Magicbookshelf.org – Using AI to create a spoiler-free companion to any book

Magicbookshelf.org launched an AI-powered tool that provides spoiler-free companions for books, using the text of Pride and Prejudice as an example. The tool generates margin notes with character names and locations to help readers follow the story without revealing plot twists.

Pride and Prejudice Chapter I It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. “My dear Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park margin:netherfield is let at last?” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet replied that he had not. “But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet made no answer. “Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife, impatiently. “ You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.” This was invitation enough. “Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield margin:netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.” “What is his name?” “ Bingley margin:charles-bingley .” “Is he married or single?” “Oh, single, my dear, to be sure A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls ” “How so? how can it affect them?” “My dear Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome? You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.” “Is that his design in settling here?” “Design? Nonsense, how can you talk so But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.” “I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go—or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley might like you the best of the party.” “My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.” “In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.” “But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.” “It is more than I engage for, I assure you.” “But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account; for in general, you know, they visit no new comers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him, if you do not.” “You are over scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls—though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet .” “I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet is not a bit better than the others: and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane margin:jane-bennet , nor half so good-humoured as Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . But you are always giving her the preference.” “They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he: “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet has something more of quickness than her sisters.” “ Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.” “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.” “Ah, you do not know what I suffer.” “But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.” “It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.” “Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develope. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married: its solace was visiting and news. Chapter II Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley . He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with,— “I hope Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley will like it, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet .” “We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley likes,” said her mother, resentfully, “since we are not to visit.” “But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him.” “I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her.” “No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ; “and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet deigned not to make any reply; but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters. “Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , for heaven’s sake Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.” “ Kitty margin:catherine-bennet has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she times them ill.” “I do not cough for my own amusement,” replied Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , fretfully. “When is your next ball to be, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ?” “To-morrow fortnight.” “Ay, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so, it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself.” “Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley to her .” “Impossible, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?” “I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’s acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture, somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her nieces must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself.” The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet said only, “Nonsense, nonsense ” “What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?” cried he. “Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there . What say you, Mary margin:mary-bennet ? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books, and make extracts.” Mary margin:mary-bennet wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how. “While Mary margin:mary-bennet is adjusting her ideas,” he continued, “let us return to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley .” “I am sick of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ,” cried his wife. “I am sorry to hear that ; but why did you not tell me so before? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.” The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished—that of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while. “How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am And it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning, and never said a word about it till now.” “Now, Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , you may cough as much as you choose,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife. “What an excellent father you have, girls,” said she, when the door was shut. “I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me either, for that matter. At our time of life, it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes we would do anything. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley will dance with you at the next ball.” “Oh,” said Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , stoutly, “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest.” The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner. Chapter III Not all that Mrs. Bennet, however, with the assistance of her five daughters, could ask on the subject, was sufficient to draw from her husband any satisfactory description of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley . They attacked him in various ways, with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all; and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas. Her report was highly favourable. Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas had been delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next assembly with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively hopes of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s heart were entertained. “If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield margin:netherfield ,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet to her husband, “and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for.” In a few days Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley returned Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining, from an upper window, that he wore a blue coat and rode a black horse. An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards despatched; and already had Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was obliged to be in town the following day, and consequently unable to accept the honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was quite disconcerted. She could not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might always be flying about from one place to another, and never settled at Netherfield margin:netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears a little by starting the idea of his being gone to London margin:london only to get a large party for the ball; and a report soon followed that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly. The girls grieved over such a number of ladies; but were comforted the day before the ball by hearing that, instead of twelve, he had brought only six with him from London margin:london , his five sisters and a cousin. And when the party entered the assembly-room, it consisted of only five altogether: Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and another young man. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike: he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst , merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room: he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield margin:netherfield . Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and once with Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her daughters. Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had been standing near enough for her to overhear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , who came from the dance for a few minutes to press his friend to join it. “Come, Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.” “I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.” “I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Bingley margin:charles-bingley , “for a kingdom Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them, you see, uncommonly pretty.” “ You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , looking at the eldest Miss Bennet. “Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.” “Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , till, catching her eye, he withdrew his own, and coldly said, “She is tolerable: but not handsome enough to tempt me ; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.” Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy walked off; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous. The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield margin:netherfield party. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been distinguished by his sisters. Jane margin:jane-bennet was as much gratified by this as her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s pleasure. Mary margin:mary-bennet had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had been fortunate enough to be never without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn margin:longbourn , the village where they lived, and of which they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet still up. With a book, he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that all his wife’s views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found that he had a very different story to hear. “Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ,” as she entered the room, “we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there. Jane margin:jane-bennet was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice. Only think of that , my dear: he actually danced with her twice; and she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas . I was so vexed to see him stand up with her; but, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody can, you know; and he seemed quite struck with Jane margin:jane-bennet as she was going down the dance. So he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next. Then, the two third he danced with Miss King, and the two fourth with Maria Lucas, and the two fifth with Jane margin:jane-bennet again, and the two sixth with Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , and the Boulanger ——” “If he had had any compassion for me ,” cried her husband impatiently, “he would not have danced half so much For God’s sake, say no more of his partners. O that he had sprained his ancle in the first dance ” “Oh, my dear,” continued Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , “I am quite delighted with him. He is so excessively handsome and his sisters are charming women. I never in my life saw anything more elegant than their dresses. I dare say the lace upon Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst ’s gown——” Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet protested against any description of finery. She was therefore obliged to seek another branch of the subject, and related, with much bitterness of spirit, and some exaggeration, the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . “But I can assure you,” she added, “that Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited, that there was no enduring him He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great Not handsome enough to dance with I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man.” Chapter IV When Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet were alone, the former, who had been cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley before, expressed to her sister how very much she admired him. “He is just what a young-man ought to be,” said she, “sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners so much ease, with such perfect good breeding ” “He is also handsome,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “which a young man ought likewise to be if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.” “I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment.” “Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never. What could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.” “Dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ” “Oh, you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.” “I would wish not to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak what I think.” “I know you do: and it is that which makes the wonder. With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others Affectation of candour is common enough; one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design,—to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad,—belongs to you alone. And so, you like this man’s sisters, too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his.” “Certainly not, at first; but they are very pleasing women when you converse with them. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley is to live with her brother, and keep his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming neighbour in her.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet listened in silence, but was not convinced: their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister, and with a judgment, too, unassailed by any attention to herself, she was very little disposed to approve them. They were, in fact, very fine ladies; not deficient in good-humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of being agreeable where they chose it; but proud and conceited. They were rather handsome; had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town; had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds; were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank; and were, therefore, in every respect entitled to think well of themselves and meanly of others. They were of a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their brother’s fortune and their own had been acquired by trade. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley inherited property to the amount of nearly a hundred thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an estate, but did not live to do it. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley intended it likewise, and sometimes made choice of his county; but, as he was now provided with a good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of those who best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend the remainder of his days at Netherfield margin:netherfield , and leave the next generation to purchase. His sisters were very anxious for his having an estate of his own; but though he was now established only as a tenant, Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was by no means unwilling to preside at his table; nor was Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst , who had married a man of more fashion than fortune, less disposed to consider his house as her home when it suited her. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley had not been of age two years when he was tempted, by an accidental recommendation, to look at Netherfield margin:netherfield House. He did look at it, and into it, for half an hour; was pleased with the situation and the principal rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it immediately. Between him and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of a great opposition of character. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was endeared to Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy by the easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s regard, Bingley margin:charles-bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. In understanding, Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was the superior. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was by no means deficient; but Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious; and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared; Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was continually giving offence. The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly margin:the-meryton-assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Bingley margin:charles-bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him; there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty; but she smiled too much. Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and her sister allowed it to be so; but still they admired her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one whom they should not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore established as a sweet girl; and their brother felt authorized by such commendation to think of her as he chose. Chapter V Within a short walk of Longbourn margin:longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets margin:the-bennet-family were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton margin:meryton , where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty. The distinction had, perhaps, been felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business and to his residence in a small market town; and, quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton margin:meryton , denominated from that period Lucas Lodge margin:lucas-lodge ; where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and, unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all the world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St. James’s had made him courteous. Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet . They had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s intimate friend. That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly brought the former to Longbourn margin:longbourn to hear and to communicate. “ You began the evening well, Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , with civil self-command, to Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas . “ You were Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s first choice.” “Yes; but he seemed to like his second better.” “Oh, you mean Jane margin:jane-bennet , I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be sure that did seem as if he admired her—indeed, I rather believe he did —I heard something about it—but I hardly know what—something about Mr. Robinson.” “Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson: did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson’s asking him how he liked our Meryton margin:meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and which he thought the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last question, ‘Oh, the eldest Miss Bennet, beyond a doubt: there cannot be two opinions on that point.’” “Upon my word Well, that was very decided, indeed—that does seem as if—but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know.” “ My overhearings were more to the purpose than yours , Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas . “ Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend, is he? Poor Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet to be only just tolerable .” “I beg you will not put it into Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s head to be vexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half an hour without once opening his lips.” “Are you quite sure, ma’am? Is not there a little mistake?” said Jane margin:jane-bennet . “I certainly saw Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy speaking to her.” “Ay, because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield margin:netherfield , and he could not help answering her; but she said he seemed very angry at being spoke to.” “ Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley told me,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , “that he never speaks much unless among his intimate acquaintance. With them he is remarkably agreeable.” “I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride, and I dare say he had heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had to come to the ball in a hack chaise.” “I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,” said Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , “but I wish he had danced with Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet .” “Another time, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said her mother, “I would not dance with him , if I were you.” “I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him.” “His pride,” said Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , “does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud.” “That is very true,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine .” “Pride,” observed Mary margin:mary-bennet , who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, “is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us.” “If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ,” cried a young Lucas, who came with his sisters, “I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine every day.” “Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ; “and if I were to see you at it, I should take away your bottle directly.” The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare that she would; and the argument ended only with the visit. Chapter VI The ladies of Longbourn margin:longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield margin:netherfield . The visit was returned in due form. Miss Bennet’s pleasing manners grew on the good-will of Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ; and though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with them was expressed towards the two eldest. By Jane margin:jane-bennet this attention was received with the greatest pleasure; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value, as arising, in all probability, from the influence of their brother’s admiration. It was generally evident, whenever they met, that he did admire her; and to her it was equally evident that Jane margin:jane-bennet was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and an uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend, Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas . “It may, perhaps, be pleasant,” replied Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , “to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley margin:charles-bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.” “But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to discover it too.” “Remember, Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , that he does not know Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s disposition as you do.” “But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal it, he must find it out.” “Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Bingley margin:charles-bingley and Jane margin:jane-bennet meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane margin:jane-bennet should therefore make the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.” “Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married; and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are not Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton margin:meryton ; she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined in company with him four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.” “Not as you represent it. Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have been also spent together—and four evenings may do a great deal.” “Yes: these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce, but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.” “Well,” said Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , “I wish Jane margin:jane-bennet success with all my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” “You make me laugh, Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.” Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s attention to her sister, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty: he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. Of this she was perfectly unaware: to her he was only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with. He began to wish to know more of her; and, as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. His doing so drew her notice. It was at Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas ’s, where a large party were assembled. “What does Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy mean,” said she to Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , “by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster ?” “That is a question which Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy only can answer.” “But if he does it any more, I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him.” On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas defied her friend to mention such a subject to him, which immediately provoking Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet to do it, she turned to him and said,— “Did not you think, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster to give us a ball at Meryton margin:meryton ?” “With great energy; but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic.” “You are severe on us.” “It will be her turn soon to be teased,” said Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas . “I am going to open the instrument, Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , and you know what follows.” “You are a very strange creature by way of a friend —always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers.” On Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas ’s persevering, however, she added, “Very well; if it must be so, it must.” And gravely glancing at Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “There is a very fine old saying, which everybody here is of course familiar with—‘Keep your breath to cool your porridge,’—and I shall keep mine to swell my song.” Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary margin:mary-bennet , who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display. Mary margin:mary-bennet had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Mary margin:mary-bennet , at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who with some of the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family , and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by his own thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began:— “What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy There is nothing like dancing, after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.” “Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world: every savage can dance.” Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas only smiled. “Your friend performs delightfully,” he continued, after a pause, on seeing Bingley margin:charles-bingley join the group; “and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy .” “You saw me dance at Meryton margin:meryton , I believe, sir.” “Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James’s?” “Never, sir.” “Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?” “It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it.” “You have a house in town, I conclude?” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy bowed. “I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself, for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London margin:london would agree with Lady Lucas.” He paused in hopes of an answer: but his companion was not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the notion of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her,— “My dear Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , why are not you dancing? Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you.” And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ,— “Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was determined; nor did Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion. “You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half hour.” “ Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is all politeness,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , smiling. “He is, indeed: but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object to such a partner?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ,— “I can guess the subject of your reverie.” “I should imagine not.” “You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner,—in such society; and, indeed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed The insipidity, and yet the noise—the nothingness, and yet the self-importance, of all these people What would I give to hear your strictures on them ” “Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.” Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy replied, with great intrepidity,— “Miss Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet .” “Miss Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet ” repeated Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley . “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? and pray when am I to wish you joy?” “That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.” “Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberley margin:pemberley with you.” He listened to her with perfect indifference, while she chose to entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed along. Chapter VII Mr. Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed, in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother’s fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiency of his. Her father had been an attorney in Meryton margin:meryton , and had left her four thousand pounds. She had a sister married to a Mr. Philips, who had been a clerk to their father and succeeded him in the business, and a brother settled in London margin:london in a respectable line of trade. The village of Longbourn margin:longbourn was only one mile from Meryton margin:meryton ; a most convenient distance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt, and to a milliner’s shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family, Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , were particularly frequent in these attentions: their minds were more vacant than their sisters’, and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton margin:meryton was necessary to amuse their morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and, however bare of news the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton margin:meryton was the head-quarters. Their visits to Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge of the officers margin:the-militia ’ names and connections. Their lodgings were not long a secret, and at length they began to know the officers margin:the-militia themselves. Mr. Philips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a source of felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign. After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet coolly observed,— “From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced.” Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , with perfect indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter, and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the next morning to London margin:london . “I am astonished, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , “that you should be so ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly of anybody’s children, it should not be of my own, however.” “If my children are silly, I must hope to be always sensible of it.” “Yes; but as it happens, they are all of them very clever.” “This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must so far differ from you as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly foolish.” “My dear Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , you must not expect such girls to have the sense of their father and mother. When they get to our age, I dare say they will not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when I liked a red coat myself very well—and, indeed, so I do still at my heart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls, I shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster looked very becoming the other night at Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ’s in his regimentals.” “Mamma,” cried Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , “my aunt says that Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster and Captain Carter do not go so often to Miss Watson’s as they did when they first came; she sees them now very often standing in Clarke’s library.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield margin:netherfield , and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while her daughter read,— “Well, Jane margin:jane-bennet , who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well, Jane margin:jane-bennet , make haste and tell us; make haste, my love.” “It is from Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , and then read it aloud. / NIND “My dear friend, / “If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives; for a whole day’s tête-à-tête between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers margin:the-militia . Yours ever, “CAROLINE BINGLEY.” “With the officers margin:the-militia ” cried Lydia margin:lydia-bennet : “I wonder my aunt did not tell us of that .” “Dining out,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ; “that is very unlucky.” “Can I have the carriage?” said Jane margin:jane-bennet . “No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night.” “That would be a good scheme,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “if you were sure that they would not offer to send her home.” “Oh, but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s chaise to go to Meryton margin:meryton ; and the Hursts have no horses to theirs.” “I had much rather go in the coach.” “But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , are not they?” “They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them.” “But if you have got them to-day,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “my mother’s purpose will be answered.” She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged; Jane margin:jane-bennet was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane margin:jane-bennet had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Jane margin:jane-bennet certainly could not come back. “This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed ” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield margin:netherfield brought the following note for Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet :— / NIND “My dearest Lizzie, / “I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones—therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me—and, excepting a sore throat and a headache, there is not much the matter with me. “Yours, etc.” “Well, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , when Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had read the note aloud, “if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die—it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , and under your orders.” “Oh, I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see her if I could have the carriage.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , feeling really anxious, determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had: and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. She declared her resolution. “How can you be so silly,” cried her mother, “as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.” “I shall be very fit to see Jane margin:jane-bennet —which is all I want.” “Is this a hint to me, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said her father, “to send for the horses?” “No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner.” “I admire the activity of your benevolence,” observed Mary margin:mary-bennet , “but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.” “We will go as far as Meryton margin:meryton with you,” said Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off together. “If we make haste,” said Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , as they walked along, “perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter, before he goes.” In Meryton margin:meryton they parted: the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one of the officers margin:the-militia ’ wives, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles, with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise. She was shown into the breakfast parlour, where all but Jane margin:jane-bennet were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. That she should have walked three miles so early in the day in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother’s manners there was something better than politeness—there was good-humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion and doubt as to the occasion’s justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast. Her inquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane margin:jane-bennet , who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation; and when Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet silently attended her. When breakfast was over, they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Jane margin:jane-bennet . The apothecary came; and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had in fact nothing to do elsewhere. When the clock struck three, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt that she must go, and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane margin:jane-bennet testified such concern at parting with her that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to remain at Netherfield margin:netherfield for the present. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet most thankfully consented, and a servant was despatched to Longbourn margin:longbourn , to acquaint the family with her stay, and bring back a supply of clothes. Chapter VIII At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then poured in, and amongst which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , she could not make a very favourable answer. Jane margin:jane-bennet was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their indifference towards Jane margin:jane-bennet , when not immediately before them, restored Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet to the enjoyment of all her original dislike. Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom she could regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Jane margin:jane-bennet was evident, and his attentions to herself most pleasing; and they prevented her feeling herself so much an intruder as she believed she was considered by the others. She had very little notice from any but him. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was engrossed by Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , her sister scarcely less so; and as for Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst , by whom Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards, who, when he found her prefer a plain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her. When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane margin:jane-bennet , and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed,—a mixture of pride and impertinence: she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst thought the same, and added,— “She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.” “She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowzy ” “Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain, and the gown which had been let down to hide it not doing its office.” “Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,” said Bingley margin:charles-bingley ; “but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.” “ You observed it, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , I am sure,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ; “and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.” “Certainly not.” “To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone what could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.” “It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,” said Bingley margin:charles-bingley . “I am afraid, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ,” observed Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , in a half whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.” “Not at all,” he replied: “they were brightened by the exercise.” A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst began again,— “I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet margin:jane-bennet ,—she is really a very sweet girl,—and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.” “I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton margin:meryton ?” “Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside.” “That is capital,” added her sister; and they both laughed heartily. “If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,” cried Bingley margin:charles-bingley , “it would not make them one jot less agreeable.” “But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world,” replied Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . To this speech Bingley margin:charles-bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of their dear friend’s vulgar relations. With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to her room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to coffee. She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet would not quit her at all, till late in the evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her asleep, and when it appeared to her rather right than pleasant that she should go down stairs herself. On entering the drawing-room, she found the whole party at loo, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be playing high, she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, said she would amuse herself, for the short time she could stay below, with a book. Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst looked at her with astonishment. “Do you prefer reading to cards?” said he; “that is rather singular.” “Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet Bennet,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , “despises cards. She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.” “I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.” “In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,” said Bingley margin:charles-bingley ; “and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her quite well.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards a table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch her others; all that his library afforded. “And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own credit; but I am an idle fellow; and though I have not many, I have more than I ever looked into.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room. “I am astonished,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , “that my father should have left so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at Pemberley margin:pemberley , Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ” “It ought to be good,” he replied: “it has been the work of many generations.” “And then you have added so much to it yourself—you are always buying books.” “I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.” “Neglect I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley margin:pemberley .” “I wish it may.” “But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley margin:pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire.” “With all my heart: I will buy Pemberley margin:pemberley itself, if Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy will sell it.” “I am talking of possibilities, Charles.” “Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley margin:pemberley by purchase than by imitation.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was so much caught by what passed, as to leave her very little attention for her book; and, soon laying it wholly aside, she drew near the card-table, and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and his eldest sister, to observe the game. “Is Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy much grown since the spring?” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley : “will she be as tall as I am?” “I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s height, or rather taller.” “How I long to see her again I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners, and so extremely accomplished for her age Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.” “It is amazing to me,” said Bingley margin:charles-bingley , “how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.” “All young ladies accomplished My dear Charles, what do you mean?” “Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this; and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.” “Your list of the common extent of accomplishments margin:accomplishment ,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “has too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse or covering a screen; but I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen in the whole range of my acquaintance that are really accomplished.” “Nor I, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley . “Then,” observed Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman margin:accomplishment .” “Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.” “Oh, certainly,” cried his faithful assistant, “no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and, besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.” “All this she must possess,” added Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; “and to all she must yet add something more substantial in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.” “I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any .” “Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all this?” “ I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united.” Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley both cried out against the injustice of her implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward. As all conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet soon afterwards left the room. “ Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet Bennet,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , when the door was closed on her, “is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I daresay, it succeeds; but, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art.” “Undoubtedly,” replied Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, “there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable.” Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to continue the subject. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley margin:charles-bingley urged Mr. Jones’s being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so unwilling to comply with their brother’s proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duets after supper; while he could find no better relief to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every possible attention might be paid to the sick lady and her sister. Chapter IX Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet passed the chief of the night in her sister’s room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the inquiries which she very early received from Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from the two elegant ladies who waited on his sisters. In spite of this amendment, however, she requested to have a note sent to Longbourn margin:longbourn , desiring her mother to visit Jane margin:jane-bennet , and form her own judgment of her situation. The note was immediately despatched, and its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield margin:netherfield soon after the family breakfast. Had she found Jane margin:jane-bennet in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet would have been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her that her illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield margin:netherfield . She would not listen, therefore, to her daughter’s proposal of being carried home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane margin:jane-bennet , on Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s appearance and invitation, the mother and three daughters all attended her into the breakfast parlour. Bingley margin:charles-bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected. “Indeed I have, sir,” was her answer. “She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness.” “Removed ” cried Bingley margin:charles-bingley . “It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal.” “You may depend upon it, madam,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , with cold civility, “that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments. “I am sure,” she added, “if it was not for such good friends, I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are nothing to her . You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , and a charming prospect over that gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield margin:netherfield . You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease.” “Whatever I do is done in a hurry,” replied he; “and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield margin:netherfield , I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here.” “That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “You begin to comprehend me, do you?” cried he, turning towards her. “Oh yes—I understand you perfectly.” “I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through, I am afraid, is pitiful.” “That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.” “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” cried her mother, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” “I did not know before,” continued Bingley margin:charles-bingley , immediately, “that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study.” “Yes; but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage.” “The country,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “can in general supply but few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.” “But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.” “Yes, indeed,” cried Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , offended by his manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. “I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town.” Everybody was surprised; and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , after looking at her for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , who fancied she had gained a complete victory over him, continued her triumph,— “I cannot see that London margin:london has any great advantage over the country, for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ?” “When I am in the country,” he replied, “I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town, it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.” “Ay, that is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman,” looking at Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “seemed to think the country was nothing at all.” “Indeed, mamma, you are mistaken,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , blushing for her mother. “You quite mistook Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . He only meant that there was not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.” “Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families.” Nothing but concern for Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could enable Bingley margin:charles-bingley to keep his countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eye towards Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother’s thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas had been at Longbourn margin:longbourn since her coming away. “Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas is, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley —is not he? so much the man of fashion so genteel and so easy He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very important and never open their mouths quite mistake the matter.” “Did Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas dine with you?” “No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up differently. But everybody is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome Not that I think Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas so very plain; but then she is our particular friend.” “She seems a very pleasant young woman,” said Bingley margin:charles-bingley . “Oh dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child; but to be sure, Jane margin:jane-bennet —one does not often see anybody better looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own partiality. When she was only fifteen there was a gentleman at my brother Gardiner’s in town so much in love with her, that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty they were.” “And so ended his affection,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , impatiently. “There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love ” “I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . “Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensued made Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet tremble lest her mother should be exposing herself again. She longed to speak, but could think of nothing to say; and after a short silence Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet began repeating her thanks to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley for his kindness to Jane margin:jane-bennet , with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet . Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, and say what the occasion required. She performed her part, indeed, without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was satisfied, and soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit; and the result of it was, that the youngest should tax Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield margin:netherfield . Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the attentions of the officers margin:the-militia , to whom her uncle’s good dinners and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into assurance. She was very equal, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to her mother’s ear. “I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement; and, when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing while she is ill?” Lydia margin:lydia-bennet declared herself satisfied. “Oh yes—it would be much better to wait till Jane margin:jane-bennet was well; and by that time, most likely, Captain Carter would be at Meryton margin:meryton again. And when you have given your ball,” she added, “I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster it will be quite a shame if he does not.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet returned instantly to Jane margin:jane-bennet , leaving her own and her relations’ behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; the latter of whom, however, could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of her , in spite of all Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s witticisms on fine eyes . Chapter X The day passed much as the day before had done. Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the invalid, who continued, though slowly, to mend; and, in the evening, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet joined their party in the drawing-room. The loo table, however, did not appear. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was writing, and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , seated near him, was watching the progress of his letter, and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst and Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst was observing their game. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet took up some needlework, and was sufficiently amused in attending to what passed between Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy and his companion. The perpetual commendations of the lady either on his hand-writing, or on the evenness of his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfect unconcern with which her praises were received, formed a curious dialogue, and was exactly in unison with her opinion of each. “How delighted Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy will be to receive such a letter ” He made no answer. “You write uncommonly fast.” “You are mistaken. I write rather slowly.” “How many letters you must have occasion to write in the course of a year Letters of business, too How odious I should think them ” “It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of to yours.” “Pray tell your sister that I long to see her.” “I have already told her so once, by your desire.” “I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend it for you. I mend pens remarkably well.” “Thank you—but I always mend my own.” “How can you contrive to write so even?” He was silent. “Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her improvement on the harp, and pray let her know that I am quite in raptures with her beautiful little design for a table, and I think it infinitely superior to Miss Grantley’s.” “Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till I write again? At present I have not room to do them justice.” “Oh, it is of no consequence. I shall see her in January. But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” “They are generally long; but whether always charming, it is not for me to determine.” “It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter with ease cannot write ill.” “That will not do for a compliment to Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , Caroline,” cried her brother, “because he does not write with ease. He studies too much for words of four syllables. Do not you, Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” “My style of writing is very different from yours.” “Oh,” cried Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , “Charles writes in the most careless way imaginable. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest.” “My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them; by which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents.” “Your humility, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “must disarm reproof.” “Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.” “And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?” “The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not estimable, you think at least highly interesting. The power of doing anything with quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance. When you told Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet this morning, that if you ever resolved on quitting Netherfield margin:netherfield you should be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of panegyric, of compliment to yourself; and yet what is there so very laudable in a precipitance which must leave very necessary business undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or anyone else?” “Nay,” cried Bingley margin:charles-bingley , “this is too much, to remember at night all the foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon my honour, I believed what I said of myself to be true, and I believe it at this moment. At least, therefore, I did not assume the character of needless precipitance merely to show off before the ladies.” “I daresay you believed it; but I am by no means convinced that you would be gone with such celerity. Your conduct would be quite as dependent on chance as that of any man I know; and if, as you were mounting your horse, a friend were to say, ‘ Bingley margin:charles-bingley , you had better stay till next week,’ you would probably do it—you would probably not go—and, at another word, might stay a month.” “You have only proved by this,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley did not do justice to his own disposition. You have shown him off now much more than he did himself.” “I am exceedingly gratified,” said Bingley margin:charles-bingley , “by your converting what my friend says into a compliment on the sweetness of my temper. But I am afraid you are giving it a turn which that gentleman did by no means intend; for he would certainly think the better of me if, under such a circumstance, I were to give a flat denial, and ride off as fast as I could.” “Would Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy then consider the rashness of your original intention as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it?” “Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter— Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy must speak for himself.” “You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call mine, but which I have never acknowledged. Allowing the case, however, to stand according to your representation, you must remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend who is supposed to desire his return to the house, and the delay of his plan, has merely desired it, asked it without offering one argument in favour of its propriety.” “To yield readily—easily—to the persuasion of a friend is no merit with you.” “To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either.” “You appear to me, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , to allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection. A regard for the requester would often make one readily yield to a request, without waiting for arguments to reason one into it. I am not particularly speaking of such a case as you have supposed about Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley . We may as well wait, perhaps, till the circumstance occurs, before we discuss the discretion of his behaviour thereupon. But in general and ordinary cases, between friend and friend, where one of them is desired by the other to change a resolution of no very great moment, should you think ill of that person for complying with the desire, without waiting to be argued into it?” “Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this subject, to arrange with rather more precision the degree of importance which is to appertain to this request, as well as the degree of intimacy subsisting between the parties?” “By all means,” cried Bingley margin:charles-bingley ; “let us hear all the particulars, not forgetting their comparative height and size, for that will have more weight in the argument, Miss Bennet, than you may be aware of. I assure you that if Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I should not pay him half so much deference. I declare I do not know a more awful object than Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening, when he has nothing to do.” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy smiled; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet thought she could perceive that he was rather offended, and therefore checked her laugh. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley warmly resented the indignity he had received, in an expostulation with her brother for talking such nonsense. “I see your design, Bingley margin:charles-bingley ,” said his friend. “You dislike an argument, and want to silence this.” “Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room, I shall be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me.” “What you ask,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had much better finish his letter.” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy took her advice, and did finish his letter. When that business was over, he applied to Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet for the indulgence of some music. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley moved with alacrity to the pianoforte, and after a polite request that Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet would lead the way, which the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she seated herself. Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst sang with her sister; and while they were thus employed, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not help observing, as she turned over some music-books that lay on the instrument, how frequently Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man, and yet that he should look at her because he disliked her was still more strange. She could only imagine, however, at last, that she drew his notice because there was something about her more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in any other person present. The supposition did not pain her. She liked him too little to care for his approbation. After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley varied the charm by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , drawing near Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , said to her,— “Do you not feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?” She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with some surprise at her silence. “Oh,” said she, “I heard you before; but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say ‘Yes,’ that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell you that I do not want to dance a reel at all; and now despise me if you dare.” “Indeed I do not dare.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody, and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed that, were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley saw, or suspected, enough to be jealous; and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane margin:jane-bennet received some assistance from her desire of getting rid of Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . She often tried to provoke Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy into disliking her guest, by talking of their supposed marriage, and planning his happiness in such an alliance. “I hope,” said she, as they were walking together in the shrubbery the next day, “you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can compass it, to cure the younger girls of running after the officers margin:the-militia . And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses.” “Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?” “Oh yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Philips be placed in the gallery at Pemberley margin:pemberley . Put them next to your great-uncle the judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s picture, you must not attempt to have it taken, for what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes?” “It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression; but their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be copied.” At that moment they were met from another walk by Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet herself. “I did not know that you intended to walk,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , in some confusion, lest they had been overheard. “You used us abominably ill,” answered Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst , “running away without telling us that you were coming out.” Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she left Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet to walk by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy felt their rudeness, and immediately said,— “This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the avenue.” But Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who had not the least inclination to remain with them, laughingly answered,— “No, no; stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped, and appear to uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a fourth. Good-bye.” She then ran gaily off, rejoicing, as she rambled about, in the hope of being at home again in a day or two. Jane margin:jane-bennet was already so much recovered as to intend leaving her room for a couple of hours that evening. Chapter XI When the ladies removed after dinner Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ran up to her sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into the drawing-room, where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared. Their powers of conversation were considerable. They could describe an entertainment with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh at their acquaintance with spirit. But when the gentlemen entered, Jane margin:jane-bennet was no longer the first object; Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed himself directly to Miss Bennet with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he was “very glad;” but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s salutation. He was full of joy and attention. The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer from the change of room; and she removed, at his desire, to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be farther from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to anyone else. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great delight. When tea was over Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst reminded his sister-in-law of the card-table—but in vain. She had obtained private intelligence that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy did not wish for cards, and Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst soon found even his open petition rejected. She assured him that no one intended to play, and the silence of the whole party on the subject seemed to justify her. Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst had, therefore, nothing to do but to stretch himself on one of the sofas and go to sleep. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy took up a book. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley did the same; and Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst , principally occupied in playing with her bracelets and rings, joined now and then in her brother’s conversation with Miss Bennet. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s progress through his book, as in reading her own; and she was perpetually either making some inquiry, or looking at his page. She could not win him, however, to any conversation; he merely answered her question and read on. At length, quite exhausted by the attempt to be amused with her own book, which she had only chosen because it was the second volume of his, she gave a great yawn and said, “How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way I declare, after all, there is no enjoyment like reading How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” No one made any reply. She then yawned again, threw aside her book, and cast her eyes round the room in quest of some amusement; when, hearing her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned suddenly towards him and said,— “By the bye Charles, are you really serious in meditating a dance at Netherfield margin:netherfield ? I would advise you, before you determine on it, to consult the wishes of the present party; I am much mistaken if there are not some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasure.” “If you mean Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ,” cried her brother, “he may go to bed, if he chooses, before it begins; but as for the ball, it is quite a settled thing, and as soon as Nicholls has made white soup enough I shall send round my cards.” “I should like balls infinitely better,” she replied, “if they were carried on in a different manner; but there is something insufferably tedious in the usual process of such a meeting. It would surely be much more rational if conversation instead of dancing made the order of the day.” “Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say; but it would not be near so much like a ball.” Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley made no answer, and soon afterwards got up and walked about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked well; but Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , at whom it was all aimed, was still inflexibly studious. In the desperation of her feelings, she resolved on one effort more; and, turning to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , said,— “Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long in one attitude.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley succeeded no less in the real object of her civility: Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy looked up. He was as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet herself could be, and unconsciously closed his book. He was directly invited to join their party, but he declined it, observing that he could imagine but two motives for their choosing to walk up and down the room together, with either of which motives his joining them would interfere. What could he mean? She was dying to know what could be his meaning—and asked Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet whether she could at all understand him. “Not at all,” was her answer; “but, depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.” Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy in anything, and persevered, therefore, in requiring an explanation of his two motives. “I have not the smallest objection to explaining them,” said he, as soon as she allowed him to speak. “You either choose this method of passing the evening because you are in each other’s confidence, and have secret affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage in walking: if the first, I should be completely in your way; and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire.” “Oh, shocking ” cried Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley . “I never heard anything so abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?” “Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “We can all plague and punish one another. Tease him—laugh at him. Intimate as you are, you must know how it is to be done.” “But upon my honour I do not . I do assure you that my intimacy has not yet taught me that . Tease calmness of temper and presence of mind No, no; I feel he may defy us there. And as to laughter, we will not expose ourselves, if you please, by attempting to laugh without a subject. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy may hug himself.” “ Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is not to be laughed at ” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “That is an uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintance. I dearly love a laugh.” “ Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ,” said he, “has given me credit for more than can be. The wisest and best of men,—nay, the wisest and best of their actions,—may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.” “Certainly,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them . I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.” “Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule.” “Such as vanity and pride.” “Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride—where there is a real superiority of mind—pride will be always under good regulation.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet turned away to hide a smile. “Your examination of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is over, I presume,” said Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ; “and pray what is the result?” “I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise.” “No,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding; certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost for ever.” “ That is a failing, indeed ” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.” “There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.” “And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.” “And yours,” he replied, with a smile, “is wilfully to misunderstand them.” “Do let us have a little music,” cried Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , tired of a conversation in which she had no share. “Louisa, you will not mind my waking Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst .” Her sister made not the smallest objection, and the pianoforte was opened; and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , after a few moments’ recollection, was not sorry for it. He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet too much attention. Chapter XII In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet wrote the next morning to her mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , who had calculated on her daughters remaining at Netherfield margin:netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s week, could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very well. Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was positively resolved—nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the contrary, of being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long, she urged Jane margin:jane-bennet to borrow Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s carriage immediately, and at length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield margin:netherfield that morning should be mentioned, and the request made. The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work on Jane margin:jane-bennet ; and till the morrow their going was deferred. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was then sorry that she had proposed the delay; for her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other. The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her—that she was not enough recovered; but Jane margin:jane-bennet was firm where she felt herself to be right. To Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy it was welcome intelligence: Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had been at Netherfield margin:netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked; and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was uncivil to her and more teasing than usual to himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him—nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity; sensible that, if such an idea had been suggested, his behaviour during the last day must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday: and though they were at one time left by themselves for half an hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her. On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost all, took place. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s civility to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet increased at last very rapidly, as well as her affection for Jane margin:jane-bennet ; and when they parted, after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always give her to see her either at Longbourn margin:longbourn or Netherfield margin:netherfield , and embracing her most tenderly, she even shook hands with the former. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet took leave of the whole party in the liveliest spirits. They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and was sure Jane margin:jane-bennet would have caught cold again. But their father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure, was really glad to see them; he had felt their importance in the family circle. The evening conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost much of its animation, and almost all its sense, by the absence of Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . They found Mary margin:mary-bennet , as usual, deep in the study of thorough bass and human nature; and had some new extracts to admire and some new observations of threadbare morality to listen to. Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had information for them of a different sort. Much had been done, and much had been said in the regiment margin:the-militia since the preceding Wednesday; several of the officers had dined lately with their uncle; a private had been flogged; and it had actually been hinted that Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster was going to be married. Chapter XIII “I hope, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, “that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.” “Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure, unless Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas should happen to call in; and I hope my dinners are good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home.” “The person of whom I speak is a gentleman and a stranger.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s eyes sparkled. “A gentleman and a stranger It is Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , I am sure. Why, Jane margin:jane-bennet —you never dropped a word of this—you sly thing Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley . But—good Lord how unlucky there is not a bit of fish to be got to-day. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , my love, ring the bell. I must speak to Hill this moment.” “It is not Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ,” said her husband; “it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life.” This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five daughters at once. After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained:—“About a month ago I received this letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it; for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.” “Oh, my dear,” cried his wife, “I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it.” Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet attempted to explain to her the nature of an entail. They had often attempted it before: but it was a subject on which Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was beyond the reach of reason; and she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about. “It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ; “and nothing can clear Mr. Collins margin:william-collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn margin:longbourn . But if you will listen to his letter, you may, perhaps, be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself.” “No, that I am sure I shall not: and I think it was very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could not he keep on quarrelling with you, as his father did before him?” “Why, indeed, he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that head, as you will hear.” / RIGHT “ Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October . / “Dear Sir, “The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness; and, since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach: but, for some time, I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.”—‘There, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet .’—“My mind, however, is now made up on the subject; for, having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail margin:the-entail of Longbourn margin:longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends; but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day. I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend, “WILLIAM COLLINS.” “At four o’clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making gentleman,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , as he folded up the letter. “He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my word; and, I doubt not, will prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh should be so indulgent as to let him come to us again.” “There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however; and, if he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to discourage him.” “Though it is difficult,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , “to guess in what way he can mean to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is certainly to his credit.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was chiefly struck with his extraordinary deference for Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , and his kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying his parishioners whenever it were required. “He must be an oddity, I think,” said she. “I cannot make him out. There is something very pompous in his style. And what can he mean by apologizing for being next in the entail margin:the-entail ? We cannot suppose he would help it, if he could. Can he be a sensible man, sir?” “No, my dear; I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter which promises well. I am impatient to see him.” “In point of composition,” said Mary margin:mary-bennet , “his letter does not seem defective. The idea of the olive branch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I think it is well expressed.” To Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet neither the letter nor its writer were in any degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their cousin should come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks since they had received pleasure from the society of a man in any other colour. As for their mother, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s letter had done away much of her ill-will, and she was preparing to see him with a degree of composure which astonished her husband and daughters. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great politeness by the whole family. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet indeed said little; but the ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself. He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal. He had not been long seated before he complimented Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet on having so fine a family of daughters, said he had heard much of their beauty, but that, in this instance, fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did not doubt her seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage. This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , who quarrelled with no compliments, answered most readily,— “You are very kind, sir, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may prove so; for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly.” “You allude, perhaps, to the entail margin:the-entail of this estate.” “Ah, sir, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with you , for such things, I know, are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed.” “I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more, but, perhaps, when we are better acquainted——” He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled on each other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture, were examined and praised; and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property. The dinner, too, in its turn, was highly admired; and he begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellence of its cookery was owing. But here he was set right by Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , who assured him, with some asperity, that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended; but he continued to apologize for about a quarter of an hour. Chapter XIV During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner; and with a most important aspect he protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank—such affability and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh . She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses which he had already had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings margin:rosings , and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh was reckoned proud by many people, he knew, but he had never seen anything but affability in her. She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighbourhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or two to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage, where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself,—some shelves in the closets upstairs. “That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , “and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?” “The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park margin:rosings , her Ladyship’s residence.” “I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any family?” “She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings margin:rosings , and of very extensive property.” “Ah,” cried Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , shaking her head, “then she is better off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she handsome?” “She is a most charming young lady, indeed. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh herself says that, in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her making that progress in many accomplishments margin:accomplishment which she could not otherwise have failed of, as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.” “Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at court.” “Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh myself one day, has deprived the British Court of its brightest ornament. Her Ladyship seemed pleased with the idea; and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , that her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess; and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her. These are the kind of little things which please her Ladyship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to pay.” “You judge very properly,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ; “and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?” “They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time; and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped; and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , requiring no partner in his pleasure. By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it for everything announced it to be from a circulating library he started back, and, begging pardon, protested that he never read novels. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet stared at him, and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet exclaimed. Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose “Fordyce’s Sermons.” Lydia margin:lydia-bennet gaped as he opened the volume; and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him with,— “Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away Richard? and if he does, Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster will hire him. My aunt told me so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton margin:meryton to-morrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town.” Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , much offended, laid aside his book, and said,— “I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes me, I confess; for certainly there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.” Then, turning to Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , he offered himself as his antagonist at backgammon. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and her daughters apologized most civilly for Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s interruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if he would resume his book; but Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , after assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill-will, and should never resent her behaviour as any affront, seated himself at another table with Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , and prepared for backgammon. Chapter XV Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society; the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh when the living of Hunsford margin:hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility. Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn margin:longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report. This was his plan of amends—of atonement—for inheriting their father’s estate; and he thought it an excellent one, full of eligibility and suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested on his own part. His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet’s lovely face confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for the first evening she was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration; for in a quarter of an hour’s tête-à-tête with Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress for it might be found at Longbourn margin:longbourn , produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general encouragement, a caution against the very Jane margin:jane-bennet he had fixed on. “As to her younger daughters, she could not take upon her to say—she could not positively answer—but she did not know of any prepossession;—her eldest daughter she must just mention—she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged.” Mr. Collins margin:william-collins had only to change from Jane margin:jane-bennet to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet —and it was soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , equally next to Jane margin:jane-bennet in birth and beauty, succeeded her of course. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of the day before, was now high in her good graces. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s intention of walking to Meryton margin:meryton was not forgotten: every sister except Mary margin:mary-bennet agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was to attend them, at the request of Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither Mr. Collins margin:william-collins had followed him after breakfast, and there he would continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , with little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford margin:hunsford . Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquillity; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , to meet with folly and conceit in every other room in the house, he was used to be free from them there: his civility, therefore, was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins margin:william-collins to join his daughters in their walk; and Mr. Collins, being in fact much better fitted for a walker than a reader, was extremely well pleased to close his large book, and go. In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on that of his cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton margin:meryton . The attention of the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by him . Their eyes were immediately wandering up the street in quest of the officers margin:the-militia , and nothing less than a very smart bonnet, indeed, or a really new muslin in a shop window, could recall them. But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with an officer on the other side of the way. The officer was the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London margin:london Lydia margin:lydia-bennet came to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with the stranger’s air, all wondered who he could be; and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , determined if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under pretence of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained the pavement, when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , who had returned with him the day before from town, and, he was happy to say, had accepted a commission in their corps. This was exactly as it should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour: he had all the best parts of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy and Bingley margin:charles-bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of the group the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was the principal spokesman, and Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to Longbourn margin:longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger; and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know. In another minute Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , but without seeming to have noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with his friend. Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Philips’s house, and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s pressing entreaties that they would come in, and even in spite of Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips ’s throwing up the parlour window, and loudly seconding the invitation. Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips was always glad to see her nieces; and the two eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly welcome; and she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home, which, as their own carriage had not fetched them, she should have known nothing about, if she had not happened to see Mr. Jones’s shopboy in the street, who had told her that they were not to send any more draughts to Netherfield margin:netherfield , because the Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility was claimed towards Mr. Collins margin:william-collins by Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s introduction of him. She received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more, apologizing for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself, however, might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to her notice. Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips was quite awed by such an excess of good breeding; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put an end to by exclamations and inquiries about the other, of whom, however, she could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that Mr. Denny had brought him from London margin:london , and that he was to have a lieutenant’s commission in the ——shire. She had been watching him the last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street,—and had Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham appeared, Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet would certainly have continued the occupation; but unluckily no one passed the windows now except a few of the officers margin:the-militia , who, in comparison with the stranger, were become “stupid, disagreeable fellows.” Some of them were to dine with the Philipses the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn margin:longbourn would come in the evening. This was agreed to; and Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured, with unwearying civility, that they were perfectly needless. As they walked home, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet related to Jane margin:jane-bennet what she had seen pass between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be wrong, she could no more explain such behaviour than her sister. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins on his return highly gratified Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet by admiring Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips ’s manners and politeness. He protested that, except Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman; for she had not only received him with the utmost civility, but had even pointedly included him in her invitation for the next evening, although utterly unknown to her before. Something, he supposed, might be attributed to his connection with them, but yet he had never met with so much attention in the whole course of his life. Chapter XVI As no objection was made to the young people’s engagement with their aunt, and all Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s scruples of leaving Mr. and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet for a single evening during his visit were most steadily resisted, the coach conveyed him and his five cousins at a suitable hour to Meryton margin:meryton ; and the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the drawing-room, that Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham had accepted their uncle’s invitation, and was then in the house. When this information was given, and they had all taken their seats, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was at leisure to look around him and admire, and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared he might almost have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings margin:rosings ; a comparison that did not at first convey much gratification; but when Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips understood from him what Rosings margin:rosings was, and who was its proprietor, when she had listened to the description of only one of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s drawing-rooms, and found that the chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all the force of the compliment, and would hardly have resented a comparison with the housekeeper’s room. In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbours as soon as she could. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin, and who had nothing to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine their own indifferent imitations of china on the mantel-piece, the interval of waiting appeared very long. It was over at last, however. The gentlemen did approach: and when Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham walked into the room, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt that she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking of him since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration. The officers margin:the-militia of the ——shire were in general a very creditable, gentlemanlike set and the best of them were of the present party; but Mr, Wickham margin:george-wickham was as far beyond them all in person, countenance, air, and walk, as they were superior to the broad-faced stuffy uncle Philips, breathing port wine, who followed them into the room. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself; and the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night, and on the probability of a rainy season, made her feel that the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the skill of the speaker. With such rivals for the notice of the fair as Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham and the officers margin:the-militia , Mr. Collins margin:william-collins seemed to sink into insignificance; to the young ladies he certainly was nothing; but he had still at intervals a kind listener in Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips , and was, by her watchfulness, most abundantly supplied with coffee and muffin. When the card tables were placed, he had an opportunity of obliging her, in return, by sitting down to whist. “I know little of the game at present,” said he, “but I shall be glad to improve myself; for in my situation of life——” Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips was very thankful for his compliance, but could not wait for his reason. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he received at the other table between Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . At first there seemed danger of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s engrossing him entirely, for she was a most determined talker; but being likewise extremely fond of lottery tickets, she soon grew too much interested in the game, too eager in making bets and exclaiming after prizes, to have attention for anyone in particular. Allowing for the common demands of the game, Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham was therefore at leisure to talk to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , and she was very willing to hear him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told, the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . She dared not even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity, however, was unexpectedly relieved. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham began the subject himself. He inquired how far Netherfield margin:netherfield was from Meryton margin:meryton ; and, after receiving her answer, asked in a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had been staying there. “About a month,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; and then, unwilling to let the subject drop, added, “he is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand.” “Yes,” replied Wickham margin:george-wickham ; “his estate there is a noble one. A clear ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself—for I have been connected with his family, in a particular manner, from my infancy.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not but look surprised. “You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, after seeing, as you probably might, the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” “As much as I ever wish to be,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , warmly. “I have spent four days in the same house with him, and I think him very disagreeable.” “I have no right to give my opinion,” said Wickham margin:george-wickham , “as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for me to be impartial. But I believe your opinion of him would in general astonish—and, perhaps, you would not express it quite so strongly anywhere else. Here you are in your own family.” “Upon my word I say no more here than I might say in any house in the neighbourhood, except Netherfield margin:netherfield . He is not at all liked in Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will not find him more favourably spoken of by anyone.” “I cannot pretend to be sorry,” said Wickham margin:george-wickham , after a short interruption, “that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond their deserts; but with him I believe it does not often happen. The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.” “I should take him, even on my slight acquaintance, to be an ill-tempered man.” Wickham margin:george-wickham only shook his head. “I wonder,” said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, “whether he is likely to be in this country much longer.” “I do not at all know; but I heard nothing of his going away when I was at Netherfield margin:netherfield . I hope your plans in favour of the ——shire will not be affected by his being in the neighbourhood.” “Oh no—it is not for me to be driven away by Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . If he wishes to avoid seeing me he must go. We are not on friendly terms, and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding him but what I might proclaim to all the world—a sense of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a thousand tender recollections. His behaviour to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet found the interest of the subject increase, and listened with all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented further inquiry. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton margin:meryton , the neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that he had yet seen, and speaking of the latter, especially, with gentle but very intelligible gallantry. “It was the prospect of constant society, and good society,” he added, “which was my chief inducement to enter the ——shire. I know it to be a most respectable, agreeable corps; and my friend Denny tempted me further by his account of their present quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintance Meryton margin:meryton had procured them. Society, I own, is necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and my spirits will not bear solitude. I must have employment and society. A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church ought to have been my profession—I was brought up for the church; and I should at this time have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now.” “Indeed ” “Yes—the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere.” “Good heavens ” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but how could that be? How could his will be disregarded? Why did not you seek legal redress?” “There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law. A man of honour could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy chose to doubt it—or to treat it as a merely conditional recommendation, and to assert that I had forfeited all claim to it by extravagance, imprudence, in short, anything or nothing. Certain it is that the living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done anything to deserve to lose it. I have a warm unguarded temper, and I may perhaps have sometimes spoken my opinion of him, and to him, too freely. I can recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me.” “This is quite shocking He deserves to be publicly disgraced.” “Some time or other he will be—but it shall not be by me . Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him .” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them. “But what,” said she, after a pause, “can have been his motive? what can have induced him to behave so cruelly?” “A thorough, determined dislike of me—a dislike which I cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy liked me less, his son might have borne with me better; but his father’s uncommon attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very early in life. He had not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood—the sort of preference which was often given me.” “I had not thought Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy so bad as this—though I have never liked him, I had not thought so very ill of him—I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this ” After a few minutes’ reflection, however, she continued, “I do remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield margin:netherfield , of the implacability of his resentments, of his having an unforgiving temper. His disposition must be dreadful.” “I will not trust myself on the subject,” replied Wickham margin:george-wickham ; “ I can hardly be just to him.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, “To treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite of his father ” She could have added, “A young man, too, like you , whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable.” But she contented herself with—“And one, too, who had probably been his own companion from childhood, connected together, as I think you said, in the closest manner.” “We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the greatest part of our youth was passed together: inmates of the same house, sharing the same amusements, objects of the same parental care. My father began life in the profession which your uncle, Mr. Philips, appears to do so much credit to; but he gave up everything to be of use to the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , and devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley margin:pemberley property. He was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , a most intimate, confidential friend. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy often acknowledged himself to be under the greatest obligations to my father’s active superintendence; and when, immediately before my father’s death, Mr. Darcy gave him a voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced that he felt it to be as much a debt of gratitude to him as of affection to myself.” “How strange ” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “How abominable I wonder that the very pride of this Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy has not made him just to you. If from no better motive, that he should not have been too proud to be dishonest,—for dishonesty I must call it.” “It is wonderful,” replied Wickham margin:george-wickham ; “for almost all his actions may be traced to pride; and pride has often been his best friend. It has connected him nearer with virtue than any other feeling. But we are none of us consistent; and in his behaviour to me there were stronger impulses even than pride.” “Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him good?” “Yes; it has often led him to be liberal and generous; to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor. Family pride, and filial pride, for he is very proud of what his father was, have done this. Not to appear to disgrace his family, to degenerate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of the Pemberley margin:pemberley House, is a powerful motive. He has also brotherly pride, which, with some brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and careful guardian of his sister; and you will hear him generally cried up as the most attentive and best of brothers.” “What sort of a girl is Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ?” He shook his head. “I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; but she is too much like her brother,—very, very proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of me; and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But she is nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, highly accomplished. Since her father’s death her home has been London margin:london , where a lady lives with her, and superintends her education.” After many pauses and many trials of other subjects, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not help reverting once more to the first, and saying,— “I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley . How can Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , who seems good-humour itself, and is, I really believe, truly amiable, be in friendship with such a man? How can they suit each other? Do you know Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ?” “Not at all.” “He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know what Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is.” “Probably not; but Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy can please where he chooses. He does not want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and, perhaps, agreeable,—allowing something for fortune and figure.” The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered round the other table, and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins took his station between his cousin Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips . The usual inquiries as to his success were made by the latter. It had not been very great; he had lost every point; but when Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips began to express her concern thereupon, he assured her, with much earnest gravity, that it was not of the least importance; that he considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged she would not make herself uneasy. “I know very well, madam,” said he, “that when persons sit down to a card table they must take their chance of these things,—and happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There are, undoubtedly, many who could not say the same; but, thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters.” Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s attention was caught; and after observing Mr. Collins margin:william-collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet in a low voice whether her relations were very intimately acquainted with the family of De Bourgh. “ Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ,” she replied, “has very lately given him a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was first introduced to her notice, but he certainly has not known her long.” “You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy.” “No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before yesterday.” “Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates.” This information made Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet smile, as she thought of poor Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley . Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself, if he were already self-destined to another. “ Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ,” said she, “speaks highly both of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her daughter; but, from some particulars that he has related of her Ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him; and that, in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman.” “I believe her to be both in a great degree,” replied Wickham margin:george-wickham ; “I have not seen her for many years; but I very well remember that I never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride of her nephew, who chooses that everyone connected with him should have an understanding of the first class.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet allowed that he had given a very rational account of it, and they continued talking together with mutual satisfaction till supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s attentions. There could be no conversation in the noise of Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips ’s supper party, but his manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , and of what he had told her, all the way home; but there was not time for her even to mention his name as they went, for neither Lydia margin:lydia-bennet nor Mr. Collins margin:william-collins were once silent. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the fish she had won; and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , in describing the civility of Mr. and Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips , protesting that he did not in the least regard his losses at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, and repeatedly fearing that he crowded his cousins, had more to say than he could well manage before the carriage stopped at Longbourn margin:longbourn House. Chapter XVII Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet related to Jane margin:jane-bennet , the next day, what had passed between Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham and herself. Jane margin:jane-bennet listened with astonishment and concern: she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s regard; and yet it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham margin:george-wickham . The possibility of his having really endured such unkindness was enough to interest all her tender feelings; and nothing therefore remained to be done but to think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each, and throw into the account of accident or mistake whatever could not be otherwise explained. “They have both,” said she, “been deceived, I dare say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side.” “Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane margin:jane-bennet , what have you got to say in behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the business? Do clear them , too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of somebody.” “Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion. My dearest Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , do but consider in what a disgraceful light it places Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , to be treating his father’s favourite in such a manner,—one whom his father had promised to provide for. It is impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his character, could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him? Oh no.” “I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s being imposed on than that Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me last night; names, facts, everything mentioned without ceremony. If it be not so, let Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his looks.” “It is difficult, indeed—it is distressing. One does not know what to think.” “I beg your pardon;—one knows exactly what to think.” But Jane margin:jane-bennet could think with certainty on only one point,—that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , if he had been imposed on, would have much to suffer when the affair became public. The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery, where this conversation passed, by the arrival of some of the very persons of whom they had been speaking; Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and his sisters came to give their personal invitation for the long expected ball at Netherfield margin:netherfield , which was fixed for the following Tuesday. The two ladies were delighted to see their dear friend again, called it an age since they had met, and repeatedly asked what she had been doing with herself since their separation. To the rest of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , and nothing at all to the others. They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s civilities. The prospect of the Netherfield margin:netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card. Jane margin:jane-bennet pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s look and behaviour. The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet depended less on any single event, or any particular person; for though they each, like Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary margin:mary-bennet could assure her family that she had no disinclination for it. “While I can have my mornings to myself,” said she, “it is enough. I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for everybody.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s spirits were so high on the occasion, that though she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s invitation, and if he did, whether he would think it proper to join in the evening’s amusement; and she was rather surprised to find that he entertained no scruple whatever on that head, and was very far from dreading a rebuke, either from the Archbishop or Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , by venturing to dance. “I am by no means of opinion, I assure you,” said he, “that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable people, can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , for the two first dances especially; a preference which I trust my cousin Jane margin:jane-bennet will attribute to the right cause, and not to any disrespect for her.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt herself completely taken in. She had fully proposed being engaged by Wickham margin:george-wickham for those very dances; and to have Mr. Collins margin:william-collins instead —her liveliness had been never worse timed. There was no help for it, however. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s happiness and her own was perforce delayed a little longer, and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s proposal accepted with as good a grace as she could. She was not the better pleased with his gallantry, from the idea it suggested of something more. It now first struck her, that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being the mistress of Hunsford margin:hunsford Parsonage, and of assisting to form a quadrille table at Rosings margin:rosings , in the absence of more eligible visitors. The idea soon reached to conviction, as she observed his increasing civilities towards herself, and heard his frequent attempt at a compliment on her wit and vivacity; and though more astonished than gratified herself by this effect of her charms, it was not long before her mother gave her to understand that the probability of their marriage was exceedingly agreeable to her . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , however, did not choose to take the hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be the consequence of any reply. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins might never make the offer, and, till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him. If there had not been a Netherfield margin:netherfield ball to prepare for and talk of, the younger Miss Bennets would have been in a pitiable state at this time; for, from the day of the invitation to the day of the ball, there was such a succession of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton margin:meryton once. No aunt, no officers, no news could be sought after; the very shoe-roses for Netherfield margin:netherfield were got by proxy. Even Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet might have found some trial of her patience in weather which totally suspended the improvement of her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ; and nothing less than a dance on Tuesday could have made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday endurable to Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . Chapter XVIII Till Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet entered the drawing-room at Netherfield margin:netherfield , and looked in vain for Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled, a doubt of his being present had never occurred to her. The certainty of meeting him had not been checked by any of those recollections that might not unreasonably have alarmed her. She had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more than might be won in the course of the evening. But in an instant arose the dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted, for Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s pleasure, in the Bingleys’ invitation to the officers margin:the-militia ; and though this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence was pronounced by his friend Mr. Denny, to whom Lydia margin:lydia-bennet eagerly applied, and who told them that Wickham margin:george-wickham had been obliged to go to town on business the day before, and was not yet returned; adding, with a significant smile,— “I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if he had not wished to avoid a certain gentleman here.” This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , was caught by Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; and, as it assured her that Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was not less answerable for Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s absence than if her first surmise had been just, every feeling of displeasure against the former was so sharpened by immediate disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable civility to the polite inquiries which he directly afterwards approached to make. Attention, forbearance, patience with Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , was injury to Wickham margin:george-wickham . She was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away with a degree of ill-humour which she could not wholly surmount even in speaking to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , whose blind partiality provoked her. But Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was not formed for ill-humour; and though every prospect of her own was destroyed for the evening, it could not dwell long on her spirits; and, having told all her griefs to Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , whom she had not seen for a week, she was soon able to make a voluntary transition to the oddities of her cousin, and to point him out to her particular notice. The two first dances, however, brought a return of distress: they were dances of mortification. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , awkward and solemn, apologizing instead of attending, and often moving wrong without being aware of it, gave her all the shame and misery which a disagreeable partner for a couple of dances can give. The moment of her release from him was ecstasy. She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of talking of Wickham margin:george-wickham , and of hearing that he was universally liked. When those dances were over, she returned to Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , and was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , who took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did, she accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was left to fret over her own want of presence of mind: Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas tried to console her. “I dare say you will find him very agreeable.” “Heaven forbid That would be the greatest misfortune of all To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate Do not wish me such an evil.” When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy approached to claim her hand, Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas could not help cautioning her, in a whisper, not to be a simpleton, and allow her fancy for Wickham margin:george-wickham to make her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man often times his consequence. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet made no answer, and took her place in the set, amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived in being allowed to stand opposite to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , and reading in her neighbours’ looks their equal amazement in beholding it. They stood for some time without speaking a word; and she began to imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances, and, at first, was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancying that it would be the greater punishment to her partner to oblige him to talk, she made some slight observation on the dance. He replied, and was again silent. After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second time, with— “It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples.” He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said. “Very well; that reply will do for the present. Perhaps, by-and-by, I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones; but now we may be silent.” “Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?” “Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together; and yet, for the advantage of some , conversation ought to be so arranged as that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible.” “Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?” “Both,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet archly; “for I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the éclat of a proverb.” “This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure,” said he. “How near it may be to mine , I cannot pretend to say. You think it a faithful portrait, undoubtedly.” “I must not decide on my own performance.” He made no answer; and they were again silent till they had gone down the dance, when he asked her if she and her sisters did not very often walk to Meryton margin:meryton . She answered in the affirmative; and, unable to resist the temptation, added, “When you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance.” The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of hauteur overspread his features, but he said not a word; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , though blaming herself for her own weakness, could not go on. At length Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy spoke, and in a constrained manner said,— “ Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may insure his making friends; whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.” “He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with emphasis, “and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life.” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing the subject. At that moment Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas appeared close to them, meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the room; but, on perceiving Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , he stopped, with a bow of superior courtesy, to compliment him on his dancing and his partner. “I have been most highly gratified, indeed, my dear sir; such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you: and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet glancing at her sister and Bingley margin:charles-bingley , shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in I appeal to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ;—but let me not interrupt you, sir. You will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me.” The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; but Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ’s allusion to his friend seemed to strike him forcibly, and his eyes were directed, with a very serious expression, towards Bingley margin:charles-bingley and Jane margin:jane-bennet , who were dancing together. Recovering himself, however, shortly, he turned to his partner, and said,— “ Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ’s interruption has made me forget what we were talking of.” “I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas could not have interrupted any two people in the room who had less to say for themselves. We have tried two or three subjects already without success, and what we are to talk of next I cannot imagine.” “What think you of books?” said he, smiling. “Books—oh no —I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings.” “I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject. We may compare our different opinions.” “No—I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head is always full of something else.” “The present always occupies you in such scenes—does it?” said he, with a look of doubt. “Yes, always,” she replied, without knowing what she said; for her thoughts had wandered far from the subject, as soon afterwards appeared by her suddenly exclaiming, “I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , that you hardly ever forgave;—that your resentment, once created, was unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its being created ?” “I am,” said he, with a firm voice. “And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?” “I hope not.” “It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.” “May I ask to what these questions tend?” “Merely to the illustration of your character,” said she, endeavouring to shake off her gravity. “I am trying to make it out.” “And what is your success?” She shook her head. “I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.” “I can readily believe,” answered he, gravely, “that reports may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.” “But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity.” “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,” he coldly replied. She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree; for in Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s breast there was a tolerably powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another. They had not long separated when Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley came towards her, and, with an expression of civil disdain, thus accosted her,— “So, Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , I hear you are quite delighted with George Wickham margin:george-wickham ? Your sister has been talking to me about him, and asking me a thousand questions; and I find that the young man forgot to tell you, among his other communications, that he was the son of old Wickham margin:george-wickham , the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s steward. Let me recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for, as to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s using him ill, it is perfectly false: for, on the contrary, he has been always remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham margin:george-wickham has treated Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. I do not know the particulars, but I know very well that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is not in the least to blame; that he cannot bear to hear George Wickham margin:george-wickham mentioned; and that though my brother thought he could not well avoid including him in his invitation to the officers margin:the-militia , he was excessively glad to find that he had taken himself out of the way. His coming into the country at all is a most insolent thing, indeed, and I wonder how he could presume to do it. I pity you, Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , for this discovery of your favourite’s guilt; but really, considering his descent, one could not expect much better.” “His guilt and his descent appear, by your account, to be the same,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , angrily; “for I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s steward, and of that , I can assure you, he informed me himself.” “I beg your pardon,” replied Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , turning away with a sneer. “Excuse my interference; it was kindly meant.” “Insolent girl ” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet to herself. “You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy .” She then sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make inquiries on the same subject of Bingley margin:charles-bingley . Jane margin:jane-bennet met her with a smile of such sweet complacency, a glow of such happy expression, as sufficiently marked how well she was satisfied with the occurrences of the evening. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet instantly read her feelings; and, at that moment, solicitude for Wickham margin:george-wickham , resentment against his enemies, and everything else, gave way before the hope of Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s being in the fairest way for happiness. “I want to know,” said she, with a countenance no less smiling than her sister’s, “what you have learnt about Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham . But perhaps you have been too pleasantly engaged to think of any third person, in which case you may be sure of my pardon.” “No,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet , “I have not forgotten him; but I have nothing satisfactory to tell you. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley does not know the whole of his history, and is quite ignorant of the circumstances which have principally offended Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; but he will vouch for the good conduct, the probity and honour, of his friend, and is perfectly convinced that Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham has deserved much less attention from Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy than he has received; and I am sorry to say that by his account, as well as his sister’s, Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham is by no means a respectable young man. I am afraid he has been very imprudent, and has deserved to lose Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s regard.” “ Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley does not know Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham himself.” “No; he never saw him till the other morning at Meryton margin:meryton .” “This account then is what he has received from Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . I am perfectly satisfied. But what does he say of the living?” “He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has heard them from Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy more than once, but he believes that it was left to him conditionally only.” “I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s sincerity,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet warmly, “but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances only. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s defence of his friend was a very able one, I dare say; but since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learnt the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture still to think of both gentlemen as I did before.” She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each, and on which there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet listened with delight to the happy though modest hopes which Jane margin:jane-bennet entertained of Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence in it. On their being joined by Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley himself, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet withdrew to Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas ; to whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last partner she had scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins margin:william-collins came up to them, and told her with great exultation, that he had just been so fortunate as to make a most important discovery. “I have found out,” said he, “by a singular accident, that there is now in the room a near relation to my patroness. I happened to overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of this house the names of his cousin Miss De Bourgh, and of her mother, Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh . How wonderfully these sort of things occur Who would have thought of my meeting with—perhaps—a nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh in this assembly I am most thankful that the discovery is made in time for me to pay my respects to him, which I am now going to do, and trust he will excuse my not having done it before. My total ignorance of the connection must plead my apology.” “You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” “Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it earlier. I believe him to be Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s nephew . It will be in my power to assure him that her Ladyship was quite well yesterday se’nnight.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme; assuring him that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt; that it was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on either side, and that if it were, it must belong to Mr. Darcy, the superior in consequence, to begin the acquaintance. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins listened to her with the determined air of following his own inclination, and when she ceased speaking, replied thus,— “My dear Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , I have the highest opinion in the world of your excellent judgment in all matters within the scope of your understanding, but permit me to say that there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity and those which regulate the clergy; for, give me leave to observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom—provided that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time maintained. You must, therefore, allow me to follow the dictates of my conscience on this occasion, which lead me to perform what I look on as a point of duty. Pardon me for neglecting to profit by your advice, which on every other subject shall be my constant guide, though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted by education and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young lady like yourself;” and with a low bow he left her to attack Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , whose reception of his advances she eagerly watched, and whose astonishment at being so addressed was very evident. Her cousin prefaced his speech with a solemn bow, and though she could not hear a word of it, she felt as if hearing it all, and saw in the motion of his lips the words “apology,” “ Hunsford margin:hunsford ,” and “ Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh .” It vexed her to see him expose himself to such a man. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was eyeing him with unrestrained wonder; and when at last Mr. Collins margin:william-collins allowed him to speak, replied with an air of distant civility. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , however, was not discouraged from speaking again, and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s contempt seemed abundantly increasing with the length of his second speech; and at the end of it he only made him a slight bow, and moved another way: Mr. Collins margin:william-collins then returned to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “I have no reason, I assure you,” said he, “to be dissatisfied with my reception. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy seemed much pleased with the attention. He answered me with the utmost civility, and even paid me the compliment of saying, that he was so well convinced of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s discernment as to be certain she could never bestow a favour unworthily. It was really a very handsome thought. Upon the whole, I am much pleased with him.” As Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had no longer any interest of her own to pursue, she turned her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ; and the train of agreeable reflections which her observations gave birth to made her perhaps almost as happy as Jane margin:jane-bennet . She saw her in idea settled in that very house, in all the felicity which a marriage of true affection could bestow; and she felt capable, under such circumstances, of endeavouring even to like Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s two sisters. Her mother’s thoughts she plainly saw were bent the same way, and she determined not to venture near her, lest she might hear too much. When they sat down to supper, therefore, she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which placed them within one of each other; and deeply was she vexed to find that her mother was talking to that one person Lady Lucas freely, openly, and of nothing else but of her expectation that Jane margin:jane-bennet would be soon married to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley . It was an animating subject, and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match. His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from them, were the first points of self-gratulation; and then it was such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of Jane margin:jane-bennet , and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, as Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men; and, lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that she might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked. It was necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on such occasions it is the etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet to find comfort in staying at home at any period of her life. She concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no chance of it. In vain did Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother’s words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible whisper; for to her inexpressible vexation she could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for being nonsensical. “What is Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear.” “For heaven’s sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be to you to offend Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing.” Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation. She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity. At length, however, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had no more to say; and Lady Lucas, who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights which she saw no likelihood of sharing, was left to the comforts of cold ham and chicken. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet now began to revive. But not long was the interval of tranquillity; for when supper was over, singing was talked of, and she had the mortification of seeing Mary margin:mary-bennet , after very little entreaty, preparing to oblige the company. By many significant looks and silent entreaties did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance,—but in vain; Mary margin:mary-bennet would not understand them; such an opportunity of exhibiting was delightful to her, and she began her song. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s eyes were fixed on her, with most painful sensations; and she watched her progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which was very ill rewarded at their close; for Mary margin:mary-bennet , on receiving amongst the thanks of the table the hint of a hope that she might be prevailed on to favour them again, after the pause of half a minute began another. Mary margin:mary-bennet ’s powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak, and her manner affected. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was in agonies. She looked at Jane margin:jane-bennet to see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley margin:charles-bingley . She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making signs of derision at each other, and at Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , who continued, however, impenetrably grave. She looked at her father to entreat his interference, lest Mary margin:mary-bennet should be singing all night. He took the hint, and, when Mary margin:mary-bennet had finished her second song, said aloud,— “That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.” Mary margin:mary-bennet , though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , sorry for her, and sorry for her father’s speech, was afraid her anxiety had done no good. Others of the party were now applied to. “If I,” said Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , “were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman. I do not mean, however, to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for there are certainly other things to be attended to. The rector of a parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make such an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not offensive to his patron. He must write his own sermons; and the time that remains will not be too much for his parish duties, and the care and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be excused from making as comfortable as possible. And I do not think it of light importance that he should have attentive and conciliatory manners towards everybody, especially towards those to whom he owes his preferment. I cannot acquit him of that duty; nor could I think well of the man who should omit an occasion of testifying his respect towards anybody connected with the family.” And with a bow to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , he concluded his speech, which had been spoken so loud as to be heard by half the room. Many stared—many smiled; but no one looked more amused than Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet himself, while his wife seriously commended Mr. Collins margin:william-collins for having spoken so sensibly, and observed, in a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably clever, good kind of young man. To Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet it appeared, that had her family made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit, or finer success; and happy did she think it for Bingley margin:charles-bingley and her sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his notice, and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed. That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , however, should have such an opportunity of ridiculing her relations was bad enough; and she could not determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were more intolerable. The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was teased by Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , who continued most perseveringly by her side; and though he could not prevail with her to dance with him again, put it out of her power to dance with others. In vain did she entreat him to stand up with somebody else, and offered to introduce him to any young lady in the room. He assured her that, as to dancing, he was perfectly indifferent to it; that his chief object was, by delicate attentions, to recommend himself to her; and that he should therefore make a point of remaining close to her the whole evening. There was no arguing upon such a project. She owed her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , who often joined them, and good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s conversation to herself. She was at least free from the offence of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s further notice: though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came near enough to speak. She felt it to be the probable consequence of her allusions to Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , and rejoiced in it. The Longbourn margin:longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart; and by a manœuvre of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had to wait for their carriage a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone, which gave them time to see how heartily they were wished away by some of the family. Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and her sister scarcely opened their mouths except to complain of fatigue, and were evidently impatient to have the house to themselves. They repulsed every attempt of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet at conversation, and, by so doing, threw a languor over the whole party, which was very little relieved by the long speeches of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , who was complimenting Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and his sisters on the elegance of their entertainment, and the hospitality and politeness which had marked their behaviour to their guests. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy said nothing at all. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , in equal silence, was enjoying the scene. Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and Jane margin:jane-bennet were standing together a little detached from the rest, and talked only to each other. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet preserved as steady a silence as either Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst or Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ; and even Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was too much fatigued to utter more than the occasional exclamation of “Lord, how tired I am ” accompanied by a violent yawn. When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was most pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at Longbourn margin:longbourn ; and addressed herself particularly to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , to assure him how happy he would make them, by eating a family dinner with them at any time, without the ceremony of a formal invitation. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was all grateful pleasure; and he readily engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on her after his return from London margin:london , whither he was obliged to go the next day for a short time. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was perfectly satisfied; and quitted the house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparations of settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly see her daughter settled at Netherfield margin:netherfield in the course of three or four months. Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins margin:william-collins she thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the man and the match were quite good enough for her , the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and Netherfield margin:netherfield . Chapter XIX The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn margin:longbourn . Mr. Collins margin:william-collins made his declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at the moment, he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the observances which he supposed a regular part of the business. On finding Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , and one of the younger girls together, soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words,— “May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?” Before Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet instantly answered,— “Oh dear Yes, certainly. I am sure Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet will be very happy—I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , I want you upstairs.” And gathering her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet called out,— “Dear ma’am, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself.” “No, no, nonsense, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet . I desire you will stay where you are.” And upon Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added, “Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins margin:william-collins .” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet would not oppose such an injunction; and a moment’s consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down again, and tried to conceal, by incessant employment, the feelings which were divided between distress and diversion. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet walked off, and as soon as they were gone, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins began,— “Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness; but allow me to assure you that I have your respected mother’s permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse, however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying—and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife, as I certainly did.” The idea of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , with all his solemn composure, being run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet so near laughing that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him farther, and he continued,— “My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances like myself to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and, thirdly, which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her opinion unasked too on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford margin:hunsford ,—between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was arranging Miss De Bourgh’s footstool,—that she said, ‘ Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose properly, choose a gentlewoman for my sake, and for your own ; let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford margin:hunsford , and I will visit her.’ Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity, I think, must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite. Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my views were directed to Longbourn margin:longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where I assure you there are many amiable young women. But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father who, however, may live many years longer , I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible when the melancholy event takes place—which, however, as I have already said, may not be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem. And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the 4 per cents., which will not be yours till after your mother’s decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent: and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.” It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now. “You are too hasty, sir,” she cried. “You forget that I have made no answer. Let me do it without further loss of time. Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them.” “I am not now to learn,” replied Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , with a formal wave of the hand, “that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. I am, therefore, by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long.” “Upon my word, sir,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “your hope is rather an extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies if such young ladies there are who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who would make you so. Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation.” “Were it certain that Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh would think so,” said Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , very gravely—“but I cannot imagine that her Ladyship would at all disapprove of you. And you may be certain that when I have the honour of seeing her again I shall speak in the highest terms of your modesty, economy, and other amiable qualifications.” “Indeed, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , all praise of me will be unnecessary. You must give me leave to judge for myself, and pay me the compliment of believing what I say. I wish you very happy and very rich, and by refusing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise. In making me the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy of your feelings with regard to my family, and may take possession of Longbourn margin:longbourn estate whenever it falls, without any self-reproach. This matter may be considered, therefore, as finally settled.” And rising as she thus spoke, she would have quitted the room, had not Mr. Collins margin:william-collins thus addressed her,— “When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the subject, I shall hope to receive a more favourable answer than you have now given me; though I am far from accusing you of cruelty at present, because I know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and, perhaps, you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female character.” “Really, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with some warmth, “you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its being one.” “You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your refusal of my addresses are merely words of course. My reasons for believing it are briefly these:—It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy of your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into further consideration that, in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small, that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must, therefore, conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.” “I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart.” “You are uniformly charming ” cried he, with an air of awkward gallantry; “and I am persuaded that, when sanctioned by the express authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals will not fail of being acceptable.” To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet would make no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew; determined, that if he persisted in considering her repeated refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered in such a manner as must be decisive, and whose behaviour at least could not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female. Chapter XX Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his successful love; for Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , having dawdled about in the vestibule to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet open the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character. This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet : she would have been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not believe it, and could not help saying so. “But depend upon it, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ,” she added, “that Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet shall be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it myself directly. She is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest; but I will make her know it.” “Pardon me for interrupting you, madam,” cried Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ; “but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state. If, therefore, she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me, because, if liable to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.” “Sir, you quite misunderstand me,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , alarmed. “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet is only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything else she is as good-natured a girl as ever lived. I will go directly to Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , and we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure.” She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her husband, called out, as she entered the library,— “Oh, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , you are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and make Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet marry Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , for she vows she will not have him; and if you do not make haste he will change his mind and not have her .” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern, which was not in the least altered by her communication. “I have not the pleasure of understanding you,” said he, when she had finished her speech. “Of what are you talking?” “Of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins and Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet . Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet declares she will not have Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet .” “And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems a hopeless business.” “Speak to Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her marrying him.” “Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was summoned to the library. “Come here, child,” cried her father as she appeared. “I have sent for you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. Collins margin:william-collins has made you an offer of marriage. Is it true?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet replied that it was. “Very well—and this offer of marriage you have refused?” “I have, sir.” “Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ?” “Yes, or I will never see her again.” “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , and I will never see you again if you do .” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning; but Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , who had persuaded herself that her husband regarded the affair as she wished, was excessively disappointed. “What do you mean, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , by talking in this way? You promised me to insist upon her marrying him.” “My dear,” replied her husband, “I have two small favours to request. First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the present occasion; and, secondly, of my room. I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be.” Not yet, however, in spite of her disappointment in her husband, did Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet give up the point. She talked to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet again and again; coaxed and threatened her by turns. She endeavoured to secure Jane margin:jane-bennet in her interest, but Jane, with all possible mildness, declined interfering; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , sometimes with real earnestness, and sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to her attacks. Though her manner varied, however, her determination never did. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on what had passed. He thought too well of himself to comprehend on what motive his cousin could refuse him; and though his pride was hurt, he suffered in no other way. His regard for her was quite imaginary; and the possibility of her deserving her mother’s reproach prevented his feeling any regret. While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas came to spend the day with them. She was met in the vestibule by Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , who, flying to her, cried in a half whisper, “I am glad you are come, for there is such fun here What do you think has happened this morning? Mr. Collins margin:william-collins has made an offer to Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , and she will not have him.” Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas had hardly time to answer before they were joined by Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , who came to tell the same news; and no sooner had they entered the breakfast-room, where Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was alone, than she likewise began on the subject, calling on Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas for her compassion, and entreating her to persuade her friend Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet to comply with the wishes of her family. “Pray do, my dear Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas ,” she added, in a melancholy tone; “for nobody is on my side, nobody takes part with me; I am cruelly used, nobody feels for my poor nerves.” Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s reply was spared by the entrance of Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “Ay, there she comes,” continued Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , “looking as unconcerned as may be, and caring no more for us than if we were at York, provided she can have her own way. But I tell you what, Miss Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , if you take it into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all—and I am sure I do not know who is to maintain you when your father is dead. I shall not be able to keep you—and so I warn you. I have done with you from this very day. I told you in the library, you know, that I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful children. Not that I have much pleasure, indeed, in talking to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.” Her daughters listened in silence to this effusion, sensible that any attempt to reason with or soothe her would only increase the irritation. She talked on, therefore, without interruption from any of them till they were joined by Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , who entered with an air more stately than usual, and on perceiving whom, she said to the girls,— “Now, I do insist upon it, that you, all of you, hold your tongues, and let Mr. Collins margin:william-collins and me have a little conversation together.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet passed quietly out of the room, Jane margin:jane-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet followed, but Lydia margin:lydia-bennet stood her ground, determined to hear all she could; and Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , detained first by the civility of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , whose inquiries after herself and all her family were very minute, and then by a little curiosity, satisfied herself with walking to the window and pretending not to hear. In a doleful voice Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet thus began the projected conversation:— “Oh, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ” “My dear madam,” replied he, “let us be for ever silent on this point. Far be it from me,” he presently continued, in a voice that marked his displeasure, “to resent the behaviour of your daughter. Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty of us all: the peculiar duty of a young man who has been so fortunate as I have been, in early preferment; and, I trust, I am resigned. Perhaps not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness had my fair cousin honoured me with her hand; for I have often observed, that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation. You will not, I hope, consider me as showing any disrespect to your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawing my pretensions to your daughter’s favour, without having paid yourself and Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet the compliment of requesting you to interpose your authority in my behalf. My conduct may, I fear, be objectionable in having accepted my dismission from your daughter’s lips instead of your own; but we are all liable to error. I have certainly meant well through the whole affair. My object has been to secure an amiable companion for myself, with due consideration for the advantage of all your family; and if my manner has been at all reprehensible, I here beg leave to apologize.” Chapter XXI The discussion of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s offer was now nearly at an end, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had only to suffer from the uncomfortable feelings necessarily attending it, and occasionally from some peevish allusion of her mother. As for the gentleman himself, his feelings were chiefly expressed, not by embarrassment or dejection, or by trying to avoid her, but by stiffness of manner and resentful silence. He scarcely ever spoke to her; and the assiduous attentions which he had been so sensible of himself were transferred for the rest of the day to Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , whose civility in listening to him was a seasonable relief to them all, and especially to her friend. The morrow produced no abatement of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s ill humour or ill health. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was also in the same state of angry pride. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had hoped that his resentment might shorten his visit, but his plan did not appear in the least affected by it. He was always to have gone on Saturday, and to Saturday he still meant to stay. After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton margin:meryton , to inquire if Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball margin:the-netherfield-ball . He joined them on their entering the town, and attended them to their aunt’s, where his regret and vexation and the concern of everybody were well talked over. To Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , however, he voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his absence had been self-imposed. “I found,” said he, “as the time drew near, that I had better not meet Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ;—that to be in the same room, the same party with him for so many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself.” She highly approved his forbearance; and they had leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the commendations which they civilly bestowed on each other, as Wickham margin:george-wickham and another officer walked back with them to Longbourn margin:longbourn , and during the walk he particularly attended to her. His accompanying them was a double advantage: she felt all the compliment it offered to herself; and it was most acceptable as an occasion of introducing him to her father and mother. Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield margin:netherfield , and was opened immediately. The envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady’s fair, flowing hand; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw her sister’s countenance change as she read it, and saw her dwelling intently on some particular passages. Jane margin:jane-bennet recollected herself soon; and putting the letter away, tried to join, with her usual cheerfulness, in the general conversation: but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt an anxiety on the subject which drew off her attention even from Wickham margin:george-wickham ; and no sooner had he and his companion taken leave, than a glance from Jane invited her to follow her upstairs. When they had gained their own room, Jane margin:jane-bennet , taking out her letter, said, “This is from Caroline Bingley margin:caroline-bingley : what it contains has surprised me a good deal. The whole party have left Netherfield margin:netherfield by this time, and are on their way to town; and without any intention of coming back again. You shall hear what she says.” She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly, and of their meaning to dine that day in Grosvenor Street, where Mr. Hurst margin:mr-hurst had a house. The next was in these words:—“‘I do not pretend to regret anything I shall leave in Hertfordshire except your society, my dearest friend; but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved correspondence. I depend on you for that.’” To these high-flown expressions Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet listened with all the insensibility of distrust; and though the suddenness of their removal surprised her, she saw nothing in it really to lament: it was not to be supposed that their absence from Netherfield margin:netherfield would prevent Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s being there; and as to the loss of their society, she was persuaded that Jane margin:jane-bennet must soon cease to regard it in the enjoyment of his. “It is unlucky,” said she, after a short pause, “that you should not be able to see your friends before they leave the country. But may we not hope that the period of future happiness, to which Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley looks forward, may arrive earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful intercourse you have known as friends will be renewed with yet greater satisfaction as sisters? Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley will not be detained in London margin:london by them.” “Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will return into Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you. “‘When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which took him to London margin:london might be concluded in three or four days; but as we are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintance are already there for the winter: I wish I could hear that you, my dearest friend, had any intention of making one in the crowd, but of that I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.’ “It is evident by this,” added Jane margin:jane-bennet , “that he comes back no more this winter.” “It is only evident that Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley does not mean he should .” “Why will you think so? It must be his own doing; he is his own master. But you do not know all . I will read you the passage which particularly hurts me. I will have no reserves from you . ‘ Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is impatient to see his sister; and to confess the truth, we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments margin:accomplishment ; and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into something still more interesting from the hope we dare to entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject, but I will not leave the country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing; her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister’s partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most capable of engaging any woman’s heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane margin:jane-bennet , in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?’ What think you of this sentence, my dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ?” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , as she finished it. “Is it not clear enough? Does it not expressly declare that Caroline neither expects nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is perfectly convinced of her brother’s indifference; and that if she suspects the nature of my feelings for him she means most kindly to put me on my guard. Can there be any other opinion on the subject?” “Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you hear it?” “Most willingly.” “You shall have it in a few words. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley sees that her brother is in love with you and wants him to marry Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy . She follows him to town in the hope of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he does not care about you.” Jane margin:jane-bennet shook her head. “Indeed, Jane margin:jane-bennet , you ought to believe me. No one who has ever seen you together can doubt his affection; Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , I am sure, cannot: she is not such a simpleton. Could she have seen half as much love in Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy for herself, she would have ordered her wedding clothes. But the case is this:—we are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy for her brother, from the notion that when there has been one inter-marriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a second; in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and I dare say it would succeed if Miss de Bourgh were out of the way. But, my dearest Jane margin:jane-bennet , you cannot seriously imagine that, because Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley tells you her brother greatly admires Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , he is in the smallest degree less sensible of your merit than when he took leave of you on Tuesday; or that it will be in her power to persuade him that, instead of being in love with you, he is very much in love with her friend.” “If we thought alike of Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet , “your representation of all this might make me quite easy. But I know the foundation is unjust. Caroline is incapable of wilfully deceiving anyone; and all that I can hope in this case is, that she is deceived herself.” “That is right. You could not have started a more happy idea, since you will not take comfort in mine: believe her to be deceived, by all means. You have now done your duty by her, and must fret no longer.” “But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing the best, in accepting a man whose sisters and friends are all wishing him to marry elsewhere?” “You must decide for yourself,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “and if, upon mature deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you, by all means, to refuse him.” “How can you talk so?” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , faintly smiling; “you must know, that, though I should be exceedingly grieved at their disapprobation, I could not hesitate.” “I did not think you would; and that being the case, I cannot consider your situation with much compassion.” “But if he returns no more this winter, my choice will never be required. A thousand things may arise in six months.” The idea of his returning no more Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet treated with the utmost contempt. It appeared to her merely the suggestion of Caroline’s interested wishes; and she could not for a moment suppose that those wishes, however openly or artfully spoken, could influence a young man so totally independent of everyone. She represented to her sister, as forcibly as possible, what she felt on the subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its happy effect. Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s temper was not desponding; and she was gradually led to hope, though the diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope, that Bingley margin:charles-bingley would return to Netherfield margin:netherfield , and answer every wish of her heart. They agreed that Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet should only hear of the departure of the family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman’s conduct; but even this partial communication gave her a great deal of concern, and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together. After lamenting it, however, at some length, she had the consolation of thinking that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley would be soon down again, and soon dining at Longbourn margin:longbourn ; and the conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration, that, though he had been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care to have two full courses. Chapter XXII The Bennets margin:the-bennet-family were engaged to dine with the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family ; and again, during the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins margin:william-collins . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet took an opportunity of thanking her. “It keeps him in good humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.” Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable; but Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had any conception of:—its object was nothing less than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas ’s scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character; for it led him to escape out of Longbourn margin:longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge margin:lucas-lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that, if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success could be known likewise; for, though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there. In as short a time as Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house, he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained. Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was likely to live; and Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr. Collins margin:william-collins should be in possession of the Longbourn margin:longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife should make their appearance at St. James’s. The whole family in short were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s dying an old maid. Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable: his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object: it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and, however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet , whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other person. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet would wonder, and probably would blame her; and though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such a disapprobation. She resolved to give her the information herself; and therefore charged Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , when he returned to Longbourn margin:longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his return, as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love. As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the family, the ceremony of leave-taking was performed when the ladies moved for the night; and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , with great politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see him at Longbourn margin:longbourn again, whenever his other engagements might allow him to visit them. “My dear madam,” he replied, “this invitation is particularly gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as possible.” They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , who could by no means wish for so speedy a return, immediately said,— “But is there not danger of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness.” “My dear sir,” replied Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , “I am particularly obliged to you for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so material a step without her Ladyship’s concurrence.” “You cannot be too much on your guard. Risk anything rather than her displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that we shall take no offence.” “Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such affectionate attention; and, depend upon it, you will speedily receive from me a letter of thanks for this as well as for every other mark of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins, though my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet .” With proper civilities, the ladies then withdrew; all of them equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick return. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger girls, and Mary margin:mary-bennet might have been prevailed on to accept him. She rated his abilities much higher than any of the others: there was a solidity in his reflections which often struck her; and though by no means so clever as herself, she thought that, if encouraged to read and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very agreeable companion. But on the following morning every hope of this kind was done away. Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a private conference with Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet related the event of the day before. The possibility of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s fancying himself in love with her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet within the last day or two: but that Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas could encourage him seemed almost as far from possibility as that she could encourage him herself; and her astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and she could not help crying out,— “Engaged to Mr. Collins margin:william-collins my dear Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , impossible ” The steady countenance which Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas had commanded in telling her story gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied,— “Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet ? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins margin:william-collins should be able to procure any woman’s good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?” But Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had now recollected herself; and, making a strong effort for it, was able to assure her, with tolerable firmness, that the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished her all imaginable happiness. “I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ; “you must be surprised, very much surprised, so lately as Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and, considering Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet quietly answered “undoubtedly;” and, after an awkward pause, they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas did not stay much longer; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was then left to reflect on what she had heard. It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s making two offers of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own; but she could not have supposed it possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , the wife of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , was a most humiliating picture And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself, and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen. Chapter XXIII Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was sitting with her mother and sisters, reflecting on what she had heard, and doubting whether she was authorized to mention it, when Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas himself appeared, sent by his daughter to announce her engagement to the family. With many compliments to them, and much self-gratulation on the prospect of a connection between the houses, he unfolded the matter,—to an audience not merely wondering, but incredulous; for Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , with more perseverance than politeness, protested he must be entirely mistaken; and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , always unguarded and often uncivil, boisterously exclaimed,— “Good Lord Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , how can you tell such a story? Do not you know that Mr. Collins margin:william-collins wants to marry Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ?” Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne without anger such treatment: but Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ’s good-breeding carried him through it all; and though he begged leave to be positive as to the truth of his information, he listened to all their impertinence with the most forbearing courtesy. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him from so unpleasant a situation, now put herself forward to confirm his account, by mentioning her prior knowledge of it from Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas herself; and endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of her mother and sisters, by the earnestness of her congratulations to Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , in which she was readily joined by Jane margin:jane-bennet , and by making a variety of remarks on the happiness that might be expected from the match, the excellent character of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , and the convenient distance of Hunsford margin:hunsford from London margin:london . Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was, in fact, too much overpowered to say a great deal while Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas remained; but no sooner had he left them than her feelings found a rapid vent. In the first place, she persisted in disbelieving the whole of the matter; secondly, she was very sure that Mr. Collins margin:william-collins had been taken in; thirdly, she trusted that they would never be happy together; and, fourthly, that the match might be broken off. Two inferences, however, were plainly deduced from the whole: one, that Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was the real cause of all the mischief; and the other, that she herself had been barbarously used by them all; and on these two points she principally dwelt during the rest of the day. Nothing could console and nothing appease her. Nor did that day wear out her resentment. A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet without scolding her: a month passed away before she could speak to Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas or Lady Lucas without being rude; and many months were gone before she could at all forgive their daughter. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s emotions were much more tranquil on the occasion, and such as he did experience he pronounced to be of a most agreeable sort; for it gratified him, he said, to discover that Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , whom he had been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his daughter Jane margin:jane-bennet confessed herself a little surprised at the match: but she said less of her astonishment than of her earnest desire for their happiness; nor could Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet persuade her to consider it as improbable. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet were far from envying Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , for Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was only a clergyman; and it affected them in no other way than as a piece of news to spread at Meryton margin:meryton . Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to retort on Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet the comfort of having a daughter well married; and she called at Longbourn margin:longbourn rather oftener than usual to say how happy she was, though Mrs. Bennet’s sour looks and ill-natured remarks might have been enough to drive happiness away. Between Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas there was a restraint which kept them mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again. Her disappointment in Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas made her turn with fonder regard to her sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her opinion could never be shaken, and for whose happiness she grew daily more anxious, as Bingley margin:charles-bingley had now been gone a week, and nothing was heard of his return. Jane margin:jane-bennet had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again. The promised letter of thanks from Mr. Collins margin:william-collins arrived on Tuesday, addressed to their father, and written with all the solemnity of gratitude which a twelve-month’s abode in the family might have prompted. After discharging his conscience on that head, he proceeded to inform them, with many rapturous expressions, of his happiness in having obtained the affection of their amiable neighbour, Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas , and then explained that it was merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had been so ready to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at Longbourn margin:longbourn , whither he hoped to be able to return on Monday fortnight; for Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , he added, so heartily approved his marriage, that she wished it to take place as soon as possible, which he trusted would be an unanswerable argument with his amiable Charlotte to name an early day for making him the happiest of men. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter of pleasure to Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet . On the contrary, she was as much disposed to complain of it as her husband. It was very strange that he should come to Longbourn margin:longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge margin:lucas-lodge ; it was also very inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome. She hated having visitors in the house while her health was so indifferent, and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable. Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , and they gave way only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s continued absence. Neither Jane margin:jane-bennet nor Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet were comfortable on this subject. Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton margin:meryton of his coming no more to Netherfield margin:netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous falsehood. Even Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet began to fear—not that Bingley margin:charles-bingley was indifferent—but that his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive to Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s happiness, and so dishonourable to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent its frequently recurring. The united efforts of his two unfeeling sisters, and of his overpowering friend, assisted by the attractions of Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy and the amusements of London margin:london , might be too much, she feared, for the strength of his attachment. As for Jane margin:jane-bennet , her anxiety under this suspense was, of course, more painful than Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s: but whatever she felt she was desirous of concealing; and between herself and Elizabeth, therefore, the subject was never alluded to. But as no such delicacy restrained her mother, an hour seldom passed in which she did not talk of Bingley margin:charles-bingley , express her impatience for his arrival, or even require Jane margin:jane-bennet to confess that if he did not come back she should think herself very ill-used. It needed all Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s steady mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable tranquillity. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins returned most punctually on the Monday fortnight, but his reception at Longbourn margin:longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had been on his first introduction. He was too happy, however, to need much attention; and, luckily for the others, the business of love-making relieved them from a great deal of his company. The chief of every day was spent by him at Lucas Lodge margin:lucas-lodge , and he sometimes returned to Longbourn margin:longbourn only in time to make an apology for his absence before the family went to bed. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was really in a most pitiable state. The very mention of anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of ill-humour, and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it talked of. The sight of Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas was odious to her. As her successor in that house, she regarded her with jealous abhorrence. Whenever Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas came to see them, she concluded her to be anticipating the hour of possession; and whenever she spoke in a low voice to Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , was convinced that they were talking of the Longbourn margin:longbourn estate, and resolving to turn herself and her daughters out of the house as soon as Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was dead. She complained bitterly of all this to her husband. “Indeed, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ,” said she, “it is very hard to think that Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas should ever be mistress of this house, that I should be forced to make way for her , and live to see her take my place in it ” “My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor.” This was not very consoling to Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ; and, therefore, instead of making any answer, she went on as before. “I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate. If it was not for the entail margin:the-entail , I should not mind it.” “What should not you mind?” “I should not mind anything at all.” “Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such insensibility.” “I never can be thankful, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , for anything about the entail margin:the-entail . How anyone could have the conscience to entail away an estate from one’s own daughters I cannot understand; and all for the sake of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , too Why should he have it more than anybody else?” “I leave it to yourself to determine,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet . Chapter XXIV Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s letter arrived, and put an end to doubt. The very first sentence conveyed the assurance of their being all settled in London margin:london for the winter, and concluded with her brother’s regret at not having had time to pay his respects to his friends in Hertfordshire before he left the country. Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane margin:jane-bennet could attend to the rest of the letter, she found little, except the professed affection of the writer, that could give her any comfort. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ’s praise occupied the chief of it. Her many attractions were again dwelt on; and Caroline boasted joyfully of their increasing intimacy, and ventured to predict the accomplishment of the wishes which had been unfolded in her former letter. She wrote also with great pleasure of her brother’s being an inmate of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s house, and mentioned with raptures some plans of the latter with regard to new furniture. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , to whom Jane margin:jane-bennet very soon communicated the chief of all this, heard it in silent indignation. Her heart was divided between concern for her sister and resentment against all others. To Caroline’s assertion of her brother’s being partial to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , she paid no credit. That he was really fond of Jane margin:jane-bennet , she doubted no more than she had ever done; and much as she had always been disposed to like him, she could not think without anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness of temper, that want of proper resolution, which now made him the slave of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice his own happiness to the caprice of their inclinations. Had his own happiness, however, been the only sacrifice, he might have been allowed to sport with it in whatever manner he thought best; but her sister’s was involved in it, as she thought he must be sensible himself. It was a subject, in short, on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing. She could think of nothing else; and yet, whether Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s regard had really died away, or were suppressed by his friends’ interference; whether he had been aware of Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s attachment, or whether it had escaped his observation; whichever were the case, though her opinion of him must be materially affected by the difference, her sister’s situation remained the same, her peace equally wounded. A day or two passed before Jane margin:jane-bennet had courage to speak of her feelings to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; but at last, on Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s leaving them together, after a longer irritation than usual about Netherfield margin:netherfield and its master, she could not help saying,— “O that my dear mother had more command over herself she can have no idea of the pain she gives me by her continual reflections on him. But I will not repine. It cannot last long. He will be forgot, and we shall all be as we were before.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude, but said nothing. “You doubt me,” cried Jane margin:jane-bennet , slightly colouring; “indeed, you have no reason. He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my acquaintance but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or fear, and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God I have not that pain. A little time, therefore—I shall certainly try to get the better——” With a stronger voice she soon added, “I have this comfort immediately, that it has not been more than an error of fancy on my side, and that it has done no harm to anyone but myself.” “My dear Jane margin:jane-bennet ,” exclaimed Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “you are too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you deserve.” Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit, and threw back the praise on her sister’s warm affection. “Nay,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “this is not fair. You wish to think all the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of anybody. I only want to think you perfect, and you set yourself against it. Do not be afraid of my running into any excess, of my encroaching on your privilege of universal good-will. You need not. There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense. I have met with two instances lately: one I will not mention, the other is Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s marriage. It is unaccountable in every view it is unaccountable ” “My dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , do not give way to such feelings as these. They will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s respectability, and Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s prudent, steady character. Remember that she is one of a large family; that as to fortune it is a most eligible match; and be ready to believe, for everybody’s sake, that she may feel something like regard and esteem for our cousin.” “To oblige you, I would try to believe almost anything, but no one else could be benefited by such a belief as this; for were I persuaded that Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas had any regard for him, I should only think worse of her understanding than I now do of her heart. My dear Jane margin:jane-bennet , Mr. Collins margin:william-collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man: you know he is, as well as I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who marries him cannot have a proper way of thinking. You shall not defend her, though it is Charlotte Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas . You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility of danger security for happiness.” “I must think your language too strong in speaking of both,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet ; “and I hope you will be convinced of it, by seeing them happy together. But enough of this. You alluded to something else. You mentioned two instances. I cannot misunderstand you, but I entreat you, dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , not to pain me by thinking that person to blame, and saying your opinion of him is sunk. We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.” “And men take care that they should.” “If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but I have no idea of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine.” “I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s conduct to design,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but, without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, want of attention to other people’s feelings, and want of resolution, will do the business.” “And do you impute it to either of those?” “Yes; to the last. But if I go on I shall displease you by saying what I think of persons you esteem. Stop me, whilst you can.” “You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him?” “Yes, in conjunction with his friend.” “I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can only wish his happiness; and if he is attached to me no other woman can secure it.” “Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his happiness: they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence; they may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great connections, and pride.” “Beyond a doubt they do wish him to choose Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet ; “but this may be from better feelings than you are supposing. They have known her much longer than they have known me; no wonder if they love her better. But, whatever may be their own wishes, it is very unlikely they should have opposed their brother’s. What sister would think herself at liberty to do it, unless there were something very objectionable? If they believed him attached to me they would not try to part us; if he were so, they could not succeed. By supposing such an affection, you make everybody acting unnaturally and wrong, and me most unhappy. Do not distress me by the idea. I am not ashamed of having been mistaken—or, at least, it is slight, it is nothing in comparison of what I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters. Let me take it in the best light, in the light in which it may be understood.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not oppose such a wish; and from this time Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s name was scarcely ever mentioned between them. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning no more; and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet did not account for it clearly, there seemed little chance of her ever considering it with less perplexity. Her daughter endeavoured to convince her of what she did not believe herself, that his attentions to Jane margin:jane-bennet had been merely the effect of a common and transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no more; but though the probability of the statement was admitted at the time, she had the same story to repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s best comfort was, that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley must be down again in the summer. Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet treated the matter differently. “So, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said he, one day, “your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane margin:jane-bennet . Now is your time. Here are officers enough at Meryton margin:meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham margin:george-wickham be your man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably.” “Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not all expect Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s good fortune.” “True,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ; “but it is a comfort to think that, whatever of that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will always make the most of it.” Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s society was of material service in dispelling the gloom which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn margin:longbourn family. They saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now added that of general unreserve. The whole of what Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had already heard, his claims on Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , and all that he had suffered from him, was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed; and everybody was pleased to think how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they had known anything of the matter. Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be any extenuating circumstances in the case unknown to the society of Hertfordshire: her mild and steady candour always pleaded for allowances, and urged the possibility of mistakes; but by everybody else Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was condemned as the worst of men. Chapter XXV After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of felicity, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was called from his amiable Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas by the arrival of Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might be alleviated on his side by preparations for the reception of his bride, as he had reason to hope, that shortly after his next return into Hertfordshire, the day would be fixed that was to make him the happiest of men. He took leave of his relations at Longbourn margin:longbourn with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another letter of thanks. On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came, as usual, to spend the Christmas at Longbourn margin:longbourn . Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister, as well by nature as education. The Netherfield margin:netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade, and within view of his own warehouses, could have been so well-bred and agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , who was several years younger than Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips , was an amiable, intelligent, elegant woman, and a great favourite with her Longbourn margin:longbourn nieces. Between the two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted a very particular regard. They had frequently been staying with her in town. The first part of Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ’s business, on her arrival, was to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When this was done, she had a less active part to play. It became her turn to listen. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had many grievances to relate, and much to complain of. They had all been very ill-used since she last saw her sister. Two of her girls had been on the point of marriage, and after all there was nothing in it. “I do not blame Jane margin:jane-bennet ,” she continued, “for Jane would have got Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley if she could. But, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet Oh, sister it is very hard to think that she might have been Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s wife by this time, had not it been for her own perverseness. He made her an offer in this very room, and she refused him. The consequence of it is, that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have, and that Longbourn margin:longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever. The Lucases margin:the-lucas-family are very artful people, indeed, sister. They are all for what they can get. I am sorry to say it of them, but so it is. It makes me very nervous and poorly, to be thwarted so in my own family, and to have neighbours who think of themselves before anybody else. However, your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us of long sleeves.” Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , to whom the chief of this news had been given before, in the course of Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s correspondence with her, made her sister a slight answer, and, in compassion to her nieces, turned the conversation. When alone with Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet afterwards, she spoke more on the subject. “It seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane margin:jane-bennet ,” said she. “I am sorry it went off. But these things happen so often A young man, such as you describe Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks, and, when accident separates them, so easily forgets her, that these sort of inconstancies are very frequent.” “An excellent consolation in its way,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but it will not do for us . We do not suffer by accident. It does not often happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man of independent fortune to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in love with only a few days before.” “But that expression of ‘violently in love’ is so hackneyed, so doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me very little idea. It is as often applied to feelings which arise only from a half hour’s acquaintance, as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, how violent was Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s love?” “I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies by not asking them to dance; and I spoke to him twice myself without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?” “Oh, yes of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. Poor Jane margin:jane-bennet I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get over it immediately. It had better have happened to you , Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ; you would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. But do you think she would be prevailed on to go back with us? Change of scene might be of service—and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as anything.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and felt persuaded of her sister’s ready acquiescence. “I hope,” added Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , “that no consideration with regard to this young man will influence her. We live in so different a part of town, all our connections are so different, and, as you well know, we go out so little, that it is very improbable they should meet at all, unless he really comes to see her.” “And that is quite impossible; for he is now in the custody of his friend, and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane margin:jane-bennet in such a part of London margin:london My dear aunt, how could you think of it? Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy may, perhaps, have heard of such a place as Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street , but he would hardly think a month’s ablution enough to cleanse him from its impurities, were he once to enter it; and, depend upon it, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley never stirs without him.” “So much the better. I hope they will not meet at all. But does not Jane margin:jane-bennet correspond with his sister? She will not be able to help calling.” “She will drop the acquaintance entirely.” But, in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet affected to place this point, as well as the still more interesting one of Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s being withheld from seeing Jane margin:jane-bennet , she felt a solicitude on the subject which convinced her, on examination, that she did not consider it entirely hopeless. It was possible, and sometimes she thought it probable, that his affection might be re-animated, and the influence of his friends successfully combated by the more natural influence of Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s attractions. Miss Bennet accepted her aunt’s invitation with pleasure; and the Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the same time than as she hoped, by Caroline’s not living in the same house with her brother, she might occasionally spend a morning with her, without any danger of seeing him. The Gardiners stayed a week at Longbourn margin:longbourn ; and what with the Philipses, the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family , and the officers margin:the-militia , there was not a day without its engagement. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had so carefully provided for the entertainment of her brother and sister, that they did not once sit down to a family dinner. When the engagement was for home, some of the officers margin:the-militia always made part of it, of which officers Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham was sure to be one; and on these occasions Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , rendered suspicious by Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s warm commendation of him, narrowly observed them both. Without supposing them, from what she saw, to be very seriously in love, their preference of each other was plain enough to make her a little uneasy; and she resolved to speak to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet on the subject before she left Hertfordshire, and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging such an attachment. To Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , Wickham margin:george-wickham had one means of affording pleasure, unconnected with his general powers. About ten or a dozen years ago, before her marriage, she had spent a considerable time in that very part of Derbyshire to which he belonged. They had, therefore, many acquaintance in common; and, though Wickham margin:george-wickham had been little there since the death of Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s father, five years before, it was yet in his power to give her fresher intelligence of her former friends than she had been in the way of procuring. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner had seen Pemberley margin:pemberley , and known the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy by character perfectly well. Here, consequently, was an inexhaustible subject of discourse. In comparing her recollection of Pemberley margin:pemberley with the minute description which Wickham margin:george-wickham could give, and in bestowing her tribute of praise on the character of its late possessor, she was delighting both him and herself. On being made acquainted with the present Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s treatment of him, she tried to remember something of that gentleman’s reputed disposition, when quite a lad, which might agree with it; and was confident, at last, that she recollected having heard Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy formerly spoken of as a very proud, ill-natured boy. Chapter XXVI Mrs. Gardiner’s caution to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was punctually and kindly given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her alone: after honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went on:— “You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , to fall in love merely because you are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not afraid of speaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself, or endeavour to involve him, in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to say against him : he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he ought to have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is—you must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all expect you to use it. Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father.” “My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed.” “Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise.” “Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care of myself, and of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham too. He shall not be in love with me, if I can prevent it.” “ Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , you are not serious now.” “I beg your pardon. I will try again. At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw—and if he becomes really attached to me—I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it. Oh, that abominable Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy My father’s opinion of me does me the greatest honour; and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham . In short, my dear aunt, I should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but since we see, every day, that where there is affection young people are seldom withheld, by immediate want of fortune, from entering into engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow-creatures, if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it would be wiser to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short, I will do my best.” “Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so very often. At least you should not remind your mother of inviting him.” “As I did the other day,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with a conscious smile; “very true, it will be wise in me to refrain from that . But do not imagine that he is always here so often. It is on your account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You know my mother’s ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her friends. But really, and upon my honour, I will try to do what I think to be wisest; and now I hope you are satisfied.” Her aunt assured her that she was; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , having thanked her for the kindness of her hints, they parted,—a wonderful instance of advice being given on such a point without being resented. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted by the Gardiners and Jane margin:jane-bennet ; but, as he took up his abode with the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family , his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet . His marriage was now fast approaching; and she was at length so far resigned as to think it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say, in an ill-natured tone, that she “ wished they might be happy.” Thursday was to be the wedding-day, and on Wednesday Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she rose to take leave, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , ashamed of her mother’s ungracious and reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself, accompanied her out of the room. As they went down stairs together, Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas said,— “I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet .” “ That you certainly shall.” “And I have another favour to ask. Will you come and see me?” “We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire.” “I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to come to Hunsford margin:hunsford .” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the visit. “My father and Maria are to come to me in March,” added Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , “and I hope you will consent to be of the party. Indeed, Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , you will be as welcome to me as either of them.” The wedding took place: the bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from the church door, and everybody had as much to say or to hear on the subject as usual. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet soon heard from her friend, and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it ever had been: that it should be equally unreserved was impossible. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could never address her without feeling that all the comfort of intimacy was over; and, though determined not to slacken as a correspondent, it was for the sake of what had been rather than what was. Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s first letters were received with a good deal of eagerness: there could not but be curiosity to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would like Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to be; though, when the letters were read, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt that Charlotte expressed herself on every point exactly as she might have foreseen. She wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighbourhood, and roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s behaviour was most friendly and obliging. It was Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s picture of Hunsford margin:hunsford and Rosings margin:rosings rationally softened; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet perceived that she must wait for her own visit there, to know the rest. Jane margin:jane-bennet had already written a few lines to her sister, to announce their safe arrival in London margin:london ; and when she wrote again, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys. Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as impatience generally is. Jane margin:jane-bennet had been a week in town, without either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, however, by supposing that her last letter to her friend from Longbourn margin:longbourn had by some accident been lost. “My aunt,” she continued, “is going to-morrow into that part of the town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street.” She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley . “I did not think Caroline in spirits,” were her words, “but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London margin:london . I was right, therefore; my last letter had never reached her. I inquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much engaged with Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy was expected to dinner: I wish I could see her. My visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst were going out. I dare say I shall soon see them here.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet shook her head over this letter. It convinced her that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley her sister’s being in town. Four weeks passed away, and Jane margin:jane-bennet saw nothing of him. She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret it; but she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s inattention. After waiting at home every morning for a fortnight, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for her, the visitor did at last appear; but the shortness of her stay, and, yet more, the alteration of her manner, would allow Jane margin:jane-bennet to deceive herself no longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will prove what she felt:— “My dearest Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgment, at my expense, when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s regard for me. But, my dear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate if I still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate with me; but, if the same circumstances were to happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday; and not a note, not a line, did I receive in the meantime. When she did come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it; she made a slight, formal apology for not calling before, said not a word of wishing to see me again, and was, in every respect, so altered a creature, that when she went away I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer. I pity, though I cannot help blaming, her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can safely say, that every advance to intimacy began on her side. But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it. I need not explain myself farther; and though we know this anxiety to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily account for her behaviour to me; and so deservedly dear as he is to his sister, whatever anxiety she may feel on his behalf is natural and amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having any such fears now, because if he had at all cared about me, we must have met long, long ago. He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from something she said herself; and yet it would seem, by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy . I cannot understand it. If I were not afraid of judging harshly, I should be almost tempted to say, that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. I will endeavour to banish every painful thought, and think only of what will make me happy, your affection, and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very soon. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield margin:netherfield again, of giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford margin:hunsford . Pray go to see them, with Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas and Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there. “Yours, etc.” This letter gave Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet some pain; but her spirits returned, as she considered that Jane margin:jane-bennet would no longer be duped, by the sister at least. All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. She would not even wish for any renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on every review of it; and, as a punishment for him, as well as a possible advantage to Jane margin:jane-bennet , she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s sister, as, by Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s account, she would make him abundantly regret what he had thrown away. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet of her promise concerning that gentleman, and required information; and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over, he was the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was watchful enough to see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain. Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , less clear-sighted perhaps in this case than in Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence. Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural; and, while able to suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very sincerely wish him happy. All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ; and, after relating the circumstances, she thus went on:—“I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love; for had I really experienced that pure and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial towards him , they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My watchfulness has been effectual; and though I should certainly be a more interesting object to all my acquaintance, were I distractedly in love with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance. Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet take his defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain.” Chapter XXVII With no greater events than these in the Longbourn margin:longbourn family, and otherwise diversified by little beyond the walks to Meryton margin:meryton , sometimes dirty and sometimes cold, did January and February pass away. March was to take Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet to Hunsford margin:hunsford . She had not at first thought very seriously of going thither; but Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , she soon found, was depending on the plan, and she gradually learned to consider it herself with greater pleasure as well as greater certainty. Absence had increased her desire of seeing Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins . There was novelty in the scheme; and as, with such a mother and such uncompanionable sisters, home could not be faultless, a little change was not unwelcome for its own sake. The journey would, moreover, give her a peep at Jane margin:jane-bennet ; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would have been very sorry for any delay. Everything, however, went on smoothly, and was finally settled according to Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s first sketch. She was to accompany Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas and his second daughter. The improvement of spending a night in London margin:london was added in time, and the plan became as perfect as plan could be. The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss her, and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her going, that he told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter. The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham was perfectly friendly; on his side even more. His present pursuit could not make him forget that Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had been the first to excite and to deserve his attention, the first to listen and to pity, the first to be admired; and in his manner of bidding her adieu, wishing her every enjoyment, reminding her of what she was to expect in Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , and trusting their opinion of her—their opinion of everybody—would always coincide, there was a solicitude, an interest, which she felt must ever attach her to him with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced, that, whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable and pleasing. Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make her think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas , and his daughter Maria, a good-humoured girl, but as empty-headed as himself, had nothing to say that could be worth hearing, and were listened to with about as much delight as the rattle of the chaise. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet loved absurdities, but she had known Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ’s too long. He could tell her nothing new of the wonders of his presentation and knighthood; and his civilities were worn out, like his information. It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early as to be in Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner ’s door, Jane margin:jane-bennet was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival: when they entered the passage, she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever. On the stairs were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their cousin’s appearance would not allow them to wait in the drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first subject was her sister; and she was more grieved than astonished to hear, in reply to her minute inquiries, that though Jane margin:jane-bennet always struggled to support her spirits, there were periods of dejection. It was reasonable, however, to hope that they would not continue long. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner gave her the particulars also of Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s visit in Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street , and repeated conversations occurring at different times between Jane margin:jane-bennet and herself, which proved that the former had, from her heart, given up the acquaintance. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s desertion, and complimented her on bearing it so well. “But, my dear Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” she added, “what sort of girl is Miss King? I should be sorry to think our friend mercenary.” “Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary.” “If you will only tell me what sort of girl Miss King is, I shall know what to think.” “She is a very good kind of girl, I believe. I know no harm of her.” “But he paid her not the smallest attention till her grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune?” “No—why should he? If it were not allowable for him to gain my affections, because I had no money, what occasion could there be for making love to a girl whom he did not care about, and who was equally poor?” “But there seems indelicacy in directing his attentions towards her so soon after this event.” “A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant decorums which other people may observe. If she does not object to it, why should we ?” “ Her not objecting does not justify him . It only shows her being deficient in something herself—sense or feeling.” “Well,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “have it as you choose. He shall be mercenary, and she shall be foolish.” “No, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , that is what I do not choose. I should be sorry, you know, to think ill of a young man who has lived so long in Derbyshire.” “Oh, if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young men who live in Derbyshire; and their intimate friends who live in Hertfordshire are not much better. I am sick of them all. Thank heaven I am going to-morrow where I shall find a man who has not one agreeable quality, who has neither manners nor sense to recommend him. Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing, after all.” “Take care, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ; that speech savours strongly of disappointment.” Before they were separated by the conclusion of the play, she had the unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the summer. “We have not quite determined how far it shall carry us,” said Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ; “but perhaps, to the Lakes.” No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , and her acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. “My dear, dear aunt,” she rapturously cried, “what delight what felicity You give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains? Oh, what hours of transport we shall spend And when we do return, it shall not be like other travellers, without being able to give one accurate idea of anything. We will know where we have gone—we will recollect what we have seen. Lakes, mountains, and rivers, shall not be jumbled together in our imaginations; nor, when we attempt to describe any particular scene, will we begin quarrelling about its relative situation. Let our first effusions be less insupportable than those of the generality of travellers.” Chapter XXVIII Every object in the next day’s journey was new and interesting to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; and her spirits were in a state of enjoyment; for she had seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health, and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant source of delight. When they left the high road for the lane to Hunsford margin:hunsford , every eye was in search of the Parsonage, and every turning expected to bring it in view. The paling of Rosings margin:rosings park was their boundary on one side. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet smiled at the recollection of all that she had heard of its inhabitants. At length the Parsonage was discernible. The garden sloping to the road, the house standing in it, the green pales and the laurel hedge, everything declared they were arriving. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins and Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at the small gate, which led by a short gravel walk to the house, amidst the nods and smiles of the whole party. In a moment they were all out of the chaise, rejoicing at the sight of each other. Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was more and more satisfied with coming, when she found herself so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her cousin’s manners were not altered by his marriage: his formal civility was just what it had been; and he detained her some minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his inquiries after all her family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them a second time, with ostentatious formality, to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife’s offers of refreshment. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not help fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the room, its aspect, and its furniture, he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. But though everything seemed neat and comfortable, she was not able to gratify him by any sigh of repentance; and rather looked with wonder at her friend, that she could have so cheerful an air with such a companion. When Mr. Collins margin:william-collins said anything of which his wife might reasonably be ashamed, which certainly was not seldom, she involuntarily turned her eye on Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas . Once or twice she could discern a faint blush; but in general Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas wisely did not hear. After sitting long enough to admire every article of furniture in the room, from the sideboard to the fender, to give an account of their journey, and of all that had happened in London margin:london , Mr. Collins margin:william-collins invited them to take a stroll in the garden, which was large and well laid out, and to the cultivation of which he attended himself. To work in his garden was one of his most respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet admired the command of countenance with which Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas talked of the healthfulness of the exercise, and owned she encouraged it as much as possible. Here, leading the way through every walk and cross walk, and scarcely allowing them an interval to utter the praises he asked for, every view was pointed out with a minuteness which left beauty entirely behind. He could number the fields in every direction, and could tell how many trees there were in the most distant clump. But of all the views which his garden, or which the country or the kingdom could boast, none were to be compared with the prospect of Rosings margin:rosings , afforded by an opening in the trees that bordered the park nearly opposite the front of his house. It was a handsome modern building, well situated on rising ground. From his garden, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins would have led them round his two meadows; but the ladies, not having shoes to encounter the remains of a white frost, turned back; and while Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas accompanied him, Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas took her sister and friend over the house, extremely well pleased, probably, to have the opportunity of showing it without her husband’s help. It was rather small, but well built and convenient; and everything was fitted up and arranged with a neatness and consistency, of which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet gave Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas all the credit. When Mr. Collins margin:william-collins could be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet supposed he must be often forgotten. She had already learnt that Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh was still in the country. It was spoken of again while they were at dinner, when Mr. Collins margin:william-collins joining in, observed,— “Yes, Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , you will have the honour of seeing Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church, and I need not say you will be delighted with her. She is all affability and condescension, and I doubt not but you will be honoured with some portion of her notice when service is over. I have scarcely any hesitation in saying that she will include you and my sister Maria in every invitation with which she honours us during your stay here. Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas is charming. We dine at Rosings margin:rosings twice every week, and are never allowed to walk home. Her Ladyship’s carriage is regularly ordered for us. I should say, one of her Ladyship’s carriages, for she has several.” “ Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh is a very respectable, sensible woman, indeed,” added Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , “and a most attentive neighbour.” “Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference.” The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news, and telling again what had been already written; and when it closed, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well. She had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenour of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings margin:rosings . A lively imagination soon settled it all. About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting ready for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole house in confusion; and, after listening a moment, she heard somebody running upstairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her. She opened the door, and met Maria in the landing-place, who, breathless with agitation, cried out,— “Oh, my dear Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet pray make haste and come into the dining-room, for there is such a sight to be seen I will not tell you what it is. Make haste, and come down this moment.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet asked questions in vain; Maria would tell her nothing more; and down they ran into the dining-room which fronted the lane, in quest of this wonder; it was two ladies, stopping in a low phaeton at the garden gate. “And is this all?” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “I expected at least that the pigs were got into the garden, and here is nothing but Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her daughter ” “La my dear,” said Maria, quite shocked at the mistake, “it is not Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh . The old lady is Mrs. Jenkinson, who lives with them. The other is Miss De Bourgh. Only look at her. She is quite a little creature. Who would have thought she could be so thin and small ” “She is abominably rude to keep Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas out of doors in all this wind. Why does she not come in?” “Oh, Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas says she hardly ever does. It is the greatest of favours when Miss De Bourgh comes in.” “I like her appearance,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , struck with other ideas. “She looks sickly and cross. Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife.” Mr. Collins margin:william-collins and Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas were both standing at the gate in conversation with the ladies; and Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s high diversion, was stationed in the doorway, in earnest contemplation of the greatness before him, and constantly bowing whenever Miss De Bourgh looked that way. At length there was nothing more to be said; the ladies drove on, and the others returned into the house. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins no sooner saw the two girls than he began to congratulate them on their good fortune, which Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas explained by letting them know that the whole party was asked to dine at Rosings margin:rosings the next day. Chapter XXIX Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon was such an instance of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s condescension as he knew not how to admire enough. “I confess,” said he, “that I should not have been at all surprised by her Ladyship’s asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at Rosings margin:rosings . I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this? Who could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there an invitation, moreover, including the whole party so immediately after your arrival?” “I am the less surprised at what has happened,” replied Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , “from that knowledge of what the manners of the great really are, which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire. About the court, such instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon.” Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning but their visit to Rosings margin:rosings . Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was carefully instructing them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might not wholly overpower them. When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,— “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and daughter. I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest—there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.” While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. Such formidable accounts of her Ladyship, and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria Lucas margin:maria-lucas , who had been little used to company; and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings margin:rosings with as much apprehension as her father had done to his presentation at St. James’s. As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw much to be pleased with, though she could not be in such raptures as Mr. Collins margin:william-collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in front of the house, and his relation of what the glazing altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis de Bourgh. When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria’s alarm was every moment increasing, and even Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas did not look perfectly calm. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation. From the entrance hall, of which Mr. Collins margin:william-collins pointed out, with a rapturous air, the fine proportion and finished ornaments, they followed the servants through an antechamber to the room where Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were sitting. Her Ladyship, with great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins had settled it with her husband that the office of introduction should be hers, it was performed in a proper manner, without any of those apologies and thanks which he would have thought necessary. In spite of having been at St. James’s, Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas was so completely awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat without saying a word; and his daughter, frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge of her chair, not knowing which way to look. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet found herself quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three ladies before her composedly. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence: but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham immediately to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s mind; and, from the observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh to be exactly what he had represented. When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and deportment she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she turned her eyes on the daughter, she could almost have joined in Maria’s astonishment at her being so thin and so small. There was neither in figure nor face any likeness between the ladies. Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh was pale and sickly: her features, though not plain, were insignificant; and she spoke very little, except in a low voice, to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance there was nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening to what she said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before her eyes. After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the windows to admire the view, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins attending them to point out its beauties, and Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh kindly informing them that it was much better worth looking at in the summer. The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants, and all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins margin:william-collins had promised; and, as he had likewise foretold, he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her Ladyship’s desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater. He carved and ate and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended first by him, and then by Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law said, in a manner which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet wondered Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh could bear. But Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them. The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated between Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas and Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh —the former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , and the latter said not a word to her all the dinnertime. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish and fearing she was indisposed. Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire. When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh talk, which she did without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgment controverted. She inquired into Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, and gave her a great deal of advice as to the management of them all; told her how everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as hers, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet found that nothing was beneath this great lady’s attention which could furnish her with an occasion for dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , but especially to the latter, of whose connections she knew the least, and who, she observed to Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , was a very genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her at different times how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been her mother’s maiden name? Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt all the impertinence of her questions, but answered them very composedly. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh then observed,— “Your father’s estate is entailed on Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , I think? For your sake,” turning to Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , “I am glad of it; but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family. Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?” “A little.” “Oh then—some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to —— you shall try it some day. Do your sisters play and sing?” “One of them does.” “Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as yours. Do you draw?” “No, not at all.” “What, none of you?” “Not one.” “That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters.” “My mother would have no objection, but my father hates London margin:london .” “Has your governess left you?” “We never had any governess.” “No governess How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could hardly help smiling, as she assured her that had not been the case. “Then who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess, you must have been neglected.” “Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle certainly might.” “Ay, no doubt: but that is what a governess will prevent; and if I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and it was but the other day that I recommended another young person, who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite delighted with her. Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , did I tell you of Lady Metcalfe’s calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. ‘ Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ,’ said she, ‘you have given me a treasure.’ Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?” “Yes, ma’am, all.” “All What, all five out at once? Very odd And you only the second. The younger ones out before the elder are married Your younger sisters must be very young?” “Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps she is full young to be much in company. But really, ma’am, I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters that they should not have their share of society and amusement, because the elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early. The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth as the first. And to be kept back on such a motive I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind.” “Upon my word,” said her Ladyship, “you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?” “With three younger sisters grown up,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , smiling, “your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.” Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence. “You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure,—therefore you need not conceal your age.” “I am not one-and-twenty.” When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over, the card tables were placed. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , and Mr. and Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins sat down to quadrille; and as Miss De Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the two girls had the honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her party. Their table was superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was uttered that did not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson expressed her fears of Miss De Bourgh’s being too hot or too cold, or having too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the other table. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh was generally speaking—stating the mistakes of the three others, or relating some anecdote of herself. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was employed in agreeing to everything her Ladyship said, thanking her for every fish he won, and apologizing if he thought he won too many. Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas did not say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes and noble names. When Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her daughter had played as long as they chose, the tables were broken up, the carriage was offered to Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , gratefully accepted, and immediately ordered. The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh determine what weather they were to have on the morrow. From these instructions they were summoned by the arrival of the coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ’s side, and as many bows on Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas ’s, they departed. As soon as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was called on by her cousin to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings margin:rosings , which, for Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s sake, she made more favourable than it really was. But her commendation, though costing her some trouble, could by no means satisfy Mr. Collins margin:william-collins , and he was very soon obliged to take her Ladyship’s praise into his own hands. Chapter XXX Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas stayed only a week at Hunsford margin:hunsford ; but his visit was long enough to convince him of his daughter’s being most comfortably settled, and of her possessing such a husband and such a neighbour as were not often met with. While Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas was with them, Mr. Collins margin:william-collins devoted his mornings to driving him out in his gig, and showing him the country: but when he went away, the whole family returned to their usual employments, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was thankful to find that they did not see more of her cousin by the alteration; for the chief of the time between breakfast and dinner was now passed by him either at work in the garden, or in reading and writing, and looking out of window in his own book room, which fronted the road. The room in which the ladies sat was backwards. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet at first had rather wondered that Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas should not prefer the dining parlour for common use; it was a better sized room, and had a pleasanter aspect: but she soon saw that her friend had an excellent reason for what she did, for Mr. Collins margin:william-collins would undoubtedly have been much less in his own apartment had they sat in one equally lively; and she gave Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas credit for the arrangement. From the drawing-room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, and were indebted to Mr. Collins margin:william-collins for the knowledge of what carriages went along, and how often especially Miss De Bourgh drove by in her phaeton, which he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened almost every day. She not unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage, and had a few minutes’ conversation with Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , but was scarcely ever prevailed on to get out. Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins margin:william-collins did not walk to Rosings margin:rosings , and not many in which his wife did not think it necessary to go likewise; and till Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet recollected that there might be other family livings to be disposed of, she could not understand the sacrifice of so many hours. Now and then they were honoured with a call from her Ladyship, and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during these visits. She examined into their employments, looked at their work, and advised them to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement of the furniture, or detected the housemaid in negligence; and if she accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it only for the sake of finding out that Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins ’s joints of meat were too large for her family. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in the commission of the peace for the county, she was a most active magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to her by Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she sallied forth into the village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty. The entertainment of dining at Rosings margin:rosings was repeated about twice a week; and, allowing for the loss of Sir William margin:sir-william-lucas , and there being only one card-table in the evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart of the first. Their other engagements were few, as the style of living of the neighbourhood in general was beyond the Collinses’ reach. This, however, was no evil to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , and upon the whole she spent her time comfortably enough: there were half hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , and the weather was so fine for the time of year, that she had often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , was along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity. In this quiet way the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away. Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an addition to the family at Rosings margin:rosings , which in so small a circle must be important. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had heard, soon after her arrival, that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was expected there in the course of a few weeks; and though there were not many of her acquaintance whom she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings margin:rosings parties, and she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s designs on him were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , who talked of his coming with the greatest satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas and herself. His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage; for Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Hunsford margin:hunsford Lane, in order to have the earliest assurance of it; and, after making his bow as the carriage turned into the park, hurried home with the great intelligence. On the following morning he hastened to Rosings margin:rosings to pay his respects. There were two nephews of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh to require them, for Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , the younger son of his uncle, Lord ——; and, to the great surprise of all the party, when Mr. Collins margin:william-collins returned, the gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas had seen them from her husband’s room, crossing the road, and immediately running into the other, told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding,— “I may thank you, Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment before their approach was announced by the door-bell, and shortly afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy looked just as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, paid his compliments, with his usual reserve, to Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins ; and whatever might be his feelings towards her friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet merely courtesied to him, without saying a word. Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly, with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , sat for some time without speaking to anybody. At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire of Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual way; and, after a moment’s pause, added,— “My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there?” She was perfectly sensible that he never had: but she wished to see whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed between the Bingleys and Jane margin:jane-bennet ; and she thought he looked a little confused as he answered that he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet. The subject was pursued no further, and the gentlemen soon afterwards went away. Chapter XXXI Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam ’s manners were very much admired at the Parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasure of their engagements at Rosings margin:rosings . It was some days, however, before they received any invitation thither, for while there were visitors in the house they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after the gentlemen’s arrival, that they were honoured by such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to come there in the evening. For the last week they had seen very little of either Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam had called at the Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy they had only seen at church. The invitation was accepted, of course, and at a proper hour they joined the party in Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s drawing-room. Her Ladyship received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact, almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , much more than to any other person in the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them: anything was a welcome relief to him at Rosings margin:rosings ; and Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins ’s pretty friend had, moreover, caught his fancy very much. He now seated himself by her, and talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had never been half so well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and flow as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh herself, as well as of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . His eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her Ladyship, after a while, shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, for she did not scruple to call out,— “What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.” “We were talking of music, madam,” said he, when no longer able to avoid a reply. “Of music Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I must have my share in the conversation, if you are speaking of music. There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. How does Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy get on, Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister’s proficiency. “I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,” said Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ; “and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel, if she does not practise a great deal.” “I assure you, madam,” he replied, “that she does not need such advice. She practises very constantly.” “So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often tell young ladies, that no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice. I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well, unless she practises more; and though Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings margin:rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson’s room. She would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part of the house.” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s ill-breeding, and made no answer. When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet of having promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh listened to half a song, and then talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the latter walked away from her, and moving with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte, stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer’s countenance. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause turned to him with an arch smile, and said,— “You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , by coming in all this state to hear me. But I will not be alarmed, though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.” “I shall not say that you are mistaken,” he replied, “because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know, that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which, in fact, are not your own.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , “Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so well able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.” “I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly. “Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,” cried Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam . “I should like to know how he behaves among strangers.” “You shall hear, then—but prepare for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances I am sorry to pain you, but so it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , you cannot deny the fact.” “I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party.” “True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders.” “Perhaps,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “I should have judged better had I sought an introduction, but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.” “Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam . “Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill-qualified to recommend himself to strangers?” “I can answer your question,” said Fitzwilliam, “without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.” “I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.” “My fingers,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women’s do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault—because I would not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman’s of superior execution.” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy smiled and said, “You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.” Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , who called out to know what they were talking of. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said to Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ,— “Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London margin:london master. She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne’s. Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked at Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , to see how cordially he assented to his cousin’s praise: but neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss De Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , that he might have been just as likely to marry her , had she been his relation. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh continued her remarks on Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s performance, mixing with them many instructions on execution and taste. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet received them with all the forbearance of civility; and at the request of the gentlemen remained at the instrument till her Ladyship’s carriage was ready to take them all home. Chapter XXXII Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was sitting by herself the next morning, and writing to Jane margin:jane-bennet , while Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins and Maria were gone on business into the village, when she was startled by a ring at the door, the certain signal of a visitor. As she had heard no carriage, she thought it not unlikely to be Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ; and under that apprehension was putting away her half-finished letter, that she might escape all impertinent questions, when the door opened, and to her very great surprise Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , and Mr. Darcy only, entered the room. He seemed astonished too on finding her alone, and apologized for his intrusion, by letting her know that he had understood all the ladies to be within. They then sat down, and when her inquiries after Rosings margin:rosings were made, seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. It was absolutely necessary, therefore, to think of something; and in this emergency recollecting when she had seen him last in Hertfordshire, and feeling curious to know what he would say on the subject of their hasty departure, she observed,— “How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield margin:netherfield last November, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley to see you all after him so soon; for, if I recollect right, he went but the day before. He and his sisters were well, I hope, when you left London margin:london ?” “Perfectly so, I thank you.” She found that she was to receive no other answer; and, after a short pause, added,— “I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley has not much idea of ever returning to Netherfield margin:netherfield again?” “I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may spend very little of his time there in future. He has many friends, and he is at a time of life when friends and engagements are continually increasing.” “If he means to be but little at Netherfield margin:netherfield , it would be better for the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely, for then we might possibly get a settled family there. But, perhaps, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience of the neighbourhood as for his own, and we must expect him to keep or quit it on the same principle.” “I should not be surprised,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , “if he were to give it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer of his friend; and, having nothing else to say, was now determined to leave the trouble of finding a subject to him. He took the hint and soon began with, “This seems a very comfortable house. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , I believe, did a great deal to it when Mr. Collins margin:william-collins first came to Hunsford margin:hunsford .” “I believe she did—and I am sure she could not have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful object.” “ Mr. Collins margin:william-collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife.” “Yes, indeed; his friends may well rejoice in his having met with one of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him, or have made him happy if they had. My friend has an excellent understanding—though I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins margin:william-collins as the wisest thing she ever did. She seems perfectly happy, however; and, in a prudential light, it is certainly a very good match for her.” “It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a distance of her own family and friends.” “An easy distance do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles.” “And what is fifty miles of good road? Little more than half a day’s journey. Yes, I call it a very easy distance.” “I should never have considered the distance as one of the advantages of the match,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “I should never have said Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins was settled near her family.” “It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire. Anything beyond the very neighbourhood of Longbourn margin:longbourn , I suppose, would appear far.” As he spoke there was a sort of smile, which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet fancied she understood; he must be supposing her to be thinking of Jane margin:jane-bennet and Netherfield margin:netherfield , and she blushed as she answered,— “I do not mean to say that a woman may not be settled too near her family. The far and the near must be relative, and depend on many varying circumstances. Where there is fortune to make the expense of travelling unimportant, distance becomes no evil. But that is not the case here . Mr. and Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins have a comfortable income, but not such a one as will allow of frequent journeys—and I am persuaded my friend would not call herself near her family under less than half the present distance.” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said, “ You cannot have a right to such very strong local attachment. You cannot have been always at Longbourn margin:longbourn .” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked surprised. The gentleman experienced some change of feeling; he drew back his chair, took a newspaper from the table, and, glancing over it, said, in a colder voice,— “Are you pleased with Kent?” A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued, on either side calm and concise—and soon put an end to by the entrance of Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas and her sister, just returned from their walk. The tête-à-tête surprised them. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy related the mistake which had occasioned his intruding on Miss Bennet, and, after sitting a few minutes longer, without saying much to anybody, went away. “What can be the meaning of this?” said Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , as soon as he was gone. “My dear Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , he must be in love with you, or he would never have called on us in this familiar way.” But when Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet told of his silence, it did not seem very likely, even to Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s wishes, to be the case; and, after various conjectures, they could at last only suppose his visit to proceed from the difficulty of finding anything to do, which was the more probable from the time of year. All field sports were over. Within doors there was Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , books, and a billiard table, but gentlemen cannot be always within doors; and in the nearness of the Parsonage, or the pleasantness of the walk to it, or of the people who lived in it, the two cousins found a temptation from this period of walking thither almost every day. They called at various times of the morning, sometimes separately, sometimes together, and now and then accompanied by their aunt. It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam came because he had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which of course recommended him still more; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was reminded by her own satisfaction in being with him, as well as by his evident admiration, of her former favourite, George Wickham margin:george-wickham ; and though, in comparing them, she saw there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners, she believed he might have the best informed mind. But why Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy came so often to the Parsonage it was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice—a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself. He seldom appeared really animated. Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins knew not what to make of him. Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam ’s occasionally laughing at his stupidity proved that he was generally different, which her own knowledge of him could not have told her; and as she would have liked to believe this change the effect of love, and the object of that love her friend Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , she set herself seriously to work to find it out: she watched him whenever they were at Rosings margin:rosings , and whenever he came to Hunsford margin:hunsford ; but without much success. He certainly looked at her friend a great deal, but the expression of that look was disputable. It was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often doubted whether there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it seemed nothing but absence of mind. She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet the possibility of his being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the idea; and Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins did not think it right to press the subject, from the danger of raising expectations which might only end in disappointment; for in her opinion it admitted not of a doubt, that all her friend’s dislike would vanish, if she could suppose him to be in her power. In her kind schemes for Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , she sometimes planned her marrying Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam . He was, beyond comparison, the pleasantest man: he certainly admired her, and his situation in life was most eligible; but, to counterbalance these advantages, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had considerable patronage in the church, and his cousin could have none at all. Chapter XXXIII More than once did Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , in her ramble within the park, unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . She felt all the perverseness of the mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought; and, to prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him, at first, that it was a favourite haunt of hers. How it could occur a second time, therefore, was very odd Yet it did, and even the third. It seemed like wilful ill-nature, or a voluntary penance; for on these occasions it was not merely a few formal inquiries and an awkward pause and then away, but he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. He never said a great deal, nor did she give herself the trouble of talking or of listening much; but it struck her in the course of their third encounter that he was asking some odd unconnected questions—about her pleasure in being at Hunsford margin:hunsford , her love of solitary walks, and her opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins ’s happiness; and that in speaking of Rosings margin:rosings , and her not perfectly understanding the house, he seemed to expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying there too. His words seemed to imply it. Could he have Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam in his thoughts? She supposed, if he meant anything, he must mean an allusion to what might arise in that quarter. It distressed her a little, and she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the pales opposite the Parsonage. She was engaged one day, as she walked, in re-perusing Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s last letter, and dwelling on some passages which proved that Jane had not written in spirits, when, instead of being again surprised by Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she saw, on looking up, that Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam was meeting her. Putting away the letter immediately, and forcing a smile, she said,— “I did not know before that you ever walked this way.” “I have been making the tour of the park,” he replied, “as I generally do every year, and intended to close it with a call at the Parsonage. Are you going much farther?” “No, I should have turned in a moment.” And accordingly she did turn, and they walked towards the Parsonage together. “Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?” said she. “Yes—if Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy does not put it off again. But I am at his disposal. He arranges the business just as he pleases.” “And if not able to please himself in the arrangement, he has at least great pleasure in the power of choice. I do not know anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes than Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy .” “He likes to have his own way very well,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam . “But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of having it than many others, because he is rich, and many others are poor. I speak feelingly. A younger son, you know, must be inured to self-denial and dependence.” “In my opinion, the younger son of an earl can know very little of either. Now, seriously, what have you ever known of self-denial and dependence? When have you been prevented by want of money from going wherever you chose or procuring anything you had a fancy for?” “These are home questions—and perhaps I cannot say that I have experienced many hardships of that nature. But in matters of greater weight, I may suffer from the want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where they like.” “Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often do.” “Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to money.” “Is this,” thought Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “meant for me?” and she coloured at the idea; but, recovering herself, said in a lively tone, “And pray, what is the usual price of an earl’s younger son? Unless the elder brother is very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds.” He answered her in the same style, and the subject dropped. To interrupt a silence which might make him fancy her affected with what had passed, she soon afterwards said,— “I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry, to secure a lasting convenience of that kind. But, perhaps, his sister does as well for the present; and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he likes with her.” “No,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , “that is an advantage which he must divide with me. I am joined with him in the guardianship of Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy .” “Are you, indeed? And pray what sort of a guardian do you make? Does your charge give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age are sometimes a little difficult to manage; and if she has the true Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy spirit, she may like to have her own way.” As she spoke, she observed him looking at her earnestly; and the manner in which he immediately asked her why she supposed Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy likely to give them any uneasiness, convinced her that she had somehow or other got pretty near the truth. She directly replied,— “You need not be frightened. I never heard any harm of her; and I dare say she is one of the most tractable creatures in the world. She is a very great favourite with some ladies of my acquaintance, Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley . I think I have heard you say that you know them.” “I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant, gentlemanlike man—he is a great friend of Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s.” “Oh yes,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet drily—“ Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.” “Care of him Yes, I really believe Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy does take care of him in those points where he most wants care. From something that he told me in our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley margin:charles-bingley very much indebted to him. But I ought to beg his pardon, for I have no right to suppose that Bingley margin:charles-bingley was the person meant. It was all conjecture.” “What is it you mean?” “It is a circumstance which Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy of course could not wish to be generally known, because if it were to get round to the lady’s family it would be an unpleasant thing.” “You may depend upon my not mentioning it.” “And remember that I have not much reason for supposing it to be Bingley margin:charles-bingley . What he told me was merely this: that he congratulated himself on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage, but without mentioning names or any other particulars; and I only suspected it to be Bingley margin:charles-bingley from believing him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of that sort, and from knowing them to have been together the whole of last summer.” “Did Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy give you his reasons for this interference?” “I understood that there were some very strong objections against the lady.” “And what arts did he use to separate them?” “He did not talk to me of his own arts,” said Fitzwilliam, smiling. “He only told me what I have now told you.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with indignation. After watching her a little, Fitzwilliam asked her why she was so thoughtful. “I am thinking of what you have been telling me,” said she. “Your cousin’s conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the judge?” “You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?” “I do not see what right Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had to decide on the propriety of his friend’s inclination; or why, upon his own judgment alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner that friend was to be happy. But,” she continued, recollecting herself, “as we know none of the particulars, it is not fair to condemn him. It is not to be supposed that there was much affection in the case.” “That is not an unnatural surmise,” said Fitzwilliam; “but it is lessening the honour of my cousin’s triumph very sadly.” This was spoken jestingly, but it appeared to her so just a picture of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , that she would not trust herself with an answer; and, therefore, abruptly changing the conversation, talked on indifferent matters till they reached the Parsonage. There, shut into her own room, as soon as their visitor left them, she could think without interruption of all that she had heard. It was not to be supposed that any other people could be meant than those with whom she was connected. There could not exist in the world two men over whom Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy could have such boundless influence. That he had been concerned in the measures taken to separate Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and Jane margin:jane-bennet , she had never doubted; but she had always attributed to Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley the principal design and arrangement of them. If his own vanity, however, did not mislead him, he was the cause—his pride and caprice were the cause—of all that Jane margin:jane-bennet had suffered, and still continued to suffer. He had ruined for a while every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the world; and no one could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted. “There were some very strong objections against the lady,” were Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam ’s words; and these strong objections probably were, her having one uncle who was a country attorney, and another who was in business in London margin:london . “To Jane margin:jane-bennet herself,” she exclaimed, “there could be no possibility of objection,—all loveliness and goodness as she is Her understanding excellent, her mind improved, and her manners captivating. Neither could anything be urged against my father, who, though with some peculiarities, has abilities which Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy himself need not disdain, and respectability which he will probably never reach.” When she thought of her mother, indeed, her confidence gave way a little; but she would not allow that any objections there had material weight with Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , whose pride, she was convinced, would receive a deeper wound from the want of importance in his friend’s connections than from their want of sense; and she was quite decided, at last, that he had been partly governed by this worst kind of pride, and partly by the wish of retaining Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley for his sister. The agitation and tears which the subject occasioned brought on a headache; and it grew so much worse towards the evening that, added to her unwillingness to see Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , it determined her not to attend her cousins to Rosings margin:rosings , where they were engaged to drink tea. Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , seeing that she was really unwell, did not press her to go, and as much as possible prevented her husband from pressing her; but Mr. Collins could not conceal his apprehension of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s being rather displeased by her staying at home. Chapter XXXIV When they were gone, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as if intending to exasperate herself as much as possible against Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , chose for her employment the examination of all the letters which Jane margin:jane-bennet had written to her since her being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any revival of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering. But in all, and in almost every line of each, there was a want of that cheerfulness which had been used to characterize her style, and which, proceeding from the serenity of a mind at ease with itself, and kindly disposed towards everyone, had been scarcely ever clouded. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet noticed every sentence conveying the idea of uneasiness, with an attention which it had hardly received on the first perusal. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s shameful boast of what misery he had been able to inflict gave her a keener sense of her sister’s sufferings. It was some consolation to think that his visit to Rosings margin:rosings was to end on the day after the next, and a still greater that in less than a fortnight she should herself be with Jane margin:jane-bennet again, and enabled to contribute to the recovery of her spirits, by all that affection could do. She could not think of Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s leaving Kent without remembering that his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam had made it clear that he had no intentions at all, and, agreeable as he was, she did not mean to be unhappy about him. While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell; and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits were very differently affected, when, to her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy walk into the room. In a hurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after her health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better. She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up walked about the room. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began:— “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement, and the avowal of all that he felt and had long felt for her immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority, of its being a degradation, of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit. In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which in spite of all his endeavours he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther; and when he ceased the colour rose into her cheeks and she said,— “In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which you tell me have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.” Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , who was leaning against the mantel-piece with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the appearance of composure, and would not open his lips till he believed himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s feelings dreadful. At length, in a voice of forced calmness, he said,— “And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavour at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance.” “I might as well inquire,” replied she, “why, with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I have. Had not my own feelings decided against you, had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?” As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy changed colour; but the emotion was short, and he listened without attempting to interrupt her while she continued,— “I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted there . You dare not, you cannot deny that you have been the principal, if not the only means of dividing them from each other, of exposing one to the censure of the world for caprice and instability, the other to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest kind.” She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that he was listening with an air which proved him wholly unmoved by any feeling of remorse. He even looked at her with a smile of affected incredulity. “Can you deny that you have done it?” she repeated. With assumed tranquillity he then replied, “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards him I have been kinder than towards myself.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet disdained the appearance of noticing this civil reflection, but its meaning did not escape, nor was it likely to conciliate her. “But it is not merely this affair,” she continued, “on which my dislike is founded. Long before it had taken place, my opinion of you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham . On this subject, what can you have to say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you here defend yourself? or under what misrepresentation can you here impose upon others?” “You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns,” said Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , in a less tranquil tone, and with a heightened colour. “Who that knows what his misfortunes have been can help feeling an interest in him?” “His misfortunes ” repeated Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , contemptuously,—“yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed.” “And of your infliction,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with energy; “You have reduced him to his present state of poverty—comparative poverty. You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence which was no less his due than his desert. You have done all this and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule.” “And this,” cried Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , as he walked with quick steps across the room, “is your opinion of me This is the estimation in which you hold me I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed But, perhaps,” added he, stopping in his walk, and turning towards her, “these offences might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I, with greater policy, concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; by reason, by reflection, by everything. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence. Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and just. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?—to congratulate myself on the hope of relations whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she tried to the utmost to speak with composure when she said,— “You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.” She saw him start at this; but he said nothing, and she continued,— “You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it.” Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an expression of mingled incredulity and mortification. She went on,— “From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form that groundwork of disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.” “You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.” And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet heard him the next moment open the front door and quit the house. The tumult of her mind was now painfully great. She knew not how to support herself, and, from actual weakness, sat down and cried for half an hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy that he should have been in love with her for so many months so much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made him prevent his friend’s marrying her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his own case, was almost incredible it was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride, his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane margin:jane-bennet , his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the unfeeling manner which he had mentioned Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the pity which the consideration of his attachment had for a moment excited. She continued in very agitating reflections till the sound of Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s carriage made her feel how unequal she was to encounter Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s observation, and hurried her away to her room. Chapter XXXV Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet awoke the next morning to the same thoughts and meditations which had at length closed her eyes. She could not yet recover from the surprise of what had happened: it was impossible to think of anything else; and, totally indisposed for employment, she resolved soon after breakfast to indulge herself in air and exercise. She was proceeding directly to her favourite walk, when the recollection of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s sometimes coming there stopped her, and instead of entering the park, she turned up the lane which led her farther from the turnpike road. The park paling was still the boundary on one side, and she soon passed one of the gates into the ground. After walking two or three times along that part of the lane, she was tempted, by the pleasantness of the morning, to stop at the gates and look into the park. The five weeks which she had now passed in Kent had made a great difference in the country, and every day was adding to the verdure of the early trees. She was on the point of continuing her walk, when she caught a glimpse of a gentleman within the sort of grove which edged the park: he was moving that way; and fearful of its being Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she was directly retreating. But the person who advanced was now near enough to see her, and stepping forward with eagerness, pronounced her name. She had turned away; but on hearing herself called, though in a voice which proved it to be Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she moved again towards the gate. He had by that time reached it also; and, holding out a letter, which she instinctively took, said, with a look of haughty composure, “I have been walking in the grove some time, in the hope of meeting you. Will you do me the honour of reading that letter?” and then, with a slight bow, turned again into the plantation, and was soon out of sight. With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest curiosity, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet opened the letter, and to her still increasing wonder, perceived an envelope containing two sheets of letter paper, written quite through, in a very close hand. The envelope itself was likewise full. Pursuing her way along the lane, she then began it. It was dated from Rosings margin:rosings , at eight o’clock in the morning, and was as follows:— “Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments, or renewal of those offers, which were last night so disgusting to you. I write without any intention of paining you, or humbling myself, by dwelling on wishes, which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too soon forgotten; and the effort which the formation and the perusal of this letter must occasion, should have been spared, had not my character required it to be written and read. You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand your attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but I demand it of your justice. “Two offences of a very different nature, and by no means of equal magnitude, you last night laid to my charge. The first mentioned was, that, regardless of the sentiments of either, I had detached Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley from your sister,—and the other, that I had, in defiance of various claims, in defiance of honour and humanity, ruined the immediate prosperity and blasted the prospects of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham . Wilfully and wantonly to have thrown off the companion of my youth, the acknowledged favourite of my father, a young man who had scarcely any other dependence than on our patronage, and who had been brought up to expect its exertion, would be a depravity, to which the separation of two young persons whose affection could be the growth of only a few weeks, could bear no comparison. But from the severity of that blame which was last night so liberally bestowed, respecting each circumstance, I shall hope to be in future secured, when the following account of my actions and their motives has been read. If, in the explanation of them which is due to myself, I am under the necessity of relating feelings which may be offensive to yours, I can only say that I am sorry. The necessity must be obeyed, and further apology would be absurd. I had not been long in Hertfordshire before I saw, in common with others, that Bingley margin:charles-bingley preferred your elder sister to any other young woman in the country. But it was not till the evening of the dance at Netherfield margin:netherfield that I had any apprehension of his feeling a serious attachment. I had often seen him in love before. At that ball, while I had the honour of dancing with you, I was first made acquainted, by Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas ’s accidental information, that Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s attentions to your sister had given rise to a general expectation of their marriage. He spoke of it as a certain event, of which the time alone could be undecided. From that moment I observed my friend’s behaviour attentively; and I could then perceive that his partiality for Miss Bennet was beyond what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I also watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard; and I remained convinced, from the evening’s scrutiny, that though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment. If you have not been mistaken here, I must have been in an error. Your superior knowledge of your sister must make the latter probable. If it be so, if I have been misled by such error to inflict pain on her, your resentment has not been unreasonable. But I shall not scruple to assert, that the serenity of your sister’s countenance and air was such as might have given the most acute observer a conviction that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be easily touched. That I was desirous of believing her indifferent is certain; but I will venture to say that my investigations and decisions are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears. I did not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed it on impartial conviction, as truly as I wished it in reason. My objections to the marriage were not merely those which I last night acknowledged to have required the utmost force of passion to put aside in my own case; the want of connection could not be so great an evil to my friend as to me. But there were other causes of repugnance; causes which, though still existing, and existing to an equal degree in both instances, I had myself endeavoured to forget, because they were not immediately before me. These causes must be stated, though briefly. The situation of your mother’s family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father:—pardon me,—it pains me to offend you. But amidst your concern for the defects of your nearest relations, and your displeasure at this representation of them, let it give you consolation to consider that to have conducted yourselves so as to avoid any share of the like censure is praise no less generally bestowed on you and your eldest sister than it is honourable to the sense and disposition of both. I will only say, farther, that from what passed that evening my opinion of all parties was confirmed, and every inducement heightened, which could have led me before to preserve my friend from what I esteemed a most unhappy connection. He left Netherfield margin:netherfield for London margin:london on the day following, as you, I am certain, remember, with the design of soon returning. The part which I acted is now to be explained. His sisters’ uneasiness had been equally excited with my own: our coincidence of feeling was soon discovered; and, alike sensible that no time was to be lost in detaching their brother, we shortly resolved on joining him directly in London margin:london . We accordingly went—and there I readily engaged in the office of pointing out to my friend the certain evils of such a choice. I described and enforced them earnestly. But however this remonstrance might have staggered or delayed his determination, I do not suppose that it would ultimately have prevented the marriage, had it not been seconded by the assurance, which I hesitated not in giving, of your sister’s indifference. He had before believed her to return his affection with sincere, if not with equal, regard. But Bingley margin:charles-bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgment than on his own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived himself was no very difficult point. To persuade him against returning into Hertfordshire, when that conviction had been given, was scarcely the work of a moment. I cannot blame myself for having done thus much. There is but one part of my conduct, in the whole affair, on which I do not reflect with satisfaction; it is that I condescended to adopt the measures of art so far as to conceal from him your sister’s being in town. I knew it myself, as it was known to Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ; but her brother is even yet ignorant of it. That they might have met without ill consequence is, perhaps, probable; but his regard did not appear to me enough extinguished for him to see her without some danger. Perhaps this concealment, this disguise, was beneath me. It is done, however, and it was done for the best. On this subject I have nothing more to say, no other apology to offer. If I have wounded your sister’s feelings, it was unknowingly done; and though the motives which governed me may to you very naturally appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn them.—With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of having injured Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , I can only refute it by laying before you the whole of his connection with my family. Of what he has particularly accused me I am ignorant; but of the truth of what I shall relate I can summon more than one witness of undoubted veracity. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for many years the management of all the Pemberley margin:pemberley estates, and whose good conduct in the discharge of his trust naturally inclined my father to be of service to him; and on George Wickham, who was his godson, his kindness was therefore liberally bestowed. My father supported him at school, and afterwards at Cambridge; most important assistance, as his own father, always poor from the extravagance of his wife, would have been unable to give him a gentleman’s education. My father was not only fond of this young man’s society, whose manners were always engaging, he had also the highest opinion of him, and hoping the church would be his profession, intended to provide for him in it. As for myself, it is many, many years since I first began to think of him in a very different manner. The vicious propensities, the want of principle, which he was careful to guard from the knowledge of his best friend, could not escape the observation of a young man of nearly the same age with himself, and who had opportunities of seeing him in unguarded moments, which Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy could not have. Here again I shall give you pain—to what degree you only can tell. But whatever may be the sentiments which Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham has created, a suspicion of their nature shall not prevent me from unfolding his real character. It adds even another motive. My excellent father died about five years ago; and his attachment to Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham was to the last so steady, that in his will he particularly recommended it to me to promote his advancement in the best manner that his profession might allow, and if he took orders, desired that a valuable family living might be his as soon as it became vacant. There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. His own father did not long survive mine; and within half a year from these events Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against taking orders, he hoped I should not think it unreasonable for him to expect some more immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the preferment, by which he could not be benefited. He had some intention, he added, of studying the law, and I must be aware that the interest of one thousand pounds would be a very insufficient support therein. I rather wished than believed him to be sincere; but, at any rate, was perfectly ready to accede to his proposal. I knew that Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ought not to be a clergyman. The business was therefore soon settled. He resigned all claim to assistance in the church, were it possible that he could ever be in a situation to receive it, and accepted in return three thousand pounds. All connection between us seemed now dissolved. I thought too ill of him to invite him to Pemberley margin:pemberley , or admit his society in town. In town, I believe, he chiefly lived, but his studying the law was a mere pretence; and being now free from all restraint, his life was a life of idleness and dissipation. For about three years I heard little of him; but on the decease of the incumbent of the living which had been designed for him, he applied to me again by letter for the presentation. His circumstances, he assured me, and I had no difficulty in believing it, were exceedingly bad. He had found the law a most unprofitable study, and was now absolutely resolved on being ordained, if I would present him to the living in question—of which he trusted there could be little doubt, as he was well assured that I had no other person to provide for, and I could not have forgotten my revered father’s intentions. You will hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for resisting every repetition of it. His resentment was in proportion to the distress of his circumstances—and he was doubtless as violent in his abuse of me to others as in his reproaches to myself. After this period, every appearance of acquaintance was dropped. How he lived, I know not. But last summer he was again most painfully obtruded on my notice. I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself, and which no obligation less than the present should induce me to unfold to any human being. Having said thus much, I feel no doubt of your secrecy. My sister, who is more than ten years my junior, was left to the guardianship of my mother’s nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , and myself. About a year ago, she was taken from school, and an establishment formed for her in London margin:london ; and last summer she went with the lady who presided over it to Ramsgate; and thither also went Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , undoubtedly by design; for there proved to have been a prior acquaintance between him and Mrs. Younge margin:mrs-younge , in whose character we were most unhappily deceived; and by her connivance and aid he so far recommended himself to Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy , whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to her as a child, that she was persuaded to believe herself in love and to consent to an elopement. She was then but fifteen, which must be her excuse; and after stating her imprudence, I am happy to add, that I owed the knowledge of it to herself. I joined them unexpectedly a day or two before the intended elopement; and then Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy , unable to support the idea of grieving and offending a brother whom she almost looked up to as a father, acknowledged the whole to me. You may imagine what I felt and how I acted. Regard for my sister’s credit and feelings prevented any public exposure; but I wrote to Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , who left the place immediately, and Mrs. Younge margin:mrs-younge was of course removed from her charge. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s chief object was unquestionably my sister’s fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have been complete indeed. This, madam, is a faithful narrative of every event in which we have been concerned together; and if you do not absolutely reject it as false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty towards Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham . I know not in what manner, under what form of falsehood, he has imposed on you; but his success is not perhaps to be wondered at, ignorant as you previously were of everything concerning either. Detection could not be in your power, and suspicion certainly not in your inclination. You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last night. But I was not then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to be revealed. For the truth of everything here related, I can appeal more particularly to the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , who, from our near relationship and constant intimacy, and still more as one of the executors of my father’s will, has been unavoidably acquainted with every particular of these transactions. If your abhorrence of me should make my assertions valueless, you cannot be prevented by the same cause from confiding in my cousin; and that there may be the possibility of consulting him, I shall endeavour to find some opportunity of putting this letter in your hands in the course of the morning. I will only add, God bless you. “FITZWILLIAM DARCY.” Chapter XXXVI Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , when Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy gave her the letter, did not expect it to contain a renewal of his offers, she had formed no expectation at all of its contents. But such as they were, it may be well supposed how eagerly she went through them, and what a contrariety of emotion they excited. Her feelings as she read were scarcely to be defined. With amazement did she first understand that he believed any apology to be in his power; and steadfastly was she persuaded, that he could have no explanation to give, which a just sense of shame would not conceal. With a strong prejudice against everything he might say, she began his account of what had happened at Netherfield margin:netherfield . She read with an eagerness which hardly left her power of comprehension; and from impatience of knowing what the next sentence might bring, was incapable of attending to the sense of the one before her eyes. His belief of her sister’s insensibility she instantly resolved to be false; and his account of the real, the worst objections to the match, made her too angry to have any wish of doing him justice. He expressed no regret for what he had done which satisfied her; his style was not penitent, but haughty. It was all pride and insolence. But when this subject was succeeded by his account of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham —when she read, with somewhat clearer attention, a relation of events which, if true, must overthrow every cherished opinion of his worth, and which bore so alarming an affinity to his own history of himself—her feelings were yet more acutely painful and more difficult of definition. Astonishment, apprehension, and even horror, oppressed her. She wished to discredit it entirely, repeatedly exclaiming, “This must be false This cannot be This must be the grossest falsehood ”—and when she had gone through the whole letter, though scarcely knowing anything of the last page or two, put it hastily away, protesting that she would not regard it, that she would never look in it again. In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could rest on nothing, she walked on; but it would not do: in half a minute the letter was unfolded again; and collecting herself as well as she could, she again began the mortifying perusal of all that related to Wickham margin:george-wickham , and commanded herself so far as to examine the meaning of every sentence. The account of his connection with the Pemberley margin:pemberley family was exactly what he had related himself; and the kindness of the late Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , though she had not before known its extent, agreed equally well with his own words. So far each recital confirmed the other; but when she came to the will, the difference was great. What Wickham margin:george-wickham had said of the living was fresh in her memory; and as she recalled his very words, it was impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on one side or the other, and, for a few moments, she flattered herself that her wishes did not err. But when she read and re-read, with the closest attention, the particulars immediately following of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s resigning all pretensions to the living, of his receiving in lieu so considerable a sum as three thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate. She put down the letter, weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be impartiality—deliberated on the probability of each statement—but with little success. On both sides it was only assertion. Again she read on. But every line proved more clearly that the affair, which she had believed it impossible that any contrivance could so represent as to render Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s conduct in it less than infamous, was capable of a turn which must make him entirely blameless throughout the whole. The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to lay to Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s charge exceedingly shocked her; the more so, as she could bring no proof of its injustice. She had never heard of him before his entrance into the ——shire militia, in which he had engaged at the persuasion of the young man, who, on meeting him accidentally in town, had there renewed a slight acquaintance. Of his former way of life, nothing had been known in Hertfordshire but what he told himself. As to his real character, had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of inquiring. His countenance, voice, and manner, had established him at once in the possession of every virtue. She tried to recollect some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of integrity or benevolence, that might rescue him from the attacks of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; or at least, by the predominance of virtue, atone for those casual errors, under which she would endeavour to class what Mr. Darcy had described as the idleness and vice of many years’ continuance. But no such recollection befriended her. She could see him instantly before her, in every charm of air and address, but she could remember no more substantial good than the general approbation of the neighbourhood, and the regard which his social powers had gained him in the mess. After pausing on this point a considerable while, she once more continued to read. But, alas the story which followed, of his designs on Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , received some confirmation from what had passed between Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam and herself only the morning before; and at last she was referred for the truth of every particular to Colonel Fitzwilliam himself—from whom she had previously received the information of his near concern in all his cousin’s affairs and whose character she had no reason to question. At one time she had almost resolved on applying to him, but the idea was checked by the awkwardness of the application, and at length wholly banished by the conviction that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy would never have hazarded such a proposal, if he had not been well assured of his cousin’s corroboration. She perfectly remembered everything that had passed in conversation between Wickham margin:george-wickham and herself in their first evening at Mr. Philips’s. Many of his expressions were still fresh in her memory. She was now struck with the impropriety of such communications to a stranger, and wondered it had escaped her before. She saw the indelicacy of putting himself forward as he had done, and the inconsistency of his professions with his conduct. She remembered that he had boasted of having no fear of seeing Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy —that Mr. Darcy might leave the country, but that he should stand his ground; yet he had avoided the Netherfield ball margin:the-netherfield-ball the very next week. She remembered, also, that till the Netherfield margin:netherfield family had quitted the country, he had told his story to no one but herself; but that after their removal, it had been everywhere discussed; that he had then no reserves, no scruples in sinking Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s character, though he had assured her that respect for the father would always prevent his exposing the son. How differently did everything now appear in which he was concerned His attentions to Miss King were now the consequence of views solely and hatefully mercenary; and the mediocrity of her fortune proved no longer the moderation of his wishes, but his eagerness to grasp at anything. His behaviour to herself could now have had no tolerable motive: he had either been deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying his vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had most incautiously shown. Every lingering struggle in his favour grew fainter and fainter; and in further justification of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she could not but allow that Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , when questioned by Jane margin:jane-bennet , had long ago asserted his blamelessness in the affair;—that, proud and repulsive as were his manners, she had never, in the whole course of their acquaintance—an acquaintance which had latterly brought them much together, and given her a sort of intimacy with his ways—seen anything that betrayed him to be unprincipled or unjust—anything that spoke him of irreligious or immoral habits;—that among his own connections he was esteemed and valued;—that even Wickham margin:george-wickham had allowed him merit as a brother, and that she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his sister as to prove him capable of some amiable feeling;—that had his actions been what Wickham represented them, so gross a violation of everything right could hardly have been concealed from the world; and that friendship between a person capable of it and such an amiable man as Mr. Bingley was incomprehensible. She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy nor Wickham margin:george-wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd. “How despicably have I acted ” she cried. “I, who have prided myself on my discernment I, who have valued myself on my abilities who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or blameless distrust. How humiliating is this discovery Yet, how just a humiliation Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.” From herself to Jane margin:jane-bennet , from Jane to Bingley margin:charles-bingley , her thoughts were in a line which soon brought to her recollection that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s explanation there had appeared very insufficient; and she read it again. Widely different was the effect of a second perusal. How could she deny that credit to his assertions, in one instance, which she had been obliged to give in the other? He declared himself to have been totally unsuspicious of her sister’s attachment; and she could not help remembering what Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas ’s opinion had always been. Neither could she deny the justice of his description of Jane margin:jane-bennet . She felt that Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s feelings, though fervent, were little displayed, and that there was a constant complacency in her air and manner, not often united with great sensibility. When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were mentioned, in tones of such mortifying, yet merited, reproach, her sense of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly for denial; and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded, as having passed at the Netherfield ball margin:the-netherfield-ball , and as confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have made a stronger impression on his mind than on hers. The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed, but it could not console her for the contempt which had been thus self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she considered that Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s disappointment had, in fact, been the work of her nearest relations, and reflected how materially the credit of both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt depressed beyond anything she had ever known before. After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every variety of thought, reconsidering events, determining probabilities, and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a change so sudden and so important, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence, made her at length return home; and she entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, and the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make her unfit for conversation. She was immediately told, that the two gentlemen from Rosings margin:rosings had each called during her absence; Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , only for a few minutes, to take leave, but that Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam had been sitting with them at least an hour, hoping for her return, and almost resolving to walk after her till she could be found. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could but just affect concern in missing him; she really rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam was no longer an object. She could think only of her letter. Chapter XXXVII The two gentlemen left Rosings margin:rosings the next morning; and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins having been in waiting near the lodges, to make them his parting obeisance, was able to bring home the pleasing intelligence of their appearing in very good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected, after the melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings margin:rosings . To Rosings margin:rosings he then hastened to console Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her daughter; and on his return brought back, with great satisfaction, a message from her Ladyship, importing that she felt herself so dull as to make her very desirous of having them all to dine with her. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not see Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh without recollecting that, had she chosen it, she might by this time have been presented to her as her future niece; nor could she think, without a smile, of what her Ladyship’s indignation would have been. “What would she have said? how would she have behaved?” were the questions with which she amused herself. Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings margin:rosings ’ party. “I assure you, I feel it exceedingly,” said Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ; “I believe nobody feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But I am particularly attached to these young men; and know them to be so much attached to me They were excessively sorry to go But so they always are. The dear Colonel rallied his spirits tolerably till just at last; but Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy seemed to feel it most acutely—more, I think, than last year. His attachment to Rosings margin:rosings certainly increases.” Mr. Collins margin:william-collins had a compliment and an allusion to throw in here, which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of spirits; and immediately accounting for it herself, by supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon, she added,— “But if that is the case, you must write to your mother to beg that you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins will be very glad of your company, I am sure.” “I am much obliged to your Ladyship for your kind invitation,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but it is not in my power to accept it. I must be in town next Saturday.” “Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins so before you came. There can be no occasion for your going so soon. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight.” “But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return.” “Oh, your father, of course, may spare you, if your mother can. Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father. And if you will stay another month complete, it will be in my power to take one of you as far as London margin:london , for I am going there early in June, for a week; and as Dawson does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good room for one of you—and, indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I should not object to taking you both, as you are neither of you large.” “You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our original plan.” Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh seemed resigned. “Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , you must send a servant with them. You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my niece Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , the daughter of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy of Pemberley margin:pemberley , and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins . I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to you to let them go alone.” “My uncle is to send a servant for us.” “Oh Your uncle He keeps a man-servant, does he? I am very glad you have somebody who thinks of those things. Where shall you change horses? Oh, Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at the Bell, you will be attended to.” Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh had many other questions to ask respecting their journey; and as she did not answer them all herself attention was necessary—which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet believed to be lucky for her; or, with a mind so occupied, she might have forgotten where she was. Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours: whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart. She studied every sentence; and her feelings towards its writer were at times widely different. When she remembered the style of his address, she was still full of indignation: but when she considered how unjustly she had condemned and upbraided him, her anger was turned against herself; and his disappointed feelings became the object of compassion. His attachment excited gratitude, his general character respect: but she could not approve him; nor could she for a moment repent her refusal, or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. In her own past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret: and in the unhappy defects of her family, a subject of yet heavier chagrin. They were hopeless of remedy. Her father, contented with laughing at them, would never exert himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely insensible of the evil. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had frequently united with Jane margin:jane-bennet in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ; but while they were supported by their mother’s indulgence, what chance could there be of improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s guidance, had been always affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and vain. While there was an officer in Meryton margin:meryton , they would flirt with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn margin:longbourn , they would be going there for ever. Anxiety on Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s behalf was another prevailing concern; and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s explanation, by restoring Bingley margin:charles-bingley to all her former good opinion, heightened the sense of what Jane margin:jane-bennet had lost. His affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame, unless any could attach to the implicitness of his confidence in his friend. How grievous then was the thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane margin:jane-bennet had been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family When to these recollections was added the development of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had seldom been depressed before were now so much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear tolerably cheerful. Their engagements at Rosings margin:rosings were as frequent during the last week of her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening was spent there; and her Ladyship again inquired minutely into the particulars of their journey, gave them directions as to the best method of packing, and was so urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right way, that Maria thought herself obliged, on her return, to undo all the work of the morning, and pack her trunk afresh. When they parted, Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , with great condescension, wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford margin:hunsford again next year; and Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh exerted herself so far as to courtesy and hold out her hand to both. Chapter XXXVIII On Saturday morning Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and Mr. Collins margin:william-collins met for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary. “I know not, Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said he, “whether Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins has yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for it. The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain manner of living, our small rooms, and few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make Hunsford margin:hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension, and that we have done everything in our power to prevent you spending your time unpleasantly.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness. She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , and the kind attention she had received, must make her feel the obliged. Mr. Collins margin:william-collins was gratified; and with a more smiling solemnity replied,— “It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very superior society, and from our connection with Rosings margin:rosings , the frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford margin:hunsford visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s family is, indeed, the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You see how continually we are engaged there. In truth, I must acknowledge, that, with all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I should not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings margin:rosings .” Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences. “You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself, at least, that you will be able to do so. Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh ’s great attentions to Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins you have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate—but on this point it will be as well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could safely say that it was a great happiness where that was the case, and with equal sincerity could add, that she firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts. She was not sorry, however, to have the recital of them interrupted by the entrance of the lady from whom they sprang. Poor Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas it was melancholy to leave her to such society But she had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms. At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. After an affectionate parting between the friends, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was attended to the carriage by Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ; and as they walked down the garden, he was commissioning her with his best respects to all her family, not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received at Longbourn margin:longbourn in the winter, and his compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , though unknown. He then handed her in, Maria followed, and the door was on the point of being closed, when he suddenly reminded them, with some consternation, that they had hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies of Rosings margin:rosings . “But,” he added, “you will of course wish to have your humble respects delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet made no objection: the door was then allowed to be shut, and the carriage drove off. “Good gracious ” cried Maria, after a few minutes’ silence, “it seems but a day or two since we first came and yet how many things have happened ” “A great many indeed,” said her companion, with a sigh. “We have dined nine times at Rosings margin:rosings , besides drinking tea there twice How much I shall have to tell ” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet privately added, “And how much I shall have to conceal ” Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford margin:hunsford they reached Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner ’s house, where they were to remain a few days. Jane margin:jane-bennet looked well, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had little opportunity of studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them. But Jane margin:jane-bennet was to go home with her, and at Longbourn margin:longbourn there would be leisure enough for observation. It was not without an effort, meanwhile, that she could wait even for Longbourn margin:longbourn , before she told her sister of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s proposals. To know that she had the power of revealing what would so exceedingly astonish Jane margin:jane-bennet , and must, at the same time, so highly gratify whatever of her own vanity she had not yet been able to reason away, was such a temptation to openness as nothing could have conquered, but the state of indecision in which she remained as to the extent of what she should communicate, and her fear, if she once entered on the subject, of being hurried into repeating something of Bingley margin:charles-bingley , which might only grieve her sister further. Chapter XXXIX It was the second week in May, in which the three young ladies set out together from Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street for the town of ——, in Hertfordshire; and, as they drew near the appointed inn where Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s carriage was to meet them, they quickly perceived, in token of the coachman’s punctuality, both Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet looking out of a dining-room upstairs. These two girls had been above an hour in the place, happily employed in visiting an opposite milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and dressing a salad and cucumber. After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a table set out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually affords, exclaiming, “Is not this nice? is not this an agreeable surprise?” “And we mean to treat you all,” added Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ; “but you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.” Then showing her purchases,—“Look here, I have bought this bonnet. I do not think it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well buy it as not. I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home, and see if I can make it up any better.” And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect unconcern, “Oh, but there were two or three much uglier in the shop; and when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it will not much signify what one wears this summer, after the ——shire have left Meryton margin:meryton , and they are going in a fortnight.” “Are they, indeed?” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with the greatest satisfaction. “They are going to be encamped near Brighton margin:brighton ; and I do so want papa to take us all there for the summer It would be such a delicious scheme, and I dare say would hardly cost anything at all. Mamma would like to go, too, of all things Only think what a miserable summer else we shall have ” “Yes,” thought Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “ that would be a delightful scheme, indeed, and completely do for us at once. Good Heaven Brighton margin:brighton and a whole campful of soldiers, to us, who have been overset already by one poor regiment of militia, and the monthly balls of Meryton margin:meryton ” “Now I have got some news for you,” said Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , as they sat down to table. “What do you think? It is excellent news, capital news, and about a certain person that we all like.” Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked at each other, and the waiter was told that he need not stay. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet laughed, and said,— “Ay, that is just like your formality and discretion. You thought the waiter must not hear, as if he cared I dare say he often hears worse things said than I am going to say. But he is an ugly fellow I am glad he is gone. I never saw such a long chin in my life. Well, but now for my news: it is about dear Wickham margin:george-wickham ; too good for the waiter, is not it? There is no danger of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s marrying Mary margin:mary-bennet King—there’s for you She is gone down to her uncle at Liverpool; gone to stay. Wickham margin:george-wickham is safe.” “And Mary margin:mary-bennet King is safe ” added Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “safe from a connection imprudent as to fortune.” “She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him.” “But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet . “I am sure there is not on his . I will answer for it, he never cared three straws about her. Who could about such a nasty little freckled thing?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was shocked to think that, however incapable of such coarseness of expression herself, the coarseness of the sentiment was little other than her own breast had formerly harboured and fancied liberal As soon as all had ate, and the elder ones paid, the carriage was ordered; and, after some contrivance, the whole party, with all their boxes, workbags, and parcels, and the unwelcome addition of Kitty margin:catherine-bennet ’s and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s purchases, were seated in it. “How nicely we are crammed in ” cried Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . “I am glad I brought my bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having another band-box Well, now let us be quite comfortable and snug, and talk and laugh all the way home. And in the first place, let us hear what has happened to you all since you went away. Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any flirting? I was in great hopes that one of you would have got a husband before you came back. Jane margin:jane-bennet will be quite an old maid soon, I declare. She is almost three-and-twenty Lord how ashamed I should be of not being married before three-and-twenty My aunt Philips wants you so to get husbands you can’t think. She says Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet had better have taken Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ; but I do not think there would have been any fun in it. Lord how I should like to be married before any of you and then I would chaperon you about to all the balls. Dear me we had such a good piece of fun the other day at Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster ’s Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and me were to spend the day there, and Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster promised to have a little dance in the evening; by-the-bye, Mrs. Forster and me are such friends and so she asked the two Harringtons to come: but Harriet was ill, and so Pen was forced to come by herself; and then, what do you think we did? We dressed up Chamberlayne in woman’s clothes, on purpose to pass for a lady,—only think what fun Not a soul knew of it, but Colonel and Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster , and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and me, except my aunt, for we were forced to borrow one of her gowns; and you cannot imagine how well he looked When Denny, and Wickham margin:george-wickham , and Pratt, and two or three more of the men came in, they did not know him in the least. Lord how I laughed and so did Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster . I thought I should have died. And that made the men suspect something, and then they soon found out what was the matter.” With such kind of histories of their parties and good jokes did Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , assisted by Kitty margin:catherine-bennet ’s hints and additions, endeavour to amuse her companions all the way to Longbourn margin:longbourn . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet listened as little as she could, but there was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s name. Their reception at home was most kind. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet rejoiced to see Jane margin:jane-bennet in undiminished beauty; and more than once during dinner did Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet say voluntarily to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,—— “I am glad you are come back, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet .” Their party in the dining-room was large, for almost all the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family came to meet Maria and hear the news; and various were the subjects which occupied them: Lady Lucas was inquiring of Maria, across the table, after the welfare and poultry of her eldest daughter; Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was doubly engaged, on one hand collecting an account of the present fashions from Jane margin:jane-bennet , who sat some way below her, and on the other, retailing them all to the younger Miss Lucases; and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , in a voice rather louder than any other person’s, was enumerating the various pleasures of the morning to anybody who would hear her. “Oh, Mary margin:mary-bennet ,” said she, “I wish you had gone with us, for we had such fun as we went along Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and me drew up all the blinds, and pretended there was nobody in the coach; and I should have gone so all the way, if Kitty had not been sick; and when we got to the George, I do think we behaved very handsomely, for we treated the other three with the nicest cold luncheon in the world, and if you would have gone, we would have treated you too. And then when we came away it was such fun I thought we never should have got into the coach. I was ready to die of laughter. And then we were so merry all the way home we talked and laughed so loud, that anybody might have heard us ten miles off ” To this, Mary margin:mary-bennet very gravely replied, “Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures. They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds. But I confess they would have no charms for me . I should infinitely prefer a book.” But of this answer Lydia margin:lydia-bennet heard not a word. She seldom listened to anybody for more than half a minute, and never attended to Mary margin:mary-bennet at all. In the afternoon Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was urgent with the rest of the girls to walk to Meryton margin:meryton , and see how everybody went on; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet steadily opposed the scheme. It should not be said, that the Miss Bennets could not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers margin:the-militia . There was another reason, too, for her opposition. She dreaded seeing Wickham margin:george-wickham again, and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible. The comfort to her , of the regiment margin:the-militia ’s approaching removal, was indeed beyond expression. In a fortnight they were to go, and once gone, she hoped there could be nothing more to plague her on his account. She had not been many hours at home, before she found that the Brighton margin:brighton scheme, of which Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had given them a hint at the inn, was under frequent discussion between her parents. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal, that her mother, though often disheartened, had never yet despaired of succeeding at last. Chapter XL Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s impatience to acquaint Jane margin:jane-bennet with what had happened could no longer be overcome; and at length resolving to suppress every particular in which her sister was concerned, and preparing her to be surprised, she related to her the next morning the chief of the scene between Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy and herself. Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet appear perfectly natural; and all surprise was shortly lost in other feelings. She was sorry that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy should have delivered his sentiments in a manner so little suited to recommend them; but still more was she grieved for the unhappiness which her sister’s refusal must have given him. “His being so sure of succeeding was wrong,” said she, “and certainly ought not to have appeared; but consider how much it must increase his disappointment.” “Indeed,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “I am heartily sorry for him; but he has other feelings which will probably soon drive away his regard for me. You do not blame me, however, for refusing him?” “Blame you Oh, no.” “But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham margin:george-wickham ?” “No—I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you did.” “But you will know it, when I have told you what happened the very next day.” She then spoke of the letter, repeating the whole of its contents as far as they concerned George Wickham margin:george-wickham . What a stroke was this for poor Jane margin:jane-bennet , who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind as was here collected in one individual Nor was Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s vindication, though grateful to her feelings, capable of consoling her for such discovery. Most earnestly did she labour to prove the probability of error, and seek to clear one, without involving the other. “This will not do,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “you never will be able to make both of them good for anything. Take your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one. There is but such a quantity of merit between them; just enough to make one good sort of man; and of late it has been shifting about pretty much. For my part, I am inclined to believe it all Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s, but you shall do as you choose.” It was some time, however, before a smile could be extorted from Jane margin:jane-bennet . “I do not know when I have been more shocked,” said she. “ Wickham margin:george-wickham so very bad It is almost past belief. And poor Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , only consider what he must have suffered. Such a disappointment and with the knowledge of your ill opinion too and having to relate such a thing of his sister It is really too distressing, I am sure you must feel it so.” “Oh no, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you so full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice, that I am growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your profusion makes me saving; and if you lament over him much longer, my heart will be as light as a feather.” “Poor Wickham margin:george-wickham there is such an expression of goodness in his countenance such an openness and gentleness in his manner.” “There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.” “I never thought Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy so deficient in the appearance of it as you used to do.” “And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one’s genius, such an opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.” “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , when you first read that letter, I am sure you could not treat the matter as you do now.” “Indeed, I could not. I was uncomfortable enough, I was very uncomfortable—I may say unhappy. And with no one to speak to of what I felt, no Jane margin:jane-bennet to comfort me, and say that I had not been so very weak, and vain, and nonsensical, as I knew I had Oh, how I wanted you ” “How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong expressions in speaking of Wickham margin:george-wickham to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , for now they do appear wholly undeserved.” “Certainly. But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a most natural consequence of the prejudices I had been encouraging. There is one point on which I want your advice. I want to be told whether I ought, or ought not, to make our acquaintance in general understand Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s character.” Miss Bennet paused a little, and then replied, “Surely there can be no occasion for exposing him so dreadfully. What is your own opinion?” “That it ought not to be attempted. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy has not authorized me to make his communication public. On the contrary, every particular relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as possible to myself; and if I endeavour to undeceive people as to the rest of his conduct, who will believe me? The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is so violent, that it would be the death of half the good people in Meryton margin:meryton , to attempt to place him in an amiable light. I am not equal to it. Wickham margin:george-wickham will soon be gone; and, therefore, it will not signify to anybody here what he really is. Some time hence it will be all found out, and then we may laugh at their stupidity in not knowing it before. At present I will say nothing about it.” “You are quite right. To have his errors made public might ruin him for ever. He is now, perhaps, sorry for what he has done, and anxious to re-establish a character. We must not make him desperate.” The tumult of Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s mind was allayed by this conversation. She had got rid of two of the secrets which had weighed on her for a fortnight, and was certain of a willing listener in Jane margin:jane-bennet , whenever she might wish to talk again of either. But there was still something lurking behind, of which prudence forbade the disclosure. She dared not relate the other half of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s letter, nor explain to her sister how sincerely she had been valued by his friend. Here was knowledge in which no one could partake; and she was sensible that nothing less than a perfect understanding between the parties could justify her in throwing off this last encumbrance of mystery. “And then,” said she, “if that very improbable event should ever take place, I shall merely be able to tell what Bingley margin:charles-bingley may tell in a much more agreeable manner himself. The liberty of communication cannot be mine till it has lost all its value ” She was now, on being settled at home, at leisure to observe the real state of her sister’s spirits. Jane margin:jane-bennet was not happy. She still cherished a very tender affection for Bingley margin:charles-bingley . Having never even fancied herself in love before, her regard had all the warmth of first attachment, and from her age and disposition, greater steadiness than first attachments often boast; and so fervently did she value his remembrance, and prefer him to every other man, that all her good sense, and all her attention to the feelings of her friends, were requisite to check the indulgence of those regrets which must have been injurious to her own health and their tranquillity. “Well, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , one day, “what is your opinion now of this sad business of Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s? For my part, I am determined never to speak of it again to anybody. I told my sister Philips so the other day. But I cannot find out that Jane margin:jane-bennet saw anything of him in London margin:london . Well, he is a very undeserving young man—and I do not suppose there is the least chance in the world of her ever getting him now. There is no talk of his coming to Netherfield margin:netherfield again in the summer; and I have inquired of everybody, too, who is likely to know.” “I do not believe that he will ever live at Netherfield margin:netherfield any more.” “Oh, well it is just as he chooses. Nobody wants him to come; though I shall always say that he used my daughter extremely ill; and, if I was her, I would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane margin:jane-bennet will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done.” But as Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not receive comfort from any such expectation she made no answer. “Well, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” continued her mother, soon afterwards, “and so the Collinses live very comfortable, do they? Well, well, I only hope it will last. And what sort of table do they keep? Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas is an excellent manager, I dare say. If she is half as sharp as her mother, she is saving enough. There is nothing extravagant in their housekeeping, I dare say.” “No, nothing at all.” “A great deal of good management, depend upon it. Yes, yes. They will take care not to outrun their income. They will never be distressed for money. Well, much good may it do them And so, I suppose, they often talk of having Longbourn margin:longbourn when your father is dead. They look upon it quite as their own, I dare say, whenever that happens.” “It was a subject which they could not mention before me.” “No; it would have been strange if they had. But I make no doubt they often talk of it between themselves. Well, if they can be easy with an estate that is not lawfully their own, so much the better. I should be ashamed of having one that was only entailed on me.” Chapter XLI The first week of their return was soon gone. The second began. It was the last of the regiment margin:the-militia ’s stay in Meryton margin:meryton , and all the young ladies in the neighbourhood were drooping apace. The dejection was almost universal. The elder Miss Bennets alone were still able to eat, drink, and sleep, and pursue the usual course of their employments. Very frequently were they reproached for this insensibility by Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , whose own misery was extreme, and who could not comprehend such hard-heartedness in any of the family. “Good Heaven What is to become of us? What are we to do?” would they often exclaim in the bitterness of woe. “How can you be smiling so, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ?” Their affectionate mother shared all their grief; she remembered what she had herself endured on a similar occasion five-and-twenty years ago. “I am sure,” said she, “I cried for two days together when Colonel Miller’s regiment went away. I thought I should have broke my heart.” “I am sure I shall break mine ,” said Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . “If one could but go to Brighton margin:brighton ” observed Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet . “Oh yes —if one could but go to Brighton margin:brighton But papa is so disagreeable.” “A little sea-bathing would set me up for ever.” “And my aunt Philips is sure it would do me a great deal of good,” added Kitty margin:catherine-bennet . Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through Longbourn margin:longbourn House. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet tried to be diverted by them; but all sense of pleasure was lost in shame. She felt anew the justice of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s objections; and never had she before been so much disposed to pardon his interference in the views of his friend. But the gloom of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s prospect was shortly cleared away; for she received an invitation from Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster , the wife of the colonel of the regiment margin:the-militia , to accompany her to Brighton margin:brighton . This invaluable friend was a very young woman, and very lately married. A resemblance in good-humour and good spirits had recommended her and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet to each other, and out of their three months’ acquaintance they had been intimate two . The rapture of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet on this occasion, her adoration of Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster , the delight of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , and the mortification of Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , are scarcely to be described. Wholly inattentive to her sister’s feelings, Lydia margin:lydia-bennet flew about the house in restless ecstasy, calling for everyone’s congratulations, and laughing and talking with more violence than ever; whilst the luckless Kitty margin:catherine-bennet continued in the parlour repining at her fate in terms as unreasonable as her accent was peevish. “I cannot see why Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster should not ask me as well as Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ,” said she, “though I am not her particular friend. I have just as much right to be asked as she has, and more too, for I am two years older.” In vain did Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet attempt to make her reasonable, and Jane margin:jane-bennet to make her resigned. As for Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet herself, this invitation was so far from exciting in her the same feelings as in her mother and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , that she considered it as the death-warrant of all possibility of common sense for the latter; and detestable as such a step must make her, were it known, she could not help secretly advising her father not to let her go. She represented to him all the improprieties of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s general behaviour, the little advantage she could derive from the friendship of such a woman as Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster , and the probability of her being yet more imprudent with such a companion at Brighton margin:brighton , where the temptations must be greater than at home. He heard her attentively, and then said,— “ Lydia margin:lydia-bennet will never be easy till she has exposed herself in some public place or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the present circumstances.” “If you were aware,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “of the very great disadvantage to us all, which must arise from the public notice of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s unguarded and imprudent manner, nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you would judge differently in the affair.” “Already arisen ” repeated Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet . “What has she frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet But do not be cast down. Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of the pitiful fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s folly.” “Indeed, you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to resent. It is not of peculiar, but of general evils, which I am now complaining. Our importance, our respectability in the world, must be affected by the wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s character. Excuse me,—for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character will be fixed; and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous;—a flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and, from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty margin:catherine-bennet is also comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia margin:lydia-bennet leads. Vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled Oh, my dear father, can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever they are known, and that their sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace?” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject; and, affectionately taking her hand, said, in reply,— “Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane margin:jane-bennet are known, you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less advantage for having a couple of—or I may say, three—very silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn margin:longbourn if Lydia margin:lydia-bennet does not go to Brighton margin:brighton . Let her go, then. Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster is a sensible man, and will keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to anybody. At Brighton margin:brighton she will be of less importance even as a common flirt than she has been here. The officers margin:the-militia will find women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse, without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life.” With this answer Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was forced to be content; but her own opinion continued the same, and she left him disappointed and sorry. It was not in her nature, however, to increase her vexations by dwelling on them. She was confident of having performed her duty; and to fret over unavoidable evils, or augment them by anxiety, was no part of her disposition. Had Lydia margin:lydia-bennet and her mother known the substance of her conference with her father, their indignation would hardly have found expression in their united volubility. In Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s imagination, a visit to Brighton margin:brighton comprised every possibility of earthly happiness. She saw, with the creative eye of fancy, the streets of that gay bathing-place covered with officers. She saw herself the object of attention to tens and to scores of them at present unknown. She saw all the glories of the camp: its tents stretched forth in beauteous uniformity of lines, crowded with the young and the gay, and dazzling with scarlet; and, to complete the view, she saw herself seated beneath a tent, tenderly flirting with at least six officers at once. Had she known that her sister sought to tear her from such prospects and such realities as these, what would have been her sensations? They could have been understood only by her mother, who might have felt nearly the same. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s going to Brighton margin:brighton was all that consoled her for the melancholy conviction of her husband’s never intending to go there himself. But they were entirely ignorant of what had passed; and their raptures continued, with little intermission, to the very day of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s leaving home. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was now to see Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham for the last time. Having been frequently in company with him since her return, agitation was pretty well over; the agitations of former partiality entirely so. She had even learnt to detect, in the very gentleness which had first delighted her, an affectation and a sameness to disgust and weary. In his present behaviour to herself, moreover, she had a fresh source of displeasure; for the inclination he soon testified of renewing those attentions which had marked the early part of their acquaintance could only serve, after what had since passed, to provoke her. She lost all concern for him in finding herself thus selected as the object of such idle and frivolous gallantry; and while she steadily repressed it, could not but feel the reproof contained in his believing, that however long, and for whatever cause, his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity would be gratified, and her preference secured, at any time, by their renewal. On the very last day of the regiment margin:the-militia ’s remaining in Meryton margin:meryton , he dined, with others of the officers, at Longbourn margin:longbourn ; and so little was Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet disposed to part from him in good-humour, that, on his making some inquiry as to the manner in which her time had passed at Hunsford margin:hunsford , she mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam ’s and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s having both spent three weeks at Rosings margin:rosings , and asked him if he were acquainted with the former. He looked surprised, displeased, alarmed; but, with a moment’s recollection, and a returning smile, replied, that he had formerly seen him often; and, after observing that he was a very gentlemanlike man, asked her how she had liked him. Her answer was warmly in his favour. With an air of indifference, he soon afterwards added, “How long did you say that he was at Rosings margin:rosings ?” “Nearly three weeks.” “And you saw him frequently?” “Yes, almost every day.” “His manners are very different from his cousin’s.” “Yes, very different; but I think Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy improves on acquaintance.” “Indeed ” cried Wickham margin:george-wickham , with a look which did not escape her. “And pray may I ask—” but checking himself, he added, in a gayer tone, “Is it in address that he improves? Has he deigned to add aught of civility to his ordinary style? for I dare not hope,” he continued, in a lower and more serious tone, “that he is improved in essentials.” “Oh, no ” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “In essentials, I believe, he is very much what he ever was.” While she spoke, Wickham margin:george-wickham looked as if scarcely knowing whether to rejoice over her words or to distrust their meaning. There was a something in her countenance which made him listen with an apprehensive and anxious attention, while she added,— “When I said that he improved on acquaintance, I did not mean that either his mind or manners were in a state of improvement; but that, from knowing him better, his disposition was better understood.” Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s alarm now appeared in a heightened complexion and agitated look; for a few minutes he was silent; till, shaking off his embarrassment, he turned to her again, and said in the gentlest of accents,— “You, who so well know my feelings towards Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , will readily comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that he is wise enough to assume even the appearance of what is right. His pride, in that direction, may be of service, if not to himself, to many others, for it must deter him from such foul misconduct as I have suffered by. I only fear that the sort of cautiousness to which you, I imagine, have been alluding, is merely adopted on his visits to his aunt, of whose good opinion and judgment he stands much in awe. His fear of her has always operated, I know, when they were together; and a good deal is to be imputed to his wish of forwarding the match with Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh , which I am certain he has very much at heart.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not repress a smile at this, but she answered only by a slight inclination of the head. She saw that he wanted to engage her on the old subject of his grievances, and she was in no humour to indulge him. The rest of the evening passed with the appearance , on his side, of usual cheerfulness, but with no further attempt to distinguish Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; and they parted at last with mutual civility, and possibly a mutual desire of never meeting again. When the party broke up, Lydia margin:lydia-bennet returned with Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster to Meryton margin:meryton , from whence they were to set out early the next morning. The separation between her and her family was rather noisy than pathetic. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet was the only one who shed tears; but she did weep from vexation and envy. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was diffuse in her good wishes for the felicity of her daughter, and impressive in her injunctions that she would not miss the opportunity of enjoying herself as much as possible,—advice which there was every reason to believe would be attended to; and, in the clamorous happiness of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet herself in bidding farewell, the more gentle adieus of her sisters were uttered without being heard. Chapter XLII Had Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s opinion been all drawn from her own family, she could not have formed a very pleasing picture of conjugal felicity or domestic comfort. Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good-humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown. But Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was not of a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own imprudence had brought on in any of those pleasures which too often console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted than as her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement. This is not the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his wife; but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her father’s behaviour as a husband. She had always seen it with pain; but respecting his abilities, and grateful for his affectionate treatment of herself, she endeavoured to forget what she could not overlook, and to banish from her thoughts that continual breach of conjugal obligation and decorum which, in exposing his wife to the contempt of her own children, was so highly reprehensible. But she had never felt so strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a direction of talents—talents which, rightly used, might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife. When Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had rejoiced over Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s departure, she found little other cause for satisfaction in the loss of the regiment margin:the-militia . Their parties abroad were less varied than before; and at home she had a mother and sister, whose constant repinings at the dulness of everything around them threw a real gloom over their domestic circle; and, though Kitty margin:catherine-bennet might in time regain her natural degree of sense, since the disturbers of her brain were removed, her other sister, from whose disposition greater evil might be apprehended, was likely to be hardened in all her folly and assurance, by a situation of such double danger as a watering-place and a camp. Upon the whole, therefore, she found, what has been sometimes found before, that an event to which she had looked forward with impatient desire, did not, in taking place, bring all the satisfaction she had promised herself. It was consequently necessary to name some other period for the commencement of actual felicity; to have some other point on which her wishes and hopes might be fixed, and by again enjoying the pleasure of anticipation, console herself for the present, and prepare for another disappointment. Her tour to the Lakes was now the object of her happiest thoughts: it was her best consolation for all the uncomfortable hours which the discontentedness of her mother and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet made inevitable; and could she have included Jane margin:jane-bennet in the scheme, every part of it would have been perfect. “But it is fortunate,” thought she, “that I have something to wish for. Were the whole arrangement complete, my disappointment would be certain. But here, by carrying with me one ceaseless source of regret in my sister’s absence, I may reasonably hope to have all my expectations of pleasure realized. A scheme of which every part promises delight can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defence of some little peculiar vexation.” When Lydia margin:lydia-bennet went away she promised to write very often and very minutely to her mother and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet ; but her letters were always long expected, and always very short. Those to her mother contained little else than that they were just returned from the library, where such and such officers had attended them, and where she had seen such beautiful ornaments as made her quite wild; that she had a new gown, or a new parasol, which she would have described more fully, but was obliged to leave off in a violent hurry, as Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster called her, and they were going to the camp; and from her correspondence with her sister there was still less to be learnt, for her letters to Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , though rather longer, were much too full of lines under the words to be made public. After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence, health, good-humour, and cheerfulness began to reappear at Longbourn margin:longbourn . Everything wore a happier aspect. The families who had been in town for the winter came back again, and summer finery and summer engagements arose. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was restored to her usual querulous serenity; and by the middle of June Kitty margin:catherine-bennet was so much recovered as to be able to enter Meryton margin:meryton without tears,—an event of such happy promise as to make Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet hope, that by the following Christmas she might be so tolerably reasonable as not to mention an officer above once a day, unless, by some cruel and malicious arrangement at the War Office, another regiment should be quartered in Meryton. The time fixed for the beginning of their northern tour was now fast approaching; and a fortnight only was wanting of it, when a letter arrived from Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , which at once delayed its commencement and curtailed its extent. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner would be prevented by business from setting out till a fortnight later in July, and must be in London margin:london again within a month; and as that left too short a period for them to go so far, and see so much as they had proposed, or at least to see it with the leisure and comfort they had built on, they were obliged to give up the Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour; and, according to the present plan, were to go no farther northward than Derbyshire. In that county there was enough to be seen to occupy the chief of their three weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner it had a peculiarly strong attraction. The town where she had formerly passed some years of her life, and where they were now to spend a few days, was probably as great an object of her curiosity as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dovedale, or the Peak. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was excessively disappointed: she had set her heart on seeing the Lakes; and still thought there might have been time enough. But it was her business to be satisfied—and certainly her temper to be happy; and all was soon right again. With the mention of Derbyshire, there were many ideas connected. It was impossible for her to see the word without thinking of Pemberley margin:pemberley and its owner. “But surely,” said she, “I may enter his county with impunity, and rob it of a few petrified spars, without his perceiving me.” The period of expectation was now doubled. Four weeks were to pass away before her uncle and aunt’s arrival. But they did pass away, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , with their four children, did at length appear at Longbourn margin:longbourn . The children, two girls of six and eight years old, and two younger boys, were to be left under the particular care of their cousin Jane margin:jane-bennet , who was the general favourite, and whose steady sense and sweetness of temper exactly adapted her for attending to them in every way—teaching them, playing with them, and loving them. The Gardiners stayed only one night at Longbourn margin:longbourn , and set off the next morning with Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet in pursuit of novelty and amusement. One enjoyment was certain—that of suitableness as companions; a suitableness which comprehended health and temper to bear inconveniences—cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure—and affection and intelligence, which might supply it among themselves if there were disappointments abroad. It is not the object of this work to give a description of Derbyshire, nor of any of the remarkable places through which their route thither lay—Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth, Birmingham, etc., are sufficiently known. A small part of Derbyshire is all the present concern. To the little town of Lambton margin:lambton , the scene of Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ’s former residence, and where she had lately learned that some acquaintance still remained, they bent their steps, after having seen all the principal wonders of the country; and within five miles of Lambton margin:lambton , Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet found, from her aunt, that Pemberley margin:pemberley was situated. It was not in their direct road; nor more than a mile or two out of it. In talking over their route the evening before, Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner expressed an inclination to see the place again. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner declared his willingness, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was applied to for her approbation. “My love, should not you like to see a place of which you have heard so much?” said her aunt. “A place, too, with which so many of your acquaintance are connected. Wickham margin:george-wickham passed all his youth there, you know.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was distressed. She felt that she had no business at Pemberley margin:pemberley , and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing it. She must own that she was tired of great houses: after going over so many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner abused her stupidity. “If it were merely a fine house richly furnished,” said she, “I should not care about it myself; but the grounds are delightful. They have some of the finest woods in the country.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet said no more; but her mind could not acquiesce. The possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , while viewing the place, instantly occurred. It would be dreadful She blushed at the very idea; and thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt, than to run such a risk. But against this there were objections; and she finally resolved that it could be the last resource, if her private inquiries as to the absence of the family were unfavourably answered. Accordingly, when she retired at night, she asked the chambermaid whether Pemberley margin:pemberley were not a very fine place, what was the name of its proprietor, and, with no little alarm, whether the family were down for the summer? A most welcome negative followed the last question; and her alarms being now removed, she was at leisure to feel a great deal of curiosity to see the house herself; and when the subject was revived the next morning, and she was again applied to, could readily answer, and with a proper air of indifference, that she had not really any dislike to the scheme. To Pemberley margin:pemberley , therefore, they were to go. Chapter XLIII Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of Pemberley margin:pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter. The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for half a mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by Pemberley margin:pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of the valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley margin:pemberley might be something They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehension of meeting its owner returned. She dreaded lest the chambermaid had been mistaken. On applying to see the place, they were admitted into the hall; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as they waited for the housekeeper, had leisure to wonder at her being where she was. The housekeeper came; a respectable looking elderly woman, much less fine, and more civil, than she had any notion of finding her. They followed her into the dining-parlour. It was a large, well-proportioned room, handsomely fitted up. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , after slightly surveying it, went to a window to enjoy its prospect. The hill, crowned with wood, from which they had descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance, was a beautiful object. Every disposition of the ground was good; and she looked on the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its banks, and the winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it, with delight. As they passed into other rooms, these objects were taking different positions; but from every window there were beauties to be seen. The rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture suitable to the fortune of their proprietor; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine,—with less of splendour, and more real elegance, than the furniture of Rosings margin:rosings . “And of this place,” thought she, “I might have been mistress With these rooms I might have now been familiarly acquainted Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt. But, no,” recollecting herself, “that could never be; my uncle and aunt would have been lost to me; I should not have been allowed to invite them.” This was a lucky recollection—it saved her from something like regret. She longed to inquire of the housekeeper whether her master were really absent, but had not courage for it. At length, however, the question was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with alarm, while Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds replied, that he was; adding, “But we expect him to-morrow, with a large party of friends.” How rejoiced was Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet that their own journey had not by any circumstance been delayed a day Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached, and saw the likeness of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , suspended, amongst several other miniatures, over the mantel-piece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly, how she liked it. The housekeeper came forward, and told them it was the picture of a young gentleman, the son of her late master’s steward, who had been brought up by him at his own expense. “He is now gone into the army,” she added; “but I am afraid he has turned out very wild.” Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not return it. “And that,” said Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds , pointing to another of the miniatures, “is my master—and very like him. It was drawn at the same time as the other—about eight years ago.” “I have heard much of your master’s fine person,” said Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , looking at the picture; “it is a handsome face. But, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , you can tell us whether it is like or not.” Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds ’ respect for Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet seemed to increase on this intimation of her knowing her master. “Does that young lady know Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet coloured, and said, “A little.” “And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman, ma’am?” “Yes, very handsome.” “I am sure I know none so handsome; but in the gallery upstairs you will see a finer, larger picture of him than this. This room was my late master’s favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be then. He was very fond of them.” This accounted to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet for Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s being among them. Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , drawn when she was only eight years old. “And is Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy as handsome as her brother?” said Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner . “Oh, yes—the handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so accomplished She plays and sings all day long. In the next room is a new instrument just come down for her—a present from my master: she comes here to-morrow with him.” Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , whose manners were easy and pleasant, encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and remarks: Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds , either from pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her master and his sister. “Is your master much at Pemberley margin:pemberley in the course of the year?” “Not so much as I could wish, sir: but I dare say he may spend half his time here; and Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy is always down for the summer months.” “Except,” thought Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “when she goes to Ramsgate.” “If your master would marry, you might see more of him.” “Yes, sir; but I do not know when that will be. I do not know who is good enough for him.” Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner smiled. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not help saying, “It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so.” “I say no more than the truth, and what everybody will say that knows him,” replied the other. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet thought this was going pretty far; and she listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper added, “I have never had a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him ever since he was four years old.” This was praise of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to her ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man had been her firmest opinion. Her keenest attention was awakened: she longed to hear more; and was grateful to her uncle for saying,— “There are very few people of whom so much can be said. You are lucky in having such a master.” “Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I could not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet almost stared at her. “Can this be Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ?” thought she. “His father was an excellent man,” said Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner . “Yes, ma’am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like him—just as affable to the poor.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for more. Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds could interest her on no other point. She related the subjects of the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the furniture in vain. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , highly amused by the kind of family prejudice, to which he attributed her excessive commendation of her master, soon led again to the subject; and she dwelt with energy on his many merits, as they proceeded together up the great staircase. “He is the best landlord, and the best master,” said she, “that ever lived. Not like the wild young men now-a-days, who think of nothing but themselves. There is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name. Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men.” “In what an amiable light does this place him ” thought Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “This fine account of him,” whispered her aunt as they walked, “is not quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend.” “Perhaps we might be deceived.” “That is not very likely; our authority was too good.” On reaching the spacious lobby above, they were shown into a very pretty sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and lightness than the apartments below; and were informed that it was but just done to give pleasure to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , who had taken a liking to the room, when last at Pemberley margin:pemberley . “He is certainly a good brother,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as she walked towards one of the windows. Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds anticipated Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ’s delight, when she should enter the room. “And this is always the way with him,” she added. “Whatever can give his sister any pleasure, is sure to be done in a moment. There is nothing he would not do for her.” The picture gallery, and two or three of the principal bed-rooms, were all that remained to be shown. In the former were many good paintings: but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet knew nothing of the art; and from such as had been already visible below, she had willingly turned to look at some drawings of Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ’s, in crayons, whose subjects were usually more interesting, and also more intelligible. In the gallery there were many family portraits, but they could have little to fix the attention of a stranger. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet walked on in quest of the only face whose features would be known to her. At last it arrested her—and she beheld a striking resemblance of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , with such a smile over the face, as she remembered to have sometimes seen, when he looked at her. She stood several minutes before the picture, in earnest contemplation, and returned to it again before they quitted the gallery. Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds informed them, that it had been taken in his father’s lifetime. There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s mind, a more gentle sensation towards the original than she had ever felt in the height of their acquaintance. The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds margin:mrs-reynolds was of no trifling nature. What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, she considered how many people’s happiness were in his guardianship How much of pleasure or pain it was in his power to bestow How much of good or evil must be done by him Every idea that had been brought forward by the housekeeper was favourable to his character; and as she stood before the canvas, on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before: she remembered its warmth, and softened its impropriety of expression. When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen, they returned down stairs; and, taking leave of the housekeeper, were consigned over to the gardener, who met them at the hall door. As they walked across the lawn towards the river, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet turned back to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also; and while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road which led behind it to the stables. They were within twenty yards of each other; and so abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immovable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party, and spoke to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility. She had instinctively turned away; but stopping on his approach, received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be overcome. Had his first appearance, or his resemblance to the picture they had just been examining, been insufficient to assure the other two that they now saw Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , the gardener’s expression of surprise, on beholding his master, must immediately have told it. They stood a little aloof while he was talking to their niece, who, astonished and confused, scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer she returned to his civil inquiries after her family. Amazed at the alteration of his manner since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the few minutes in which they continued together were some of the most uncomfortable of her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease; when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his inquiries as to the time of her having left Longbourn margin:longbourn , and of her stay in Derbyshire, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts. At length, every idea seemed to fail him; and after standing a few moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took leave. The others then joined her, and expressed their admiration of his figure; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet heard not a word, and, wholly engrossed by her own feelings, followed them in silence. She was overpowered by shame and vexation. Her coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the world How strange must it appear to him In what a disgraceful light might it not strike so vain a man It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself in his way again Oh why did she come? or, why did he thus come a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination; for it was plain that he was that moment arrived, that moment alighted from his horse or his carriage. She blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. And his behaviour, so strikingly altered,—what could it mean? That he should even speak to her was amazing —but to speak with such civility, to inquire after her family Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park margin:rosings , when he put his letter into her hand She knew not what to think, or how to account for it. They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching: but it was some time before Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of her uncle and aunt, and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as they pointed out, she distinguished no part of the scene. Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley margin:pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy then was. She longed to know what at that moment was passing in his mind; in what manner he thought of her, and whether, in defiance of everything, she was still dear to him. Perhaps he had been civil only because he felt himself at ease; yet there had been that in his voice, which was not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in seeing her, she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with composure. At length, however, the remarks of her companions on her absence of mind roused her, and she felt the necessity of appearing more like herself. They entered the woods, and, bidding adieu to the river for a while, ascended some of the higher grounds; whence, in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander, were many charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading many, and occasionally part of the stream. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner expressed a wish of going round the whole park, but feared it might be beyond a walk. With a triumphant smile, they were told, that it was ten miles round. It settled the matter; and they pursued the accustomed circuit; which brought them again, after some time, in a descent among hanging woods, to the edge of the water, and one of its narrowest parts. They crossed it by a simple bridge, in character with the general air of the scene: it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet visited; and the valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed room only for the stream, and a narrow walk amidst the rough coppice-wood which bordered it. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet longed to explore its windings; but when they had crossed the bridge, and perceived their distance from the house, Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , who was not a great walker, could go no farther, and thought only of returning to the carriage as quickly as possible. Her niece was, therefore, obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house on the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction; but their progress was slow, for Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , though seldom able to indulge the taste, was very fond of fishing, and was so much engaged in watching the occasional appearance of some trout in the water, and talking to the man about them, that he advanced but little. Whilst wandering on in this slow manner, they were again surprised, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s astonishment was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy approaching them, and at no great distance. The walk being here less sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him before they met. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , however astonished, was at least more prepared for an interview than before, and resolved to appear and to speak with calmness, if he really intended to meet them. For a few moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. The idea lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view; the turning past, he was immediately before them. With a glance she saw that he had lost none of his recent civility; and, to imitate his politeness, she began as they met to admire the beauty of the place; but she had not got beyond the words “delightful,” and “charming,” when some unlucky recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise of Pemberley margin:pemberley from her might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed, and she said no more. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, he asked her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to her friends. This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared; and she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people, against whom his pride had revolted, in his offer to herself. “What will be his surprise,” thought she, “when he knows who they are He takes them now for people of fashion.” The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named their relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore it; and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions. That he was surprised by the connection was evident: he sustained it, however, with fortitude: and, so far from going away, turned back with them, and entered into conversation with Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could not but be pleased, could not but triumph. It was consoling that he should know she had some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence, his taste, or his good manners. The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as often as he chose, while he continued in the neighbourhood, offering at the same time to supply him with fishing tackle, and pointing out those parts of the stream where there was usually most sport. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , who was walking arm in arm with Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , gave her a look expressive of her wonder. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment must be all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme; and continually was she repeating, “Why is he so altered? From what can it proceed? It cannot be for me , it cannot be for my sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford margin:hunsford could not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me.” After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the two gentlemen behind, on resuming their places, after descending to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious water-plant, there chanced to be a little alteration. It originated in Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , who, fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s arm inadequate to her support, and consequently preferred her husband’s. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy took her place by her niece, and they walked on together. After a short silence the lady first spoke. She wished him to know that she had been assured of his absence before she came to the place, and accordingly began by observing, that his arrival had been very unexpected—“for your housekeeper,” she added, “informed us that you would certainly not be here till to-morrow; and, indeed, before we left Bakewell, we understood that you were not immediately expected in the country.” He acknowledged the truth of it all; and said that business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a few hours before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling. “They will join me early to-morrow,” he continued, “and among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you,— Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley and his sisters.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s name had been last mentioned between them; and if she might judge from his complexion, his mind was not very differently engaged. “There is also one other person in the party,” he continued after a pause, “who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance during your stay at Lambton margin:lambton ?” The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it. She immediately felt that whatever desire Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy might have of being acquainted with her, must be the work of her brother, and without looking farther, it was satisfactory; it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of her. They now walked on in silence; each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of the highest kind. They soon outstripped the others; and when they had reached the carriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind. He then asked her to walk into the house—but she declared herself not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time much might have been said, and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but there seemed an embargo on every subject. At last she recollected that she had been travelling, and they talked of Matlock and Dovedale with great perseverance. Yet time and her aunt moved slowly—and her patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the tête-à-tête was over. On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ’s coming up they were all pressed to go into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and they parted on each side with the utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy handed the ladies into the carriage; and when it drove off, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw him walking slowly towards the house. The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected. “He is perfectly well-behaved, polite, and unassuming,” said her uncle. “There is something a little stately in him, to be sure,” replied her aunt; “but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. I can now say with the housekeeper, that though some people may call him proud, I have seen nothing of it.” “I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was very trifling.” “To be sure, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said her aunt, “he is not so handsome as Wickham margin:george-wickham ; or rather he has not Wickham’s countenance, for his features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell us that he was so disagreeable?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet excused herself as well as she could: said that she had liked him better when they met in Kent than before, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning. “But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities,” replied her uncle. “Your great men often are; and therefore I shall not take him at his word about fishing, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his grounds.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt that they had entirely mistaken his character, but said nothing. “From what we have seen of him,” continued Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , “I really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by anybody as he has done by poor Wickham margin:george-wickham . He has not an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance, that would not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But, to be sure, the good lady who showed us the house did give him a most flaming character I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal master, I suppose, and that , in the eye of a servant, comprehends every virtue.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of his behaviour to Wickham margin:george-wickham ; and, therefore, gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor Wickham’s so amiable, as they had been considered in Hertfordshire. In confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming her authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner was surprised and concerned: but as they were now approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out to her husband all the interesting spots in its environs, to think of anything else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning’s walk, they had no sooner dined than she set off again in quest of her former acquaintance, and the evening was spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many years’ discontinuance. The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s civility, and, above all, of his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister. Chapter XLIV Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had settled it that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy would bring his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley margin:pemberley ; and was, consequently, resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their own arrival at Lambton margin:lambton these visitors came. They had been walking about the place with some of their new friends, and were just returned to the inn to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a carriage drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and lady in a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , immediately recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of surprise to her relations, by acquainting them with the honour which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they now felt that there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s feelings was every moment increasing. She was quite amazed at her own discomposure; but, amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favour; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her. She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Lambton margin:lambton , she had heard that Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good-humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings. They had not been long together before Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy told her that Bingley margin:charles-bingley was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time to express her satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when Bingley’s quick step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. All Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s anger against him had been long done away; but had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general, way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done. To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The whole party before them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy and their niece, directed their observation towards each with an earnest, though guarded, inquiry; and they soon drew from those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of the lady’s sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were pre-possessed in her favour. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was ready, Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy was eager, and Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy determined, to be pleased. In seeing Bingley margin:charles-bingley , her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and oh how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But, though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , who had been set up as a rival to Jane margin:jane-bennet . No look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a recollection of Jane margin:jane-bennet , not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He observed to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and in a tone which had something of real regret, that it “was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her;” and, before she could reply, he added, “It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield margin:netherfield .” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether all her sisters were at Longbourn margin:longbourn . There was not much in the question, nor in the preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner which gave them meaning. It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy himself; but whenever she did catch a glimpse she saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said, she heard an accent so far removed from hauteur or disdain of his companions, as convinced her that the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed, however temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one day. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance, and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace; when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford margin:hunsford Parsonage, the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield margin:netherfield , or his dignified relations at Rosings margin:rosings , had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed, would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings. Their visitors stayed with them above half an hour; and when they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , and Miss Bennet, to dinner at Pemberley margin:pemberley , before they left the country. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how she , whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had turned away her head. Presuming, however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on. Bingley margin:charles-bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased; and on this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their visitors left them, capable of considering the last half hour with some satisfaction, though while it was passing the enjoyment of it had been little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley margin:charles-bingley , and then hurried away to dress. But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ’s curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify inquiry. Of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant’s report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . There was now an interest, however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible that the authority of a servant, who had known him since he was four years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of their Lambton margin:lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight. They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market town where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor. With respect to Wickham margin:george-wickham , the travellers soon found that he was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well-known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy afterwards discharged. As for Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , her thoughts were at Pemberley margin:pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours, endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings; and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of good-will which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude;—gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance; and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride excited not only astonishment but gratitude—for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and, as such, its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses. It had been settled in the evening, between the aunt and niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ’s, in coming to them on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley margin:pemberley —for she had reached it only to a late breakfast—ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled, by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following morning. They were, therefore, to go. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was pleased; though when she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Pemberley margin:pemberley by noon. Chapter XLV Convinced as Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet now was that Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s dislike of her had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how very unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley margin:pemberley must be to her, and was curious to know with how much civility on that lady’s side the acquaintance would now be renewed. On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows, opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn. In this room they were received by Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , who was sitting there with Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , and the lady with whom she lived in London margin:london . Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy ’s reception of them was very civil, but attended with all that embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner and her niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her. By Mrs. Hurst margin:louisa-hurst and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley they were noticed only by a courtesy; and on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , with occasional help from Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a short sentence, when there was least danger of its being heard. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , without calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity of saying much: her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room: she wished, she feared, that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour, without hearing Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s voice, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was roused by receiving from her a cold inquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal indifference and brevity, and the other said no more. The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the finest fruits in season; but this did not take place till after many a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy had been given, to remind her of her post. There was now employment for the whole party; for though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches, soon collected them round the table. While thus engaged, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had a fair opportunity of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , by the feelings which prevailed on his entering the room; and then, though but a moment before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she began to regret that he came. He had been some time with Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , who, with two or three other gentlemen from the house, was engaged by the river; and had left him only on learning that the ladies of the family intended a visit to Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy that morning. No sooner did he appear, than Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed;—a resolution the more necessary to be made, but perhaps not the more easily kept, because she saw that the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them, and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour when he first came into the room. In no countenance was attentive curiosity so strongly marked as in Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s, in spite of the smiles which overspread her face whenever she spoke to one of its objects; for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , on her brother’s entrance, exerted herself much more to talk; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw that he was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded, as much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either side. Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley saw all this likewise; and, in the imprudence of anger, took the first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility,— “Pray, Miss Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet , are not the ——shire militia removed from Meryton margin:meryton ? They must be a great loss to your family.” In Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s presence she dared not mention Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s name: but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her thoughts; and the various recollections connected with him gave her a moment’s distress; but, exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she presently answered the question in a tolerably disengaged tone. While she spoke, an involuntary glance showed her Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy with a heightened complexion, earnestly looking at her, and his sister overcome with confusion, and unable to lift up her eyes. Had Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley known what pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected with that corps. Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy ’s meditated elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, where secrecy was possible, except to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; and from all Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s connections her brother was particularly anxious to conceal it, from that very wish which Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming hereafter her own. He had certainly formed such a plan; and without meaning that it should affect his endeavour to separate him from Miss Bennet, it is probable that it might add something to his lively concern for the welfare of his friend. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his emotion; and as Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley , vexed and disappointed, dared not approach nearer to Wickham margin:george-wickham , Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy also recovered in time, though not enough to be able to speak any more. Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely recollected her interest in the affair; and the very circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , seemed to have fixed them on her more and more cheerfully. Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer above mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was attending them to their carriage, Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy would not join her. Her brother’s recommendation was enough to insure her favour: his judgment could not err; and he had spoken in such terms of Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as to leave Georgiana margin:georgiana-darcy without the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley could not help repeating to him some part of what she had been saying to his sister. “How very ill Eliza margin:elizabeth-bennet Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ,” she cried: “I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse Louisa and I were agreeing that we should not have known her again.” However little Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy might have liked such an address, he contented himself with coolly replying, that he perceived no other alteration than her being rather tanned,—no miraculous consequence of travelling in the summer. “For my own part,” she rejoined, “I must confess that I never could see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her nose wants character; there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fine, I never could perceive anything extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether, there is a self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable.” Persuaded as Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was that Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy admired Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , this was not the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat nettled, she had all the success she expected. He was resolutely silent, however; and, from a determination of making him speak, she continued,— “I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield margin:netherfield , ‘ She a beauty I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.” “Yes,” replied Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , who could contain himself no longer, “but that was only when I first knew her; for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” He then went away, and Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley was left to all the satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet talked of all that had occurred during their visit, as they returned, except what had particularly interested them both. The looks and behaviour of everybody they had seen were discussed, except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention. They talked of his sister, his friends, his house, his fruit, of everything but himself; yet Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner thought of him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece’s beginning the subject. Chapter XLVI Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from Jane margin:jane-bennet on their first arrival at Lambton margin:lambton ; and this disappointment had been renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but on the third her repining was over, and her sister justified, by the receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which was marked that it had been mis-sent elsewhere. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was not surprised at it, as Jane margin:jane-bennet had written the direction remarkably ill. They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by themselves. The one mis-sent must be first attended to; it had been written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of all their little parties and engagements, with such news as the country afforded; but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect:— “Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you—be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster , to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham margin:george-wickham Imagine our surprise. To Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step and let us rejoice over it marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How thankful am I, that we never let them know what has been said against him; we must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , they must have passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster gives us reason to expect him here soon. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet left a few lines for his wife, informing her of their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written.” Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing what she felt, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , on finishing this letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows: it had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first. “By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my hurried letter; I wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham and our poor Lydia margin:lydia-bennet would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster came yesterday, having left Brighton margin:brighton the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s short letter to Mrs. F. gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W. never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia margin:lydia-bennet at all, which was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B., intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no farther; for on entering that place, they removed into a hackney-coach, and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that is known after this is, that they were seen to continue the London margin:london road. I know not what to think. After making every possible inquiry on that side of London margin:london , Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success,—no such people had been seen to pass through. With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn margin:longbourn , and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to his heart. I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs. F.; but no one can throw any blame on them. Our distress, my dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , is very great. My father and mother believe the worst, but I cannot think so ill of him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; and even if he could form such a design against a young woman of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s connections, which is not likely, can I suppose her so lost to everything? Impossible I grieve to find, however, that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage: he shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and keeps her room. Could she exert herself, it would be better, but this is not to be expected; and as to my father, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty margin:catherine-bennet has anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , that you have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not so selfish, however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu I take up my pen again to do, what I have just told you I would not; but circumstances are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well, that I am not afraid of requesting it, though I have still something more to ask of the former. My father is going to London margin:london with Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do, I am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster is obliged to be at Brighton margin:brighton again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence my uncle’s advice and assistance would be everything in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness.” “Oh where, where is my uncle?” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , darting from her seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him, without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door, it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and before he could recover himself enough to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s situation, hastily exclaimed, “I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner this moment on business that cannot be delayed; I have not an instant to lose.” “Good God what is the matter?” cried he, with more feeling than politeness; then recollecting himself, “I will not detain you a minute; but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner . You are not well enough; you cannot go yourself.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet hesitated; but her knees trembled under her, and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and mistress home instantly. On his quitting the room, she sat down, unable to support herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, “Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill.” “No, I thank you,” she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. “There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well, I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn margin:longbourn .” She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length she spoke again. “I have just had a letter from Jane margin:jane-bennet , with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My youngest sister has left all her friends—has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of—of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham . They are gone off together from Brighton margin:brighton . You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to—she is lost for ever.” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was fixed in astonishment. “When I consider,” she added, in a yet more agitated voice, “that I might have prevented it I who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only—some part of what I learnt, to my own family Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all, all too late now.” “I am grieved, indeed,” cried Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy : “grieved—shocked. But is it certain, absolutely certain?” “Oh, yes They left Brighton margin:brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London margin:london , but not beyond: they are certainly not gone to Scotland.” “And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?” “My father has gone to London margin:london , and Jane margin:jane-bennet has written to beg my uncle’s immediate assistance, and we shall be off, I hope, in half an hour. But nothing can be done; I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible ” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence. “When my eyes were opened to his real character, oh had I known what I ought, what I dared to do But I knew not—I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched mistake ” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation; his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn; but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain. But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet —the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all—soon swallowed up every private care; and covering her face with her handkerchief, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was soon lost to everything else; and, after a pause of several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which, though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said,— “I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything could be either said or done on my part, that might offer consolation to such distress But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister’s having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley margin:pemberley to-day.” “Oh, yes Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy . Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible. I know it cannot be long.” He readily assured her of his secrecy, again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and, leaving his compliments for her relations, with only one serious parting look, went away. As he quitted the room, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality as had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire; and as she threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those feelings which would now have promoted its continuance, and would formerly have rejoiced in its termination. If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise, if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method, in her partiality for Wickham margin:george-wickham , and that its ill success might, perhaps, authorize her to seek the other less interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s infamy must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business. Never since reading Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s second letter had she entertained a hope of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s meaning to marry her. No one but Jane margin:jane-bennet , she thought, could flatter herself with such an expectation. Surprise was the least of all her feelings on this development. While the contents of the first letter remained on her mind, she was all surprise, all astonishment, that Wickham margin:george-wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry for money; and how Lydia margin:lydia-bennet could ever have attached him had appeared incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural. For such an attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms; and though she did not suppose Lydia margin:lydia-bennet to be deliberately engaging in an elopement, without the intention of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey. She had never perceived, while the regiment margin:the-militia was in Hertfordshire, that Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had any partiality for him; but she was convinced that Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody. Sometimes one officer, sometimes another, had been her favourite, as their attentions raised them in her opinion. Her affections had been continually fluctuating, but never without an object. The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a girl—oh how acutely did she now feel it She was wild to be at home—to hear, to see, to be upon the spot to share with Jane margin:jane-bennet in the cares that must now fall wholly upon her, in a family so deranged; a father absent, a mother incapable of exertion, and requiring constant attendance; and though almost persuaded that nothing could be done for Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , her uncle’s interference seemed of the utmost importance, and till he entered the room the misery of her impatience was severe. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner had hurried back in alarm, supposing, by the servant’s account, that their niece was taken suddenly ill; but satisfying them instantly on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their summons, reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript of the last with trembling energy. Though Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had never been a favourite with them, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner could not but be deeply affected. Not Lydia margin:lydia-bennet only, but all were concerned in it; and after the first exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner readily promised every assistance in his power. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated by one spirit, everything relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were to be off as soon as possible. “But what is to be done about Pemberley margin:pemberley ?” cried Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner . “John told us Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was here when you sent for us;—was it so?” “Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our engagement. That is all settled.” “What is all settled?” repeated the other, as she ran into her room to prepare. “And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose the real truth? Oh, that I knew how it was ” But wishes were vain; or, at best, could serve only to amuse her in the hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet been at leisure to be idle, she would have remained certain that all employment was impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had her share of business as well as her aunt, and amongst the rest there were notes to be written to all their friends at Lambton margin:lambton , with false excuses for their sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , meanwhile, having settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to be done but to go; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , after all the misery of the morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could have supposed, seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn margin:longbourn . Chapter XLVII “I have been thinking it over again, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,” said her uncle, as they drove from the town; “and really, upon serious consideration, I am much more inclined than I was to judge as your eldest sister does of the matter. It appears to me so very unlikely that any young man should form such a design against a girl who is by no means unprotected or friendless, and who was actually staying in his Colonel’s family, that I am strongly inclined to hope the best. Could he expect that her friends would not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the regiment margin:the-militia , after such an affront to Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster ? His temptation is not adequate to the risk.” “Do you really think so?” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , brightening up for a moment. “Upon my word,” said Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , “I begin to be of your uncle’s opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, honour, and interest, for him to be guilty of it. I cannot think so very ill of Wickham margin:george-wickham . Can you, yourself, Lizzie, so wholly give him up, as to believe him capable of it?” “Not perhaps of neglecting his own interest. But of every other neglect I can believe him capable. If, indeed, it should be so But I dare not hope it. Why should they not go on to Scotland, if that had been the case?” “In the first place,” replied Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , “there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland.” “Oh, but their removing from the chaise into a hackney coach is such a presumption And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road.” “Well, then,—supposing them to be in London margin:london —they may be there, though for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptionable purpose. It is not likely that money should be very abundant on either side; and it might strike them that they could be more economically, though less expeditiously, married in London margin:london , than in Scotland.” “But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must their marriage be private? Oh, no, no—this is not likely. His most particular friend, you see by Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s account, was persuaded of his never intending to marry her. Wickham margin:george-wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He cannot afford it. And what claims has Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , what attractions has she beyond youth, health, and good humour, that could make him for her sake forego every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well? As to what restraint the apprehensions of disgrace in the corps might throw on a dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge; for I know nothing of the effects that such a step might produce. But as to your other objection, I am afraid it will hardly hold good. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet has no brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from my father’s behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in his family, that he would do as little and think as little about it, as any father could do, in such a matter.” “But can you think that Lydia margin:lydia-bennet is so lost to everything but love of him, as to consent to live with him on any other terms than marriage?” “It does seem, and it is most shocking, indeed,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with tears in her eyes, “that a sister’s sense of decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say. Perhaps I am not doing her justice. But she is very young: she has never been taught to think on serious subjects; and for the last half year, nay, for a twelvemonth, she has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in her way. Since the ——shire were first quartered in Meryton margin:meryton , nothing but love, flirtation, and officers, have been in her head. She has been doing everything in her power, by thinking and talking on the subject, to give greater—what shall I call it?—susceptibility to her feelings; which are naturally lively enough. And we all know that Wickham margin:george-wickham has every charm of person and address that can captivate a woman.” “But you see that Jane margin:jane-bennet ,” said her aunt, “does not think so ill of Wickham margin:george-wickham , as to believe him capable of the attempt.” “Of whom does Jane margin:jane-bennet ever think ill? And who is there, whatever might be their former conduct, that she would believe capable of such an attempt, till it were proved against them? But Jane margin:jane-bennet knows, as well as I do, what Wickham margin:george-wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word; that he has neither integrity nor honour; that he is as false and deceitful as he is insinuating.” “And do you really know all this?” cried Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner , whose curiosity as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive. “I do, indeed,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , colouring. “I told you the other day of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ; and you, yourself, when last at Longbourn margin:longbourn , heard in what manner he spoke of the man who had behaved with such forbearance and liberality towards him. And there are other circumstances which I am not at liberty—which it is not worth while to relate; but his lies about the whole Pemberley margin:pemberley family are endless. From what he said of Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud, reserved, disagreeable girl. Yet he knew to the contrary himself. He must know that she was as amiable and unpretending as we have found her.” “But does Lydia margin:lydia-bennet know nothing of this? can she be ignorant of what you and Jane margin:jane-bennet seem so well to understand?” “Oh, yes —that, that is the worst of all. Till I was in Kent, and saw so much both of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy and his relation Colonel Fitzwilliam margin:colonel-fitzwilliam , I was ignorant of the truth myself. And when I returned home the ——shire was to leave Meryton margin:meryton in a week or fortnight’s time. As that was the case, neither Jane margin:jane-bennet , to whom I related the whole, nor I, thought it necessary to make our knowledge public; for of what use could it apparently be to anyone, that the good opinion, which all the neighbourhood had of him, should then be overthrown? And even when it was settled that Lydia margin:lydia-bennet should go with Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster , the necessity of opening her eyes to his character never occurred to me. That she could be in any danger from the deception never entered my head. That such a consequence as this should ensue, you may easily believe was far enough from my thoughts.” “When they all removed to Brighton margin:brighton , therefore, you had no reason, I suppose, to believe them fond of each other?” “Not the slightest. I can remember no symptom of affection on either side; and had anything of the kind been perceptible, you must be aware that ours is not a family on which it could be thrown away. When first he entered the corps, she was ready enough to admire him; but so we all were. Every girl in or near Meryton margin:meryton was out of her senses about him for the first two months: but he never distinguished her by any particular attention; and, consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others of the regiment margin:the-militia , who treated her with more distinction, again became her favourites.” It may be easily believed, that however little of novelty could be added to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this interesting subject by its repeated discussion, no other could detain them from it long, during the whole of the journey. From Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s thoughts it was never absent. Fixed there by the keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find no interval of ease or forgetfulness. They travelled as expeditiously as possible; and sleeping one night on the road, reached Longbourn margin:longbourn by dinnertime the next day. It was a comfort to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet to consider that Jane margin:jane-bennet could not have been wearied by long expectations. The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing on the steps of the house, as they entered the paddock; and when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their faces and displayed itself over their whole bodies, in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet jumped out; and after giving each of them a hasty kiss, hurried into the vestibule, where Jane margin:jane-bennet , who came running downstairs from her mother’s apartment, immediately met her. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether anything had been heard of the fugitives. “Not yet,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet . “But now that my dear uncle is come, I hope everything will be well.” “Is my father in town?” “Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word.” “And have you heard from him often?” “We have heard only once. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday, to say that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his directions, which I particularly begged him to do. He merely added, that he should not write again, till he had something of importance to mention.” “And my mother—how is she? How are you all?” “My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her spirits are greatly shaken. She is upstairs, and will have great satisfaction in seeing you all. She does not yet leave her dressing-room. Mary margin:mary-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , thank Heaven are quite well.” “But you—how are you?” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “You look pale. How much you must have gone through ” Her sister, however, assured her of her being perfectly well; and their conversation, which had been passing while Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner were engaged with their children, was now put an end to by the approach of the whole party. Jane margin:jane-bennet ran to her uncle and aunt, and welcomed and thanked them both, with alternate smiles and tears. When they were all in the drawing-room, the questions which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had already asked were of course repeated by the others, and they soon found that Jane margin:jane-bennet had no intelligence to give. The sanguine hope of good, however, which the benevolence of her heart suggested, had not yet deserted her; she still expected that it would all end well, and that every morning would bring some letter, either from Lydia margin:lydia-bennet or her father, to explain their proceedings, and, perhaps, announce the marriage. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , to whose apartment they all repaired, after a few minutes’ conversation together, received them exactly as might be expected; with tears and lamentations of regret, invectives against the villainous conduct of Wickham margin:george-wickham , and complaints of her own sufferings and ill-usage; blaming everybody but the person to whose ill-judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must be principally owing. “If I had been able,” said she, “to carry my point in going to Brighton margin:brighton with all my family, this would not have happened: but poor dear Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had nobody to take care of her. Why did the Forsters ever let her go out of their sight? I am sure there was some great neglect or other on their side, for she is not the kind of girl to do such a thing, if she had been well looked after. I always thought they were very unfit to have the charge of her; but I was over-ruled, as I always am. Poor, dear child And now here’s Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet gone away, and I know he will fight Wickham margin:george-wickham , wherever he meets him, and then he will be killed, and what is to become of us all? The Collinses will turn us out, before he is cold in his grave; and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not know what we shall do.” They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , after general assurances of his affection for her and all her family, told her that he meant to be in London margin:london the very next day, and would assist Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet in every endeavour for recovering Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . “Do not give way to useless alarm,” added he: “though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain. It is not quite a week since they left Brighton margin:brighton . In a few days more, we may gain some news of them; and till we know that they are not married, and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the matter over as lost. As soon as I get to town, I shall go to my brother, and make him come home with me to Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street , and then we may consult together as to what is to be done.” “Oh, my dear brother,” replied Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , “that is exactly what I could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out, wherever they may be; and if they are not married already, make them marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that, but tell Lydia margin:lydia-bennet she shall have as much money as she chooses to buy them, after they are married. And, above all things, keep Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet from fighting. Tell him what a dreadful state I am in—that I am frightened out of my wits; and have such tremblings, such flutterings all over me, such spasms in my side, and pains in my head, and such beatings at my heart, that I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia margin:lydia-bennet not to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how kind you are I know you will contrive it all.” But Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation to her, as well in her hopes as her fears; and after talking with her in this manner till dinner was on table, they left her to vent all her feelings on the housekeeper, who attended in the absence of her daughters. Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not attempt to oppose it; for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her tongue before the servants, while they waited at table, and judged it better that one only of the household, and the one whom they could most trust, should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the subject. In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary margin:mary-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , who had been too busily engaged in their separate apartments to make their appearance before. One came from her books, and the other from her toilette. The faces of both, however, were tolerably calm; and no change was visible in either, except that the loss of her favourite sister, or the anger which she had herself incurred in the business, had given something more of fretfulness than usual to the accents of Kitty margin:catherine-bennet . As for Mary margin:mary-bennet , she was mistress enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with a countenance of grave reflection, soon after they were seated at table,— “This is a most unfortunate affair, and will probably be much talked of. But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation.” Then perceiving in Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet no inclination of replying, she added, “Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , we may draw from it this useful lesson:—that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable, that one false step involves her in endless ruin, that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful, and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed to make any reply. Mary margin:mary-bennet , however, continued to console herself with such kind of moral extractions from the evil before them. In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for half an hour by themselves; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet instantly availed herself of the opportunity of making any inquiries which Jane margin:jane-bennet was equally eager to satisfy. After joining in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel of this event, which Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet considered as all but certain, and Miss Bennet could not assert to be wholly impossible, the former continued the subject by saying, “But tell me all and everything about it which I have not already heard. Give me further particulars. What did Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster say? Had they no apprehension of anything before the elopement took place? They must have seen them together for ever.” “ Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster did own that he had often suspected some partiality, especially on Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s side, but nothing to give him any alarm. I am so grieved for him. His behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He was coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not being gone to Scotland: when that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened his journey.” “And was Denny convinced that Wickham margin:george-wickham would not marry? Did he know of their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster seen Denny himself?” “Yes; but when questioned by him , Denny denied knowing anything of their plan, and would not give his real opinion about it. He did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying, and from that I am inclined to hope he might have been misunderstood before.” “And till Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster came himself, not one of you entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?” “How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains? I felt a little uneasy—a little fearful of my sister’s happiness with him in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not been always quite right. My father and mother knew nothing of that; they only felt how imprudent a match it must be. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet then owned, with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the rest of us, that in Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s last letter she had prepared her for such a step. She had known, it seems, of their being in love with each other many weeks.” “But not before they went to Brighton margin:brighton ?” “No, I believe not.” “And did Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster appear to think ill of Wickham margin:george-wickham himself? Does he know his real character?” “I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham margin:george-wickham as he formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant; and since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton margin:meryton greatly in debt: but I hope this may be false.” “Oh, Jane margin:jane-bennet , had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of him, this could not have happened ” “Perhaps it would have been better,” replied her sister. “But to expose the former faults of any person, without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable.” “We acted with the best intentions.” “Could Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster repeat the particulars of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s note to his wife?” “He brought it with him for us to see.” Jane margin:jane-bennet then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . These were the contents:— / NIND “My dear Harriet, / “You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the world I love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy without him, so think it no harm to be off. You need not send them word at Longbourn margin:longbourn of my going, if you do not like it, for it will make the surprise the greater when I write to them, and sign my name Lydia margin:lydia-bennet Wickham margin:george-wickham . What a good joke it will be I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to Pratt for not keeping my engagement, and dancing with him to-night. Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all, and tell him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet with great pleasure. I shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn margin:longbourn ; but I wish you would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown before they are packed up. Good-bye. Give my love to Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster . I hope you will drink to our good journey. “Your affectionate friend, “LYDIA BENNET.” “Oh, thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet when she had finished it. “What a letter is this, to be written at such a moment But at least it shows that she was serious in the object of her journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her side a scheme of infamy. My poor father how he must have felt it ” “I never saw anyone so shocked. He could not speak a word for full ten minutes. My mother was taken ill immediately, and the whole house in such confusion ” “Oh, Jane margin:jane-bennet ,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “was there a servant belonging to it who did not know the whole story before the end of the day?” “I do not know: I hope there was. But to be guarded at such a time is very difficult. My mother was in hysterics; and though I endeavoured to give her every assistance in my power, I am afraid I did not do so much as I might have done. But the horror of what might possibly happen almost took from me my faculties.” “Your attendance upon her has been too much for you. You do not look well. Oh that I had been with you you have had every care and anxiety upon yourself alone.” “ Mary margin:mary-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet have been very kind, and would have shared in every fatigue, I am sure, but I did not think it right for either of them. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet is slight and delicate, and Mary margin:mary-bennet studies so much that her hours of repose should not be broken in on. My aunt Philips came to Longbourn margin:longbourn on Tuesday, after my father went away; and was so good as to stay till Thursday with me. She was of great use and comfort to us all, and Lady Lucas has been very kind: she walked here on Wednesday morning to condole with us, and offered her services, or any of her daughters, if they could be of use to us.” “She had better have stayed at home,” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet : “perhaps she meant well, but, under such a misfortune as this, one cannot see too little of one’s neighbours. Assistance is impossible; condolence, insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied.” She then proceeded to inquire into the measures which her father had intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter. “He meant, I believe,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet , “to go to Epsom, the place where they last changed horses, see the postilions, and try if anything could be made out from them. His principal object must be to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them from Clapham. It had come with a fare from London margin:london ; and as he thought the circumstance of a gentleman and lady’s removing from one carriage into another might be remarked, he meant to make inquiries at Clapham. If he could anyhow discover at what house the coachman had before set down his fare, he determined to make inquiries there, and hoped it might not be impossible to find out the stand and number of the coach. I do not know of any other designs that he had formed; but he was in such a hurry to be gone, and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty in finding out even so much as this.” Chapter XLVIII The whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr. Bennet the next morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line from him. His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a most negligent and dilatory correspondent; but at such a time they had hoped for exertion. They were forced to conclude, that he had no pleasing intelligence to send; but even of that they would have been glad to be certain. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner had waited only for the letters before he set off. When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving constant information of what was going on; and their uncle promised, at parting, to prevail on Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet to return to Longbourn margin:longbourn as soon as he could, to the great consolation of his sister, who considered it as the only security for her husband’s not being killed in a duel. Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a few days longer, as the former thought her presence might be serviceable to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , and was a great comfort to them in their hours of freedom. Their other aunt also visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of cheering and heartening them up—though, as she never came without reporting some fresh instance of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s extravagance or irregularity, she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found them. All Meryton margin:meryton seemed striving to blacken the man who, but three months before, had been almost an angel of light. He was declared to be in debt to every tradesman in the place, and his intrigues, all honoured with the title of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman’s family. Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world; and everybody began to find out that they had always distrusted the appearance of his goodness. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , though she did not credit above half of what was said, believed enough to make her former assurance of her sister’s ruin still more certain; and even Jane margin:jane-bennet , who believed still less of it, became almost hopeless, more especially as the time was now come, when, if they had gone to Scotland, which she had never before entirely despaired of, they must in all probability have gained some news of them. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner left Longbourn margin:longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday, his wife received a letter from him: it told them, that on his arrival he had immediately found out his brother, and persuaded him to come to Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street . That Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet had been to Epsom and Clapham, before his arrival, but without gaining any satisfactory information; and that he was now determined to inquire at all the principal hotels in town, as Mr. Bennet thought it possible they might have gone to one of them, on their first coming to London margin:london , before they procured lodgings. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner himself did not expect any success from this measure; but as his brother was eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He added, that Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present to leave London margin:london , and promised to write again very soon. There was also a postscript to this effect:— “I have written to Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster to desire him to find out, if possible, from some of the young man’s intimates in the regiment margin:the-militia , whether Wickham margin:george-wickham has any relations or connections who would be likely to know in what part of the town he has now concealed himself. If there were anyone that one could apply to, with a probability of gaining such a clue as that, it might be of essential consequence. At present we have nothing to guide us. Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster will, I dare say, do everything in his power to satisfy us on this head. But, on second thoughts, perhaps Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet could tell us what relations he has now living better than any other person.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was at no loss to understand from whence this deference for her authority proceeded; but it was not in her power to give any information of so satisfactory a nature as the compliment deserved. She had never heard of his having had any relations, except a father and mother, both of whom had been dead many years. It was possible, however, that some of his companions in the ——shire might be able to give more information; and though she was not very sanguine in expecting it, the application was a something to look forward to. Every day at Longbourn margin:longbourn was now a day of anxiety; but the most anxious part of each was when the post was expected. The arrival of letters was the first grand object of every morning’s impatience. Through letters, whatever of good or bad was to be told would be communicated; and every succeeding day was expected to bring some news of importance. But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner , a letter arrived for their father, from a different quarter, from Mr. Collins margin:william-collins ; which, as Jane margin:jane-bennet had received directions to open all that came for him in his absence, she accordingly read; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who knew what curiosities his letters always were, looked over her, and read it likewise. It was as follows:— / “My dear Sir, / “I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and my situation in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a letter from Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins and myself sincerely sympathize with you, and all your respectable family, in your present distress, which must be of the bitterest kind, because proceeding from a cause which no time can remove. No arguments shall be wanting on my part, that can alleviate so severe a misfortune; or that may comfort you, under a circumstance that must be, of all others, most afflicting to a parent’s mind. The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this. And it is the more to be lamented, because there is reason to suppose, as my dear Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence; though, at the same time, for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , I am inclined to think that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity, at so early an age. Howsoever that may be, you are grievously to be pitied; in which opinion I am not only joined by Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins , but likewise by Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh and her daughter, to whom I have related the affair. They agree with me in apprehending that this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others: for who, as Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh herself condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family? And this consideration leads me, moreover, to reflect, with augmented satisfaction, on a certain event of last November; for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace. Let me advise you, then, my dear sir, to console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence. “I am, dear sir,” etc., etc. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner did not write again, till he had received an answer from Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster ; and then he had nothing of a pleasant nature to send. It was not known that Wickham margin:george-wickham had a single relation with whom he kept up any connection, and it was certain that he had no near one living. His former acquaintance had been numerous; but since he had been in the militia margin:the-militia , it did not appear that he was on terms of particular friendship with any of them. There was no one, therefore, who could be pointed out as likely to give any news of him. And in the wretched state of his own finances, there was a very powerful motive for secrecy, in addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s relations; for it had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him to a very considerable amount. Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster believed that more than a thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expenses at Brighton margin:brighton . He owed a good deal in the town, but his debts of honour were still more formidable. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner did not attempt to conceal these particulars from the Longbourn margin:longbourn family; Jane margin:jane-bennet heard them with horror. “A gamester ” she cried. “This is wholly unexpected; I had not an idea of it.” Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner added, in his letter, that they might expect to see their father at home on the following day, which was Saturday. Rendered spiritless by the ill success of all their endeavours, he had yielded to his brother-in-law’s entreaty that he would return to his family and leave it to him to do whatever occasion might suggest to be advisable for continuing their pursuit. When Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was told of this, she did not express so much satisfaction as her children expected, considering what her anxiety for his life had been before. “What is he coming home, and without poor Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ?” she cried. “Sure he will not leave London margin:london before he has found them. Who is to fight Wickham margin:george-wickham , and make him marry her, if he comes away?” As Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner began to wish to be at home, it was settled that she and her children should go to London margin:london at the same time that Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet came from it. The coach, therefore, took them the first stage of their journey, and brought its master back to Longbourn margin:longbourn . Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner went away in all the perplexity about Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and her Derbyshire friend, that had attended her from that part of the world. His name had never been voluntarily mentioned before them by her niece; and the kind of half-expectation which Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner had formed, of their being followed by a letter from him, had ended in nothing. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had received none since her return, that could come from Pemberley margin:pemberley . The present unhappy state of the family rendered any other excuse for the lowness of her spirits unnecessary; nothing, therefore, could be fairly conjectured from that ,—though Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who was by this time tolerably well acquainted with her own feelings, was perfectly aware that, had she known nothing of Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , she could have borne the dread of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s infamy somewhat better. It would have spared her, she thought, one sleepless night out of two. When Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual philosophic composure. He said as little as he had ever been in the habit of saying; made no mention of the business that had taken him away; and it was some time before his daughters had courage to speak of it. It was not till the afternoon, when he joined them at tea, that Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ventured to introduce the subject; and then, on her briefly expressing her sorrow for what he must have endured, he replied, “Say nothing of that. Who should suffer but myself? It has been my own doing, and I ought to feel it.” “You must not be too severe upon yourself,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone to fall into it No, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , let me once in my life feel how much I have been to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression. It will pass away soon enough.” “Do you suppose them to be in London margin:london ?” “Yes; where else can they be so well concealed?” “And Lydia margin:lydia-bennet used to want to go to London margin:london ,” added Kitty margin:catherine-bennet . “She is happy, then,” said her father, drily; “and her residence there will probably be of some duration.” Then, after a short silence, he continued, “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me last May, which, considering the event, shows some greatness of mind.” They were interrupted by Miss Bennet, who came to fetch her mother’s tea. “This is a parade,” cried he, “which does one good; it gives such an elegance to misfortune Another day I will do the same; I will sit in my library, in my nightcap and powdering gown, and give as much trouble as I can,—or perhaps I may defer it till Kitty margin:catherine-bennet runs away.” “I am not going to run away, papa,” said Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , fretfully. “If I should ever go to Brighton margin:brighton , I would behave better than Lydia margin:lydia-bennet .” “ You go to Brighton margin:brighton I would not trust you so near it as Eastbourne, for fifty pounds No, Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , I have at least learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to enter my house again, nor even to pass through the village. Balls will be absolutely prohibited, unless you stand up with one of your sisters. And you are never to stir out of doors, till you can prove that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner.” Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , who took all these threats in a serious light, began to cry. “Well, well,” said he, “do not make yourself unhappy. If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of them.” Chapter XLIX Two days after Mr. Bennet’s return, as Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet were walking together in the shrubbery behind the house, they saw the housekeeper coming towards them, and concluding that she came to call them to their mother, went forward to meet her; but instead of the expected summons, when they approached her, she said to Miss Bennet, “I beg your pardon, madam, for interrupting you, but I was in hopes you might have got some good news from town, so I took the liberty of coming to ask.” “What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town.” “Dear madam,” cried Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, “don’t you know there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner ? He has been here this half hour, and master has had a letter.” Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for speech. They ran through the vestibule into the breakfast-room; from thence to the library;—their father was in neither; and they were on the point of seeking him upstairs with their mother, when they were met by the butler, who said,— “If you are looking for my master, ma’am, he is walking towards the little copse.” Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall once more, and ran across the lawn after their father, who was deliberately pursuing his way towards a small wood on one side of the paddock. Jane margin:jane-bennet , who was not so light, nor so much in the habit of running as Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath, came up with him, and eagerly cried out,— “Oh, papa, what news? what news? have you heard from my uncle?” “Yes, I have had a letter from him by express.” “Well, and what news does it bring—good or bad?” “What is there of good to be expected?” said he, taking the letter from his pocket; “but perhaps you would like to read it.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane margin:jane-bennet now came up. “Read it aloud,” said their father, “for I hardly know myself what it is about.” / RIGHT “ Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2 . / “My dear Brother, “At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as, upon the whole, I hope will give you satisfaction. Soon after you left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of London margin:london they were. The particulars I reserve till we meet. It is enough to know they are discovered: I have seen them both——” “Then it is as I always hoped,” cried Jane margin:jane-bennet : “they are married ” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet read on: “I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find there was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to perform the engagements which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope it will not be long before they are. All that is required of you is, to assure to your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of the five thousand pounds, secured among your children after the decease of yourself and my sister; and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her, during your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying with, as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by express, that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s circumstances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed to be. The world has been deceived in that respect; and I am happy to say, there will be some little money, even when all his debts are discharged, to settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune. If, as I conclude will be the case, you send me full powers to act in your name throughout the whole of this business, I will immediately give directions to Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement. There will not be the smallest occasion for your coming to town again; therefore stay quietly at Longbourn margin:longbourn , and depend on my diligence and care. Send back your answer as soon as you can, and be careful to write explicitly. We have judged it best that my niece should be married from this house, of which I hope you will approve. She comes to us to-day. I shall write again as soon as anything more is determined on. Yours, etc. “EDW. GARDINER.” “Is it possible?” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , when she had finished. “Can it be possible that he will marry her?” “ Wickham margin:george-wickham is not so undeserving, then, as we have thought him,” said her sister. “My dear father, I congratulate you.” “And have you answered the letter?” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “No; but it must be done soon.” Most earnestly did she then entreat him to lose no more time before he wrote. “Oh my dear father,” she cried, “come back and write immediately. Consider how important every moment is in such a case.” “Let me write for you,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , “if you dislike the trouble yourself.” “I dislike it very much,” he replied; “but it must be done.” And so saying, he turned back with them, and walked towards the house. “And—may I ask?” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but the terms, I suppose, must be complied with.” “Complied with I am only ashamed of his asking so little.” “And they must marry Yet he is such a man.” “Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But there are two things that I want very much to know:—one is, how much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the other, how I am ever to pay him.” “Money my uncle ” cried Jane margin:jane-bennet , “what do you mean, sir?” “I mean that no man in his proper senses would marry Lydia margin:lydia-bennet on so slight a temptation as one hundred a year during my life, and fifty after I am gone.” “That is very true,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “though it had not occurred to me before. His debts to be discharged, and something still to remain Oh, it must be my uncle’s doings Generous, good man, I am afraid he has distressed himself. A small sum could not do all this.” “No,” said her father. “ Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s a fool if he takes her with a farthing less than ten thousand pounds: I should be sorry to think so ill of him, in the very beginning of our relationship.” “Ten thousand pounds Heaven forbid How is half such a sum to be repaid?” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet made no answer; and each of them, deep in thought, continued silent till they reached the house. Their father then went to the library to write, and the girls walked into the breakfast-room. “And they are really to be married ” cried Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , as soon as they were by themselves. “How strange this is and for this we are to be thankful. That they should marry, small as is their chance of happiness, and wretched as is his character, we are forced to rejoice Oh, Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ” “I comfort myself with thinking,” replied Jane margin:jane-bennet , “that he certainly would not marry Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , if he had not a real regard for her. Though our kind uncle has done something towards clearing him, I cannot believe that ten thousand pounds, or anything like it, has been advanced. He has children of his own, and may have more. How could he spare half ten thousand pounds?” “If we are ever able to learn what Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s debts have been,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “and how much is settled on his side on our sister, we shall exactly know what Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner has done for them, because Wickham margin:george-wickham has not sixpence of his own. The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never be requited. Their taking her home, and affording her their personal protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. By this time she is actually with them If such goodness does not make her miserable now, she will never deserve to be happy What a meeting for her, when she first sees my aunt ” “We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either side,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet : “I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His consenting to marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is come to a right way of thinking. Their mutual affection will steady them; and I flatter myself they will settle so quietly, and live in so rational a manner, as may in time make their past imprudence forgotten.” “Their conduct has been such,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “as neither you, nor I, nor anybody, can ever forget. It is useless to talk of it.” It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all likelihood perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They went to the library, therefore, and asked their father whether he would not wish them to make it known to her. He was writing, and, without raising his head, coolly replied,— “Just as you please.” “May we take my uncle’s letter to read to her?” “Take whatever you like, and get away.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet took the letter from his writing-table, and they went upstairs together. Mary margin:mary-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet were both with Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet : one communication would, therefore, do for all. After a slight preparation for good news, the letter was read aloud. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet could hardly contain herself. As soon as Jane margin:jane-bennet had read Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner ’s hope of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s being soon married, her joy burst forth, and every following sentence added to its exuberance. She was now in an irritation as violent from delight as she had ever been fidgety from alarm and vexation. To know that her daughter would be married was enough. She was disturbed by no fear for her felicity, nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct. “My dear, dear Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ” she cried: “this is delightful indeed She will be married I shall see her again She will be married at sixteen My good, kind brother I knew how it would be—I knew he would manage everything. How I long to see her and to see dear Wickham margin:george-wickham too But the clothes, the wedding clothes I will write to my sister Gardiner about them directly. Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , my dear, run down to your father, and ask him how much he will give her. Stay, stay, I will go myself. Ring the bell, Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , for Hill. I will put on my things in a moment. My dear, dear Lydia margin:lydia-bennet How merry we shall be together when we meet ” Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the violence of these transports, by leading her thoughts to the obligations which Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner ’s behaviour laid them all under. “For we must attribute this happy conclusion,” she added, “in a great measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that he has pledged himself to assist Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham with money.” “Well,” cried her mother, “it is all very right; who should do it but her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and my children must have had all his money, you know; and it is the first time we have ever had anything from him except a few presents. Well I am so happy. In a short time, I shall have a daughter married. Mrs. Wickham margin:george-wickham How well it sounds And she was only sixteen last June. My dear Jane margin:jane-bennet , I am in such a flutter, that I am sure I can’t write; so I will dictate, and you write for me. We will settle with your father about the money afterwards; but the things should be ordered immediately.” She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico, muslin, and cambric, and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful orders, had not Jane margin:jane-bennet , though with some difficulty, persuaded her to wait till her father was at leisure to be consulted. One day’s delay, she observed, would be of small importance; and her mother was too happy to be quite so obstinate as usual. Other schemes, too, came into her head. “I will go to Meryton margin:meryton ,” said she, “as soon as I am dressed, and tell the good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I come back, I can call on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , run down and order the carriage. An airing would do me a great deal of good, I am sure. Girls, can I do anything for you in Meryton margin:meryton ? Oh here comes Hill. My dear Hill, have you heard the good news? Miss Lydia margin:lydia-bennet is going to be married; and you shall all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding.” Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet received her congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly, took refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom. Poor Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that it was no worse, she had need to be thankful. She felt it so; and though, in looking forward, neither rational happiness, nor worldly prosperity could be justly expected for her sister, in looking back to what they had feared, only two hours ago, she felt all the advantages of what they had gained. Chapter L Mr. Bennet had very often wished, before this period of his life, that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum, for the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia margin:lydia-bennet need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband might then have rested in its proper place. He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to anyone should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother-in-law; and he was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance, and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could. When first Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly useless; for, of course, they were to have a son. This son was to join in cutting off the entail margin:the-entail , as soon as he should be of age, and the widow and younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , for many years after Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s birth, had been certain that he would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be saving. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had no turn for economy; and her husband’s love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their income. Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and the children. But in what proportions it should be divided amongst the latter depended on the will of the parents. This was one point, with regard to Lydia margin:lydia-bennet at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him. In terms of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother, though expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the engagements that had been made for him. He had never before supposed that, could Wickham margin:george-wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would be done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present arrangement. He would scarcely be ten pounds a year the loser, by the hundred that was to be paid them; for, what with her board and pocket allowance, and the continual presents in money which passed to her through her mother’s hands, Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s expenses had been very little within that sum. That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too, was another very welcome surprise; for his chief wish at present was to have as little trouble in the business as possible. When the first transports of rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were over, he naturally returned to all his former indolence. His letter was soon despatched; for though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick in its execution. He begged to know further particulars of what he was indebted to his brother; but was too angry with Lydia margin:lydia-bennet to send any message to her. The good news quickly spread through the house; and with proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage of conversation, had Miss Lydia Bennet margin:lydia-bennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded from the world in some distant farm-house. But there was much to be talked of, in marrying her; and the good-natured wishes for her well-doing, which had proceeded before from all the spiteful old ladies in Meryton margin:meryton , lost but little of their spirit in this change of circumstances, because with such a husband her misery was considered certain. It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had been down stairs, but on this happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, and in spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had been the first object of her wishes since Jane margin:jane-bennet was sixteen, was now on the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and her words ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and servants. She was busily searching through the neighbourhood for a proper situation for her daughter; and, without knowing or considering what their income might be, rejected many as deficient in size and importance. “Haye Park might do,” said she, “if the Gouldings would quit it, or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; but Ashworth is too far off. I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for Purvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful.” Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her, “ Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , before you take any, or all of these houses, for your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into one house in this neighbourhood they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage the imprudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn margin:longbourn .” A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was firm: it soon led to another; and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet found, with amazement and horror, that her husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for his daughter. He protested that she should receive from him no mark of affection whatever on the occasion. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet could hardly comprehend it. That his anger could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment as to refuse his daughter a privilege, without which her marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all that she could believe possible. She was more alive to the disgrace, which her want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter’s nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham margin:george-wickham a fortnight before they took place. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy acquainted with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot. She had no fear of its spreading farther, through his means. There were few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended; but at the same time there was no one whose knowledge of a sister’s frailty would have mortified her so much. Not, however, from any fear of disadvantage from it individually to herself; for at any rate there seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s marriage been concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy would connect himself with a family, where to every other objection would now be added an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned. From such a connection she could not wonder that he should shrink. The wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet. What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago would now have been gladly and gratefully received He was as generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his sex. But while he was mortal, there must be a triumph. She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance. But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was. An union of a different tendency, and precluding the possibility of the other, was soon to be formed in their family. How Wickham margin:george-wickham and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet were to be supported in tolerable independence she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture. Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s acknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurances of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family; and concluded with entreaties that the subject might never be mentioned to him again. The principal purport of his letter was to inform them, that Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham had resolved on quitting the militia margin:the-militia . “It was greatly my wish that he should do so,” he added, “as soon as his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me, in considering a removal from that corps as highly advisable, both on his account and my niece’s. It is Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s intention to go into the Regulars; and, among his former friends, there are still some who are able and willing to assist him in the army. He has the promise of an ensigncy in General——’s regiment, now quartered in the north. It is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. He promises fairly; and I hope among different people, where they may each have a character to preserve, they will both be more prudent. I have written to Colonel Forster margin:colonel-forster , to inform him of our present arrangements, and to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham in and near Brighton margin:brighton with assurances of speedy payment, for which I have pledged myself. And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton margin:meryton , of whom I shall subjoin a list, according to his information? He has given in all his debts; I hope at least he has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions, and all will be completed in a week. They will then join his regiment, unless they are first invited to Longbourn margin:longbourn ; and I understand from Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all before she leaves the south. She is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and her mother.—Yours, etc. “E. GARDINER.” Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s removal from the ——shire, as clearly as Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner could do. But Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was not so well pleased with it. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s being settled in the north, just when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her company, for she had by no means given up her plan of their residing in Hertfordshire, was a severe disappointment; and, besides, it was such a pity that Lydia should be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with everybody, and had so many favourites. “She is so fond of Mrs. Forster margin:mrs-forster ,” said she, “it will be quite shocking to send her away And there are several of the young men, too, that she likes very much. The officers margin:the-militia may not be so pleasant in General——’s regiment.” His daughter’s request, for such it might be considered, of being admitted into her family again, before she set off for the north, received at first an absolute negative. But Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister’s feelings and consequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by her parents, urged him so earnestly, yet so rationally and so mildly, to receive her and her husband at Longbourn margin:longbourn , as soon as they were married, that he was prevailed on to think as they thought, and act as they wished. And their mother had the satisfaction of knowing, that she should be able to show her married daughter in the neighbourhood, before she was banished to the north. When Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore, he sent his permission for them to come; and it was settled, that, as soon as the ceremony was over, they should proceed to Longbourn margin:longbourn . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was surprised, however, that Wickham margin:george-wickham should consent to such a scheme; and, had she consulted only her own inclination, any meeting with him would have been the last object of her wishes. Chapter LI Their sister’s wedding-day arrived; and Jane margin:jane-bennet and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt for her probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was sent to meet them at——, and they were to return in it by dinnertime. Their arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss Bennets—and Jane margin:jane-bennet more especially, who gave Lydia margin:lydia-bennet the feelings which would have attended herself, had she been the culprit, and was wretched in the thought of what her sister must endure. They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast-room to receive them. Smiles decked the face of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , as the carriage drove up to the door; her husband looked impenetrably grave; her daughters, alarmed, anxious, uneasy. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open, and she ran into the room. Her mother stepped forwards, embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand with an affectionate smile to Wickham margin:george-wickham , who followed his lady; and wished them both joy, with an alacrity which showed no doubt of their happiness. Their reception from Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , to whom they then turned, was not quite so cordial. His countenance rather gained in austerity; and he scarcely opened his lips. The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was enough to provoke him. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was disgusted, and even Miss Bennet was shocked. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless. She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations; and when at length they all sat down, looked eagerly round the room, took notice of some little alteration in it, and observed, with a laugh, that it was a great while since she had been there. Wickham margin:george-wickham was not at all more distressed than herself; but his manners were always so pleasing, that, had his character and his marriage been exactly what they ought, his smiles and his easy address, while he claimed their relationship, would have delighted them all. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had not before believed him quite equal to such assurance; but she sat down, resolving within herself to draw no limits in future to the impudence of an impudent man. She blushed, and Jane margin:jane-bennet blushed; but the cheeks of the two who caused their confusion suffered no variation of colour. There was no want of discourse. The bride and her mother could neither of them talk fast enough; and Wickham margin:george-wickham , who happened to sit near Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , began inquiring after his acquaintance in that neighbourhood, with a good-humoured ease, which she felt very unable to equal in her replies. They seemed each of them to have the happiest memories in the world. Nothing of the past was recollected with pain; and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet led voluntarily to subjects which her sisters would not have alluded to for the world. “Only think of its being three months,” she cried, “since I went away: it seems but a fortnight, I declare; and yet there have been things enough happened in the time. Good gracious when I went away, I am sure I had no more idea of being married till I came back again though I thought it would be very good fun if I was.” Her father lifted up his eyes, Jane margin:jane-bennet was distressed, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked expressively at Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ; but she, who never heard nor saw anything of which she chose to be insensible, gaily continued,— “Oh, mamma, do the people hereabouts know I am married to-day? I was afraid they might not; and we overtook William Goulding in his curricle, so I was determined he should know it, and so I let down the side glass next to him, and took off my glove and let my hand just rest upon the window frame, so that he might see the ring, and then I bowed and smiled like anything.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could bear it no longer. She got up and ran out of the room; and returned no more, till she heard them passing through the hall to the dining-parlour. She then joined them soon enough to see Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , with anxious parade, walk up to her mother’s right hand, and hear her say to her eldest sister,— “Ah, Jane margin:jane-bennet , I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman.” It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia margin:lydia-bennet that embarrassment from which she had been so wholly free at first. Her ease and good spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips , the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family , and all their other neighbours, and to hear herself called “Mrs. Wickham margin:george-wickham ” by each of them; and in the meantime she went after dinner to show her ring and boast of being married to Mrs. Hill and the two housemaids. “Well, mamma,” said she, when they were all returned to the breakfast-room, “and what do you think of my husband? Is not he a charming man? I am sure my sisters must all envy me. I only hope they may have half my good luck. They must all go to Brighton margin:brighton . That is the place to get husbands. What a pity it is, mamma, we did not all go ” “Very true; and if I had my will we should. But, my dear Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , I don’t at all like your going such a way off. Must it be so?” “Oh, Lord yes; there is nothing in that. I shall like it of all things. You and papa, and my sisters, must come down and see us. We shall be at Newcastle all the winter, and I dare say there will be some balls, and I will take care to get good partners for them all.” “I should like it beyond anything ” said her mother. “And then when you go away, you may leave one or two of my sisters behind you; and I dare say I shall get husbands for them before the winter is over.” “I thank you for my share of the favour,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but I do not particularly like your way of getting husbands.” Their visitors were not to remain above ten days with them. Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham had received his commission before he left London margin:london , and he was to join his regiment at the end of a fortnight. No one but Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet regretted that their stay would be so short; and she made the most of the time by visiting about with her daughter, and having very frequent parties at home. These parties were acceptable to all; to avoid a family circle was even more desirable to such as did think than such as did not. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s affection for Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was just what Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had expected to find it; not equal to Lydia’s for him. She had scarcely needed her present observation to be satisfied, from the reason of things, that their elopement had been brought on by the strength of her love rather than by his; and she would have wondered why, without violently caring for her, he chose to elope with her at all, had she not felt certain that his flight was rendered necessary by distress of circumstances; and if that were the case, he was not the young man to resist an opportunity of having a companion. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet was exceedingly fond of him. He was her dear Wickham margin:george-wickham on every occasion; no one was to be put in competition with him. He did everything best in the world; and she was sure he would kill more birds on the first of September than anybody else in the country. One morning, soon after their arrival, as she was sitting with her two elder sisters, she said to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,— “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , I never gave you an account of my wedding, I believe. You were not by, when I told mamma, and the others, all about it. Are not you curious to hear how it was managed?” “No, really,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “I think there cannot be too little said on the subject.” “La You are so strange But I must tell you how it went off. We were married, you know, at St. Clement’s, because Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s lodgings were in that parish. And it was settled that we should all be there by eleven o’clock. My uncle and aunt and I were to go together; and the others were to meet us at the church. “Well, Monday morning came, and I was in such a fuss I was so afraid, you know, that something would happen to put it off, and then I should have gone quite distracted. And there was my aunt, all the time I was dressing, preaching and talking away just as if she was reading a sermon. However, I did not hear above one word in ten, for I was thinking, you may suppose, of my dear Wickham margin:george-wickham . I longed to know whether he would be married in his blue coat. “Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual: I thought it would never be over; for, by the bye, you are to understand that my uncle and aunt were horrid unpleasant all the time I was with them. If you’ll believe me, I did not once put my foot out of doors, though I was there a fortnight. Not one party, or scheme, or anything To be sure, London margin:london was rather thin, but, however, the Little Theatre was open. “Well, and so, just as the carriage came to the door, my uncle was called away upon business to that horrid man Mr. Stone. And then, you know, when once they get together, there is no end of it. Well, I was so frightened I did not know what to do, for my uncle was to give me away; and if we were beyond the hour we could not be married all day. But, luckily, he came back again in ten minutes’ time, and then we all set out. However, I recollected afterwards, that if he had been prevented going, the wedding need not be put off, for Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy might have done as well.” “ Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ” repeated Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , in utter amazement. “Oh, yes he was to come there with Wickham margin:george-wickham , you know. But, gracious me I quite forgot I ought not to have said a word about it. I promised them so faithfully What will Wickham margin:george-wickham say? It was to be such a secret ” “If it was to be a secret,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet , “say not another word on the subject. You may depend upon my seeking no further.” “Oh, certainly,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , though burning with curiosity; “we will ask you no questions.” “Thank you,” said Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ; “for if you did, I should certainly tell you all, and then Wickham margin:george-wickham would be so angry.” On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was forced to put it out of her power, by running away. But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible; or at least it was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had been at her sister’s wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among people, where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to go. Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her brain; but she was satisfied with none. Those that best pleased her, as placing his conduct in the noblest light, seemed most improbable. She could not bear such suspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of paper, wrote a short letter to her aunt, to request an explanation of what Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had dropped, if it were compatible with the secrecy which had been intended. “You may readily comprehend,” she added, “what my curiosity must be to know how a person unconnected with any of us, and, comparatively speaking, a stranger to our family, should have been amongst you at such a time. Pray write instantly, and let me understand it—unless it is, for very cogent reasons, to remain in the secrecy which Lydia margin:lydia-bennet seems to think necessary; and then I must endeavour to be satisfied with ignorance.” “Not that I shall , though,” she added to herself, and she finished the letter; “and, my dear aunt, if you do not tell me in an honourable manner, I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and stratagems to find it out.” Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet privately of what Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had let fall; Elizabeth was glad of it:—till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any satisfaction, she had rather be without a confidante. Chapter LII Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had the satisfaction of receiving an answer to her letter as soon as she possibly could. She was no sooner in possession of it, than hurrying into the little copse, where she was least likely to be interrupted, she sat down on one of the benches, and prepared to be happy; for the length of the letter convinced her that it did not contain a denial. / RIGHT “ Gracechurch Street, Sept. 6 . / “My dear Niece, “I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole morning to answering it, as I foresee that a little writing will not comprise what I have to tell you. I must confess myself surprised by your application; I did not expect it from you . Don’t think me angry, however, for I only mean to let you know, that I had not imagined such inquiries to be necessary on your side. If you do not choose to understand me, forgive my impertinence. Your uncle is as much surprised as I am; and nothing but the belief of your being a party concerned would have allowed him to act as he has done. But if you are really innocent and ignorant, I must be more explicit. On the very day of my coming home from Longbourn margin:longbourn , your uncle had a most unexpected visitor. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy called, and was shut up with him several hours. It was all over before I arrived; so my curiosity was not so dreadfully racked as yours seems to have been. He came to tell Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner that he had found out where your sister and Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham were, and that he had seen and talked with them both—Wickham repeatedly, Lydia margin:lydia-bennet once. From what I can collect, he left Derbyshire only one day after ourselves, and came to town with the resolution of hunting for them. The motive professed was his conviction of its being owing to himself that Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s worthlessness had not been so well known as to make it impossible for any young woman of character to love or confide in him. He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride, and confessed that he had before thought it beneath him to lay his private actions open to the world. His character was to speak for itself. He called it, therefore, his duty to step forward, and endeavour to remedy an evil which had been brought on by himself. If he had another motive, I am sure it would never disgrace him. He had been some days in town before he was able to discover them; but he had something to direct his search, which was more than we had; and the consciousness of this was another reason for his resolving to follow us. There is a lady, it seems, a Mrs. Younge margin:mrs-younge , who was some time ago governess to Miss Darcy margin:georgiana-darcy , and was dismissed from her charge on some cause of disapprobation, though he did not say what. She then took a large house in Edward Street, and has since maintained herself by letting lodgings. This Mrs. Younge margin:mrs-younge was, he knew, intimately acquainted with Wickham margin:george-wickham ; and he went to her for intelligence of him, as soon as he got to town. But it was two or three days before he could get from her what he wanted. She would not betray her trust, I suppose, without bribery and corruption, for she really did know where her friend was to be found. Wickham margin:george-wickham , indeed, had gone to her on their first arrival in London margin:london ; and had she been able to receive them into her house, they would have taken up their abode with her. At length, however, our kind friend procured the wished-for direction. They were in —— Street. He saw Wickham margin:george-wickham , and afterwards insisted on seeing Lydia margin:lydia-bennet . His first object with her, he acknowledged, had been to persuade her to quit her present disgraceful situation, and return to her friends as soon as they could be prevailed on to receive her, offering his assistance as far as it would go. But he found Lydia margin:lydia-bennet absolutely resolved on remaining where she was. She cared for none of her friends; she wanted no help of his; she would not hear of leaving Wickham margin:george-wickham . She was sure they should be married some time or other, and it did not much signify when. Since such were her feelings, it only remained, he thought, to secure and expedite a marriage, which, in his very first conversation with Wickham margin:george-wickham , he easily learnt had never been his design. He confessed himself obliged to leave the regiment margin:the-militia on account of some debts of honour which were very pressing; and scrupled not to lay all the ill consequences of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s flight on her own folly alone. He meant to resign his commission immediately; and as to his future situation, he could conjecture very little about it. He must go somewhere, but he did not know where, and he knew he should have nothing to live on. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy asked why he did not marry your sister at once. Though Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet was not imagined to be very rich, he would have been able to do something for him, and his situation must have been benefited by marriage. But he found, in reply to this question, that Wickham margin:george-wickham still cherished the hope of more effectually making his fortune by marriage, in some other country. Under such circumstances, however, he was not likely to be proof against the temptation of immediate relief. They met several times, for there was much to be discussed. Wickham margin:george-wickham , of course, wanted more than he could get; but at length was reduced to be reasonable. Everything being settled between them , Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s next step was to make your uncle acquainted with it, and he first called in Gracechurch Street margin:gracechurch-street the evening before I came home. But Mr. Gardiner margin:mr-gardiner could not be seen; and Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy found, on further inquiry, that your father was still with him, but would quit town the next morning. He did not judge your father to be a person whom he could so properly consult as your uncle, and therefore readily postponed seeing him till after the departure of the former. He did not leave his name, and till the next day it was only known that a gentleman had called on business. On Saturday he came again. Your father was gone, your uncle at home, and, as I said before, they had a great deal of talk together. They met again on Sunday, and then I saw him too. It was not all settled before Monday: as soon as it was, the express was sent off to Longbourn margin:longbourn . But our visitor was very obstinate. I fancy, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , that obstinacy is the real defect of his character, after all. He has been accused of many faults at different times; but this is the true one. Nothing was to be done that he did not do himself; though I am sure and I do not speak it to be thanked, therefore say nothing about it your uncle would most readily have settled the whole. They battled it together for a long time, which was more than either the gentleman or lady concerned in it deserved. But at last your uncle was forced to yield, and instead of being allowed to be of use to his niece, was forced to put up with only having the probable credit of it, which went sorely against the grain; and I really believe your letter this morning gave him great pleasure, because it required an explanation that would rob him of his borrowed feathers, and give the praise where it was due. But, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , this must go no further than yourself, or Jane margin:jane-bennet at most. You know pretty well, I suppose, what has been done for the young people. His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in addition to her own settled upon her , and his commission purchased. The reason why all this was to be done by him alone, was such as I have given above. It was owing to him, to his reserve and want of proper consideration, that Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s character had been so misunderstood, and consequently that he had been received and noticed as he was. Perhaps there was some truth in this ; though I doubt whether his reserve, or anybody’s reserve can be answerable for the event. But in spite of all this fine talking, my dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , you may rest perfectly assured that your uncle would never have yielded, if we had not given him credit for another interest in the affair. When all this was resolved on, he returned again to his friends, who were still staying at Pemberley margin:pemberley ; but it was agreed that he should be in London margin:london once more when the wedding took place, and all money matters were then to receive the last finish. I believe I have now told you everything. It is a relation which you tell me is to give you great surprise; I hope at least it will not afford you any displeasure. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet came to us, and Wickham margin:george-wickham had constant admission to the house. He was exactly what he had been when I knew him in Hertfordshire; but I would not tell you how little I was satisfied with her behaviour while she stayed with us, if I had not perceived, by Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s letter last Wednesday, that her conduct on coming home was exactly of a piece with it, and therefore what I now tell you can give you no fresh pain. I talked to her repeatedly in the most serious manner, representing to her the wickedness of what she had done, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family. If she heard me, it was by good luck, for I am sure she did not listen. I was sometimes quite provoked; but then I recollected my dear Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and Jane margin:jane-bennet , and for their sakes had patience with her. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was punctual in his return, and, as Lydia margin:lydia-bennet informed you, attended the wedding. He dined with us the next day, and was to leave town again on Wednesday or Thursday. Will you be very angry with me, my dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , if I take this opportunity of saying what I was never bold enough to say before how much I like him? His behaviour to us has, in every respect, been as pleasing as when we were in Derbyshire. His understanding and opinions all please me; he wants nothing but a little more liveliness, and that , if he marry prudently , his wife may teach him. I thought him very sly; he hardly ever mentioned your name. But slyness seems the fashion. Pray forgive me, if I have been very presuming, or at least do not punish me so far as to exclude me from P. I shall never be quite happy till I have been all round the park. A low phaeton with a nice little pair of ponies would be the very thing. But I must write no more. The children have been wanting me this half hour. “Yours, very sincerely, “M. GARDINER.” The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet into a flutter of spirits, in which it was difficult to determine whether pleasure or pain bore the greatest share. The vague and unsettled suspicions which uncertainty had produced, of what Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy might have been doing to forward her sister’s match—which she had feared to encourage, as an exertion of goodness too great to be probable, and at the same time dreaded to be just, from the pain of obligation—were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true He had followed them purposely to town, he had taken on himself all the trouble and mortification attendant on such a research; in which supplication had been necessary to a woman whom he must abominate and despise, and where he was reduced to meet, frequently meet, reason with, persuade, and finally bribe the man whom he always most wished to avoid, and whose very name it was punishment to him to pronounce. He had done all this for a girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem. Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her. But it was a hope shortly checked by other considerations; and she soon felt that even her vanity was insufficient, when required to depend on his affection for her, for a woman who had already refused him, as able to overcome a sentiment so natural as abhorrence against relationship with Wickham margin:george-wickham . Brother-in-law of Wickham margin:george-wickham Every kind of pride must revolt from the connection. He had, to be sure, done much. She was ashamed to think how much. But he had given a reason for his interference, which asked no extraordinary stretch of belief. It was reasonable that he should feel he had been wrong; he had liberality, and he had the means of exercising it; and though she would not place herself as his principal inducement, she could perhaps believe, that remaining partiality for her might assist his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind must be materially concerned. It was painful, exceedingly painful, to know that they were under obligations to a person who could never receive a return. They owed the restoration of Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , her character, everything to him. Oh, how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him For herself she was humbled; but she was proud of him,—proud that in a cause of compassion and honour he had been able to get the better of himself. She read over her aunt’s commendation of him again and again. It was hardly enough; but it pleased her. She was even sensible of some pleasure, though mixed with regret, on finding how steadfastly both she and her uncle had been persuaded that affection and confidence subsisted between Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy and herself. She was roused from her seat and her reflections, by someone’s approach; and, before she could strike into another path, she was overtaken by Wickham margin:george-wickham . “I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear sister?” said he, as he joined her. “You certainly do,” she replied with a smile; “but it does not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome.” “I should be sorry, indeed, if it were. We were always good friends, and now we are better.” “True. Are the others coming out?” “I do not know. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet are going in the carriage to Meryton margin:meryton . And so, my dear sister, I find, from our uncle and aunt, that you have actually seen Pemberley margin:pemberley .” She replied in the affirmative. “I almost envy you the pleasure, and yet I believe it would be too much for me, or else I could take it in my way to Newcastle. And you saw the old housekeeper, I suppose? Poor Reynolds, she was always very fond of me. But of course she did not mention my name to you.” “Yes, she did.” “And what did she say?” “That you were gone into the army, and she was afraid had—not turned out well. At such a distance as that , you know, things are strangely misrepresented.” “Certainly,” he replied, biting his lips. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet hoped she had silenced him; but he soon afterwards said,— “I was surprised to see Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy in town last month. We passed each other several times. I wonder what he can be doing there.” “Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh ,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “It must be something particular to take him there at this time of year.” “Undoubtedly. Did you see him while you were at Lambton margin:lambton ? I thought I understood from the Gardiners that you had.” “Yes; he introduced us to his sister.” “And do you like her?” “Very much.” “I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved within this year or two. When I last saw her, she was not very promising. I am very glad you liked her. I hope she will turn out well.” “I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age.” “Did you go by the village of Kympton?” “I do not recollect that we did.” “I mention it because it is the living which I ought to have had. A most delightful place Excellent parsonage-house It would have suited me in every respect.” “How should you have liked making sermons?” “Exceedingly well. I should have considered it as part of my duty, and the exertion would soon have been nothing. One ought not to repine; but, to be sure, it would have been such a thing for me The quiet, the retirement of such a life, would have answered all my ideas of happiness But it was not to be. Did you ever hear Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy mention the circumstance when you were in Kent?” “I have heard from authority, which I thought as good , that it was left you conditionally only, and at the will of the present patron.” “You have Yes, there was something in that ; I told you so from the first, you may remember.” “I did hear, too, that there was a time when sermon-making was not so palatable to you as it seems to be at present; that you actually declared your resolution of never taking orders, and that the business had been compromised accordingly.” “You did and it was not wholly without foundation. You may remember what I told you on that point, when first we talked of it.” They were now almost at the door of the house, for she had walked fast to get rid of him; and unwilling, for her sister’s sake, to provoke him, she only said in reply, with a good-humoured smile,— “Come, Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham , we are brother and sister, you know. Do not let us quarrel about the past. In future, I hope we shall be always of one mind.” She held out her hand: he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, though he hardly knew how to look, and they entered the house. Chapter LIII Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation, that he never again distressed himself, or provoked his dear sister Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , by introducing the subject of it; and she was pleased to find that she had said enough to keep him quiet. The day of his and Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ’s departure soon came; and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was forced to submit to a separation, which, as her husband by no means entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle, was likely to continue at least a twelvemonth. “Oh, my dear Lydia margin:lydia-bennet ,” she cried, “when shall we meet again?” “Oh, Lord I don’t know. Not these two or three years, perhaps.” “Write to me very often, my dear.” “As often as I can. But you know married women have never much time for writing. My sisters may write to me . They will have nothing else to do.” Mr. Wickham margin:george-wickham ’s adieus were much more affectionate than his wife’s. He smiled, looked handsome, and said many pretty things. “He is as fine a fellow,” said Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet , as soon as they were out of the house, “as ever I saw. He simpers, and smirks, and makes love to us all. I am prodigiously proud of him. I defy even Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law.” The loss of her daughter made Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet very dull for several days. “I often think,” said she, “that there is nothing so bad as parting with one’s friends. One seems so forlorn without them.” “This is the consequence, you see, madam, of marrying a daughter,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “It must make you better satisfied that your other four are single.” “It is no such thing. Lydia margin:lydia-bennet does not leave me because she is married; but only because her husband’s regiment happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon.” But the spiritless condition which this event threw her into was shortly relieved, and her mind opened again to the agitation of hope, by an article of news which then began to be in circulation. The housekeeper at Netherfield margin:netherfield had received orders to prepare for the arrival of her master, who was coming down in a day or two, to shoot there for several weeks. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was quite in the fidgets. She looked at Jane margin:jane-bennet , and smiled, and shook her head, by turns. “Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley is coming down, sister,” for Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips first brought her the news . “Well, so much the better. Not that I care about it, though. He is nothing to us, you know, and I am sure I never want to see him again. But, however, he is very welcome to come to Netherfield margin:netherfield , if he likes it. And who knows what may happen? But that is nothing to us. You know, sister, we agreed long ago never to mention a word about it. And so, it is quite certain he is coming?” “You may depend on it,” replied the other, “for Mrs. Nichols was in Meryton margin:meryton last night: I saw her passing by, and went out myself on purpose to know the truth of it; and she told me that it was certainly true. He comes down on Thursday, at the latest, very likely on Wednesday. She was going to the butcher’s, she told me, on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday, and she has got three couple of ducks just fit to be killed.” Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without changing colour. It was many months since she had mentioned his name to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; but now, as soon as they were alone together, she said,— “I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , when my aunt told us of the present report; and I know I appeared distressed; but don’t imagine it was from any silly cause. I was only confused for the moment, because I felt that I should be looked at. I do assure you that the news does not affect me either with pleasure or pain. I am glad of one thing, that he comes alone; because we shall see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of myself , but I dread other people’s remarks.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet did not know what to make of it. Had she not seen him in Derbyshire, she might have supposed him capable of coming there with no other view than what was acknowledged; but she still thought him partial to Jane margin:jane-bennet , and she wavered as to the greater probability of his coming there with his friend’s permission, or being bold enough to come without it. “Yet it is hard,” she sometimes thought, “that this poor man cannot come to a house, which he has legally hired, without raising all this speculation I will leave him to himself.” In spite of what her sister declared, and really believed to be her feelings, in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet could easily perceive that her spirits were affected by it. They were more disturbed, more unequal, than she had often seen them. The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their parents, about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again. “As soon as ever Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley comes, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , “you will wait on him, of course.” “No, no. You forced me into visiting him last year, and promised, if I went to see him, he should marry one of my daughters. But it ended in nothing, and I will not be sent on a fool’s errand again.” His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary such an attention would be from all the neighbouring gentlemen, on his returning to Netherfield margin:netherfield . “’Tis an etiquette I despise,” said he. “If he wants our society, let him seek it. He knows where we live. I will not spend my hours in running after my neighbours every time they go away and come back again.” “Well, all I know is, that it will be abominably rude if you do not wait on him. But, however, that shan’t prevent my asking him to dine here, I am determined. We must have Mrs. Long and the Gouldings soon. That will make thirteen with ourselves, so there will be just room at table for him.” Consoled by this resolution, she was the better able to bear her husband’s incivility; though it was very mortifying to know that her neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , in consequence of it, before they did. As the day of his arrival drew near,— “I begin to be sorry that he comes at all,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet to her sister. “It would be nothing; I could see him with perfect indifference; but I can hardly bear to hear it thus perpetually talked of. My mother means well; but she does not know, no one can know, how much I suffer from what she says. Happy shall I be when his stay at Netherfield margin:netherfield is over ” “I wish I could say anything to comfort you,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ; “but it is wholly out of my power. You must feel it; and the usual satisfaction of preaching patience to a sufferer is denied me, because you have always so much.” Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley arrived. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , through the assistance of servants, contrived to have the earliest tidings of it, that the period of anxiety and fretfulness on her side be as long as it could. She counted the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent—hopeless of seeing him before. But on the third morning after his arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw him from her dressing-room window enter the paddock, and ride towards the house. Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane margin:jane-bennet resolutely kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , to satisfy her mother, went to the window—she looked—she saw Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy with him, and sat down again by her sister. “There is a gentleman with him, mamma,” said Kitty margin:catherine-bennet ; “who can it be?” “Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose; I am sure I do not know.” “La ” replied Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , “it looks just like that man that used to be with him before. Mr. what’s his name—that tall, proud man.” “Good gracious Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy —and so it does, I vow. Well, any friend of Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s will always be welcome here, to be sure; but else I must say that I hate the very sight of him.” Jane margin:jane-bennet looked at Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet with surprise and concern. She knew but little of their meeting in Derbyshire, and therefore felt for the awkwardness which must attend her sister, in seeing him almost for the first time after receiving his explanatory letter. Both sisters were uncomfortable enough. Each felt for the other, and of course for themselves; and their mother talked on of her dislike of Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , and her resolution to be civil to him only as Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s friend, without being heard by either of them. But Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had sources of uneasiness which could not yet be suspected by Jane margin:jane-bennet , to whom she had never yet had courage to show Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner ’s letter, or to relate her own change of sentiment towards him. To Jane margin:jane-bennet , he could be only a man whose proposals she had refused, and whose merits she had undervalued; but to her own more extensive information, he was the person to whom the whole family were indebted for the first of benefits, and whom she regarded herself with an interest, if not quite so tender, at least as reasonable and just, as what Jane felt for Bingley margin:charles-bingley . Her astonishment at his coming—at his coming to Netherfield margin:netherfield , to Longbourn margin:longbourn , and voluntarily seeking her again, was almost equal to what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in Derbyshire. The colour which had been driven from her face returned for half a minute with an additional glow, and a smile of delight added lustre to her eyes, as she thought for that space of time that his affection and wishes must still be unshaken; but she would not be secure. “Let me first see how he behaves,” said she; “it will then be early enough for expectation.” She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and without daring to lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity carried them to the face of her sister as the servant was approaching the door. Jane margin:jane-bennet looked a little paler than usual, but more sedate than Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had expected. On the gentlemen’s appearing, her colour increased; yet she received them with tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from any symptom of resentment, or any unnecessary complaisance. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet said as little to either as civility would allow, and sat down again to her work, with an eagerness which it did not often command. She had ventured only one glance at Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . He looked serious as usual; and, she thought, more as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, than as she had seen him at Pemberley margin:pemberley . But, perhaps, he could not in her mother’s presence be what he was before her uncle and aunt. It was a painful, but not an improbable, conjecture. Bingley margin:charles-bingley she had likewise seen for an instant, and in that short period saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed. He was received by Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet with a degree of civility which made her two daughters ashamed, especially when contrasted with the cold and ceremonious politeness of her courtesy and address of his friend. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the latter the preservation of her favourite daughter from irremediable infamy, was hurt and distressed to a most painful degree by a distinction so ill applied. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner margin:mrs-gardiner did—a question which she could not answer without confusion—said scarcely anything. He was not seated by her: perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but it had not been so in Derbyshire. There he had talked to her friends when he could not to herself. But now several minutes elapsed, without bringing the sound of his voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist the impulse of curiosity, she raised her eyes to his face, she as often found him looking at Jane margin:jane-bennet as at herself, and frequently on no object but the ground. More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, than when they last met, were plainly expressed. She was disappointed, and angry with herself for being so. “Could I expect it to be otherwise?” said she. “Yet why did he come?” She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself; and to him she had hardly courage to speak. She inquired after his sister, but could do no more. “It is a long time, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , since you went away,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet . He readily agreed to it. “I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People did say, you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope it is not true. A great many changes have happened in the neighbourhood since you went away. Miss Lucas margin:charlotte-lucas is married and settled: and one of my own daughters. I suppose you have heard of it; indeed, you must have seen it in the papers. It was in the ‘Times’ and the ‘Courier,’ I know; though it was not put in as it ought to be. It was only said, ‘Lately, George Wickham margin:george-wickham , Esq., to Miss Lydia Bennet margin:lydia-bennet ,’ without there being a syllable said of her father, or the place where she lived, or anything. It was my brother Gardiner’s drawing up, too, and I wonder how he came to make such an awkward business of it. Did you see it?” Bingley margin:charles-bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy looked, therefore, she could not tell. “It is a delightful thing, to be sure, to have a daughter well married,” continued her mother; “but at the same time, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , it is very hard to have her taken away from me. They are gone down to Newcastle, a place quite northward it seems, and there they are to stay, I do not know how long. His regiment is there; for I suppose you have heard of his leaving the ——shire, and of his being gone into the Regulars. Thank heaven he has some friends, though, perhaps, not so many as he deserves.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who knew this to be levelled at Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , was in such misery of shame that she could hardly keep her seat. It drew from her, however, the exertion of speaking, which nothing else had so effectually done before; and she asked Bingley margin:charles-bingley whether he meant to make any stay in the country at present. A few weeks, he believed. “When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ,” said her mother, “I beg you will come here and shoot as many as you please on Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ’s manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you, and will save all the best of the coveys for you.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s misery increased at such unnecessary, such officious attention Were the same fair prospect to arise at present, as had flattered them a year ago, everything, she was persuaded, would be hastening to the same vexatious conclusion. At that instant she felt, that years of happiness could not make Jane margin:jane-bennet or herself amends for moments of such painful confusion. “The first wish of my heart,” said she to herself, “is never more to be in company with either of them. Their society can afford no pleasure that will atone for such wretchedness as this Let me never see either one or the other again ” Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from observing how much the beauty of her sister rekindled the admiration of her former lover. When first he came in, he had spoken to her but little, but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention. He found her as handsome as she had been last year; as good-natured, and as unaffected, though not quite so chatty. Jane margin:jane-bennet was anxious that no difference should be perceived in her at all, and was really persuaded that she talked as much as ever; but her mind was so busily engaged, that she did not always know when she was silent. When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was mindful of her intended civility, and they were invited and engaged to dine at Longbourn margin:longbourn in a few days’ time. “You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley ,” she added; “for when you went to town last winter, you promised to take a family dinner with us as soon as you returned. I have not forgot, you see; and I assure you I was very much disappointed that you did not come back and keep your engagement.” Bingley margin:charles-bingley looked a little silly at this reflection, and said something of his concern at having been prevented by business. They then went away. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and dine there that day; but, though she always kept a very good table, she did not think anything less than two courses could be good enough for a man on whom she had such anxious designs, or satisfy the appetite and pride of one who had ten thousand a year. Chapter LIV As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet walked out to recover her spirits; or, in other words, to dwell without interruption on those subjects which must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy ’s behaviour astonished and vexed her. “Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,” said she, “did he come at all?” She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure. “He could be still amiable, still pleasing to my uncle and aunt, when he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me, why come hither? If he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teasing, teasing man I will think no more about him.” Her resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept by the approach of her sister, who joined her with a cheerful look which showed her better satisfied with their visitors than Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “Now,” said she, “that this first meeting is over, I feel perfectly easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be embarrassed again by his coming. I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. It will then be publicly seen, that on both sides we meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance.” “Yes, very indifferent, indeed,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , laughingly. “Oh, Jane margin:jane-bennet take care.” “My dear Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , you cannot think me so weak as to be in danger now.” “I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever.” They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday; and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , in the meanwhile, was giving way to all the happy schemes which the good-humour and common politeness of Bingley margin:charles-bingley , in half an hour’s visit, had revived. On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at Longbourn margin:longbourn ; and the two who were most anxiously expected, to the credit of their punctuality as sportsmen, were in very good time. When they repaired to the dining-room, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet eagerly watched to see whether Bingley margin:charles-bingley would take the place which, in all their former parties, had belonged to him, by her sister. Her prudent mother, occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed to hesitate; but Jane margin:jane-bennet happened to look round, and happened to smile: it was decided. He placed himself by her. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his friend. He bore it with noble indifference; and she would have imagined that Bingley margin:charles-bingley had received his sanction to be happy, had she not seen his eyes likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy , with an expression of half-laughing alarm. His behaviour to her sister was such during dinnertime as showed an admiration of her, which, though more guarded than formerly, persuaded Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , that, if left wholly to himself, Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s happiness, and his own, would be speedily secured. Though she dared not depend upon the consequence, she yet received pleasure from observing his behaviour. It gave her all the animation that her spirits could boast; for she was in no cheerful humour. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy was almost as far from her as the table could divide them. He was on one side of her mother. She knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to advantage. She was not near enough to hear any of their discourse; but she could see how seldom they spoke to each other, and how formal and cold was their manner whenever they did. Her mother’s ungraciousness made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s mind; and she would, at times, have given anything to be privileged to tell him, that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the family. She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of bringing them together; that the whole of the visit would not pass away without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation, than the mere ceremonious salutation attending his entrance. Anxious and uneasy, the period which passed in the drawing-room before the gentlemen came, was wearisome and dull to a degree that almost made her uncivil. She looked forward to their entrance as the point on which all her chance of pleasure for the evening must depend. “If he does not come to me, then ,” said she, “I shall give him up for ever.” The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as if he would have answered her hopes; but, alas the ladies had crowded round the table, where Miss Bennet was making tea, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet pouring out the coffee, in so close a confederacy, that there was not a single vacancy near her which would admit of a chair. And on the gentlemen’s approaching, one of the girls moved closer to her than ever, and said, in a whisper,— “The men shan’t come and part us, I am determined. We want none of them; do we?” Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes, envied everyone to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee, and then was enraged against herself for being so silly “A man who has once been refused How could I ever be foolish enough to expect a renewal of his love? Is there one among the sex who would not protest against such a weakness as a second proposal to the same woman? There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings.” She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back his coffee-cup himself; and she seized the opportunity of saying,— “Is your sister at Pemberley margin:pemberley still?” “Yes; she will remain there till Christmas.” “And quite alone? Have all her friends left her?” “Mrs. Annesley is with her. The others have been gone on to Scarborough these three weeks.” She could think of nothing more to say; but if he wished to converse with her, he might have better success. He stood by her, however, for some minutes, in silence; and, at last, on the young lady’s whispering to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet again, he walked away. When the tea things were removed, and the card tables placed, the ladies all rose; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was then hoping to be soon joined by him, when all her views were overthrown, by seeing him fall a victim to her mother’s rapacity for whist players, and in a few moments after seated with the rest of the party. She now lost every expectation of pleasure. They were confined for the evening at different tables; and she had nothing to hope, but that his eyes were so often turned towards her side of the room, as to make him play as unsuccessfully as herself. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet had designed to keep the two Netherfield margin:netherfield gentlemen to supper; but their carriage was, unluckily, ordered before any of the others, and she had no opportunity of detaining them. “Well, girls,” said she, as soon as they were left to themselves, “what say you to the day? I think everything has passed off uncommonly well, I assure you. The dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw. The venison was roasted to a turn—and everybody said, they never saw so fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times better than what we had at the Lucases margin:the-lucas-family ’ last week; and even Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy acknowledged that the partridges were remarkably well done; and I suppose he has two or three French cooks at least. And, my dear Jane margin:jane-bennet , I never saw you look in greater beauty. Mrs. Long said so too, for I asked her whether you did not. And what do you think she said besides? ‘Ah Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , we shall have her at Netherfield margin:netherfield at last ’ She did, indeed. I do think Mrs. Long is as good a creature as ever lived—and her nieces are very pretty behaved girls, and not at all handsome: I like them prodigiously.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , in short, was in very great spirits: she had seen enough of Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s behaviour to Jane margin:jane-bennet to be convinced that she would get him at last; and her expectations of advantage to her family, when in a happy humour, were so far beyond reason, that she was quite disappointed at not seeing him there again the next day, to make his proposals. “It has been a very agreeable day,” said Miss Bennet to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “The party seemed so well selected, so suitable one with the other. I hope we may often meet again.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet smiled. “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , you must not do so. You must not suspect me. It mortifies me. I assure you that I have now learnt to enjoy his conversation as an agreeable and sensible young man without having a wish beyond it. I am perfectly satisfied, from what his manners now are, that he never had any design of engaging my affection. It is only that he is blessed with greater sweetness of address, and a stronger desire of generally pleasing, than any other man.” “You are very cruel,” said her sister, “you will not let me smile, and are provoking me to it every moment.” “How hard it is in some cases to be believed And how impossible in others But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I acknowledge?” “That is a question which I hardly know how to answer. We all love to instruct, though we can teach only what is not worth knowing. Forgive me; and if you persist in indifference, do not make me your confidante.” Chapter LV A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley called again, and alone. His friend had left him that morning for London margin:london , but was to return home in ten days’ time. He sat with them above an hour, and was in remarkably good spirits. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet invited him to dine with them; but, with many expressions of concern, he confessed himself engaged elsewhere. “Next time you call,” said she, “I hope we shall be more lucky.” He should be particularly happy at any time, etc., etc.; and if she would give him leave, would take an early opportunity of waiting on them. “Can you come to-morrow?” Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her invitation was accepted with alacrity. He came, and in such very good time, that the ladies were none of them dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet to her daughters’ room, in her dressing-gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out,— “My dear Jane margin:jane-bennet , make haste and hurry down. He is come— Mr. Bingley margin:charles-bingley is come. He is, indeed. Make haste, make haste. Here, Sarah, come to Miss Bennet this moment, and help her on with her gown. Never mind Miss Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s hair.” “We will be down as soon as we can,” said Jane margin:jane-bennet ; “but I dare say Kitty margin:catherine-bennet is forwarder than either of us, for she went upstairs half an hour ago.” “Oh hang Kitty margin:catherine-bennet what has she to do with it? Come, be quick, be quick where is your sash, my dear?” But when her mother was gone, Jane margin:jane-bennet would not be prevailed on to go down without one of her sisters. The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again in the evening. After tea, Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet retired to the library, as was his custom, and Mary margin:mary-bennet went upstairs to her instrument. Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet sat looking and winking at Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet and Catherine for a considerable time, without making any impression on them. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet would not observe her; and when at last Kitty margin:catherine-bennet did, she very innocently said, “What is the matter, mamma? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?” “Nothing, child, nothing. I did not wink at you.” She then sat still five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious occasion, she suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty margin:catherine-bennet ,— “Come here, my love, I want to speak to you,” took her out of the room. Jane margin:jane-bennet instantly gave a look at Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet which spoke her distress at such premeditation, and her entreaty that she would not give in to it. In a few minutes, Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet half opened the door and called out,— “ Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , my dear, I want to speak with you.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was forced to go. “We may as well leave them by themselves, you know,” said her mother as soon as she was in the hall. “ Kitty margin:catherine-bennet and I are going upstairs to sit in my dressing-room.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet made no attempt to reason with her mother, but remained quietly in the hall till she and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet were out of sight, then returned into the drawing-room. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s schemes for this day were ineffectual. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was everything that was charming, except the professed lover of her daughter. His ease and cheerfulness rendered him a most agreeable addition to their evening party; and he bore with the ill-judged officiousness of the mother, and heard all her silly remarks with a forbearance and command of countenance particularly grateful to the daughter. He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and before he went away an engagement was formed, chiefly through his own and Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s means, for his coming next morning to shoot with her husband. After this day, Jane margin:jane-bennet said no more of her indifference. Not a word passed between the sisters concerning Bingley margin:charles-bingley ; but Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet went to bed in the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded, unless Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy returned within the stated time. Seriously, however, she felt tolerably persuaded that all this must have taken place with that gentleman’s concurrence. Bingley margin:charles-bingley was punctual to his appointment; and he and Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet spent the morning together, as had been agreed on. The latter was much more agreeable than his companion expected. There was nothing of presumption or folly in Bingley margin:charles-bingley that could provoke his ridicule, or disgust him into silence; and he was more communicative, and less eccentric, than the other had ever seen him. Bingley margin:charles-bingley of course returned with him to dinner; and in the evening Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet ’s invention was again at work to get everybody away from him and her daughter. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who had a letter to write, went into the breakfast-room for that purpose soon after tea; for as the others were all going to sit down to cards, she could not be wanted to counteract her mother’s schemes. But on her returning to the drawing-room, when her letter was finished, she saw, to her infinite surprise, there was reason to fear that her mother had been too ingenious for her. On opening the door, she perceived her sister and Bingley margin:charles-bingley standing together over the hearth, as if engaged in earnest conversation; and had this led to no suspicion, the faces of both, as they hastily turned round and moved away from each other, would have told it all. Their situation was awkward enough; but hers she thought was still worse. Not a syllable was uttered by either; and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was on the point of going away again, when Bingley margin:charles-bingley , who as well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose, and, whispering a few words to her sister, ran out of the room. Jane margin:jane-bennet could have no reserves from Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , where confidence would give pleasure; and, instantly embracing her, acknowledged, with the liveliest emotion, that she was the happiest creature in the world. “’Tis too much ” she added, “by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh, why is not everybody as happy?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every sentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane margin:jane-bennet . But she would not allow herself to stay with her sister, or say half that remained to be said, for the present. “I must go instantly to my mother,” she cried. “I would not on any account trifle with her affectionate solicitude, or allow her to hear it from anyone but myself. He is gone to my father already. Oh, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , to know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear family how shall I bear so much happiness?” She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely broken up the card-party, and was sitting upstairs with Kitty margin:catherine-bennet . Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity and ease with which an affair was finally settled, that had given them so many previous months of suspense and vexation. “And this,” said she, “is the end of all his friend’s anxious circumspection of all his sister’s falsehood and contrivance the happiest, wisest, and most reasonable end ” In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley margin:charles-bingley , whose conference with her father had been short and to the purpose. “Where is your sister?” said he hastily, as he opened the door. “With my mother upstairs. She will be down in a moment, I dare say.” He then shut the door, and, coming up to her, claimed the good wishes and affection of a sister. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet honestly and heartily expressed her delight in the prospect of their relationship. They shook hands with great cordiality; and then, till her sister came down, she had to listen to all he had to say of his own happiness, and of Jane margin:jane-bennet ’s perfections; and in spite of his being a lover, Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet really believed all his expectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for basis the excellent understanding and super-excellent disposition of Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and himself. It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the satisfaction of Miss Bennet’s mind gave such a glow of sweet animation to her face, as made her look handsomer than ever. Kitty margin:catherine-bennet simpered and smiled, and hoped her turn was coming soon. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet could not give her consent, or speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings, though she talked to Bingley margin:charles-bingley of nothing else, for half an hour; and when Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed how really happy he was. Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it, till their visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he turned to his daughter and said,— “ Jane margin:jane-bennet , I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.” Jane margin:jane-bennet went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his goodness. “You are a good girl,” he replied, “and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income.” “I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable in me .” “Exceed their income My dear Mr. Bennet margin:mr-bennet ,” cried his wife, “what are you talking of? Why, he has four or five thousand a year, and very likely more.” Then addressing her daughter, “Oh, my dear, dear Jane margin:jane-bennet , I am so happy I am sure I shan’t get a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it would be. I always said it must be so, at last. I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing I remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when he first came into Hertfordshire last year, I thought how likely it was that you should come together. Oh, he is the handsomest young man that ever was seen ” Wickham margin:george-wickham , Lydia margin:lydia-bennet , were all forgotten. Jane margin:jane-bennet was beyond competition her favourite child. At that moment she cared for no other. Her younger sisters soon began to make interest with her for objects of happiness which she might in future be able to dispense. Mary margin:mary-bennet petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield margin:netherfield ; and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet begged very hard for a few balls there every winter. Bingley margin:charles-bingley , from this time, was of course a daily visitor at Longbourn margin:longbourn ; coming frequently before breakfast, and always remaining till after supper; unless when some barbarous neighbour, who could not be enough detested, had given him an invitation to dinner, which he thought himself obliged to accept. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had now but little time for conversation with her sister; for while he was present Jane margin:jane-bennet had no attention to bestow on anyone else: but she found herself considerably useful to both of them, in those hours of separation that must sometimes occur. In the absence of Jane margin:jane-bennet , he always attached himself to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet for the pleasure of talking of her; and when Bingley margin:charles-bingley was gone, Jane constantly sought the same means of relief. “He has made me so happy,” said she, one evening, “by telling me that he was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring I had not believed it possible.” “I suspected as much,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “But how did he account for it?” “It must have been his sisters’ doing. They were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, since he might have chosen so much more advantageously in many respects. But when they see, as I trust they will, that their brother is happy with me, they will learn to be contented, and we shall be on good terms again: though we can never be what we once were to each other.” “That is the most unforgiving speech,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , “that I ever heard you utter. Good girl It would vex me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley margin:caroline-bingley ’s pretended regard.” “Would you believe it, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , that when he went to town last November he really loved me, and nothing but a persuasion of my being indifferent would have prevented his coming down again?” “He made a little mistake, to be sure; but it is to the credit of his modesty.” This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane margin:jane-bennet on his diffidence, and the little value he put on his own good qualities. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was pleased to find that he had not betrayed the interference of his friend; for, though Jane margin:jane-bennet had the most generous and forgiving heart in the world, she knew it was a circumstance which must prejudice her against him. “I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed ” cried Jane margin:jane-bennet . “Oh, Lizzy margin:elizabeth-bennet , why am I thus singled from my family, and blessed above them all? If I could but see you as happy If there were but such another man for you ” “If you were to give me forty such men I never could be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself; and, perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins margin:william-collins in time.” The situation of affairs in the Longbourn margin:longbourn family could not be long a secret. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Philips margin:mrs-philips , and she ventured, without any permission, to do the same by all her neighbours in Meryton margin:meryton . The Bennets margin:the-bennet-family were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world; though only a few weeks before, when Lydia margin:lydia-bennet had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune. Chapter LVI One morning, about a week after Bingley margin:charles-bingley ’s engagement with Jane margin:jane-bennet had been formed, as he and the females of the family were sitting together in the dining-room, their attention was suddenly drawn to the window by the sound of a carriage; and they perceived a chaise and four driving up the lawn. It was too early in the morning for visitors; and besides, the equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbours. The horses were post; and neither the carriage, nor the livery of the servant who preceded it, were familiar to them. As it was certain, however, that somebody was coming, Bingley margin:charles-bingley instantly prevailed on Miss Bennet to avoid the confinement of such an intrusion, and walk away with him into the shrubbery. They both set off; and the conjectures of the remaining three continued, though with little satisfaction, till the door was thrown open, and their visitor entered. It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh . They were of course all intending to be surprised: but their astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on the part of Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet and Kitty margin:catherine-bennet , though she was perfectly unknown to them, even inferior to what Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet felt. She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no other reply to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ’s salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word. Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet had mentioned her name to her mother on her Ladyship’s entrance, though no request of introduction had been made. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of such high importance, received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in silence, she said, very stiffly, to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,— “I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your mother?” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet replied very concisely that she was. “And that , I suppose, is one of your sisters?” “Yes, madam,” said Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , delighted to speak to a Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh . “She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all is lately married, and my eldest is somewhere about the ground, walking with a young man, who, I believe, will soon become a part of the family.” “You have a very small park here,” returned Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh , after a short silence. “It is nothing in comparison of Rosings margin:rosings , my Lady, I dare say; but, I assure you, it is much larger than Sir William Lucas margin:sir-william-lucas ’s.” “This must be a most inconvenient sitting-room for the evening in summer: the windows are full west.” Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner; and then added,— “May I take the liberty of asking your Ladyship whether you left Mr. and Mrs. Collins margin:william-collins well?” “Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet now expected that she would produce a letter for her from Charlotte margin:charlotte-lucas , as it seemed the only probable motive for her calling. But no letter appeared, and she was completely puzzled. Mrs. Bennet margin:mrs-bennet , with great civility, begged her Ladyship to take some refreshment: but Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh very resolutely, and not very politely, declined eating anything; and then, rising up, said to Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet ,— “Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your company.” “Go, my dear,” cried her mother, “and show her Ladyship about the different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet obeyed; and, running into her own room for her parasol, attended her noble guest downstairs. As they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh opened the doors into the dining-parlour and drawing-room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent-looking rooms, walked on. Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet saw that her waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded in silence along the gravel walk that led to the copse; Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet was determined to make no effort for conversation with a woman who was now more than usually insolent and disagreeable. “How could I ever think her like her nephew?” said she, as she looked in her face. As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh began in the following manner:— “You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason of my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come.” Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet looked with unaffected astonishment. “Indeed, you are mistaken, madam; I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here.” “Miss Bennet,” replied her Ladyship, in an angry tone, “you ought to know that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so. My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness; and in a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it. A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told, that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you —that Miss Elizabeth Bennet margin:elizabeth-bennet would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew—my own nephew, Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy . Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure him so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you.” “If you believed it impossible to be true,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet , colouring with astonishment and disdain, “I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. What could your Ladyship propose by it?” “At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.” “Your coming to Longbourn margin:longbourn , to see me and my family,” said Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet coolly, “will be rather a confirmation of it—if, indeed, such a report is in existence.” “If do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?” “I never heard that it was.” “And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?” “I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your Ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.” “This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?” “Your Ladyship has declared it to be impossible.” “It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of his reason. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You may have drawn him in.” “If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.” “Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns.” “But you are not entitled to know mine ; nor will such behaviour as this ever induce me to be explicit.” “Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is engaged to my daughter . Now, what have you to say?” “Only this,—that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will make an offer to me.” Lady Catherine margin:lady-catherine-de-bourgh hesitated for a moment, and then replied,— “The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favourite wish of his mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles we planned the union; and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished, is their marriage to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family? Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends—to his tacit engagement with Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh ? Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say, that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?” “Yes; and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there is no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall certainly not be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt wished him to marry Miss de Bourgh margin:anne-de-bourgh . You both did as much as you could in planning the marriage. Its completion depended on others. If Mr. Darcy margin:fitzwilliam-darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?” “Because honour, decorum, prudence—nay, interest—forbid it. Yes, Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by everyone connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.” “These are heavy misfortunes,” replied Elizabeth margin:elizabeth-bennet . “But t