearest relations, and your displeasure at
212:198,17[B  ]| this representation of them, let it give you consolation
212:198,18[B  ]| to consider that, to have conducted yourselves so as to
212:198,19[B  ]| avoid any share of the like censure, is praise no less
212:198,20[B  ]| generally bestowed on you and your eldest sister, than it
212:198,21[B  ]| is honourable to the sense and disposition of both. ~~ I will
212:198,22[B  ]| only say farther, that from what passed that evening,
212:198,23[B  ]| my opinion of all parties was confirmed, and every inducement
212:198,24[B  ]| heightened, which could have led me before, to
212:198,25[B  ]| preserve my friend from what I esteemed a most unhappy
212:198,26[B  ]| connection. ~~ He left Netherfield for London, on the day
212:198,27[B  ]| following, as you, I am certain, remember, with the design
212:198,28[B  ]| of soon returning. ~~ The part which I acted, is now to be
212:198,29[B  ]| explained.  ~~ His sisters' uneasiness had been equally
212:198,30[B  ]| excited with my own; our coincidence of feeling was soon
212:198,31[B  ]| discovered; and, alike sensible that no time was to be
212:198,32[B  ]| lost in detaching their brother, we shortly resolved on
212:198,33[B  ]| joining him directly in London. ~~ We accordingly went ~~
212:198,34[B  ]| and there I readily engaged in the office of pointing out
212:198,35[B  ]| to my friend, the certain evils of such a choice. ~~ I described,
212:198,36[B  ]| and enforced them earnestly. ~~ But, however this
212:198,37[B  ]| remonstrance might have staggered or delayed his determination,
212:198,38[B  ]| I do not suppose that it would ultimately have
212:199,01[B  ]| prevented the marriage, had it not been seconded by the
212:199,02[B  ]| assurance which I hesitated not in giving, of your sister's
212:199,03[B  ]| indifference.  He had before believed her to return his
212:199,04[B  ]| affection with sincere, if not with equal regard.  ~~ But
212:199,05[B  ]| Bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence
212:199,06[B  ]| on my judgment than on his own. ~~ To convince
212:199,07[B  ]| him, therefore, that he had deceived himself, was no very
212:199,08[B  ]| difficult point.  To persuade him against returning into
212:199,09[B  ]| Hertfordshire, when that conviction had been given, was
212:199,10[B  ]| scarcely the work of a moment. ~~ I cannot blame myself
212:199,11[B  ]| for having done thus much.  There is but one part of my
212:199,12[B  ]| conduct in the whole affair, on which I do not reflect
212:199,13[B  ]| with satisfaction; it is that I condescended to adopt the
212:199,14[B  ]| measures of art so far as to conceal from him your sister's
212:199,15[B  ]| being in town.  I knew it myself, as it was known to
212:199,16[B  ]| Miss*Bingley, but her brother is even yet ignorant of it. ~~
212:199,17[B  ]| That they might have met without ill consequence, is
212:199,18[B  ]| perhaps probable; ~~ but his regard did not appear to me
212:199,19[B  ]| enough extinguished for him to see her without some
212:199,20[B  ]| danger. ~~ Perhaps this concealment, this disguise, was
212:199,21[B  ]| beneath me. ~~ It is done, however, and it was done for
212:199,22[B  ]| the best. ~~ On this subject I have nothing more to say,
212:199,23[B  ]| no other apology to offer.  If I have wounded your sister's
212:199,24[B  ]| feelings, it was unknowingly done; and though the
212:199,25[B  ]| motives which governed me may to you very naturally
212:199,26[B  ]| appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn
212:199,27[B  ]| them. ~~ With respect to that other, more weighty accusation,
212:199,28[B  ]| of having injured Mr%*Wickham, I can only refute
212:199,29[B  ]| it by laying before you the whole of his connection with
212:199,30[B  ]| my family.  Of what he has \particularly\ accused me I am
212:199,31[B  ]| ignorant; but of the truth of what I shall relate, I can
212:199,32[B  ]| summon more than one witness of undoubted veracity.
212:199,33[B  ]| Mr%*Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who
212:199,34[B  ]| had for many years the management of all the Pemberley
212:199,35[B  ]| estates; and whose good conduct in the discharge of his
212:199,36[B  ]| trust, naturally inclined my father to be of service to
212:199,37[B  ]| him, and on George*Wickham, who was his god-son, his
212:199,38[B  ]| kindness was therefore liberally bestowed.  My father
212:200,01[B  ]| supported him at school, and afterwards at Cambridge; ~~
212:200,02[B  ]| most important assistance, as his own father, always poor
212:200,03[B  ]| from the extravagance of his wife, would have been
212:200,04[B  ]| unable to give him a gentleman's education.  My father
212:200,05[B  ]| was not only fond of this young man's society, whose
212:200,06[B  ]| manners were always engaging; he had also the highest
212:200,07[B  ]| opinion of him, and hoping the church would be his
212:200,08[B  ]| profession, intended to provide for him in it.  As for
212:200,09[B  ]| myself, it is many, many years since I first began to think
212:200,10[B  ]| of him in a very different manner.  The vicious propensities ~~
212:200,11[B  ]| the want of principle which he was careful to
212:200,12[B  ]| guard from the knowledge of his best friend, could not
212:200,13[B  ]| escape the observation of a young man of nearly the same
212:200,14[B  ]| age with himself, and who had opportunities of seeing
212:200,15[B  ]| him in unguarded moments, which Mr%*Darcy could not
212:200,16[B  ]| have.  Here again I shall give you pain ~~ to what degree
212:200,17[B  ]| you only can tell.  But whatever may be the sentiments
212:200,18[B  ]| which Mr%*Wickham has created, a suspicion of their
212:200,19[B  ]| nature shall not prevent me from unfolding his real
212:200,20[B  ]| character.  It adds even another motive.  My excellent
212:200,21[B  ]| father died about five years ago; and his attachment to
212:200,22[B  ]| Mr%*Wickham was to the last so steady, that in his will
212:200,23[B  ]| he particularly recommended it to me, to promote his
212:200,24[B  ]| advancement in the best manner that his profession might
212:200,25[B  ]| allow, and if he took orders, desired that a valuable family
212:200,26[B  ]| living might be his as soon as it became vacant.  There
212:200,27[B  ]| was also a legacy of one thousand pounds.  His own father
212:200,28[B  ]| did not long survive mine, and within half a year from
212:200,29[B  ]| these events, Mr%*Wickham wrote to inform me that,
212:200,30[B  ]| having finally resolved against taking orders, he hoped
212:200,31[B  ]| I should not think it unreasonable for him to expect
212:200,32[B  ]| some more immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the
212:200,33[B  ]| preferment, by which he could not be benefited.  He had
212:200,34[B  ]| some intention, he added, of studying the law, and I must
212:200,35[B  ]| be aware that the interest of one thousand pounds would
212:200,36[B  ]| be a very insufficient support therein.  I rather wished,
212:200,37[B  ]| than believed him to be sincere; but at any rate, was
212:200,38[B  ]| perfectly ready to accede to his proposal.  I knew that
212:201,01[B  ]| Mr%*Wickham ought not to be a clergyman.  The business
212:201,02[B  ]| was therefore soon settled.  He resigned all claim to
212:201,03[B  ]| assistance in the church, were it possible that he could
212:201,04[B  ]| ever be in a situation to receive it, and accepted in return
212:201,05[B  ]| three thousand pounds.  All connection between us
212:201,06[B  ]| seemed now dissolved.  I thought too ill of him, to invite
212:201,07[B  ]| him to Pemberley, or admit his society in town.  In town
212:201,08[B  ]| I believe he chiefly lived, but his studying the law was
212:201,09[B  ]| a mere pretence, and being now free from all restraint,
212:201,10[B  ]| his life was a life of idleness and dissipation.  For about
212:201,11[B  ]| three years I heard little of him; but on the decease
212:201,12[B  ]| of the incumbent of the living which had been designed
212:201,13[B  ]| for him, he applied to me again by letter for the presentation.
212:201,14[B  ]| His circumstances, he assured me, and I had no
212:201,15[B  ]| difficulty in believing it, were exceedingly bad.  He had
212:201,16[B  ]| found the law a most unprofitable study, and was now
212:201,17[B  ]| absolutely resolved on being ordained, if I would present
212:201,18[B  ]| him to the living in question ~~ of which he trusted there
212:201,19[B  ]| could be little doubt, as he was well assured that I had
212:201,20[B  ]| no other person to provide for, and I could not have
212:201,21[B  ]| forgotten my revered father's intentions.  You will hardly
212:201,22[B  ]| blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or
212:201,23[B  ]| for resisting every repetition of it.  His resentment was
212:201,24[B  ]| in proportion to the distress of his circumstances ~~ and
212:201,25[B  ]| he was doubtless as violent in his abuse of me to others,
212:201,26[B  ]| as in his reproaches to myself.  After this period, every
212:201,27[B  ]| appearance of acquaintance was dropt.  How he lived
212:201,28[B  ]| I know not.  But last summer he was again most painfully
212:201,29[B  ]| obtruded on my notice.  I must now mention a circumstance
212:201,30[B  ]| which I would wish to forget myself, and which
212:201,31[B  ]| no obligation less than the present should induce me to
212:201,32[B  ]| unfold to any human being.  Having said thus much,
212:201,33[B  ]| I feel no doubt of your secrecy.  My sister, who is more
212:201,34[B  ]| than ten years my junior, was left to the guardianship of
212:201,35[B  ]| my mother's nephew, Colonel*Fitzwilliam, and myself.
212:201,36[B  ]| About a year ago, she was taken from school, and an
212:201,37[B  ]| establishment formed for her in London; and last summer
212:201,38[B  ]| she went with the lady who presided over it, to Ramsgate;
212:202,01[B  ]| and thither also went Mr%*Wickham, undoubtedly by
212:202,02[B  ]| design; for there proved to have been a prior acquaintance
212:202,03[B  ]| between him and Mrs%*Younge, in whose character we
212:202,04[B  ]| were most unhappily deceived; and by her connivance
212:202,05[B  ]| and aid, he so far recommended himself to Georgiana,
212:202,06[B  ]| whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of
212:202,07[B  ]| his kindness to her as a child, that she was persuaded to
212:202,08[B  ]| believe herself in love, and to consent to an elopement.
212:202,09[B  ]| She was then but fifteen, which must be her excuse; and
212:202,10[B  ]| after stating her imprudence, I am happy to add, that
212:202,11[B  ]| I owed the knowledge of it to herself.  I joined them
212:202,12[B  ]| unexpectedly a day or two before the intended elopement,
212:202,13[B  ]| and then Georgiana, unable to support the idea of grieving
212:202,14[B  ]| and offending a brother whom she almost looked up to
212:202,15[B  ]| as a father, acknowledged the whole to me.  You may
212:202,16[B  ]| imagine what I felt and how I acted.  Regard for my
212:202,17[B  ]| sister's credit and feelings prevented any public exposure,
212:202,18[B  ]| but I wrote to Mr%*Wickham, who left the place immediately,
212:202,19[B  ]| and Mrs%*Younge was of course removed from her
212:202,20[B  ]| charge.  Mr%*Wickham's chief object was unquestionably
212:202,21[B  ]| my sister's fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds;
212:202,22[B  ]| but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging
212:202,23[B  ]| himself on me, was a strong inducement.  His revenge
212:202,24[B  ]| would have been complete indeed.  This, madam, is a
212:202,25[B  ]| faithful narrative of every event in which we have been
212:202,26[B  ]| concerned together; and if you do not absolutely reject
212:202,27[B  ]| it as false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty
212:202,28[B  ]| towards Mr%*Wickham.  I know not in what manner, under
212:202,29[B  ]| what form of falsehood he has imposed on you; but his
212:202,30[B  ]| success is not perhaps to be wondered at.  Ignorant as you
212:202,31[B  ]| previously were of every*thing concerning either, detection
212:202,32[B  ]| could not be in your power, and suspicion certainly
212:202,33[B  ]| not in your inclination.  You may possibly wonder why
212:202,34[B  ]| all this was not told you last night.  But I was not then
212:202,35[B  ]| master enough of myself to know what could or ought
212:202,36[B  ]| to be revealed.  For the truth of every*thing here related,
212:202,37[B  ]| I can appeal more particularly to the testimony of Colonel*Fitzwilliam,
212:202,38[B  ]| who from our near relationship and constant
212:203,01[B  ]| intimacy, and still more as one of the executors of my
212:203,02[B  ]| father's will, has been unavoidably acquainted with every
212:203,03[B  ]| particular of these transactions.  If your abhorrence of
212:203,04[B  ]| \me\ should make \my\ assertions valueless, you cannot be
212:203,05[B  ]| prevented by the same cause from confiding in my cousin;
212:203,06[B  ]| and that there may be the possibility of consulting him,
212:203,07[B  ]| I shall endeavour to find some opportunity of putting this
212:203,08[B  ]| letter in your hands in the course of the morning.  I will
212:203,09[B  ]| only add, God bless you.
212:203,10[B  ]| "FITZWILLIAM*DARCY."
213:204,01['  ]| If Elizabeth, when Mr%*Darcy gave her the letter, did
213:204,02['  ]| not expect it to contain a renewal of his offers, she had
213:204,03['  ]| formed no expectation at all of its contents.  But such
213:204,04['  ]| as they were, it may be well supposed how eagerly she
213:204,05['  ]| went through them, and what a contrariety of emotion
213:204,06['  ]| they excited.  Her feelings as she read were scarcely to
213:204,07['  ]| be defined.  With amazement did she first understand
213:204,08['  ]| that he believed any apology to be in his power; and
213:204,09['  ]| stedfastly was she persuaded that he could have no
213:204,10['  ]| explanation to give, which a just sense of shame would
213:204,11['  ]| not conceal.  With a strong prejudice against every*thing
213:204,12['  ]| he might say, she began his account of what had happened
213:204,13['  ]| at Netherfield.  She read, with an eagerness which hardly
213:204,14['  ]| left her power of comprehension, and from impatience of
213:204,15['  ]| knowing what the next sentence might bring, was incapable
213:204,16['  ]| of attending to the sense of the one before her eyes.  His
213:204,17['  ]| belief of her sister's insensibility, she instantly resolved
213:204,18['  ]| to be false, and his account of the real, the worst objections
213:204,19['  ]| to the match, made her too angry to have any wish of
213:204,20['  ]| doing him justice.  He expressed no regret for what he
213:204,21['  ]| had done which satisfied her;
213:204,21@a   | his style was not penitent,
213:204,22@a   | but haughty.  It was all pride and insolence.
213:204,23['  ]| But when this subject was succeeded by his account
213:204,24['  ]| of Mr%*Wickham, when she read with somewhat clearer
213:204,25['  ]| attention, a relation of events, which, if true, must overthrow
213:204,26['  ]| every cherished opinion of his worth, and which
213:204,27['  ]| bore so alarming an affinity to his own history of himself,
213:204,28['  ]| her feelings were yet more acutely painful and more
213:204,29['  ]| difficult of definition.  Astonishment, apprehension, and
213:204,30['  ]| even horror, oppressed her.  She wished to discredit it
213:204,31['  ]| entirely, repeatedly exclaiming,
213:204,31[A  ]| "This must be false!
213:204,32[A  ]| This cannot be!  This must be the grossest falsehood!" ~~
213:204,33['  ]| and when she had gone through the whole letter, though
213:205,01['  ]| scarcely knowing any*thing of the last page or two, put
213:205,02['  ]| it hastily away, protesting that she would not regard it,
213:205,03['  ]| that she would never look in it again.
213:205,04['  ]| In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that
213:205,05['  ]| could rest on nothing, she walked on; but it would not
213:205,06['  ]| do; in half a minute the letter was unfolded again, and
213:205,07['  ]| collecting herself as well as she could, she again began
213:205,08['  ]| the mortifying perusal of all that related to Wickham,
213:205,09['  ]| and commanded herself so far as to examine the meaning
213:205,10['  ]| of every sentence.  The account of his connection with
213:205,11['  ]| the Pemberley family, was exactly what he had related
213:205,12['  ]| himself; and the kindness of the late Mr%*Darcy, though
213:205,13['  ]| she had not before known its extent, agreed equally well
213:205,14['  ]| with his own words.  So far each recital confirmed the
213:205,15['  ]| other:  but when she came to the will, the difference was
213:205,16['  ]| great.  What Wickham had said of the living was fresh
213:205,17['  ]| in her memory, and as she recalled his very words, it was
213:205,18['  ]| impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on
213:205,19['  ]| one side or the other; and, for a few moments, she flattered
213:205,20['  ]| herself that her wishes did not err.  But when she read,
213:205,21['  ]| and re-read with the closest attention, the particulars
213:205,22['  ]| immediately following of Wickham's resigning all pretensions
213:205,23['  ]| to the living, of his receiving in lieu, so considerable
213:205,24['  ]| a sum as three thousand pounds, again was she forced
213:205,25['  ]| to hesitate.  She put down the letter, weighed every
213:205,26['  ]| circumstance with what she meant to be impartiality ~~
213:205,27['  ]| deliberated on the probability of each statement ~~ but
213:205,28['  ]| with little success.
213:205,28@a   | On both sides it was only assertion.
213:205,29['  ]| Again she read on.  But every line proved more clearly
213:205,30['  ]| that the affair, which she had believed it impossible that
213:205,31['  ]| any contrivance could so represent, as to render Mr%*Darcy's
213:205,32['  ]| conduct in it less than infamous, was capable of a turn
213:205,33['  ]| which must make him entirely blameless throughout the
213:205,34['  ]| whole.
213:205,35['  ]| The extravagance and general profligacy which he
213:205,36['  ]| scrupled not to lay to Mr%*Wickham's charge, exceedingly
213:205,37['  ]| shocked her; the more so, as she could bring no proof
213:205,38['  ]| of its injustice.  She had never heard of him before his
213:206,01['  ]| entrance into the *****shire*Militia, in which he had
213:206,02['  ]| engaged at the persuasion of the young man, who, on
213:206,03['  ]| meeting him accidentally in town, had there renewed
213:206,04['  ]| a slight acquaintance.  Of his former way of life, nothing
213:206,05['  ]| had been known in Hertfordshire but what he told himself.
213:206,06['  ]| As to his real character, had information been in her
213:206,07['  ]| power, she had never felt a wish of enquiring.  His countenance,
213:206,08['  ]| voice, and manner, had established him at once
213:206,09['  ]| in the possession of every virtue.  She tried to recollect
213:206,10['  ]| some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of
213:206,11['  ]| integrity or benevolence, that might rescue him from
213:206,12['  ]| the attacks of Mr%*Darcy; or at least, by the predominance
213:206,13['  ]| of virtue, atone for those casual errors, under which she
213:206,14['  ]| would endeavour to class, what Mr%*Darcy had described
213:206,15['  ]| as the idleness and vice of many years continuance.
213:206,16['  ]| But no such recollection befriended her.  She could see
213:206,17['  ]| him instantly before her, in every charm of air and address;
213:206,18['  ]| but she could remember no more substantial good than
213:206,19['  ]| the general approbation of the neighbourhood, and the
213:206,20['  ]| regard which his social powers had gained him in the mess.
213:206,21['  ]| After pausing on this point a considerable while, she once
213:206,22['  ]| more continued to read.  But, alas! the story which
213:206,23['  ]| followed of his designs on Miss*Darcy, received some
213:206,24['  ]| confirmation from what had passed between Colonel*Fitzwilliam
213:206,25['  ]| and herself only the morning before; and at
213:206,26['  ]| last she was referred for the truth of every particular to
213:206,27['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam himself ~~ from whom she had previously
213:206,28['  ]| received the information of his near concern in all his
213:206,29['  ]| cousin's affairs, and whose character she had no reason
213:206,30['  ]| to question.  At one time she had almost resolved on
213:206,31['  ]| applying to him, but the idea was checked by the awkwardness
213:206,32['  ]| of the application, and at length wholly banished
213:206,33['  ]| by the conviction that Mr%*Darcy would never have
213:206,34['  ]| hazarded such a proposal, if he had not been well assured
213:206,35['  ]| of his cousin's corroboration.
213:206,36['  ]| She perfectly remembered every*thing that had passed
213:206,37['  ]| in conversation between Wickham and herself, in their
213:206,38['  ]| first evening at Mr%*Philips's.  Many of his expressions
213:207,01['  ]| were still fresh in her memory.  She was \now\ struck with
213:207,02['  ]| the impropriety of such communications to a stranger,
213:207,03['  ]| and wondered it had escaped her before.  She saw the
213:207,04['  ]| indelicacy of putting himself forward as he had done,
213:207,05['  ]| and the inconsistency of his professions with his conduct.
213:207,06['  ]| She remembered that he had boasted of having no fear
213:207,07['  ]| of seeing Mr%*Darcy ~~ that Mr%*Darcy might leave the
213:207,08['  ]| country, but that \he\ should stand his ground; yet he
213:207,09['  ]| had avoided the Netherfield ball the very next week.
213:207,10['  ]| She remembered also, that till the Netherfield family had
213:207,11['  ]| quitted the country, he had told his story to no*one but
213:207,12['  ]| herself; but that after their removal, it had been every*where
213:207,13['  ]| discussed; that he had then no reserves, no scruples
213:207,14['  ]| in sinking Mr%*Darcy's character, though he had assured
213:207,15['  ]| her that respect for the father, would always prevent his
213:207,16['  ]| exposing the son.
213:207,17@a   | How differently did every*thing now appear in which
213:207,18@a   | he was concerned!  His attentions to Miss*King were
213:207,19@a   | now the consequence of views solely and hatefully mercenary;
213:207,20@a   | and the mediocrity of her fortune proved no longer
213:207,21@a   | the moderation of his wishes, but his eagerness to grasp
213:207,22@a   | at any*thing.  His behaviour to herself could now have
213:207,23@a   | had no tolerable motive; he had either been deceived
213:207,24@a   | with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying his
213:207,25@a   | vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed
213:207,26@a   | she had most incautiously shewn.
213:207,26['  ]| Every lingering struggle
213:207,27['  ]| in his favour grew fainter and fainter; and in farther
213:207,28['  ]| justification of Mr%*Darcy, she could not but allow that
213:207,29@a   | Mr%*Bingley, when questioned by Jane, had long ago
213:207,30@a   | asserted his blamelessness in the affair; that proud and
213:207,31@a   | repulsive as were his manners, she had never, in the whole
213:207,32@a   | course of their acquaintance, an acquaintance which had
213:207,33@a   | latterly brought them much together, and given her a sort
213:207,34@a   | of intimacy with his ways, seen any*thing that betrayed
213:207,35@a   | him to be unprincipled or unjust ~~ any*thing that spoke
213:207,36@a   | him of irreligious or immoral habits.  That among his
213:207,37@a   | own connections he was esteemed and valued ~~ that even
213:207,38@a   | Wickham had allowed him merit as a brother, and that
213:208,01@a   | she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his
213:208,02@a   | sister as to prove him capable of \some\ amiable feeling.
213:208,03@a   | That had his actions been what Wickham represented
213:208,04@a   | them, so gross a violation of every*thing right could hardly
213:208,05@a   | have been concealed from the world; and that friendship
213:208,06@a   | between a person capable of it, and such an amiable man
213:208,07@a   | as Mr%*Bingley, was incomprehensible.
213:208,08['  ]| She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. ~~ Of neither
213:208,09['  ]| Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that
213:208,10['  ]| she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd.
213:208,11[A  ]| "How despicably have I acted!"
213:208,11['  ]| she cried. ~~
213:208,11[A  ]| "I, who
213:208,12[A  ]| have prided myself on my discernment! ~~ I, who have
213:208,13[A  ]| valued myself on my abilities! who have often disdained
213:208,14[A  ]| the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity,
213:208,15[A  ]| in useless or blameable distrust. ~~ How humiliating is this
213:208,16[A  ]| discovery! ~~ Yet, how just a humiliation! ~~ Had I been
213:208,17[A  ]| in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind.
213:208,18[A  ]| But vanity, not love, has been my folly. ~~ Pleased with
213:208,19[A  ]| the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the
213:208,20[A  ]| other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have
213:208,21[A  ]| courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason
213:208,22[A  ]| away, where either were concerned.  Till this moment,
213:208,23[A  ]| I never knew myself."
213:208,24['  ]| From herself to Jane ~~ from Jane to Bingley, her
213:208,25['  ]| thoughts were in a line which soon brought to her recollection
213:208,26['  ]| that Mr%*Darcy's explanation \there\, had appeared
213:208,27['  ]| very insufficient; and she read it again.  Widely different
213:208,28['  ]| was the effect of a second perusal. ~~
213:208,28@a   | How could she deny
213:208,29@a   | that credit to his assertions, in one instance, which she
213:208,30@a   | had been obliged to give in the other? ~~ He declared
213:208,31@a   | himself to have been totally unsuspicious of her sister's
213:208,32@a   | attachment; ~~ and she could not help remembering what
213:208,33@a   | Charlotte's opinion had always been. ~~ Neither could she
213:208,34@a   | deny the justice of his description of Jane. ~~
213:208,34['  ]| She felt that
213:208,35@a   | Jane's feelings, though fervent, were little displayed, and
213:208,36@a   | that there was a constant complacency in her air and
213:208,37@a   | manner, not often united with great sensibility.
213:208,38['  ]| When she came to that part of the letter in which
213:209,01['  ]| her family were mentioned, in terms of such mortifying,
213:209,02['  ]| yet merited reproach, her sense of shame was severe.
213:209,03['  ]| The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly for denial,
213:209,04['  ]| and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded,
213:209,05['  ]| as having passed at the Netherfield ball, and as confirming
213:209,06['  ]| all his first disapprobation, could not have made a stronger
213:209,07['  ]| impression on his mind than on hers.
213:209,08['  ]| The compliment to herself and her sister, was not
213:209,09['  ]| unfelt.  It soothed, but it could not console her for the
213:209,10['  ]| contempt which had been thus self-attracted by the rest
213:209,11['  ]| of her family; ~~ and as she considered that Jane's disappointment
213:209,12['  ]| had in fact been the work of her nearest
213:209,13['  ]| relations, and reflected how materially the credit of both
213:209,14['  ]| must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt
213:209,15['  ]| depressed beyond any*thing she had ever known before.
213:209,16['  ]| After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving
213:209,17['  ]| way to every variety of thought; re-considering events,
213:209,18['  ]| determining probabilities, and reconciling herself as well
213:209,19['  ]| as she could, to a change so sudden and so important,
213:209,20['  ]| fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence, made her
213:209,21['  ]| at length return home; and she entered the house with
213:209,22['  ]| the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, and the resolution
213:209,23['  ]| of repressing such reflections as must make her unfit for
213:209,24['  ]| conversation.
213:209,25['  ]| She was immediately told, that
213:209,25@x   | the two gentlemen from
213:209,26@x   | Rosings had each called during her absence; Mr%*Darcy,
213:209,27@x   | only for a few minutes to take leave, but that Colonel*Fitzwilliam
213:209,28@x   | had been sitting with them at least an hour,
213:209,29@x   | hoping for her return, and almost resolving to walk after
213:209,30@x   | her till she could be found. ~~
213:209,30['  ]| Elizabeth could but just
213:209,31['  ]| \affect\ concern in missing him; she really rejoiced at it.
213:209,32['  ]| Colonel*Fitzwilliam was no longer an object.  She could
213:209,33['  ]| think only of her letter.
214:210,01['  ]| The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning;
214:210,02['  ]| and Mr%*Collins having been in waiting near the lodges,
214:210,03['  ]| to make them his parting obeisance, was able to bring
214:210,04['  ]| home the pleasing intelligence, of their appearing in very
214:210,05['  ]| good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be
214:210,06['  ]| expected, after the melancholy scene so lately gone
214:210,07['  ]| through at Rosings.  To Rosings he then hastened to
214:210,08['  ]| console Lady*Catherine, and her daughter; and on his
214:210,09['  ]| return, brought back, with great satisfaction, a message
214:210,10['  ]| from her Ladyship, importing that
214:210,10@l   | she felt herself so
214:210,11@l   | dull as to make her very desirous of having them all to
214:210,12@l   | dine with her.
214:210,13['  ]| Elizabeth could not see Lady*Catherine without recollecting,
214:210,14['  ]| that
214:210,14@a   | had she chosen it, she might by this time
214:210,15@a   | have been presented to her, as her future niece;
214:210,15['  ]| nor
214:210,16['  ]| could she think, without a smile, of what her ladyship's
214:210,17['  ]| indignation would have been.
214:210,17@a   | "What would she have
214:210,18@a   | said? ~~ how would she have behaved?"
214:210,18['  ]| were questions
214:210,19['  ]| with which she amused herself.
214:210,20['  ]| Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings
214:210,21['  ]| party. ~~
214:210,21[L  ]| "I assure you, I feel it exceedingly,"
214:210,21['  ]| said Lady*Catherine;
214:210,22[L  ]| "I believe nobody feels the loss of friends so
214:210,23[L  ]| much as I do.  But I am particularly attached to these
214:210,24[L  ]| young men; and know them to be so much attached to
214:210,25[L  ]| me! ~~ They were excessively sorry to go!  But so they
214:210,26[L  ]| always are.  The dear colonel rallied his spirits tolerably
214:210,27[L  ]| till just at last; but Darcy seemed to feel it most acutely,
214:210,28[L  ]| more I think than last year.  His attachment to Rosings,
214:210,29[L  ]| certainly increases."
214:210,30['  ]| Mr%*Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw
214:210,31['  ]| in here, which were kindly smiled on by the mother and
214:210,32['  ]| daughter.
214:211,01['  ]| Lady*Catherine observed, after dinner, that
214:211,01@l   | Miss*Bennet
214:211,02@l   | seemed out of spirits,
214:211,02['  ]| and immediately accounting
214:211,03['  ]| for it herself, by supposing that
214:211,03@l   | she did not like to
214:211,04@l   | go home again so soon,
214:211,04['  ]| she added,
214:211,05[L  ]| "But if that is the case, you must write to your mother
214:211,06[L  ]| to beg that you may stay a little longer.  Mrs%*Collins
214:211,07[L  ]| will be very glad of your company, I am sure."
214:211,08[A  ]| "I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind
214:211,09[A  ]| invitation,"
214:211,09['  ]| replied Elizabeth,
214:211,09[A  ]| "but it is not in my power
214:211,10[A  ]| to accept it. ~~ I must be in town next Saturday."
214:211,11[L  ]| "Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six
214:211,12[L  ]| weeks.  I expected you to stay two months.  I told Mrs%*Collins
214:211,13[L  ]| so before you came.  There can be no occasion
214:211,14[L  ]| for your going so soon.  Mrs%*Bennet could certainly spare
214:211,15[L  ]| you for another fortnight."
214:211,16[A  ]| "But my father cannot. ~~ He wrote last week to hurry
214:211,17[A  ]| my return."
214:211,18[L  ]| "Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your
214:211,19[L  ]| mother can. ~~ Daughters are never of so much consequence
214:211,20[L  ]| to a father.  And if you will stay another \month\ complete,
214:211,21[L  ]| it will be in my power to take one of you as far as London,
214:211,22[L  ]| for I am going there early in June, for a week; and as
214:211,23[L  ]| Dawson does not object to the Barouche*box, there
214:211,24[L  ]| will be very good room for one of you ~~ and indeed,
214:211,25[L  ]| if the weather should happen to be cool, I should not
214:211,26[L  ]| object to taking you both, as you are neither of you
214:211,27[L  ]| large."
214:211,28[A  ]| "You are all kindness, Madam; but I believe we must
214:211,29[A  ]| abide by our original plan."
214:211,30['  ]| Lady*Catherine seemed resigned.
214:211,31[L  ]| "Mrs%*Collins, you must send a servant with them.
214:211,32[L  ]| You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the
214:211,33[L  ]| idea of two young women travelling post by themselves.
214:211,34[L  ]| It is highly improper.  You must contrive to send somebody.
214:211,35[L  ]| I have the greatest dislike in the world to that
214:211,36[L  ]| sort of thing. ~~ Young women should always be properly
214:211,37[L  ]| guarded and attended, according to their situation in
214:211,38[L  ]| life.  When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last
214:212,01[L  ]| summer, I made a point of her having two men*servants
214:212,02[L  ]| go with her. ~~ Miss*Darcy, the daughter of Mr%*Darcy,
214:212,03[L  ]| of Pemberley, and Lady*Anne, could not have appeared
214:212,04[L  ]| with propriety in a different manner. ~~ I am excessively
214:212,05[L  ]| attentive to all those things.  You must send John with
214:212,06[L  ]| the young ladies, Mrs%*Collins.  I am glad it occurred to
214:212,07[L  ]| me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to
214:212,08[L  ]| \you\ to let them go alone."
214:212,09[A  ]| "My uncle is to send a servant for us."
214:212,10[L  ]| "Oh! ~~ Your uncle! ~~ He keeps a man-servant, does
214:212,11[L  ]| he? ~~ I am very glad you have somebody who thinks of
214:212,12[L  ]| those things.  Where shall you change horses? ~~ Oh!
214:212,13[L  ]| Bromley, of course. ~~ If you mention my name at the*Bell,
214:212,14[L  ]| you will be attended to."
214:212,15['  ]| Lady*Catherine had many other questions to ask
214:212,16['  ]| respecting their journey, and as she did not answer them
214:212,17['  ]| all herself, attention was necessary, which Elizabeth
214:212,18['  ]| believed to be lucky for her; or, with a mind so occupied,
214:212,19['  ]| she might have forgotten where she was.  Reflection
214:212,20['  ]| must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was
214:212,21['  ]| alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and
214:212,22['  ]| not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which
214:212,23['  ]| she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.
214:212,24['  ]|
214:212,25['  ]| Mr%*Darcy's letter, she was in a fair way of soon knowing
214:212,26['  ]| by heart.  She studied every sentence:  and her feelings
214:212,27['  ]| towards its writer were at times widely different.  When
214:212,28['  ]| she remembered the style of his address, she was still
214:212,29['  ]| full of indignation; but when she considered how unjustly
214:212,30['  ]| she had condemned and upbraided him, her anger was
214:212,31['  ]| turned against herself; and his disappointed feelings
214:212,32['  ]| became the object of compassion.  His attachment excited
214:212,33['  ]| gratitude, his general character respect; but she could
214:212,34['  ]| not approve him; nor could she for a moment repent
214:212,35['  ]| her refusal, or feel the slightest inclination ever to see
214:212,36['  ]| him again.  In her own past behaviour, there was a constant
214:212,37['  ]| source of vexation and regret; and in the unhappy
214:212,38['  ]| defects of her family a subject of yet heavier chagrin.
214:213,01@a   | They were hopeless of remedy.  Her father, contented
214:213,02@a   | with laughing at them, would never exert himself to
214:213,03@a   | restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and
214:213,04@a   | her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was
214:213,05@a   | entirely insensible of the evil.
214:213,05['  ]| Elizabeth had frequently
214:213,06['  ]| united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence
214:213,07['  ]| of Catherine and Lydia;
214:213,07@a   | but while they were supported
214:213,08@a   | by their mother's indulgence, what chance could there be
214:213,09@a   | of improvement?  Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and
214:213,10@a   | completely under Lydia's guidance, had been always
214:213,11@a   | affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and
214:213,12@a   | careless, would scarcely give them a hearing.  They were
214:213,13@a   | ignorant, idle, and vain.  While there was an officer in
214:213,14@a   | Meryton, they would flirt with him; and while Meryton
214:213,15@a   | was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going
214:213,16@a   | there for*ever.
214:213,17['  ]| Anxiety on Jane's behalf, was another prevailing concern,
214:213,18['  ]| and Mr%*Darcy's explanation, by restoring Bingley
214:213,19['  ]| to all her former good opinion, heightened the sense of
214:213,20['  ]| what Jane had lost.  His affection was proved to have
214:213,21['  ]| been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame, unless
214:213,22['  ]| any could attach to the implicitness of his confidence in
214:213,23['  ]| his friend.  How grievous then was the thought that,
214:213,24@a   | of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete
214:213,25@a   | with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had
214:213,26@a   | been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own
214:213,27@a   | family!
214:213,28['  ]| When to these recollections was added the developement
214:213,29['  ]| of Wickham's character, it may be easily believed that
214:213,30['  ]| the happy spirits which had seldom been depressed before,
214:213,31['  ]| were now so much affected as to make it almost impossible
214:213,32['  ]| for her to appear tolerably cheerful.
214:213,33['  ]| Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during
214:213,34['  ]| the last week of her stay, as they had been at first.  The
214:213,35['  ]| very last evening was spent there; and her Ladyship
214:213,36['  ]| again enquired minutely into the particulars of their
214:213,37['  ]| journey, gave them directions as to the best method of
214:213,38['  ]| packing, and was so urgent on the necessity of placing
214:214,01['  ]| gowns in the only right way, that Maria thought herself
214:214,02['  ]| obliged, on her return, to undo all the work of the morning,
214:214,03['  ]| and pack her trunk afresh.
214:214,04['  ]| When they parted, Lady*Catherine, with great condescension,
214:214,05['  ]| wished them a good journey, and invited them
214:214,06['  ]| to come to Hunsford again next year; and Miss*De*Bourgh
214:214,07['  ]| exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her hand
214:214,08['  ]| to both.
215:215,01['  ]| On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr%*Collins met
215:215,02['  ]| for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared;
215:215,03['  ]| and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities
215:215,04['  ]| which he deemed indispensably necessary.
215:215,05[K  ]| "I know not, Miss*Elizabeth,"
215:215,05['  ]| said he,
215:215,05[K  ]| "whether
215:215,06[K  ]| Mrs%*Collins has yet expressed her sense of your kindness
215:215,07[K  ]| in coming to us, but I am very certain you will not leave
215:215,08[K  ]| the house without receiving her thanks for it.  The favour
215:215,09[K  ]| of your company has been much felt, I assure you.  We
215:215,10[K  ]| know how little there is to tempt any*one to our humble
215:215,11[K  ]| abode.  Our plain manner of living, our small rooms, and
215:215,12[K  ]| few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must
215:215,13[K  ]| make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself;
215:215,14[K  ]| but I hope you will believe us grateful for the
215:215,15[K  ]| condescension, and that we have done every*thing in our
215:215,16[K  ]| power to prevent your spending your time unpleasantly."
215:215,17['  ]| Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of
215:215,18['  ]| happiness.
215:215,18@a   | She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment;
215:215,19@a   | and the pleasure of being with Charlotte, and the kind
215:215,20@a   | attentions she had received, must make \her\ feel the obliged.
215:215,21['  ]| Mr%*Collins was gratified; and with a more smiling
215:215,22['  ]| solemnity replied,
215:215,23[K  ]| "It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you
215:215,24[K  ]| have passed your time not disagreeably.  We have
215:215,25[K  ]| certainly done our best; and most fortunately having it
215:215,26[K  ]| in our power to introduce you to very superior society,
215:215,27[K  ]| and from our connections with Rosings, the frequent means
215:215,28[K  ]| of varying the humble home scene, I think we may flatter
215:215,29[K  ]| ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been
215:215,30[K  ]| entirely irksome.  Our situation with regard to Lady*Catherine's
215:215,31[K  ]| family is indeed the sort of extraordinary
215:216,01[K  ]| advantage and blessing which few can boast.  You see
215:216,02[K  ]| on what a footing we are.  You see how continually we are
215:216,03[K  ]| engaged there.  In truth I must acknowledge that, with
215:216,04[K  ]| all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I should
215:216,05[K  ]| not think any*one abiding in it an object of compassion,
215:216,06[K  ]| while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings."
215:216,07['  ]| Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings;
215:216,08['  ]| and he was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth
215:216,09['  ]| tried to unite civility and truth in a few short
215:216,10['  ]| sentences.
215:216,11[K  ]| "You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of
215:216,12[K  ]| us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin.  I flatter myself
215:216,13[K  ]| at least that you will be able to do so.  Lady*Catherine's
215:216,14[K  ]| great attentions to Mrs%*Collins you have been a daily
215:216,15[K  ]| witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear
215:216,16[K  ]| that your friend has drawn an unfortunate ~~ but on this
215:216,17[K  ]| point it will be as well to be silent.  Only let me assure
215:216,18[K  ]| you, my dear Miss*Elizabeth, that I can from my heart
215:216,19[K  ]| most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage.  My
215:216,20[K  ]| dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of
215:216,21[K  ]| thinking.  There is in every*thing a most remarkable
215:216,22[K  ]| resemblance of character and ideas between us.  We seem
215:216,23[K  ]| to have been designed for each other."
215:216,24['  ]| Elizabeth could safely say that
215:216,24@a   | it was a great happiness
215:216,25@a   | where that was the case,
215:216,25['  ]| and with equal sincerity could
215:216,26['  ]| add that
215:216,26@a   | she firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic
215:216,27@a   | comforts.
215:216,27['  ]| She was not sorry, however, to have the recital
215:216,28['  ]| of them interrupted by the entrance of the lady from whom
215:216,29['  ]| they sprung.
215:216,29@a   | Poor Charlotte! ~~ it was melancholy to
215:216,30@a   | leave her to such society! ~~ But she had chosen it with
215:216,31@a   | her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that her
215:216,32@a   | visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion.
215:216,33@a   | Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her
215:216,34@a   | poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet
215:216,35@a   | lost their charms.
215:216,36['  ]| At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened
215:216,37['  ]| on, the parcels placed within, and it was pronounced to
215:216,38['  ]| be ready.  After an affectionate parting between the
215:217,01['  ]| friends, Elizabeth was attended to the carriage by Mr%*Collins,
215:217,02['  ]| and as they walked down the garden, he was
215:217,03['  ]| commissioning her with his best respects to all her family,
215:217,04['  ]| not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received
215:217,05['  ]| at Longbourn in the winter, and his compliments to Mr%
215:217,06['  ]| and Mrs%*Gardiner, though unknown.  He then handed
215:217,07['  ]| her in, Maria followed, and the door was on the point
215:217,08['  ]| of being closed, when he suddenly reminded them, with
215:217,09['  ]| some consternation, that
215:217,09@k   | they had hitherto forgotten to
215:217,10@k   | leave any message for the ladies at Rosings.
215:217,11[K  ]| "But,"
215:217,11['  ]| he added,
215:217,11[K  ]| "you will of course wish to have
215:217,12[K  ]| your humble respects delivered to them, with your grateful
215:217,13[K  ]| thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here."
215:217,14['  ]| Elizabeth made no objection; ~~ the door was then
215:217,15['  ]| allowed to be shut, and the carriage drove off.
215:217,16[V  ]| "Good gracious!"
215:217,16['  ]| cried Maria, after a few minutes
215:217,17['  ]| silence,
215:217,17[V  ]| "it seems but a day or two since we first came! ~~
215:217,18[V  ]| and yet how many things have happened!"
215:217,19[A  ]| "A great many indeed,"
215:217,19['  ]| said her companion with
215:217,20['  ]| a sigh.
215:217,21[V  ]| "We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking
215:217,22[V  ]| tea there twice! ~~ How much I shall have to tell!"
215:217,23['  ]| Elizabeth privately added,
215:217,23[A  ]| "And how much I shall
215:217,24[A  ]| have to conceal."
215:217,25['  ]| Their journey was performed without much conversation,
215:217,26['  ]| or any alarm; and within four hours of their
215:217,27['  ]| leaving Hunsford, they reached Mr%*Gardiner's house,
215:217,28['  ]| where they were to remain a few days.
215:217,29['  ]| Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity
215:217,30['  ]| of studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements
215:217,31['  ]| which the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them.
215:217,32@a   | But Jane was to go home with her, and at Longbourn
215:217,33@a   | there would be leisure enough for observation.
215:217,34['  ]| It was not without an effort meanwhile that she could
215:217,35['  ]| wait even for Longbourn, before she told her sister of
215:217,36['  ]| Mr%*Darcy's proposals.  To know that she had the power
215:217,37['  ]| of revealing what would so exceedingly astonish Jane,
215:218,01['  ]| and must, at the same time, so highly gratify whatever
215:218,02['  ]| of her own vanity she had not yet been able to reason
215:218,03['  ]| away, was such a temptation to openness as nothing could
215:218,04['  ]| have conquered, but the state of indecision in which she
215:218,05['  ]| remained, as to the extent of what she should communicate;
215:218,06['  ]| and her fear, if she once entered on the subject, of
215:218,07['  ]| being hurried into repeating something of Bingley, which
215:218,08['  ]| might only grieve her sister farther.
216:219,01['  ]| It was the second week in May, in which the three
216:219,02['  ]| young ladies set out together from Gracechurch-street, for
216:219,03['  ]| the town of **** in Hertfordshire; and, as they drew
216:219,04['  ]| near the appointed inn where Mr%*Bennet's carriage was
216:219,05['  ]| to meet them, they quickly perceived, in token of the
216:219,06['  ]| coachman's punctuality, both Kitty and Lydia looking
216:219,07['  ]| out of a dining*room up*stairs.  These two girls had been
216:219,08['  ]| above an hour in the place, happily employed in visiting
216:219,09['  ]| an opposite milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and
216:219,10['  ]| dressing a sallad and cucumber.
216:219,11['  ]| After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed
216:219,12['  ]| a table set out with such cold meat as an inn larder
216:219,13['  ]| usually affords, exclaiming,
216:219,13[Y  ]| "Is not this nice?  is not
216:219,14[Y  ]| this an agreeable surprise?"
216:219,15[H  ]| "And we mean to treat you all,"
216:219,15['  ]| added Lydia;
216:219,15[H  ]| "but
216:219,16[H  ]| you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours
216:219,17[H  ]| at the shop out there."
216:219,17['  ]| Then shewing her purchases:
216:219,18[H  ]| "Look here, I have bought this bonnet.  I do not think
216:219,19[H  ]| it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well buy it
216:219,20[H  ]| as not.  I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home,
216:219,21[H  ]| and see if I can make it up any better."
216:219,22['  ]| And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added,
216:219,23['  ]| with perfect unconcern,
216:219,23[H  ]| "Oh! but there were two or
216:219,24[H  ]| three much uglier in the shop; and when I have bought
216:219,25[H  ]| some prettier-coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I think
216:219,26[H  ]| it will be very tolerable.  Besides, it will not much signify
216:219,27[H  ]| what one wears this summer, after the *****shire have
216:219,28[H  ]| left Meryton, and they are going in a fortnight."
216:219,29[A  ]| "Are they indeed?"
216:219,29['  ]| cried Elizabeth, with the greatest
216:219,30['  ]| satisfaction.
216:219,31[H  ]| "They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and
216:219,32[H  ]| I do so want papa to take us all there for the summer!
216:219,33[H  ]| It would be such a delicious scheme, and I dare say
216:220,01[H  ]| would hardly cost any*thing at all.  Mamma would like
216:220,02[H  ]| to go too of all things!  Only think what a miserable
216:220,03[H  ]| summer else we shall have!"
216:220,04@a   | "Yes,"
216:220,04['  ]| thought Elizabeth,
216:220,04@a   | "\that\ would be a delightful
216:220,05@a   | scheme, indeed, and completely do for us at once.
216:220,06@a   | Good Heaven!  Brighton, and a whole campful of soldiers,
216:220,07@a   | to us, who have been overset already by one poor regiment
216:220,08@a   | of militia, and the monthly balls of Meryton."
216:220,09[H  ]| "Now I have got some news for you,"
216:220,09['  ]| said Lydia, as
216:220,10['  ]| they sat down to table.
216:220,10[H  ]| "What do you think?  It is
216:220,11[H  ]| excellent news, capital news, and about a certain person
216:220,12[H  ]| that we all like."
216:220,13['  ]| Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the
216:220,14['  ]| waiter was told that he need not stay.  Lydia laughed,
216:220,15['  ]| and said,
216:220,16[H  ]| "Aye, that is just like your formality and discretion.
216:220,17[H  ]| You thought the waiter must not hear, as if he cared!
216:220,18[H  ]| I dare say he often hears worse things said than I am
216:220,19[H  ]| going to say.  But he is an ugly fellow!  I am glad he is
216:220,20[H  ]| gone.  I never saw such a long chin in my life.  Well, but
216:220,21[H  ]| now for my news:  it is about dear Wickham; too good
216:220,22[H  ]| for the waiter, is not it?  There is no danger of Wickham's
216:220,23[H  ]| marrying Mary*King.  There's for you!  She is gone down
216:220,24[H  ]| to her uncle at Liverpool; gone to stay.  Wickham is
216:220,25[H  ]| safe."
216:220,26[A  ]| "And Mary*King is safe!"
216:220,26['  ]| added Elizabeth;
216:220,26[A  ]| "safe
216:220,27[A  ]| from a connection imprudent as to fortune."
216:220,28[H  ]| "She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him."
216:220,29[E  ]| "But I hope there is no strong attachment on either
216:220,30[E  ]| side,"
216:220,30['  ]| said Jane.
216:220,31[H  ]| "I am sure there is not on \his\.  I will answer for it
216:220,32[H  ]| he never cared three straws about her.  Who \could\ about
216:220,33[H  ]| such a nasty little freckled thing?"
216:220,34['  ]| Elizabeth was shocked to think that,
216:220,34@a   | however incapable
216:220,35@a   | of such coarseness of \expression\ herself, the coarseness
216:220,36@a   | of the \sentiment\ was little other than her own breast had
216:220,37@a   | formerly harboured and fancied liberal!
216:220,38['  ]| As soon as all had ate, and the elder ones paid, the
216:221,01['  ]| carriage was ordered; and after some contrivance, the
216:221,02['  ]| whole party, with all their boxes, workbags, and parcels,
216:221,03['  ]| and the unwelcome addition of Kitty's and Lydia's
216:221,04['  ]| purchases, were seated in it.
216:221,05[H  ]| "How nicely we are crammed in!"
216:221,05['  ]| cried Lydia.
216:221,05[H  ]| "I am
216:221,06[H  ]| glad I bought my bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having
216:221,07[H  ]| another bandbox!  Well, now let us be quite comfortable
216:221,08[H  ]| and snug, and talk and laugh all the way home.  And
216:221,09[H  ]| in the first place, let us hear what has happened to you
216:221,10[H  ]| all, since you went away.  Have you seen any pleasant
216:221,11[H  ]| men?  Have you had any flirting?  I was in great hopes
216:221,12[H  ]| that one of you would have got a husband before you came
216:221,13[H  ]| back.  Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare.
216:221,14[H  ]| She is almost three*and*twenty!  Lord, how ashamed
216:221,15[H  ]| I should be of not being married before three*and*twenty!
216:221,16[H  ]| My aunt Philips wants you so to get husbands, you can't
216:221,17[H  ]| think.  She says Lizzy had better have taken Mr%*Collins;
216:221,18[H  ]| but \I\ do not think there would have been any fun in it.
216:221,19[H  ]| Lord! how I should like to be married before any of you;
216:221,20[H  ]| and then I would chaperon you about to all the balls.
216:221,21[H  ]| Dear me! we had such a good piece of fun the other day
216:221,22[H  ]| at Colonel*Forster's.  Kitty and me were to spend the
216:221,23[H  ]| day there, and Mrs%*Forster promised to have a little
216:221,24[H  ]| dance in the evening; (by*the*bye, Mrs%*Forster and
216:221,25[H  ]| me are \such\ friends!) and so she asked the two Harringtons
216:221,26[H  ]| to come, but Harriet was ill, and so Pen was forced to
216:221,27[H  ]| come by herself; and then, what do you think we did?
216:221,28[H  ]| We dressed up Chamberlayne in woman's clothes, on
216:221,29[H  ]| purpose to pass for a lady, ~~ only think what fun!  Not
216:221,30[H  ]| a soul knew of it, but Col% and Mrs%*Forster, and
216:221,31[H  ]| Kitty and me, except my aunt, for we were forced to
216:221,32[H  ]| borrow one of her gowns; and you cannot imagine how
216:221,33[H  ]| well he looked!  When Denny, and Wickham, and Pratt,
216:221,34[H  ]| and two or three more of the men came in, they did not
216:221,35[H  ]| know him in the least.  Lord! how I laughed! and so
216:221,36[H  ]| did Mrs%*Forster.  I thought I should have died.  And
216:221,37[H  ]| \that\ made the men suspect something, and then they soon
216:221,38[H  ]| found out what was the matter."
216:222,01['  ]| With such kind of histories of their parties and good
216:222,02['  ]| jokes, did Lydia, assisted by Kitty's hints and additions,
216:222,03['  ]| endeavour to amuse her companions all the way to Longbourn.
216:222,04['  ]| Elizabeth listened as little as she could, but there
216:222,05['  ]| was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham's
216:222,06['  ]| name.
216:222,07['  ]| Their reception at home was most kind.  Mrs%*Bennet
216:222,08['  ]| rejoiced to see Jane in undiminished beauty; and more
216:222,09['  ]| than once during dinner did Mr%*Bennet say voluntarily
216:222,10['  ]| to Elizabeth,
216:222,11[D  ]| "I am glad you are come back, Lizzy."
216:222,12['  ]| Their party in the dining-room was large, for almost
216:222,13['  ]| all the Lucases came to meet Maria and hear the news:
216:222,14['  ]| and various were the subjects which occupied them;
216:222,15['  ]| lady*Lucas was enquiring of Maria across the table, after
216:222,16['  ]| the welfare and poultry of her eldest daughter; Mrs%*Bennet
216:222,17['  ]| was doubly engaged, on one hand collecting an account
216:222,18['  ]| of the present fashions from Jane, who sat some way
216:222,19['  ]| below her, and on the other, retailing them all to the
216:222,20['  ]| younger Miss*Lucases; and Lydia, in a voice rather
216:222,21['  ]| louder than any other person's, was enumerating the
216:222,22['  ]| various pleasures of the morning to any*body who would
216:222,23['  ]| hear her.
216:222,24[H  ]| "Oh! Mary,"
216:222,24['  ]| said she,
216:222,24[H  ]| "I wish you had gone with
216:222,25[H  ]| us, for we had such fun! as we went along, Kitty and
216:222,26[H  ]| me drew up all the blinds, and pretended there was
216:222,27[H  ]| nobody in the coach; and I should have gone so all the
216:222,28[H  ]| way, if Kitty had not been sick; and when we got to
216:222,29[H  ]| the*George, I do think we behaved very handsomely, for
216:222,30[H  ]| we treated the other three with the nicest cold luncheon
216:222,31[H  ]| in the world, and if you would have gone, we would have
216:222,32[H  ]| treated you too.  And then when we came away it was
216:222,33[H  ]| such fun!  I thought we never should have got into the
216:222,34[H  ]| coach.  I was ready to die of laughter.  And then we were
216:222,35[H  ]| so merry all the way home! we talked and laughed so
216:222,36[H  ]| loud, that any*body might have heard us ten miles off!"
216:222,37['  ]| To this, Mary very gravely replied,
216:222,37[F  ]| "Far be it from
216:222,38[F  ]| me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures.  They
216:223,01[F  ]| would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female
216:223,02[F  ]| minds.  But I confess they would have no charms for \me\.
216:223,03[F  ]| I should infinitely prefer a book."
216:223,04['  ]| But of this answer Lydia heard not a word.  She seldom
216:223,05['  ]| listened to any*body for more than half a minute, and
216:223,06['  ]| never attended to Mary at all.
216:223,07['  ]| In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the
216:223,08['  ]| girls to walk to Meryton and see how every*body went on;
216:223,09['  ]| but Elizabeth steadily opposed the scheme.
216:223,09@a   | It should
216:223,10@a   | not be said, that the Miss*Bennets could not be at home
216:223,11@a   | half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers.
216:223,12['  ]| There was another reason too for her opposition.
216:223,12@a   | She
216:223,13@a   | dreaded seeing Wickham again, and was resolved to avoid
216:223,14@a   | it as long as possible.  The comfort to \her\, of the regiment's
216:223,15@a   | approaching removal, was indeed beyond expression.  In
216:223,16@a   | a fortnight they were to go, and once gone, she hoped
216:223,17@a   | there could be nothing more to plague her on his account.
216:223,18['  ]| She had not been many hours at home, before she found
216:223,19['  ]| that the Brighton scheme, of which Lydia had given them
216:223,20['  ]| a hint at the inn, was under frequent discussion between
216:223,21['  ]| her parents.  Elizabeth saw directly that her father had
216:223,22['  ]| not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers
216:223,23['  ]| were at the same time so vague and equivocal, that her
216:223,24['  ]| mother, though often disheartened, had never yet despaired
216:223,25['  ]| of succeeding at last.
217:224,01['  ]| Elizabeth's impatience to acquaint Jane with what
217:224,02['  ]| had happened could no longer be overcome; and at length
217:224,03['  ]| resolving to suppress every particular in which her sister
217:224,04['  ]| was concerned, and preparing her to be surprised, she
217:224,05['  ]| related to her the next morning the chief of the scene
217:224,06['  ]| between Mr%*Darcy and herself.
217:224,07['  ]| Miss*Bennet's astonishment was soon lessened by the
217:224,08['  ]| strong sisterly partiality which made any admiration of
217:224,09['  ]| Elizabeth appear perfectly natural; and all surprise was
217:224,10['  ]| shortly lost in other feelings.
217:224,10@e   | She was sorry that Mr%*Darcy
217:224,11@e   | should have delivered his sentiments in a manner
217:224,12@e   | so little suited to recommend them; but still more was
217:224,13@e   | she grieved for the unhappiness which her sister's refusal
217:224,14@e   | must have given him.
217:224,15[E  ]| "His being so sure of succeeding, was wrong,"
217:224,15['  ]| said she;
217:224,16[E  ]| "and certainly ought not to have appeared; but consider
217:224,17[E  ]| how much it must increase his disappointment."
217:224,18[A  ]| "Indeed,"
217:224,18['  ]| replied Elizabeth,
217:224,18[A  ]| "I am heartily sorry for
217:224,19[A  ]| him; but he has other feelings which will probably soon
217:224,20[A  ]| drive away his regard for me.  You do not blame me,
217:224,21[A  ]| however, for refusing him?"
217:224,22[E  ]| "Blame you!  Oh, no."
217:224,23[A  ]| "But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of
217:224,24[A  ]| Wickham."
217:224,25[E  ]| "No ~~ I do not know that you were wrong in saying
217:224,26[E  ]| what you did."
217:224,27[A  ]| "But you \will\ know it, when I have told you what
217:224,28[A  ]| happened the very next day."
217:224,29['  ]| She then spoke of the letter, repeating the whole of its
217:224,30['  ]| contents as far as they concerned George*Wickham.
217:224,31['  ]| What a stroke was this for poor Jane! who would willingly
217:224,32['  ]| have gone through the world without believing that so
217:224,33['  ]| much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind,
217:225,01['  ]| as was here collected in one individual.  Nor was Darcy's
217:225,02['  ]| vindication, though grateful to her feelings, capable of
217:225,03['  ]| consoling her for such discovery.  Most earnestly did she
217:225,04['  ]| labour to prove the probability of error, and seek to clear
217:225,05['  ]| one, without involving the other.
217:225,06[A  ]| "This will not do,"
217:225,06['  ]| said Elizabeth.
217:225,06[A  ]| "You never will
217:225,07[A  ]| be able to make both of them good for any*thing.  Take
217:225,08[A  ]| your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one.
217:225,09[A  ]| There is but such a quantity of merit between them;
217:225,10[A  ]| just enough to make one good sort of man; and of late
217:225,11[A  ]| it has been shifting about pretty much.  For my part,
217:225,12[A  ]| I am inclined to believe it all Mr%*Darcy's, but you shall
217:225,13[A  ]| do as you chuse."
217:225,14['  ]| It was some time, however, before a smile could be
217:225,15['  ]| extorted from Jane.
217:225,16[E  ]| "I do not know when I have been more shocked,"
217:225,17['  ]| said she.
217:225,17[E  ]| "Wickham so very bad!  It is almost past
217:225,18[E  ]| belief.  And poor Mr%*Darcy! dear Lizzy, only consider
217:225,19[E  ]| what he must have suffered.  Such a disappointment!
217:225,20[E  ]| and with the knowledge of your ill*opinion too! and having
217:225,21[E  ]| to relate such a thing of his sister!  It is really too distressing.
217:225,22[E  ]| I am sure you must feel it so."
217:225,23[A  ]| "Oh! no, my regret and compassion are all done away
217:225,24[A  ]| by seeing you so full of both.  I know you will do him
217:225,25[A  ]| such ample justice, that I am growing every moment
217:225,26[A  ]| more unconcerned and indifferent.  Your profusion makes
217:225,27[A  ]| me saving; and if you lament over him much longer,
217:225,28[A  ]| my heart will be as light as a feather."
217:225,29[E  ]| "Poor Wickham; there is such an expression of goodness
217:225,30[E  ]| in his countenance! such an openness and gentleness
217:225,31[E  ]| in his manner."
217:225,32[A  ]| "There certainly was some great mismanagement in
217:225,33[A  ]| the education of those two young men.  One has got all
217:225,34[A  ]| the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it."
217:225,35[E  ]| "I never thought Mr%*Darcy so deficient in the \appearance\
217:225,36[E  ]| of it as you used to do."
217:225,37[A  ]| "And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking
217:225,38[A  ]| so decided a dislike to him, without any reason.  It is
217:226,01[A  ]| such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit to
217:226,02[A  ]| have a dislike of that kind.  One may be continually
217:226,03[A  ]| abusive without saying any*thing just; but one cannot
217:226,04[A  ]| be always laughing at a man without now and then
217:226,05[A  ]| stumbling on something witty."
217:226,06[E  ]| "Lizzy, when you first read that letter, I am sure you
217:226,07[E  ]| could not treat the matter as you do now."
217:226,08[A  ]| "Indeed I could not.  I was uncomfortable enough.
217:226,09[A  ]| I was very uncomfortable, I may say unhappy.  And with
217:226,10[A  ]| no*one to speak to, of what I felt, no Jane to comfort
217:226,11[A  ]| me and say that I had not been so very weak and vain
217:226,12[A  ]| and nonsensical as I knew I had! Oh! how I wanted you!"
217:226,13[E  ]| "How unfortunate that you should have used such very
217:226,14[E  ]| strong expressions in speaking of Wickham to Mr%*Darcy,
217:226,15[E  ]| for now they \do\ appear wholly undeserved."
217:226,16[A  ]| "Certainly.  But the misfortune of speaking with
217:226,17[A  ]| bitterness, is a most natural consequence of the prejudices
217:226,18[A  ]| I had been encouraging.  There is one point, on which
217:226,19[A  ]| I want your advice.  I want to be told whether I ought,
217:226,20[A  ]| or ought not to make our acquaintance in general understand
217:226,21[A  ]| Wickham's character."
217:226,22['  ]| Miss*Bennet paused a little and then replied,
217:226,22[E  ]| "Surely
217:226,23[E  ]| there can be no occasion for exposing him so dreadfully.
217:226,24[E  ]| What is your own opinion?"
217:226,25[A  ]| "That it ought not to be attempted.  Mr%*Darcy has
217:226,26[A  ]| not authorised me to make his communication public.
217:226,27[A  ]| On the contrary every particular relative to his sister,
217:226,28[A  ]| was meant to be kept as much as possible to myself;
217:226,29[A  ]| and if I endeavour to undeceive people as to the rest
217:226,30[A  ]| of his conduct, who will believe me?  The general prejudice
217:226,31[A  ]| against Mr%*Darcy is so violent, that it would be
217:226,32[A  ]| the death of half the good people in Meryton, to attempt
217:226,33[A  ]| to place him in an amiable light.  I am not equal to it.
217:226,34[A  ]| Wickham will soon be gone; and therefore it will not
217:226,35[A  ]| signify to anybody here, what he really is.  Sometime
217:226,36[A  ]| hence it will be all found out, and then we may laugh
217:226,37[A  ]| at their stupidity in not knowing it before.  At present
217:226,38[A  ]| I will say nothing about it."
217:227,01[E  ]| "You are quite right.  To have his errors made public
217:227,02[E  ]| might ruin him for*ever.  He is now perhaps sorry for
217:227,03[E  ]| what he has done, and anxious to re-establish a character.
217:227,04[E  ]| We must not make him desperate."
217:227,05['  ]| The tumult of Elizabeth's mind was allayed by this
217:227,06['  ]| conversation.  She had got rid of two of the secrets which
217:227,07['  ]| had weighed on her for a fortnight, and was certain of
217:227,08['  ]| a willing listener in Jane, whenever she might wish to
217:227,09['  ]| talk again on either.  But there was still something lurking
217:227,10['  ]| behind, of which prudence forbad the disclosure.  She dared
217:227,11['  ]| not relate the other half of Mr%*Darcy's letter, nor explain to
217:227,12['  ]| her sister how sincerely she had been valued by his friend.
217:227,13['  ]| Here was knowledge in which no*one could partake;
217:227,14['  ]| and she was sensible that nothing less than a perfect
217:227,15['  ]| understanding between the parties could justify her in
217:227,16['  ]| throwing off this last incumbrance of mystery.
217:227,16[A  ]| "And
217:227,17[A  ]| then,"
217:227,17['  ]| said she,
217:227,17[A  ]| "if that very improbable event should
217:227,18[A  ]| ever take place, I shall merely be able to tell what Bingley
217:227,19[A  ]| may tell in a much more agreeable manner himself.  The
217:227,20[A  ]| liberty of communication cannot be mine till it has lost
217:227,21[A  ]| all its value!"
217:227,22['  ]| She was now, on being settled at home, at leisure to
217:227,23['  ]| observe the real state of her sister's spirits.
217:227,23@a   | Jane was
217:227,24@a   | not happy.  She still cherished a very tender affection
217:227,25@a   | for Bingley.  Having never even fancied herself in love
217:227,26@a   | before, her regard had all the warmth of first attachment,
217:227,27@a   | and from her age and disposition, greater steadiness than
217:227,28@a   | first attachments often boast; and so fervently did she
217:227,29@a   | value his remembrance, and prefer him to every other
217:227,30@a   | man, that all her good sense, and all her attention to the
217:227,31@a   | feelings of her friends, were requisite to check the indulgence
217:227,32@a   | of those regrets, which must have been injurious
217:227,33@a   | to her own health and their tranquillity.
217:227,34[D  ]| "Well, Lizzy,"
217:227,34['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet one day,
217:227,34[D  ]| "what is
217:227,35[D  ]| your opinion \now\ of this sad business of Jane's?  For my
217:227,36[D  ]| part, I am determined never to speak of it again to anybody.
217:227,37[D  ]| I told my sister Philips so the other day.  But
217:227,38[D  ]| I cannot find out that Jane saw any*thing of him in London.
217:228,01[D  ]| Well, he is a very undeserving young man ~~ and I do not
217:228,02[D  ]| suppose there is the least chance in the world of her ever
217:228,03[D  ]| getting him now.  There is no talk of his coming to Netherfield
217:228,04[D  ]| again in the summer; and I have enquired of every*body
217:228,05[D  ]| too, who is likely to know."
217:228,06[A  ]| "I do not believe that he will ever live at Netherfield
217:228,07[A  ]| any more."
217:228,08[D  ]| "Oh, well! it is just as he chooses.  Nobody wants
217:228,09[D  ]| him to come.  Though I shall always say that he used
217:228,10[D  ]| my daughter extremely ill; and if I was her, I would
217:228,11[D  ]| not have put up with it.  Well, my comfort is, I am sure
217:228,12[D  ]| Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry
217:228,13[D  ]| for what he has done."
217:228,14['  ]| But as Elizabeth could not receive comfort from any
217:228,15['  ]| such expectation, she made no answer.
217:228,16[D  ]| "Well, Lizzy,"
217:228,16['  ]| continued her mother soon afterwards,
217:228,17[D  ]| "and so the Collinses live very comfortable, do they?
217:228,18[D  ]| Well, well, I only hope it will last.  And what sort of table
217:228,19[D  ]| do they keep?  Charlotte is an excellent manager, I dare
217:228,20[D  ]| say.  If she is half as sharp as her mother, she is saving
217:228,21[D  ]| enough.  There is nothing extravagant in \their\ housekeeping,
217:228,22[D  ]| I dare say."
217:228,23[A  ]| "No, nothing at all."
217:228,24[D  ]| "A great deal of good management, depend upon it.
217:228,25[D  ]| Yes, yes.  \They\ will take care not to outrun their income.
217:228,26[D  ]| \They\ will never be distressed for money.  Well, much good
217:228,27[D  ]| may it do them!  And so, I suppose, they often talk of
217:228,28[D  ]| having Longbourn when your father is dead.  They look
217:228,29[D  ]| upon it quite as their own, I dare say, whenever that
217:228,30[D  ]| happens.
217:228,31[A  ]| "It was a subject which they could not mention before
217:228,32[A  ]| me."
217:228,33[D  ]| "No.  It would have been strange if they had.  But
217:228,34[D  ]| I make no doubt, they often talk of it between themselves.
217:228,35[D  ]| Well, if they can be easy with an estate that is not lawfully
217:228,36[D  ]| their own, so much the better.  \I\ should be ashamed of
217:228,37[D  ]| having one that was only entailed on me."
218:229,01['  ]| The first week of their return was soon gone.  The
218:229,02['  ]| second began.  It was the last of the regiment's stay in
218:229,03['  ]| Meryton, and all the young ladies in the neighbourhood
218:229,04['  ]| were drooping apace.  The dejection was almost universal.
218:229,05['  ]| The elder Miss*Bennets alone were still able to eat, drink,
218:229,06['  ]| and sleep, and pursue the usual course of their employments.
218:229,07['  ]| Very frequently were they reproached for this
218:229,08['  ]| insensibility by Kitty and Lydia, whose own misery was
218:229,09['  ]| extreme, and who could not comprehend such hard-heartedness
218:229,10['  ]| in any of the family.
218:229,11[Y  ]| "Good Heaven!  What is to become of us!  What are
218:229,12[Y  ]| we to do!"
218:229,12['  ]| would they often exclaim in the bitterness
218:229,13['  ]| of woe.
218:229,13[Y  ]| "How can you be smiling so, Lizzy?"
218:229,14['  ]| Their affectionate mother shared all their grief; she
218:229,15['  ]| remembered what she had herself endured on a similar
218:229,16['  ]| occasion, five*and*twenty years ago.
218:229,17[D  ]| "I am sure,"
218:229,17['  ]| said she,
218:229,17[D  ]| "I cried for two days together
218:229,18[D  ]| when Colonel*Millar's regiment went away.  I thought
218:229,19[D  ]| I should have broke my heart."
218:229,20[H  ]| "I am sure I shall break \mine\,"
218:229,20['  ]| said Lydia.
218:229,21[D  ]| "If one could but go to Brighton!"
218:229,21['  ]| observed Mrs%*Bennet.
218:229,22['  ]|
218:229,23[H  ]| "Oh, yes! ~~ if one could but go to Brighton!  But papa
218:229,24[H  ]| is so disagreeable."
218:229,25[D  ]| "A little sea-bathing would set me up for*ever."
218:229,26[G  ]| "And my aunt Philips is sure it would do \me\ a great
218:229,27[G  ]| deal of good,"
218:229,27['  ]| added Kitty.
218:229,28['  ]| Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually
218:229,29['  ]| through Longbourn-house.  Elizabeth tried to
218:229,30['  ]| be diverted by them; but all sense of pleasure was lost
218:229,31['  ]| in shame.  She felt anew the justice of Mr%*Darcy's objections;
218:229,32['  ]| and never had she before been so much disposed
218:229,33['  ]| to pardon his interference in the views of his friend.
218:230,01['  ]| But the gloom of Lydia's prospect was shortly cleared
218:230,02['  ]| away; for she received an invitation from Mrs%*Forster,
218:230,03['  ]| the wife of the Colonel of the regiment, to accompany her
218:230,04['  ]| to Brighton.  This invaluable friend was a very young
218:230,05['  ]| woman, and very lately married.  A resemblance in good*humour
218:230,06['  ]| and good spirits had recommended her and Lydia
218:230,07['  ]| to each other, and out of their \three\ months' acquaintance
218:230,08['  ]| they had been intimate \two\.
218:230,09['  ]| The rapture of Lydia on this occasion, her adoration of
218:230,10['  ]| Mrs%*Forster, the delight of Mrs%*Bennet, and the mortification
218:230,11['  ]| of Kitty, are scarcely to be described.  Wholly inattentive
218:230,12['  ]| to her sister's feelings, Lydia flew about the house in
218:230,13['  ]| restless ecstacy, calling for every*one's congratulations, and
218:230,14['  ]| laughing and talking with more violence than ever; whilst
218:230,15['  ]| the luckless Kitty continued in the parlour repining at her
218:230,16['  ]| fate in terms as unreasonable as her accent was peevish.
218:230,17[G  ]| "I cannot see why Mrs%*Forster should not ask \me\ as
218:230,18[G  ]| well as Lydia,"
218:230,18['  ]| said she,
218:230,18[G  ]| "though I am \not\ her particular
218:230,19[G  ]| friend.  I have just as much right to be asked as she has,
218:230,20[G  ]| and more too, for I am two years older."
218:230,21['  ]| In vain did Elizabeth attempt to make her reasonable,
218:230,22['  ]| and Jane to make her resigned.  As for Elizabeth herself,
218:230,23['  ]| this invitation was so far from exciting in her the same
218:230,24['  ]| feelings as in her mother and Lydia, that she considered
218:230,25['  ]| it as the death-warrant of all possibility of common sense
218:230,26['  ]| for the latter; and detestable as such a step must make
218:230,27['  ]| her were it known, she could not help secretly advising
218:230,28['  ]| her father not to let her go.  She represented to him all
218:230,29['  ]| the improprieties of Lydia's general behaviour, the little
218:230,30['  ]| advantage she could derive from the friendship of such
218:230,31['  ]| a woman as Mrs%*Forster, and the probability of her being
218:230,32['  ]| yet more imprudent with such a companion at Brighton,
218:230,33['  ]| where the temptations must be greater than at home.
218:230,34['  ]| He heard her attentively, and then said,
218:230,35[C  ]| "Lydia will never be easy till she has exposed herself
218:230,36[C  ]| in some public place or other, and we can never expect her
218:230,37[C  ]| to do it with so little expense or inconvenience to her
218:230,38[C  ]| family as under the present circumstances."
218:231,01[A  ]| "If you were aware,"
218:231,01['  ]| said Elizabeth,
218:231,01[A  ]| "of the very great
218:231,02[A  ]| disadvantage to us all, which must arise from the public
218:231,03[A  ]| notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent manner; nay,
218:231,04[A  ]| which has already arisen from it, I am sure you would
218:231,05[A  ]| judge differently in the affair."
218:231,06[C  ]| "Already arisen!"
218:231,06['  ]| repeated Mr%*Bennet.
218:231,06[C  ]| "What, has
218:231,07[C  ]| she frightened away some of your lovers?  Poor little
218:231,08[C  ]| Lizzy!  But do not be cast down.  Such squeamish youths
218:231,09[C  ]| as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity,
218:231,10[C  ]| are not worth a regret.  Come, let me see the list of the
218:231,11[C  ]| pitiful fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly."
218:231,12[A  ]| "Indeed you are mistaken.  I have no such injuries
218:231,13[A  ]| to resent.  It is not of peculiar, but of general evils,
218:231,14[A  ]| which I am now complaining.  Our importance, our
218:231,15[A  ]| respectability in the world, must be affected by the wild
218:231,16[A  ]| volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which
218:231,17[A  ]| mark Lydia's character.  Excuse me ~~ for I must speak
218:231,18[A  ]| plainly.  If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble
218:231,19[A  ]| of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that
218:231,20[A  ]| her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life,
218:231,21[A  ]| she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment.  Her
218:231,22[A  ]| character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most
218:231,23[A  ]| determined flirt that ever made herself and her family
218:231,24[A  ]| ridiculous.  A flirt too, in the worst and meanest degree
218:231,25[A  ]| of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and
218:231,26[A  ]| a tolerable person; and from the ignorance and emptiness
218:231,27[A  ]| of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of
218:231,28[A  ]| that universal contempt which her rage for admiration
218:231,29[A  ]| will excite.  In this danger Kitty is also comprehended.
218:231,30[A  ]| She will follow wherever Lydia leads.  Vain, ignorant,
218:231,31[A  ]| idle, and absolutely uncontrouled!  Oh! my dear father,
218:231,32[A  ]| can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured
218:231,33[A  ]| and despised wherever they are known, and that their
218:231,34[A  ]| sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace?"
218:231,35['  ]| Mr%*Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject;
218:231,36['  ]| and affectionately taking her hand, said in reply,
218:231,37[C  ]| "Do not make yourself uneasy, my love.  Wherever
218:231,38[C  ]| you and Jane are known, you must be respected and
218:232,01[C  ]| valued; and you will not appear to less advantage for
218:232,02[C  ]| having a couple of ~~ or I may say, three very silly sisters.
218:232,03[C  ]| We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not
218:232,04[C  ]| go to Brighton.  Let her go then.  Colonel*Forster is
218:232,05[C  ]| a sensible man, and will keep her out of any real mischief;
218:232,06[C  ]| and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to
218:232,07[C  ]| any*body.  At Brighton she will be of less importance even
218:232,08[C  ]| as a common flirt than she has been here.  The officers
218:232,09[C  ]| will find women better worth their notice.  Let us hope,
218:232,10[C  ]| therefore, that her being there may teach her her own
218:232,11[C  ]| insignificance.  At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees
218:232,12[C  ]| worse, without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest
218:232,13[C  ]| of her life."
218:232,14['  ]| With this answer Elizabeth was forced to be content;
218:232,15['  ]| but her own opinion continued the same, and she left
218:232,16['  ]| him disappointed and sorry.  It was not in her nature,
218:232,17['  ]| however, to increase her vexations, by dwelling on them.
218:232,18['  ]| She was confident of having performed her duty, and to
218:232,19['  ]| fret over unavoidable evils, or augment them by anxiety,
218:232,20['  ]| was no part of her disposition.
218:232,21['  ]| Had Lydia and her mother known the substance of her
218:232,22['  ]| conference with her father, their indignation would hardly
218:232,23['  ]| have found expression in their united volubility.  In
218:232,24['  ]| Lydia's imagination, a visit to Brighton comprised every
218:232,25['  ]| possibility of earthly happiness.  She saw with the creative
218:232,26['  ]| eye of fancy, the streets of that gay bathing*place covered
218:232,27['  ]| with officers.  She saw herself the object of attention, to
218:232,28['  ]| tens and to scores of them at present unknown.  She saw
218:232,29['  ]| all the glories of the camp; its tents stretched forth in
218:232,30['  ]| beauteous uniformity of lines, crowded with the young
218:232,31['  ]| and the gay, and dazzling with scarlet; and to complete
218:232,32['  ]| the view, she saw herself seated beneath a tent, tenderly
218:232,33['  ]| flirting with at least six officers at once.
218:232,34['  ]| Had she known that her sister sought to tear her from
218:232,35['  ]| such prospects and such realities as these, what would
218:232,36['  ]| have been her sensations?  They could have been understood
218:232,37['  ]| only by her mother, who might have felt nearly
218:232,38['  ]| the same.  Lydia's going to Brighton was all that consoled
218:233,01['  ]| her for the melancholy conviction of her husband's
218:233,02['  ]| never intending to go there himself.
218:233,03['  ]| But they were entirely ignorant of what had passed;
218:233,04['  ]| and their raptures continued with little intermission to the
218:233,05['  ]| very day of Lydia's leaving home.
218:233,06['  ]| Elizabeth was now to see Mr%*Wickham for the last
218:233,07['  ]| time.  Having been frequently in company with him since
218:233,08['  ]| her return, agitation was pretty well over; the agitations
218:233,09['  ]| of former partiality entirely so.  She had even learnt to
218:233,10['  ]| detect, in the very gentleness which had first delighted
218:233,11['  ]| her, an affectation and a sameness to disgust and weary.
218:233,12['  ]| In his present behaviour to herself, moreover, she had
218:233,13['  ]| a fresh source of displeasure, for the inclination he soon
218:233,14['  ]| testified of renewing those attentions which had marked
218:233,15['  ]| the early part of their acquaintance, could only serve,
218:233,16['  ]| after what had since passed, to provoke her.  She lost
218:233,17['  ]| all concern for him in finding herself thus selected as the
218:233,18['  ]| object of such idle and frivolous gallantry; and while she
218:233,19['  ]| steadily repressed it, could not but feel the reproof contained
218:233,20['  ]| in his believing, that however long, and for whatever
218:233,21['  ]| cause, his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity
218:233,22['  ]| would be gratified and her preference secured at any time
218:233,23['  ]| by their renewal.
218:233,24['  ]| On the very last day of the regiment's remaining in
218:233,25['  ]| Meryton, he dined with others of the officers at Longbourn;
218:233,26['  ]| and so little was Elizabeth disposed to part from him
218:233,27['  ]| in good*humour, that on his making some enquiry as to
218:233,28['  ]| the manner in which her time had passed at Hunsford,
218:233,29['  ]| she mentioned Colonel*Fitzwilliam's and Mr%*Darcy's
218:233,30['  ]| having both spent three weeks at Rosings, and asked
218:233,31['  ]| him if he were acquainted with the former.
218:233,32['  ]| He looked surprised, displeased, alarmed; but with
218:233,33['  ]| a moment's recollection and a returning smile, replied,
218:233,34['  ]| that
218:233,34@p   | he had formerly seen him often;
218:233,34['  ]| and after observing
218:233,35['  ]| that
218:233,35@p   | he was a very gentlemanlike man,
218:233,35['  ]| asked her
218:233,35@p   | how she
218:233,36@p   | had liked him.
218:233,36['  ]| Her answer was warmly in his favour.
218:233,37['  ]| With an air of indifference he soon afterwards added,
218:233,38[P  ]| "How long did you say that he was at Rosings?"
218:234,01[A  ]| "Nearly three weeks."
218:234,02[P  ]| "And you saw him frequently?"
218:234,03[A  ]| "Yes, almost every day."
218:234,04[P  ]| "His manners are very different from his cousin's."
218:234,05[A  ]| "Yes, very different.  But I think Mr%*Darcy improves
218:234,06[A  ]| on acquaintance."
218:234,07[P  ]| "Indeed!"
218:234,07['  ]| cried Wickham with a look which did not
218:234,08['  ]| escape her.
218:234,08[P  ]| "And pray may I ask?"
218:234,08['  ]| but checking himself,
218:234,09['  ]| he added in a gayer tone,
218:234,09[P  ]| "Is it in address that he
218:234,10[P  ]| improves?  Has he deigned to add ought of civility to
218:234,11[P  ]| his ordinary style?  for I dare not hope,"
218:234,11['  ]| he continued
218:234,12['  ]| in a lower and more serious tone,
218:234,12[P  ]| "that he is improved
218:234,13[P  ]| in essentials."
218:234,14[A  ]| "Oh, no!"
218:234,14['  ]| said Elizabeth.
218:234,14[A  ]| "In essentials, I believe,
218:234,15[A  ]| he is very much what he ever was."
218:234,16['  ]| While she spoke, Wickham looked as if scarcely knowing
218:234,17['  ]| whether to rejoice over her words, or to distrust their
218:234,18['  ]| meaning.  There was a something in her countenance
218:234,19['  ]| which made him listen with an apprehensive and anxious
218:234,20['  ]| attention, while she added,
218:234,21[A  ]| "When I said that he improved on acquaintance, I did
218:234,22[A  ]| not mean that either his mind or manners were in a state
218:234,23[A  ]| of improvement, but that from knowing him better, his
218:234,24[A  ]| disposition was better understood."
218:234,25['  ]| Wickham's alarm now appeared in a heightened complexion
218:234,26['  ]| and agitated look; for a few minutes he was
218:234,27['  ]| silent; till, shaking off his embarrassment, he turned to
218:234,28['  ]| her again, and said in the gentlest of accents,
218:234,29[P  ]| "You, who so well know my feelings towards Mr%*Darcy,
218:234,30[P  ]| will readily comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that
218:234,31[P  ]| he is wise enough to assume even the \appearance\ of what
218:234,32[P  ]| is right.  His pride, in that direction, may be of service,
218:234,33[P  ]| if not to himself, to many others, for it must deter him
218:234,34[P  ]| from such foul misconduct as I have suffered by.  I only
218:234,35[P  ]| fear that the sort of cautiousness, to which you, I imagine,
218:234,36[P  ]| have been alluding, is merely adopted on his visits to his
218:234,37[P  ]| aunt, of whose good opinion and judgment he stands
218:234,38[P  ]| much in awe.  His fear of her, has always operated,
218:235,01[P  ]| I know, when they were together; and a good deal is to
218:235,02[P  ]| be imputed to his wish of forwarding the match with
218:235,03[P  ]| Miss*De*Bourgh, which I am certain he has very much
218:235,04[P  ]| at heart."
218:235,05['  ]| Elizabeth could not repress a smile at this, but she
218:235,06['  ]| answered only by a slight inclination of the head.  She
218:235,07['  ]| saw that he wanted to engage her on the old subject of
218:235,08['  ]| his grievances, and she was in no humour to indulge
218:235,09['  ]| him.  The rest of the evening passed with the \appearance\,
218:235,10['  ]| on his side, of usual cheerfulness, but with no farther
218:235,11['  ]| attempt to distinguish Elizabeth; and they parted at last
218:235,12['  ]| with mutual civility, and possibly a mutual desire of never
218:235,13['  ]| meeting again.
218:235,14['  ]| When the party broke up, Lydia returned with Mrs%*Forster
218:235,15['  ]| to Meryton, from whence they were to set out
218:235,16['  ]| early the next morning.  The separation between her and
218:235,17['  ]| her family was rather noisy than pathetic.  Kitty was the
218:235,18['  ]| only one who shed tears; but she did weep from vexation
218:235,19['  ]| and envy.  Mrs%*Bennet was diffuse in her good wishes
218:235,20['  ]| for the felicity of her daughter, and impressive in her
218:235,21['  ]| injunctions that she would not miss the opportunity of
218:235,22['  ]| enjoying herself as much as possible; advice, which there
218:235,23['  ]| was every reason to believe would be attended to; and
218:235,24['  ]| in the clamorous happiness of Lydia herself in bidding
218:235,25['  ]| farewell, the more gentle adieus of her sisters were uttered
218:235,26['  ]| without being heard.
219:236,01['  ]| Had Elizabeth's opinion been all drawn from her own
219:236,02['  ]| family, she could not have formed a very pleasing picture
219:236,03['  ]| of conjugal felicity or domestic comfort.  Her father
219:236,04['  ]| captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance
219:236,05['  ]| of good*humour, which youth and beauty generally give,
219:236,06['  ]| had married a woman whose weak understanding and
219:236,07['  ]| illiberal mind, had very early in their marriage put an
219:236,08['  ]| end to all real affection for her.  Respect, esteem, and
219:236,09['  ]| confidence, had vanished for*ever; and all his views of
219:236,10['  ]| domestic happiness were overthrown.  But Mr%*Bennet
219:236,11['  ]| was not of a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment
219:236,12['  ]| which his own imprudence had brought on, in any
219:236,13['  ]| of those pleasures which too often console the unfortunate
219:236,14['  ]| for their folly or their vice.  He was fond of the country
219:236,15['  ]| and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his
219:236,16['  ]| principal enjoyments.  To his wife he was very little
219:236,17['  ]| otherwise indebted, than as her ignorance and folly had
219:236,18['  ]| contributed to his amusement.  This is not the sort of
219:236,19['  ]| happiness which a man would in general wish to owe
219:236,20['  ]| to his wife; but where other powers of entertainment
219:236,21['  ]| are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from
219:236,22['  ]| such as are given.
219:236,23['  ]| Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety
219:236,24['  ]| of her father's behaviour as a husband.  She
219:236,25['  ]| had always seen it with pain; but respecting his abilities,
219:236,26['  ]| and grateful for his affectionate treatment of herself, she
219:236,27['  ]| endeavoured to forget what she could not overlook, and
219:236,28['  ]| to banish from her thoughts that continual breach of
219:236,29['  ]| conjugal obligation and decorum which, in exposing his
219:236,30['  ]| wife to the contempt of her own children, was so highly
219:236,31['  ]| reprehensible.  But she had never felt so strongly as now,
219:236,32['  ]| the disadvantages which must attend the children of so
219:236,33['  ]| unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the
219:237,01['  ]| evils arising from so ill-judged a direction of talents;
219:237,02['  ]| talents which rightly used, might at least have preserved
219:237,03['  ]| the respectability of his daughters, even if incapable of
219:237,04['  ]| enlarging the mind of his wife.
219:237,05['  ]| When Elizabeth had rejoiced over Wickham's departure,
219:237,06['  ]| she found little other cause for satisfaction in the loss of
219:237,07['  ]| the regiment.  Their parties abroad were less varied than
219:237,08['  ]| before; and at home she had a mother and sister whose
219:237,09['  ]| constant repinings at the dulness of every*thing around
219:237,10['  ]| them, threw a real gloom over their domestic circle;
219:237,11['  ]| and, though Kitty might in time regain her natural degree
219:237,12['  ]| of sense, since the disturbers of her brain were removed,
219:237,13['  ]| her other sister, from whose disposition greater evil might
219:237,14['  ]| be apprehended, was likely to be hardened in all her folly
219:237,15['  ]| and assurance, by a situation of such double danger as
219:237,16['  ]| a watering*place and a camp.  Upon the whole, therefore,
219:237,17['  ]| she found, what has been sometimes found before, that
219:237,18['  ]| an event to which she had looked forward with impatient
219:237,19['  ]| desire, did not in taking place, bring all the satisfaction
219:237,20['  ]| she had promised herself.  It was consequently necessary
219:237,21['  ]| to name some other period for the commencement of
219:237,22['  ]| actual felicity; to have some other point on which her
219:237,23['  ]| wishes and hopes might be fixed, and by again enjoying
219:237,24['  ]| the pleasure of anticipation, console herself for the present,
219:237,25['  ]| and prepare for another disappointment.  Her tour to
219:237,26['  ]| the Lakes was now the object of her happiest thoughts;
219:237,27['  ]| it was her best consolation for all the uncomfortable
219:237,28['  ]| hours, which the discontentedness of her mother and
219:237,29['  ]| Kitty made inevitable; and could she have included
219:237,30['  ]| Jane in the scheme, every part of it would have been
219:237,31['  ]| perfect.
219:237,32@a   | "But it is fortunate,"
219:237,32['  ]| thought she,
219:237,32@a   | "that I have something
219:237,33@a   | to wish for.  Were the whole arrangement complete,
219:237,34@a   | my disappointment would be certain.  But here, by
219:237,35@a   | carrying with me one ceaseless source of regret in my
219:237,36@a   | sister's absence, I may reasonably hope to have all my
219:237,37@a   | expectations of pleasure realized.  A scheme of which
219:237,38@a   | every part promises delight, can never be successful; and
219:238,01@a   | general disappointment is only warded off by the defence
219:238,02@a   | of some little peculiar vexation."
219:238,03['  ]| When Lydia went away, she promised to write very
219:238,04['  ]| often and very minutely to her mother and Kitty; but
219:238,05['  ]| her letters were always long expected, and always very
219:238,06['  ]| short.  Those to her mother, contained little else, than
219:238,07['  ]| that
219:238,07@h   | they were just returned from the library, where
219:238,08@h   | such and such officers had attended them, and where she
219:238,09@h   | had seen such beautiful ornaments as made her quite
219:238,10@h   | wild; that she had a new gown, or a new parasol, which
219:238,11@h   | she would have described more fully, but was obliged
219:238,12@h   | to leave off in a violent hurry, as Mrs%*Forster called her,
219:238,13@h   | and they were going to the camp; ~~
219:238,13['  ]| and from her correspondence
219:238,14['  ]| with her sister, there was still less to be learnt ~~
219:238,15['  ]| for her letters to Kitty, though rather longer, were much
219:238,16['  ]| too full of lines under the words to be made public.
219:238,17['  ]| After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence,
219:238,18['  ]| health, good*humour and cheerfulness began to re-appear
219:238,19['  ]| at Longbourn.  Everything wore a happier aspect.  The
219:238,20['  ]| families who had been in town for the winter came back
219:238,21['  ]| again, and summer finery and summer engagements arose.
219:238,22['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was restored to her usual querulous serenity,
219:238,23['  ]| and by the middle of June Kitty was so much recovered
219:238,24['  ]| as to be able to enter Meryton without tears; an event
219:238,25['  ]| of such happy promise as to make Elizabeth hope, that
219:238,26['  ]| by the following Christmas, she might be so tolerably
219:238,27['  ]| reasonable as not to mention an officer above once a day,
219:238,28['  ]| unless by some cruel and malicious arrangement at the
219:238,29['  ]| war-office, another regiment should be quartered in
219:238,30['  ]| Meryton.
219:238,31['  ]| The time fixed for the beginning of their Northern tour
219:238,32['  ]| was now fast approaching; and a fortnight only was
219:238,33['  ]| wanting of it, when a letter arrived from Mrs%*Gardiner,
219:238,34['  ]| which at once delayed its commencement and curtailed
219:238,35['  ]| its extent.
219:238,35@o   | Mr%*Gardiner would be prevented by business
219:238,36@o   | from setting out till a fortnight later in July, and must
219:238,37@o   | be in London again within a month; and as that left
219:238,38@o   | too short a period for them to go so far, and see so much
219:239,01@o   | as they had proposed, or at least to see it with the leisure
219:239,02@o   | and comfort they had built on, they were obliged to give
219:239,03@o   | up the Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour; and,
219:239,04@o   | according to the present plan, were to go no farther
219:239,05@o   | northward than Derbyshire.  In that county, there was
219:239,06@o   | enough to be seen, to occupy the chief of their three weeks;
219:239,07['  ]| and to Mrs%*Gardiner it had a peculiarly strong attraction.
219:239,08['  ]| The town where she had formerly passed some years of
219:239,09['  ]| her life, and where they were now to spend a few days,
219:239,10['  ]| was probably as great an object of her curiosity, as all
219:239,11['  ]| the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dovedale,
219:239,12['  ]| or the Park.
219:239,13['  ]| Elizabeth was excessively disappointed; she had set
219:239,14['  ]| her heart on seeing the Lakes; and still thought there
219:239,15['  ]| might have been time enough.  But it was her business
219:239,16['  ]| to be satisfied ~~ and certainly her temper to be happy;
219:239,17['  ]| and all was soon right again.
219:239,18['  ]| With the mention of Derbyshire, there were many ideas
219:239,19['  ]| connected.  It was impossible for her to see the word
219:239,20['  ]| without thinking of Pemberley and its owner.
219:239,20[A  ]| "But
219:239,21[A  ]| surely,"
219:239,21['  ]| said she,
219:239,21[A  ]| "I may enter his county with impunity,
219:239,22[A  ]| and rob it of a few petrified spars without his perceiving
219:239,23[A  ]| me."
219:239,24['  ]| The period of expectation was now doubled.  Four
219:239,25['  ]| weeks were to pass away before her uncle and aunt's
219:239,26['  ]| arrival.  But they did pass away, and Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner,
219:239,27['  ]| with their four children, did at length appear
219:239,28['  ]| at Longbourn.  The children, two girls of six and eight
219:239,29['  ]| years old, and two younger boys, were to be left under
219:239,30['  ]| the particular care of their cousin Jane, who was the
219:239,31['  ]| general favourite, and whose steady sense and sweetness
219:239,32['  ]| of temper exactly adapted her for attending to them in
219:239,33['  ]| every way ~~ teaching them, playing with them, and loving
219:239,34['  ]| them.
219:239,35['  ]| The Gardiners staid only one night at Longbourn, and set
219:239,36['  ]| off the next morning with Elizabeth in pursuit of novelty
219:239,37['  ]| and amusement.  One enjoyment was certain ~~ that of
219:239,38['  ]| suitableness as companions; a suitableness which comprehended
219:240,01['  ]| health and temper to bear inconveniences ~~
219:240,02['  ]| cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure ~~ and affection and
219:240,03['  ]| intelligence, which might supply it among themselves if
219:240,04['  ]| there were disappointments abroad.
219:240,05['  ]| It is not the object of this work to give a description
219:240,06['  ]| of Derbyshire, nor of any of the remarkable places through
219:240,07['  ]| which their route thither lay; Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick,
219:240,08['  ]| Kenelworth, Birmingham, &c% are sufficiently known.
219:240,09['  ]| A small part of Derbyshire is all the present concern.
219:240,10['  ]| To the little town of Lambton, the scene of Mrs%*Gardiner's
219:240,11['  ]| former residence, and where she had lately learned that
219:240,12['  ]| some acquaintance still remained, they bent their steps,
219:240,13['  ]| after having seen all the principal wonders of the country;
219:240,14['  ]| and within five miles of Lambton, Elizabeth found from
219:240,15['  ]| her aunt, that Pemberley was situated.  It was not in
219:240,16['  ]| their direct road, nor more than a mile or two out of it.
219:240,17['  ]| In talking over their route the evening before, Mrs%*Gardiner
219:240,18['  ]| expressed an inclination to see the place again.
219:240,19['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner declared his willingness, and Elizabeth was
219:240,20['  ]| applied to for her approbation.
219:240,21[O  ]| "My love, should not you like to see a place of which
219:240,22[O  ]| you have heard so much?"
219:240,22['  ]| said her aunt.
219:240,22[O  ]| "A place too,
219:240,23[O  ]| with which so many of your acquaintance are connected.
219:240,24[O  ]| Wickham passed all his youth there, you know."
219:240,25['  ]| Elizabeth was distressed.  She felt that she had no
219:240,26['  ]| business at Pemberley, and was obliged to assume a disinclination
219:240,27['  ]| for seeing it.
219:240,27@a   | She must own that she was tired
219:240,28@a   | of great houses; after going over so many, she really had
219:240,29@a   | no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains.
219:240,30['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner abused her stupidity.
219:240,30[O  ]| "If it were merely
219:240,31[O  ]| a fine house richly furnished,"
219:240,31['  ]| said she,
219:240,31[O  ]| "I should not
219:240,32[O  ]| care about it myself; but the grounds are delightful.
219:240,33[O  ]| They have some of the finest woods in the country."
219:240,34['  ]| Elizabeth said no more ~~ but her mind could not
219:240,35['  ]| acquiesce.  The possibility of meeting Mr%*Darcy, while
219:240,36['  ]| viewing the place, instantly occurred.
219:240,36@a   | It would be
219:240,37@a   | dreadful!
219:240,37['  ]| She blushed at the very idea; and thought
219:240,38@a   | it would be better to speak openly to her aunt, than to
219:241,01@a   | run such a risk.  But against this, there were objections;
219:241,02['  ]| and she finally resolved that
219:241,02@a   | it could be the last resource,
219:241,03@a   | if her private enquiries as to the absence of the family,
219:241,04@a   | were unfavourably answered.
219:241,05['  ]| Accordingly, when she retired at night, she asked the
219:241,06['  ]| chambermaid whether Pemberley were not a very fine
219:241,07['  ]| place, what was the name of its proprietor, and with no
219:241,08['  ]| little alarm, whether the family were down for the summer.
219:241,09['  ]| A most welcome negative followed the last question ~~
219:241,10['  ]| and her alarms being now removed, she was at leisure to
219:241,11['  ]| feel a great deal of curiosity to see the house herself;
219:241,12['  ]| and when the subject was revived the next morning, and
219:241,13['  ]| she was again applied to, could readily answer, and with
219:241,14['  ]| a proper air of indifference, that she had not really any
219:241,15['  ]| dislike to the scheme.
219:241,16['  ]| To Pemberley, therefore, they were to go.
301:245,01['  ]| Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first
301:245,02['  ]| appearance of Pemberley*Woods with some perturbation;
301:245,03['  ]| and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her
301:245,04['  ]| spirits were in a high flutter.
301:245,05['  ]| The park was very large, and contained great variety
301:245,06['  ]| of ground.  They entered it in one of its lowest points,
301:245,07['  ]| and drove for some time through a beautiful wood,
301:245,08['  ]| stretching over a wide extent.
301:245,09['  ]| Elizabeth's mind was too full for conversation, but she
301:245,10['  ]| saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of
301:245,11['  ]| view.  They gradually ascended for half a mile, and then
301:245,12['  ]| found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence,
301:245,13['  ]| where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught
301:245,14['  ]| by Pemberley*House, situated on the opposite side of
301:245,15['  ]| a valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound.
301:245,16['  ]| It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on
301:245,17['  ]| rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; ~~
301:245,18['  ]| and in front, a stream of some natural importance was
301:245,19['  ]| swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance.
301:245,20['  ]| Its banks were neither formal, nor falsely adorned.  Elizabeth
301:245,21['  ]| was delighted.  She had never seen a place for which
301:245,22['  ]| nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been
301:245,23['  ]| so little counteracted by an awkward taste.  They were
301:245,24['  ]| all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment
301:245,25['  ]| she felt, that
301:245,25@a   | to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!
301:245,26@a   |
301:245,27['  ]| They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove
301:245,28['  ]| to the door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of
301:245,29['  ]| the house, all her apprehensions of meeting its owner
301:245,30['  ]| returned.  She dreaded lest the chambermaid had been
301:246,01['  ]| mistaken.  On applying to see the place, they were
301:246,02['  ]| admitted into the hall; and Elizabeth, as they waited
301:246,03['  ]| for the housekeeper, had leisure to wonder at her being
301:246,04['  ]| where she was.
301:246,05['  ]| The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking, elderly
301:246,06['  ]| woman, much less fine, and more civil, than she had any
301:246,07['  ]| notion of finding her.  They followed her into the dining-parlour.
301:246,08['  ]| It was a large, well-proportioned room, handsomely
301:246,09['  ]| fitted up.  Elizabeth, after slightly surveying it,
301:246,10['  ]| went to a window to enjoy its prospect.  The hill, crowned
301:246,11['  ]| with wood, from which they had descended, receiving
301:246,12['  ]| increased abruptness from the distance, was a beautiful
301:246,13['  ]| object.  Every disposition of the ground was good; and
301:246,14['  ]| she looked on the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered
301:246,15['  ]| on its banks, and the winding of the valley, as far as she
301:246,16['  ]| could trace it, with delight.  As they passed into other
301:246,17['  ]| rooms, these objects were taking different positions; but
301:246,18['  ]| from every window there were beauties to be seen.  The
301:246,19['  ]| rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture
301:246,20['  ]| suitable to the fortune of their proprietor; but Elizabeth
301:246,21['  ]| saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither
301:246,22['  ]| gaudy nor uselessly fine; with less of splendor, and more
301:246,23['  ]| real elegance, than the furniture of Rosings.
301:246,24@a   | "And of this place,"
301:246,24['  ]| thought she,
301:246,24@a   | "I might have been
301:246,25@a   | mistress!  With these rooms I might now have been
301:246,26@a   | familiarly acquainted!  Instead of viewing them as a
301:246,27@a   | stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and
301:246,28@a   | welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt. ~~ But
301:246,29@a   | no," ~~
301:246,29['  ]| recollecting herself, ~~
301:246,29@a   | "that could never be:  my
301:246,30@a   | uncle and aunt would have been lost to me:  I should
301:246,31@a   | not have been allowed to invite them."
301:246,32['  ]| This was a lucky recollection ~~ it saved her from something
301:246,33['  ]| like regret.
301:246,34['  ]| She longed to enquire of the housekeeper, whether her
301:246,35['  ]| master were really absent, but had not courage for it.
301:246,36['  ]| At length, however, the question was asked by her uncle;
301:246,37['  ]| and she turned away with alarm, while Mrs%*Reynolds
301:246,38['  ]| replied, that he was, adding,
301:246,38[V  ]| "but we expect him to-morrow,
301:247,01[V  ]| with a large party of friends."
301:247,01['  ]| How rejoiced
301:247,02['  ]| was Elizabeth that their own journey had not by any
301:247,03['  ]| circumstance been delayed a day!
301:247,04['  ]| Her aunt now called her to look at a picture.  She
301:247,05['  ]| approached, and saw the likeness of Mr%*Wickham suspended,
301:247,06['  ]| amongst several other miniatures, over the mantle-piece.
301:247,07['  ]| Her aunt asked her, smilingly, how she liked it.
301:247,08['  ]| The housekeeper came forward, and told them
301:247,08@v   | it was the
301:247,09@v   | picture of a young gentleman, the son of her late master's
301:247,10@v   | steward, who had been brought up by him at his own
301:247,11@v   | expence. ~~
301:247,11[V  ]| "He is now gone into the army,"
301:247,11['  ]| she added,
301:247,12[V  ]| "but I am afraid he has turned out very wild."
301:247,13['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but
301:247,14['  ]| Elizabeth could not return it.
301:247,15[V  ]| "And that,"
301:247,15['  ]| said Mrs%*Reynolds, pointing to another
301:247,16['  ]| of the miniatures,
301:247,16[V  ]| "is my master ~~ and very like him.
301:247,17[V  ]| It was drawn at the same time as the other ~~ about eight
301:247,18[V  ]| years ago."
301:247,19[O  ]| "I have heard much of your master's fine person,"
301:247,20['  ]| said Mrs%*Gardiner, looking at the picture;
301:247,20[O  ]| "it is a handsome
301:247,21[O  ]| face.  But, Lizzy, you can tell us whether it is like
301:247,22[O  ]| or not."
301:247,23['  ]| Mrs%*Reynolds's respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase
301:247,24['  ]| on this intimation of her knowing her master.
301:247,25[V  ]| "Does that young lady know Mr%*Darcy?"
301:247,26['  ]| Elizabeth coloured, and said ~~
301:247,26[A  ]| "A little."
301:247,27[V  ]| "And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman,
301:247,28[V  ]| Ma'am?"
301:247,29[A  ]| "Yes, very handsome."
301:247,30[V  ]| "I am sure \I\ know none so handsome; but in the
301:247,31[V  ]| gallery up*stairs you will see a finer, larger picture of him
301:247,32[V  ]| than this.  This room was my late master's favourite
301:247,33[V  ]| room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be
301:247,34[V  ]| then.  He was very fond of them."
301:247,35['  ]| This accounted to Elizabeth for Mr%*Wickham's being
301:247,36['  ]| among them.
301:247,37['  ]| Mrs%*Reynolds then directed their attention to one of
301:247,38['  ]| Miss*Darcy, drawn when she was only eight years old.
301:248,01[N  ]| "And is Miss*Darcy as handsome as her brother?"
301:248,02['  ]| said Mr%*Gardiner.
301:248,03[V  ]| "Oh! yes ~~ the handsomest young lady that ever was
301:248,04[V  ]| seen; and so accomplished! ~~ She plays and sings all day
301:248,05[V  ]| long.  In the next room is a new instrument just come
301:248,06[V  ]| down for her ~~ a present from my master; she comes here
301:248,07[V  ]| to-morrow with him."
301:248,08['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner, whose manners were easy and pleasant,
301:248,09['  ]| encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and
301:248,10['  ]| remarks; Mrs%*Reynolds, either from pride or attachment,
301:248,11['  ]| had evidently great pleasure in talking of her
301:248,12['  ]| master and his sister.
301:248,13[N  ]| "Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of
301:248,14[N  ]| the year?"
301:248,15[V  ]| "Not so much as I could wish, Sir; but I dare say he
301:248,16[V  ]| may spend half his time here; and Miss*Darcy is always
301:248,17[V  ]| down for the summer months."
301:248,18@a   | "Except,"
301:248,18['  ]| thought Elizabeth,
301:248,18@a   | "when she goes to
301:248,19@a   | Ramsgate."
301:248,20[N  ]| "If your master would marry, you might see more of
301:248,21[N  ]| him."
301:248,22[V  ]| "Yes, Sir; but I do not know when \that\ will be.  I do
301:248,23[V  ]| not know who is good enough for him."
301:248,24['  ]| Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner smiled.  Elizabeth could not
301:248,25['  ]| help saying,
301:248,25[A  ]| "It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that
301:248,26[A  ]| you should think so."
301:248,27[V  ]| "I say no more than the truth, and what every*body
301:248,28[V  ]| will say that knows him,"
301:248,28['  ]| replied the other.  Elizabeth
301:248,29['  ]| thought this was going pretty far; and she listened with
301:248,30['  ]| increasing astonishment as the housekeeper added,
301:248,31[V  ]| "I have never had a cross word from him in my
301:248,32[V  ]| life, and I have known him ever since he was four years
301:248,33[V  ]| old."
301:248,34['  ]| This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most
301:248,35['  ]| opposite to her ideas.  That he was not a good-tempered
301:248,36['  ]| man, had been her firmest opinion.  Her keenest attention
301:248,37['  ]| was awakened; she longed to hear more, and was grateful
301:248,38['  ]| to her uncle for saying,
301:249,01[N  ]| "There are very few people of whom so much can be
301:249,02[N  ]| said.  You are lucky in having such a master."
301:249,03[V  ]| "Yes, Sir, I know I am.  If I was to go through the
301:249,04[V  ]| world, I could not meet with a better.  But I have always
301:249,05[V  ]| observed, that they who are good-natured when children,
301:249,06[V  ]| are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always
301:249,07[V  ]| the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted, boy in the
301:249,08[V  ]| world."
301:249,09['  ]| Elizabeth almost stared at her. ~~
301:249,09@a   | "Can this be Mr%*Darcy!"
301:249,10['  ]| thought she.
301:249,11[O  ]| "His father was an excellent man,"
301:249,11['  ]| said Mrs%*Gardiner.
301:249,12[V  ]| "Yes, Ma'am, that he was indeed; and his son will be
301:249,13[V  ]| just like him ~~ just as affable to the poor."
301:249,14['  ]| Elizabeth listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient
301:249,15['  ]| for more.  Mrs%*Reynolds could interest her on no
301:249,16['  ]| other point.  She related the subject of the pictures, the
301:249,17['  ]| dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the furniture,
301:249,18['  ]| in vain.  Mr%*Gardiner, highly amused by the kind of
301:249,19['  ]| family prejudice, to which he attributed her excessive
301:249,20['  ]| commendation of her master, soon led again to the subject;
301:249,21['  ]| and she dwelt with energy on his many merits, as they
301:249,22['  ]| proceeded together up the great staircase.
301:249,23[V  ]| "He is the best landlord, and the best master,"
301:249,23['  ]| said
301:249,24['  ]| she,
301:249,24[V  ]| "that ever lived.  Not like the wild young men
301:249,25[V  ]| now-a-days, who think of nothing but themselves.  There
301:249,26[V  ]| is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give
301:249,27[V  ]| him a good name.  Some people call him proud; but
301:249,28[V  ]| I am sure I never saw any*thing of it.  To my fancy, it is
301:249,29[V  ]| only because he does not rattle away like other young
301:249,30[V  ]| men."
301:249,31@a   | "In what an amiable light does this place him!"
301:249,32['  ]| thought Elizabeth.
301:249,33[O  ]| "This fine account of him,"
301:249,33['  ]| whispered her aunt, as they
301:249,34['  ]| walked,
301:249,34[O  ]| "is not quite consistent with his behaviour to our
301:249,35[O  ]| poor friend."
301:249,36[A  ]| "Perhaps we might be deceived."
301:249,37[O  ]| "That is not very likely; our authority was too good."
301:249,38['  ]| On reaching the spacious lobby above, they were shewn
301:250,01['  ]| into a very pretty sitting-room, lately fitted up with
301:250,02['  ]| greater elegance and lightness than the apartments below;
301:250,03['  ]| and were informed that
301:250,03@v   | it was but just done, to give
301:250,04@v   | pleasure to Miss*Darcy, who had taken a liking to the room,
301:250,05@v   | when last at Pemberley.
301:250,06[A  ]| "He is certainly a good brother,"
301:250,06['  ]| said Elizabeth, as
301:250,07['  ]| she walked towards one of the windows.
301:250,08['  ]| Mrs%*Reynolds anticipated Miss*Darcy's delight, when
301:250,09['  ]| she should enter the room.
301:250,09[V  ]| "And this is always the way
301:250,10[V  ]| with him,"
301:250,10['  ]| she added. ~~
301:250,10[V  ]| "Whatever can give his sister
301:250,11[V  ]| any pleasure, is sure to be done in a moment.  There is
301:250,12[V  ]| nothing he would not do for her."
301:250,13['  ]| The picture gallery, and two or three of the principal
301:250,14['  ]| bed-rooms, were all that remained to be shewn.  In the
301:250,15['  ]| former were many good paintings; but Elizabeth knew
301:250,16['  ]| nothing of the art; and from such as had been already
301:250,17['  ]| visible below, she had willingly turned to look at some
301:250,18['  ]| drawings of Miss*Darcy's, in crayons, whose subjects were
301:250,19['  ]| usually more interesting, and also more intelligible.
301:250,20['  ]| In the gallery there were many family portraits, but
301:250,21['  ]| they could have little to fix the attention of a stranger.
301:250,22['  ]| Elizabeth walked on in quest of the only face whose
301:250,23['  ]| features would be known to her.  At last it arrested her ~~
301:250,24['  ]| and she beheld a striking resemblance of Mr%*Darcy, with
301:250,25['  ]| such a smile over the face, as she remembered to have
301:250,26['  ]| sometimes seen, when he looked at her.  She stood several
301:250,27['  ]| minutes before the picture in earnest contemplation, and
301:250,28['  ]| returned to it again before they quitted the gallery.
301:250,29['  ]| Mrs%*Reynolds informed them, that it had been taken in
301:250,30['  ]| his father's life*time.
301:250,31['  ]| There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth's
301:250,32['  ]| mind, a more gentle sensation towards the original, than
301:250,33['  ]| she had ever felt in the height of their acquaintance.
301:250,34['  ]| The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs%*Reynolds
301:250,35['  ]| was of no trifling nature.
301:250,35@a   | What praise is more valuable
301:250,36@a   | than the praise of an intelligent servant?  As a brother,
301:250,37@a   | a landlord, a master,
301:250,37['  ]| she considered
301:250,37@a   | how many people's
301:250,38@a   | happiness were in his guardianship! ~~ How much of
301:251,01@a   | pleasure or pain it was in his power to bestow! ~~ How
301:251,02@a   | much of good or evil must be done by him!
301:251,02['  ]| Every idea
301:251,03['  ]| that had been brought forward by the housekeeper was
301:251,04['  ]| favourable to his character, and as she stood before the
301:251,05['  ]| canvas, on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes
301:251,06['  ]| upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper
301:251,07['  ]| sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before;
301:251,08['  ]| she remembered its warmth, and softened its impropriety
301:251,09['  ]| of expression.
301:251,10['  ]| When all of the house that was open to general inspection
301:251,11['  ]| had been seen, they returned down*stairs, and taking
301:251,12['  ]| leave of the housekeeper, were consigned over to the
301:251,13['  ]| gardener, who met them at the hall*door.
301:251,14['  ]| As they walked across the lawn towards the river,
301:251,15['  ]| Elizabeth turned back to look again; her uncle and aunt
301:251,16['  ]| stopped also, and while the former was conjecturing as
301:251,17['  ]| to the date of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly
301:251,18['  ]| came forward from the road, which led behind it to the
301:251,19['  ]| stables.
301:251,20['  ]| They were within twenty yards of each other, and so
301:251,21['  ]| abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid
301:251,22['  ]| his sight.  Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of
301:251,23['  ]| each were overspread with the deepest blush.  He absolutely
301:251,24['  ]| started, and for a moment seemed immoveable from
301:251,25['  ]| surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards
301:251,26['  ]| the party, and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect
301:251,27['  ]| composure, at least of perfect civility.
301:251,28['  ]| She had instinctively turned away; but, stopping on
301:251,29['  ]| his approach, received his compliments with an embarrassment
301:251,30['  ]| impossible to be overcome.  Had his first
301:251,31['  ]| appearance, or his resemblance to the picture they had
301:251,32['  ]| just been examining, been insufficient to assure the other
301:251,33['  ]| two that they now saw Mr%*Darcy, the gardener's expression
301:251,34['  ]| of surprise, on beholding his master, must immediately
301:251,35['  ]| have told it.  They stood a little aloof while he was talking
301:251,36['  ]| to their niece, who, astonished and confused, scarcely
301:251,37['  ]| dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer
301:251,38['  ]| she returned to his civil enquiries after her family.  Amazed
301:252,01['  ]| at the alteration in his manner since they last parted,
301:252,02['  ]| every sentence that he uttered was increasing her embarrassment;
301:252,03['  ]| and every idea of the impropriety of her being
301:252,04['  ]| found there, recurring to her mind, the few minutes in
301:252,05['  ]| which they continued together, were some of the most
301:252,06['  ]| uncomfortable of her life.  Nor did he seem much more
301:252,07['  ]| at ease; when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual
301:252,08['  ]| sedateness; and he repeated his enquiries as to the time
301:252,09['  ]| of her having left Longbourn, and of her stay in Derbyshire,
301:252,10['  ]| so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke
301:252,11['  ]| the distraction of his thoughts.
301:252,12['  ]| At length, every idea seemed to fail him; and, after
301:252,13['  ]| standing a few moments without saying a word, he suddenly
301:252,14['  ]| recollected himself, and took leave.
301:252,15['  ]| The others then joined her, and expressed their admiration
301:252,16['  ]| of his figure; but Elizabeth heard not a word, and,
301:252,17['  ]| wholly engrossed by her own feelings, followed them in
301:252,18['  ]| silence.  She was overpowered by shame and vexation.
301:252,19@a   | Her coming there was the most unfortunate, the most
301:252,20@a   | ill-judged thing in the world!  How strange must it
301:252,21@a   | appear to him!  In what a disgraceful light might it not
301:252,22@a   | strike so vain a man!  It might seem as if she had purposely
301:252,23@a   | thrown herself in his way again!  Oh! why did she
301:252,24@a   | come? or, why did he thus come a day before he was
301:252,25@a   | expected?  Had they been only ten minutes sooner, they
301:252,26@a   | should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination,
301:252,27@a   | for it was plain that he was that moment arrived, that
301:252,28@a   | moment alighted from his horse or his carriage.
301:252,28['  ]| She
301:252,29['  ]| blushed again and again over the perverseness of the
301:252,30['  ]| meeting.
301:252,30@a   | And his behaviour, so strikingly altered, ~~
301:252,31@a   | what could it mean?  That he should even speak to her
301:252,32@a   | was amazing! ~~ but to speak with such civility, to enquire
301:252,33@a   | after her family! Never in her life had she seen his
301:252,34@a   | manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such
301:252,35@a   | gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast
301:252,36@a   | did it offer to his last address in Rosing's*Park, when he
301:252,37@a   | put his letter into her hand!
301:252,37['  ]| She knew not what to think,
301:252,38['  ]| nor how to account for it.
301:253,01['  ]| They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of
301:253,02['  ]| the water, and every step was bringing forward a nobler
301:253,03['  ]| fall of ground, or a finer reach of the woods to which they
301:253,04['  ]| were approaching; but it was some time before Elizabeth
301:253,05['  ]| was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered
301:253,06['  ]| mechanically to the repeated appeals of her uncle and
301:253,07['  ]| aunt, and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as
301:253,08['  ]| they pointed out, she distinguished no part of the scene.
301:253,09['  ]| Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley*House,
301:253,10['  ]| whichever it might be, where Mr%*Darcy then was.
301:253,11['  ]| She longed to know what at that moment was passing
301:253,12['  ]| in his mind; in what manner he thought of her, and
301:253,13['  ]| whether, in defiance of every*thing, she was still dear to
301:253,14['  ]| him.
301:253,14@a   | Perhaps he had been civil, only because he felt
301:253,15@a   | himself at ease; yet there had been \that\ in his voice,
301:253,16@a   | which was not like ease. Whether he had felt more of
301:253,17@a   | pain or of pleasure in seeing her,
301:253,17['  ]| she could not tell,
301:253,17@a   | but he
301:253,18@a   | certainly had not seen her with composure.
301:253,19['  ]| At length, however, the remarks of her companions on
301:253,20['  ]| her absence of mind roused her, and she felt the necessity
301:253,21['  ]| of appearing more like herself.
301:253,22['  ]| They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river
301:253,23['  ]| for a while, ascended some of the higher grounds; whence,
301:253,24['  ]| in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eye power
301:253,25['  ]| to wander, were many charming views of the valley, the
301:253,26['  ]| opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading
301:253,27['  ]| many, and occasionally part of the stream.  Mr%*Gardiner
301:253,28['  ]| expressed a wish of going round the whole Park, but
301:253,29['  ]| feared it might be beyond a walk.  With a triumphant
301:253,30['  ]| smile, they were told, that it was ten miles round.  It
301:253,31['  ]| settled the matter; and they pursued the accustomed
301:253,32['  ]| circuit; which brought them again, after some time, in
301:253,33['  ]| a descent among hanging woods, to the edge of the water,
301:253,34['  ]| in one of its narrowest parts.  They crossed it by a simple
301:253,35['  ]| bridge, in character with the general air of the scene;
301:253,36['  ]| it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet visited;
301:253,37['  ]| and the valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed room
301:253,38['  ]| only for the stream, and a narrow walk amidst the rough
301:254,01['  ]| coppice-wood which bordered it.  Elizabeth longed to
301:254,02['  ]| explore its windings; but when they had crossed the
301:254,03['  ]| bridge, and perceived their distance from the house,
301:254,04['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner, who was not a great walker, could go no
301:254,05['  ]| farther, and thought only of returning to the carriage as
301:254,06['  ]| quickly as possible.  Her niece was, therefore, obliged to
301:254,07['  ]| submit, and they took their way towards the house on
301:254,08['  ]| the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction;
301:254,09['  ]| but their progress was slow, for Mr%*Gardiner, though
301:254,10['  ]| seldom able to indulge the taste, was very fond of fishing,
301:254,11['  ]| and was so much engaged in watching the occasional
301:254,12['  ]| appearance of some trout in the water, and talking to
301:254,13['  ]| the man about them, that he advanced but little.  Whilst
301:254,14['  ]| wandering on in this slow manner, they were again surprised,
301:254,15['  ]| and Elizabeth's astonishment was quite equal to
301:254,16['  ]| what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr%*Darcy approaching
301:254,17['  ]| them, and at no great distance.  The walk
301:254,18['  ]| being here less sheltered than on the other side, allowed
301:254,19['  ]| them to see him before they met.  Elizabeth, however
301:254,20['  ]| astonished, was at least more prepared for an interview
301:254,21['  ]| than before, and resolved to appear and to speak with
301:254,22['  ]| calmness, if he really intended to meet them.  For a few
301:254,23['  ]| moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike
301:254,24['  ]| into some other path.  This idea lasted while a turning
301:254,25['  ]| in the walk concealed him from their view; the turning
301:254,26['  ]| past, he was immediately before them.  With a glance
301:254,27['  ]| she saw, that he had lost none of his recent civility; and,
301:254,28['  ]| to imitate his politeness, she began, as they met, to admire
301:254,29['  ]| the beauty of the place; but she had not got beyond the
301:254,30['  ]| words
301:254,30[A  ]| "delightful,"
301:254,30['  ]| and
301:254,30[A  ]| "charming,"
301:254,30['  ]| when some unlucky
301:254,31['  ]| recollections obtruded, and she fancied that
301:254,31@a   | praise
301:254,32@a   | of Pemberley from her, might be mischievously construed.
301:254,33['  ]| Her colour changed, and she said no more.
301:254,34['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on
301:254,35['  ]| her pausing, he asked her,
301:254,35@b   | if she would do him the honour
301:254,36@b   | of introducing him to her friends.
301:254,36['  ]| This was a stroke of
301:254,37['  ]| civility for which she was quite unprepared; and she
301:254,38['  ]| could hardly suppress a smile, at his being now seeking
301:255,01['  ]| the acquaintance of some of those very people, against
301:255,02['  ]| whom his pride had revolted, in his offer to herself.
301:255,02@a   | "What
301:255,03@a   | will be his surprise,"
301:255,03['  ]| thought she,
301:255,03@a   | "when he knows who
301:255,04@a   | they are!  He takes them now for people of fashion."
301:255,05['  ]| The introduction, however, was immediately made;
301:255,06['  ]| and as she named their relationship to herself, she stole
301:255,07['  ]| a sly look at him, to see how he bore it; and was not
301:255,08['  ]| without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he
301:255,09['  ]| could from such disgraceful companions.  That he was
301:255,10['  ]| \surprised\ by the connexion was evident; he sustained it
301:255,11['  ]| however with fortitude, and so far from going away,
301:255,12['  ]| turned back with them, and entered into conversation
301:255,13['  ]| with Mr%*Gardiner.  Elizabeth could not but be pleased,
301:255,14['  ]| could not but triumph.
301:255,14@a   | It was consoling, that he should
301:255,15@a   | know she had some relations for whom there was no need
301:255,16@a   | to blush.
301:255,16['  ]| She listened most attentively to all that passed
301:255,17['  ]| between them, and gloried in every expression, every
301:255,18['  ]| sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence, his
301:255,19['  ]| taste, or his good manners.
301:255,20['  ]| The conversation soon turned upon fishing, and she
301:255,21['  ]| heard Mr%*Darcy invite him, with the greatest civility, to
301:255,22['  ]| fish there as often as he chose, while he continued in the
301:255,23['  ]| neighbourhood, offering at the same time to supply him
301:255,24['  ]| with fishing tackle, and pointing out those parts of the
301:255,25['  ]| stream where there was usually most sport.  Mrs%*Gardiner,
301:255,26['  ]| who was walking arm in arm with Elizabeth, gave her
301:255,27['  ]| a look expressive of her wonder.  Elizabeth said nothing,
301:255,28['  ]| but it gratified her exceedingly;
301:255,28@a   | the compliment must
301:255,29@a   | be all for herself.
301:255,29['  ]| Her astonishment, however, was
301:255,30['  ]| extreme; and continually was she repeating,
301:255,30@a   | "Why is
301:255,31@a   | he so altered?  From what can it proceed?  It cannot
301:255,32@a   | be for \me\, it cannot be for \my\ sake that his manners are
301:255,33@a   | thus softened.  My reproofs at Hunsford could not work
301:255,34@a   | such a change as this.  It is impossible that he should
301:255,35@a   | still love me."
301:255,36['  ]| After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in
301:255,37['  ]| front, the two gentlemen behind, on resuming their places,
301:255,38['  ]| after descending to the brink of the river for the better
301:256,01['  ]| inspection of some curious water-plant, there chanced to
301:256,02['  ]| be a little alteration.  It originated in Mrs%*Gardiner, who,
301:256,03['  ]| fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found Elizabeth's
301:256,04['  ]| arm inadequate to her support, and consequently preferred
301:256,05['  ]| her husband's.  Mr%*Darcy took her place by her niece, and
301:256,06['  ]| they walked on together.  After a short silence, the lady
301:256,07['  ]| first spoke.  She wished him to know that she had been
301:256,08['  ]| assured of his absence before she came to the place, and
301:256,09['  ]| accordingly began by observing, that
301:256,09@a   | his arrival had been
301:256,10@a   | very unexpected ~~
301:256,10[A  ]| "for your housekeeper,"
301:256,10['  ]| she added,
301:256,11[A  ]| "informed us that you would certainly not be here till
301:256,12[A  ]| to-morrow; and indeed, before we left Bakewell, we understood
301:256,13[A  ]| that you were not immediately expected in the
301:256,14[A  ]| country."
301:256,14['  ]| He acknowledged the truth of it all; and said
301:256,15['  ]| that
301:256,15@b   | business with his steward had occasioned his coming
301:256,16@b   | forward a few hours before the rest of the party with
301:256,17@b   | whom he had been travelling.
301:256,17[B  ]| "They will join me early
301:256,18[B  ]| to-morrow,"
301:256,18['  ]| he continued,
301:256,18[B  ]| "and among them are some
301:256,19[B  ]| who will claim an acquaintance with you, ~~ Mr%*Bingley
301:256,20[B  ]| and his sisters."
301:256,21['  ]| Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow.  Her thoughts
301:256,22['  ]| were instantly driven back to the time when Mr%*Bingley's
301:256,23['  ]| name had been last mentioned between them; and if she
301:256,24['  ]| might judge from his complexion, \his\ mind was not very
301:256,25['  ]| differently engaged.
301:256,26[B  ]| "There is also one other person in the party,"
301:256,26['  ]| he continued
301:256,27['  ]| after a pause,
301:256,27[B  ]| "who more particularly wishes to
301:256,28[B  ]| be known to you, ~~ Will you allow me, or do I ask too
301:256,29[B  ]| much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance during
301:256,30[B  ]| your stay at Lambton?"
301:256,31['  ]| The surprise of such an application was great indeed;
301:256,32['  ]| it was too great for her to know in what manner she
301:256,33['  ]| acceded to it.  She immediately felt that
301:256,33@a   | whatever desire
301:256,34@a   | Miss*Darcy might have of being acquainted with her,
301:256,35@a   | must be the work of her brother, and without looking
301:256,36@a   | farther, it was satisfactory; it was gratifying to know that
301:256,37@a   | his resentment had not made him think really ill of her.
301:256,38['  ]| They now walked on in silence; each of them deep in
301:257,01['  ]| thought.  Elizabeth was not comfortable; that was
301:257,02['  ]| impossible; but she was flattered and pleased.
301:257,02@a   | His wish
301:257,03@a   | of introducing his sister to her, was a compliment of the
301:257,04@a   | highest kind.
301:257,04['  ]| They soon outstripped the others, and
301:257,05['  ]| when they had reached the carriage, Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner
301:257,06['  ]| were half a quarter of a mile behind.
301:257,07['  ]| He then asked her to walk into the house ~~ but she
301:257,08['  ]| declared herself not tired, and they stood together on the
301:257,09['  ]| lawn.  At such a time, much might have been said, and
301:257,10['  ]| silence was very awkward.  She wanted to talk, but
301:257,11['  ]| there seemed an embargo on every subject.  At last she
301:257,12['  ]| recollected that she had been travelling, and they talked
301:257,13['  ]| of Matlock and Dove*Dale with great perseverance.  Yet
301:257,14['  ]| time and her aunt moved slowly ~~ and her patience and
301:257,15['  ]| her ideas were nearly worn out before the tete-a-tete was
301:257,16['  ]| over.  On Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner's coming up, they were
301:257,17['  ]| all pressed to go into the house and take some refreshment;
301:257,18['  ]| but this was declined, and they parted on each
301:257,19['  ]| side with the utmost politeness.  Mr%*Darcy handed the
301:257,20['  ]| ladies into the carriage, and when it drove off, Elizabeth
301:257,21['  ]| saw him walking slowly towards the house.
301:257,22['  ]| The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and
301:257,23['  ]| each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to
301:257,24['  ]| any*thing they had expected.
301:257,24[N  ]| "He is perfectly well
301:257,25[N  ]| behaved, polite, and unassuming,"
301:257,25['  ]| said her uncle.
301:257,26[O  ]| "There \is\ something a little stately in him to be sure,"
301:257,27['  ]| replied her aunt,
301:257,27[O  ]| "but it is confined to his air, and is
301:257,28[O  ]| not unbecoming.  I can now say with the housekeeper,
301:257,29[O  ]| that though some people may call him proud, \I\ have seen
301:257,30[O  ]| nothing of it."
301:257,31[N  ]| "I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to
301:257,32[N  ]| us.  It was more than civil; it was really attentive; and
301:257,33[N  ]| there was no necessity for such attention.  His acquaintance
301:257,34[N  ]| with Elizabeth was very trifling."
301:257,35[O  ]| "To be sure, Lizzy,"
301:257,35['  ]| said her aunt,
301:257,35[O  ]| "he is not so handsome
301:257,36[O  ]| as Wickham; or rather he has not Wickham's
301:257,37[O  ]| countenance, for his features are perfectly good.  But how
301:257,38[O  ]| came you to tell us that he was so disagreeable?"
301:258,01['  ]| Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said
301:258,02['  ]| that
301:258,02@a   | she had liked him better when they met in Kent than
301:258,03@a   | before, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as
301:258,04@a   | this morning.
301:258,05[N  ]| "But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his
301:258,06[N  ]| civilities,"
301:258,06['  ]| replied her uncle.
301:258,06[N  ]| "Your great men often are;
301:258,07[N  ]| and therefore I shall not take him at his word about
301:258,08[N  ]| fishing, as he might change his mind another day, and
301:258,09[N  ]| warn me off his grounds."
301:258,10['  ]| Elizabeth felt that they had entirely mistaken his
301:258,11['  ]| character, but said nothing.
301:258,12[O  ]| "From what we have seen of him,"
301:258,12['  ]| continued Mrs%*Gardiner,
301:258,13[O  ]| "I really should not have thought that he could
301:258,14[O  ]| have behaved in so cruel a way by any*body, as he has
301:258,15[O  ]| done by poor Wickham.  He has not an ill-natured look.
301:258,16[O  ]| On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his
301:258,17[O  ]| mouth when he speaks.  And there is something of dignity
301:258,18[O  ]| in his countenance, that would not give one an unfavourable
301:258,19[O  ]| idea of his heart.  But to be sure, the good lady who
301:258,20[O  ]| shewed us the house, did give him a most flaming character!
301:258,21[O  ]| I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes.  But he
301:258,22[O  ]| is a liberal master, I suppose, and \that\ in the eye of a servant
301:258,23[O  ]| comprehends every virtue."
301:258,24['  ]| Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something
301:258,25['  ]| in vindication of his behaviour to Wickham; and therefore
301:258,26['  ]| gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner
301:258,27['  ]| as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations
301:258,28['  ]| in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different
301:258,29['  ]| construction; and that his character was by no means
301:258,30['  ]| so faulty, nor Wickham's so amiable, as they had been
301:258,31['  ]| considered in Hertfordshire.  In confirmation of this, she
301:258,32['  ]| related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions
301:258,33['  ]| in which they had been connected, without actually
301:258,34['  ]| naming her authority, but stating it to be such as might
301:258,35['  ]| be relied on.
301:258,36['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner was surprised and concerned; but as they
301:258,37['  ]| were now approaching the scene of her former pleasures,
301:258,38['  ]| every idea gave way to the charm of recollection; and
301:259,01['  ]| she was too much engaged in pointing out to her husband
301:259,02['  ]| all the interesting spots in its environs, to think of any*thing
301:259,03['  ]| else.  Fatigued as she had been by the morning's
301:259,04['  ]| walk, they had no sooner dined than she set off again in
301:259,05['  ]| quest of her former acquaintance, and the evening was
301:259,06['  ]| spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after
301:259,07['  ]| many years discontinuance.
301:259,08['  ]| The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to
301:259,09['  ]| leave Elizabeth much attention for any of these new
301:259,10['  ]| friends; and she could do nothing but think, and think
301:259,11['  ]| with wonder, of Mr%*Darcy's civility, and above all, of his
301:259,12['  ]| wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.
302:260,01['  ]| Elizabeth had settled it that Mr%*Darcy would bring
302:260,02['  ]| his sister to visit her, the very day after her reaching
302:260,03['  ]| Pemberley; and was consequently resolved not to be out
302:260,04['  ]| of sight of the inn the whole of that morning.  But her
302:260,05['  ]| conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their
302:260,06['  ]| own arrival at Lambton, these visitors came.  They had
302:260,07['  ]| been walking about the place with some of their new
302:260,08['  ]| friends, and were just returned to the inn to dress themselves
302:260,09['  ]| for dining with the same family, when the sound
302:260,10['  ]| of a carriage drew them to a window, and they saw
302:260,11['  ]| a gentleman and lady in a curricle, driving up the street.
302:260,12['  ]| Elizabeth immediately recognising the livery, guessed
302:260,13['  ]| what it meant, and imparted no small degree of surprise
302:260,14['  ]| to her relations, by acquainting them with the honour
302:260,15['  ]| which she expected.  Her uncle and aunt were all amazement;
302:260,16['  ]| and the embarrassment of her manner as she
302:260,17['  ]| spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many of the
302:260,18['  ]| circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new
302:260,19['  ]| idea on the business.  Nothing had ever suggested it
302:260,20['  ]| before, but they now felt that there was no other way of
302:260,21['  ]| accounting for such attentions from such a quarter, than
302:260,22['  ]| by supposing a partiality for their niece.  While these
302:260,23['  ]| newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation
302:260,24['  ]| of Elizabeth's feelings was every moment
302:260,25['  ]| increasing.  She was quite amazed at her own discomposure;
302:260,26['  ]| but amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded
302:260,27['  ]| lest the partiality of the brother should have said too
302:260,28['  ]| much in her favour; and more than commonly anxious
302:260,29['  ]| to please, she naturally suspected that every power of
302:260,30['  ]| pleasing would fail her.
302:260,31['  ]| She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen;
302:260,32['  ]| and as she walked up and down the room, endeavouring
302:261,01['  ]| to compose herself, saw such looks of enquiring surprise
302:261,02['  ]| in her uncle and aunt, as made every*thing worse.
302:261,03['  ]| Miss*Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable
302:261,04['  ]| introduction took place.  With astonishment did
302:261,05['  ]| Elizabeth see, that her new acquaintance was at least
302:261,06['  ]| as much embarrassed as herself.  Since her being at
302:261,07['  ]| Lambton, she had heard that Miss*Darcy was exceedingly
302:261,08['  ]| proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced
302:261,09['  ]| her, that she was only exceedingly shy.  She found
302:261,10['  ]| it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.
302:261,11['  ]|
302:261,12['  ]| Miss*Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth;
302:261,13['  ]| and, though little more than sixteen, her figure
302:261,14['  ]| was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful.
302:261,15['  ]| She was less handsome than her brother, but there was
302:261,16['  ]| sense and good*humour in her face, and her manners were
302:261,17['  ]| perfectly unassuming and gentle.  Elizabeth, who had
302:261,18['  ]| expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an
302:261,19['  ]| observer as ever Mr%*Darcy had been, was much relieved
302:261,20['  ]| by discerning such different feelings.
302:261,21['  ]| They had not been long together, before Darcy told her
302:261,22['  ]| that Bingley was also coming to wait on her; and she
302:261,23['  ]| had barely time to express her satisfaction, and prepare
302:261,24['  ]| for such a visitor, when Bingley's quick step was heard
302:261,25['  ]| on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room.  All
302:261,26['  ]| Elizabeth's anger against him had been long done away;
302:261,27['  ]| but, had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood its
302:261,28['  ]| ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he
302:261,29['  ]| expressed himself, on seeing her again.  He enquired in
302:261,30['  ]| a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked
302:261,31['  ]| and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had
302:261,32['  ]| ever done.
302:261,33['  ]| To Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting
302:261,34['  ]| personage than to herself.  They had long wished to
302:261,35['  ]| see him.  The whole party before them, indeed, excited
302:261,36['  ]| a lively attention.  The suspicions which had just arisen
302:261,37['  ]| of Mr%*Darcy and their niece, directed their observation
302:261,38['  ]| towards each with an earnest, though guarded, enquiry;
302:262,01['  ]| and they soon drew from those enquiries the full conviction
302:262,02['  ]| that one of them at least knew what it was to love.  Of
302:262,03['  ]| the lady's sensations they remained a little in doubt;
302:262,04['  ]| but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration
302:262,05['  ]| was evident enough.
302:262,06['  ]| Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do.  She wanted
302:262,07['  ]| to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted
302:262,08['  ]| to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all;
302:262,09['  ]| and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail,
302:262,10['  ]| she was most sure of success, for those to whom she
302:262,11['  ]| endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her
302:262,12['  ]| favour.  Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and
302:262,13['  ]| Darcy determined, to be pleased.
302:262,14['  ]| In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her
302:262,15['  ]| sister; and oh! how ardently did she long to know,
302:262,16['  ]| whether any of his were directed in a like manner.
302:262,17['  ]| Sometimes she could fancy, that he talked less than on
302:262,18['  ]| former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with
302:262,19['  ]| the notion that as he looked at her, he was trying to trace
302:262,20['  ]| a resemblance.  But, though this might be imaginary, she
302:262,21['  ]| could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss*Darcy,
302:262,22['  ]| who had been set up as a rival of Jane.
302:262,22@a   | No look appeared
302:262,23@a   | on either side that spoke particular regard.  Nothing
302:262,24@a   | occurred between them that could justify the hopes of
302:262,25@a   | his sister.
302:262,25['  ]| On this point she was soon satisfied; and two
302:262,26['  ]| or three little circumstances occurred ere they parted,
302:262,27['  ]| which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a recollection
302:262,28['  ]| of Jane, not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of
302:262,29['  ]| saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had
302:262,30['  ]| he dared.  He observed to her, at a moment when the
302:262,31['  ]| others were talking together, and in a tone which had
302:262,32['  ]| something of real regret, that it
302:262,32[I  ]| "was a very long time
302:262,33[I  ]| since he had had the pleasure of seeing her;"
302:262,33['  ]| and, before
302:262,34['  ]| she could reply, he added,
302:262,34[I  ]| "It is above eight months.
302:262,35[I  ]| We have not met since the 26th of November, when we
302:262,36[I  ]| were all dancing together at Netherfield."
302:262,37['  ]| Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact;
302:262,38['  ]| and he afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended
302:263,01['  ]| to by any of the rest,
302:263,01@i   | whether \all\ her sisters
302:263,02@i   | were at Longbourn.
302:263,02@a   | There was not much in the question,
302:263,03@a   | nor in the preceding remark, but there was a look and
302:263,04@a   | a manner which gave them meaning.
302:263,05['  ]| It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr%*Darcy
302:263,06['  ]| himself; but, whenever she did catch a glimpse,
302:263,07['  ]| she saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all
302:263,08['  ]| that he said, she heard an accent so far removed from
302:263,09['  ]| hauteur or disdain of his companions, as convinced her
302:263,10['  ]| that
302:263,10@a   | the improvement of manners which she had yesterday
302:263,11@a   | witnessed, however temporary its existence might prove,
302:263,12@a   | had at least outlived one day.
302:263,12['  ]| When she saw him thus
302:263,13['  ]| seeking the acquaintance, and courting the good opinion
302:263,14['  ]| of people, with whom any intercourse a few months ago
302:263,15['  ]| would have been a disgrace; when she saw him thus civil,
302:263,16['  ]| not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had
302:263,17['  ]| openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene
302:263,18['  ]| in Hunsford*Parsonage, the difference, the change was
302:263,19['  ]| so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she
302:263,20['  ]| could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible.
302:263,21@a   | Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield,
302:263,22@a   | or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen
302:263,23@a   | him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence,
302:263,24@a   | or unbending reserve as now, when no importance could
302:263,25@a   | result from the success of his endeavours, and when even
302:263,26@a   | the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were
302:263,27@a   | addressed, would draw down the ridicule and censure of
302:263,28@a   | the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.
302:263,29['  ]| Their visitors staid with them above half an hour, and
302:263,30['  ]| when they arose to depart, Mr%*Darcy called on his sister
302:263,31['  ]| to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr% and
302:263,32['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner, and Miss*Bennet, to dinner at Pemberley,
302:263,33['  ]| before they left the country.  Miss*Darcy, though with
302:263,34['  ]| a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving
302:263,35['  ]| invitations, readily obeyed.  Mrs%*Gardiner looked at her
302:263,36['  ]| niece, desirous of knowing how \she\, whom the invitation
302:263,37['  ]| most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but
302:263,38['  ]| Elizabeth had turned away her head.  Presuming, however,
302:264,01['  ]| that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary
302:264,02['  ]| embarrassment, than any dislike of the proposal, and
302:264,03['  ]| seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, a perfect
302:264,04['  ]| willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her
302:264,05['  ]| attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.
302:264,06['  ]| Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of
302:264,07['  ]| seeing Elizabeth again, having still a great deal to say
302:264,08['  ]| to her, and many enquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire
302:264,09['  ]| friends.  Elizabeth, construing all this into a wish
302:264,10['  ]| of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased; and on
302:264,11['  ]| this account, as well as some others, found herself, when
302:264,12['  ]| their visitors left them, capable of considering the last
302:264,13['  ]| half*hour with some satisfaction, though while it was
302:264,14['  ]| passing, the enjoyment of it had been little.  Eager to
302:264,15['  ]| be alone, and fearful of enquiries or hints from her uncle
302:264,16['  ]| and aunt, she staid with them only long enough to hear
302:264,17['  ]| their favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried
302:264,18['  ]| away to dress.
302:264,19['  ]| But she had no reason to fear Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner's
302:264,20['  ]| curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication.
302:264,21@y   | It was evident that she was much better acquainted
302:264,22@y   | with Mr%*Darcy than they had before any idea
302:264,23@y   | of; it was evident that he was very much in love with
302:264,24@y   | her.
302:264,24['  ]| They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify
302:264,25['  ]| enquiry.
302:264,26['  ]| Of Mr%*Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think
302:264,27['  ]| well; and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was
302:264,28['  ]| no fault to find.  They could not be untouched by his
302:264,29['  ]| politeness, and had they drawn his character from their
302:264,30['  ]| own feelings, and his servant's report, without any reference
302:264,31['  ]| to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to
302:264,32['  ]| which he was known, would not have recognised it for
302:264,33['  ]| Mr%*Darcy.  There was now an interest, however, in
302:264,34['  ]| believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible,
302:264,35['  ]| that the authority of a servant who had known him since
302:264,36['  ]| he was four years old, and whose own manners indicated
302:264,37['  ]| respectability, was not to be hastily rejected.  Neither
302:264,38['  ]| had any*thing occurred in the intelligence of their Lambton
302:265,01['  ]| friends, that could materially lessen its weight.  They had
302:265,02['  ]| nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably
302:265,03['  ]| had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the
302:265,04['  ]| inhabitants of a small market-town, where the family
302:265,05['  ]| did not visit.  It was acknowledged, however, that he
302:265,06['  ]| was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.
302:265,07['  ]| With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that
302:265,08['  ]| he was not held there in much estimation; for though
302:265,09['  ]| the chief of his concerns, with the son of his patron, were
302:265,10['  ]| imperfectly understood, it was yet a well known fact that,
302:265,11['  ]| on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind
302:265,12['  ]| him, which Mr%*Darcy afterwards discharged.
302:265,13['  ]| As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this
302:265,14['  ]| evening more than the last; and the evening, though as
302:265,15['  ]| it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine
302:265,16['  ]| her feelings towards \one\ in that mansion; and she
302:265,17['  ]| lay awake two whole hours, endeavouring to make them
302:265,18['  ]| out.
302:265,18@a   | She certainly did not hate him.  No; hatred had
302:265,19@a   | vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been
302:265,20@a   | ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could
302:265,21@a   | be so called.  The respect created by the conviction of
302:265,22@a   | his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted,
302:265,23@a   | had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings;
302:265,24@a   | and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier
302:265,25@a   | nature, by the testimony so highly in his favour, and
302:265,26@a   | bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light,
302:265,27@a   | which yesterday had produced.  But above all, above
302:265,28@a   | respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of
302:265,29@a   | good*will which could not be overlooked.  It was gratitude. ~~
302:265,30@a   | Gratitude, not merely for having once loved her,
302:265,31@a   | but for loving her still well enough, to forgive all the
302:265,32@a   | petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him,
302:265,33@a   | and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection.
302:265,34@a   | He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his
302:265,35@a   | greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most
302:265,36@a   | eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate
302:265,37@a   | display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner,
302:265,38@a   | where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting
302:266,01@a   | the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her
302:266,02@a   | known to his sister.  Such a change in a man of so much
302:266,03@a   | pride, excited not only astonishment but gratitude ~~ for
302:266,04@a   | to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and as such
302:266,05@a   | its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as
302:266,06@a   | by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly
302:266,07@a   | defined.
302:266,07['  ]| She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful
302:266,08['  ]| to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she
302:266,09['  ]| only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to
302:266,10['  ]| depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the
302:266,11['  ]| happiness of both that she should employ the power,
302:266,12['  ]| which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing
302:266,13['  ]| on the renewal of his addresses.
302:266,14['  ]| It had been settled in the evening, between the aunt
302:266,15['  ]| and niece, that such a striking civility as Miss*Darcy's,
302:266,16['  ]| in coming to them on the very day of her arrival at
302:266,17['  ]| Pemberley, for she had reached it only to a late breakfast,
302:266,18['  ]| ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled,
302:266,19['  ]| by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently,
302:266,20['  ]| that it would be highly expedient to wait on
302:266,21['  ]| her at Pemberley the following morning.  They were,
302:266,22['  ]| therefore, to go. ~~ Elizabeth was pleased, though, when she
302:266,23['  ]| asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.
302:266,24['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner left them soon after breakfast.  The fishing
302:266,25['  ]| scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive
302:266,26['  ]| engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at
302:266,27['  ]| Pemberley by noon.
303:267,01['  ]| Convinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss*Bingley's
303:267,02['  ]| dislike of her had originated in jealousy, she could not
303:267,03['  ]| help feeling how very unwelcome her appearance at
303:267,04['  ]| Pemberley must be to her, and was curious to know with
303:267,05['  ]| how much civility on that lady's side, the acquaintance
303:267,06['  ]| would now be renewed.
303:267,07['  ]| On reaching the house, they were shewn through the
303:267,08['  ]| hall into the saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it
303:267,09['  ]| delightful for summer.  Its windows opening to the ground
303:267,10['  ]| admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills
303:267,11['  ]| behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish
303:267,12['  ]| chesnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.
303:267,13['  ]| In this room they were received by Miss*Darcy, who
303:267,14['  ]| was sitting there with Mrs%*Hurst and Miss*Bingley, and
303:267,15['  ]| the lady with whom she lived in London.  Georgiana's
303:267,16['  ]| reception of them was very civil; but attended with all
303:267,17['  ]| that embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness
303:267,18['  ]| and the fear of doing wrong, would easily give to
303:267,19['  ]| those who felt themselves inferior, the belief of her being
303:267,20['  ]| proud and reserved.  Mrs%*Gardiner and her niece, however,
303:267,21['  ]| did her justice, and pitied her.
303:267,22['  ]| By Mrs%*Hurst and Miss*Bingley, they were noticed only
303:267,23['  ]| by a curtsey; and on their being seated, a pause, awkward
303:267,24['  ]| as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few
303:267,25['  ]| moments.  It was first broken by Mrs%*Annesley, a genteel,
303:267,26['  ]| agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce
303:267,27['  ]| some kind of discourse, proved her to be more truly well*bred
303:267,28['  ]| than either of the others; and between her and
303:267,29['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the
303:267,30['  ]| conversation was carried on.  Miss*Darcy looked as if she
303:267,31['  ]| wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes
303:267,32['  ]| did venture a short sentence, when there was least danger
303:267,33['  ]| of its being heard.
303:268,01['  ]| Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched
303:268,02['  ]| by Miss*Bingley, and that she could not speak a word,
303:268,03['  ]| especially to Miss*Darcy, without calling her attention.
303:268,04['  ]| This observation would not have prevented her from
303:268,05['  ]| trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at
303:268,06['  ]| an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be
303:268,07['  ]| spared the necessity of saying much.  Her own thoughts
303:268,08['  ]| were employing her.  She expected every moment that
303:268,09['  ]| some of the gentlemen would enter the room.  She wished,
303:268,10['  ]| she feared that the master of the house might be amongst
303:268,11['  ]| them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could
303:268,12['  ]| scarcely determine.  After sitting in this manner a quarter
303:268,13['  ]| of an hour, without hearing Miss*Bingley's voice, Elizabeth
303:268,14['  ]| was roused by receiving from her a cold enquiry after the
303:268,15['  ]| health of her family.  She answered with equal indifference
303:268,16['  ]| and brevity, and the other said no more.
303:268,17['  ]| The next variation which their visit afforded was produced
303:268,18['  ]| by the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake,
303:268,19['  ]| and a variety of all the finest fruits in season; but this
303:268,20['  ]| did not take place till after many a significant look and
303:268,21['  ]| smile from Mrs%*Annesley to Miss*Darcy had been given,
303:268,22['  ]| to remind her of her post.  There was now employment
303:268,23['  ]| for the whole party; for though they could not all talk,
303:268,24['  ]| they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes,
303:268,25['  ]| nectarines, and peaches, soon collected them round the
303:268,26['  ]| table.
303:268,27['  ]| While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity
303:268,28['  ]| of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the
303:268,29['  ]| appearance of Mr%*Darcy, by the feelings which prevailed
303:268,30['  ]| on his entering the room; and then, though but a moment
303:268,31['  ]| before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she
303:268,32['  ]| began to regret that he came.
303:268,33['  ]| He had been some time with Mr%*Gardiner, who, with
303:268,34['  ]| two or three other gentlemen from the house, was engaged
303:268,35['  ]| by the river, and had left him only on learning that the
303:268,36['  ]| ladies of the family intended a visit to Georgiana that
303:268,37['  ]| morning.  No sooner did he appear, than Elizabeth wisely
303:268,38['  ]| resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; ~~
303:269,01['  ]| a resolution the more necessary to be made, but perhaps
303:269,02['  ]| not the more easily kept, because she saw that the suspicions
303:269,03['  ]| of the whole party were awakened against them,
303:269,04['  ]| and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch
303:269,05['  ]| his behaviour when he first came into the room.  In no
303:269,06['  ]| countenance was attentive curiosity so strongly marked
303:269,07['  ]| as in Miss*Bingley's, in spite of the smiles which overspread
303:269,08['  ]| her face whenever she spoke to one of its objects; for
303:269,09['  ]| jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions
303:269,10['  ]| to Mr%*Darcy were by no means over.  Miss*Darcy,
303:269,11['  ]| on her brother's entrance, exerted herself much more to
303:269,12['  ]| talk; and Elizabeth saw that he was anxious for his
303:269,13['  ]| sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded, as
303:269,14['  ]| much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either
303:269,15['  ]| side.  Miss*Bingley saw all this likewise; and, in the
303:269,16['  ]| imprudence of anger, took the first opportunity of saying,
303:269,17['  ]| with sneering civility,
303:269,18[J  ]| "Pray, Miss*Eliza, are not the *****shire militia removed
303:269,19[J  ]| from Meryton?  They must be a great loss to \your\
303:269,20[J  ]| family."
303:269,21['  ]| In Darcy's presence she dared not mention Wickham's
303:269,22['  ]| name; but Elizabeth instantly comprehended that he was
303:269,23['  ]| uppermost in her thoughts; and the various recollections
303:269,24['  ]| connected with him gave her a moment's distress; but,
303:269,25['  ]| exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack,
303:269,26['  ]| she presently answered the question in a tolerably disengaged
303:269,27['  ]| tone.  While she spoke, an involuntary glance
303:269,28['  ]| shewed her Darcy with an heightened complexion, earnestly
303:269,29['  ]| looking at her, and his sister overcome with confusion,
303:269,30['  ]| and unable to lift up her eyes.  Had Miss*Bingley known
303:269,31['  ]| what pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she
303:269,32['  ]| undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she
303:269,33['  ]| had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth, by bringing
303:269,34['  ]| forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her
303:269,35['  ]| partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might
303:269,36['  ]| injure her in Darcy's opinion, and perhaps to remind the
303:269,37['  ]| latter of all the follies and absurdities, by which some part
303:269,38['  ]| of her family were connected with that corps.  Not a
303:270,01['  ]| syllable had ever reached her of Miss*Darcy's meditated
303:270,02['  ]| elopement.  To no creature had it been revealed, where
303:270,03['  ]| secresy was possible, except to Elizabeth; and from all
303:270,04['  ]| Bingley's connections her brother was particularly anxious
303:270,05['  ]| to conceal it, from that very wish which Elizabeth had
303:270,06['  ]| long ago attributed to him, of their becoming hereafter
303:270,07['  ]| her own.  He had certainly formed such a plan, and
303:270,08['  ]| without meaning that it should affect his endeavour to
303:270,09['  ]| separate him from Miss*Bennet, it is probable that it
303:270,10['  ]| might add something to his lively concern for the welfare
303:270,11['  ]| of his friend.
303:270,12['  ]| Elizabeth's collected behaviour, however, soon quieted
303:270,13['  ]| his emotion; and as Miss*Bingley, vexed and disappointed,
303:270,14['  ]| dared not approach nearer to Wickham, Georgiana also
303:270,15['  ]| recovered in time, though not enough to be able to speak
303:270,16['  ]| any more.  Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet,
303:270,17['  ]| scarcely recollected her interest in the affair, and the very
303:270,18['  ]| circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts
303:270,19['  ]| from Elizabeth, seemed to have fixed them on her more,
303:270,20['  ]| and more cheerfully.
303:270,21['  ]| Their visit did not continue long after the question
303:270,22['  ]| and answer above-mentioned; and while Mr%*Darcy was
303:270,23['  ]| attending them to their carriage, Miss*Bingley was venting
303:270,24['  ]| her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person, behaviour,
303:270,25['  ]| and dress.  But Georgiana would not join her.  Her
303:270,26['  ]| brother's recommendation was enough to ensure her
303:270,27['  ]| favour:  his judgment could not err, and he had spoken
303:270,28['  ]| in such terms of Elizabeth, as to leave Georgiana without
303:270,29['  ]| the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable.
303:270,30['  ]| When Darcy returned to the saloon, Miss*Bingley could
303:270,31['  ]| not help repeating to him some part of what she had been
303:270,32['  ]| saying to his sister.
303:270,33[J  ]| "How very ill Eliza*Bennet looks this morning, Mr%*Darcy,"
303:270,34['  ]| she cried;
303:270,34[J  ]| "I never in my life saw any*one so
303:270,35[J  ]| much altered as she is since the winter.  She is grown
303:270,36[J  ]| so brown and coarse!  Louisa and I were agreeing that
303:270,37[J  ]| we should not have known her again."
303:270,38['  ]| However little Mr%*Darcy might have liked such an
303:271,01['  ]| address, he contented himself with coolly replying, that
303:271,02@b   | he perceived no other alteration than her being rather
303:271,03@b   | tanned, ~~ no miraculous consequence of travelling in the
303:271,04@b   | summer.
303:271,05[J  ]| "For my own part,"
303:271,05['  ]| she rejoined,
303:271,05[J  ]| "I must confess that
303:271,06[J  ]| I never could see any beauty in her.  Her face is too thin;
303:271,07[J  ]| her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are
303:271,08[J  ]| not at all handsome.  Her nose wants character; there is
303:271,09[J  ]| nothing marked in its lines.  Her teeth are tolerable, but
303:271,10[J  ]| not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, which
303:271,11[J  ]| have sometimes been called so fine, I never could perceive
303:271,12[J  ]| any*thing extraordinary in them.  They have a sharp,
303:271,13[J  ]| shrewish look, which I do not like at all; and in her
303:271,14[J  ]| air altogether, there is a self-sufficiency without fashion,
303:271,15[J  ]| which is intolerable."
303:271,16['  ]| Persuaded as Miss*Bingley was that Darcy admired
303:271,17['  ]| Elizabeth, this was not the best method of recommending
303:271,18['  ]| herself; but angry people are not always wise; and in
303:271,19['  ]| seeing him at last look somewhat nettled, she had all
303:271,20['  ]| the success she expected.  He was resolutely silent however;
303:271,21['  ]| and, from a determination of making him speak,
303:271,22['  ]| she continued,
303:271,23[J  ]| "I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire,
303:271,24[J  ]| how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed
303:271,25[J  ]| beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one
303:271,26[J  ]| night, after they had been dining at Netherfield,
303:271,26@b   | ""\She\
303:271,27@b   | a beauty! ~~ I should as soon call her mother a wit.""
303:271,27[J  ]| But
303:271,28[J  ]| afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe
303:271,29[J  ]| you thought her rather pretty at one time."
303:271,30[B  ]| "Yes,"
303:271,30['  ]| replied Darcy, who could contain himself no
303:271,31['  ]| longer,
303:271,31[B  ]| "but \that\ was only when I first knew her, for it is
303:271,32[B  ]| many months since I have considered her as one of the
303:271,33[B  ]| handsomest women of my acquaintance."
303:271,34['  ]| He then went away, and Miss*Bingley was left to all
303:271,35['  ]| the satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave
303:271,36['  ]| no*one any pain but herself.
303:271,37['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had
303:271,38['  ]| occurred, during their visit, as they returned, except what
303:272,01['  ]| had particularly interested them both.  The looks and
303:272,02['  ]| behaviour of every*body they had seen were discussed,
303:272,03['  ]| except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention.
303:272,04['  ]| They talked of his sister, his friends, his house, his
303:272,05['  ]| fruit, of every*thing but himself; yet Elizabeth was
303:272,06['  ]| longing to know what Mrs%*Gardiner thought of him,
303:272,07['  ]| and Mrs%*Gardiner would have been highly gratified by
303:272,08['  ]| her niece's beginning the subject.
304:273,01['  ]| Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not
304:273,02['  ]| finding a letter from Jane, on their first arrival at Lambton;
304:273,03['  ]| and this disappointment had been renewed on each of
304:273,04['  ]| the mornings that had now been spent there; but on the
304:273,05['  ]| third, her repining was over, and her sister justified by
304:273,06['  ]| the receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which
304:273,07['  ]| was marked that it had been missent elsewhere.  Elizabeth
304:273,08['  ]| was not surprised at it, as Jane had written the direction
304:273,09['  ]| remarkably ill.
304:273,10['  ]| They had just been preparing to walk as the letters
304:273,11['  ]| came in; and her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy
304:273,12['  ]| them in quiet, set off by themselves.  The one missent
304:273,13['  ]| must be first attended to; it had been written five days
304:273,14['  ]| ago.  The beginning contained an account of all their
304:273,15['  ]| little parties and engagements, with such news as the
304:273,16['  ]| country afforded; but the latter half, which was dated
304:273,17['  ]| a day later, and written in evident agitation, gave more
304:273,18['  ]| important intelligence.  It was to this effect:
304:273,19[E  ]| "Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has
304:273,20[E  ]| occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but
304:273,21[E  ]| I am afraid of alarming you ~~ be assured that we are all
304:273,22[E  ]| well.  What I have to say relates to poor Lydia.  An
304:273,23[E  ]| express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone
304:273,24[E  ]| to bed, from Colonel*Forster, to inform us that she was
304:273,25[E  ]| gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the
304:273,26[E  ]| truth, with Wickham! ~~ Imagine our surprise.  To Kitty,
304:273,27[E  ]| however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected.  I am
304:273,28[E  ]| very, very sorry.  So imprudent a match on both sides! ~~
304:273,29[E  ]| But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character
304:273,30[E  ]| has been misunderstood.  Thoughtless and indiscreet I can
304:273,31[E  ]| easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it)
304:273,32[E  ]| marks nothing bad at heart.  His choice is disinterested
304:273,33[E  ]| at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing.
304:274,01[E  ]| Our poor mother is sadly grieved.  My father bears it
304:274,02[E  ]| better.  How thankful am I, that we never let them know
304:274,03[E  ]| what has been said against him; we must forget it ourselves.
304:274,04[E  ]| They were off Saturday night about twelve, as
304:274,05[E  ]| is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning
304:274,06[E  ]| at eight.  The express was sent off directly.  My dear
304:274,07[E  ]| Lizzy, they must have passed within ten miles of us.
304:274,08[E  ]| Colonel*Forster gives us reason to expect him here
304:274,09[E  ]| soon.  Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing
304:274,10[E  ]| her of their intention.  I must conclude, for I cannot be
304:274,11[E  ]| long from my poor mother.  I am afraid you will not
304:274,12[E  ]| be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have
304:274,13[E  ]| written."
304:274,14['  ]| Without allowing herself time for consideration, and
304:274,15['  ]| scarcely knowing what she felt, Elizabeth on finishing this
304:274,16['  ]| letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the
304:274,17['  ]| utmost impatience, read as follows:  it had been written
304:274,18['  ]| a day later than the conclusion of the first.
304:274,19[E  ]| "By this time, my dearest sister, you have received
304:274,20[E  ]| my hurried letter; I wish this may be more intelligible,
304:274,21[E  ]| but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered
304:274,22[E  ]| that I cannot answer for being coherent.  Dearest Lizzy,
304:274,23[E  ]| I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news
304:274,24[E  ]| for you, and it cannot be delayed.  Imprudent as a marriage
304:274,25[E  ]| between Mr%*Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we
304:274,26[E  ]| are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for
304:274,27[E  ]| there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to
304:274,28[E  ]| Scotland.  Colonel*Forster came yesterday, having left
304:274,29[E  ]| Brighton the day before, not many hours after the express.
304:274,30[E  ]| Though Lydia's short letter to Mrs%*F% gave them to understand
304:274,31[E  ]| that they were going to Gretna*Green, something
304:274,32[E  ]| was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W% never
304:274,33[E  ]| intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was
304:274,34[E  ]| repeated to Colonel*F% who instantly taking the alarm,
304:274,35[E  ]| set off from B% intending to trace their route.  He did
304:274,36[E  ]| trace them easily to Clapham, but no farther; for on
304:274,37[E  ]| entering that place they removed into a hackney-coach
304:274,38[E  ]| and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom.
304:275,01[E  ]| All that is known after this is, that they were seen to
304:275,02[E  ]| continue the London road.  I know not what to think.
304:275,03[E  ]| After making every possible enquiry on that side London,
304:275,04[E  ]| Colonel*F% came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing
304:275,05[E  ]| them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and
304:275,06[E  ]| Hatfield, but without any success, no such people had
304:275,07[E  ]| been seen to pass through.  With the kindest concern he
304:275,08[E  ]| came on to Longbourn, and broke his apprehensions to us
304:275,09[E  ]| in a manner most creditable to his heart.  I am sincerely
304:275,10[E  ]| grieved for him and Mrs%*F% but no*one can throw any
304:275,11[E  ]| blame on them.  Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great.
304:275,12[E  ]| My father and mother believe the worst, but I cannot
304:275,13[E  ]| think so ill of him.  Many circumstances might make it
304:275,14[E  ]| more eligible for them to be married privately in town than
304:275,15[E  ]| to pursue their first plan; and even if \he\ could form such
304:275,16[E  ]| a design against a young woman of Lydia's connections,
304:275,17[E  ]| which is not likely, can I suppose her so lost to every*thing?
304:275,18[E  ]| ~~ Impossible.  I grieve to find, however, that
304:275,19[E  ]| Colonel*F% is not disposed to depend upon their marriage;
304:275,20[E  ]| he shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said
304:275,21[E  ]| he feared W% was not a man to be trusted.  My poor
304:275,22[E  ]| mother is really ill and keeps her room.  Could she exert
304:275,23[E  ]| herself it would be better, but this is not to be expected;
304:275,24[E  ]| and as to my father, I never in my life saw him so affected.
304:275,25[E  ]| Poor Kitty has anger for having concealed their attachment;
304:275,26[E  ]| but as it was a matter of confidence one cannot
304:275,27[E  ]| wonder.  I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have
304:275,28[E  ]| been spared something of these distressing scenes; but
304:275,29[E  ]| now as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for
304:275,30[E  ]| your return?  I am not so selfish, however, as to press
304:275,31[E  ]| for it, if inconvenient.  Adieu.  I take up my pen again
304:275,32[E  ]| to do, what I have just told you I would not, but circumstances
304:275,33[E  ]| are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging
304:275,34[E  ]| you all to come here, as soon as possible.  I know my dear
304:275,35[E  ]| uncle and aunt so well, that I am not afraid of requesting
304:275,36[E  ]| it, though I have still something more to ask of the former.
304:275,37[E  ]| My father is going to London with Colonel*Forster instantly,
304:275,38[E  ]| to try to discover her.  What he means to do,
304:276,01[E  ]| I am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not
304:276,02[E  ]| allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest
304:276,03[E  ]| way, and Colonel*Forster is obliged to be at Brighton
304:276,04[E  ]| again to-morrow evening.  In such an exigence my uncle's
304:276,05[E  ]| advice and assistance would be every*thing in the world;
304:276,06[E  ]| he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and
304:276,07[E  ]| I rely upon his goodness."
304:276,08[A  ]| "Oh! where, where is my uncle?"
304:276,08['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
304:276,09['  ]| darting from her seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness
304:276,10['  ]| to follow him, without losing a moment of the time so
304:276,11['  ]| precious; but as she reached the door, it was opened by
304:276,12['  ]| a servant, and Mr%*Darcy appeared.  Her pale face and
304:276,13['  ]| impetuous manner made him start, and before he could
304:276,14['  ]| recover himself enough to speak, she, in whose mind every
304:276,15['  ]| idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily exclaimed,
304:276,16[A  ]| "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you.  I must find
304:276,17[A  ]| Mr%*Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be
304:276,18[A  ]| delayed; I have not an instant to lose."
304:276,19[B  ]| "Good God! what is the matter?"
304:276,19['  ]| cried he, with
304:276,20['  ]| more feeling than politeness; then recollecting himself,
304:276,21[B  ]| "I will not detain you a minute, but let me, or let the
304:276,22[B  ]| servant, go after Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner.  You are not well
304:276,23[B  ]| enough; ~~ you cannot go yourself."
304:276,24['  ]| Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her,
304:276,25['  ]| and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting
304:276,26['  ]| to pursue them.  Calling back the servant, therefore, she
304:276,27['  ]| commissioned him, though in so breathless an accent as
304:276,28['  ]| made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and
304:276,29['  ]| mistress home, instantly.
304:276,30['  ]| On his quitting the room, she sat down, unable to
304:276,31['  ]| support herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was
304:276,32['  ]| impossible for Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from
304:276,33['  ]| saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration,
304:276,33[B  ]| "Let
304:276,34[B  ]| me call your maid.  Is there nothing you could take, to
304:276,35[B  ]| give you present relief? ~~ A glass of wine; ~~ shall I get
304:276,36[B  ]| you one? ~~ You are very ill."
304:276,37[A  ]| "No, I thank you;"
304:276,37['  ]| she replied, endeavouring to
304:276,38['  ]| recover herself.
304:276,38[A  ]| "There is nothing the matter with me.
304:277,01[A  ]| I am quite well.  I am only distressed by some dreadful
304:277,02[A  ]| news which I have just received from Longbourn."
304:277,03['  ]| She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few
304:277,04['  ]| minutes could not speak another word.  Darcy, in wretched
304:277,05['  ]| suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his
304:277,06['  ]| concern, and observe her in compassionate silence.  At
304:277,07['  ]| length, she spoke again.
304:277,07[A  ]| "I have just had a letter from
304:277,08[A  ]| Jane, with such dreadful news.  It cannot be concealed
304:277,09[A  ]| from any*one.  My youngest sister has left all her friends ~~
304:277,10[A  ]| has eloped; ~~ has thrown herself into the power of ~~ of
304:277,11[A  ]| Mr%*Wickham.  They are gone off together from Brighton.
304:277,12[A  ]| \You\ know him too well to doubt the rest.  She has no
304:277,13[A  ]| money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to ~~
304:277,14[A  ]| she is lost for*ever."
304:277,15['  ]| Darcy was fixed in astonishment.
304:277,15[A  ]| "When I consider,"
304:277,16['  ]| she added, in a yet more agitated voice,
304:277,16[A  ]| "that \I\ might
304:277,17[A  ]| have prevented it! ~~ \I\ who knew what he was.  Had I but
304:277,18[A  ]| explained some part of it only ~~ some part of what I learnt,
304:277,19[A  ]| to my own family!  Had his character been known, this
304:277,20[A  ]| could not have happened.  But it is all, all too late
304:277,21[A  ]| now."
304:277,22[B  ]| "I am grieved, indeed,"
304:277,22['  ]| cried Darcy;
304:277,22[B  ]| "grieved ~~
304:277,23[B  ]| shocked.  But is it certain, absolutely certain?"
304:277,24[A  ]| "Oh yes! ~~ They left Brighton together on Sunday
304:277,25[A  ]| night, and were traced almost to London, but not beyond;
304:277,26[A  ]| they are certainly not gone to Scotland."
304:277,27[B  ]| "And what has been done, what has been attempted,
304:277,28[B  ]| to recover her?"
304:277,29[A  ]| "My father is gone to London, and Jane has written
304:277,30[A  ]| to beg my uncle's immediate assistance, and we shall be
304:277,31[A  ]| off, I hope, in half an hour.  But nothing can be done;
304:277,32[A  ]| I know very well that nothing can be done.  How is such
304:277,33[A  ]| a man to be worked on?  How are they even to be discovered?
304:277,34[A  ]| I have not the smallest hope.  It is every way
304:277,35[A  ]| horrible!"
304:277,36['  ]| Darcy shook his head in silent acquiesence.
304:277,37[A  ]| "When \my\ eyes were opened to his real character. ~~
304:277,38[A  ]| Oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared, to do!
304:278,01[A  ]| But I knew not ~~ I was afraid of doing too much.
304:278,02[A  ]| Wretched, wretched, mistake!"
304:278,03['  ]| Darcy made no answer.  He seemed scarcely to hear
304:278,04['  ]| her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest
304:278,05['  ]| meditation; his brow contracted, his air gloomy.  Elizabeth
304:278,06['  ]| soon observed, and instantly understood it.
304:278,06@a   | Her power
304:278,07@a   | was sinking; every*thing \must\ sink under such a proof
304:278,08@a   | of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest
304:278,09@a   | disgrace.  She could neither wonder nor condemn, but the
304:278,10@a   | belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to
304:278,11@a   | her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress.  It was,
304:278,12@a   | on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand
304:278,13@a   | her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that
304:278,14@a   | she could have loved him, as now, when all love must
304:278,15@a   | be vain.
304:278,16['  ]| But self, though it would intrude, could not engross
304:278,17['  ]| her.
304:278,17@a   | Lydia ~~ the humiliation, the misery, she was bringing
304:278,18@a   | on them all, soon swallowed up every private care;
304:278,18['  ]| and
304:278,19['  ]| covering her face with her handkerchief, Elizabeth was
304:278,20['  ]| soon lost to every*thing else; and, after a pause of several
304:278,21['  ]| minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by
304:278,22['  ]| the voice of her companion, who, in a manner, which
304:278,23['  ]| though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said,
304:278,24[B  ]| "I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence,
304:278,25[B  ]| nor have I any*thing to plead in excuse of my stay, but
304:278,26[B  ]| real, though unavailing, concern.  Would to heaven that
304:278,27[B  ]| any*thing could be either said or done on my part, that
304:278,28[B  ]| might offer consolation to such distress. ~~ But I will not
304:278,29[B  ]| torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely
304:278,30[B  ]| to ask for your thanks.  This unfortunate affair will,
304:278,31[B  ]| I fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing
304:278,32[B  ]| you at Pemberley to*day."
304:278,33[A  ]| "Oh, yes.  Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss*Darcy.
304:278,34[A  ]| Say that urgent business calls us home immediately.
304:278,35[A  ]| Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible.
304:278,36[A  ]| ~~ I know it cannot be long."
304:278,37['  ]| He readily assured her of his secrecy ~~ again expressed
304:278,38['  ]| his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion
304:279,01['  ]| than there was at present reason to hope, and leaving
304:279,02['  ]| his compliments for her relations, with only one serious,
304:279,03['  ]| parting, look, went away.
304:279,04['  ]| As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable
304:279,05['  ]| it was that they should ever see each other again on such
304:279,06['  ]| terms of cordiality as had marked their several meetings
304:279,07['  ]| in Derbyshire; and as she threw a retrospective glance
304:279,08['  ]| over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions
304:279,09['  ]| and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those
304:279,10['  ]| feelings which would now have promoted its continuance,
304:279,11['  ]| and would formerly have rejoiced in its termination.
304:279,12['  ]| If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection,
304:279,13['  ]| Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither
304:279,14['  ]| improbable nor faulty.  But if otherwise, if the regard
304:279,15['  ]| springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural,
304:279,16['  ]| in comparison of what is so often described as arising on
304:279,17['  ]| a first interview with its object, and even before two
304:279,18['  ]| words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in her
304:279,19['  ]| defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial
304:279,20['  ]| to the latter method, in her partiality for Wickham, and
304:279,21['  ]| that its ill-success might perhaps authorise her to seek
304:279,22['  ]| the other less interesting mode of attachment.  Be that as
304:279,23['  ]| it may, she saw him go with regret; and in this early
304:279,24['  ]| example of what Lydia's infamy must produce, found
304:279,25['  ]| additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched
304:279,26['  ]| business.  Never, since reading Jane's second letter, had
304:279,27['  ]| she entertained a hope of Wickham's meaning to marry
304:279,28['  ]| her.
304:279,28@a   | No*one but Jane,
304:279,28['  ]| she thought,
304:279,28@a   | could flatter herself
304:279,29@a   | with such an expectation.
304:279,29['  ]| Surprise was the least of her
304:279,30['  ]| feelings on this development.  While the contents of the
304:279,31['  ]| first letter remained on her mind, she was all surprise ~~
304:279,32['  ]| all astonishment that Wickham should marry a girl, whom
304:279,33['  ]| it was impossible he could marry for money; and how
304:279,34['  ]| Lydia could ever have attached him, had appeared incomprehensible.
304:279,35@a   | But now it was all too natural.  For such
304:279,36@a   | an attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms;
304:279,37['  ]| and though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately
304:279,38['  ]| engaging in an elopement, without the intention of marriage,
304:280,01['  ]| she had no difficulty in believing that neither her
304:280,02['  ]| virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from
304:280,03['  ]| falling an easy prey.
304:280,04['  ]| She had never perceived, while the regiment was in
304:280,05['  ]| Hertfordshire, that Lydia had any partiality for him, but
304:280,06['  ]| she was convinced that
304:280,06@a   | Lydia had wanted only encouragement
304:280,07@a   | to attach herself to any*body.  Sometimes one
304:280,08@a   | officer, sometimes another had been her favourite, as their
304:280,09@a   | attentions raised them in her opinion.  Her affections had
304:280,10@a   | been continually fluctuating, but never without an object.
304:280,11@a   | The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards
304:280,12@a   | such a girl. ~~
304:280,12['  ]| Oh! how acutely did she now feel it.
304:280,13['  ]| She was wild to be at home ~~ to hear, to see, to be
304:280,14['  ]| upon the spot, to share with Jane in the cares that must
304:280,15['  ]| now fall wholly upon her, in a family so deranged; a father
304:280,16['  ]| absent, a mother incapable of exertion, and requiring
304:280,17['  ]| constant attendance; and though almost persuaded that
304:280,18['  ]| nothing could be done for Lydia, her uncle's interference
304:280,19['  ]| seemed of the utmost importance, and till he entered the
304:280,20['  ]| room, the misery of her impatience was severe.  Mr% and
304:280,21['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner had hurried back in alarm, supposing, by
304:280,22['  ]| the servant's account, that their niece was taken suddenly
304:280,23['  ]| ill; ~~ but satisfying  them instantly on that head, she
304:280,24['  ]| eagerly communicated the cause of their summons,
304:280,25['  ]| reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript
304:280,26['  ]| of the last, with trembling energy. ~~ Though Lydia
304:280,27['  ]| had never been a favourite with them, Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner
304:280,28['  ]| could not but be deeply affected.  Not Lydia
304:280,29['  ]| only, but all were concerned in it; and after the first
304:280,30['  ]| exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr%*Gardiner readily
304:280,31['  ]| promised every assistance in his power. ~~ Elizabeth,
304:280,32['  ]| though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of
304:280,33['  ]| gratitude; and all three being actuated by one spirit,
304:280,34['  ]| every*thing relating to their journey was speedily settled.
304:280,35['  ]| They were to be off as soon as possible.
304:280,35[O  ]| "But what is
304:280,36[O  ]| to be done about Pemberley?"
304:280,36['  ]| cried Mrs%*Gardiner.
304:280,37[O  ]| "John told us Mr%*Darcy was here when you sent for
304:280,38[O  ]| us; ~~ was it so?"
304:281,01[A  ]| "Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep
304:281,02[A  ]| our engagement.  \That\ is all settled."
304:281,03[O  ]| "That is all settled;"
304:281,03['  ]| repeated the other, as she ran
304:281,04['  ]| into her room to prepare.
304:281,04[O  ]| "And are they upon such
304:281,05[O  ]| terms as for her to disclose the real truth!  Oh, that
304:281,06[O  ]| I knew how it was!"
304:281,07['  ]| But wishes were vain; or at best could serve only to
304:281,08['  ]| amuse her in the hurry and confusion of the following
304:281,09['  ]| hour.  Had Elizabeth been at leisure to be idle, she
304:281,10['  ]| would have remained certain that all employment was
304:281,11['  ]| impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had
304:281,12['  ]| her share of business as well as her aunt, and amongst
304:281,13['  ]| the rest there were notes to be written to all their friends
304:281,14['  ]| in Lambton, with false excuses for their sudden departure.
304:281,15['  ]| An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and Mr%*Gardiner
304:281,16['  ]| meanwhile having settled his account at the inn,
304:281,17['  ]| nothing remained to be done but to go; and Elizabeth,
304:281,18['  ]| after all the misery of the morning, found herself, in
304:281,19['  ]| a shorter space of time than she could have supposed,
304:281,20['  ]| seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn.
305:282,01[N  ]| "I have been thinking it over again, Elizabeth,"
305:282,01['  ]| said
305:282,02['  ]| her uncle, as they drove from the town;
305:282,02[N  ]| "and really,
305:282,03[N  ]| upon serious consideration, I am much more inclined
305:282,04[N  ]| than I was to judge as your eldest sister does of the matter.
305:282,05[N  ]| It appears to me so very unlikely, that any young man
305:282,06[N  ]| should form such a design against a girl who is by no
305:282,07[N  ]| means unprotected or friendless, and who was actually
305:282,08[N  ]| staying in his colonel's family, that I am strongly inclined
305:282,09[N  ]| to hope the best.  Could he expect that her friends would
305:282,10[N  ]| not step forward?  Could he expect to be noticed again
305:282,11[N  ]| by the regiment, after such an affront to Colonel*Forster?
305:282,12[N  ]| His temptation is not adequate to the risk."
305:282,13[A  ]| "Do you really think so?"
305:282,13['  ]| cried Elizabeth, brightening
305:282,14['  ]| up for a moment.
305:282,15[O  ]| "Upon my word,"
305:282,15['  ]| said Mrs%*Gardiner,
305:282,15[O  ]| "I begin to be
305:282,16[O  ]| of your uncle's opinion.  It is really too great a violation
305:282,17[O  ]| of decency, honour, and interest, for him to be guilty of
305:282,18[O  ]| it.  I cannot think so very ill of Wickham.  Can you,
305:282,19[O  ]| yourself, Lizzy, so wholly give him up, as to believe him
305:282,20[O  ]| capable of it?"
305:282,21[A  ]| "Not perhaps of neglecting his own interest.  But of
305:282,22[A  ]| every other neglect I can believe him capable.  If, indeed,
305:282,23[A  ]| it should be so!  But I dare not hope it.  Why should
305:282,24[A  ]| they not go on to Scotland, if that had been the case?"
305:282,25[N  ]| "In the first place,"
305:282,25['  ]| replied Mr%*Gardiner,
305:282,25[N  ]| "there is
305:282,26[N  ]| no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland."
305:282,27[A  ]| "Oh! but their removing from the chaise into an
305:282,28[A  ]| hackney coach is such a presumption!  And, besides, no
305:282,29[A  ]| traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road."
305:282,30[N  ]| "Well, then ~~ supposing them to be in London.  They
305:282,31[N  ]| may be there, though for the purpose of concealment,
305:282,32[N  ]| for no more exceptionable purpose.  It is not likely that
305:282,33[N  ]| money should be very abundant on either side; and it
305:283,01[N  ]| might strike them that they could be more economically,
305:283,02[N  ]| though less expeditiously, married in London, than in
305:283,03[N  ]| Scotland."
305:283,04[A  ]| "But why all this secrecy?  Why any fear of detection?
305:283,05[A  ]| Why must their marriage be private?  Oh! no, no, this
305:283,06[A  ]| is not likely.  His most particular friend, you see by
305:283,07[A  ]| Jane's account, was persuaded of his never intending to
305:283,08[A  ]| marry her.  Wickham will never marry a woman without
305:283,09[A  ]| some money.  He cannot afford it.  And what claims has
305:283,10[A  ]| Lydia, what attractions has she beyond youth, health, and
305:283,11[A  ]| good*humour, that could make him for her sake, forego
305:283,12[A  ]| every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well?  As
305:283,13[A  ]| to what restraint the apprehension of disgrace in the corps
305:283,14[A  ]| might throw on a dishonourable elopement with her, I am
305:283,15[A  ]| not able to judge; for I know nothing of the effects that
305:283,16[A  ]| such a step might produce.  But as to your other objection,
305:283,17[A  ]| I am afraid it will hardly hold good.  Lydia has no
305:283,18[A  ]| brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from
305:283,19[A  ]| my father's behaviour, from his indolence and the little
305:283,20[A  ]| attention he has ever seemed to give to what was going
305:283,21[A  ]| forward in his family, that \he\ would do as little, and
305:283,22[A  ]| think as little about it, as any father could do, in such
305:283,23[A  ]| a matter."
305:283,24[N  ]| "But can you think that Lydia is so lost to every*thing
305:283,25[N  ]| but love of him, as to consent to live with him on any
305:283,26[N  ]| other terms than marriage?"
305:283,27[A  ]| "It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed,"
305:283,27['  ]| replied
305:283,28['  ]| Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes,
305:283,28[A  ]| "that a sister's sense
305:283,29[A  ]| of decency and virtue in such a point should admit of
305:283,30[A  ]| doubt.  But, really, I know not what to say.  Perhaps
305:283,31[A  ]| I am not doing her justice.  But she is very young; she
305:283,32[A  ]| has never been taught to think on serious subjects; and
305:283,33[A  ]| for the last half*year, nay, for a twelvemonth, she has
305:283,34[A  ]| been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity.
305:283,35[A  ]| She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most
305:283,36[A  ]| idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions
305:283,37[A  ]| that came in her way.  Since the *****shire were first
305:283,38[A  ]| quartered in Meryton, nothing but love, flirtation, and
305:284,01[A  ]| officers, have been in her head.  She has been doing
305:284,02[A  ]| every*thing in her power by thinking and talking on the
305:284,03[A  ]| subject, to give greater ~~ what shall I call it? susceptibility
305:284,04[A  ]| to her feelings; which are naturally lively enough.
305:284,05[A  ]| And we all know that Wickham has every charm of
305:284,06[A  ]| person and address that can captivate a woman."
305:284,07[O  ]| "But you see that Jane,"
305:284,07['  ]| said her aunt,
305:284,07[O  ]| "does not
305:284,08[O  ]| think so ill of Wickham, as to believe him capable of the
305:284,09[O  ]| attempt."
305:284,10[A  ]| "Of whom does Jane ever think ill?  And who is there,
305:284,11[A  ]| whatever might be their former conduct, that she would
305:284,12[A  ]| believe capable of such an attempt, till it were proved
305:284,13[A  ]| against them?  But Jane knows, as well as I do, what
305:284,14[A  ]| Wickham really is.  We both know that he has been
305:284,15[A  ]| profligate in every sense of the word.  That he has neither
305:284,16[A  ]| integrity nor honour.  That he is as false and deceitful,
305:284,17[A  ]| as he is insinuating."
305:284,18[O  ]| "And do you really know all this?"
305:284,18['  ]| cried Mrs%*Gardiner,
305:284,19['  ]| whose curiosity as to the mode of her intelligence
305:284,20['  ]| was all alive.
305:284,21[A  ]| "I do, indeed,"
305:284,21['  ]| replied Elizabeth, colouring.
305:284,21[A  ]| "I told
305:284,22[A  ]| you the other day, of his infamous behaviour to Mr%*Darcy;
305:284,23[A  ]| and you, yourself, when last at Longbourn, heard in what
305:284,24[A  ]| manner he spoke of the man, who had behaved with such
305:284,25[A  ]| forbearance and liberality towards him.  And there are
305:284,26[A  ]| other circumstances which I am not at liberty ~~ which it
305:284,27[A  ]| is not worth*while to relate; but his lies about the whole
305:284,28[A  ]| Pemberley family are endless.  From what he said of
305:284,29[A  ]| Miss*Darcy, I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud,
305:284,30[A  ]| reserved, disagreeable girl.  Yet he knew to the contrary
305:284,31[A  ]| himself.  He must know that she was as amiable and
305:284,32[A  ]| unpretending as we have found her."
305:284,33[O  ]| "But does Lydia know nothing of this?  Can she be
305:284,34[O  ]| ignorant of what you and Jane seem so well to understand?"
305:284,35[O  ]|
305:284,36[A  ]| "Oh, yes! ~~ that, that is the worst of all.  Till I was
305:284,37[A  ]| in Kent, and saw so much both of Mr%*Darcy and his
305:284,38[A  ]| relation, Colonel*Fitzwilliam, I was ignorant of the truth
305:285,01[A  ]| myself.  And when I returned home, the *****shire was
305:285,02[A  ]| to leave Meryton in a week or fortnight's time.  As that
305:285,03[A  ]| was the case, neither Jane, to whom I related the whole,
305:285,04[A  ]| nor I, thought it necessary to make our knowledge public;
305:285,05[A  ]| for of what use could it apparently be to any*one, that
305:285,06[A  ]| the good opinion which all the neighbourhood had of
305:285,07[A  ]| him, should then be overthrown?  And even when it was
305:285,08[A  ]| settled that Lydia should go with Mrs%*Forster, the necessity
305:285,09[A  ]| of opening her eyes to his character never occurred
305:285,10[A  ]| to me.  That \she\ could be in any danger from the deception
305:285,11[A  ]| never entered my head.  That such a consequence as \this\
305:285,12[A  ]| should ensue, you may easily believe was far enough from
305:285,13[A  ]| my thoughts."
305:285,14[O  ]| "When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you
305:285,15[O  ]| had no reason, I suppose, to believe them fond of each
305:285,16[O  ]| other."
305:285,17[A  ]| "Not the slightest.  I can remember no symptom of
305:285,18[A  ]| affection on either side; and had any*thing of the kind
305:285,19[A  ]| been perceptible, you must be aware that ours is not a
305:285,20[A  ]| family, on which it could be thrown away.  When first
305:285,21[A  ]| he entered the corps, she was ready enough to admire
305:285,22[A  ]| him; but so we all were.  Every girl in, or near Meryton,
305:285,23[A  ]| was out of her senses about him for the first two months;
305:285,24[A  ]| but he never distinguished \her\ by any particular attention,
305:285,25[A  ]| and, consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant
305:285,26[A  ]| and wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others
305:285,27[A  ]| of the regiment, who treated her with more distinction,
305:285,28[A  ]| again became her favourites."
305:285,29['  ]| ~~~
305:285,30['  ]| It may be easily believed, that however little of novelty
305:285,31['  ]| could be added to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on
305:285,32['  ]| this interesting subject, by its repeated discussion, no
305:285,33['  ]| other could detain them from it long, during the whole
305:285,34['  ]| of the journey.  From Elizabeth's thoughts it was never
305:285,35['  ]| absent.  Fixed there by the keenest of all anguish, self*reproach,
305:285,36['  ]| she could find no interval of ease or forgetfulness.
305:285,37['  ]| They travelled as expeditiously as possible; and sleeping
305:286,01['  ]| one night on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner-time
305:286,02['  ]| the next day.  It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider
305:286,03['  ]| that Jane could not have been wearied by long expectations.
305:286,04['  ]|
305:286,05['  ]| The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise,
305:286,06['  ]| were standing on the steps of the house, as they entered
305:286,07['  ]| the paddock; and when the carriage drove up to the door,
305:286,08['  ]| the joyful surprise that lighted up their faces, and displayed
305:286,09['  ]| itself over their whole bodies, in a variety of capers
305:286,10['  ]| and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome.
305:286,11['  ]| Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them
305:286,12['  ]| an hasty kiss, hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who
305:286,13['  ]| came running down*stairs from her mother's apartment,
305:286,14['  ]| immediately met her.
305:286,15['  ]| Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst
305:286,16['  ]| tears filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking
305:286,17['  ]| whether any*thing had been heard of the fugitives.
305:286,18[E  ]| "Not yet,"
305:286,18['  ]| replied Jane.
305:286,18[E  ]| "But now that my dear
305:286,19[E  ]| uncle is come, I hope every*thing will be well."
305:286,20[A  ]| "Is my father in town?"
305:286,21[E  ]| "Yes, he went on Tuesday as I wrote you word."
305:286,22[A  ]| "And have you heard from him often?"
305:286,23[E  ]| "We have heard only once.  He wrote me a few lines
305:286,24[E  ]| on Wednesday, to say that he had arrived in safety, and
305:286,25[E  ]| to give me his directions, which I particularly begged him
305:286,26[E  ]| to do.  He merely added, that he should not write again,
305:286,27[E  ]| till he had something of importance to mention."
305:286,28[A  ]| "And my mother ~~ How is she?  How are you all?"
305:286,29[E  ]| "My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her
305:286,30[E  ]| spirits are greatly shaken.  She is up*stairs, and will have
305:286,31[E  ]| great satisfaction in seeing you all.  She does not yet
305:286,32[E  ]| leave her dressing-room.  Mary and Kitty, thank Heaven!
305:286,33[E  ]| are quite well."
305:286,34[A  ]| "But you ~~ How are you?"
305:286,34['  ]| cried Elizabeth.
305:286,34[A  ]| "You
305:286,35[A  ]| look pale.  How much you must have gone through!"
305:286,36['  ]| Her sister, however, assured her, of her being perfectly
305:286,37['  ]| well; and their conversation, which had been passing
305:286,38['  ]| while Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner were engaged with their
305:287,01['  ]| children, was now put an end to, by the approach of the
305:287,02['  ]| whole party.  Jane ran to her uncle and aunt, and welcomed
305:287,03['  ]| and thanked them both, with alternate smiles and
305:287,04['  ]| tears.
305:287,05['  ]| When they were all in the drawing*room, the questions
305:287,06['  ]| which Elizabeth had already asked, were of course
305:287,07['  ]| repeated by the others, and they soon found that Jane
305:287,08['  ]| had no intelligence to give.  The sanguine hope of good,
305:287,09['  ]| however, which the benevolence of her heart suggested,
305:287,10['  ]| had not yet deserted her; she still expected that it would
305:287,11['  ]| all end well, and that every morning would bring some
305:287,12['  ]| letter, either from Lydia or her father, to explain their
305:287,13['  ]| proceedings, and perhaps announce the marriage.
305:287,14['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet, to whose apartment they all repaired,
305:287,15['  ]| after a few minutes conversation together, received them
305:287,16['  ]| exactly as might be expected; with tears and lamentations
305:287,17['  ]| of regret, invectives against the villanous conduct
305:287,18['  ]| of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and
305:287,19['  ]| ill*usage; blaming every*body but the person to whose
305:287,20['  ]| ill*judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must be
305:287,21['  ]| principally owing.
305:287,22[D  ]| "If I had been able,"
305:287,22['  ]| said she,
305:287,22[D  ]| "to carry my point of
305:287,23[D  ]| going to Brighton, with all my family, \this\ would not
305:287,24[D  ]| have happened; but poor dear Lydia had nobody to
305:287,25[D  ]| take care of her.  Why did the Forsters ever let her go
305;287,26[D  ]| out of their sight?  I am sure there was some great
305:287,27[D  ]| neglect or other on their side, for she is not the kind of
305:287,28[D  ]| girl to do such a thing, if she had been well looked after.
305:287,29[D  ]| I always thought they were very unfit to have the charge
305:287,30[D  ]| of her; but I was over-ruled, as I always am.  Poor
305:287,31[D  ]| dear child!  And now here's Mr%*Bennet gone away, and
305:287,32[D  ]| I know he will fight Wickham, wherever he meets him,
305:287,33[D  ]| and then he will be killed, and what is to become of us all?
305:287,33[D  ]| The Collinses will turn us out, before he is cold in his
305:287,34[D  ]| grave; and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not
305:287,35[D  ]| know what we shall do."
305:287,36['  ]| They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and
305:287,37['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner, after general assurances of his affection for
305:288,01['  ]| her and all her family, told her that
305:288,01@n   | he meant to be in
305:288,02@n   | London the very next day, and would assist Mr%*Bennet
305:288,03@n   | in every endeavour for recovering Lydia.
305:288,04[N  ]| "Do not give way to useless alarm,"
305:288,04['  ]| added he,
305:288,04[N  ]| "though
305:288,05[N  ]| it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion
305:288,06[N  ]| to look on it as certain.  It is not quite a week since they
305:288,07[N  ]| left Brighton.  In a few days more, we may gain some
305:288,08[N  ]| news of them, and till we know that they are not married,
305:288,09[N  ]| and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the
305:288,10[N  ]| matter over as lost.  As soon as I get to town, I shall
305:288,11[N  ]| go to my brother, and make him come home with me to
305:288,12[N  ]| Gracechurch*Street, and then we may consult together as
305:288,13[N  ]| to what is to be done."
305:288,14[D  ]| "Oh! my dear brother,"
305:288,14['  ]| replied Mrs%*Bennet,
305:288,14[D  ]| "that
305:288,15[D  ]| is exactly what I could most wish for.  And now do,
305:288,16[D  ]| when you get to town, find them out, wherever they may
305:288,17[D  ]| be; and if they are not married already, \make\ them
305:288,18[D  ]| marry.  And as for wedding*clothes, do not let them wait
305:288,19[D  ]| for that, but tell Lydia she shall have as much money
305:288,20[D  ]| as she chuses, to buy them, after they are married.  And,
305:288,21[D  ]| above all things, keep Mr%*Bennet from fighting.  Tell
305:288,22[D  ]| him what a dreadful state I am in, ~~ that I am frightened
305:288,23[D  ]| out of my wits; and have such tremblings, such flutterings,
305:288,24[D  ]| all over me, such spasms in my side, and pains in
305:288,25[D  ]| my head, and such beatings at heart, that I can get no
305:288,26[D  ]| rest by night nor by day.  And tell my dear Lydia, not
305:288,27[D  ]| to give any directions about her clothes, till she has seen
305:288,28[D  ]| me, for she does not know which are the best warehouses.
305:288,29[D  ]| Oh, brother, how kind you are!  I know you will contrive
305:288,30[D  ]| it all."
305:288,31['  ]| But Mr%*Gardiner, though he assured her again of his
305:288,32['  ]| earnest endeavours in the cause, could not avoid recommending
305:288,33['  ]| moderation to her, as well in her hopes as her
305:288,34['  ]| fears; and, after talking with her in this manner till
305:288,35['  ]| dinner was on table, they left her to vent all her feelings
305:288,36['  ]| on the housekeeper, who attended, in the absence of her
305:288,37['  ]| daughters.
305:288,38['  ]| Though her brother and sister were persuaded that
305:289,01['  ]| there was no real occasion for such a seclusion from the
305:289,02['  ]| family, they did not attempt to oppose it, for they knew
305:289,03['  ]| that she had not prudence enough to hold her tongue
305:289,04['  ]| before the servants, while they waited at table, and
305:289,05['  ]| judged it better that \one\ only of the household, and the
305:289,06['  ]| one whom they could most trust, should comprehend all
305:289,07['  ]| her fears and solicitude on the subject.
305:289,08['  ]| In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and
305:289,09['  ]| Kitty, who had been too busily engaged in their separate
305:289,10['  ]| apartments, to make their appearance before.  One came
305:289,11['  ]| from her books, and the other from her toilette.  The
305:289,12['  ]| faces of both, however, were tolerably calm; and no
305:289,13['  ]| change was visible in either, except that the loss of her
305:289,14['  ]| favourite sister, or the anger which she had herself incurred
305:289,15['  ]| in the business, had given something more of fretfulness
305:289,16['  ]| than usual, to the accents of Kitty.  As for Mary, she was
305:289,17['  ]| mistress enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth with
305:289,18['  ]| a countenance of grave reflection, soon after they were
305:289,19['  ]| seated at table,
305:289,20[F  ]| "This is a most unfortunate affair; and will probably
305:289,21[F  ]| be much talked of.  But we must stem the tide of malice,
305:289,22[F  ]| and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other, the
305:289,23[F  ]| balm of sisterly consolation."
305:289,24['  ]| Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying,
305:289,25['  ]| she added,
305:289,25[F  ]| "Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia,
305:289,26[F  ]| we may draw from it this useful lesson; that loss of
305:289,27[F  ]| virtue in a female is irretrievable ~~ that one false step
305:289,28[F  ]| involves her in endless ruin ~~ that her reputation is no
305:289,29[F  ]| less brittle than it is beautiful, ~~ and that she cannot be
305:289,30[F  ]| too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving
305:289,31[F  ]| of the other sex."
305:289,32['  ]| Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too
305:289,33['  ]| much oppressed to make any reply.  Mary, however,
305:289,34['  ]| continued to console herself with such kind of moral
305:289,35['  ]| extractions from the evil before them.
305:289,36['  ]| In the afternoon, the two elder Miss*Bennets were able
305:289,37['  ]| to be for half an hour by themselves; and Elizabeth
305:289,38['  ]| instantly availed herself of the opportunity of making many
305:290,01['  ]| enquiries, which Jane was equally eager to satisfy.  After
305:290,02['  ]| joining in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel
305:290,03['  ]| of this event, which Elizabeth considered as all but
305:290,04['  ]| certain, and Miss*Bennet could not assert to be wholly
305:290,05['  ]| impossible; the former continued the subject, by saying,
305:290,06[A  ]| "But tell me all and every*thing about it, which I have
305:290,07[A  ]| not already heard.  Give me farther particulars.  What
305:290,08[A  ]| did Colonel*Forster say?  Had they no apprehension of
305:290,09[A  ]| any*thing before the elopement took place?  They must
305:290,10[A  ]| have seen them together for*ever."
305:290,11[E  ]| "Colonel*Forster did own that he had often suspected
305:290,12[E  ]| some partiality, especially on Lydia's side, but nothing
305:290,13[E  ]| to give him any alarm.  I am so grieved for him.  His
305:290,14[E  ]| behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost.  He \was\
305:290,15[E  ]| coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he
305:290,16[E  ]| had any idea of their not being gone to Scotland:  when
305:290,17[E  ]| that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened his journey."
305:290,18[A  ]| "And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not
305:290,19[A  ]| marry?  Did he know of their intending to go off?  Had
305:290,20[A  ]| Colonel*Forster seen Denny himself?"
305:290,21[E  ]| "Yes; but when questioned by \him\ Denny denied
305:290,22[E  ]| knowing any*thing of their plan, and would not give his
305:290,23[E  ]| real opinion about it.  He did not repeat his persuasion
305:290,24[E  ]| of their not marrying ~~ and from \that\, I am inclined to
305:290,25[E  ]| hope, he might have been misunderstood before."
305:290,26[A  ]| "And till Colonel*Forster came himself, not one of you
305:290,27[A  ]| entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really
305:290,28[A  ]| married?"
305:290,29[E  ]| "How was it possible that such an idea should enter
305:290,30[E  ]| our brains!  I felt a little uneasy ~~ a little fearful of my
305:290,31[E  ]| sister's happiness with him in marriage, because I knew
305:290,32[E  ]| that his conduct had not been always quite right.  My
305:290,33[E  ]| father and mother knew nothing of that, they only felt
305:290,34[E  ]| how imprudent a match it must be.  Kitty then owned,
305:290,35[E  ]| with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the
305:290,36[E  ]| rest of us, that in Lydia's last letter, she had prepared
305:290,37[E  ]| her for such a step.  She had known, it seems, of their
305:290,38[E  ]| being in love with each other, many weeks."
305:291,01[A  ]| "But not before they went to Brighton?"
305:291,02[E  ]| "No, I believe not."
305:291,03[A  ]| "And did Colonel*Forster appear to think ill of Wickham
305:291,04[A  ]| himself?  Does he know his real character?"
305:291,05[E  ]| "I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham
305:291,06[E  ]| as he formerly did.  He believed him to be imprudent
305:291,07[E  ]| and extravagant.  And since this sad affair has taken
305:291,08[E  ]| place, it is said, that he left Meryton greatly in debt; but
305:291,09[E  ]| I hope this may be false."
305:291,10[A  ]| "Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what
305:291,11[A  ]| we knew of him, this could not have happened!"
305:291,12[E  ]| "Perhaps it would have been better;"
305:291,12['  ]| replied her
305:291,13['  ]| sister.
305:291,13[E  ]| "But to expose the former faults of any person,
305:291,14[E  ]| without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed
305:291,15[E  ]| unjustifiable.  We acted with the best intentions."
305:291,16[A  ]| "Could Colonel*Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's
305:291,17[A  ]| note to his wife?"
305:291,18[E  ]| "He brought it with him for us to see."
305:291,19['  ]| Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it
305:291,20['  ]| to Elizabeth.  These were the contents:
305:291,21['  ]|
305:291,22[H  ]| "MY DEAR HARRIET,
305:291,23[H  ]| "You will laugh when you know where I am gone,
305:291,24[H  ]| and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow
305:291,25[H  ]| morning, as soon as I am missed.  I am going to
305:291,26[H  ]| Gretna*Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall
305:291,27[H  ]| think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the
305:291,28[H  ]| world I love, and he is an angel.  I should never be happy
305:291,29[H  ]| without him, so think it no harm to be off.  You need
305:291,30[H  ]| not send them word at Longbourn of my going, if you
305:291,31[H  ]| do not like it, for it will make the surprise the greater,
305:291,32[H  ]| when I write to them, and sign my name Lydia*Wickham.
305:291,33[H  ]| What a good joke it will be!  I can hardly write for
305:291,34[H  ]| laughing.  Pray make my excuses to Pratt, for not keeping
305:291,35[H  ]| my engagement, and dancing with him to*night.  Tell
305:291,36[H  ]| him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all, and tell
305:291,37[H  ]| him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet, with
305:291,38[H  ]| great pleasure.  I shall send for my clothes when I get
305:292,01[H  ]| to Longbourn; but I wish you would tell Sally to mend
305:292,02[H  ]| a great slit in my worked muslin gown, before they are
305:292,03[H  ]| packed up.  Good*bye.  Give my love to Colonel*Forster,
305:292,04[H  ]| I hope you will drink to our good journey.
305:292,05[H  ]| "Your affectionate friend,
305:292,06[H  ]| "LYDIA*BENNET."
305:292,07[H  ]|
305:292,08[A  ]| "Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!"
305:292,08['  ]| cried Elizabeth
305:292,09['  ]| when she had finished it.
305:292,09[A  ]| "What a letter is this,
305:292,10[A  ]| to be written at such a moment.  But at least it shews,
305:292,11[A  ]| that \she\ was serious in the object of her journey.  Whatever
305:292,12[A  ]| he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her
305:292,13[A  ]| side a \scheme\ of infamy.  My poor father! how he must
305:292,14[A  ]| have felt it!"
305:292,15[E  ]| "I never saw any*one so shocked.  He could not speak
305:292,16[E  ]| a word for full ten minutes.  My mother was taken ill
305:292,17[E  ]| immediately, and the whole house in such confusion!"
305:292,18[A  ]| "Oh! Jane,"
305:292,18['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
305:292,18[A  ]| "was there a servant
305:292,19[A  ]| belonging to it, who did not know the whole story before
305:292,20[A  ]| the end of the day?"
305:292,21[E  ]| "I do not know. ~~ I hope there was. ~~ But to be guarded
305:292,22[E  ]| at such a time, is very difficult.  My mother was in
305:292,23[E  ]| hysterics, and though I endeavoured to give her every
305:292,24[E  ]| assistance in my power, I am afraid I did not do so much
305:292,25[E  ]| as I might have done!  But the horror of what might
305:292,26[E  ]| possibly happen, almost took from me my faculties."
305:292,27[A  ]| "Your attendance upon her, has been too much for
305:292,28[A  ]| you.  You do not look well.  Oh! that I had been with
305:292,29[A  ]| you, you have had every care and anxiety upon yourself
305:292,30[A  ]| alone."
305:292,31[E  ]| "Mary and Kitty have been very kind, and would
305:292,32[E  ]| have shared in every fatigue, I am sure, but I did not
305:292,33[E  ]| think it right for either of them.  Kitty is slight and
305:292,34[E  ]| delicate, and Mary studies so much, that her hours of
305:292,35[E  ]| repose should not be broken in on.  My aunt Phillips
305:292,36[E  ]| came to Longbourn on Tuesday, after my father went
305:292,37[E  ]| away; and was so good as to stay till Thursday with me.
305:292,38[E  ]| She was of great use and comfort to us all, and lady*Lucas
305:293,01[E  ]| has been very kind; she walked here on Wednesday
305:293,02[E  ]| morning to condole with us, and offered her services,
305:293,03[E  ]| or any of her daughters, if they could be of use to us."
305:293,04[A  ]| "She had better have stayed at home,"
305:293,04['  ]| cried Elizabeth;
305:293,05[A  ]| "perhaps she \meant\ well, but, under such a misfortune
305:293,06[A  ]| as this, one cannot see too little of one's neighbours.
305:293,07[A  ]| Assistance is impossible; condolence, insufferable.  Let
305:293,08[A  ]| them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied."
305:293,09['  ]| She then proceeded to enquire into the measures which
305:293,10['  ]| her father had intended to pursue, while in town, for
305:293,11['  ]| the recovery of his daughter.
305:293,12[E  ]| "He meant, I believe,"
305:293,12['  ]| replied Jane,
305:293,12[E  ]| "to go to Epsom,
305:293,13[E  ]| the place where they last changed horses, see the postilions,
305:293,14[E  ]| and try if any*thing could be made out from them.  His
305:293,15[E  ]| principal object must be, to discover the number of the
305:293,16[E  ]| hackney*coach which took them from Clapham.  It had
305:293,17[E  ]| come with a fare from London; and as he thought the
305:293,18[E  ]| circumstance of a gentleman and lady's removing from
305:293,19[E  ]| one carriage into another, might be remarked, he meant
305:293,20[E  ]| to make enquiries at Clapham.  If he could any*how discover
305:293,21[E  ]| at what house the coachman had before set down
305:293,22[E  ]| his fare, he determined to make enquiries there, and hoped
305:293,23[E  ]| it might not be impossible to find out the stand and number
305:293,24[E  ]| of the coach.  I do not know of any other designs that
305:293,25[E  ]| he had formed:  but he was in such a hurry to be gone,
305:293,26[E  ]| and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty
305:293,27[E  ]| in finding out even so much as this."
306:294,01['  ]| The whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr%*Bennet
306:294,02['  ]| the next morning, but the post came in without
306:294,03['  ]| bringing a single line from him.  His family knew him to
306:294,04['  ]| be on all common occasions, a most negligent and dilatory
306:294,05['  ]| correspondent, but at such a time, they had hoped for
306:294,06['  ]| exertion.  They were forced to conclude, that he had no
306:294,07['  ]| pleasing intelligence to send, but even of \that\ they would
306:294,08['  ]| have been glad to be certain.  Mr%*Gardiner had waited
306:294,09['  ]| only for the letters before he set off.
306:294,10['  ]| When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving
306:294,11['  ]| constant information of what was going on, and their
306:294,12['  ]| uncle promised, at parting, to prevail on Mr%*Bennet to
306:294,13['  ]| return to Longbourn, as soon as he could, to the great
306:294,14['  ]| consolation of his sister, who considered it as the only
306:294,15['  ]| security for her husband's not being killed in a duel.
306:294,16['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire
306:294,17['  ]| a few days longer, as the former thought her
306:294,18['  ]| presence might be serviceable to her nieces.  She shared
306:294,19['  ]| in their attendance on Mrs%*Bennet, and was a great
306:294,20['  ]| comfort to them, in their hours of freedom.  Their other
306:294,21['  ]| aunt also visited them frequently, and always, as she said,
306:294,22['  ]| with the design of cheering and heartening them up,
306:294,23['  ]| though as she never came without reporting some fresh
306:294,24['  ]| instance of Wickham's extravagance or irregularity, she
306:294,25['  ]| seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited
306:294,26['  ]| than she found them.
306:294,27['  ]| All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man, who,
306:294,28['  ]| but three months before, had been almost an angel of
306:294,29['  ]| light.  He was declared to be in debt to every tradesman
306:294,30['  ]| in the place, and his intrigues, all honoured with the title
306:294,31['  ]| of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman's
306:294,32['  ]| family.  Every*body declared that he was the wickedest
306:294,33['  ]| young man in the world; and every*body began to find
306:295,01['  ]| out, that they had always distrusted the appearance of
306:295,02['  ]| his goodness.  Elizabeth, though she did not credit above
306:295,03['  ]| half of what was said, believed enough to make her former
306:295,04['  ]| assurance of her sister's ruin still more certain; and even
306:295,05['  ]| Jane, who believed still less of it, became almost hopeless,
306:295,06['  ]| more especially as the time was now come, when if they
306:295,07['  ]| had gone to Scotland, which she had never before entirely
306:295,08['  ]| despaired of, they must in all probability have gained
306:295,09['  ]| some news of them.
306:295,10['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday,
306:295,11['  ]| his wife received a letter from him; it told them, that
306:295,12['  ]| on his arrival, he had immediately found out his brother,
306:295,13['  ]| and persuaded him to come to Gracechurch*street.  That
306:295,14['  ]| Mr%*Bennet had been to Epsom and Clapham, before his
306:295,15['  ]| arrival, but without gaining any satisfactory information;
306:295,16['  ]| and that he was now determined to enquire at all the
306:295,17['  ]| principal hotels in town, as Mr%*Bennet thought it possible
306:295,18['  ]| they might have gone to one of them, on their first coming
306:295,19['  ]| to London, before they procured lodgings.  Mr%*Gardiner
306:295,20['  ]| himself did not expect any success from this measure,
306:295,21['  ]| but as his brother was eager in it, he meant to assist him
306:295,22['  ]| in pursuing it.  He added, that Mr%*Bennet seemed wholly
306:295,23['  ]| disinclined at present, to leave London, and promised to
306:295,24['  ]| write again very soon.  There was also a postscript to this
306:295,25['  ]| effect.
306:295,26[N  ]| "I have written to Colonel*Forster to desire him to
306:295,27[N  ]| find out, if possible, from some of the young man's intimates
306:295,28[N  ]| in the regiment, whether Wickham has any relations
306:295,29[N  ]| or connections, who would be likely to know in what part
306:295,30[N  ]| of the town he has now concealed himself.  If there were
306:295,31[N  ]| any*one, that one could apply to, with a probability of
306:295,32[N  ]| gaining such a clue as that, it might be of essential consequence.
306:295,33[N  ]| At present we have nothing to guide us.  Colonel*Forster
306:295,34[N  ]| will, I dare say, do every*thing in his power to
306:295,35[N  ]| satisfy us on this head.  But, on second thoughts, perhaps
306:295,36[N  ]| Lizzy could tell us, what relations he has now living,
306:295,37[N  ]| better than any other person."
306:295,38['  ]| Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence
306:296,01['  ]| this deference for her authority proceeded; but it was
306:296,02['  ]| not in her power to give any information of so satisfactory
306:296,03['  ]| a nature, as the compliment deserved.
306:296,04['  ]| She had never heard of his having had any relations,
306:296,05['  ]| except a father and mother, both of whom had been dead
306:296,06['  ]| many years.  It was possible, however, that some of his
306:296,07['  ]| companions in the *****shire, might be able to give
306:296,08['  ]| more information; and, though she was not very sanguine
306:296,09['  ]| in expecting it, the application was a something to look
306:296,10['  ]| forward to.
306:296,11['  ]| Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety;
306:296,12['  ]| but the most anxious part of each was when the post
306:296,13['  ]| was expected.  The arrival of letters was the first grand
306:296,14['  ]| object of every morning's impatience.  Through letters,
306:296,15['  ]| whatever of good or bad was to be told, would be communicated,
306:296,16['  ]| and every succeeding day was expected to
306:296,17['  ]| bring some news of importance.
306:296,18['  ]| But before they heard again from Mr%*Gardiner, a letter
306:296,19['  ]| arrived for their father, from a different quarter, from
306:296,20['  ]| Mr%*Collins; which, as Jane had received directions to
306:296,21['  ]| open all that came for him in his absence, she accordingly
306:296,22['  ]| read; and Elizabeth, who knew what curiosities his letters
306:296,23['  ]| always were, looked over her, and read it likewise.  It was
306:296,24['  ]| as follows:
306:296,25['  ]|
306:296,26[K  ]| "MY DEAR SIR,
306:296,27[K  ]| "I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and
306:296,28[K  ]| my situation in life, to condole with you on the grievous
306:296,29[K  ]| affliction you are now suffering under, of which we were
306:296,30[K  ]| yesterday informed by a letter from Hertfordshire.  Be
306:296,31[K  ]| assured, my dear Sir, that Mrs%*Collins and myself sincerely
306:296,32[K  ]| sympathise with you, and all your respectable family, in
306:296,33[K  ]| your present distress, which must be of the bitterest kind,
306:296,34[K  ]| because proceeding from a cause which no time can remove.
306:296,35[K  ]| No arguments shall be wanting on my part, that can
306:296,36[K  ]| alleviate so severe a misfortune; or that may comfort
306:296,37[K  ]| you, under a circumstance that must be of all others most
306:296,38[K  ]| afflicting to a parent's mind.  The death of your daughter
306:297,01[K  ]| would have been a blessing in comparison of this.  And
306:297,02[K  ]| it is the more to be lamented, because there is reason to
306:297,03[K  ]| suppose, as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this
306:297,04[K  ]| licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter, has proceeded
306:297,05[K  ]| from a faulty degree of indulgence, though, at the
306:297,06[K  ]| same time, for the consolation of yourself and Mrs%*Bennet,
306:297,07[K  ]| I am inclined to think that her own disposition must be
306:297,08[K  ]| naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an
306:297,09[K  ]| enormity, at so early an age.  Howsoever that may be,
306:297,10[K  ]| you are grievously to be pitied, in which opinion I am not
306:297,11[K  ]| only joined by Mrs%*Collins, but likewise by lady*Catherine
306:297,12[K  ]| and her daughter, to whom I have related the affair.
306:297,13[K  ]| They agree with me in apprehending that this false step
306:297,14[K  ]| in one daughter, will be injurious to the fortunes of all
306:297,15[K  ]| the others, for who, as lady*Catherine herself condescendingly
306:297,16[K  ]| says, will connect themselves with such a family.
306:297,17[K  ]| And this consideration leads me moreover to reflect with
306:297,18[K  ]| augmented satisfaction on a certain event of last November,
306:297,19[K  ]| for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved
306:297,20[K  ]| in all your sorrow and disgrace.  Let me advise you then,
306:297,21[K  ]| my dear Sir, to console yourself as much as possible, to
306:297,22[K  ]| throw off your unworthy child from your affection for*ever,
306:297,23[K  ]| and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous
306:297,24[K  ]| offence.
306:297,25[K  ]| "I am, dear Sir, &c% &c%"
306:297,26[K  ]|
306:297,27['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner did not write again, till he had received
306:297,28['  ]| an answer from Colonel*Forster; and then he had nothing
306:297,29['  ]| of a pleasant nature to send.  It was not known that
306:297,30['  ]| Wickham had a single relation, with whom he kept up
306:297,31['  ]| any connection, and it was certain that he had no near
306:297,32['  ]| one living.  His former acquaintance had been numerous;
306:297,33['  ]| but since he had been in the militia, it did not appear that
306:297,34['  ]| he was on terms of particular friendship with any of them.
306:297,35['  ]| There was no*one therefore who could be pointed out, as
306:297,36['  ]| likely to give any news of him.  And in the wretched state
306:297,37['  ]| of his own finances, there was a very powerful motive for
306:297,38['  ]| secrecy, in addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia's
306:297,39['  ]| relations, for it had just transpired that he had left gaming
306:298,01['  ]| debts behind him, to a very considerable amount.  Colonel*Forster
306:298,02['  ]| believed that more than a thousand pounds would
306:298,03['  ]| be necessary to clear his expences at Brighton.  He owed
306:298,04['  ]| a good deal in the town, but his debts of honour were still
306:298,05['  ]| more formidable.  Mr%*Gardiner did not attempt to conceal
306:298,06['  ]| these particulars from the Longbourn family; Jane heard
306:298,07['  ]| them with horror.
306:298,07[E  ]| "A gamester!"
306:298,07['  ]| she cried.
306:298,07[E  ]| "This is
306:298,08[E  ]| wholly unexpected.  I had not an idea of it."
306:298,09['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner added in his letter, that they might expect
306:298,10['  ]| to see their father at home on the following day, which was
306:298,11['  ]| Saturday.  Rendered spiritless by the ill-success of all
306:298,12['  ]| their endeavours, he had yielded to his brother-in-law's
306:298,13['  ]| intreaty that he would return to his family, and leave it
306:298,14['  ]| to him to do, whatever occasion might suggest to be
306:298,15['  ]| advisable for continuing their pursuit.  When Mrs%*Bennet
306:298,16['  ]| was told of this, she did not express so much satisfaction
306:298,17['  ]| as her children expected, considering what her anxiety
306:298,18['  ]| for his life had been before.
306:298,19[D  ]| "What, is he coming home, and without poor Lydia!"
306:298,20['  ]| she cried.
306:298,20[D  ]| "Sure he will not leave London before he has
306:298,21[D  ]| found them.  Who is to fight Wickham, and make him
306:298,22[D  ]| marry her, if he comes away?"
306:298,23['  ]| As Mrs%*Gardiner began to wish to be at home, it was
306:298,24['  ]| settled that she and her children should go to London,
306:298,25['  ]| at the same time that Mr%*Bennet came from it.  The
306:298,26['  ]| coach, therefore, took them the first stage of their journey,
306:298,27['  ]| and brought its master back to Longbourn.
306:298,28['  ]| Mrs%*Gardiner went away in all the perplexity about
306:298,29['  ]| Elizabeth and her Derbyshire friend, that had attended
306:298,30['  ]| her from that part of the world.  His name had never
306:298,31['  ]| been voluntarily mentioned before them by her niece;
306:298,32['  ]| and the kind of half-expectation which Mrs%*Gardiner had
306:298,33['  ]| formed, of their being followed by a letter from him,
306:298,34['  ]| had ended in nothing.
306:298,34@o   | Elizabeth had received none since
306:298,35@o   | her return, that could come from Pemberley.
306:298,36@o   | The present unhappy state of the family, rendered any
306:298,37@o   | other excuse for the lowness of her spirits unnecessary;
306:298,38@o   | nothing, therefore, could be fairly conjectured from \that\,
306:299,01['  ]| though Elizabeth, who was by this time tolerably well
306:299,02['  ]| acquainted with her own feelings, was perfectly aware,
306:299,03['  ]| that,
306:299,03@a   | had she known nothing of Darcy, she could have
306:299,04@a   | borne the dread of Lydia's infamy somewhat better.  It
306:299,05@a   | would have spared her,
306:299,05['  ]| she thought,
306:299,05@a   | one sleepless night
306:299,06@a   | out of two.
306:299,07['  ]| When Mr%*Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance
306:299,08['  ]| of his usual philosophic composure.  He said as little as
306:299,09['  ]| he had ever been in the habit of saying; made no mention
306:299,10['  ]| of the business that had taken him away, and it was
306:299,11['  ]| some time before his daughters had courage to speak of it.
306:299,12['  ]| It was not till the afternoon, when he joined them at
306:299,13['  ]| tea, that Elizabeth ventured to introduce the subject;
306:299,14['  ]| and then, on her briefly expressing her sorrow for what
306:299,15['  ]| he must have endured, he replied,
306:299,15[C  ]| "Say nothing of that.
306:299,16[C  ]| Who should suffer but myself?  It has been my own
306:299,17[C  ]| doing, and I ought to feel it."
306:299,18[A  ]| "You must not be too severe upon yourself,"
306:299,18['  ]| replied
306:299,19['  ]| Elizabeth.
306:299,20[C  ]| "You may well warn me against such an evil.  Human
306:299,21[C  ]| nature is so prone to fall into it!  No, Lizzy, let me once
306:299,22[C  ]| in my life feel how much I have been to blame.  I am not
306:299,23[C  ]| afraid of being overpowered by the impression.  It will
306:299,24[C  ]| pass away soon enough."
306:299,25[A  ]| "Do you suppose them to be in London?"
306:299,26[C  ]| "Yes; where else can they be so well concealed?"
306:299,27[G  ]| "And Lydia used to want to go to London,"
306:299,27['  ]| added
306:299,28['  ]| Kitty.
306:299,29[C  ]| "She is happy, then,"
306:299,29['  ]| said her father, drily;
306:299,29[C  ]| "and
306:299,30[C  ]| her residence there will probably be of some duration."
306:299,31['  ]| Then, after a short silence, he continued,
306:299,31[C  ]| "Lizzy, I bear
306:299,32[C  ]| you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me
306:299,33[C  ]| last May, which, considering the event, shews some
306:299,34[C  ]| greatness of mind."
306:299,35['  ]| They were interrupted by Miss*Bennet, who came to
306:299,36['  ]| fetch her mother's tea.
306:299,37[C  ]| "This is a parade,"
306:299,37['  ]| cried he,
306:299,37[C  ]| "which does one good;
306:299,38[C  ]| it gives such an elegance to misfortune!  Another day
306:300,01[C  ]| I will do the same; I will sit in my library, in my night*cap
306:300,02[C  ]| and powdering gown, and give as much trouble as I can, ~~
306:300,03[C  ]| or, perhaps, I may defer it, till Kitty runs away."
306:300,04[G  ]| "I am not going to run away, Papa,"
306:300,04['  ]| said Kitty,
306:300,05['  ]| fretfully;
306:300,05[G  ]| "if \I\ should ever go to Brighton, I would
306:300,06[G  ]| behave better than Lydia."
306:300,07[C  ]| "You go to Brighton! ~~ I would not trust you so near
306:300,08[C  ]| it as East*Bourne, for fifty pounds!  No, Kitty, I have
306:300,09[C  ]| at last learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects
306:300,10[C  ]| of it.  No officer is ever to enter my house again, nor even
306:300,11[C  ]| to pass through the village.  Balls will be absolutely
306:300,12[C  ]| prohibited, unless you stand up with one of your sisters.
306:300,13[C  ]| And you are never to stir out of doors, till you can prove,
306:300,14[C  ]| that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational
306:300,15[C  ]| manner."
306:300,16['  ]| Kitty, who took all these threats in a serious light,
306:300,17['  ]| began to cry.
306:300,18[C  ]| "Well, well,"
306:300,18['  ]| said he,
306:300,18[C  ]| "do not make yourself unhappy.
306:300,19[C  ]| If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I will take
306:300,20[C  ]| you to a review at the end of them."
307:301,01['  ]| Two days after Mr%*Bennet's return, as Jane and
307:301,02['  ]| Elizabeth were walking together in the shrubbery behind
307:301,03['  ]| the house, they saw the housekeeper coming towards
307:301,04['  ]| them, and, concluding that she came to call them to their
307:301,05['  ]| mother, went forward to meet her; but, instead of the
307:301,06['  ]| expected summons, when they approached her, she said
307:301,07['  ]| to Miss*Bennet,
307:301,07[V  ]| "I beg your pardon, madam, for interrupting
307:301,08[V  ]| you, but I was in hopes you might have got some
307:301,09[V  ]| good news from town, so I took the liberty of coming
307:301,10[V  ]| to ask."
307:301,11[E  ]| "What do you mean, Hill?  We have heard nothing
307:301,12[E  ]| from town."
307:301,13[V  ]| "Dear madam,"
307:301,13['  ]| cried Mrs%*Hill, in great astonishment,
307:301,14[V  ]| "dont you know there is an express come for master
307:301,15[V  ]| from Mr%*Gardiner?  He has been here this half*hour, and
307:301,16[V  ]| master has had a letter."
307:301,17['  ]| Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for
307:301,18['  ]| speech.  They ran through the vestibule into the breakfast*room;
307:301,19['  ]| from thence to the library; ~~ their father was in
307:301,20['  ]| neither; and they were on the point of seeking him up*stairs
307:301,21['  ]| with their mother, when they were met by the butler,
307:301,22['  ]| who said,
307:301,23[W  ]| "If you are looking for my master, ma'am, he is walking
307:301,24[W  ]| towards the little copse."
307:301,25['  ]| Upon this information, they instantly passed through
307:301,26['  ]| the hall once more, and ran across the lawn after their
307:301,27['  ]| father, who was deliberately pursuing his way towards
307:301,28['  ]| a small wood on one side of the paddock.
307:301,29['  ]| Jane, who was not so light, nor so much in the habit of
307:301,30['  ]| running as Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister,
307:301,31['  ]| panting for breath, came up with him, and eagerly cried out,
307:301,32[A  ]| "Oh, Papa, what news?  what news?  have you heard
307:301,33[A  ]| from my uncle?"
307:302,01[C  ]| "Yes, I have had a letter from him by express."
307:302,02[A  ]| "Well, and what news does it bring?  good or bad?"
307:302,03[C  ]| "What is there of good to be expected?"
307:302,03['  ]| said he,
307:302,04['  ]| taking the letter from his pocket;
307:302,04[C  ]| "but perhaps you
307:302,05[C  ]| would like to read it."
307:302,06['  ]| Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand.  Jane
307:302,07['  ]| now came up.
307:302,08[C  ]| "Read it aloud,"
307:302,08['  ]| said their father,
307:302,08[C  ]| "for I hardly know
307:302,09[C  ]| myself what it is about."
307:302,10[C  ]|
307:302,11[N  ]| "Gracechurch-street, Monday,
307:302,12[N  ]|  August*2.
307:302,13[N  ]| "MY DEAR BROTHER,
307:302,14[N  ]| "At last I am able to send you some tidings of my
307:302,15[N  ]| niece, and such as, upon the whole, I hope will give you
307:302,16[N  ]| satisfaction.  Soon after you left me on Saturday, I was
307:302,17[N  ]| fortunate enough to find out in what part of London they
307:302,18[N  ]| were.  The particulars, I reserve till we meet.  It is enough
307:302,19[N  ]| to know they are discovered, I have seen them both ~~"
307:302,20[E  ]| "Then it is, as I always hoped,"
307:302,20['  ]| cried Jane;
307:302,20[E  ]| "they
307:302,21[E  ]| are married!"
307:302,22['  ]| Elizabeth read on;
307:302,22[N  ]| "I have seen them both.  They
307:302,23[N  ]| are not married, nor can I find there was any intention
307:302,24[N  ]| of being so; but if you are willing to perform the engagements
307:302,25[N  ]| which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope
307:302,26[N  ]| it will not be long before they are.  All that is required
307:302,27[N  ]| of you is, to assure to your daughter, by settlement, her
307:302,28[N  ]| equal share of the five thousand pounds, secured among
307:302,29[N  ]| your children after the decease of yourself and my sister;
307:302,30[N  ]| and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing
307:302,31[N  ]| her, during your life, one hundred pounds per*annum.
307:302,32[N  ]| These are conditions, which, considering every*thing, I had
307:302,33[N  ]| no hesitation in complying with, as far as I thought
307:302,34[N  ]| myself privileged, for you.  I shall send this by express,
307:302,35[N  ]| that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer.
307:302,36[N  ]| You will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that
307:302,37[N  ]| Mr%*Wickham's circumstances are not so hopeless as they
307:302,38[N  ]| are generally believed to be.  The world has been deceived
307:303,01[N  ]| in that respect; and I am happy to say, there will be
307:303,02[N  ]| some little money, even when all his debts are discharged,
307:303,03[N  ]| to settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune.
307:303,04[N  ]| If, as I conclude will be the case, you send me full powers
307:303,05[N  ]| to act in your name, throughout the whole of this business,
307:303,06[N  ]| I will immediately give directions to Haggerston for preparing
307:303,07[N  ]| a proper settlement.  There will not be the smallest
307:303,08[N  ]| occasion for your coming to town again; therefore, stay
307:303,09[N  ]| quietly at Longbourn, and depend on my diligence and care.
307:303,10[N  ]| Send back your answer as soon as you can, and be careful
307:303,11[N  ]| to write explicitly.  We have judged it best, that my niece
307:303,12[N  ]| should be married from this house, of which I hope you
307:303,13[N  ]| will approve.  She comes to us to-day.  I shall write again
307:303,14[N  ]| as soon as any*thing more is determined on.  Your's, &c%
307:303,15[N  ]| "EDW%*GARDINER."
307:303,16[N  ]|
307:303,17[A  ]| "Is it possible!"
307:303,17['  ]| cried Elizabeth, when she had
307:303,18['  ]| finished.
307:303,18[A  ]| "Can it be possible that he will marry her?"
307:303,19[E  ]| "Wickham is not so undeserving, then, as we have
307:303,20[E  ]| thought him;"
307:303,20['  ]| said her sister.
307:303,20[E  ]| "My dear father, I congratulate
307:303,21[E  ]| you."
307:303,22[A  ]| "And have you answered the letter?"
307:303,22['  ]| said Elizabeth.
307:303,23[C  ]| "No; but it must be done soon."
307:303,24[C  ]| Most earnestly did she then intreat him to lose no more
307:303,25[C  ]| time before he wrote.
307:303,26[A  ]| "Oh! my dear father,"
307:303,26['  ]| she cried,
307:303,26[A  ]| "come back, and
307:303,27[A  ]| write immediately.  Consider how important every
307:303,28[A  ]| moment is, in such a case."
307:303,29[E  ]| "Let me write for you,"
307:303,29['  ]| said Jane,
307:303,29[E  ]| "if you dislike the
307:303,30[E  ]| trouble yourself."
307:303,31[C  ]| "I dislike it very much,"
307:303,31['  ]| he replied;
307:303,31[C  ]| "but it must
307:303,32[C  ]| be done."
307:303,33['  ]| And so saying, he turned back with them, and walked
307:303,34['  ]| towards the house.
307:303,35[A  ]| "And may I ask?"
307:303,35['  ]| said Elizabeth,
307:303,35[A  ]| "but the terms,
307:303,36[A  ]| I suppose, must be complied with."
307:303,37[C  ]| "Complied with!  I am only ashamed of his asking so
307:303,38[C  ]| little."
307:304,01[A  ]| "And they \must\ marry!  Yet he is \such\ a man!"
307:304,02[C  ]| "Yes, yes, they must marry.  There is nothing else to
307:304,03[C  ]| be done.  But there are two things that I want very much
307:304,04[C  ]| to know: ~~ one is, how much money your uncle has laid
307:304,05[C  ]| down, to bring it about; and the other, how I am ever
307:304,06[C  ]| to pay him."
307:304,07[E  ]| "Money!  my uncle!"
307:304,07['  ]| cried Jane,
307:304,07[E  ]| "what do you
307:304,08[E  ]| mean, Sir?"
307:304,09[C  ]| "I mean, that no man in his senses, would marry Lydia
307:304,10[C  ]| on so slight a temptation as one hundred a-year during
307:304,11[C  ]| my life, and fifty after I am gone."
307:304,12[A  ]| "That is very true,"
307:304,12['  ]| said Elizabeth;
307:304,12[A  ]| "though it had
307:304,13[A  ]| not occurred to me before.  His debts to be discharged,
307:304,14[A  ]| and something still to remain!  Oh! it must be my
307:304,15[A  ]| uncle's doings!  Generous, good man, I am afraid he has
307:304,16[A  ]| distressed himself.  A small sum could not do all this."
307:304,17[C  ]| "No,"
307:304,17['  ]| said her father,
307:304,17[C  ]| "Wickham's a fool, if he
307:304,18[C  ]| takes her with a farthing less than ten thousand pounds.
307:304,19[C  ]| I should be sorry to think so ill of him, in the very beginning
307:304,20[C  ]| of our relationship."
307:304,21[A  ]| "Ten thousand pounds!  Heaven forbid!  How is half
307:304,22[A  ]| such a sum to be repaid?"
307:304,23['  ]| Mr%*Bennet made no answer, and each of them, deep
307:304,24['  ]| in thought, continued silent till they reached the house.
307:304,25['  ]| Their father then went to the library to write, and the
307:304,26['  ]| girls walked into the breakfast-room.
307:304,27[A  ]| "And they are really to be married!"
307:304,27['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
307:304,28['  ]| as soon as they were by themselves.
307:304,28[A  ]| "How strange this
307:304,29[A  ]| is!  And for \this\ we are to be thankful.  That they should
307:304,30[A  ]| marry, small as is their chance of happiness, and wretched
307:304,31[A  ]| as is his character, we are forced to rejoice!  Oh, Lydia!"
307:304,32[E  ]| "I comfort myself with thinking,"
307:304,32['  ]| replied Jane,
307:304,32[E  ]| "that
307:304,33[E  ]| he certainly would not marry Lydia, if he had not a real
307:304,34[E  ]| regard for her.  Though our kind uncle has done something
307:304,35[E  ]| towards clearing him, I cannot believe that ten thousand
307:304,36[E  ]| pounds, or any*thing like it, has been advanced.  He has
307:304,37[E  ]| children of his own, and may have more.  How could he
307:304,38[E  ]| spare half ten thousand pounds?"
307:305,01[A  ]| "If we are ever able to learn what Wickham's debts
307:305,02[A  ]| have been,"
307:305,02['  ]| said Elizabeth,
307:305,02[A  ]| "and how much is settled on his
307:305,03[A  ]| side on our sister, we shall exactly know what Mr%*Gardiner
307:305,04[A  ]| has done for them, because Wickham has not sixpence
307:305,05[A  ]| of his own.  The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never
307:305,06[A  ]| be requited.  Their taking her home, and affording her
307:305,07[A  ]| their personal protection and countenance, is such a
307:305,08[A  ]| sacrifice to her advantage, as years of gratitude cannot
307:305,09[A  ]| enough acknowledge.  By this time she is actually with
307:305,10[A  ]| them!  If such goodness does not make her miserable
307:305,11[A  ]| now, she will never deserve to be happy!  What a meeting
307:305,12[A  ]| for her, when she first sees my aunt!"
307:305,13[E  ]| "We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on
307:305,14[E  ]| either side,"
307:305,14['  ]| said Jane:
307:305,14[E  ]| "I hope and trust they will yet
307:305,15[E  ]| be happy.  His consenting to marry her is a proof, I will
307:305,16[E  ]| believe, that he is come to a right way of thinking.  Their
307:305,17[E  ]| mutual affection will steady them; and I flatter myself
307:305,18[E  ]| they will settle so quietly, and live in so rational a manner,
307:305,19[E  ]| as may in time make their past imprudence forgotten."
307:305,20[A  ]| "Their conduct has been such,"
307:305,20['  ]| replied Elizabeth,
307:305,20[A  ]| "as
307:305,21[A  ]| neither you, nor I, nor any*body, can ever forget.  It is
307:305,22[A  ]| useless to talk of it."
307:305,23['  ]| It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in
307:305,24['  ]| all likelihood perfectly ignorant of what had happened.
307:305,25['  ]| They went to the library, therefore, and asked their father,
307:305,26['  ]| whether he would not wish them to make it known to
307:305,27['  ]| her.  He was writing, and, without raising his head, coolly
307:305,28['  ]| replied,
307:305,29[C  ]| "Just as you please."
307:305,30[A  ]| "May we take my uncle's letter to read to her?"
307:305,31[C  ]| "Take whatever you like, and get away."
307:305,32['  ]| Elizabeth took the letter from his writing*table, and
307:305,33['  ]| they went up*stairs together.  Mary and Kitty were both
307:305,34['  ]| with Mrs%*Bennet:  one communication would, therefore,
307:305,35['  ]| do for all.  After a slight preparation for good news, the
307:305,36['  ]| letter was read aloud.  Mrs%*Bennet could hardly contain
307:305,37['  ]| herself.  As soon as Jane had read Mr%*Gardiner's hope
307:305,38['  ]| of Lydia's being soon married, her joy burst forth, and
307:306,01['  ]| every following sentence added to its exuberance.  She
307:306,02['  ]| was now in an irritation as violent from delight, as she
307:306,03['  ]| had ever been fidgetty from alarm and vexation.  To know
307:306,04['  ]| that her daughter would be married was enough.  She
307:306,05['  ]| was disturbed by no fear for her felicity, nor humbled
307:306,06['  ]| by any remembrance of her misconduct.
307:306,07[D  ]| "My dear, dear Lydia!"
307:306,07['  ]| she cried:
307:306,07[D  ]| "This is delightful
307:306,08[D  ]| indeed! ~~ She will be married! ~~ I shall see her again! ~~
307:306,09[D  ]| She will be married at sixteen! ~~ My good, kind brother! ~~
307:306,10[D  ]| I knew how it would be ~~ I knew he would manage every*thing.
307:306,11[D  ]| How I long to see her! and to see dear Wickham
307:306,12[D  ]| too!  But the clothes, the wedding*clothes!  I will write
307:306,13[D  ]| to my sister Gardiner about them directly.  Lizzy, my
307:306,14[D  ]| dear, run down to your father, and ask him how much
307:306,15[D  ]| he will give her.  Stay, stay, I will go myself.  Ring the
307:306,16[D  ]| bell, Kitty, for Hill.  I will put on my things in a moment.
307:306,17[D  ]| My dear, dear Lydia! ~~ How merry we shall be together
307:306,18[D  ]| when we meet!"
307:306,19['  ]| Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to
307:306,20['  ]| the violence of these transports, by leading her thoughts
307:306,21['  ]| to the obligations which Mr%*Gardiner's behaviour laid
307:306,22['  ]| them all under.
307:306,23[E  ]| "For we must attribute this happy conclusion,"
307:306,23['  ]| she
307:306,24['  ]| added,
307:306,24[E  ]| "in a great measure, to his kindness.  We are
307:306,25[E  ]| persuaded that he has pledged himself to assist Mr%*Wickham
307:306,26[E  ]| with money."
307:306,27[D  ]| "Well,"
307:306,27['  ]| cried her mother,
307:306,27[D  ]| "it is all very right; who
307:306,28[D  ]| should do it but her own uncle?  If he had not had
307:306,29[D  ]| a family of his own, I and my children must have had all
307:306,30[D  ]| his money you know, and it is the first time we have ever
307:306,31[D  ]| had any*thing from him, except a few presents.  Well!
307:306,32[D  ]| I am so happy.  In a short time, I shall have a daughter
307:306,33[D  ]| married.  Mrs%*Wickham!  How well it sounds.  And she
307:306,34[D  ]| was only sixteen last June.  My dear Jane, I am in such
307:306,35[D  ]| a flutter, that I am sure I can't write; so I will dictate,
307:306,36[D  ]| and you write for me.  We will settle with your father
307:306,37[D  ]| about the money afterwards; but the things should be
307:306,38[D  ]| ordered immediately."
307:307,01['  ]| She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico,
307:307,02['  ]| muslin, and cambric, and would shortly have dictated
307:307,03['  ]| some very plentiful orders, had not Jane, though with
307:307,04['  ]| some difficulty, persuaded her to wait, till her father was
307:307,05['  ]| at leisure to be consulted.  One day's delay she observed,
307:307,06['  ]| would be of small importance; and her mother was too
307:307,07['  ]| happy, to be quite so obstinate as usual.  Other schemes
307:307,08['  ]| too came into her head.
307:307,09[D  ]| "I will go to Meryton,"
307:307,09['  ]| said she,
307:307,09[D  ]| "as soon as I am
307:307,10[D  ]| dressed, and tell the good, good news to my sister Phillips.
307:307,11[D  ]| And as I come back, I can call on Lady*Lucas and Mrs%*Long.
307:307,12[D  ]| Kitty, run down and order the carriage.  An
307:307,13[D  ]| airing would do me a great deal of good, I am sure.  Girls,
307:307,14[D  ]| can I do any*thing for you in Meryton?  Oh! here comes
307:307,15[D  ]| Hill.  My dear Hill, have you heard the good news?  Miss*Lydia
307:307,16[D  ]| is going to be married; and you shall all have a
307:307,17[D  ]| bowl of punch, to make merry at her wedding."
307:307,18['  ]| Mrs%*Hill began instantly to express her joy.  Elizabeth
307:307,19['  ]| received her congratulations amongst the rest, and then,
307:307,20['  ]| sick of this folly, took refuge in her own room, that she
307:307,21['  ]| might think with freedom.
307:307,22@a   | Poor Lydia's situation must, at best, be bad enough;
307:307,23@a   | but that it was no worse, she had need to be thankful.
307:307,24['  ]| She felt it so; and though, in looking forward, neither
307:307,25['  ]| rational happiness nor worldly prosperity, could be justly
307:307,26['  ]| expected for her sister; in looking back to what they
307:307,27['  ]| had feared, only two hours ago, she felt all the advantages
307:307,28['  ]| of what they had gained.
308:308,01['  ]| Mr%*Bennet had very often wished, before this period
308:308,02['  ]| of his life, that, instead of spending his whole income, he
308:308,03['  ]| had laid by an annual sum, for the better provision of
308:308,04['  ]| his children, and of his wife, if she survived him.  He now
308:308,05['  ]| wished it more than ever.
308:308,05@c   | Had he done his duty in that
308:308,06@c   | respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle,
308:308,07@c   | for whatever of honour or credit could now be purchased
308:308,08@c   | for her.  The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most
308:308,09@c   | worthless young men in Great*Britain to be her husband,
308:308,10@c   | might then have rested in its proper place.
308:308,11['  ]| He was seriously concerned, that a cause of so little
308:308,12['  ]| advantage to any*one, should be forwarded at the sole
308:308,13['  ]| expence of his brother-in-law, and he was determined,
308:308,14['  ]| if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance, and to
308:308,15['  ]| discharge the obligation as soon as he could.
308:308,16['  ]| When first Mr%*Bennet had married, economy was held
308:308,17['  ]| to be perfectly useless; for, of course, they were to have
308:308,18['  ]| a son.  This son was to join in cutting off the entail, as
308:308,19['  ]| soon as he should be of age, and the widow and younger
308:308,20['  ]| children would by that means be provided for.  Five
308:308,21['  ]| daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son
308:308,22['  ]| was to come; and Mrs%*Bennet, for many years after
308:308,23['  ]| Lydia's birth, had been certain that he would.  This event
308:308,24['  ]| had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to
308:308,25['  ]| be saving.  Mrs%*Bennet had no turn for economy, and her
308:308,26['  ]| husband's love of independence had alone prevented their
308:308,27['  ]| exceeding their income.
308:308,28['  ]| Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles
308:308,29['  ]| on Mrs%*Bennet and the children.  But in what proportions
308:308,30['  ]| it should be divided amongst the latter, depended
308:308,31['  ]| on the will of the parents.  This was one point, with
308:308,32['  ]| regard to Lydia at least, which was now to be settled,
308:308,33['  ]| and Mr%*Bennet could have no hesitation in acceding to
308:309,01['  ]| the proposal before him.  In terms of grateful acknowledgment
308:309,02['  ]| for the kindness of his brother, though expressed
308:309,03['  ]| most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect
308:309,04['  ]| approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to
308:309,05['  ]| fulfil the engagements that had been made for him.  He
308:309,06['  ]| had never before supposed that, could Wickham be prevailed
308:309,07['  ]| on to marry his daughter, it would be done with
308:309,08['  ]| so little inconvenience to himself, as by the present
308:309,09['  ]| arrangement.  He would scarcely be ten pounds a-year
308:309,10['  ]| the loser, by the hundred that was to be paid them;
308:309,11['  ]| for, what with her board and pocket allowance, and the
308:309,12['  ]| continual presents in money, which passed to her, through
308:309,13['  ]| her mother's hands, Lydia's expences had been very little
308:309,14['  ]| within that sum.
308:309,15['  ]| That it would be done with such trifling exertion on
308:309,16['  ]| his side, too, was another very welcome surprise; for his
308:309,17['  ]| chief wish at present, was to have as little trouble in the
308:309,18['  ]| business as possible.  When the first transports of rage
308:309,19['  ]| which had produced his activity in seeking her were over,
308:309,20['  ]| he naturally returned to all his former indolence.  His
308:309,21['  ]| letter was soon dispatched; for though dilatory in undertaking
308:309,22['  ]| business, he was quick in its execution.  He begged
308:309,23['  ]| to know farther particulars of what he was indebted to
308:309,24['  ]| his brother; but was too angry with Lydia, to send any
308:309,25['  ]| message to her.
308:309,26['  ]| The good news quickly spread through the house; and
308:309,27['  ]| with proportionate speed through the neighbourhood.  It
308:309,28['  ]| was borne in the latter with decent philosophy.  To be
308:309,29['  ]| sure it would have been more for the advantage of conversation,
308:309,30['  ]| had Miss*Lydia*Bennet come upon the town;
308:309,31['  ]| or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded from the
308:309,32['  ]| world, in some distant farm house.  But there was much
308:309,33['  ]| to be talked of, in marrying her; and the good-natured
308:309,34['  ]| wishes of her well-doing, which had proceeded before,
308:309,35['  ]| from all the spiteful old ladies in Meryton, lost but
308:309,36['  ]| little of their spirit in this change of circumstances,
308:309,37['  ]| because with such an husband, her misery was considered
308:309,38['  ]| certain.
308:310,01['  ]| It was a fortnight since Mrs%*Bennet had been down*stairs,
308:310,02['  ]| but on this happy day, she again took her seat at
308:310,03['  ]| the head of her table, and in spirits oppressively high.
308:310,04['  ]| No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph.
308:310,05['  ]| The marriage of a daughter, which had been the first
308:310,06['  ]| object of her wishes, since Jane was sixteen, was now on
308:310,07['  ]| the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and her
308:310,08['  ]| words ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials,
308:310,09['  ]| fine muslins, new carriages, and servants.  She was busily
308,310,10['  ]| searching through the neighbourhood for a proper situation
308:310,11['  ]| for her daughter, and, without knowing or considering
308:310,12['  ]| what their income might be, rejected many as deficient
308:310,13['  ]| in size and importance.
308:310,14[D  ]| "Haye-Park might do,"
308:310,14['  ]| said she,
308:310,14[D  ]| "if the Gouldings
308:310,15[D  ]| would quit it, or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room
308:310,16[D  ]| were larger; but Ashworth is too far off!  I could
308:310,17[D  ]| not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for Purvis*Lodge,
308:310,18[D  ]| the attics are dreadful."
308:310,19['  ]| Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption,
308:310,20['  ]| while the servants remained.  But when they had
308:310,21['  ]| withdrawn, he said to her,
308:310,21[C  ]| "Mrs%*Bennet, before you take
308:310,22[C  ]| any, or all of these houses, for your son and daughter,
308:310,23[C  ]| let us come to a right understanding.  Into \one\ house in
308:310,24[C  ]| this neighbourhood, they shall never have admittance.
308:310,25[C  ]| I will not encourage the impudence of either, by receiving
308:310,26[C  ]| them at Longbourn."
308:310,27['  ]| A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr%*Bennet
308:310,28['  ]| was firm:  it soon led to another; and Mrs%*Bennet
308:310,29['  ]| found, with amazement and horror, that her
308:310,30['  ]| husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for
308:310,31['  ]| his daughter.  He protested that she should receive from
308:310,32['  ]| him no mark of affection whatever, on the occasion.
308:310,33['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet could hardly comprehend it.  That his anger
308:310,34['  ]| could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment,
308:310,35['  ]| as to refuse his daughter a privilege, without which
308:310,36['  ]| her marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all that
308:310,37['  ]| she could believe possible.  She was more alive to the
308:310,38['  ]| disgrace, which the want of new clothes must reflect on
308:311,01['  ]| her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of shame at
308:311,02['  ]| her eloping and living with Wickham, a fortnight before
308:311,03['  ]| they took place.
308:311,04['  ]| Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had,
308:311,05['  ]| from the distress of the moment, been led to make Mr%*Darcy
308:311,06['  ]| acquainted with their fears for her sister; for
308:311,07['  ]| since her marriage would so shortly give the proper
308:311,08['  ]| termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal
308:311,09['  ]| its unfavourable beginning, from all those who were not
308:311,10['  ]| immediately on the spot.
308:311,11['  ]| She had no fear of its spreading farther, through his
308:311,12['  ]| means.  There were few people on whose secrecy she
308:311,13['  ]| would have more confidently depended; but at the same
308:311,14['  ]| time, there was no*one, whose knowledge of a sister's
308:311,15['  ]| frailty would have mortified her so much.  Not, however,
308:311,16['  ]| from any fear of disadvantage from it, individually to
308:311,17['  ]| herself; for at any rate, there seemed a gulf impassable
308:311,18['  ]| between them.  Had Lydia's marriage been concluded on
308:311,19['  ]| the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed
308:311,20['  ]| that Mr%*Darcy would connect himself with a family,
308:311,21['  ]| where to every other objection would now be added, an
308:311,22['  ]| alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the
308:311,23['  ]| man whom he so justly scorned.
308:311,24['  ]| From such a connection she could not wonder that he
308:311,25['  ]| should shrink.  The wish of procuring her regard, which
308:311,26['  ]| she had assured herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could
308:311,27['  ]| not in rational expectation survive such a blow as this.
308:311,28['  ]| She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though
308:311,29['  ]| she hardly knew of what.  She became jealous of his
308:311,30['  ]| esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited
308:311,31['  ]| by it.  She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed
308:311,32['  ]| the least chance of gaining intelligence.  She was convinced
308:311,33['  ]| that she could have been happy with him; when it was
308:311,34['  ]| no longer likely they should meet.
308:311,35@a   | What a triumph for him,
308:311,35['  ]| as she often thought,
308:311,35@a   | could
308:311,36@a   | he know that the proposals which she had proudly spurned
308:311,37@a   | only four months ago, would now have been gladly and
308:311,38@a   | gratefully received!  He was as generous,
308:311,38['  ]| she doubted not,
308:312,01@a   | as the most generous of his sex.  But while he was mortal,
308:312,02@a   | there must be a triumph.
308:312,03['  ]| She began now to comprehend that
308:312,03@a   | he was exactly the
308:312,04@a   | man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her.
308:312,05@a   | His understanding and temper, though unlike her own,
308:312,06@a   | would have answered all her wishes.  It was an union that
308:312,07@a   | must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease
308:312,08@a   | and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his
308:312,09@a   | manners improved, and from his judgment, information,
308:312,10@a   | and knowledge of the world, she must have received
308:312,11@a   | benefit of greater importance.
308:312,12@a   | But no such happy marriage could now teach the
308:312,13@a   | admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was.
308:312,14@a   | An union of a different tendency, and precluding the possibility
308:312,15@a   | of the other, was soon to be formed in their family.
308:312,16@a   | How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in
308:312,17@a   | tolerable independence, she could not imagine.  But how
308:312,18@a   | little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple
308:312,19@a   | who were only brought together because their passions
308:312,20@a   | were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.
308:312,21['  ]| ~~~
308:312,22['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother.  To
308:312,23['  ]| Mr%*Bennet's acknowledgments he briefly replied, with
308:312,24['  ]| assurances of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any
308:312,25['  ]| of his family; and concluded with intreaties that the
308:312,26['  ]| subject might never be mentioned to him again.  The
308:312,27['  ]| principal purport of his letter was to inform them, that
308:312,28['  ]| Mr%*Wickham had resolved on quitting the Militia.
308:312,29[N  ]| "It was greatly my wish that he should do so,"
308:312,29['  ]| he
308:312,30['  ]| added,
308:312,30[N  ]| "as soon as his marriage was fixed on.  And
308:312,31[N  ]| I think you will agree with me, in considering a removal
308:312,32[N  ]| from that corps as highly advisable, both on his account
308:312,33[N  ]| and my niece's.  It is Mr%*Wickham's intention to go into
308:312,34[N  ]| the regulars; and, among his former friends, there are
308:312,35[N  ]| still some who are able and willing to assist him in the
308:312,36[N  ]| army.  He has the promise of an ensigncy in General*****'s
308:312,37[N  ]| regiment, now quartered in the North.  It is an
308:313,01[N  ]| advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom.
308:313,02[N  ]| He promises fairly, and I hope among different people,
308:313,03[N  ]| where they may each have a character to preserve, they
308:313,04[N  ]| will both be more prudent.  I have written to Colonel*Forster,
308:313,05[N  ]| to inform him of our present arrangements, and
308:313,06[N  ]| to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of
308:313,07[N  ]| Mr%*Wickham in and near Brighton, with assurances of
308:313,08[N  ]| speedy payment, for which I have pledged myself.  And
308:313,09[N  ]| will you give yourself the trouble of carrying similar
308:313,10[N  ]| assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall
308:313,11[N  ]| subjoin a list, according to his information.  He has
308:313,12[N  ]| given in all his debts; I hope at least he has not deceived
308:313,13[N  ]| us.  Haggerston has our directions, and all will be completed
308:313,14[N  ]| in a week.  They will then join his regiment, unless
308:313,15[N  ]| they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand
308:313,16[N  ]| from Mrs%*Gardiner, that my niece is very desirous of
308:313,17[N  ]| seeing you all, before she leaves the South.  She is well,
308:313,18[N  ]| and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and her
308:313,19[N  ]| mother. ~~ Your's, &c%
308:313,20[N  ]| "E%*GARDINER."
308:313,22['  ]| Mr%*Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages
308:313,23['  ]| of Wickham's removal from the *****shire, as clearly as
308:313,24['  ]| Mr%*Gardiner could do.  But Mrs%*Bennet, was not so well
308:313,25['  ]| pleased with it.
308:313,25@d   | Lydia's being settled in the North, just
308:313,26@d   | when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her
308:313,27@d   | company,
308:313,27['  ]| for she had by no means given up her plan of
308:313,28['  ]| their residing in Hertfordshire,
308:313,28@d   | was a severe disappointment;
308:313,29@d   | and besides, it was such a pity that Lydia should
308:313,30@d   | be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with
308:313,31@d   | every*body, and had so many favourites.
308:313,32[D  ]| "She is so fond of Mrs%*Forster,"
308:313,32['  ]| said she,
308:313,32[D  ]| "it will be
308:313,33[D  ]| quite shocking to send her away!  And there are several
308:313,34[D  ]| of the young men, too, that she likes very much.  The
308:313,35[D  ]| officers may not be so pleasant in General*****'s
308:313,36[D  ]| regiment."
308:313,37['  ]| His daughter's request, for such it might be considered,
308:313,38['  ]| of being admitted into her family again, before she set
308:314,01['  ]| off for the North, received at first an absolute negative.
308:314,02['  ]| But Jane and Elizabeth, who agreed in wishing, for the
308:314,03['  ]| sake of their sister's feelings and consequence, that she
308:314,04['  ]| should be noticed on her marriage by her parents, urged
308:314,05['  ]| him so earnestly, yet so rationally and so mildly, to receive
308:314,06['  ]| her and her husband at Longbourn, as soon as they were
308:314,07['  ]| married, that he was prevailed on to think as they thought,
308:314,08['  ]| and act as they wished.  And their mother had the satisfaction
308:314,09['  ]| of knowing, that she should be able to shew her
308:314,10['  ]| married daughter in the neighbourhood, before she was
308:314,11['  ]| banished to the North.  When Mr%*Bennet wrote again
308:314,12['  ]| to his brother, therefore, he sent his permission for them
308:314,13['  ]| to come; and it was settled, that as soon as the ceremony
308:314,14['  ]| was over, they should proceed to Longbourn.  Elizabeth
308:314,15['  ]| was surprised, however, that Wickham should consent to
308:314,16['  ]| such a scheme, and, had she consulted only her own inclination,
308:314,17['  ]| any meeting with him would have been the last
308:314,18['  ]| object of her wishes.
309:315,01['  ]| Their sister's wedding day arrived; and Jane and
309:315,02['  ]| Elizabeth felt for her probably more than she felt for
309:315,03['  ]| herself.  The carriage was sent to meet them at ****,
309:315,04['  ]| and they were to return in it, by dinner-time.  Their
309:315,05['  ]| arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss*Bennets; and Jane
309:315,06['  ]| more especially, who gave Lydia the feelings which would
309:315,07['  ]| have attended herself, had \she\ been the culprit, was
309:315,08['  ]| wretched in the thought of what her sister must endure.
309:315,09['  ]| They came.  The family were assembled in the breakfast*room,
309:315,10['  ]| to receive them.  Smiles decked the face of
309:315,11['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet, as the carriage drove up to the door; her
309:315,12['  ]| husband looked impenetrably grave; her daughters,
309:315,13['  ]| alarmed, anxious, uneasy.
309:315,14['  ]| Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was
309:315,15['  ]| thrown open, and she ran into the room.  Her mother
309:315,16['  ]| stepped forwards, embraced her, and welcomed her with
309:315,17['  ]| rapture; gave her hand with an affectionate smile to
309:315,18['  ]| Wickham, who followed his lady, and wished them both
309:315,19['  ]| joy, with an alacrity which shewed no doubt of their
309:315,20['  ]| happiness.
309:315,21['  ]| Their reception from Mr%*Bennet, to whom they then
309:315,22['  ]| turned, was not quite so cordial.  His countenance rather
309:315,23['  ]| gained in austerity; and he scarcely opened his lips.
309:315,24['  ]| The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was
309:315,25['  ]| enough to provoke him.  Elizabeth was disgusted, and
309:315,26['  ]| even Miss*Bennet was shocked.  Lydia was Lydia still;
309:315,27['  ]| untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless.  She turned
309:315,28['  ]| from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations, and
309:315,29['  ]| when at length they all sat down, looked eagerly round
309:315,30['  ]| the room, took notice of some little alteration in it, and
309:315,31['  ]| observed, with a laugh,
309:315,31@h   | that it was a great while since
309:315,32@h   | she had been there.
309:315,33['  ]| Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself,
309:316,01['  ]| but his manners were always so pleasing, that had his
309:316,02['  ]| character and his marriage been exactly what they ought,
309:316,03['  ]| his smiles and his easy address, while he claimed their
309:316,04['  ]| relationship, would have delighted them all.  Elizabeth
309:316,05['  ]| had not before believed him quite equal to such assurance;
309:316,06['  ]| but she sat down, resolving within herself, to draw no
309:316,07['  ]| limits in future to the impudence of an impudent man.
309:316,08['  ]| \She\ blushed, and Jane blushed; but the cheeks of the
309:316,09['  ]| two who caused their confusion, suffered no variation of
309:316,10['  ]| colour.
309:316,11['  ]| There was no want of discourse.  The bride and her
309:316,12['  ]| mother could neither of them talk fast enough; and
309:316,13['  ]| Wickham, who happened to sit near Elizabeth, began
309:316,14['  ]| enquiring after his acquaintance in that neighbourhood,
309:316,15['  ]| with a good*humoured ease, which she felt very unable
309:316,16['  ]| to equal in replies.  They seemed each of them to have
309:316,17['  ]| the happiest memories in the world.  Nothing of the past
309:316,18['  ]| was recollected with pain; and Lydia led voluntarily to
309:316,19['  ]| subjects, which her sisters would not have alluded to for
309:316,20['  ]| the world.
309:316,21[H  ]| "Only think of its being three months,"
309:316,21['  ]| she cried,
309:316,22[H  ]| "since I went away; it seems but a fortnight I declare;
309:316,23[H  ]| and yet there have been things enough happened in the
309:316,24[H  ]| time.  Good gracious!  when I went away, I am sure
309:316,25[H  ]| I had no more idea of being married till I came back
309:316,26[H  ]| again!  though I thought it would be very good fun if
309:316,27[H  ]| I was."
309:316,28['  ]| Her father lifted up his eyes.  Jane was distressed.
309:316,29['  ]| Elizabeth looked expressively at Lydia; but she, who
309:316,30['  ]| never heard nor saw any*thing of which she chose to be
309:316,31['  ]| insensible, gaily continued,
309:316,31[H  ]| "Oh! mamma, do the people
309:316,32[H  ]| here*abouts know I am married to-day?  I was afraid
309:316,33[H  ]| they might not; and we overtook William*Goulding in
309:316,34[H  ]| his curricle, so I was determined he should know it, and
309:316,35[H  ]| so I let down the side glass next to him, and took off my
309:316,36[H  ]| glove, and let my hand just rest upon the window frame,
309:316,37[H  ]| so that he might see the ring, and then I bowed and
309:316,38[H  ]| smiled like any*thing."
309:317,01['  ]| Elizabeth could bear it no longer.  She got up, and ran
309:317,02['  ]| out of the room; and returned no more, till she heard
309:317,03['  ]| them passing through the hall to the dining*parlour.
309:317,04['  ]| She then joined them soon enough to see Lydia, with
309:317,05['  ]| anxious parade, walk up to her mother's right hand, and
309:317,06['  ]| hear her say to her eldest sister,
309:317,06[H  ]| "Ah! Jane, I take
309:317,07[H  ]| your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a
309:317,08[H  ]| married woman."
309:317,09['  ]| It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia
309:317,10['  ]| that embarrassment, from which she had been so wholly
309:317,11['  ]| free at first.  Her ease and good spirits increased.  She
309:317,12['  ]| longed to see Mrs%*Phillips, the Lucasses, and all their
309:317,13['  ]| other neighbours, and to hear herself called "Mrs%*Wickham,"
309:317,14['  ]| by each of them; and in the mean*time, she went
309:317,15['  ]| after dinner to shew her ring and boast of being married,
309:317,16['  ]| to Mrs%*Hill and the two housemaids.
309:317,17[H  ]| "Well, mamma,"
309:317,17['  ]| said she, when they were all returned
309:317,18['  ]| to the breakfast*room,
309:317,18[H  ]| "and what do you think of my
309:317,19[H  ]| husband?  Is not he a charming man?  I am sure my
309:317,20[H  ]| sisters must all envy me.  I only hope they may have
309:317,21[H  ]| half my good luck.  They must all go to Brighton.  That
309:317,22[H  ]| is the place to get husbands.  What a pity it is, mamma,
309:317,23[H  ]| we did not all go."
309:317,24[D  ]| "Very true; and if I had my will, we should.  But
309:317,25[D  ]| my dear Lydia, I don't at all like your going such a way
309:317,26[D  ]| off.  Must it be so?"
309:317,27[H  ]| "Oh, lord! yes; ~~ there is nothing in that.  I shall
309:317,28[H  ]| like it of all things.  You and papa, and my sisters, must
309:317,29[H  ]| come down and see us.  We shall be at Newcastle all the
309:317,30[H  ]| winter, and I dare say there will be some balls, and I will
309:317,31[H  ]| take care to get good partners for them all."
309:317,32[D  ]| "I should like it beyond any*thing!"
309:317,32['  ]| said her mother.
309:317,33[H  ]| "And then when you go away, you may leave one
309:317,34[H  ]| or two of my sisters behind you; and I dare say I shall
309:317,35[H  ]| get husbands for them before the winter is over."
309:317,36[A  ]| "I thank you for my share of the favour,"
309:317,36['  ]| said Elizabeth;
309:317,37[A  ]| "but I do not particularly like your way of getting
309:317,38[A  ]| husbands."
309:318,01['  ]| Their visitors were not to remain above ten days with
309:318,02['  ]| them.  Mr%*Wickham had received his commission before
309:318,03['  ]| he left London, and he was to join his regiment at the end
309:318,04['  ]| of a fortnight.
309:318,05['  ]| No*one but Mrs%*Bennet, regretted that their stay
309:318,06['  ]| would be so short; and she made the most of the time,
309:318,07['  ]| by visiting about with her daughter, and having very
309:318,08['  ]| frequent parties at home.  These parties were acceptable
309:318,09['  ]| to all; to avoid a family circle was even more desirable
309:318,10['  ]| to such as did think, than such as did not.
309:318,11['  ]| Wickham's affection for Lydia, was just what Elizabeth
309:318,12['  ]| had expected to find it; not equal to Lydia's for him.
309:318,13['  ]| She had scarcely needed her present observation to be
309:318,14['  ]| satisfied, from the reason of things, that their elopement
309:318,15['  ]| had been brought on by the strength of her love, rather
309:318,16['  ]| than by his; and she would have wondered why, without
309:318,17['  ]| violently caring for her, he chose to elope with her at
309:318,18['  ]| all, had she not felt certain that his flight was rendered
309:318,19['  ]| necessary by distress of circumstances; and if that were
309:318,20['  ]| the case, he was not the young man to resist an opportunity
309:318,21['  ]| of having a companion.
309:318,22['  ]| Lydia was exceedingly fond of him.  He was her dear
309:318,23['  ]| Wickham on every occasion; no*one was to be put in
309:318,24['  ]| competition with him.  He did everything best in the
309:318,25['  ]| world; and she was sure he would kill more birds on the
309:318,26['  ]| first of September, than any*body else in the country.
309:318,27['  ]| One morning, soon after their arrival, as she was sitting
309:318,28['  ]| with her two elder sisters, she said to Elizabeth,
309:318,29[H  ]| "Lizzy, I never gave \you\ an account of my wedding,
309:318,30[H  ]| I believe.  You were not by, when I told mamma, and the
309:318,31[H  ]| others, all about it.  Are not you curious to hear how it
309:318,32[H  ]| was managed?"
309:318,33[A  ]| "No really,"
309:318,33['  ]| replied Elizabeth;
309:318,33[A  ]| "I think there cannot
309:318,34[A  ]| be too little said on the subject."
309:318,35[H  ]| "La!  You are so strange!  But I must tell you how
309:318,36[H  ]| it went off.  We were married, you know, at St%*Clement's,
309:318,37[H  ]| because Wickham's lodgings were in that parish.  And
309:318,38[H  ]| it was settled that we should all be there by eleven o'clock.
309:319,01[H  ]| My uncle and aunt and I were to go together; and the
309:319,02[H  ]| others were to meet us at the church.  Well, Monday
309:319,03[H  ]| morning came, and I was in such a fuss!  I was so afraid
309:319,04[H  ]| you know that something would happen to put it off, and
309:319,05[H  ]| then I should have gone quite distracted.  And there was
309:319,06[H  ]| my aunt, all the time I was dressing, preaching and
309:319,07[H  ]| talking away just as if she was reading a sermon.  However,
309:319,08[H  ]| I did not hear above one word in ten, for I was
309:319,09[H  ]| thinking, you may suppose, of my dear Wickham.  I longed
309:319,10[H  ]| to know whether he would be married in his blue coat.
309:319,11[H  ]| "Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual; I
309:319,12[H  ]| thought it would never be over; for, by*the*bye, you are
309:319,13[H  ]| to understand, that my uncle and aunt were horrid
309:319,14[H  ]| unpleasant all the time I was with them.  If you'll believe
309:319,15[H  ]| me, I did not once put my foot out of doors, though I was
309:319,16[H  ]| there a fortnight.  Not one party, or scheme, or any*thing.
309:319,17[H  ]| To be sure London was rather thin, but however the
309:319,18[H  ]| little Theatre was open.  Well, and so just as the carriage
309:319,19[H  ]| came to the door, my uncle was called away upon business
309:319,20[H  ]| to that horrid man Mr%*Stone.  And then, you know,
309:319,21[H  ]| when once they get together, there is no end of it.  Well,
309:319,22[H  ]| I was so frightened I did not know what to do, for my
309:319,23[H  ]| uncle was to give me away; and if we were beyond the
309:319,24[H  ]| hour, we could not be married all day.  But, luckily, he
309:319,25[H  ]| came back again in ten minutes time, and then we all
309:319,26[H  ]| set out.  However, I recollected afterwards, that if he
309:319,27[H  ]| \had\ been prevented going, the wedding need not be put
309:319,28[H  ]| off, for Mr%*Darcy might have done as well."
309:319,29[A  ]| "Mr%*Darcy!"
309:319,39['  ]| repeated Elizabeth, in utter amazement.
309:319,30[H  ]| "Oh, yes! ~~ he was to come there with Wickham, you
309:319,31[H  ]| know.  But gracious me!  I quite forgot!  I ought not to
309:319,32[H  ]| have said a word about it.  I promised them so faithfully!
309:319,33[H  ]| What will Wickham say?  It was to be such a secret!"
309:319,34[E  ]| "If it was to be secret,"
309:319,34['  ]| said Jane,
309:319,34[E  ]| "say not another
309:319,35[E  ]| word on the subject.  You may depend upon my seeking
309:319,36[E  ]| no further."
309:319,37[A  ]| "Oh! certainly,"
309:319,37['  ]| said Elizabeth, though burning with
309:319,38['  ]| curiosity;
309:319,38[A  ]| "we will ask you no questions."
309:320,01[H  ]| "Thank you,"
309:320,01['  ]| said Lydia,
309:320,01[H  ]| "for if you did, I should
309:320,02[H  ]| certainly tell you all, and then Wickham would be
309:320,03[H  ]| angry."
309:320,04['  ]| On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced
309:320,05['  ]| to put it out of her power, by running away.
309:320,06@a   | But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible;
309:320,07@a   | or at least it was impossible not to try for information.
309:320,08@a   | Mr%*Darcy had been at her sister's wedding.  It was
309:320,09@a   | exactly a scene, and exactly among people, where he had
309:320,10@a   | apparently least to do, and least temptation to go.
309:320,10['  ]| Conjectures
309:320,11['  ]| as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried
309:320,12['  ]| into her brain; but she was satisfied with none.  Those
309:320,13['  ]| that best pleased her, as placing his conduct in the noblest
309:320,14['  ]| light, seemed most improbable.  She could not bear such
309:320,15['  ]| suspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of paper, wrote
309:320,16['  ]| a short letter to her aunt, to request an explanation of
309:320,17['  ]| what Lydia had dropt, if it were compatible with the
309:320,18['  ]| secrecy which had been intended.
309:320,19[A  ]| "You may readily comprehend,"
309:320,19['  ]| she added,
309:320,19[A  ]| "what my
309:320,20[A  ]| curiosity must be to know how a person so unconnected with
309:320,21[A  ]| any of us, and (comparatively speaking) a stranger to our
309:320,22[A  ]| family, should have been amongst you at such a time.
309:320,23[A  ]| Pray write instantly, and let me understand it ~~ unless it
309:320,24[A  ]| is, for very cogent reasons, to remain in the secrecy which
309:320,25[A  ]| Lydia seems to think necessary; and then I must endeavour
309:320,26[A  ]| to be satisfied with ignorance."
309:320,27@a   | "Not that I \shall\ though,"
309:320,27['  ]| she added to herself, as
309:320,28['  ]| she finished the letter;
309:320,28@a   | "and my dear aunt, if you do
309:320,29@a   | not tell me in an honourable manner, I shall certainly
309:320,30@a   | be reduced to tricks and stratagems to find it out."
309:320,31['  ]| Jane's delicate sense of honour would not allow her to
309:320,32['  ]| speak to Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall;
309:320,33['  ]| Elizabeth was glad of it; ~~ till it appeared whether her
309:320,34['  ]| inquiries would receive any satisfaction, she had rather
309:320,35['  ]| be without a confidante.
310:321,01['  ]| Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving an answer
310:321,02['  ]| to her letter, as soon as she possibly could.  She was no
310:321,03['  ]| sooner in possession of it, than hurrying into the little
310:321,04['  ]| copse, where she was least likely to be interrupted, she
310:321,05['  ]| sat down on one of the benches, and prepared to be happy;
310:321,06['  ]| for the length of the letter convinced her that it did not
310:321,07['  ]| contain a denial.
310:321,08['  ]|
310:321,09[O  ]| "Gracechurch-street, Sept%*6.
310:321,10[O  ]| "MY DEAR NIECE,
310:321,11[O  ]| "I have just received your letter, and shall devote this
310:321,12[O  ]| whole morning to answering it, as I foresee that a \little\
310:321,13[O  ]| writing will not comprise what I have to tell you.  I must
310:321,14[O  ]| confess myself surprised by your application; I did not
310:321,15[O  ]| expect it from \you\.  Don't think me angry, however, for I
310:321,16[O  ]| only mean to let you know, that I had not imagined such
310:321,17[O  ]| enquiries to be necessary on \your\ side.  If you do not
310:321,18[O  ]| choose to understand me, forgive my impertinence.  Your
310:321,19[O  ]| uncle is as much surprised as I am ~~ and nothing but the
310:321,20[O  ]| belief of your being a party concerned, would have allowed
310:321,21[O  ]| him to act as he has done.  But if you are really innocent
310:321,22[O  ]| and ignorant, I must be more explicit.  On the very day
310:321,23[O  ]| of my coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had a
310:321,24[O  ]| most unexpected visitor.  Mr%*Darcy called, and was shut
310:321,25[O  ]| up with him several hours.  It was all over before I arrived;
310:321,26[O  ]| so my curiosity was not so dreadfully racked as \your's\
310:321,27[O  ]| seems to have been.  He came to tell Mr%*Gardiner that
310:321,28[O  ]| he had found out where your sister and Mr%*Wickham were,
310:321,29[O  ]| and that he had seen and talked with them both, Wickham
310:321,30[O  ]| repeatedly, Lydia once.  From what I can collect, he left
310:321,31[O  ]| Derbyshire only one day after ourselves, and came to
310:321,32[O  ]| town with the resolution of hunting for them.  The motive
310:321,33[O  ]| professed, was his conviction of its being owing to himself
310:321,34[O  ]| that Wickham's worthlessness had not been so well known,
310:322,01[O  ]| as to make it impossible for any young woman of character,
310:322,02[O  ]| to love or confide in him.  He generously imputed the
310:322,03[O  ]| whole to his mistaken pride, and confessed that he
310:322,04[O  ]| had before thought it beneath him, to lay his private
310:322,05[O  ]| actions open to the world.  His character was to speak
310:322,06[O  ]| for itself.  He called it, therefore, his duty to step
310:322,07[O  ]| forward, and endeavour to remedy an evil, which had
310:322,08[O  ]| been brought on by himself.  If he \had\ \another\ motive,
310:322,09[O  ]| I am sure it would never disgrace him.  He had
310:322,10[O  ]| been some days in town, before he was able to discover
310:322,11[O  ]| them; but he had something to direct his search, which
310:322,12[O  ]| was more than \we\ had; and the consciousness of this,
310:322,13[O  ]| was another reason for his resolving to follow us.  There
310:322,14[O  ]| is a lady, it seems, a Mrs%*Younge, who was some
310:322,15[O  ]| time ago governess to Miss*Darcy, and was dismissed
310:322,16[O  ]| from her charge on some cause of disapprobation, though
310:322,17[O  ]| he did not say what.  She then took a large house in
310:322,18[O  ]| Edward-street, and has since maintained herself by letting
310:322,19[O  ]| lodgings.  This Mrs%*Younge was, he knew, intimately
310:322,20[O  ]| acquainted with Wickham; and he went to her for intelligence
310:322,21[O  ]| of him, as soon as he got to town.  But it was
310:322,22[O  ]| two or three days before he could get from her what he
310:322,23[O  ]| wanted.  She would not betray her trust, I suppose,
310:322,24[O  ]| without bribery and corruption, for she really did know
310:322,25[O  ]| where her friend was to be found.  Wickham indeed had
310:322,26[O  ]| gone to her, on their first arrival in London, and had she
310:322,27[O  ]| been able to receive them into her house, they would
310:322,28[O  ]| have taken up their abode with her.  At length, however,
310:322,29[O  ]| our kind friend procured the wished-for direction.  They
310:322,30[O  ]| were in *****street.  He saw Wickham, and afterwards
310:322,31[O  ]| insisted on seeing Lydia.  His first object with her, he
310:322,32[O  ]| acknowledged, had been to persuade her to quit her
310:322,33[O  ]| present disgraceful situation, and return to her friends as
310:322,34[O  ]| soon as they could be prevailed on to receive her, offering
310:322,35[O  ]| his assistance, as far as it would go.  But he found Lydia
310:322,36[O  ]| absolutely resolved on remaining where she was.  She
310:322,37[O  ]| cared for none of her friends, she wanted no help of his,
310:322,38[O  ]| she would not hear of leaving Wickham.  She was sure
310:323,01[O  ]| they should be married some*time or other, and it did
310:323,02[O  ]| not much signify when.  Since such were her feelings,
310:323,03[O  ]| it only remained, he thought, to secure and expedite
310:323,04[O  ]| a marriage, which, in his very first conversation with
310:323,05[O  ]| Wickham, he easily learnt, had never been \his\ design.
310:323,06[O  ]| He confessed himself obliged to leave the regiment, on
310:323,07[O  ]| account of some debts of honour, which were very pressing;
310:323,08[O  ]| and scrupled not to lay all the ill-consequences of Lydia's
310:323,09[O  ]| flight, on her own folly alone.  He meant to resign his
310:323,10[O  ]| commission immediately; and as to his future situation,
310:323,11[O  ]| he could conjecture very little about it.  He must go
310:323,12[O  ]| somewhere, but he did not know where, and he knew he
310:323,13[O  ]| should have nothing to live on.  Mr%*Darcy asked him
310:323,14[O  ]| why he had not married your sister at once.  Though
310:323,15[O  ]| Mr%*Bennet was not imagined to be very rich, he would
310:323,16[O  ]| have been able to do something for him, and his situation
310:323,17[O  ]| must have been benefited by marriage.  But he found,
310:323,18[O  ]| in reply to this question, that Wickham still cherished
310:323,19[O  ]| the hope of more effectually making his fortune by marriage,
310:323,20[O  ]| in some other country.  Under such circumstances,
310:323,21[O  ]| however, he was not likely to be proof against the temptation
310:323,22[O  ]| of immediate relief.  They met several times, for
310:323,23[O  ]| there was much to be discussed.  Wickham of course
310:323,24[O  ]| wanted more than he could get; but at length was
310:323,25[O  ]| reduced to be reasonable.  Every*thing being settled
310:323,26[O  ]| between \them\, Mr%*Darcy's next step was to make your
310:323,27[O  ]| uncle acquainted with it, and he first called in Gracechurch-street
310:323,28[O  ]| the evening before I came home.  But Mr%*Gardiner
310:323,29[O  ]| could not be seen, and Mr%*Darcy found, on further enquiry,
310:323,30[O  ]| that your father was still with him, but would quit town
310:232,31[O  ]| the next morning.  He did not judge your father to be
310:323,32[O  ]| a person whom he could so properly consult as your uncle,
310:323,33[O  ]| and therefore readily postponed seeing him, till after the
310:323,34[O  ]| departure of the former.  He did not leave his name, and
310:323,35[O  ]| till the next day, it was only known that a gentleman had
310:323,36[O  ]| called on business.  On Saturday he came again.  Your
310:323,37[O  ]| father was gone, your uncle at home, and, as I said before,
310:323,38[O  ]| they had a great deal of talk together.  They met again on
310:324,01[O  ]| Sunday, and then \I\ saw him too.  It was not all settled
310:324,02[O  ]| before Monday:  as soon as it was, the express was sent
310:324,03[O  ]| off to Longbourn.  But our visitor was very obstinate.
310:324,04[O  ]| I fancy, Lizzy, that obstinacy is the real defect of his
310:324,05[O  ]| character after all.  He has been accused of many faults
310:324,06[O  ]| at different times; but \this\ is the true one.  Nothing was
310:324,07[O  ]| to be done that he did not do himself; though I am
310:324,08[O  ]| sure (and I do not speak it to be thanked, therefore say
310:324,09[O  ]| nothing about it,) your uncle would most readily have
310:324,10[O  ]| settled the whole.  They battled it together for a long
310:324,11[O  ]| time, which was more than either the gentleman or lady
310:324,12[O  ]| concerned in it deserved.  But at last your uncle was
310:324,13[O  ]| forced to yield, and instead of being allowed to be of use
310:324,14[O  ]| to his niece, was forced to put up with only having the
310:324,15[O  ]| probable credit of it, which went sorely against the grain;
310:324,16[O  ]| and I really believe your letter this morning gave him
310:324,17[O  ]| great pleasure, because it required an explanation that
310:324,18[O  ]| would rob him of his borrowed feathers, and give the
310:324,19[O  ]| praise where it was due.  But, Lizzy, this must go no
310:324,20[O  ]| farther than yourself, or Jane at most.  You know pretty
310:324,21[O  ]| well, I suppose, what has been done for the young people.
310:324,22[O  ]| His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably
310:324,23[O  ]| more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in
310:324,24[O  ]| addition to her own settled upon \her\, and his commission
310:324,25[O  ]| purchased.  The reason why all this was to be done by
310:324,26[O  ]| him alone, was such as I have given above.  It was owing
310:324,27[O  ]| to him, to his reserve, and want of proper consideration,
310:324,28[O  ]| that Wickham's character had been so misunderstood,
310:324,29[O  ]| and consequently that he had been received and noticed
310:324,30[O  ]| as he was.  Perhaps there was some truth in \this\; though
310:324,31[O  ]| I doubt whether \his\ reserve, or \anybody's\ reserve, can be
310:324,32[O  ]| answerable for the event.  But in spite of all this fine
310:324,33[O  ]| talking, my dear Lizzy, you may rest perfectly assured,
310:324,34[O  ]| that your uncle would never have yielded, if we had not
310:324,35[O  ]| given him credit for \another\ \interest\ in the affair.  When
310:324,36[O  ]| all this was resolved on, he returned again to his friends,
310:324,37[O  ]| who were still staying at Pemberley; but it was agreed
310:324,38[O  ]| that he should be in London once more when the wedding
310:325,01[O  ]| took place, and all money matters were then to receive
310:325,02[O  ]| the last finish.  I believe I have now told you every*thing.
310:325,03[O  ]| It is a relation which you tell me is to give you
310:325,04[O  ]| great surprise; I hope at least it will not afford you any
310:325,05[O  ]| displeasure.  Lydia came to us; and Wickham had
310:325,06[O  ]| constant admission to the house.  \He\ was exactly what
310:325,07[O  ]| he had been, when I knew him in Hertfordshire; but
310:325,08[O  ]| I would not tell you how little I was satisfied with \her\
310:325,09[O  ]| behaviour while she staid with us, if I had not perceived,
310:325,10[O  ]| by Jane's letter last Wednesday, that her conduct on
310:325,11[O  ]| coming home was exactly of a piece with it, and therefore
310:325,12[O  ]| what I now tell you, can give you no fresh pain.  I talked
310:325,13[O  ]| to her repeatedly in the most serious manner, representing to
310:325,14[O  ]| her all the wickedness of what she had done, and all the
310:325,15[O  ]| unhappiness she had brought on her family.  If she heard
310:325,16[O  ]| me, it was by good luck, for I am sure she did not listen.
310:325,17[O  ]| I was sometimes quite provoked, but then I recollected
310:325,18[O  ]| my dear Elizabeth and Jane, and for their sakes had
310:325,19[O  ]| patience with her.  Mr%*Darcy was punctual in his return,
310:325,20[O  ]| and as Lydia informed you, attended the wedding.  He
310:325,21[O  ]| dined with us the next day, and was to leave town again
310:325,22[O  ]| on Wednesday or Thursday.  Will you be very angry with
310:325,23[O  ]| me, my dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying
310:325,24[O  ]| (what I was never bold enough to say before) how much
310:325,25[O  ]| I like him.  His behaviour to us has, in every respect, been
310:325,26[O  ]| as pleasing as when we were in Derbyshire.  His understanding
310:325,27[O  ]| and opinions all please me; he wants nothing
310:325,28[O  ]| but a little more liveliness, and \that\, if he marry \prudently\,
310:325,29[O  ]| his wife may teach him.  I thought him very sly; ~~ he
310:325,30[O  ]| hardly ever mentioned your name.  But slyness seems the
310:325,31[O  ]| fashion.  Pray forgive me, if I have been very presuming,
310:325,32[O  ]| or at least do not punish me so far, as to exclude me from
310:325,33[O  ]| P%  I shall never be quite happy till I have been all round
310:325,34[O  ]| the park.  A low phaeton, with a nice little pair of ponies,
310:325,35[O  ]| would be the very thing.  But I must write no more.
310:325,36[O  ]| The children have been wanting me this half hour.  Your's,
310:325,37[O  ]| very sincerely,
310:325,38[O  ]| "M%*GARDINER."
310:326,01['  ]| The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth into a flutter
310:326,02['  ]| of spirits, in which it was difficult to determine whether
310:326,03['  ]| pleasure or pain bore the greatest share.  The vague and
310:326,04['  ]| unsettled suspicions which uncertainty had produced of
310:326,05['  ]| what Mr%*Darcy might have been doing to forward her
310:326,06['  ]| sister's match, which she had feared to encourage, as an
310:326,07['  ]| exertion of goodness too great to be probable, and at the
310:326,08['  ]| same time dreaded to be just, from the pain of obligation,
310:326,09['  ]| were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true!
310:326,10@a   | He had followed them purposely to town, he had taken
310:326,11@a   | on himself all the trouble and mortification attendant on
310:326,12@a   | such a research; in which supplication had been necessary
310:326,13@a   | to a woman whom he must abominate and despise, and
310:326,14@a   | where he was reduced to meet, frequently meet, reason
310:326,15@a   | with, persuade, and finally bribe, the man whom he always
310:326,16@a   | most wished to avoid, and whose very name it was punishment
310:326,17@a   | to him to pronounce.  He had done all this for
310:326,18@a   | a girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem.
310:326,18['  ]| Her
310:326,19['  ]| heart did whisper, that he had done it for her.  But it
310:326,20['  ]| was a hope shortly checked by other considerations, and
310:326,21['  ]| she soon felt that even her vanity was insufficient, when
310:326,22['  ]| required to depend on his affection for her, for a woman
310:326,23['  ]| who had already refused him, as able to overcome a sentiment
310:326,24['  ]| so natural as abhorrence against relationship with
310:326,25['  ]| Wickham.
310:326,25@a   | Brother-in-law of Wickham!  Every kind of
310:326,26@a   | pride must revolt from the connection.  He had to be sure
310:326,27@a   | done much.  She was ashamed to think how much.  But
310:326,28@a   | he had given a reason for his interference, which asked
310:326,29@a   | no extraordinary stretch of belief.  It was reasonable that
310:326,30@a   | he should feel he had been wrong; he had liberality, and
310:326,31@a   | he had the means of exercising it; and though she would
310:326,32@a   | not place herself as his principal inducement, she could,
310:326,33@a   | perhaps, believe, that remaining partiality for her, might
310:326,34@a   | assist his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind
310:326,35@a   | must be materially concerned.  It was painful, exceedingly
310:326,36@a   | painful, to know that they were under obligations
310:326,37@a   | to a person who could never receive a return.  They owed
310:326,38@a   | the restoration of Lydia, her character, every*thing to
310:327,01@a   | him.
310:327,01['  ]| Oh! how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious
310:327,02['  ]| sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy
310:327,03['  ]| speech she had ever directed towards him.  For herself
310:327,04['  ]| she was humbled; but she was proud of him.  Proud that
310:327,05['  ]| in a cause of compassion and honour, he had been able
310:327,06['  ]| to get the better of himself.  She read over her aunt's
310:327,07['  ]| commendation of him again and again.  It was hardly
310:327,08['  ]| enough; but it pleased her.  She was even sensible of
310:327,09['  ]| some pleasure, though mixed with regret, on finding how
310:327,10['  ]| steadfastly both she and her uncle had been persuaded
310:327,11['  ]| that affection and confidence subsisted between Mr%*Darcy
310:327,12['  ]| and herself.
310:327,13['  ]| She was roused from her seat, and her reflections, by
310:327,14['  ]| some*one's approach; and before she could strike into
310:327,15['  ]| another path, she was overtaken by Wickham.
310:327,16[P  ]| "I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear
310:327,17[P  ]| sister?"
310:327,17['  ]| said he, as he joined her.
310:327,18[A  ]| "You certainly do,"
310:327,18['  ]| she replied with a smile;
310:327,18[A  ]| "but
310:327,19[A  ]| it does not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome."
310:327,20[A  ]|
310:327,21[P  ]| "I should be sorry indeed, if it were.  \We\ were always
310:327,22[P  ]| good friends; and now we are better."
310:327,23[A  ]| "True.  Are the others coming out?"
310:327,24[P  ]| "I do not know.  Mrs%*Bennet and Lydia are going in
310:327,25[P  ]| the carriage to Meryton.  And so, my dear sister, I find
310:327,26[P  ]| from our uncle and aunt, that you have actually seen
310:327,27[P  ]| Pemberley."
310:327,28['  ]| She replied in the affirmative.
310:327,29[P  ]| "I almost envy you the pleasure, and yet I believe
310:327,30[P  ]| it would be too much for me, or else I could take it in my
310:327,31[P  ]| way to Newcastle.  And you saw the old housekeeper,
310:327,32[P  ]| I suppose?  Poor Reynolds, she was always very fond of
310:327,33[P  ]| me.  But of course she did not mention my name to you."
310:327,34[A  ]| "Yes, she did."
310:327,35[P  ]| "And what did she say?"
310:327,36[A  ]| "That you were gone into the army, and she was
310:327,37[A  ]| afraid had ~~ not turned out well.  At such a distance as
310:327,39[A  ]| \that\, you know, things are strangely misrepresented."
310:328,01[P  ]| "Certainly,"
310:328,01['  ]| he replied, biting his lips.  Elizabeth
310:328,02['  ]| hoped she had silenced him; but he soon afterwards
310:328,03['  ]| said,
310:328,04[P  ]| "I was surprised to see Darcy in town last month.  We
310:328,05[P  ]| passed each other several times.  I wonder what he can
310:328,06[P  ]| be doing there."
310:328,07[A  ]| "Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss*de*Bourgh,"
310:328,08['  ]| said Elizabeth.
310:328,08[A  ]| "It must be something particular,
310:328,09[A  ]| to take him there at this time of year."
310:328,10[P  ]| "Undoubtedly.  Did you see him while you were at
310:328,11[P  ]| Lambton?  I thought I understood from the Gardiners
310:328,12[P  ]| that you had."
310:328,13[A  ]| "Yes; he introduced us to his sister."
310:328,14[P  ]| "And do you like her?"
310:328,15[A  ]| "Very much."
310:328,16[P  ]| "I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved
310:328,17[P  ]| within this year or two.  When I last saw her, she
310:328,18[P  ]| was not very promising.  I am very glad you like her.
310:328,19[P  ]| I hope she will turn out well."
310:328,20[A  ]| "I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying
310:328,21[A  ]| age."
310:328,22[P  ]| "Did you go by the village of Kympton?"
310:328,23[A  ]| "I do not recollect that we did."
310:328,24[P  ]| "I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to
310:328,25[P  ]| have had.  A most delightful place! ~~ Excellent Parsonage*House!
310:328,26[P  ]| It would have suited me in every respect."
310:328,27[A  ]| "How should you have liked making sermons?"
310:328,28[P  ]| "Exceedingly well.  I should have considered it as part
310:328,29[P  ]| of my duty, and the exertion would soon have been
310:328,30[P  ]| nothing.  One ought not to repine; ~~ but, to be sure, it
310:328,31[P  ]| would have been such a thing for me!  The quiet, the
310:328,32[P  ]| retirement of such a life, would have answered all my
310:328,33[P  ]| ideas of happiness!  But it was not to be.  Did you ever
310:328,34[P  ]| hear Darcy mention the circumstance, when you were in
310:328,35[P  ]| Kent?"
310:328,36[A  ]| "I \have\ heard from authority, which I thought \as\ \good\,
310:328,37[A  ]| that it was left you conditionally only, and at the will
310:328,38[A  ]| of the present patron."
310:329,01[P  ]| "You have.  Yes, there was something in \that\; I told
310:329,02[P  ]| you so from the first, you may remember."
310:329,03[A  ]| "I \did\ hear, too, that there was a time, when sermon-making
310:329,04[A  ]| was not so palatable to you as it seems to be at
310:329,05[A  ]| present; that you actually declared your resolution of
310:329,06[A  ]| never taking orders, and that the business had been
310:329,07[A  ]| compromised accordingly."
310:329,08[P  ]| "You did! and it was not wholly without foundation.
310:329,09[P  ]| You may remember what I told you on that point, when
310:329,10[P  ]| first we talked of it."
310:329,11['  ]| They were now almost at the door of the house, for
310:329,12['  ]| she had walked fast to get rid of him; and unwilling for
310:329,13['  ]| her sister's sake, to provoke him, she only said in reply,
310:329,14['  ]| with a good-humoured smile,
310:329,15[A  ]| "Come, Mr%*Wickham, we are brother and sister, you
310:329,16[A  ]| know.  Do not let us quarrel about the past.  In future,
310:329,17[A  ]| I hope we shall be always of one mind."
310:329,18['  ]| She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate
310:329,19['  ]| gallantry, though he hardly knew how to look, and they
310:329,20['  ]| entered the house.
311:330,01['  ]| Mr%*Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation,
311:330,02['  ]| that he never again distressed himself, or
311:330,03['  ]| provoked his dear sister Elizabeth, by introducing the
311:330,04['  ]| subject of it; and she was pleased to find that she had
311:330,05['  ]| said enough to keep him quiet.
311:330,06['  ]| The day of his and Lydia's departure soon came, and
311:330,07['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet was forced to submit to a separation, which,
311:330,08['  ]| as her husband by no means entered into her scheme of
311:330,09['  ]| their all going to Newcastle, was likely to continue at
311:330,10['  ]| least a twelvemonth.
311:330,11[D  ]| "Oh! my dear Lydia,"
311:330,11['  ]| she cried,
311:330,11[D  ]| "when shall we meet
311:330,12[D  ]| again?"
311:330,13[H  ]| "Oh, lord!  I don't know.  Not these two or three
311:330,14[H  ]| years perhaps."
311:330,15[D  ]| "Write to me very often, my dear."
311:330,16[H  ]| "As often as I can.  But you know married women
311:330,17[H  ]| have never much time for writing.  My sisters may write
311:330,18[H  ]| to \me\.  They will have nothing else to do."
311:330,19['  ]| Mr%*Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than
311:330,20['  ]| his wife's.  He smiled, looked handsome, and said many
311:330,21['  ]| pretty things.
311:330,22[C  ]| "He is as fine a fellow,"
311:330,22['  ]| said Mr%*Bennet, as soon as
311:330,23['  ]| they were out of the house,
311:330,23[C  ]| "as ever I saw.  He simpers,
311:330,24[C  ]| and smirks, and makes love to us all.  I am prodigiously
311:330,25[C  ]| proud of him.  I defy even Sir*William*Lucas himself,
311:330,26[C  ]| to produce a more valuable son-in-law."
311:330,27['  ]| The loss of her daughter made Mrs%*Bennet very dull
311:330,28['  ]| for several days.
311:330,29[D  ]| "I often think,"
311:330,29['  ]| said she,
311:330,29[D  ]| "that there is nothing so
311:330,30[D  ]| bad as parting with one's friends.  One seems so forlorn
311:330,31[D  ]| without them."
311:330,32[A  ]| "This is the consequence you see, Madam, of marrying
311:330,33[A  ]| a daughter,"
311:330,33['  ]| said Elizabeth.
311:330,33[A  ]| "It must make you better
311:330,34[A  ]| satisfied that your other four are single."
311:331,01[D  ]| "It is no such thing.  Lydia does not leave me because
311:331,02[D  ]| she is married; but only because her husband's regiment
311:331,03[D  ]| happens to be so far off.  If that had been nearer, she
311:331,04[D  ]| would not have gone so soon."
311:331,05['  ]| But the spiritless condition which this event threw her
311:331,06['  ]| into, was shortly relieved, and her mind opened again to
311:331,07['  ]| the agitation of hope, by an article of news, which then
311:331,08['  ]| began to be in circulation.  The housekeeper at Netherfield
311:331,09['  ]| had received orders to prepare for the arrival of her
311:331,10['  ]| master, who was coming down in a day or two, to shoot
311:331,11['  ]| there for several weeks.  Mrs%*Bennet was quite in the
311:331,12['  ]| fidgets.  She looked at Jane, and smiled, and shook her
311:331,13['  ]| head by turns.
311:331,14[D  ]| "Well, well, and so Mr%*Bingley is coming down, sister,"
311:331,15['  ]| (for Mrs%*Phillips first brought her the news.)
311:331,15[D  ]| "Well, so
311:331,16[D  ]| much the better.  Not that I care about it, though.  He
311:331,17[D  ]| is nothing to us, you know, and I am sure \I\ never want
311:331,18[D  ]| to see him again.  But, however, he is very welcome to
311:331,19[D  ]| come to Netherfield, if he likes it.  And who knows what
311:331,20[D  ]| \may\ happen?  But that is nothing to us.  You know,
311:331,21[D  ]| sister, we agreed long ago never to mention a word about
311:331,22[D  ]| it.  And so, is it quite certain he is coming?"
311:331,23[V  ]| "You may depend on it,"
311:331,23['  ]| replied the other,
311:331,23[V  ]| "for
311:331,24[V  ]| Mrs%*Nicholls was in Meryton last night; I saw her
311:331,25[V  ]| passing by, and went out myself on purpose to know the
311:331,26[V  ]| truth of it; and she told me that it was certain true.
311:331,27[V  ]| He comes down on Thursday at the latest, very likely
311:331,28[V  ]| on Wednesday.  She was going to the butcher's, she told
311:331,29[V  ]| me, on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday, and
311:331,30[V  ]| she has got three couple of ducks, just fit to be killed."
311:331,31['  ]| Miss*Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming,
311:331,32['  ]| without changing colour.  It was many months since she
311:331,33['  ]| had mentioned his name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon
311:331,34['  ]| as they were alone together, she said,
311:331,35[E  ]| "I saw you look at me to*day, Lizzy, when my aunt
311:331,36[E  ]| told us of the present report; and I know I appeared
311:331,37[E  ]| distressed.  But don't imagine it was from any silly cause.
311:331,38[E  ]| I was only confused for the moment, because I felt that
311:332,01[E  ]| I \should\ be looked at.  I do assure you, that the news does
311:332,02[E  ]| not affect me either with pleasure or pain.  I am glad
311:332,03[E  ]| of one thing, that he comes alone; because we shall see
311:332,04[E  ]| the less of him.  Not that I am afraid of \myself\, but I dread
311:332,05[E  ]| other people's remarks."
311:332,06['  ]| Elizabeth did not know what to make of it.  Had she
311:332,07['  ]| not seen him in Derbyshire, she might have supposed him
311:332,08['  ]| capable of coming there, with no other view than what
311:332,09['  ]| was acknowledged; but she still thought him partial to
311:332,10['  ]| Jane, and she wavered as to the greater probability of
311:332,11['  ]| his coming there \with\ his friend's permission, or being bold
311:332,12['  ]| enough to come without it.
311:332,13@a   | "Yet it is hard,"
311:332,13['  ]| she sometimes thought,
311:332,13@a   | "that this
311:332,14@a   | poor man cannot come to a house, which he has legally
311:332,15@a   | hired, without raising all this speculation!  I \will\ leave him
311:332,16@a   | to himself."
311:332,17['  ]| In spite of what her sister declared, and really believed
311:332,18['  ]| to be her feelings, in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth
311:332,19['  ]| could easily perceive that her spirits were affected
311:332,20['  ]| by it.  They were more disturbed, more unequal, than she
311:332,21['  ]| had often seen them.
311:332,22['  ]| The subject which had been so warmly canvassed
311:332,23['  ]| between their parents, about a twelvemonth ago, was now
311:332,24['  ]| brought forward again.
311:332,25[D  ]| "As soon as ever Mr%*Bingley comes, my dear,"
311:332,25['  ]| said
311:332,26['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet,
311:332,26[D  ]| "you will wait on him of course."
311:332,27[C  ]| "No, no.  You forced me into visiting him last year,
311:332,28[C  ]| and promised if I went to see him, he should marry one
311:332,29[C  ]| of my daughters.  But it ended in nothing, and I will
311:332,30[C  ]| not be sent on a fool's errand again."
311:332,31['  ]| His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary
311:332,32['  ]| such an attention would be from all the neighbouring
311:332,33['  ]| gentlemen, on his returning to Netherfield.
311:332,34[C  ]| "'Tis an etiquette I despise,"
311:332,34['  ]| said he.
311:332,34[C  ]| "If he wants
311:332,35[C  ]| our society, let him seek it.  He knows where we live.
311:332,36[C  ]| I will not spend \my\ hours in running after my neighbours
311:332,37[C  ]| every time they go away, and come back again."
311:332,38[D  ]| "Well, all I know is, that it will be abominably rude
311:333,01[D  ]| if you do not wait on him.  But, however, that shan't
311:333,02[D  ]| prevent my asking him to dine here, I am determined.
311:333,03[D  ]| We must have Mrs%*Long and the Gouldings soon.  That
311:333,04[D  ]| will make thirteen with ourselves, so there will be just
311:333,05[D  ]| room at the table for him."
311:333,06['  ]| Consoled by this resolution, she was the better able to
311:333,07['  ]| bear her husband's incivility; though it was very mortifying
311:333,08['  ]| to know that her neighbours might all see Mr%*Bingley
311:333,09['  ]| in consequence of it, before \they\ did.  As the day of his
311:333,10['  ]| arrival drew near,
311:333,11[E  ]| "I begin to be sorry that he comes at all,"
311:333,11['  ]| said Jane
311:333,12['  ]| to her sister.
311:333,12[E  ]| "It would be nothing; I could see him
311:333,13[E  ]| with perfect indifference, but I can hardly bear to hear
311:333,14[E  ]| it thus perpetually talked of.  My mother means well;
311:333,15[E  ]| but she does not know, no*one can know how much
311:333,16[E  ]| I suffer from what she says.  Happy shall I be, when his
311:333,17[E  ]| stay at Netherfield is over!"
311:333,18[A  ]| "I wish I could say any*thing to comfort you,"
311:333,18['  ]| replied
311:333,19['  ]| Elizabeth;
311:333,19[A  ]| "but it is wholly out of my power.  You
311:333,20[A  ]| must feel it; and the usual satisfaction of preaching
311:333,21[A  ]| patience to a sufferer is denied me, because you have
311:333,22[A  ]| always so much."
311:333,23['  ]| Mr%*Bingley arrived.  Mrs%*Bennet, through the assistance
311:333,24['  ]| of servants, contrived to have the earliest tidings
311:333,25['  ]| of it, that the period of anxiety and fretfulness on her
311:333,26['  ]| side, might be as long as it could.  She counted the days
311:333,27['  ]| that must intervene before their invitation could be sent;
311:333,28['  ]| hopeless of seeing him before.  But on the third morning
311:333,29['  ]| after his arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw him from her
311:333,30['  ]| dressing-room window, enter the paddock, and ride towards
311:333,31['  ]| the house.
311:333,32['  ]| Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy.
311:333,33['  ]| Jane resolutely kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth,
311:333,34['  ]| to satisfy her mother, went to the window ~~ she looked, ~~
311:333,35['  ]| she saw Mr%*Darcy with him, and sat down again by her
311:333,36['  ]| sister.
311:333,37[G  ]| "There is a gentleman with him, mamma,"
311:333,37['  ]| said Kitty;
311:333,38[G  ]| "who can it be?"
311:334,01[D  ]| "Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose;
311:334,02[D  ]| I am sure I do not know."
311:334,03[G  ]| "La!"
311:334,03['  ]| replied Kitty,
311:334,03[G  ]| "it looks just like that man that
311:334,04[G  ]| used to be with him before.  Mr%*what's*his*name.  That
311:334,05[G  ]| tall, proud man."
311:334,06[D  ]| "Good gracious!  Mr%*Darcy! ~~ and so it does I vow.
311:334,07[D  ]| Well, any friend of Mr%*Bingley's will always be welcome
311:334,08[D  ]| here to be sure; but else I must say that I hate the very
311:334,09[D  ]| sight of him."
311:334,10['  ]| Jane looked at Elizabeth with surprise and concern.
311:334,11['  ]| She knew but little of their meeting in Derbyshire, and
311:334,12['  ]| therefore felt for the awkwardness which must attend
311:334,13['  ]| her sister, in seeing him almost for the first time after
311:334,14['  ]| receiving his explanatory letter.  Both sisters were uncomfortable
311:334,15['  ]| enough.  Each felt for the other, and of course
311:334,16['  ]| for themselves; and their mother talked on, of her dislike
311:334,17['  ]| of Mr%*Darcy, and her resolution to be civil to him only
311:334,18['  ]| as Mr%*Bingley's friend, without being heard by either of
311:334,19['  ]| them.  But Elizabeth had sources of uneasiness which
311:334,20['  ]| could not be suspected by Jane, to whom she had never
311:334,21['  ]| yet had courage to shew Mrs%*Gardiner's letter, or to
311:334,22['  ]| relate her own change of sentiment towards him.
311:334,22@a   | To
311:334,23@a   | Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she had
311:334,24@a   | refused, and whose merit she had undervalued; but to
311:334,25@a   | her own more extensive information, he was the person,
311:334,26@a   | to whom the whole family were indebted for the first of
311:334,27@a   | benefits, and whom she regarded herself with an interest,
311:334,28@a   | if not quite so tender, at least as reasonable and just, as
311:334,29@a   | what Jane felt for Bingley.
311:334,29['  ]| Her astonishment at his
311:334,30['  ]| coming ~~ at his coming to Netherfield, to Longbourn, and
311:334,31['  ]| voluntarily seeking her again, was almost equal to what
311:334,32['  ]| she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour
311:334,33['  ]| in Derbyshire.
311:334,34['  ]| The colour which had been driven from her face, returned
311:334,35['  ]| for half a minute with an additional glow, and a smile
311:334,36['  ]| of delight added lustre to her eyes, as she thought for that
311:334,37['  ]| space of time, that his affection and wishes must still be
311:334,38['  ]| unshaken.  But she would not be secure.
311:335,01[A  ]| "Let me first see how he behaves,"
311:335,01['  ]| said she;
311:335,01[A  ]| "it will
311:335,02[A  ]| then be early enough for expectation."
311:335,03['  ]| She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and
311:335,04['  ]| without daring to lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity
311:335,05['  ]| carried them to the face of her sister, as the servant was
311:335,06['  ]| approaching the door.  Jane looked a little paler than
311:335,07['  ]| usual, but more sedate than Elizabeth had expected.
311:335,08['  ]| On the gentlemen's appearing, her colour increased; yet
311:335,09['  ]| she received them with tolerable ease, and with a propriety
311:335,10['  ]| of behaviour equally free from any symptom of
311:335,11['  ]| resentment, or any unnecessary complaisance.
311:335,12['  ]| Elizabeth said as little to either as civility would allow,
311:335,13['  ]| and sat down again to her work, with an eagerness which
311:335,14['  ]| it did not often command.  She had ventured only one
311:335,15['  ]| glance at Darcy.
311:335,15@a   | He looked serious as usual;
311:335,15['  ]| and she
311:335,16['  ]| thought,
311:335,16@a   | more as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire,
311:335,17@a   | than as she had seen him at Pemberley.  But, perhaps
311:335,18@a   | he could not in her mother's presence be what he was
311:335,19@a   | before her uncle and aunt.  It was a painful, but not an
311:335,20@a   | improbable, conjecture.
311:335,21['  ]| Bingley, she had likewise seen for an instant, and in
311:335,22['  ]| that short period saw him looking both pleased and
311:335,23['  ]| embarrassed.  He was received by Mrs%*Bennet with
311:335,24['  ]| a degree of civility, which made her two daughters
311:335,25['  ]| ashamed, especially when contrasted with the cold and
311:335,26['  ]| ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address to his
311:335,27['  ]| friend.
311:335,28['  ]| Elizabeth particularly, who knew that her mother owed
311:335,29['  ]| to the latter the preservation of her favourite daughter
311:335,30['  ]| from irremediable infamy, was hurt and distressed to
311:335,31['  ]| a most painful degree by a distinction so ill applied.
311:335,32['  ]| Darcy, after enquiring of her
311:335,32@b   | how Mr% and Mrs%*Gardiner
311:335,33@b   | did,
311:335,33['  ]| a question which she could not answer without confusion,
311:335,34['  ]| said scarcely any*thing.
311:335,34@a   | He was not seated by her;
311:335,35@a   | perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but it had
311:335,36@a   | not been so in Derbyshire.  There he had talked to her
311:335,37@a   | friends, when he could not to herself.  But now several
311:336,01@a   | minutes elapsed, without bringing the sound of his voice;
311:336,02['  ]| and when occasionally, unable to resist the impulse of
311:336,03['  ]| curiosity, she raised her eyes to his face, she as often
311:336,04['  ]| found him looking at Jane, as at herself, and frequently
311:336,05['  ]| on no object but the ground.  More thoughtfulness, and
311:336,06['  ]| less anxiety to please than when they last met, were
311:336,07['  ]| plainly expressed.  She was disappointed, and angry with
311:336,08['  ]| herself for being so.
311:336,09[A  ]| "Could I expect it to be otherwise!"
311:336,09['  ]| said she.
311:336,09[A  ]| "Yet
311:336,10[A  ]| why did he come?"
311:336,11['  ]| She was in no humour for conversation with any*one
311:336,12['  ]| but himself; and to him she had hardly courage to speak.
311:336,13['  ]| She enquired after his sister, but could do no more.
311:336,14[D  ]| "It is a long time, Mr%*Bingley, since you went away,"
311:336,15['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet.
311:336,16['  ]| He readily agreed to it.
311:336,17[D  ]| "I began to be afraid you would never come back
311:336,18[D  ]| again.  People \did\ say, you meant to quit the place entirely
311:336,19[D  ]| at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope it is not true.
311:336,20[D  ]| A great many changes have happened in the neighbourhood,
311:336,21[D  ]| since you went away.  Miss*Lucas is married and
311:336,22[D  ]| settled.  And one of my own daughters.  I suppose you
311:336,23[D  ]| have heard of it; indeed, you must have seen it in the
311:336,24[D  ]| papers.  It was in the*Times and the*Courier, I know;
311:336,25[D  ]| though it was not put in as it ought to be.  It was only said,
311:336,26@z   | ""Lately, George*Wickham*Esq% to Miss*Lydia*Bennet,""
311:336,27[D  ]| without there being a syllable said of her father, or the
311:336,28[D  ]| place where she lived, or any*thing.  It was my brother
311:336,29[D  ]| Gardiner's drawing up too, and I wonder how he came
311:336,30[D  ]| to make such an awkward business of it.  Did you see it?"
311:336,31['  ]| Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations.
311:336,32['  ]| Elizabeth dared not lift up her eyes.  How Mr%*Darcy
311:336,33['  ]| looked, therefore, she could not tell.
311:336,34[D  ]| "It is a delightful thing, to be sure, to have a daughter
311:336,35[D  ]| well married,"
311:336,35['  ]| continued her mother,
311:336,35[D  ]| "but at the same
311:336,36[D  ]| time, Mr%*Bingley, it is very hard to have her taken such
311:336,37[D  ]| a way from me.  They are gone down to Newcastle, a place
311:336,38[D  ]| quite northward, it seems, and there they are to stay,
311:337,01[D  ]| I do not know how long.  His regiment is there; for I
311:337,02[D  ]| suppose you have heard of his leaving the *****shire, and
311:337,03[D  ]| of his being gone into the regulars.  Thank Heaven! he
311:337,04[D  ]| has \some\ friends, though perhaps not so many as he
311:337,05[D  ]| deserves."
311:337,06['  ]| Elizabeth, who knew this to be levelled at Mr%*Darcy,
311:337,07['  ]| was in such misery of shame, that she could hardly keep
311:337,08['  ]| her seat.  It drew from her, however, the exertion of
311:337,09['  ]| speaking, which nothing else had so effectually done
311:337,10['  ]| before; and she asked Bingley,
311:337,10@a   | whether he meant to
311:337,11@a   | make any stay in the country at present.
311:337,11@i   | A few weeks,
311:337,12@i   | he believed.
311:337,13[D  ]| "When you have killed all your own birds, Mr%*Bingley,"
311:337,14['  ]| said her mother,
311:337,14[D  ]| "I beg you will come here, and shoot
311:337,15[D  ]| as many as you please, on Mr%*Bennet's manor.  I am
311:337,16[D  ]| sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you, and will save
311:337,17[D  ]| all the best of the covies for you."
311:337,18['  ]| Elizabeth's misery increased, at such unnecessary, such
311:337,19['  ]| officious attention!
311:337,19@a   | Were the same fair prospect to arise
311:337,20@a   | at present, as had flattered them a year ago, every*thing,
311:337,21['  ]| she was persuaded,
311:337,21@a   | would be hastening to the same
311:337,22@a   | vexatious conclusion.
311:337,22['  ]| At that instant she felt, that
311:337,22@a   | years
311:337,23@a   | of happiness could not make Jane or herself amends, for
311:337,24@a   | moments of such painful confusion.
311:337,25@a   | "The first wish of my heart,"
311:337,25['  ]| said she to herself,
311:337,25@a   | "is
311:337,26@a   | never more to be in company with either of them.  Their
311:337,27@a   | society can afford no pleasure, that will atone for such
311:337,28@a   | wretchedness as this!  Let me never see either one or the
311:337,29@a   | other again!"
311:337,30['  ]| Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to
311:337,31['  ]| offer no compensation, received soon afterwards material
311:337,32['  ]| relief, from observing how much the beauty of her sister
311:337,33['  ]| re-kindled the admiration of her former lover.  When
311:337,34['  ]| first he came in, he had spoken to her but little; but
311:337,35['  ]| every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his
311:337,36['  ]| attention.  He found her as handsome as she had been
311:337,37['  ]| last year; as good*natured, and as unaffected, though
311:337,38['  ]| not quite so chatty.  Jane was anxious that no difference
311:338,01['  ]| should be perceived in her at all, and was really persuaded
311:338,02['  ]| that she talked as much as ever.  But her mind was so
311:338,03['  ]| busily engaged, that she did not always know when she
311:338,04['  ]| was silent.
311:338,05['  ]| When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs%*Bennet was
311:338,06['  ]| mindful of her intended civility, and they were invited
311:338,07['  ]| and engaged to dine at Longbourn in a few days time.
311:338,08[D  ]| "You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr%*Bingley,"
311:338,08['  ]| she
311:338,09['  ]| added,
311:338,09[D  ]| "for when you went to town last winter, you
311:338,10[D  ]| promised to take a family dinner with us, as soon as you
311:338,11[D  ]| returned.  I have not forgot, you see; and I assure you,
311:338,12[D  ]| I was very much disappointed that you did not come back
311:338,13[D  ]| and keep your engagement."
311:338,14['  ]| Bingley looked a little silly at this reflection, and said
311:338,15['  ]| something of his concern, at having been prevented by
311:338,16['  ]| business.  They then went away.
311:338,17['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to
311:338,18['  ]| stay and dine there, that day; but, though she always
311:338,19['  ]| kept a very good table, she did not think any*thing less
311:338,20['  ]| than two courses, could be good enough for a man, on
311:338,21['  ]| whom she had such anxious designs, or satisfy the appetite
311:338,22['  ]| and pride of one who had ten thousand a-year.
312:339,01['  ]| As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to
312:339,02['  ]| recover her spirits; or in other words, to dwell without
312:339,03['  ]| interruption on those subjects that must deaden them
312:339,04['  ]| more.  Mr%*Darcy's behaviour astonished and vexed her.
312:339,05[A  ]| "Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,"
312:339,06['  ]| said she,
312:339,06[A  ]| "did he come at all?"
312:339,07['  ]| She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure.
312:339,08[A  ]| "He could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my uncle
312:339,09[A  ]| and aunt, when he was in town; and why not to me?
312:339,10[A  ]| If he fears me, why come hither?  If he no longer cares
312:339,11[A  ]| for me, why silent?  Teazing, teazing, man!  I will think
312:339,12[A  ]| no more about him."
312:339,13['  ]| Her resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept
312:339,14['  ]| by the approach of her sister, who joined her with a cheerful
312:339,15['  ]| look, which shewed her better satisfied with their
312:339,16['  ]| visitors, than Elizabeth.
312:339,17[E  ]| "Now,"
312:339,17['  ]| said she,
312:339,17[E  ]| "that this first meeting is over, I feel
312:339,18[E  ]| perfectly easy.  I know my own strength, and I shall never
312:339,19[E  ]| be embarrassed again by his coming.  I am glad he dines
312:339,20[E  ]| here on Tuesday.  It will then be publicly seen, that on
312:339,21[E  ]| both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent
312:339,22[E  ]| acquaintance."
312:339,23[A  ]| "Yes, very indifferent indeed,"
312:339,23['  ]| said Elizabeth, laughingly.
312:339,24[A  ]| "Oh, Jane, take care."
312:339,25[E  ]| "My dear Lizzy, you cannot think me so weak, as to
312:339,26[E  ]| be in danger now."
312:339,27[A  ]| "I think you are in very great danger of making him
312:339,28[A  ]| as much in love with you as ever."
312:339,29['  ]| ~~~
312:339,30['  ]| They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday;
312:339,31['  ]| and Mrs%*Bennet, in the meanwhile, was giving way to all
312:339,32['  ]| the happy schemes, which the good*humour, and common
312:339,33['  ]| politeness of Bingley, in half an hour's visit, had revived.
312:340,01['  ]| On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at Longbourn;
312:340,02['  ]| and the two, who were most anxiously expected,
312:340,03['  ]| to the credit of their punctuality as sportsmen, were in
312:340,04['  ]| very good time.  When they repaired to the dining-room,
312:340,05['  ]| Elizabeth eagerly watched to see whether Bingley
312:340,06['  ]| would take the place, which, in all their former parties,
312:340,07['  ]| had belonged to him, by her sister.  Her prudent mother,
312:340,08['  ]| occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite him to sit
312:340,09['  ]| by herself.  On entering the room, he seemed to hesitate;
312:340,10['  ]| but Jane happened to look round, and happened to smile:
312:340,11['  ]| it was decided.  He placed himself by her.
312:340,12['  ]| Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards
312:340,13['  ]| his friend.  He bore it with noble indifference, and she
312:340,14['  ]| would have imagined that Bingley had received his
312:340,15['  ]| sanction to be happy, had she not seen his eyes likewise
312:340,16['  ]| turned towards Mr%*Darcy, with an expression of half-laughing
312:340,17['  ]| alarm.
312:340,18['  ]| His behaviour to her sister was such, during dinner*time,
312:340,19['  ]| as shewed an admiration of her, which, though more
312:340,20['  ]| guarded than formerly, persuaded Elizabeth, that if left
312:340,21['  ]| wholly to himself, Jane's happiness, and his own, would
312:340,22['  ]| be speedily secured.  Though she dared not depend upon
312:340,23['  ]| the consequence, she yet received pleasure from observing
312:340,24['  ]| his behaviour.  It gave her all the animation that her
312:340,25['  ]| spirits could boast; for she was in no cheerful humour.
312:340,26['  ]| Mr%*Darcy was almost as far from her, as the table could
312:340,27['  ]| divide them.  He was on one side of her mother.  She
312:340,28['  ]| knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to
312:340,29['  ]| either, or make either appear to advantage.  She was not
312:340,30['  ]| near enough to hear any of their discourse, but she could
312:340,31['  ]| see how seldom they spoke to each other, and how formal
312:340,32['  ]| and cold was their manner, whenever they did.  Her
312:340,33['  ]| mother's ungraciousness, made the sense of what they
312:340,34['  ]| owed him more painful to Elizabeth's mind; and she
312:340,35['  ]| would, at times, have given any*thing to be privileged to
312:340,36['  ]| tell him, that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt
312:340,37['  ]| by the whole of the family.
312:340,38['  ]| She was in hopes that the evening would afford some
312:341,01['  ]| opportunity of bringing them together; that the whole
312:341,02['  ]| of the visit would not pass away without enabling them
312:341,03['  ]| to enter into something more of conversation, than the
312:341,04['  ]| mere ceremonious salutation attending his entrance.
312:341,05['  ]| Anxious and uneasy, the period which passed in the
312:341,06['  ]| drawing-room, before the gentlemen came, was wearisome
312:341,07['  ]| and dull to a degree, that almost made her uncivil.  She
312:341,08['  ]| looked forward to their entrance, as the point on
312:341,09['  ]| which all her chance of pleasure for the evening must
312:341,10['  ]| depend.
312:341,11[A  ]| "If he does not come to me, \then\,"
312:341,11['  ]| said she,
312:341,11[A  ]| "I shall
312:341,12[A  ]| give him up for*ever."
312:341,13['  ]| The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as
312:341,14['  ]| if he would have answered her hopes; but, alas! the
312:341,15['  ]| ladies had crowded round the table, where Miss*Bennet
312:341,16['  ]| was making tea, and Elizabeth pouring out the coffee, in
312:341,17['  ]| so close a confederacy, that there was not a single vacancy
312:341,18['  ]| near her, which would admit of a chair.  And on the
312:341,19['  ]| gentlemen's approaching, one of the girls moved closer
312:341,20['  ]| to her than ever, and said, in a whisper,
312:341,21[V  ]| "The men shan't come and part us, I am determined.
312:341,22[V  ]| We want none of them; do we?"
312:341,23['  ]| Darcy had walked away to another part of the room.
312:341,24['  ]| She followed him with her eyes, envied every*one to whom
312:341,25['  ]| he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody
312:341,26['  ]| to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for being
312:341,27['  ]| so silly!
312:341,28@a   | "A man who has once been refused!  How could I ever
312:341,29@a   | be foolish enough to expect a renewal of his love?  Is there
312:341,30@a   | one among the sex, who would not protest against such
312:341,31@a   | a weakness as a second proposal to the same woman?
312:341,32@a   | There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings!"
312:341,33['  ]| She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back
312:341,34['  ]| his coffee cup himself; and she seized the opportunity
312:341,35['  ]| of saying.
312:341,36[A  ]| "Is your sister at Pemberley still"
312:341,37[B  ]| "Yes, she will remain there till Christmas."
312:341,38[A  ]| "And quite alone?  Have all her friends left her?"
312:342,01[B  ]| "Mrs%*Annesley is with her.  The others have been gone
312:342,02[B  ]| on to Scarborough, these three weeks."
312:342,03['  ]| She could think of nothing more to say; but if he
312:342,04['  ]| wished to converse with her, he might have better success.
312:342,05['  ]| He stood by her, however, for some minutes, in silence;
312:342,06['  ]| and, at last, on the young lady's whispering to Elizabeth
312:342,07['  ]| again, he walked away.
312:342,08['  ]| When the tea-things were removed, and the card*tables
312:342,09['  ]| placed, the ladies all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping
312:342,10['  ]| to be soon joined by him, when all her views were overthrown,
312:342,11['  ]| by seeing him fall a victim to her mother's rapacity
312:342,12['  ]| for whist players, and in a few moments after seated with
312:342,13['  ]| the rest of the party.  She now lost every expectation of
312:342,14['  ]| pleasure.  They were confined for the evening at different
312:342,15['  ]| tables, and she had nothing to hope, but that his eyes
312:342,16['  ]| were so often turned towards her side of the room, as to
312:342,17['  ]| make him play as unsuccessfully as herself.
312:342,18['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet had designed to keep the two Netherfield
312:342,19['  ]| gentlemen to supper; but their carriage was unluckily
312:342,20['  ]| ordered before any of the others, and she had no opportunity
312:342,21['  ]| of detaining them.
312:342,22[D  ]| "Well girls,"
312:342,22['  ]| said she, as soon as they were left to
312:342,23['  ]| themselves,
312:342,23[D  ]| "What say you to the day?  I think every*thing
312:342,24[D  ]| has passed off uncommonly well, I assure you.  The
312:342,25[D  ]| dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw.  The venison
312:342,26[D  ]| was roasted to a turn ~~ and everybody said, they never
312:342,27[D  ]| saw so fat a haunch.  The soup was fifty times better
312:342,28[D  ]| than what we had at the Lucas's last week; and even
312:342,29[D  ]| Mr%*Darcy acknowledged, that the partridges were remarkably
312:342,30[D  ]| well done; and I suppose he has two or three French
312:342,31[D  ]| cooks at least.  And, my dear Jane, I never saw you look
312:342,32[D  ]| in greater beauty.  Mrs%*Long said so too, for I asked her
312:342,33[D  ]| whether you did not.  And what do you think she said
312:342,34[D  ]| besides?
312:342,34@v   | ""Ah! Mrs%*Bennet, we shall have her at Netherfield
312:342,35@v   | at last.""
312:342,35[D  ]| She did indeed.  I do think Mrs%*Long is
312:342,36[D  ]| as good a creature as ever lived ~~ and her nieces are very
312:342,37[D  ]| pretty behaved girls, and not at all handsome:  I like
312:342,38[D  ]| them prodigiously."
312:343,01['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet, in short, was in very great spirits; she
312:343,02['  ]| had seen enough of Bingley's behaviour to Jane, to be
312:343,03['  ]| convinced that she would get him at last; and her expectations
312:343,04['  ]| of advantage to her family, when in a happy
312:343,05['  ]| humour, were so far beyond reason, that she was quite
312:343,06['  ]| disappointed at not seeing him there again the next day,
312:343,07['  ]| to make his proposals.
312:343,08[E  ]| "It has been a very agreeable day,"
312:343,08['  ]| said Miss*Bennet
312:343,09['  ]| to Elizabeth.
312:343,09[E  ]| "The party seemed so well selected, so
312:343,10[E  ]| suitable one with the other.  I hope we may often meet
312:343,11[E  ]| again."
312:343,12['  ]| Elizabeth smiled.
312:343,13[E  ]| "Lizzy, you must not do so.  You must not suspect
312:343,14[E  ]| me.  It mortifies me.  I assure you that I have now learnt
312:343,15[E  ]| to enjoy his conversation as an agreeable and sensible
312:343,16[E  ]| young man, without having a wish beyond it.  I am perfectly
312:343,17[E  ]| satisfied from what his manners now are, that he never
312:343,18[E  ]| had any design of engaging my affection.  It is only that
312:343,19[E  ]| he is blessed with greater sweetness of address, and a
312:343,20[E  ]| stronger desire of generally pleasing than any other man."
312:343,21[A  ]| "You are very cruel,"
312:343,21['  ]| said her sister,
312:343,21[A  ]| "you will not
312:343,22[A  ]| let me smile, and are provoking me to it every moment."
312:343,23[E  ]| "How hard it is in some cases to be believed!"
312:343,24[A  ]| "And how impossible in others!"
312:343,25[E  ]| "But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel
312:343,26[E  ]| more than I acknowledge?"
312:343,27[A  ]| "That is a question which I hardly know how to answer.
312:343,28[A  ]| We all love to instruct, though we can teach only what
312:343,29[A  ]| is not worth knowing.  Forgive me; and if you persist
312:343,30[A  ]| in indifference, do not make \me\ your confidante."
313:344,01['  ]| A few days after this visit, Mr%*Bingley called again,
313:344,02['  ]| and alone.  His friend had left him that morning for
313:344,03['  ]| London, but was to return home in ten days time.  He
313:344,04['  ]| sat with them above an hour, and was in remarkably good
313:344,05['  ]| spirits.  Mrs%*Bennet invited him to dine with them; but,
313:344,06['  ]| with many expressions of concern, he confessed himself
313:344,07['  ]| engaged elsewhere.
313:344,08[D  ]| "Next time you call,"
313:344,08['  ]| said she,
313:344,08[D  ]| "I hope we shall be
313:344,09[D  ]| more lucky."
313:344,10@i   | He should be particularly happy at any time, &c% &c%;
313:344,11@i   | and if she would give him leave, would take an early
313:344,12@i   | opportunity of waiting on them.
313:344,13[D  ]| "Can you come to-morrow?"
313:344,14@i   | Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow;
313:344,14['  ]| and
313:344,15['  ]| her invitation was accepted with alacrity.
313:344,16['  ]| He came, and in such very good time, that the ladies
313:344,17['  ]| were none of them dressed.  In ran Mrs%*Bennet to her
313:344,18['  ]| daughter's room, in her dressing*gown, and with her hair
313:344,19['  ]| half finished, crying out,
313:344,20[D  ]| "My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down.  He is
313:344,21[D  ]| come ~~ Mr%*Bingley is come. ~~ He is, indeed.  Make haste,
313:344,22[D  ]| make haste.  Here, Sarah, come to Miss*Bennet this
313:344,23[D  ]| moment, and help her on with her gown.  Never mind
313:344,24[D  ]| Miss*Lizzy's hair."
313:344,25[E  ]| "We will be down as soon as we can,"
313:344,25['  ]| said Jane;
313:344,26[E  ]| "but I dare say Kitty is forwarder than either of us, for
313:344,27[E  ]| she went up*stairs half an hour ago."
313:344,28[D  ]| "Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it?  Come
313:344,29[D  ]| be quick, be quick!  where is your sash my dear?"
313:344,30['  ]| But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be
313:344,31['  ]| prevailed on to go down without one of her sisters.
313:344,32['  ]| The same anxiety to get them by themselves, was
313:344,33['  ]| visible again in the evening.  After tea, Mr%*Bennet retired
313:344,34['  ]| to the library, as was his custom, and Mary went up*stairs
313:345,01['  ]| to her instrument.  Two obstacles of the five being thus
313:345,02['  ]| removed, Mrs%*Bennet sat looking and winking at Elizabeth
313:345,03['  ]| and Catherine for a considerable time, without making
313:345,04['  ]| any impression on them.  Elizabeth would not observe
313:345,05['  ]| her; and when at last Kitty did, she very innocently
313:345,06['  ]| said,
313:345,06[G  ]| "What is the matter mamma?  What do you keep
313:345,07[G  ]| winking at me for?  What am I to do?"
313:345,08[D  ]| "Nothing child, nothing.  I did not wink at you."
313:345,09['  ]| She then sat still five minutes longer; but unable to
313:345,10['  ]| waste such a precious occasion, she suddenly got up, and
313:345,11['  ]| saying to Kitty,
313:345,12[D  ]| "Come here, my love, I want to speak to you,"
313:345,12['  ]| took
313:345,13['  ]| her out of the room.  Jane instantly gave a look at Elizabeth,
313:345,14['  ]| which spoke her distress at such premeditation, and
313:345,15['  ]| her intreaty that \she\ would not give into it.  In a few
313:345,16['  ]| minutes, Mrs%*Bennet half opened the door and called out,
313:345,17[D  ]| "Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you."
313:345,18['  ]| Elizabeth was forced to go.
313:345,19[D  ]| "We may as well leave them by themselves you
313:345,20[D  ]| know;"
313:345,20['  ]| said her mother as soon as she was in the hall.
313:345,21[D  ]| "Kitty and I are going up*stairs to sit in my dressing*room."
313:345,22['  ]| Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother,
313:345,23['  ]| but remained quietly in the hall, till she and Kitty were
313:345,24['  ]| out of sight, then returned into the drawing*room.
313:345,25['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet's schemes for this day were ineffectual.
313:345,26['  ]| Bingley was every*thing that was charming, except the
313:345,27['  ]| professed lover of her daughter.  His ease and cheerfulness
313:345,28['  ]| rendered him a most agreeable addition to their evening
313:345,29['  ]| party; and he bore with the ill-judged officiousness of
313:345,30['  ]| the mother, and heard all her silly remarks with a forbearance
313:345,31['  ]| and command of countenance, particularly
313:345,32['  ]| grateful to the daughter.
313:345,33['  ]| He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and
313:345,34['  ]| before he went away, an engagement was formed, chiefly
313:345,35['  ]| through his own and Mrs%*Bennet's means, for his coming
313:345,36['  ]| next morning to shoot with her husband.
313:345,37['  ]| After this day, Jane said no more of her indifference.
313:345,38['  ]| Not a word passed between the sisters concerning Bingley;
313:346,01['  ]| but Elizabeth went to bed in the happy belief that all
313:346,02['  ]| must speedily be concluded, unless Mr%*Darcy returned
313:346,03['  ]| within the stated time.  Seriously, however, she felt
313:346,04['  ]| tolerably persuaded that all this must have taken place
313:346,05['  ]| with that gentleman's concurrence.
313:346,06['  ]| Bingley was punctual to his appointment; and he and
313:346,07['  ]| Mr%*Bennet spent the morning together, as had been agreed
313:346,08['  ]| on.  The latter was much more agreeable than his companion
313:346,09['  ]| expected.  There was nothing of presumption or
313:346,10['  ]| folly in Bingley, that could provoke his ridicule, or disgust
313:346,11['  ]| him into silence; and he was more communicative, and
313:346,12['  ]| less eccentric than the other had ever seen him.  Bingley
313:346,13['  ]| of course returned with him to dinner; and in the evening
313:346,14['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet's invention was again at work to get every*body
313:346,15['  ]| away from him and her daughter.  Elizabeth, who
313:346,16['  ]| had a letter to write, went into the breakfast*room for
313:346,17['  ]| that purpose soon after tea; for as the others were all
313:346,18['  ]| going to sit down to cards, she could not be wanted to
313:346,19['  ]| counteract her mother's schemes.
313:346,20['  ]| But on returning to the drawing*room, when her letter
313:346,21['  ]| was finished, she saw, to her infinite surprise, there was
313:346,22['  ]| reason to fear that her mother had been too ingenious for
313:346,23['  ]| her.  On opening the door, she perceived her sister and
313:346,24['  ]| Bingley standing together over the hearth, as if engaged in
313:346,25['  ]| earnest conversation; and had this led to no suspicion,
313:346,26['  ]| the faces of both as they hastily turned round, and moved
313:346,27['  ]| away from each other, would have told it all.  \Their\
313:346,28['  ]| situation was awkward enough; but \her's\ she thought was
313:346,29['  ]| still worse.  Not a syllable was uttered by either; and Elizabeth
313:346,30['  ]| was on the point of going away again, when Bingley,
313:346,31['  ]| who as well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose, and
313:346,32['  ]| whispering a few words to her sister, ran out of the room.
313:346,33['  ]| Jane could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where
313:346,34['  ]| confidence would give pleasure; and instantly embracing
313:346,35['  ]| her, acknowledged, with the liveliest emotion, that she
313:346,36['  ]| was the happiest creature in the world.
313:346,37[E  ]| "'Tis too much!"
313:346,37['  ]| she added,
313:346,37[E  ]| "by far too much.  I do
313:346,38[E  ]| not deserve it.  Oh! why is not every*body as happy?"
313:347,01['  ]| Elizabeth's congratulations were given with a sincerity,
313:347,02['  ]| a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express.
313:347,03['  ]| Every sentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness
313:347,04['  ]| to Jane.  But she would not allow herself to stay with her
313:347,05['  ]| sister, or say half that remained to be said, for the present.
313:347,06[E  ]| "I must go instantly to my mother;"
313:347,06['  ]| she cried.
313:347,07[E  ]| "I would not on any account trifle with her affectionate
313:347,08[E  ]| solicitude; or allow her to hear it from any*one but myself.
313:347,09[E  ]| He is gone to my father already.  Oh!  Lizzy, to know
313:347,10[E  ]| that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all
313:347,11[E  ]| my dear family! how shall I bear so much happiness!"
313:347,12['  ]| She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely
313:347,13['  ]| broken up the card*party, and was sitting up*stairs
313:347,14['  ]| with Kitty.
313:347,15['  ]| Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the
313:347,16['  ]| rapidity and ease with which an affair was finally settled,
313:347,17['  ]| that had given them so many previous months of suspense
313:347,18['  ]| and vexation.
313:347,19[A  ]| "And this,"
313:347,19['  ]| said she,
313:347,19[A  ]| "is the end of all his friend's
313:347,20[A  ]| anxious circumspection! of all his sister's falsehood
313:347,21[A  ]| and contrivance! the happiest, wisest, most reasonable
313:347,22[A  ]| end!"
313:347,23['  ]| In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley, whose
313:347,24['  ]| conference with her father had been short and to the
313:347,25['  ]| purpose.
313:347,26[I  ]| "Where is your sister?"
313:347,26['  ]| said he hastily, as he opened
313:347,27['  ]| the door.
313:347,28[A  ]| "With my mother up*stairs.  She will be down in a
313:347,29[A  ]| moment I dare say."
313:347,30['  ]| He then shut the door, and coming up to her, claimed
313:347,31['  ]| the good wishes and affection of a sister.  Elizabeth
313:347,32['  ]| honestly and heartily expressed her delight in the prospect
313:347,33['  ]| of their relationship.  They shook hands with great
313:347,34['  ]| cordiality; and then till her sister came down, she had
313:347,35['  ]| to listen to all he had to say, of his own happiness, and
313:347,36['  ]| of Jane's perfections; and in spite of his being a lover,
313:347,37['  ]| Elizabeth really believed all his expectations of felicity,
313:347,38['  ]| to be rationally founded, because they had for basis the
313:348,01['  ]| excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition
313:348,02['  ]| of Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste
313:348,03['  ]| between her and himself.
313:348,04['  ]| It was an evening of no common delight to them all;
313:348,05['  ]| the satisfaction of Miss*Bennet's mind gave a glow of
313:348,06['  ]| such sweet animation to her face, as made her look handsomer
313:348,07['  ]| than ever.  Kitty simpered and smiled, and hoped
313:348,08['  ]| her turn was coming soon.  Mrs%*Bennet could not give
313:348,09['  ]| her consent, or speak her approbation in terms warm
313:348,10['  ]| enough to satisfy her feelings, though she talked to Bingley
313:348,11['  ]| of nothing else, for half an hour; and when Mr%*Bennet
313:348,12['  ]| joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly
313:348,13['  ]| shewed how really happy he was.
313:348,14['  ]| Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it,
313:348,15['  ]| till their visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon
313:348,16['  ]| as he was gone, he turned to his daughter and said,
313:348,17[C  ]| "Jane, I congratulate you.  You will be a very happy
313:348,18[C  ]| woman."
313:348,19['  ]| Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked
313:348,20['  ]| him for his goodness.
313:348,21[C  ]| "You are a good girl;"
313:348,21['  ]| he replied,
313:348,21[C  ]| "and I have great
313:348,22[C  ]| pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled.  I have
313:348,23[C  ]| not a doubt of your doing very well together.  Your
313:348,24[C  ]| tempers are by no means unlike.  You are each of you so
313:348,25[C  ]| complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so
313:348,26[C  ]| easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous,
313:348,27[C  ]| that you will always exceed your income."
313:348,28[E  ]| "I hope not so.  Imprudence or thoughtlessness in
313:348,29[E  ]| money matters, would be unpardonable in \me\."
313:348,30[D  ]| "Exceed their income!  My dear Mr%*Bennet,"
313:348,30['  ]| cried
313:348,31['  ]| his wife,
313:348,31[D  ]| "what are you talking of?  Why, he has four
313:348,32[D  ]| or five thousand a-year, and very likely more."
313:348,32['  ]| Then
313:348,33['  ]| addressing her daughter,
313:348,33[D  ]| "Oh! my dear, dear Jane, I am
313:348,34[D  ]| so happy!  I am sure I sha'nt get a wink of sleep all night.
313:348,35[D  ]| I knew how it would be.  I always said it must be so,
313:348,36[D  ]| at last.  I was sure you could not be so beautiful for
313:348,37[D  ]| nothing!  I remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when
313:348,38[D  ]| he first came into Hertfordshire last year, I thought how
313:349,01[D  ]| likely it was that you should come together.  Oh! he is
313:349,02[D  ]| the handsomest young man that ever was seen!"
313:349,03['  ]| Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten.  Jane was beyond
313:349,04['  ]| competition her favourite child.  At that moment, she
313:349,05['  ]| cared for no other.  Her younger sisters soon began to
313:349,06['  ]| make interest with her for objects of happiness which she
313:349,07['  ]| might in future be able to dispense.
313:349,08['  ]| Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield;
313:349,09['  ]| and Kitty begged very hard for a few balls there every
313:349,10['  ]| winter.
313:349,11['  ]| Bingley, from this time, was of course a daily visitor
313:349,12['  ]| at Longbourn; coming frequently before breakfast, and
313:349,13['  ]| always remaining till after supper; unless when some
313:349,14['  ]| barbarous neighbour, who could not be enough detested,
313:349,15['  ]| had given him an invitation to dinner, which he thought
313:349,16['  ]| himself obliged to accept.
313:349,17['  ]| Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with
313:349,18['  ]| her sister; for while he was present, Jane had no attention
313:349,19['  ]| to bestow on any*one else; but she found herself considerably
313:349,20['  ]| useful to both of them, in those hours of separation
313:349,21['  ]| that must sometimes occur.  In the absence of Jane,
313:349,22['  ]| he always attached himself to Elizabeth, for the pleasure
313:349,23['  ]| of talking of her; and when Bingley was gone, Jane
313:349,24['  ]| constantly sought the same means of relief.
313:349,25[E  ]| "He has made me so happy,"
313:349,25['  ]| said she, one evening,
313:349,26[E  ]| "by telling me, that he was totally ignorant of my
313:349,27[E  ]| being in town last spring!  I had not believed it
313:349,28[E  ]| possible."
313:349,29[A  ]| "I suspected as much,"
313:349,29['  ]| replied Elizabeth.
313:349,29[A  ]| "But how
313:349,30[A  ]| did he account for it?"
313:349,31[E  ]| "It must have been his sister's doing.  They were
313:349,32[E  ]| certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me, which
313:349,33[E  ]| I cannot wonder at, since he might have chosen so much
313:349,34[E  ]| more advantageously in many respects.  But when they
313:349,35[E  ]| see, as I trust they will, that their brother is happy with
313:349,36[E  ]| me, they will learn to be contented, and we shall be on
313:349,37[E  ]| good terms again; though we can never be what we once
313:349,38[E  ]| were to each other."
313:350,01[A  ]| "That is the most unforgiving speech,"
313:350,01['  ]| said Elizabeth,
313:350,02[A  ]| "that I ever heard you utter.  Good girl!  It would vex
313:350,03[A  ]| me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Miss*Bingley's
313:350,04[A  ]| pretended regard."
313:350,05[E  ]| "Would you believe it, Lizzy, that when he went to
313:350,06[E  ]| town last November, he really loved me, and nothing but
313:350,07[E  ]| a persuasion of \my\ being indifferent, would have prevented
313:350,08[E  ]| his coming down again!"
313:350,09[A  ]| "He made a little mistake to be sure; but it is to
313:350,10[A  ]| the credit of his modesty."
313:350,11['  ]| This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on
313:350,12['  ]| his diffidence, and the little value he put on his own good
313:350,13['  ]| qualities.
313:350,14['  ]| Elizabeth was pleased to find, that he had not betrayed
313:350,15['  ]| the interference of his friend, for, though Jane had the
313:350,16['  ]| most generous and forgiving heart in the world, she knew it
313:350,17['  ]| was a circumstance which must prejudice her against him.
313:350,18[E  ]| "I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever
313:350,19[E  ]| existed!"
313:350,19['  ]| cried Jane.
313:350,19[E  ]| "Oh! Lizzy, why am I thus
313:350,20[E  ]| singled from my family, and blessed above them all!
313:350,21[E  ]| If I could but see \you\ as happy!  If there \were\ but such
313:350,22[E  ]| another man for you!"
313:350,23[A  ]| "If you were to give me forty such men, I never could
313:350,24[A  ]| be so happy as you.  Till I have your disposition, your
313:350,25[A  ]| goodness, I never can have your happiness.  No, no, let
313:350,26[A  ]| me shift for myself; and, perhaps, if I have very good
313:350,27[A  ]| luck, I may meet with another Mr%*Collins in time."
313:350,28['  ]| The situation of affairs in the Longbourn family could
313:350,29['  ]| not be long a secret.  Mrs%*Bennet was privileged to whisper
313:350,30['  ]| it to Mrs%*Philips, and \she\ ventured, without any permission,
313:350,31['  ]| to do the same by all her neighbours in Meryton.
313:350,32['  ]| The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest
313:350,33['  ]| family in the world, though only a few weeks before, when
313:350,34['  ]| Lydia had first run away, they had been generally proved
313:350,35['  ]| to be marked out for misfortune.
314:351,01['  ]| One morning, about a week after Bingley's engagement
314:351,02['  ]| with Jane had been formed, as he and the females of the
314:351,03['  ]| family were sitting together in the dining*room, their
314:351,04['  ]| attention was suddenly drawn to the window, by the
314:351,05['  ]| sound of a carriage; and they perceived a chaise and four
314:351,06['  ]| driving up the lawn.  It was too early in the morning for
314:351,07['  ]| visitors, and besides, the equipage did not answer to that
314:351,08['  ]| of any of their neighbours.  The horses were post; and
314:351,09['  ]| neither the carriage, nor the livery of the servant who
314:351,10['  ]| preceded it, were familiar to them.  As it was certain,
314:351,11['  ]| however, that somebody was coming, Bingley instantly
314:351,12['  ]| prevailed on Miss*Bennet to avoid the confinement of
314:351,13['  ]| such an intrusion, and walk away with him into the
314:351,14['  ]| shrubbery.  They both set off, and the conjectures of the
314:351,15['  ]| remaining three continued, though with little satisfaction,
314:351,16['  ]| till the door was thrown open, and their visitor entered.
314:351,17['  ]| It was lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh.
314:351,18['  ]| They were of course all intending to be surprised; but
314:351,19['  ]| their astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on
314:351,20['  ]| the part of Mrs%*Bennet and Kitty, though she was perfectly
314:351,21['  ]| unknown to them, even inferior to what Elizabeth felt.
314:351,22['  ]| She entered the room with an air more than usually
314:351,23['  ]| ungracious, made no other reply to Elizabeth's salutation,
314:351,24['  ]| than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without
314:351,25['  ]| saying a word.  Elizabeth had mentioned her name to
314:351,26['  ]| her mother, on her ladyship's entrance, though no request
314:351,27['  ]| of introduction had been made.
314:351,28['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet all amazement, though flattered by having
314:351,29['  ]| a guest of such high importance, received her with the
314:351,30['  ]| utmost politeness.  After sitting for a moment in silence,
314:351,31['  ]| she said very stiffly to Elizabeth,
314:351,32[L  ]| "I hope you are well, Miss*Bennet.  That lady I suppose
314:351,33[L  ]| is your mother."
314:352,01['  ]| Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was.
314:352,02[L  ]| "And \that\ I suppose is one of your sisters."
314:352,03[D  ]| "Yes, madam,"
314:352,03['  ]| said Mrs%*Bennet, delighted to speak
314:352,04['  ]| to a lady*Catherine.
314:352,04[D  ]| "She is my youngest girl but one.
314:352,05[D  ]| My youngest of all, is lately married, and my eldest is
314:352,06[D  ]| some-where about the grounds, walking with a young man,
314:352,07[D  ]| who I believe will soon become a part of the family."
314:352,08[L  ]| "You have a very small park here,"
314:352,08['  ]| returned lady*Catherine
314:352,09['  ]| after a short silence.
314:352,10[D  ]| "It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady,
314:352,11[D  ]| I dare say; but I assure you it is much larger than
314:352,12[D  ]| Sir*William*Lucas's."
314:352,13[L  ]| "This must be a most inconvenient sitting*room for
314:352,14[L  ]| the evening, in summer; the windows are full west."
314:352,15['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet assured her that they never sat there after
314:352,16['  ]| dinner; and then added,
314:352,17[D  ]| "May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship
314:352,18[D  ]| whether you left Mr% and Mrs%*Collins well."
314:352,19[L  ]| "Yes, very well.  I saw them the night before last."
314:352,20['  ]| Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter
314:352,21['  ]| for her from Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable
314:352,22['  ]| motive for her calling.  But no letter appeared, and she
314:352,23['  ]| was completely puzzled.
314:352,24['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet, with great civility, begged her ladyship
314:352,25['  ]| to take some refreshment; but Lady*Catherine very
314:352,26['  ]| resolutely, and not very politely, declined eating any*thing;
314:352,27['  ]| and then rising up, said to Elizabeth,
314:352,28[L  ]| "Miss*Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of
314:352,29[L  ]| a little wilderness on one side of your lawn.  I should be
314:352,30[L  ]| glad to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your
314:352,31[L  ]| company."
314:352,32[D  ]| "Go, my dear,"
314:352,32['  ]| cried her mother,
314:352,32[D  ]| "and shew her
314:352,33[D  ]| ladyship about the different walks.  I think she will be
314:352,34[D  ]| pleased with the hermitage."
314:352,35['  ]| Elizabeth obeyed, and running into her own room for
314:352,36['  ]| her parasol, attended her noble guest down*stairs.  As
314:352,37['  ]| they passed through the hall, Lady*Catherine opened the
314:352,38['  ]| doors into the dining-parlour and drawing-room, and
314:353,01['  ]| pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent looking
314:353,02['  ]| rooms, walked on.
314:353,03['  ]| Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw
314:353,04['  ]| that her waiting-woman was in it.  They proceeded in
314:353,05['  ]| silence along the gravel walk that led to the copse; Elizabeth
314:353,06['  ]| was determined to make no effort for conversation
314:353,07['  ]| with a woman, who was now more than usually insolent
314:353,08['  ]| and disagreeable.
314:353,09[A  ]| "How could I ever think her like her nephew?"
314:353,09['  ]| said
314:353,10['  ]| she, as she looked in her face.
314:353,11['  ]| As soon as they entered the copse, Lady*Catherine began
314:353,12['  ]| in the following manner: ~~
314:353,13[L  ]| "You can be at no loss, Miss*Bennet, to understand the
314:353,14[L  ]| reason of my journey hither.  Your own heart, your own
314:353,15[L  ]| conscience, must tell you why I come."
314:353,16['  ]| Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.
314:353,17[A  ]| "Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam.  I have not been
314:353,18[A  ]| at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here."
314:353,19[L  ]| "Miss*Bennet,"
314:353,19['  ]| replied her ladyship, in an angry tone,
314:353,20[L  ]| "you ought to know, that I am not to be trifled with.
314:353,21[L  ]| But however insincere \you\ may choose to be, you shall
314:353,22[L  ]| not find \me\ so.  My character has ever been celebrated
314:353,23[L  ]| for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such
314:353,24[L  ]| moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it.
314:353,25[L  ]| A report of a most alarming nature, reached me two days
314:353,26[L  ]| ago.  I was told, that not only your sister was on the
314:353,27[L  ]| point of being most advantageously married, but that \you\,
314:353,28[L  ]| that Miss*Elizabeth*Bennet, would, in all likelihood, be
314:353,29[L  ]| soon afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew,
314:353,30[L  ]| Mr%*Darcy.  Though I \know\ it must be a scandalous
314:353,31[L  ]| falsehood; though I would not injure him so much as
314:353,32[L  ]| to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved
314:353,33[L  ]| on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments
314:353,34[L  ]| known to you."
314:353,35[A  ]| "If you believed it impossible to be true,"
314:353,35['  ]| said Elizabeth,
314:353,36['  ]| colouring with astonishment and disdain,
314:353,36[A  ]| "I wonder you
314:353,37[A  ]| took the trouble of coming so far.  What could your
314:353,38[A  ]| ladyship propose by it?"
314:354,01[L  ]| "At once to insist upon having such a report universally
314:354,02[L  ]| contradicted."
314:354,03[A  ]| "Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,"
314:354,04['  ]| said Elizabeth, coolly,
314:354,04[A  ]| "will be rather a confirmation of
314:354,05[A  ]| it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence."
314:354,06[L  ]| "If! do you then pretend to be ignorant of it?  Has
314:354,07[L  ]| it not been industriously circulated by yourselves?  Do
314:354,08[L  ]| you not know that such a report is spread abroad?"
314:354,09[A  ]| "I never heard that it was."
314:354,10[L  ]| "And can you likewise declare, that there is no \foundation\
314:354,11[L  ]| for it?"
314:354,12[A  ]| "I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your
314:353,13[A  ]| ladyship.  \You\ may ask questions, which \I\ shall not choose
314:354,14[A  ]| to answer."
314:354,15[L  ]| "This is not to be borne.  Miss*Bennet, I insist on being
314:354,16[L  ]| satisfied.  Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of
314:354,17[L  ]| marriage?"
314:354,18[A  ]| "Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible."
314:354,19[L  ]| "It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the
314:354,20[L  ]| use of his reason.  But \your\ arts and allurements may,
314:354,21[L  ]| in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what
314:354,22[L  ]| he owes to himself and to all his family.  You may have
314:354,23[L  ]| drawn him in."
314:354,24[A  ]| "If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it."
314:354,25[L  ]| "Miss*Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not
314:354,26[L  ]| been accustomed to such language as this.  I am almost
314:354,27[L  ]| the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled
314:354,28[L  ]| to know all his dearest concerns."
314:354,29[A  ]| "But you are not entitled to know \mine\; nor will
314:354,30[A  ]| such behaviour as this, ever induce me to be explicit."
314:354,31[L  ]| "Let me be rightly understood.  This match, to which
314:354,32[L  ]| you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place.
314:354,33[L  ]| No, never.  Mr%*Darcy is engaged to \my\ \daughter\. Now
314:354,34[L  ]| what have you to say?"
314:354,35[A  ]| "Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason
314:354,36[A  ]| to suppose he will make an offer to me."
314:354,37['  ]| Lady*Catherine hesitated for a moment, and then
314:354,38['  ]| replied,
314:355,01[L  ]| "The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind.
314:355,02[L  ]| From their infancy, they have been intended for each
314:355,03[L  ]| other.  It was the favourite wish of \his\ mother, as well
314:355,04[L  ]| as of her's.  While in their cradles, we planned the union:
314:355,05[L  ]| and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters
314:355,06[L  ]| would be accomplished, in their marriage, to be prevented
314:355,07[L  ]| by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in
314:355,08[L  ]| the world, and wholly unallied to the family!  Do you
314:355,09[L  ]| pay no regard to the wishes of his friends?  To his tacit
314:355,10[L  ]| engagement with Miss*De*Bourgh?  Are you lost to every
314:355,11[L  ]| feeling of propriety and delicacy?  Have you not heard
314:355,12[L  ]| me say, that from his earliest hours he was destined for
314:355,13[L  ]| his cousin?"
314:355,14[A  ]| "Yes, and I had heard it before.  But what is that
314:355,15[A  ]| to me?  If there is no other objection to my marrying your
314:355,16[A  ]| nephew, I shall certainly not be kept from it, by knowing
314:355,17[A  ]| that his mother and aunt wished him to marry Miss*De*Bourgh.
314:355,18[A  ]| You both did as much as you could, in planning
314:355,19[A  ]| the marriage.  Its completion depended on others.
314:355,20[A  ]| If Mr%*Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined
314:355,21[A  ]| to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice?  And
314:355,22[A  ]| if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?"
314:355,23[L  ]| "Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest,
314:355,24[L  ]| forbid it.  Yes, Miss*Bennet, interest; for do not expect
314:355,25[L  ]| to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully act
314:355,26[L  ]| against the inclinations of all.  You will be censured,
314:355,27[L  ]| slighted, and despised, by every*one connected with him.
314:355,28[L  ]| Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never
314:355,29[L  ]| even be mentioned by any of us."
314:355,30[A  ]| "These are heavy misfortunes,"
314:355,30['  ]| replied Elizabeth.
314:355,31[A  ]| "But the wife of Mr%*Darcy must have such extraordinary
314:355,32[A  ]| sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation,
314:355,33[A  ]| that she could, upon the whole, have no cause to repine."
314:355,34[L  ]| "Obstinate, headstrong girl!  I am ashamed of you!
314:355,35[L  ]| Is this your gratitude for my attentions to you last
314:355,36[L  ]| spring?  Is nothing due to me on that score?
314:355,37[L  ]| "Let us sit down.  You are to understand, Miss*Bennet,
314:355,38[L  ]| that I came here with the determined resolution of
314:356,01[L  ]| carrying my purpose; nor will I be dissuaded from it.
314:356,02[L  ]| I have not been used to submit to any person's whims.
314:356,03[L  ]| I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment."
314:356,04[A  ]| "\That\ will make your ladyship's situation at present
314:356,05[A  ]| more pitiable; but it will have no effect on \me\."
314:356,06[L  ]| "I will not be interrupted.  Hear me in silence.  My
314:356,07[L  ]| daughter and my nephew are formed for each other.  They
314:356,08[L  ]| are descended on the maternal side, from the same noble
314:356,09[L  ]| line; and, on the father's, from respectable, honourable,
314:356,10[L  ]| and ancient, though untitled families.  Their fortune on
314:356,11[L  ]| both sides is splendid.  They are destined for each other
314:356,12[L  ]| by the voice of every member of their respective houses;
314:356,13[L  ]| and what is to divide them?  The upstart pretensions of
314:356,14[L  ]| a young woman without family, connections, or fortune.
314:356,15[L  ]| Is this to be endured!  But it must not, shall not be.  If
314:356,16[L  ]| you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish
314:356,17[L  ]| to quit the sphere, in which you have been brought up."
314:356,18[A  ]| "In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself
314:356,19[A  ]| as quitting that sphere.  He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's
314:356,20[A  ]| daughter; so far we are equal."
314:356,21[L  ]| "True.  You \are\ a gentleman's daughter.  But who was
314:356,22[L  ]| your mother?  Who are your uncles and aunts?  Do not
314:356,23[L  ]| imagine me ignorant of their condition."
314:356,24[A  ]| "Whatever my connections may be,"
314:356,24['  ]| said Elizabeth,
314:356,25[A  ]| "if your nephew does not object to them, they can be
314:356,26[A  ]| nothing to you."
314:356,27[L  ]| "Tell me once for all, are you engaged to him?"
314:356,28['  ]| Though Elizabeth would not, for the mere purpose of
314:356,29['  ]| obliging Lady*Catherine, have answered this question;
314:356,30['  ]| she could not but say, after a moment's deliberation,
314:356,31[A  ]| "I am not."
314:356,32['  ]| Lady*Catherine seemed pleased.
314:356,33[L  ]| "And will you promise me, never to enter into such an
314:356,34[L  ]| engagement?"
314:356,35[A  ]| "I will make no promise of the kind."
314:356,36[L  ]| "Miss*Bennet I am shocked and astonished.  I expected
314:356,37[L  ]| to find a more reasonable young woman.  But do not
314:356,38[L  ]| deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede.
314:357,01[L  ]| I shall not go away, till you have given me the assurance
314:357,02[L  ]| I require."
314:357,03[A  ]| "And I certainly \never\ shall give it.  I am not to be
314:357,04[A  ]| intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable.  Your
314:357,05[A  ]| ladyship wants Mr%*Darcy to marry your daughter; but
314:357,06[A  ]| would my giving you the wished-for promise, make \their\
314:357,07[A  ]| marriage at all more probable?  Supposing him to be
314:357,08[A  ]| attached to me, would \my\ refusing to accept his hand,
314:357,09[A  ]| make him wish to bestow it on his cousin?  Allow me to
314:357,10[A  ]| say, Lady*Catherine, that the arguments with which you
314:357,11[A  ]| have supported this extraordinary application, have been
314:357,12[A  ]| as frivolous as the application was ill-judged.  You have
314:357,13[A  ]| widely mistaken my character, if you think I can be
314:357,14[A  ]| worked on by such persuasions as these.  How far your
314:357,15[A  ]| nephew might approve of your interference in \his\ affairs,
314:357,16[A  ]| I cannot tell; but you have certainly no right to concern
314:357,17[A  ]| yourself in mine.  I must beg, therefore, to be importuned
314:357,18[A  ]| no farther on the subject."
314:357,19[L  ]| "Not so hasty, if you please.  I have by no means
314:357,20[L  ]| done.  To all the objections I have already urged, I have
314:357,21[L  ]| still another to add.  I am no stranger to the particulars
314:357,22[L  ]| of your youngest sister's infamous elopement.  I know
314:357,23[L  ]| it all; that the young man's marrying her, was a patched-up
314:357,24[L  ]| business, at the expence of your father and uncles.
314:357,25[L  ]| And is \such\ a girl to be my nephew's sister?  Is \her\ husband,
314:357,26[L  ]| is the son of his late father's steward, to be his brother?
314:357,27[L  ]| Heaven and earth! ~~ of what are you thinking?  Are the
314:357,28[L  ]| shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"
314:357,29[A  ]| "You can \now\ have nothing farther to say,"
314:357,29['  ]| she resentfully
314:357,30['  ]| answered.
314:357,30[A  ]| "You have insulted me, in every possible
314:357,31[A  ]| method.  I must beg to return to the house."
314:357,32['  ]| And she rose as she spoke.  Lady*Catherine rose also,
314:357,33['  ]| and they turned back.  Her ladyship was highly incensed.
314:357,34['  ]|
314:357,35[L  ]| "You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit
314:357,36[L  ]| of my nephew!  Unfeeling, selfish girl!  Do you not consider
314:357,37[L  ]| that a connection with you, must disgrace him in
314:357,38[L  ]| the eyes of everybody?"
314:358,01[A  ]| "Lady*Catherine, I have nothing farther to say.  You
314:358,02[A  ]| know my sentiments."
314:358,03[L  ]| "You are then resolved to have him?"
314:358,04[A  ]| "I have said no such thing.  I am only resolved to act
314:358,05[A  ]| in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute
314:358,06[A  ]| my happiness, without reference to \you\, or to any person
314:358,07[A  ]| so wholly unconnected with me."
314:358,08[L  ]| "It is well.  You refuse, then, to oblige me.  You refuse
314:358,09[L  ]| to obey the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude.  You
314:358,10[L  ]| are determined to ruin him in the opinion of all his friends,
314:358,11[L  ]| and make him the contempt of the world."
314:358,12[A  ]| "Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude,"
314:358,12['  ]| replied
314:358,13['  ]| Elizabeth,
314:358,13[A  ]| "have any possible claim on me, in the present
314:358,14[A  ]| instance.  No principle of either, would be violated by
314:358,15[A  ]| my marriage with Mr%*Darcy.  And with regard to the
314:358,16[A  ]| resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world,
314:358,17[A  ]| if the former \were\ excited by his marrying me, it would
314:358,18[A  ]| not give me one moment's concern ~~ and the world in
314:358,19[A  ]| general would have too much sense to join in the scorn."
314:358,20[L  ]| "And this is your real opinion!  This is your final
314:358,21[L  ]| resolve!  Very well.  I shall now know how to act.  Do
314:358,22[L  ]| not imagine, Miss*Bennet, that your ambition will ever
314:358,23[L  ]| be gratified.  I came to try you.  I hoped to find you
314:358,24[L  ]| reasonable; but depend upon it I will carry my point."
314:358,25['  ]| In this manner Lady*Catherine talked on, till they were
314:358,26['  ]| at the door of the carriage, when turning hastily round,
314:358,27['  ]| she added,
314:358,28[L  ]| "I take no leave of you, Miss*Bennet.  I send no compliments
314:358,29[L  ]| to your mother.  You deserve no such attention.
314:358,30[L  ]| I am most seriously displeased."
314:358,31['  ]| Elizabeth made no answer; and without attempting
314:358,32['  ]| to persuade her ladyship to return into the house, walked
314:358,33['  ]| quietly into it herself.  She heard the carriage drive away
314:358,34['  ]| as she proceeded up*stairs.  Her mother impatiently met
314:358,35['  ]| her at the door of the dressing-room, to ask why Lady*Catherine
314:358,36['  ]| would not come in again and rest herself.
314:358,37[A  ]| "She did not choose it,"
314:358,37['  ]| said her daughter,
314:358,37[A  ]| "she
314:358,38[A  ]| would go."
314:359,01[D  ]| "She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling
314:359,02[D  ]| here was prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose,
314:359,03[D  ]| to tell us the Collinses were well.  She is on her road
314:359,04[D  ]| somewhere, I dare say, and so passing through Meryton,
314:359,05[D  ]| thought she might as well call on you.  I suppose she had
314:359,06[D  ]| nothing particular to say to you, Lizzy?"
314:359,07['  ]| Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood
314:359,08['  ]| here; for to acknowledge the substance of their conversation
314:359,09['  ]| was impossible.
315:360,01['  ]| The discomposure of spirits, which this extraordinary
315:360,02['  ]| visit threw Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome;
315:360,03['  ]| nor could she for many hours, learn to think of it less
315:360,04['  ]| than incessantly.
315:360,04@a   | Lady*Catherine it appeared, had
315:360,05@a   | actually taken the trouble of this journey from Rosings,
315:360,06@a   | for the sole purpose of breaking off her supposed engagement
315:360,07@a   | with Mr%*Darcy.  It was a rational scheme to be
315:360,08@a   | sure!
315:360,08['  ]| but from what the report of their engagement could
315:360,09['  ]| originate, Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine; till she
315:360,10['  ]| recollected that
315:360,10@a   | \his\ being the intimate friend of Bingley,
315:360,11@a   | and \her\ being the sister of Jane, was enough, at a time
315:360,12@a   | when the expectation of one wedding, made every*body
315:360,13@a   | eager for another, to supply the idea.
315:360,13['  ]| She had not herself
315:360,14['  ]| forgotten to feel that
315:360,14@a   | the marriage of her sister must bring
315:360,15@a   | them more frequently together.  And her neighbours at
315:360,16@a   | Lucas*lodge, therefore, (for through their communication
315:360,17@a   | with the Collinses, the report
315:360,17['  ]| she concluded
315:360,17@a   | had reached
315:360,18@a   | lady*Catherine) had only set \that\ down, as almost certain
315:360,19@a   | and immediate, which \she\ had looked forward to as possible,
315:360,20@a   | at some future time.
315:360,21['  ]| In revolving lady*Catherine's expressions, however, she
315:360,22['  ]| could not help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible
315:360,23['  ]| consequence of her persisting in this interference.  From
315:360,24['  ]| what she had said of her resolution to prevent their
315:360,25['  ]| marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth that she must meditate
315:360,26['  ]| an application to her nephew; and how \he\ might take
315:360,27['  ]| a similar representation of the evils attached to a connection
315:360,28['  ]| with her, she dared not pronounce.  She knew not
315:360,29['  ]| the exact degree of his affection for his aunt, or his dependence
315:360,30['  ]| on her judgment, but
315:360,30@a   | it was natural to suppose
315:360,31@a   | that he thought much higher of her ladyship than \she\
315:360,32@a   | could do; and it was certain, that in enumerating the
315:361,01@a   | miseries of a marriage with \one\, whose immediate connections
315:361,02@a   | were so unequal to his own, his aunt would address
315:361,03@a   | him on his weakest side.  With his notions of dignity, he
315:361,04@a   | would probable feel that the arguments, which to Elizabeth
315:361,05@a   | had appeared weak and ridiculous, contained much
315:361,06@a   | good sense and solid reasoning.
315:361,07@a   | If he had been wavering before, as to what he should
315:361,08@a   | do, which had often seemed likely, the advice and intreaty
315:361,09@a   | of so near a relation might settle every doubt, and determine
315:361,10@a   | him at once to be as happy, as dignity unblemished
315:361,11@a   | could make him.  In that case he would return no more.
315:361,12@a   | Lady*Catherine might see him in her way through town;
315:361,13@a   | and his engagement to Bingley of coming again to Netherfield
315:361,14@a   | must give way.
315:361,15@a   | "If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise,
315:361,16@a   | should come to his friend within a few days,"
315:361,16['  ]| she added,
315:361,17@a   | "I shall know how to understand it.  I shall then give
315:361,18@a   | over every expectation, every wish of his constancy.  If
315:361,19@a   | he is satisfied with only regretting me, when he might
315:361,20@a   | have obtained my affections and hand, I shall soon cease
315:361,21@a   | to regret him at all."
315:361,22['  ]| ~~~
315:361,23['  ]| The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who
315:361,24['  ]| their visitor had been, was very great; but they obligingly
315:361,25['  ]| satisfied it, with the same kind of supposition, which had
315:361,26['  ]| appeased Mrs%*Bennet's curiosity; and Elizabeth was
315:361,27['  ]| spared from much teazing on the subject.
315:361,28['  ]| The next morning, as she was going down*stairs, she
315:361,29['  ]| was met by her father, who came out of his library with
315:361,30['  ]| a letter in his hand.
315:361,31[C  ]| "Lizzy,"
315:361,31['  ]| said he,
315:361,31[C  ]| "I was going to look for you; come
315:361,32[C  ]| into my room."
315:361,33['  ]| She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know
315:361,34['  ]| what he had to tell her, was heightened by the supposition
315:361,35['  ]| of its being in some manner connected with the letter he
315:361,36['  ]| held.  It suddenly struck her that it might be from lady*Catherine;
315:361,37['  ]| and she anticipated with dismay all the
315:361,38['  ]| consequent explanations.
315:362,01['  ]| She followed her father to the fire*place, and they both
315:362,02['  ]| sat down.  He then said,
315:362,03[C  ]| "I have received a letter this morning that has astonished
315:362,04[C  ]| me exceedingly.  As it principally concerns yourself,
315:362,05[C  ]| you ought to know its contents.  I did not know before,
315:362,06[C  ]| that I had \two\ daughters on the brink of matrimony.  Let
315:362,07[C  ]| me congratulate you, on a very important conquest."
315:362,08['  ]| The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's cheeks in the
315:362,09['  ]| instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the
315:362,10['  ]| nephew, instead of the aunt; and she was undetermined
315:362,11['  ]| whether most to be pleased that he explained himself at
315:362,12['  ]| all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to
315:362,13['  ]| herself; when her father continued,
315:362,14[C  ]| "You look conscious.  Young ladies have great penetration
315:362,15[C  ]| in such matters as these; but I think I may defy
315:362,16[C  ]| even \your\ sagacity, to discover the name of your admirer.
315:362,17[C  ]| This letter is from Mr%*Collins."
315:362,18[A  ]| "From Mr%*Collins! and what can \he\ have to say?"
315:362,19[C  ]| "Something very much to the purpose of course.  He
315:362,20[C  ]| begins with congratulations on the approaching nuptials
315:362,21[C  ]| of my eldest daughter, of which it seems he has been told,
315:362,22[C  ]| by some of the good-natured, gossiping Lucases.  I shall
315:362,23[C  ]| not sport with your impatience, by reading what he says
315:362,24[C  ]| on that point.  What relates to yourself, is as follows.
315:362,25[K  ]| "Having thus offered you the sincere congratulations of
315:362,26[K  ]| Mrs%*Collins and myself on this happy event, let me now
315:362,27[K  ]| add a short hint on the subject of another; of which
315:362,28[K  ]| we have been advertised by the same authority.  Your
315:362,29[K  ]| daughter Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the
315:362,30[K  ]| name of Bennet, after her elder sister has resigned it,
315:362,31[K  ]| and the chosen partner of her fate, may be reasonably
315:362,32[K  ]| looked up to, as one of the most illustrious personages
315:362,33[K  ]| in this land."
315:362,34[C  ]| "Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by
315:362,35[C  ]| this?"
315:362,35[K  ]| "This young gentleman is blessed in a peculiar
315:362,36[K  ]| way, with every*thing the heart of mortal can most
315:362,37[K  ]| desire, ~~ splendid property, noble kindred, and extensive
315:362,38[K  ]| patronage.  Yet in spite of all these temptations, let me
315:363,01[K  ]| warn my cousin Elizabeth, and yourself, of what evils you
315:363,02[K  ]| may incur, by a precipitate closure with this gentleman's
315:363,03[K  ]| proposals, which, of course, you will be inclined to take
315:363,04[K  ]| immediate advantage of."
315:363,05[C  ]| "Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is?
315:363,06[C  ]| But now it comes out."
315:363,07[K  ]| "My motive for cautioning you, is as follows.  We have
315:363,08[K  ]| reason to imagine that his aunt, lady*Catherine*de*Bourgh,
315:363,09[K  ]| does not look on the match with a friendly eye."
315:363,10[C  ]| "\Mr%*Darcy\, you see, is the man!  Now, Lizzy, I think
315:363,11[C  ]| I \have\ surprised you.  Could he, or the Lucases, have
315:363,12[C  ]| pitched on any man, within the circle of our acquaintance,
315:363,13[C  ]| whose name would have given the lie more effectually to
315:363,14[C  ]| what they related?  Mr%*Darcy, who never looks at any
315:363,15[C  ]| woman but to see a blemish, and who probably never
315:363,16[C  ]| looked at \you\ in his life!  It is admirable!"
315:363,17['  ]| Elizabeth tried to join in her father's pleasantry, but
315:363,18['  ]| could only force one most reluctant smile.  Never had his
315:363,19['  ]| wit been directed in a manner so little agreeable to her.
315:363,20[C  ]| "Are you not diverted?"
315:363,21[A  ]| "Oh! yes.  Pray read on."
315:363,22[K  ]| "After mentioning the likelihood of this marriage to
315:363,23[K  ]| her ladyship last night, she immediately, with her usual
315:363,24[K  ]| condescension, expressed what she felt on the occasion;
315:363,25[K  ]| when it became apparent, that on the score of some family
315:363,26[K  ]| objections on the part of my cousin, she would never give
315:363,27[K  ]| her consent to what she termed so disgraceful a match.
315:363,28[K  ]| I thought it my duty to give the speediest intelligence of
315:363,29[K  ]| this to my cousin, that she and her noble admirer may be
315:363,30[K  ]| aware of what they are about, and not run hastily into
315:363,31[K  ]| a marriage which has not been properly sanctioned."
315:363,32[C  ]| "Mr%*Collins moreover adds,"
315:363,32[K  ]| "I am truly rejoiced that
315:363,33[K  ]| my cousin Lydia's sad business has been so well hushed
315:363,34[K  ]| up, and am only concerned that their living together
315:363,35[K  ]| before the marriage took place, should be so generally
315:363,36[K  ]| known.  I must not, however, neglect the duties of my
315:363,37[K  ]| station, or refrain from declaring my amazement, at
315:363,38[K  ]| hearing that you received the young couple into your
315:364,01[K  ]| house as soon as they were married.  It was an encouragement
315:364,02[K  ]| of vice; and had I been the rector of Longbourn,
315:364,03[K  ]| I should very strenuously have opposed it.  You ought
315:364,04[K  ]| certainly to forgive them as a christian, but never to
315:364,05[K  ]| admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be
315:364,06[K  ]| mentioned in your hearing."
315:364,06[C  ]| "\That\ is his notion of
315:364,07[C  ]| christian forgiveness!  The rest of his letter is only about
315:364,08[C  ]| his dear Charlotte's situation, and his expectation of a
315:364,09[C  ]| young olive-branch.  But, Lizzy, you look as if you did
315:364,10[C  ]| not enjoy it.  You are not going to be \Missish\, I hope,
315:364,11[C  ]| and pretend to be affronted at an idle report.  For what
315:364,12[C  ]| do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and
315:364,13[C  ]| laugh at them in our turn?"
315:364,14[A  ]| "Oh!"
315:364,14['  ]| cried Elizabeth,
315:364,14[A  ]| "I am excessively diverted.
315:364,15[A  ]| But it is so strange!"
315:364,15[C  ]| "Yes ~~ \that\ is what makes it amusing.  Had they fixed
315:364,16[C  ]| on any other man it would have been nothing; but \his\
315:364,17[C  ]| perfect indifference, and \your\ pointed dislike, make it so
315:364,18[C  ]| delightfully absurd!  Much as I abominate writing, I would
315:364,19[C  ]| not give up Mr%*Collins's correspondence for any consideration.
315:364,20[C  ]| Nay, when I read a letter of his, I cannot
315:364,21[C  ]| help giving him the preference even over Wickham, much
315:364,22[C  ]| as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my son-in-law.
315:364,23[C  ]| And pray, Lizzy, what said Lady*Catherine about this
315:364,24[C  ]| report?  Did she call to refuse her consent?"
315:364,25['  ]| To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh;
315:364,26['  ]| and as it had been asked without the least suspicion, she
315:364,27['  ]| was not distressed by his repeating it.  Elizabeth had
315:364,28['  ]| never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear
315:364,29['  ]| what they were not.  It was necessary to laugh, when
315:364,30['  ]| she would rather have cried.  Her father had most cruelly
315:364,31['  ]| mortified her, by what he said of Mr%*Darcy's indifference,
315:364,32['  ]| and she could do nothing but wonder at such a want of
315:364,33['  ]| penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead of his seeing
315:364,32['  ]| too \little\, she might have fancied too \much\.
316:365,01['  ]| Instead of receiving any such letter of excuse from his
316:365,02['  ]| friend, as Elizabeth half expected Mr%*Bingley to do, he
316:365,03['  ]| was able to bring Darcy with him to Longbourn before
316:365,04['  ]| many days had passed after Lady*Catherine's visit.  The
316:365,05['  ]| gentlemen arrived early; and, before Mrs%*Bennet had
316:365,06['  ]| time to tell him of their having seen his aunt, of which
316:365,07['  ]| her daughter sat in momentary dread, Bingley, who
316:365,08['  ]| wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed their all walking
316:365,09['  ]| out.  It was agreed to.  Mrs%*Bennet was not in the habit
316:365,10['  ]| of walking, Mary could never spare time, but the remaining
316:365,11['  ]| five set off together.  Bingley and Jane, however, soon
316:365,12['  ]| allowed the others to outstrip them.  They lagged behind,
316:365,13['  ]| while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy, were to entertain each
316:365,14['  ]| other.  Very little was said by either; Kitty was too
316:365,15['  ]| much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly
316:365,16['  ]| forming a desperate resolution; and perhaps he might be
316:365,17['  ]| doing the same.
316:365,18['  ]| They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished
316:365,19['  ]| to call upon Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion
316:365,20['  ]| for making it a general concern, when Kitty left them, she
316:365,21['  ]| went boldly on with him alone.  Now was the moment
316:365,22['  ]| for her resolution to be executed, and, while her courage
316:365,23['  ]| was high, she immediately said,
316:365,24[A  ]| "Mr%*Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the
316:365,25[A  ]| sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how
316:365,26[A  ]| much I may be wounding your's.  I can no longer help
316:365,27[A  ]| thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor
316:365,28[A  ]| sister.  Ever since I have known it, I have been most
316:365,29[A  ]| anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it.
316:365,30[A  ]| Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not have
316:365,31[A  ]| merely my own gratitude to express."
316:365,32[B  ]| "I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,"
316:365,32['  ]| replied Darcy, in
316:365,33['  ]| a tone of surprise and emotion,
316:365,33[B  ]| "that you have ever
316:365,34[B  ]| been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have
316:366,01[B  ]| given you uneasiness.  I did not think Mrs%*Gardiner was
316:366,02[B  ]| so little to be trusted."
316:366,03[A  ]| "You must not blame my aunt.  Lydia's thoughtlessness
316:365,04[A  ]| first betrayed to me that you had been concerned
316:366,05[A  ]| in the matter; and, of course, I could not rest till I knew
316:366,06[A  ]| the particulars.  Let me thank you again and again, in
316:366,07[A  ]| the name of all my family, for that generous compassion
316:366,08[A  ]| which induced you to take so much trouble, and bear so
316:366,09[A  ]| many mortifications, for the sake of discovering them."
316:366,10[B  ]| "If you \will\ thank me,"
316:366,10['  ]| he replied,
316:366,10[B  ]| "let it be for yourself
316:366,11[B  ]| alone.  That the wish of giving happiness to you, might
316:366,12[B  ]| add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall
316:366,13[B  ]| not attempt to deny.  But your \family\ owe me nothing.
316:366,14[B  ]| Much as I respect them, I believe, I thought only of \you\."
316:366,15['  ]| Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word.
316:366,16['  ]| After a short pause, her companion added,
316:366,16[B  ]| "You are too
316:366,17[B  ]| generous to trifle with me.  If your feelings are still what
316:366,18[B  ]| they were last April, tell me so at once.  \My\ affections
316:366,19[B  ]| and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will
316:366,20[B  ]| silence me on this subject for*ever."
316:366,21['  ]| Elizabeth feeling all the more than common awkwardness
316:366,22['  ]| and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to
316:366,23['  ]| speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave
316:366,24['  ]| him to understand, that her sentiments had undergone so
316:366,25['  ]| material a change, since the period to which he alluded,
316:366,26['  ]| as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his
316:366,27['  ]| present assurances.  The happiness which this reply
316:366,28['  ]| produced, was such as he had probably never felt before;
316:366,29['  ]| and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and
316:366,30['  ]| as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to
316:366,31['  ]| do.  Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eye, she
316:366,32['  ]| might have seen how well the expression of heart-felt
316:366,33['  ]| delight, diffused over his face, became him; but, though
316:366,34['  ]| she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of
316:366,35['  ]| feelings, which, in proving of what importance she was
316:366,36['  ]| to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.
316:366,37['  ]| They walked on, without knowing in what direction.
316:366,38['  ]| There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said,
316:367,01['  ]| for attention to any other objects.  She soon learnt that
316:367,02['  ]| they were indebted for their present good understanding
316:367,03['  ]| to the efforts of his aunt, who \did\ call on him in her
316:367,04['  ]| return through London, and there relate her journey to
316:367,05['  ]| Longbourn, its motive, and the substance of her conversation
316:367,06['  ]| with Elizabeth; dwelling emphatically on every
316:367,07['  ]| expression of the latter, which, in her ladyship's apprehension,
316:367,08['  ]| peculiarly denoted her perverseness and assurance,
316:367,09['  ]| in the belief that such a relation must assist her
316:367,10['  ]| endeavours to obtain that promise from her nephew,
316:367,11['  ]| which \she\ had refused to give.  But, unluckily for her
316:367,12['  ]| ladyship, its effect had been exactly contrariwise.
316:367,13[B  ]| "It taught me to hope,"
316:367,13['  ]| said he,
316:367,13[B  ]| "as I had scarcely
316:367,14[B  ]| ever allowed myself to hope before.  I knew enough of
316:367,15[B  ]| your disposition to be certain, that, had you been absolutely,
316:367,16[B  ]| irrevocably decided against me, you would have
316:367,17[B  ]| acknowledged it to Lady*Catherine, frankly and openly."
316:367,18['  ]| Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied,
316:367,18[A  ]| "Yes,
316:367,19[A  ]| you know enough of my \frankness\ to believe me capable
316:367,20[A  ]| of \that\.  After abusing you so abominably to your face,
316:367,21[A  ]| I could have no scruple in abusing you to all your relations."
316:367,22[B  ]| "What did you say of me, that I did not deserve?
316:367,23[B  ]| For, though your accusations were ill-founded, formed
316:367,24[B  ]| on mistaken premises, my behaviour to you at the time,
316:367,25[B  ]| had merited the severest reproof.  It was unpardonable.
316:367,26[B  ]| I cannot think of it without abhorrence."
316:367,27[A  ]| "We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame
316:367,28[A  ]| annexed to that evening,"
316:367,28['  ]| said Elizabeth.
316:367,28[A  ]| "The conduct
316:367,29[A  ]| of neither, if strictly examined, will be irreproachable;
316:367,30[A  ]| but since then, we have both, I hope, improved in civility."
316:367,31[B  ]| "I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself.  The
316:367,32[B  ]| recollection of what I then said, of my conduct, my
316:367,33[B  ]| manners, my expressions during the whole of it, is now,
316:367,34[B  ]| and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me.
316:367,35[B  ]| Your reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget:
316:367,35@a   | ""had
316:367,36@a   | you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner.""
316:367,36[B  ]| Those
316:367,37[B  ]| were your words.  You know not, you can scarcely conceive,
316:367,38[B  ]| how they have tortured me; ~~ though it was some
316:368,01[B  ]| time, I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow
316:368,02[B  ]| their justice."
316:368,03[A  ]| "I was certainly very far from expecting them to make
316:368,04[A  ]| so strong an impression.  I had not the smallest idea of
316:368,05[A  ]| their being ever felt in such a way."
316:368,06[B  ]| "I can easily believe it.  You thought me then devoid
316:368,07[B  ]| of every proper feeling, I am sure you did.  The turn of
316:368,08[B  ]| your countenance I shall never forget, as you said that
316:368,09[B  ]| I could not have addressed you in any possible way, that
316:368,10[B  ]| would induce you to accept me."
316:368,11[A  ]| "Oh! do not repeat what I then said.  These recollections
316:368,12[A  ]| will not do at all.  I assure you, that I have long
316:368,13[A  ]| been most heartily ashamed of it."
316:368,14['  ]| Darcy mentioned his letter.
316:368,14[B  ]| "Did it,"
316:368,14['  ]| said he,
316:368,14[B  ]| "did
316:368,15[B  ]| it \soon\ make you think better of me?  Did you, on reading
316:368,16[B  ]| it, give any credit to its contents?"
316:368,17['  ]| She explained what its effect on her had been, and how
316:368,18['  ]| gradually all her former prejudices had been removed.
316:368,19[B  ]| "I knew,"
316:368,19['  ]| said he,
316:368,19[B  ]| "that what I wrote must give you
316:368,20[B  ]| pain, but it was necessary.  I hope you have destroyed
316:368,21[B  ]| the letter.  There was one part especially, the opening
316:368,22[B  ]| of it, which I should dread your having the power of
316:368,23[B  ]| reading again.  I can remember some expressions which
316:368,24[B  ]| might justly make you hate me."
316:368,25[A  ]| "The letter shall certainly be burnt, if you believe it
316:368,26[A  ]| essential to the preservation of my regard; but, though
316:368,27[A  ]| we have both reason to think my opinions not entirely
316:368,28[A  ]| unalterable, they are not, I hope, quite so easily changed
316:368,29[A  ]| as that implies."
316:368,30[B  ]| "When I wrote that letter,"
316:368,30['  ]| replied Darcy,
316:368,30[B  ]| "I believed
316:368,31[B  ]| myself perfectly calm and cool, but I am since convinced
316:368,32[B  ]| that it was written in a dreadful bitterness of spirit."
316:368,33[A  ]| "The letter, perhaps, began in bitterness, but it did
316:368,34[A  ]| not end so.  The adieu is charity itself.  But think no
316:368,35[A  ]| more of the letter.  The feelings of the person who wrote,
316:368,36[A  ]| and the person who received it, are now so widely different
316:368,37[A  ]| from what they were then, that every unpleasant circumstance
316:368,38[A  ]| attending it, ought to be forgotten.  You must
316:369,01[A  ]| learn some of my philosophy.  Think only of the past as
316:369,02[A  ]| its remembrance gives you pleasure."
316:369,03[B  ]| "I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the
316:369,04[B  ]| kind.  \Your\ retrospections must be so totally void of
316:369,05[B  ]| reproach, that the contentment arising from then, is not
316:369,06[B  ]| of philosophy, but what is much better, of ignorance.
316:369,07[B  ]| But with \me\, it is not so.  Painful recollections will intrude,
316:369,08[B  ]| which cannot, which ought not to be repelled.  I have
316:369,09[B  ]| been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in
316:369,10[B  ]| principle.  As a child I was taught what was \right\, but
316:369,11[B  ]| I was not taught to correct my temper.  I was given good
316:369,12[B  ]| principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit.
316:369,13[B  ]| Unfortunately an only son, (for many years an only \child\)
316:369,14[B  ]| I was spoilt by my parents, who though good themselves,
316:369,15[B  ]| (my father particularly, all that was benevolent and
316:369,16[B  ]| amiable,) allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be
316:369,17[B  ]| selfish and overbearing, to care for none beyond my own
316:369,18[B  ]| family circle, to think meanly of all the rest of the world,
316:369,19[B  ]| to \wish\ at least to think meanly of their sense and worth
316:369,20[B  ]| compared with my own.  Such I was, from eight to eight*and*twenty;
316:369,21[B  ]| and such I might still have been but for
316:369,22[B  ]| you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!  What do I not owe you!
316:369,23[B  ]| You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most
316:369,24[B  ]| advantageous.  By you, I was properly humbled.  I came
316:369,25[B  ]| to you without a doubt of my reception.  You shewed
316:369,26[B  ]| me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please
316:369,27[B  ]| a woman worthy of being pleased."
316:369,28[A  ]| "Had you then persuaded yourself that I should?"
316:369,29[B  ]| "Indeed I had.  What will you think of my vanity?
316:369,30[B  ]| I believed you to be wishing, expecting my addresses."
316:369,31[A  ]| "My manners must have been in fault, but not intentionally
316:369,32[A  ]| I assure you.  I never meant to deceive you, but
316:369,33[A  ]| my spirits might often lead me wrong.  How you must
316:369,34[A  ]| have hated me after \that\ evening?"
316:369,35[B  ]| "Hate you!  I was angry perhaps at first, but my
316:369,36[B  ]| anger soon began to take a proper direction."
316:369,37[A  ]| "I am almost afraid of asking what you thought of me;
316:369,38[A  ]| when we met at Pemberley.  You blamed me for coming?"
316:370,01[B  ]| "No indeed; I felt nothing but surprise."
316:370,02[A  ]| "Your surprise could not be greater than \mine\ in being
316:370,03[A  ]| noticed by you.  My conscience told me that I deserved
316:370,04[A  ]| no extraordinary politeness, and I confess that I did not
316:370,05[A  ]| expect to receive \more\ than my due."
316:370,06[B  ]| "My object \then\,"
316:370,06['  ]| replied Darcy,
316:370,06[B  ]| "was to shew you,
316:370,07[B  ]| by every civility in my power, that I was not so mean as
316:370,08[B  ]| to resent the past; and I hoped to obtain your forgiveness,
316:370,09[B  ]| to lessen your ill*opinion, by letting you see
316:370,10[B  ]| that your reproofs had been attended to.  How soon
316:370,11[B  ]| any other wishes introduced themselves I can hardly tell,
316:370,12[B  ]| but I believe in about half an hour after I had seen you."
316:370,13['  ]| He then told her of Georgiana's delight in her acquaintance,
316:370,14['  ]| and of her disappointment at its sudden interruption;
316:370,15['  ]| which naturally leading to the cause of that
316:370,16['  ]| interruption, she soon learnt that his resolution, of following
316:370,17['  ]| her from Derbyshire in quest of her sister, had been
316:370,18['  ]| formed before he quitted the inn, and that his gravity
316:370,19['  ]| and thoughtfulness there, had arisen from no other
316:370,20['  ]| struggles than what such a purpose must comprehend.
316:370,21['  ]| She expressed her gratitude again, but it was too
316:370,22['  ]| painful a subject to each, to be dwelt on farther.
316:370,23['  ]| After walking several miles in a leisurely manner, and
316:370,24['  ]| too busy to know any*thing about it, they found at last, on
316:370,25['  ]| examining their watches, that it was time to be at home.
316:370,26[A  ]| "What could become of Mr%*Bingley and Jane!"
316:370,27['  ]| was a wonder which introduced the discussion of \their\
316:370,28['  ]| affairs.  Darcy was delighted with their engagement; his
316:370,29['  ]| friend had given him the earliest information of it.
316:370,30[A  ]| "I must ask whether you were surprised?"
316:370,30['  ]| said
316:370,31['  ]| Elizabeth.
316:370,32[B  ]| "Not at all.  When I went away, I felt that it would
316:370,33[B  ]| soon happen."
316:370,34[A  ]| "That is to say, you had given your permission.  I
316:370,35[A  ]| guessed as much."
316:370,35['  ]| And though he exclaimed at the term,
316:370,36['  ]| she found that it had been pretty much the case.
316:370,37[B  ]| "On the evening before my going to London,"
316:370,37['  ]| said he
316:370,38[B  ]| "I made a confession to him, which I believe I ought to
316:371,01[B  ]| have made long ago.  I told him of all that had occurred
316:371,02[B  ]| to make my former interference in his affairs, absurd
316:371,03[B  ]| and impertinent.  His surprise was great.  He had never
316:371,04[B  ]| had the slightest suspicion.  I told him, moreover, that
316:371,05[B  ]| I believed myself mistaken in supposing, as I had done,
316:371,06[B  ]| that your sister was indifferent to him; and as I could
316:317,07[B  ]| easily perceive that his attachment to her was unabated,
316:371,08[B  ]| I felt no doubt of their happiness together."
316:317,09['  ]| Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of
316:371,10['  ]| directing his friend.
316:371,11[A  ]| "Did you speak from your own observation,"
316:371,11['  ]| said she,
316:371,12[A  ]| "when you told him that my sister loved him, or merely
316:371,13[A  ]| from my information last spring?"
316:371,14[B  ]| "From the former.  I had narrowly observed her during
316:371,15[B  ]| the two visits which I had lately made her here; and
316:371,16[B  ]| I was convinced of her affection."
316:371,17[A  ]| "And your assurance of it, I suppose, carried immediate
316:371,18[A  ]| conviction to him."
316:371,19[B  ]| "It did.  Bingley is most unaffectedly modest.  His
316:371,20[B  ]| diffidence had prevented his depending on his own judgment
316:371,21[B  ]| in so anxious a case, but his reliance on mine, made
316:371,22[B  ]| every*thing easy.  I was obliged to confess one thing,
316:371,23[B  ]| which for a time, and not unjustly, offended him.  I could
316:371,24[B  ]| not allow myself to conceal that your sister had been in
316:371,25[B  ]| town three months last winter, that I had known it, and
316:371,26[B  ]| purposely kept it from him.  He was angry.  But his
316:371,27[B  ]| anger, I am persuaded, lasted no longer than he remained
316:371,28[B  ]| in any doubt of your sister's sentiments.  He has heartily
316:371,29[B  ]| forgiven me now."
316:371,30['  ]| Elizabeth longed to observe that Mr%*Bingley had been
316:371,31['  ]| a most delightful friend; so easily guided that his worth
316:371,32['  ]| was invaluable; but she checked herself.  She remembered
316:371,33['  ]| that he had yet to learn to be laught at, and it
316:371,34['  ]| was rather too early to begin.  In anticipating the happiness
316:371,35['  ]| of Bingley, which of course was to be inferior only
316:371,36['  ]| to his own, he continued the conversation till they reached
316:371,37['  ]| the house.  In the hall they parted.
317:372,01[E  ]| "My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking
317:372,02[E  ]| to?"
317:372,02['  ]| was a question which Elizabeth received from Jane
317:372,03['  ]| as soon as she entered the room, and from all the others
317:372,04['  ]| when they sat down to table.  She had only to say in
317:372,05['  ]| reply, that they had wandered about, till she was beyond
317:372,06['  ]| her own knowledge.  She coloured as she spoke; but
317:372,07['  ]| neither that, nor any*thing else, awakened a suspicion of
317:372,08['  ]| the truth.
317:372,09['  ]| The evening passed quietly, unmarked by any*thing
317:372,10['  ]| extraordinary.  The acknowledged lovers talked and
317:372,11['  ]| laughed, the unacknowledged were silent.  Darcy was not
317:372,12['  ]| of a disposition in which happiness overflows in mirth;
317:372,13['  ]| and Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather \knew\ that
317:372,14['  ]| she was happy, than \felt\ herself to be so; for, besides the
317:372,15['  ]| immediate embarrassment, there were other evils before
317:372,16['  ]| her.  She anticipated what would be felt in the family when
317:372,17['  ]| her situation became known; she was aware that no*one
317:372,18['  ]| liked him but Jane; and even feared that with the others
317:372,19['  ]| it was a \dislike\ which not all his fortune and consequence
317:372,20['  ]| might do away.
317:372,21['  ]| At night she opened her heart to Jane.  Though suspicion
317:372,22['  ]| was very far from Miss*Bennet's general habits, she
317:372,23['  ]| was absolutely incredulous here.
317:372,24[E  ]| "You are joking, Lizzy.  This cannot be! ~~ engaged to
317:372,25[E  ]| Mr%*Darcy!  No, no, you shall not deceive me.  I know
317:372,26[E  ]| it to be impossible."
317:372,27[A  ]| "This is a wretched beginning indeed!  My sole dependence
317:372,28[A  ]| was on you; and I am sure nobody else will believe
317:372,29[A  ]| me, if you do not.  Yet, indeed, I am in earnest.  I speak
317:372,30[A  ]| nothing but the truth.  He still loves me, and we are
317:372,31[A  ]| engaged."
317:372,32['  ]| Jane looked at her doubtingly.
317:372,32[E  ]| "Oh, Lizzy! it cannot
317:372,33[E  ]| be.  I know how much you dislike him."
317:373,01[A  ]| "You know nothing of the matter.  \That\ is all to be
317:373,02[A  ]| forgot.  Perhaps I did not always love him so well as
317:373,03[A  ]| I do now.  But in such cases as these, a good memory is
317:373,04[A  ]| unpardonable.  This is the last time I shall ever remember
317:373,05[A  ]| it myself."
317:373,06['  ]| Miss*Bennet still looked all amazement.  Elizabeth
317:373,07['  ]| again, and more seriously assured her of its truth.
317:373,08[E  ]| "Good Heaven! can it be really so!  Yet now I must
317:373,09[E  ]| believe you,"
317:373,09['  ]| cried Jane.
317:373,09[E  ]| "My dear, dear Lizzy, I would ~~
317:373,10[E  ]| I do congratulate you ~~ but are you certain?  forgive the
317:373,11[E  ]| question ~~ are you quite certain that you can be happy
317:373,12[E  ]| with him?"
317:373,13[A  ]| "There can be no doubt of that.  It is settled between
317:373,14[A  ]| us already, that we are to be the happiest couple in the
317:373,15[A  ]| world.  But are you pleased, Jane?  Shall you like to have
317:373,16[A  ]| such a brother?"
317:373,17[E  ]| "Very, very much.  Nothing could give either Bingley
317:373,18[E  ]| or myself more delight.  But we considered it, we talked
317:373,19[E  ]| of it as impossible.  And do you really love him quite well
317:373,20[E  ]| enough?  Oh, Lizzy! do any*thing rather than marry
317:373,21[E  ]| without affection.  Are you quite sure that you feel what
317:373,22[E  ]| you ought to do?"
317:373,23[A  ]| "Oh, yes!  You will only think I feel \more\ than I ought
317:373,24[A  ]| to do, when I tell you all."
317:373,25[E  ]| "What do you mean?"
317:373,26[A  ]| "Why, I must confess, that I love him better than I do
317:373,27[A  ]| Bingley.  I am afraid you will be angry."
317:373,28[E  ]| "My dearest sister, now \be\ serious.  I want to talk
317:373,29[E  ]| very seriously.  Let me know every*thing that I am to
317:373,30[E  ]| know, without delay.  Will you tell me how long you have
317:373,31[E  ]| loved him?"
317:373,32[A  ]| "It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly
317:373,33[A  ]| know when it began.  But I believe I must date it from
317:373,34[A  ]| my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley."
317:373,35['  ]| Another intreaty that she would be serious, however,
317:373,36['  ]| produced the desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane
317:373,37['  ]| by her solemn assurances of attachment.  When convinced
317:373,38['  ]| on that article, Miss*Bennet had nothing farther to wish.
317:374,01[E  ]| "Now I am quite happy,"
317:374,01['  ]| said she,
317:374,01[E  ]| "for you will be as
317:374,02[E  ]| happy as myself.  I always had a value for him.  Were
317:374,03[E  ]| it for nothing but his love of you, I must always have
317:374,04[E  ]| esteemed him; but now, as Bingley's friend and your
317:374,05[E  ]| husband, there can be only Bingley and yourself more
317:374,06[E  ]| dear to me.  But Lizzy, you have been very sly, very
317:374,07[E  ]| reserved with me.  How little did you tell me of what
317:374,08[E  ]| passed at Pemberley and Lambton!  I owe all that
317:374,09[E  ]| I know of it, to another, not to you."
317:374,10['  ]| Elizabeth told her the motives of her secrecy.
317:374,10@a   | She had
317:374,11@a   | been unwilling to mention Bingley; and the unsettled
317:374,12@a   | state of her own feelings had made her equally avoid the
317:374,13@a   | name of his friend.  But now she would no longer conceal
317:374,14@a   | from her, his share in Lydia's marriage.
317:374,14['  ]| All was acknowledged,
317:374,15['  ]| and half the night spent in conversation.
317:374,16['  ]| ~~~
317:374,17[D  ]| "Good gracious!"
317:374,17['  ]| cried Mrs%*Bennet, as she stood at
317:374,18['  ]| a window the next morning,
317:374,18[D  ]| "if that disagreeable Mr%*Darcy
317:374,19[D  ]| is not coming here again with our dear Bingley!
317:374,20[D  ]| What can he mean by being so tiresome as to be always
317:374,21[D  ]| coming here?  I had no notion but he would go a*shooting,
317:374,22[D  ]| or something or other, and not disturb us with his company.
317:374,23[D  ]| What shall we do with him?  Lizzy, you must
317:374,24[D  ]| walk out with him again, that he may not be in Bingley's
317:374,25[D  ]| way."
317:374,26['  ]| Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient
317:374,27['  ]| a proposal; yet was really vexed that her mother should
317:374,28['  ]| be always giving him such an epithet.
317:374,29['  ]| As soon as they entered, Bingley looked at her so
317:374,30['  ]| expressively, and shook hands with such warmth, as left
317:374,31['  ]| no doubt of his good information; and he soon afterwards
317:374,32['  ]| said aloud,
317:374,32[I  ]| "Mr%*Bennet, have you no more lanes hereabouts
317:374,33[I  ]| in which Lizzy may lose her way again to-day?"
317:374,34[D  ]| "I advise Mr%*Darcy, and Lizzy, and Kitty,"
317:374,34['  ]| said
317:374,35['  ]| Mrs%*Bennet,
317:374,35[D  ]| "to walk to Oakham*Mount this morning.
317:374,36[D  ]| It is a nice long walk, and Mr%*Darcy has never seen the
317:374,37[D  ]| view."
317:374,38[I  ]| "It may do very well for the others,"
317:374,38[I  ]| replied Mr%*Bingley;
317:375,01[I  ]| "but I am sure it will be too much for Kitty.
317:375,02[I  ]| Wont it, Kitty?"
317:375,03['  ]| Kitty owned that she had rather stay at home.  Darcy
317:375,04['  ]| professed a great curiosity to see the view from the Mount,
317:375,05['  ]| and Elizabeth silently consented.  As she went up*stairs
317:375,06['  ]| to get ready, Mrs%*Bennet followed her, saying,
317:375,07[D  ]| "I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced
317:375,08[D  ]| to have that disagreeable man all to yourself.  But I hope
317:375,09[D  ]| you will not mind it:  it is all for Jane's sake, you know;
317:375,10[D  ]| and there is no occasion for talking to him, except just
317:375,11[D  ]| now and then.  So, do not put yourself to inconvenience."
317:375,12['  ]| During their walk, it was resolved that Mr%*Bennet's
317:375,13['  ]| consent should be asked in the course of the evening.
317:375,14['  ]| Elizabeth reserved to herself the application for her
317:375,15['  ]| mother's.  She could not determine how her mother
317:375,16['  ]| would take it; sometimes doubting whether all his wealth
317:375,17['  ]| and grandeur would be enough to overcome her abhorrence
317:375,18['  ]| of the man.  But whether she were violently set
317:375,19['  ]| against the match, or violently delighted with it, it was
317:375,20['  ]| certain that her manner would be equally ill adapted to
317:375,21['  ]| do credit to her sense; and she could no more bear that
317:375,22['  ]| Mr%*Darcy should hear the first raptures of her joy, than
317:375,23['  ]| the first vehemence of her disapprobation.
317:375,24['  ]| ~~~
317:375,25['  ]| In the evening, soon after Mr%*Bennet withdrew to the
317:375,26['  ]| library, she saw Mr%*Darcy rise also and follow him, and
317:375,27['  ]| her agitation on seeing it was extreme.  She did not fear
317:375,28['  ]| her father's opposition, but he was going to be made
317:375,29['  ]| unhappy, and that it should be through her means, that
317:375,30['  ]| \she\, his favourite child, should be distressing him by her
317:375,31['  ]| choice, should be filling him with fears and regrets in
317:375,32['  ]| disposing of her, was a wretched reflection, and she sat
317:375,33['  ]| in misery till Mr%*Darcy appeared again, when, looking
317:375,34['  ]| at him, she was a little relieved by his smile.  In a few
317:375,35['  ]| minutes he approached the table where she was sitting
317:375,36['  ]| with Kitty; and, while pretending to admire her work,
317:375,37['  ]| said in a whisper,
317:375,37[B  ]| "Go to your father, he wants you in
317:375,38[B  ]| the library."
317:375,38['  ]| She was gone directly.
317:376,01['  ]| Her father was walking about the room, looking grave
317:376,02['  ]| and anxious.
317:376,02[C  ]| "Lizzy,"
317:376,02['  ]| said he,
317:376,02[C  ]| "what are you doing?
317:376,03[C  ]| Are you out of your senses, to be accepting this man?
317:376,04[C  ]| Have not you always hated him?"
317:376,05['  ]| How earnestly did she then wish that her former
317:376,06['  ]| opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more
317:376,07['  ]| moderate!  It would have spared her from explanations
317:376,08['  ]| and professions which it was exceedingly awkward to
317:375,09['  ]| give; but they were now necessary, and she assured him
317:376,10['  ]| with some confusion, of her attachment to Mr%*Darcy.
317:376,11[C  ]| "Or in other words, you are determined to have him.
317:376,12[C  ]| He is rich, to be sure, and you may have more fine clothes
317:376,13[C  ]| and fine carriages than Jane.  But will they make you
317:376,14[C  ]| happy?"
317:376,15[A  ]| "Have you any other objections,"
317:376,15['  ]| said Elizabeth,
317:376,15[A  ]| "than
317:376,16[A  ]| your belief of my indifference?"
317:376,17[C  ]| "None at all.  We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant
317:376,18[C  ]| sort of man; but this would be nothing if you
317:376,19[C  ]| really liked him."
317:376,20[A  ]| "I do, I do like him,"
317:376,20['  ]| she replied, with tears in her eyes,
317:376,21[A  ]| "I love him.  Indeed he has no improper pride.  He is
317:376,22[A  ]| perfectly amiable.  You do not know what he really is;
317:376,23[A  ]| then pray do not pain me by speaking of him in such
317:376,24[A  ]| terms."
317:376,25[C  ]| "Lizzy,"
317:376,25['  ]| said her father,
317:376,25[C  ]| "I have given him my consent.
317:376,26[C  ]| He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never
317:376,27[C  ]| dare refuse any*thing, which he condescended to ask.
317:376,28[C  ]| I now give it to \you\, if you are resolved on having him.
317:376,29[C  ]| But let me advise you to think better of it.  I know your
317:376,30[C  ]| disposition, Lizzy.  I know that you could be neither
317:376,31[C  ]| happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your
317:376,32[C  ]| husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior.
317:376,33[C  ]| Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger
317:376,34[C  ]| in an unequal marriage.  You could scarcely escape discredit
317:376,35[C  ]| and misery.  My child, let me not have the grief
317:376,36[C  ]| of seeing \you\ unable to respect your partner in life.  You
317:376,37[C  ]| know not what you are about."
317:376,38['  ]| Elizabeth, still more affected, was earnest and solemn
317:377,01['  ]| in her reply; and at length, by repeated assurances that
317:377,02['  ]| Mr%*Darcy was really the object of her choice, by explaining
317:377,03['  ]| the gradual change which her estimation of him had
317:377,04['  ]| undergone, relating her absolute certainty that his affection
317:377,05['  ]| was not the work of a day, but had stood the test
317:377,06['  ]| of many months suspense, and enumerating with energy
317:377,07['  ]| all his good qualities, she did conquer her father's incredulity,
317:377,08['  ]| and reconcile him to the match.
317:377,09[C  ]| "Well, my dear,"
317:377,09['  ]| said he, when she ceased speaking,
317:377,10[C  ]| "I have no more to say.  If this be the case, he deserves
317:377,11[C  ]| you.  I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to
317:377,12[C  ]| any*one less worthy."
317:377,13['  ]| To complete the favourable impression, she then told
317:377,14['  ]| him what Mr%*Darcy had voluntarily done for Lydia.
317:377,15['  ]| He heard her with astonishment.
317:377,16[C  ]| "This is an evening of wonders, indeed!  And so,
317:377,17[C  ]| Darcy did every*thing; made up the match, gave the
317:377,18[C  ]| money, paid the fellow's debts, and got him his commission!
317:377,19[C  ]| So much the better.  It will save me a world
317:377,20[C  ]| of trouble and economy.  Had it been your uncle's doing,
317:377,21[C  ]| I must and \would\ have paid him; but these violent young
317:377,22[C  ]| lovers carry every*thing their own way.  I shall offer to
317:377,23[C  ]| pay him to-morrow; he will rant and storm about his
317:377,24[C  ]| love for you, and there will be an end of the matter."
317:377,25['  ]| He then recollected her embarrassment a few days
317:377,26['  ]| before, on his reading Mr%*Collins's letter; and after
317:377,27['  ]| laughing at her some time, allowed her at last to go ~~
317:377,28['  ]| saying, as she quitted the room,
317:377,28[C  ]| "If any young men come
317:377,29[C  ]| for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure."
317:377,30['  ]| Elizabeth's mind was now relieved from a very heavy
317:377,31['  ]| weight; and, after half an hour's quiet reflection in her
317:377,32['  ]| own room, she was able to join the others with tolerable
317:377,33['  ]| composure.  Every*thing was too recent for gaiety, but
317:377,34['  ]| the evening passed tranquilly away; there was no longer
317:377,35['  ]| any*thing material to be dreaded, and the comfort of
317:377,36['  ]| ease and familiarity would come in time.
317:377,37['  ]| When her mother went up to her dressing-room at
317:377,38['  ]| night, she followed her, and made the important communication.
317:378,01['  ]| Its effect was most extraordinary; for on
317:378,02['  ]| first hearing it, Mrs%*Bennet sat quite still, and unable to
317:378,03['  ]| utter a syllable.  Nor was it under many, many minutes,
317:378,04['  ]| that she could comprehend what she heard; though not
317:378,05['  ]| in general backward to credit what was for the advantage
317:378,06['  ]| of her family, or that came in the shape of a lover to any
317:378,07['  ]| of them.  She began at length to recover, to fidget about
317:378,08['  ]| in her chair, get up, sit down again, wonder, and bless
317:378,09['  ]| herself.
317:378,10[D  ]| "Good gracious!  Lord bless me! only think! dear
317:378,11[D  ]| me!  Mr%*Darcy!  Who would have thought it!  And
317:378,12[D  ]| is it really true?  Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and
317:378,13[D  ]| how great you will be!  What pin-money, what jewels,
317:378,14[D  ]| what carriages you will have!  Jane's is nothing to it ~~
317:378,15[D  ]| nothing at all.  I am so pleased ~~ so happy.  Such a charming
317:378,16[D  ]| man! ~~ so handsome! so tall! ~~ Oh, my dear Lizzy!
317:378,17[D  ]| pray apologise for my having disliked him so much before.
317:378,18[D  ]| I hope he will overlook it.  Dear, dear Lizzy.  A house
317:378,19[D  ]| in town!  Every*thing that is charming!  Three daughters
317:378,20[D  ]| married!  Ten thousand a year!  Oh, Lord!  What will
317:378,21[D  ]| become of me.  I shall go distracted."
317:378,22['  ]| This was enough to prove that her approbation need
317:378,23['  ]| not be doubted:  and Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an
317:378,24['  ]| effusion was heard only by herself, soon went away.  But
317:378,25['  ]| before she had been three minutes in her own room, her
317:378,26['  ]| mother followed her.
317:378,27[D  ]| "My dearest child,"
317:378,27['  ]| she cried,
317:378,27[D  ]| "I can think of nothing
317:378,28[D  ]| else!  Ten thousand a year, and very likely more!  'Tis
317:378,29[D  ]| as good as a Lord!  And a special licence.  You must and
317:378,30[D  ]| shall be married by a special licence.  But my dearest
317:378,31[D  ]| love, tell me what dish Mr%*Darcy is particularly fond of,
317:378,32[D  ]| that I may have it to-morrow."
317:378,33['  ]| This was a sad omen of what her mother's behaviour
317:378,34['  ]| to the gentleman himself might be; and Elizabeth found,
317:378,35['  ]| that though in the certain possession of his warmest
317:378,36['  ]| affection, and secure of her relations' consent, there was
317:378,37['  ]| still something to be wished for.  But the morrow passed
317:378,38['  ]| off much better than she expected; for Mrs%*Bennet
317:379,01['  ]| luckily stood in such awe of her intended son-in-law, that
317:379,02['  ]| she ventured not to speak to him, unless it was in her
317:379,03['  ]| power to offer him any attention, or mark her deference
317:379,04['  ]| for his opinion.
317:379,05['  ]| Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father
317:379,06['  ]| taking pains to get acquainted with him; and Mr%*Bennet
317:379,07['  ]| soon assured her that he was rising every hour in his
317:379,08['  ]| esteem.
317:379,09[C  ]| "I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,"
317:379,09['  ]| said he.
317:379,10[C  ]| "Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall
317:379,11[C  ]| like \your\ husband quite as well as Jane's."
318:380,01['  ]| Elizabeth's spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she
318:380,02['  ]| wanted Mr%*Darcy to account for his having ever fallen
318:380,03['  ]| in love with her.
318:380,03[A  ]| "How could you begin?"
318:380,03['  ]| said she.
318:380,04[A  ]| "I can comprehend your going on charmingly, when you
318:380,05[A  ]| had once made a beginning; but what could set you off
318:380,06[A  ]| in the first place?"
318:380,07[B  ]| "I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or
318:380,08[B  ]| the words, which laid the foundation.  It is too long ago.
318:380,09[B  ]| I was in the middle before I knew that I \had\ begun."
318:380,10[A  ]| "My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my
318:380,11[A  ]| manners ~~ my behaviour to \you\ was at least always
318:380,12[A  ]| bordering on the uncivil, and I never spoke to you without
318:380,13[A  ]| rather wishing to give you pain than not.  Now be
318:380,14[A  ]| sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?"
318:380,15[B  ]| "For the liveliness of your mind, I did."
318:380,16[A  ]| "You may as well call it impertinence at once.  It was
318:380,17[A  ]| very little less.  The fact is, that you were sick of civility,
318:380,18[A  ]| of deference, of officious attention.  You were disgusted
318:380,19[A  ]| with the women who were always speaking and looking,
318:380,20[A  ]| and thinking for \your\ approbation alone.  I roused, and
318:380,21[A  ]| interested you, because I was so unlike \them\.  Had you
318:380,22[A  ]| not been really amiable you would have hated me for it;
318:380,23[A  ]| but in spite of the pains you took to disguise yourself,
318:380,24[A  ]| your feelings were always noble and just; and in your
318:380,25[A  ]| heart, you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously
318:380,26[A  ]| courted you.  There ~~ I have saved you the trouble
318:380,27[A  ]| of accounting for it; and really, all things considered,
318:380,28[A  ]| I begin to think it perfectly reasonable.  To be sure, you
318:380,29[A  ]| knew no actual good of me ~~ but nobody thinks of \that\
318:380,30[A  ]| when they fall in love."
318:380,31[B  ]| "Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to
318:380,32[B  ]| Jane, while she was ill at Netherfield?"
318:381,01[A  ]| "Dearest Jane! who could have done less for her?
318:381,02[A  ]| But make a virtue of it by all means.  My good qualities
318:381,03[A  ]| are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them
318:381,04[A  ]| as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to
318:381,05[A  ]| find occasions for teazing and quarrelling with you as often
318:381,06[A  ]| as may be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what
318:381,07[A  ]| made you so unwilling to come to the point at last.  What
318:381,08[A  ]| made you so shy of me, when you first called, and afterwards
318:381,09[A  ]| dined here?  Why, especially, when you called, did
318:381,10[A  ]| you look as if you did not care about me?"
318:381,11[B  ]| "Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no
318:381,12[B  ]| encouragement."
318:381,13[A  ]| "But I was embarrassed."
318:381,14[B  ]| "And so was I."
318:381,15[A  ]| "You might have talked to me more when you came
318:381,16[A  ]| to dinner."
318:381,17[B  ]| "A man who had felt less, might."
318:381,18[A  ]| "How unlucky that you should have a reasonable
318:381,19[A  ]| answer to give, and that I should be so reasonable as to
318:381,20[A  ]| admit it!  But I wonder how long you \would\ have gone
318:381,21[A  ]| on, if you had been left to yourself.  I wonder when you
318:381,22[A  ]| \would\ have spoken, if I had not asked you!  My resolution
318:381,23[A  ]| of thanking you for your kindness to Lydia had certainly
318:381,24[A  ]| great effect.  \Too\ \much\, I am afraid; for what becomes
318:381,25[A  ]| of the moral, if our comfort springs from a breach of
318:381,26[A  ]| promise, for I ought not to have mentioned the subject?
318:381,27[A  ]| This will never do."
318:381,28[B  ]| "You need not distress yourself.  The moral will be
318:381,29[B  ]| perfectly fair.  Lady*Catherine's unjustifiable endeavours
318:381,30[B  ]| to separate us, were the means of removing all my doubts.
318:381,31[B  ]| I am not indebted for my present happiness to your
318:381,32[B  ]| eager desire of expressing your gratitude.  I was not in
318:381,33[B  ]| a humour to wait for any opening of your's.  My aunt's
318:381,34[B  ]| intelligence had given me hope, and I was determined at
318:381,35[B  ]| once to know every*thing."
318:381,36[A  ]| "Lady*Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought
318:381,37[A  ]| to make her happy, for she loves to be of use.  But tell
318:381,38[A  ]| me, what did you come down to Netherfield for?  Was
318:382,01[A  ]| it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrassed?  or
318:382,02[A  ]| had you intended any more serious consequence?"
318:382,03[B  ]| "My real purpose was to see \you\, and to judge, if I could,
318:382,04[B  ]| whether I might ever hope to make you love me.  My
318:382,05[B  ]| avowed one, or what I avowed to myself, was to see
318:382,06[B  ]| whether your sister were still partial to Bingley, and if she
318:382,07[B  ]| were, to make the confession to him which I have since
318:382,08[B  ]| made."
318:382,09[A  ]| "Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady*Catherine,
318:382,10[A  ]| what is to befall her?"
318:382,11[B  ]| "I am more likely to want time than courage, Elizabeth.
318:382,12[B  ]| But it ought to be done, and if you will give me a sheet
318:382,13[B  ]| of paper, it shall be done directly."
318:382,14[A  ]| "And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit
318:382,15[A  ]| by you, and admire the evenness of your writing, as
318:382,16[A  ]| another young lady once did.  But I have an aunt, too,
318:382,17[A  ]| who must not be longer neglected."
318:382,18['  ]| From an unwillingness to confess how much her intimacy
318:382,19['  ]| with Mr%*Darcy had been over-rated, Elizabeth had never
318:382,20['  ]| yet answered Mrs%*Gardiner's long letter, but now, having
318:382,21['  ]| \that\ to communicate which she knew would be most
318:382,22['  ]| welcome, she was almost ashamed to find, that her uncle
318:382,23['  ]| and aunt had already lost three days of happiness, and
318:382,24['  ]| immediately wrote as follows:
318:382,25['  ]|
318:382,26[A  ]| "I would have thanked you before, my dear aunt, as
318:382,27[A  ]| I ought to have done, for your long, kind, satisfactory,
318:382,28[A  ]| detail of particulars; but to say the truth, I was too
318:382,29[A  ]| cross to write.  You supposed more than really existed.
318:382,30[A  ]| But \now\ suppose as much as you chuse; give a loose to
318:382,31[A  ]| your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible
318:382,32[A  ]| flight which the subject will afford, and unless you believe
318:382,33[A  ]| me actually married, you cannot greatly err.  You must
318:382,34[A  ]| write again very soon, and praise him a great deal more
318:382,35[A  ]| than you did in your last.  I thank you, again and again,
318:382,36[A  ]| for not going to the Lakes.  How could I be so silly as
318:382,37[A  ]| to wish it!  Your idea of the ponies is delightful.  We
318:382,38[A  ]| will go round the Park every day.  I am the happiest
318:383,01[A  ]| creature in the world.  Perhaps other people have said
318:383,02[A  ]| so before, but not one with such justice.  I am happier
318:383,03[A  ]| even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.  Mr%*Darcy
318:383,04[A  ]| sends you all the love in the world, that he can spare from
318:383,05[A  ]| me.  You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas.
318:383,06[A  ]| Your's, &c%"
318:383,07[A  ]|
318:383,08['  ]| Mr%*Darcy's letter to Lady*Catherine, was in a different
318:383,09['  ]| style; and still different from either, was what Mr%*Bennet
318:383,10['  ]| sent to Mr%*Collins, in reply to his last.
318:383,11['  ]|
318:383,12[C  ]| "DEAR SIR,
318:383,13[C  ]| "I must trouble you once more for congratulations.
318:383,14[C  ]| Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr%*Darcy.  Console
318:383,15[C  ]| Lady*Catherine as well as you can.  But, if I were you,
318:383,16[C  ]| I would stand by the nephew.  He has more to give.
318:383,17[C  ]| "Your's sincerely, &c%"
318:383,19['  ]| Miss*Bingley's congratulations to her brother, on his
318:383,20['  ]| approaching marriage, were all that was affectionate and
318:383,21['  ]| insincere.  She wrote even to Jane on the occasion, to
318:383,22['  ]| express her delight, and repeat all her former professions
318:383,23['  ]| of regard.  Jane was not deceived, but she was affected;
318:383,24['  ]| and though feeling no reliance on her, could not help
318:383,25['  ]| writing her a much kinder answer than she knew was
318:383,26['  ]| deserved.
318:383,27['  ]| The joy which Miss*Darcy expressed on receiving similar
318:383,28['  ]| information, was as sincere as her brother's in sending it.
318:383,29['  ]| Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her
318:383,30['  ]| delight, and all her earnest desire of being loved by her
318:383,31['  ]| sister.
318:383,32['  ]| Before any answer could arrive from Mr%*Collins, or any
318:383,33['  ]| congratulations to Elizabeth, from his wife, the Longbourn
318:383,34['  ]| family heard that the Collinses were come themselves to
318:383,35['  ]| Lucas*lodge.  The reason of this sudden removal was soon
318:383,36['  ]| evident.  Lady*Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly
318:383,37['  ]| angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that
318:383,38['  ]| Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to
318:383,39['  ]| get away till the storm was blown over.  At such a moment,
318:384,01['  ]| the arrival of her friend was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth,
318:384,02['  ]| though in the course of their meetings she must sometimes
318:384,03['  ]| think the pleasure dearly bought, when she saw Mr%*Darcy
318:384,04['  ]| exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of her
318:384,05['  ]| husband.  He bore it however with admirable calmness.
318:384,06['  ]| He could even listen to Sir*William*Lucas, when he complimented
318:384,07['  ]| him on carrying away the brightest jewel of
318:384,08['  ]| the country, and expressed his hopes of their all meeting
318:384,09['  ]| frequently at St%*James's, with very decent composure.
318:384,10['  ]| If he did shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir*William
318:384,11['  ]| was out of sight.
318:384,12['  ]| Mrs%*Philips's vulgarity was another, and perhaps a
318:384,13['  ]| greater tax on his forbearance; and though Mrs%*Philips,
318:384,14['  ]| as well as her sister, stood in too much awe of him to
318:384,15['  ]| speak with the familiarity which Bingley's good*humour
318:384,16['  ]| encouraged, yet, whenever she \did\ speak, she must be
318:384,17['  ]| vulgar.  Nor was her respect for him, though it made her
318:384,18['  ]| more quiet, at all likely to make her more elegant.  Elizabeth
318:384,19['  ]| did all she could, to shield him from the frequent
318:384,20['  ]| notice of either, and was ever anxious to keep him to
318:384,21['  ]| herself, and to those of her family with whom he might
318:384,22['  ]| converse without mortification; and though the uncomfortable
318:384,23['  ]| feelings arising from all this took from the season
318:384,24['  ]| of courtship much of its pleasure, it added to the hope of the
318:384,25['  ]| future; and she looked forward with delight to the time
318:384,26['  ]| when they should be removed from society so little
318:384,27['  ]| pleasing to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their
318:384,28['  ]| family party at Pemberley.
319:385,01['  ]| Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on
319:385,02['  ]| which Mrs%*Bennet got rid of her two most deserving
319:385,03['  ]| daughters.  With what delighted pride she afterwards
319:385,04['  ]| visited Mrs%*Bingley and talked of Mrs%*Darcy may be
319:385,05['  ]| guessed.  I wish I could say, for the sake of her family,
319:385,06['  ]| that the accomplishment of her earnest desire in the
319:385,07['  ]| establishment of so many of her children, produced so
319:385,08['  ]| happy an effect as to make her a sensible, amiable, well-informed
319:385,09['  ]| woman for the rest of her life; though perhaps
319:395,10['  ]| it was lucky for her husband, who might not have relished
319:385,11['  ]| domestic felicity in so unusual a form, that she still was
319:385,12['  ]| occasionally nervous and invariably silly.
319:385,13['  ]| Mr%*Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly;
319:385,14['  ]| his affection for her drew him oftener from home than
319:385,15['  ]| any*thing else could do.  He delighted in going to Pemberley,
319:385,16['  ]| especially when he was least expected.
319:385,17['  ]| Mr%*Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only
319:385,18['  ]| a twelvemonth.  So near a vicinity to her mother and
319:385,19['  ]| Meryton relations was not desirable even to \his\ easy
319:385,20['  ]| temper, or \her\ affectionate heart.  The darling wish of
319:385,21['  ]| his sisters was then gratified; he bought an estate in a
319:385,22['  ]| neighbouring county to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth,
319:385,23['  ]| in addition to every other source of happiness, were
319:385,24['  ]| within thirty miles of each other.
319:385,25['  ]| Kitty, to her very material advantage, spent the chief
319:385,26['  ]| of her time with her two elder sisters.  In society so
319:385,27['  ]| superior to what she had generally known, her improvement
319:385,28['  ]| was great.  She was not of so ungovernable a temper
319:385,29['  ]| as Lydia, and, removed from the influence of Lydia's
319:385,30['  ]| example, she became, by proper attention and management,
319:385,31['  ]| less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid.  From
319:385,32['  ]| the farther disadvantage of Lydia's society she was of
319:385,33['  ]| course carefully kept, and though Mrs%*Wickham frequently
319:386,01['  ]| invited her to come and stay with her, with the
319:386,02['  ]| promise of balls and young men, her father would never
319:386,03['  ]| consent to her going.
319:386,04['  ]| Mary was the only daughter who remained at home;
319:386,05['  ]| and she was necessarily drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments
319:386,06['  ]| by Mrs%*Bennet's being quite unable to sit
319:386,07['  ]| alone.  Mary was obliged to mix more with the world,
319:386,08['  ]| but she could still moralize over every morning visit;
319:386,09['  ]| and as she was no longer mortified by comparisons between
319:386,10['  ]| her sisters' beauty and her own, it was suspected by her
319:386,11['  ]| father that she submitted to the change without much
319:386,12['  ]| reluctance.
319:386,13['  ]| As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered
319:386,14['  ]| no revolution from the marriage of her sisters.  He bore
319:386,15['  ]| with philosophy the conviction that Elizabeth must now
319:386,16['  ]| become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude and
319:386,17['  ]| falsehood had before been unknown to her; and in spite
319:386,18['  ]| of every*thing, was not wholly without hope that Darcy
319:386,19['  ]| might yet be prevailed on to make his fortune.  The congratulatory
319:386,20['  ]| letter which Elizabeth received from Lydia on
319:386,21['  ]| her marriage, explained to her that, by his wife at least,
319:386,22['  ]| if not by himself, such a hope was cherished.  The letter
319:386,23['  ]| was to this effect:
319:386,24['  ]|
319:386,25[H  ]| "MY DEAR LIZZY,
319:386,26[H  ]| "I wish you joy.  If you love Mr%*Darcy half as well
319:386,27[H  ]| as I do my dear Wickham, you must be very happy.
319:386,28[H  ]| It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you
319:386,29[H  ]| have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us.  I am
319:386,30[H  ]| sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and
319:386,31[H  ]| I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live
319:386,32[H  ]| upon without some help.  Any place would do, of about
319:386,33[H  ]| three or four hundred a year; but, however, do not
319:386,34[H  ]| speak to Mr%*Darcy about it, if you had rather not.
319:386,35[H  ]| "Your's, &c%"
319:386,36[H  ]|
319:386,37['  ]| As it happened that Elizabeth had \much\ rather not,
319:386,38['  ]| she endeavoured in her answer to put an end to every
319:387,01['  ]| intreaty and expectation of the kind.  Such relief, however,
319:387,02['  ]| as it was in her power to afford, by the practice of
319:387,03['  ]| what might be called economy in her own private expences,
319:387,04['  ]| she frequently sent them.  It had always been evident
319:387,05['  ]| to her that such an income as theirs, under the direction
319:387,06['  ]| of two persons so extravagant in their wants, and heedless
319:387,07['  ]| of the future, must be very insufficient to their support;
319:387,08['  ]| and whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane
319:387,09['  ]| or herself were sure of being applied to, for some little
319:387,10['  ]| assistance towards discharging their bills.  Their manner
319:387,11['  ]| of living, even when the restoration of peace dismissed
319:387,12['  ]| them to a home, was unsettled in the extreme.  They were
319:387,13['  ]| always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap
319:387,14['  ]| situation, and always spending more than they ought.
319:387,15['  ]| His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; her's
319:387,16['  ]| lasted a little longer; and in spite of her youth and her
319:387,17['  ]| manners, she retained all the claims to reputation which
319:387,18['  ]| her marriage had given her.
319:387,19['  ]| Though Darcy could never receive \him\ at Pemberley,
319:387,20['  ]| yet, for Elizabeth's sake, he assisted him farther in his
319:387,21['  ]| profession.  Lydia was occasionally a visitor there, when
319:387,22['  ]| her husband was gone to enjoy himself in London or
319:387,23['  ]| Bath; and with the Bingley's they both of them frequently
319:387,24['  ]| staid so long, that even Bingley's good*humour was overcome,
319:387,25['  ]| and he proceeded so far as to \talk\ of giving them
319:387,26['  ]| a hint to be gone.
319:387,27['  ]| Miss*Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy's
319:387,28['  ]| marriage; but as she thought it advisable to retain the
319:387,29['  ]| right of visiting at Pemberley, she dropt all her resentment;
319:387,30['  ]| was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as
319:387,31['  ]| attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear
319:387,32['  ]| of civility to Elizabeth.
319:387,33['  ]| Pemberley was now Georgiana's home; and the attachment
319:387,34['  ]| of the sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped
319:387,35['  ]| to see.  They were able to love each other, even as well
319:387,36['  ]| as they intended.  Georgiana had the highest opinion in
319:387,37['  ]| the world of Elizabeth; though at first she often listened
319:387,38['  ]| with an astonishment bordering on alarm, at her lively,
319:388,01['  ]| sportive, manner of talking to her brother.  He, who had
319:388,02['  ]| always inspired in herself a respect which almost overcame
319:388,03['  ]| her affection, she now saw the object of open pleasantry.
319:388,04['  ]| Her mind received knowledge which had never before
319:388,05['  ]| fallen in her way.  By Elizabeth's instructions she began
319:388,06['  ]| to comprehend that a woman may take liberties with her
319:388,07['  ]| husband, which a brother will not always allow in a sister
319:388,08['  ]| more than ten years younger than himself.
319:388,09['  ]| Lady*Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage
319:388,10['  ]| of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine
319:388,11['  ]| frankness of her character, in her reply to the letter which
319:388,12['  ]| announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very
319:388,13['  ]| abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all
319:388,14['  ]| intercourse was at an end.  But at length, by Elizabeth's
319:388,15['  ]| persuasion, he was prevailed on to overlook the offence,
319:388,16['  ]| and seek a reconciliation; and, after a little farther
319:388,17['  ]| resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment gave
319:388,18['  ]| way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to see
319:388,19['  ]| how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended
319:388,20['  ]| to wait on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution
319:388,21['  ]| which its woods had received, not merely from the presence
319:388,22['  ]| of such a mistress, but the visits of her uncle and aunt
319:388,23['  ]| from the city.
319:388,24['  ]| With the Gardiners, they were always on the most
319:388,25['  ]| intimate terms.  Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved
319:388,26['  ]| them; and they were both ever sensible of the warmest
319:388,27['  ]| gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into
319:388,28['  ]| Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.